tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21103258831353479572024-03-14T08:04:35.169-07:00Anthro AnatomicaAnatomy perspectives on anthropomorphic creature designT Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-80269385242054208722014-06-05T12:51:00.002-07:002014-06-05T13:47:24.702-07:00Anthro leg gestures<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From my previous post, here are a few ideas on gestures when it comes to the anthro legs. Firstly I look to draw the curves they create. I've posted before about the elastic energy that digitigrade and ungiligate legs reserve whilst walking, this is effectively why they are configured the way that they are. So simplify this to curves as if the legs were bamboo, bending, curving under strain. So long as you remember that with any stance, the ball of the foot/paw/hoof needs to be in contact with the ground under the bodies center of gravity. Keeping that in mind will help you create that curve and make your characters look more grounded.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-82347103627118756452014-05-28T09:37:00.001-07:002014-05-28T09:37:24.772-07:00Points when drawing plantigrade legs<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to add a few posts about drawing anthro legs again, as they are a tricky bit of anatomy to understand and draw. First off is a few notes on what to keep in mind when drawing human plantigrade legs. It's not a comprehensive guide, but I've tried to focus on some of the key messages that will hopefully help give you a few ideas on what to think about, whether you're drawing from reference or memory.</span><br />
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T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-79800932244156529122014-02-17T13:21:00.000-08:002014-02-17T13:21:32.001-08:00Eyes II<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Animal eye lids tend to open much rounder than a human's. We have an almond shape from the lid folds. There's a distinctive 'wave' to the upper lid most noticeable in canines that is facilitated by raising the brow closest to the nasal arch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-14573808037417809292014-01-14T11:21:00.000-08:002014-02-18T12:48:44.590-08:00Wings and tails<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wings and tails are the anatomical aspects I really wanted to tackle when I set up this blog. I'll make them more of a focus this year. All too often they are just added as after thoughts rather than being physically useful!</span><br />
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T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-30868624898681262072014-01-03T14:31:00.002-08:002014-01-03T14:31:56.539-08:00Eyes<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carnivore eyes, those that are forward facing, are actually quite dissimilar to ours in many ways. I was looking at their shape when sketching and tried some rendering of them over the holidays.</span><br />
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T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-81264938553969478052013-12-09T14:18:00.000-08:002013-12-09T14:21:57.591-08:00Don't just create, build<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where do you begin? Well you don't have to start with all this detail when designing a character but I wanted something specific for my Troganite horse. It's the parts that make the whole when designing anything, and the saying is true that you can't build on a bad foundation, so even if it's a drawing of a biological structure it starts with a well adapted frame.</span>T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-59867850713133265422013-12-03T14:47:00.001-08:002013-12-03T14:47:20.323-08:00Banners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The old anthroanatomica banner is now retired after 1 year of service. Let me know what you think of the new banner style and layout. Many thanks to you all for looking and adding to what is essentially a debate on plausible anatomy! :)</span>T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-8715977904758283082013-12-03T14:21:00.000-08:002013-12-03T14:21:38.395-08:00Tails<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something that's puzzled me for quite a while now is how does a tail work on a biped. Lets take for arguments sake that we are retaining this feature even in some vestigial form. The bones that form the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caudal_vertebrae" target="_blank">caudal vertebrae</a> of any tail are of course that tiny group of coccyx bones in a human. Far from being just a human vestigial tail, the coccyx is the site for attachment for many important <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelvic_floor_muscles" target="_blank">pelvic floor muscles</a> including the muscles of the genitals. How then, could we keep both the functionality of the pelvic floor needed in bipeds to help keep everything 'in' as well as functioning as a birth canal, and the aesthetics of an animal tail. Would caudal bones diverge from the sacrum, or could the sacrum be formed to function like that of the coccyx?</span> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few sketched ideas on how the pelvic floor could exist in a biped with a tail.</span></td></tr>
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T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-24318252463192655862013-11-24T14:40:00.002-08:002014-02-17T13:39:28.989-08:00Anthro leg structure 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Unguligrade legs on the left and digitigrade on the right.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another way to think about the tapering limb as it becomes more distal is to think about 'muscular bulk', 'taper' and 'tendon'. We have the main muscle bulk at the origin of the limb, the muscle tapers down towards the tendon and finally terminates as just tendon onto the bone. This can be applied to any individual muscle of a limb (fig. 2) or also to the limb as a whole (fig. 1). Drawing a limb with this in mind ensures it stays in proportion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The proportions of the limb are indicated by the measuring arrows. The set of legs on the left have a shorter thigh in proportion to the more distal, (further from the body) part of the limb; this limb configuration would offer the character the ability to run faster. As I touched on this in a <a href="http://anthroanatomica.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/walking-on-2-legs-not-4-stride-and.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>, a longer distal portion of the limb offers a greater stride distance and holds more elastic strain energy, quickening the limbs movement. The legs of the digitigrade on the right have a proportion of thigh to lower leg almost 1:1, similar to us as plantigrades. This would offer more limb stability rather than speed with the joints being less prone to stresses or twisting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">One thing to note is that the stability and speed configurations can apply to both digitigrades and unguligrades; it would simply be species and character dependent.</span></div>
