how to approach a tracking shot

Hito

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flp62mUdNZY

Quick and dirty test. I have running loops of the two chars, speed are calibrated so redback is faster. Current plan is making "Lean" layers for when redback following the path. Question is how this type of shot is handled?
Do a loop and stick it on a path and key the "Lean" layer weight?
key every step in the shot?  
key the steps adjustments in a layer over the duration of the shot?

slipsius

Hmmm, Im interested how others would do this as well. As for me, with what you have so far, I would just make another layer and go through and key the entire thing for all your leans. Dont turn on and off the layer. but rather, do a second pass of the entire animation, basically. First pass on that second layer, just key everything at zero where you think you dont need the extra adjustment. Where it looks fine as is. That way you know where the layer will be set to zero. and ya. just fix the poses you need to fix. 

Hito

Yeah, I just can't see keying the entire shot step by step, seems very time consuming. Keying Layer weights seems to me the most gamey approach. I have lean layers set up for Lisa, haven't had the time to put her on a path yet. I'll try it both ways see which works best in the shortest mount of time.

slipsius

Ooooh, ya ya. i get what you mean with the weights now. Ya, you could definitely try that, for sure. 

Hito

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BSnK4RnlNE

looks promising... 10 layers so far... probably end up with 11 or 12. 

ShadowMasterZedx

Looking pretty good Hito, did you do the animations yourself also?

Hito

yeah, started out as just exercise in quadruped running... but thought that'd be kinda boring on the reel. This is just block out to see if the mounting works speed wise, still a lot to do.

ShadowMasterZedx

Nice. yea mounting looks good. i do notice the character clipping into the beast but again you said its blocked out