What’s off in my walk cycle hip weight shift and timing in animation?

[Avery.J]

I’ve been trying to nail a convincing walk cycle for my latest character, but the hips just feel off no matter how many reference videos I study. The weight shift never looks natural, and I can’t figure out if it’s my timing on the passing pose or the spacing in my arcs that’s the real issue.

[KevinG]

I\'ve chased the same thing. I slowed the passing pose by a couple frames and let the hips do a tiny sway instead of a snap. Watching the CM path, it dips a touch later than the foot plant, which makes the weight read more natural.

[Tyler_T]

I tried a heavier pelvis and a longer hip arc, then the legs started slipping on ice. It felt better for a moment, but the rhythm got twitchy and the torso read as disconnected. I wind up scrapping the tweak and starting over.

[Richard_M]

I actually timed it once. Heel strike to toe off ran about 12 frames, weight shift began 4 frames after heel plant, and the passing pose landed around frame 8. It gave me numbers to chase, but nudging those frames alone didn\'t fix how it reads.

[JasonRJ]

Are you sure the real problem isn\'t the stride length or camera angle? I keep thinking the hips are fine and the read comes from something else, but then I go back and nothing lands.