T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-5314441320035298812013-11-10T08:15:00.001-08:002013-12-05T14:37:40.602-08:00Anthro leg structure 2<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was asked a few weeks ago to help with creating a set of satyr legs. The main point I outlined was: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">only look at the biggest forms when filling out the wire frame with
muscles. Keep the curves flowing; show the largest sweeps of these shapes to keep them dynamic; have them show the force of the muscles not just their outlines. Don’t get too hung up on individual muscles at the start, that detail is for
later when you’re shading, make sure you’re drawing the big forms to start with.</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Some ideas to consider on an unguiligrade biped leg.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Gesture:</strong> Centre top is an idea of the flowing curves for a digitigrade and unguligrade type. I wanted to get an idea of the fundamental shapes the curves make as if the legs were mechanical; they would be made of curves that would give them spring as they moved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Form:</strong> On the left an idea of where the muscular bulk is as opposed to the bone and tendon areas. All limbs follow the principle that they get thinner the more distal (further from the torso) they become. Take the human arm as example, muscular bulk decreases further down the arm and the limb becomes more sinuous until we get down to just tendons controlling the hand and fingers. This decrease in muscular bulk is worth noting when drawing so as to keep the limb in proportion. On the right is this idea now shown as contours in the forms of the leg.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Function:</strong> At the bottom of the image is a movement sequence. Those areas shaded represent the major muscles that are contracting. The quadriceps, (Q) extend the knee just before the 'contact'. On the 'down', the limb is slowed by the hamstrings (H) as the limb takes the torso's full weight. The elastic energy in taking this weight is channelled down into to fetlock or toe joint by long flexor tendons. This energy is released in the 'up' with the gluteals (G) powering the knee to full extension and the hamstrings extending the hip. This drives the torso forwards as I've talked about in previous posts. Note that the 'knee' and the 'toe' joints flex and extend by the greatest degree, the 'ankle' joint is kept relativity stiff. If the ankle was allowed to flex too much the limb would collapse under the weight of the torso.</span></div>
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<br />T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-23114687042256035662013-10-29T14:20:00.000-07:002013-11-10T09:23:49.095-08:00Anthro run cycle<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">... and now the wire frame for a possible run cycle. Here I've tried to oscillate both hips to reflect their full range of motion during this cycle. The timing isn't finely tuned yet, different moments of the cycle will create faster and slower points in each limbs movement which I haven't really maximised yet. Useful as a reminder that anthro movement is very energetic, likely the arms will have to be swung in arcs to maintain balance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ignore the black dots in the middle, they were placeholders for the start and finish of the cycle</span></div>
T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-92189280604406087822013-10-22T15:14:00.001-07:002013-10-22T15:31:16.424-07:00Anthro walk cycle<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A quick test of a wire frame I made of an anthro walk cycle. I think it's rather species neutral but I had a larger herbivore type in mind; not only is there rise and fall in the hips but due to the mass and stability issues of the legs, each step the leg is going to be thrown forward, creating a far amount of 'hip swagger'. This isn't efficient, as I've mentioned in previous posts, but a digitigrade or unguligrade on 2 legs isn't ever going to be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-92010507976432636292013-10-14T15:01:00.000-07:002013-12-09T14:19:25.018-08:00Head shapes 2<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The point of looking over skulls in the first place is to gain some idea of the forms that they lend to the shape of the head and face. One aspect of creature design a friend pointed out was using these observations to help make choices in accessory design. Again, somewhat dependent on the class of species and actually if you work the problem through you end up with some plausible if not odd looking results..</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Any eye wear is going to need a much wider bridge. Glasses don't have to be designed to hook round the ears but if they did the arms would need to sit higher and not to the sides like for a human.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-39065463306312687322013-10-06T06:34:00.000-07:002013-10-06T10:11:50.304-07:00Head shapes<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I better post some of the sketches I've been sitting on! I've been thinking about skull shapes for anthros for sometime. Previously I looked at the need for anthro skulls to have a cranial dimension like that of a human, if you're thinking intelligence it seems fitting to exaggerate an animals skull to hold a similar brain size to a humans.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1C9rWuEroG-KkUO7cFuCbIvtsVK78hkCKGYGhF6zxpEeWlN1QlpCTAxW6ntxUsKRLHTmqEDpmqXEzp3NAT-yNhemIniGOHkOUJrbKInHLIn3tWqb-g1CzYcacmNUSyOI1nU0NHvt3oQcZ/s1600/heads+and+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1C9rWuEroG-KkUO7cFuCbIvtsVK78hkCKGYGhF6zxpEeWlN1QlpCTAxW6ntxUsKRLHTmqEDpmqXEzp3NAT-yNhemIniGOHkOUJrbKInHLIn3tWqb-g1CzYcacmNUSyOI1nU0NHvt3oQcZ/s320/heads+and+face.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The 2 small intermediate diagrams show the distinction of cranial size (red), </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Animal skulls are much more elongated front to back than a human's. Where you'd draw an average human skull as a sphere with a box below for the jaw, for an anthro you're looking more at a ovoid with a box at the front. This is so you can retain the distinct facial features such as those elongated noses and jaws. You can break this idea down further into class (I take class to mean either carnivore, omnivore or herbivore). The main distinction between them being the required jaw size to tackle their specialised foods. As a general idea, jaws tend to get both longer and deeper with herbivores; more muscular action is needed to grind plant matter, so a large bone surface is required, their food is generally in a hard to reach place, hence the long face. For either class, starting with a skull similar to that of a human guarantees you'll retain an adequate brain size.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHmfMdSRT7Ueaj7FPcsMwWIlV0GRdRdgPDuq_GRU9No2Vku9UGgUGiZ1oDrgt38e7G4JahhwQ8Qegyb1eeOiHPceAgiGGVnJLuZODwDcNy-kAe8X3fK4t65Y7CVHL1TwazOAM5jOEYmwo/s1600/skull+sketches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHmfMdSRT7Ueaj7FPcsMwWIlV0GRdRdgPDuq_GRU9No2Vku9UGgUGiZ1oDrgt38e7G4JahhwQ8Qegyb1eeOiHPceAgiGGVnJLuZODwDcNy-kAe8X3fK4t65Y7CVHL1TwazOAM5jOEYmwo/s320/skull+sketches.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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Taking this a little further the idea of snout length is certainly up to not only the species and the class but also to your own preference. Felines tend to have a much rounder short snout, canines have a more rectangular and thin snout. Length adaptation is up to you. For example, the sketches above are for carnivores, their main principle is that their jaws are thin and sleek with large forward pointing eyes however the length of the snout is undefined.</span><br />
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Jaws are nothing without teeth, and teeth are distinctly specialised for each class. There are a number of other more subtle differences than teeth to think about, especially if you want to be creating expressive characters. Jaw depth i've mentioned, however it's carnivores that tend to have a much larger jaw opening range to catch and eat pray. Useful for expressions showing rage and anger. Due to their large teeth, particularly their canines, carnivores have limited side to side motion which herbivore use to rotate their jaws to grind plant matter. Side to side motions are more or less reserved to show puzzlement or thinking. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Ahhhhhh a splinter!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Huh?</span></td></tr>
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T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-1269106290959825352013-09-17T02:44:00.001-07:002013-09-17T02:44:17.356-07:00Sorry, been busy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZHFEqHBRV1Xl8r4GEZH1GvHs4zew4V0X9pbBWkq3TS-cn8D06-fF8giXMPFIUVC8KkLGqKq_85fvyy3h2XIQ2v2ejPh4F5fyHj3dMfH9BTG4v1FE3ag5uoYPKCd3uW0m62pJThV2A7KH/s1600/disruption.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZHFEqHBRV1Xl8r4GEZH1GvHs4zew4V0X9pbBWkq3TS-cn8D06-fF8giXMPFIUVC8KkLGqKq_85fvyy3h2XIQ2v2ejPh4F5fyHj3dMfH9BTG4v1FE3ag5uoYPKCd3uW0m62pJThV2A7KH/s1600/disruption.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now that i'm home, time to get back into posting!</span></div>
T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-11201806766676517182013-06-30T22:45:00.000-07:002013-12-09T14:19:48.712-08:00Lumbar Support<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've gone back to thinking more about spinal curves when it comes to anthros. This is particularly relevant with tough, heavy types and also very relevant when thinking about how a tail would be structured and function on a biped. I think that the fundamental understanding of what can and can't be done with anthros bipeds certainly concerns the lumbar support system.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNFrxclv6a_E20wSFq_rC5d3xWn_Q3a_HxdXovxIj56pWvWmrNlfbp96J4IvLSJBYwXhhyKPG_RGN6Wqs6EQueSqaKlRGINQ2rzRUge-y2jonibdIW5KHvMIJM_47G0l-n55xEcUqncnK/s819/lumbar+curves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNFrxclv6a_E20wSFq_rC5d3xWn_Q3a_HxdXovxIj56pWvWmrNlfbp96J4IvLSJBYwXhhyKPG_RGN6Wqs6EQueSqaKlRGINQ2rzRUge-y2jonibdIW5KHvMIJM_47G0l-n55xEcUqncnK/s400/lumbar+curves.jpg" width="250" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Part of the lumbar lordosis support</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The human S-curve transfers tension and load down into the pelvis via the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacro-iliac_joint" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sacro-iliac joint</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. If we are going to retain anthro features such as larger skulls, bigger chest and shoulder like that of Minotaurs, the more weight we are applying to the cervical and thoracic vertebrae, ultimately pulling the torso forward as well as the centre of gravity. This is going to make it harder for this S-curve to hold it's mid-line (shown in red). If the mid-line shifts away from the sacro-iliac joint then weight transmission is less efficient, resulting in muscle groups having to bear the torso's load rather than the spine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In humans an important deep structure called the thoracolumbar fascia, which are tough multi-directional connective tissues directly attached to the spinous processes of the lumbar vertebrae. Our erector spinae muscles and l<span style="line-height: 1.2em;">atissimus dorsi</span>, as well as our core muscles such as the obliques act to pull the thoracic spine (our chest) backwards and downwards, keeping us held upright. The gluteals as I've mentioned in previous posts are under tone to hold the pelvis from tilting forward, keeping us stood upright. These multiple actions ultimately draw the lumbar spine into </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lordosis" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lordosis</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> like drawing the string on a bow, the lumbar curve is under a great deal of elastic energy, stored in the thoracolumbar fascia.</span><br />
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Understanding the limits of the lumbar curve is important for anthro characters, who are often portrayed as extra massive, with craning necks and heads. The spinal curves may have to adjust to hold this weight and maintain the mid-line, either through hyperlordosis or even <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyphosis" target="_blank">kyphosis</a>.</span><br />
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How the sacro-iliac joint and the lumbar curve would be arranged to structure a tail is a relevant question. It would certainly require changes to the configuration of the pelvis as well as considerations on nerve pathways out of the sacrum.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More on the thoracolumbar fascia:</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-9756195635699512262013-06-13T05:06:00.000-07:002013-06-13T05:06:59.970-07:00Stance sketches<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some ideas on digitigrade and ungiligrade legs this week. I'm hoping to have the time this month to complete some 2D animations on walking.</span></td></tr>
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<br />T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-13955863177456464012013-06-07T01:21:00.002-07:002013-12-09T14:20:16.260-08:00Anthro-grade stance<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Been a few weeks from my last post, had a few things on my mind but it's given me time to sketch out more ideas, particularly on the subject of tails and anthro legs.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGa0TnhqHggocDNc5Cz_VndQOp_-HiSRo84VSSheZwL7vycFe0Tj7qKG_FEUiAHlnZhKZvj-dAeWw1MvS0gT9LHU4JkXLF6VxT4ecUNExsKkybxChouTNGNf9Nd3URAWqaF-aaDPNO9XL/s1600/leg+power.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGa0TnhqHggocDNc5Cz_VndQOp_-HiSRo84VSSheZwL7vycFe0Tj7qKG_FEUiAHlnZhKZvj-dAeWw1MvS0gT9LHU4JkXLF6VxT4ecUNExsKkybxChouTNGNf9Nd3URAWqaF-aaDPNO9XL/s400/leg+power.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>To keep the anthro 'stoop' we need to change some of the anatomy. Quadriceps shown in green, gluteals in shades of red, hamstrings in purple and the ilio-tibial tract in cream.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anthro leg anatomy issues really come down to antho characters standing in a constant 'stoop'. I think that this is some sort of visual misnomer in that it's drawn to emulate the shape of an animals leg but with limited consideration on the extent of its impact to the anatomy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Holding a stooped position as a human is hard work, it requires a great deal of force from the quadriceps to keep the knee in partial flexion and the gluteals and hamstrings are under stress to hold the femur at an angle. This is because the weight of the torso is placing the centre of gravity too far behind the feet, the pelvis needs to tilt the torso forward to counterbalance this, bringing the centre of gravity back under the torso. That's why if you try squats in the gym, releasing the stress on your glutes can be done by leaning forward. This stoop is very energy inefficient, and clearly will lead to characters walking not only on bent knees but in a bent forward stance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There could be a couple of ways to fix this if you wanted to keep the 'dog leg'. Either increase the muscular force the leg can muster (but this still does not change the energy required to hold the leg up, it just means the muscle will be slower to fatigue). Or you shorten the length of the femur. Shortening the distance of the load arm (shown above) makes the stance more energy efficient. This is because the load (the weight of the torso) is now much closer to the pivot (the knee joint), it means that less force is require to lift the load. Much like when using a wheel barrow, this is an example of a second class lever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shortening the thigh doesn't solve the problem but it certainly would help.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>'A' represents a possible digitigrade stance with a vertical femur. 'B' represents a possible unguligrade stance where the femur is in a stoop. I was not trying to compare digitigrade and unguligrade here, only a vertical femur and one in a stoop.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking the stance as a whole it's easier to see that 'B', stood in a stoop with the torso fully upright, would result in the characters centre of gravity being behind it's foot, it's still below the torso but the torso is now more inclined to want to fall backwards because of the stoop, the quadriceps are taking the strain to hold this stance upright.</span><br />
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'A' is digitigrade and the femur is vertical but the knee is still slightly in flexion. If the quadriceps contract too much it will cause the trunk to fall forward. From a balance perspective the centre of gravity is better maintained under the feet of 'A' since the leg is much more vertical but it will of course require a greater level of tone to hold this stance than that of a human plantigrade biped. </span><br />
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Combining the ideas above:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">shorter thigh</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">thigh more vertical than stooped</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">larger musculature to lower the fatigue </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">maintains a stance directly under the torso</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is this a more likely anatomically correct look for an antho? One of many configurations for sure!</span><br />
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T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-87236606562682210602013-05-16T22:31:00.000-07:002013-12-09T14:20:37.558-08:00Way is knowing the pelvic structure important?<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s
a good idea to note the configuration of the pelvis when creating any character, human or anthro. I'm a firm believer in sketching out the basic bone structure in any character sketch, it helps to create your anchor points and maintain your proportions. There are a number of landmarks of the hip that will dictate the overall look of your characters waist, hips and legs that are worth taking some time to study.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN79SOtmUYTZ4mt2KmDDuNga6Se0eOE0Mm6cZo31UiukWdc1sbOevLTmFajy9ajjVNfzam7_xOSUw8LWptHrhOOqBH4R_qv-Mh1Y_ggOSFfRTN2Z8QvbmmGx5avYAO4mbmh9xYCvH59dll/s1600/pelvic+landmarks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN79SOtmUYTZ4mt2KmDDuNga6Se0eOE0Mm6cZo31UiukWdc1sbOevLTmFajy9ajjVNfzam7_xOSUw8LWptHrhOOqBH4R_qv-Mh1Y_ggOSFfRTN2Z8QvbmmGx5avYAO4mbmh9xYCvH59dll/s400/pelvic+landmarks.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Landmarks from the front:</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1.</b> The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iliac_crest" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">iliac crest</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, the most obvious part of the pelvis you can feel under the skin. In an </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">athletic</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> character the crest forms the ridge to the bulging mass of the obliques, the muscles of your waist.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2. </b>The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inguinal_ligament" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">inguinal ligament</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is formed by the obliques and </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 14px;">demarcates</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> the line where the torso ends and legs begin. It creates the distinctive 'V' or 'U' shape seen in the photo below.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3.</b> </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pubic_tubercle" style="line-height: 115%;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pubic tubercle</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> this forward projection of the pubic bone can be felt under the public line and is the attachment of the inguinal ligament. The abdominal muscles also attach to the pubic bone. Below this landmark is the point at which the </span><span style="line-height: 14px;">genitals</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> sit, in the male for example via the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspensory_ligament_of_penis" target="_blank">suspensory ligament</a>. (Also worth noting is that if your characters are in 'heroic' proportion, that's 8-heads high, this landmark marks the mid point of your character height).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 115%;">4. </b><span style="line-height: 115%;">The </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_trochanter" style="line-height: 115%;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">greater trochanter</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> of the femur is the major attachment point of the gluteals. It is clearly visible in a frontal view as a bulge at the top of the leg and more </span><span style="line-height: 14px;">predominant</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> in the female. It adds a distinctive curve to the top of the leg when drawing characters from the front or back.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM81VHQAvWUAu7LYC8vha5xan8_jknkrNxeUmLLqRoWJ_vc448WKeZSWXMuyxWNfaSK2iOnFUTGBABVi2t_ywFzxqRSTwpGcZINlf_YrE3m9ME4ueBTD1M7gjpFyDCnsoghi_Dcja3093i/s1600/Untitled-900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM81VHQAvWUAu7LYC8vha5xan8_jknkrNxeUmLLqRoWJ_vc448WKeZSWXMuyxWNfaSK2iOnFUTGBABVi2t_ywFzxqRSTwpGcZINlf_YrE3m9ME4ueBTD1M7gjpFyDCnsoghi_Dcja3093i/s320/Untitled-900.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The distinctive 'V' or 'U' shape of the obliques.</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-9713325890334523622013-05-10T07:41:00.000-07:002013-05-10T07:41:05.392-07:00Standing upright - Part III<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In <a href="http://anthroanatomica.blogspot.com/2013/04/bipedalism-in-humans-is-by-no-means.html" rel="nofollow">Part I</a> I looked at changes in pelvic
configuration from early hominids. It’s useful to note these changes as it
helps explain why we are good at being bipedal and conversely, what wouldn't work or work very well. I’ve laid out what I’ve found here in terms of
adaptations to the pelvis from quadruped to biped, these can act as our ‘ground
rules’ for consideration when designing anthro characters or mechanical walkers.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsnNxW3ico2oACBIKW-13_JlMzgxUAax34I4_mnmsyyUQpT4CCW2zw7VvtOqzKdCy3_KYC7hjepZAhY_6gfHUcUFl3WrdwYx1MRTcewUdDvd6MC73JwqonpOIfeX2Ic0HdiD9OjuYZctO/s1600/walk+wobble2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsnNxW3ico2oACBIKW-13_JlMzgxUAax34I4_mnmsyyUQpT4CCW2zw7VvtOqzKdCy3_KYC7hjepZAhY_6gfHUcUFl3WrdwYx1MRTcewUdDvd6MC73JwqonpOIfeX2Ic0HdiD9OjuYZctO/s320/walk+wobble2.jpg" width="248" /></span></a></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Centre of gravity – bipeds must make sure their centre of
gravity doesn't shift drastically from side to side with each step, this is destablising and inefficient.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A tall pelvis has the effect of lengthening the torso, meaning
that the centre of gravity moves higher, further away from the hips. This makes
the trunk harder to stabilise.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The ‘S’ curve of the lumbar vertebra lowers the centre of
gravity towards the hips, helping stabilise the torso.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This lumbar curve also gives the vertebral column the flex needed to
withstand the pressure of the torso acting through it, the lower lumbar have
widened giving a larger surface area for weight transmission.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A wider sacrum has evolved to accommodate the wider lower lumbar
vertebra. The sacroiliac joint (connecting the sacrum and the pelvis) also has a large surface area for weight transmission
from the torso through both sides of the pelvis down to the femoral heads.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The widened sacrum increases the width of the 'true pelvis', (the space through the centre of the pelvis), facilitating the ability to birth offspring with much larger craniums.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">However, a wider pelvis is a problem. During the support phase of locomotion one leg is off the ground. The weight of the torso is now acting on the femoral head of the standing leg. This is an example of a first class lever (levers that balance weight like
a child's see-saw). The femoral head is acting as the pivot and the distance from the pivot to the body weight is called the 'load arm'. The ‘force arm’ on the other side of the pivot is
our gluteus medius (an abductor muscle). It contracts to counterbalance the load arm. The wider we make our pelvis the longer we make
the load arm, putting more pressure on the femoral head. We need a larger force or longer force arm to increase the
mechanical advantage of this lever, otherwise we risk damaging the femoral head or having the hips slump with each step, just like the chimpanzee. In the Lucy skeleton,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">Australopithecus afarensis,</span> </i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">it reveals her long
load arm was countered by an increased length in the neck of the femur and a flaring
of the iliac crest of the pelvis to place the abductors further from the pivot.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The bicondylar angle is unique in humans. The femurs converge at the knees, bringing the legs
close to the midline. This means the feet pass close to the midline and the centre
of gravity is maintained directly underneath the torso. This is energy
efficient as it doesn’t create a side to side motion of the hips when we walk.</span></span></li>
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T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-33719199833265049362013-05-09T04:13:00.000-07:002013-05-09T04:13:00.486-07:00Standing upright - Part II<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJtF0rGgf8c6S7QcXH8TP07UC-yzeCZ-vGyiRSGEfy5Ynp-1oomd7ibZW1VoIF6eTHx8kbZi7DIXItRMwKB5BpldcGYZmCeWHA_Exm35q3jqwG6BU9xKyfMf9I7uSh3JqccWQZMIuaTLJ/s1600/anatomy+hips6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJtF0rGgf8c6S7QcXH8TP07UC-yzeCZ-vGyiRSGEfy5Ynp-1oomd7ibZW1VoIF6eTHx8kbZi7DIXItRMwKB5BpldcGYZmCeWHA_Exm35q3jqwG6BU9xKyfMf9I7uSh3JqccWQZMIuaTLJ/s320/anatomy+hips6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It isn’t possible to directly compare a set of quadruped
‘buttocks’ to that of a human because for quadrupeds, like the horse in
this example, their behinds are not really gluteals, they are hamstrings. I'll bang on about these muscles groups just once more:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Hamstrings: in quadrupeds serve as powerful hip extensors,
driving the animal forwards against the ground reaction and pulling the leg up and backwards to take the next stride, whereas
in humans their action is similar but less powerful due to them being almost vertical when stood upright. Importantly, in bipeds they counteract the truck from falling forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gluteals: in a quadruped, are powerful locomotors also extending
the hip, in humans these would relate to gluteus minimus and medius and are now adapted to stabilise the hip laterally, most notably when we
stand with one leg off the ground, rather than being used for locomotion. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In bipeds the gluteus maximus takes more of the role of hip extensor via the ilio-tibial band. Gluteus maximus also counteracts the truck from falling forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Take a look at the action of the race horses legs, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">you can see </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">all that ground force </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">coming from the contraction of the hamstrings at the back and gluteals at the top of the hind limb</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> pulling them </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">backwards and driving the horse forwards. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYE8D1P1n_xUjD7XDQYjwjbb73b-0zGvtI5vwFN3LMrNXXuMZZrvv1UbZFjrL2k1_PPWZzFWKAArlGWtSyoqgYywt6QlCB7elXDAFZDxhzkYF4PUR2B8dd6ua8M18IGIst5BxR0FH40iC-/s1600/canine_human_anatomy+hips_new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYE8D1P1n_xUjD7XDQYjwjbb73b-0zGvtI5vwFN3LMrNXXuMZZrvv1UbZFjrL2k1_PPWZzFWKAArlGWtSyoqgYywt6QlCB7elXDAFZDxhzkYF4PUR2B8dd6ua8M18IGIst5BxR0FH40iC-/s320/canine_human_anatomy+hips_new.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The gluteus maximus dominates in humans, its
function still makes it a powerful hip extensor but it’s role in stabilising, holding the femur and pelvis in alignment, keeps us stood
upright. This makes it a very important muscle for bipeds. (Also worth noting
that a large gluteal makes it easier for us to sit down). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Dependent on your furry character’s needs, be them straight legged
or bent kneed, their gluteals and hamstrings are going to function slightly
differently, be sized accordingly and maybe even positioned differently. All that is going to be aided by
the configuration of their pelvis.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-1355017759861080062013-04-29T04:09:00.000-07:002013-04-29T06:13:52.354-07:00Standing upright - Part I<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bipedalism in Humans is by no means a well evolved task. We
still have issues of lower back pain, knee joint stresses, ankle injuries and
hip fractures. Many of these aliments are conditions of aging but it shows
during our life time where we are taking the stresses and risks of standing
upright.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">When we discovered the skeletal remains of Australopithecus afarensis commonly known as
‘Lucy’, we had proof that bipedal hominids were around 3.5million years ago.
When we look at her pelvis we can see more in common with our species than that
of our distant relations like chimpanzees who are better adapted to climbing
and quadruped walking. Lucy’s anatomy showed us that moving from quadruped to
biped relied on a reconfiguration of the bony plains of the pelvis and the
function of some locomotor muscles to provide lateral support while walking.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pXpPsF7dKxACjriYeuv4l-j0Tuz83XaYRo7kP99wzfxXPkhkd2HZKAoVAKlIHeKUaN3anRM9YHMsVFbNxV4-x9b9-_21ucuunM7wWYJNdWHvKZ7aFG9XZ__x6BOV_4QfwoTNtu2lmoxo/s1600/hip+config_chimp_human.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pXpPsF7dKxACjriYeuv4l-j0Tuz83XaYRo7kP99wzfxXPkhkd2HZKAoVAKlIHeKUaN3anRM9YHMsVFbNxV4-x9b9-_21ucuunM7wWYJNdWHvKZ7aFG9XZ__x6BOV_4QfwoTNtu2lmoxo/s400/hip+config_chimp_human.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The ilia of most quadrupeds are thin and flat to the back of
the torso, a gradual bending of these has formed the bony rounded ridge of the
iliac crests, giving an anchor point for muscles bearing lateral support, very
important for stabilising the hip of a biped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw50ErotarOUCWSZoS1Q3wb2jxsdXHZF_wrbNOMxoGFXvawNFvUWYVhLhGCte2oqPkBk5gxvH7UPpDb5XUeKw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This video is taken from the BBC’s ‘Prehistoric Autopsy’
Series. You can clearly see how similar Lucy walks compared to modern humans.
In contrast the Chimpanzee on the right does not have the required skeletal and
muscular configuration of its hip to allow it to walk effectively on two legs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pelvic configuration in humans has slowly adapted to provide
quite a host of requirements: the most advantageous configuration of
musculature for locomotion, transfer of weight during locomotion and to hold
the torso upright during locomotion, along with providing the space to
adequately hold the internal viscera, and
importantly, the birthing passage for offspring. Because of the above, I feel
that the pelvis is one of those areas that is quite pivotal in considering an
anthro characters design. Without having to delve too deep into bio-mechanics
it’s good to take a look at some of the requirements needed to make a pelvis
fit our characters given needs to see what ‘rules’ we may need to follow when
making them more anthropomorphic. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-35372836469672298052013-04-14T05:14:00.000-07:002013-04-14T05:14:49.548-07:00Elastic running<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A good example of elastic strain energy while running in bipeds is from those who run with 'Blades'. Whilst Para-Olympic runners with below knee amputations have lost all of the explosive energy of their plantar flexors (calf muscles), what they now gain is the energy conservation of the ground forces from the design of the blades.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy44rz9Xz309PkbNNQ-ZNNXg55uBSm-dp7-oOAi3-SRzZ6aoXbQwucukA8SrFYbCPFzNSxo0e2Lf6iovZSREXflE-kolRkI57-2qWTChLE21YX8h0WaA142bCr4kTAa1ZzfA9mqooHOzVf/s1600/q_a_2327290b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy44rz9Xz309PkbNNQ-ZNNXg55uBSm-dp7-oOAi3-SRzZ6aoXbQwucukA8SrFYbCPFzNSxo0e2Lf6iovZSREXflE-kolRkI57-2qWTChLE21YX8h0WaA142bCr4kTAa1ZzfA9mqooHOzVf/s400/q_a_2327290b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oscar Pistorius<span style="background-color: transparent;">, during the 2012 London Olympics complained that a co-competitor</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> had an advantage over him because he had longer blades which gave him a longer stride.</span></span></span>T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-22354017424540533202013-04-14T04:24:00.000-07:002014-02-17T13:44:02.193-08:00Walking on 2 legs not 4 - Stride and energy<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So what would make X-Men's Beast run faster than a human? Well there are a couple simple things that we can observe from those animals that can easily outrun us. Firstly, as a biped plantigrade our maximum stride length is really rather short, a longer stride covers more ground and generally makes a faster runner. (What could break that rule would be an elephant, a plantigrade, that moves it's legs very fast when it charges). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Digitigrades like a cheetah and unguligrades</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> such as horses have a stride advantage by having longer limbs distal from what would be the knee joint. Simply a lengthening of the</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> metatarsals.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1GWiE-ydpeDbFutzFft4nqrBjP7D9WcjlBem7NI_eVt-9CIUR86kEP8lFjL46fKz-fz2YNiu4mpauTEzE8DXAzlbBp-pjOMJiJT9yoXv3kuT1bq16DoY7FUn3PWEqUliTdGkVGS6hJc7/s1600/locomotion+across+classes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1GWiE-ydpeDbFutzFft4nqrBjP7D9WcjlBem7NI_eVt-9CIUR86kEP8lFjL46fKz-fz2YNiu4mpauTEzE8DXAzlbBp-pjOMJiJT9yoXv3kuT1bq16DoY7FUn3PWEqUliTdGkVGS6hJc7/s400/locomotion+across+classes2.jpg" height="160" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The length of the femurs represented above are equal in length across the different classes for comparison.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">That's an advantageous change in bone configuration but driving the power is a muscular change. Secondly, animals like horses have short fibred muscles on their lower limbs that attach to long tendons for elastic energy storage. This increased spring creates a mechanical advantage in the limb, meaning the muscles become more economical as they </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">do not need to generate as much force per stride.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaUCgpCDVDp5tsmWKHEuJUvv6I0jR8HgUViXUbnHcIWtbUWNHzw5TRYug6Gd-CvLDhw92qoOc3Wme_IVa6SYXSOlgJBNv0ldQyTs9f_TKPfB0U4v5EnsDn9C6oL-_FsvvfLWZ2apQkyvw/s1600/0005x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaUCgpCDVDp5tsmWKHEuJUvv6I0jR8HgUViXUbnHcIWtbUWNHzw5TRYug6Gd-CvLDhw92qoOc3Wme_IVa6SYXSOlgJBNv0ldQyTs9f_TKPfB0U4v5EnsDn9C6oL-_FsvvfLWZ2apQkyvw/s320/0005x.jpg" height="249" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Check out just how thin the lower leg is on a horse, those long tendons and the canon bone are really the only thing they've got; there's no muscle. Find more plates like this <a href="http://uwdc.library.wisc.edu/collections/Science/VetAnatImgs" target="_blank">Here.</a></i></span></td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dypkobtO_s2OzPDsZa2_0buM_IDcy2L4gqxCripAHoTXht3TziILkQNmsPlss66M7Hdz1bcZbWSuLJ8OIuiDQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This video is taken from "Inside Nature's Giants - The Race Horse" - (Channel 4). It's a dramatic example of just how much force is stored in the tendons once they are under stress. Energy that would otherwise be lost is recovered via this elastic strain energy. This would make Beast's flat hand very energy inefficient whilst running, and even the bony arch of the human foot is rather inflexible and still a long way from holding the capacity of elastic strain of even a digitigrade.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So if you were designing a character</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> that's a serious fast runner - biological or mech, you might want to give them a shorter thigh in relation to the lower leg to extend that stride and go easy on the musculature of the lower leg, giant muscles don't always create giant forces, that depends on their position on the limb in terms of leverage! Of course, these are not the only things to consider for a set of biped digitigrade legs...</span>T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110325883135347957.post-8131975752577742042013-04-11T21:41:00.000-07:002013-04-11T21:45:07.907-07:00Walking on 2 legs not 4 - Feet<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This scene in X-Men First Class raised a brow when I first saw it. In it, Beast out runs Xavier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">What's been assumed here is that because Beast has hands for feet, he's better and faster at running than a human. Is that a correct assumption? Likely not, as it insinuates that the primate 'foot' is more adapted for running than a human foot.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOniz8CQ5nBnfQjjsKUe50vUlDF6tnZTx9sXbn47spFOS3gudvhW4LHbXallGnnT27wyGzwcLNwx50nuIE7pO-_8pAT-U7GOQo95i146RtN792qTOGFH4CIeEkD1TUkVL2aDOwAQzVzq5/s1600/hand+to+foot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOniz8CQ5nBnfQjjsKUe50vUlDF6tnZTx9sXbn47spFOS3gudvhW4LHbXallGnnT27wyGzwcLNwx50nuIE7pO-_8pAT-U7GOQo95i146RtN792qTOGFH4CIeEkD1TUkVL2aDOwAQzVzq5/s320/hand+to+foot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The diagram above is pretty much representative of the anatomy that's at contest in the film. A chimpanzee's foot is a generalised appendage (gripping, climbing, walking, standing), the human foot has evolved into that of a specialised appendage for bipedal locomotion. We have a bony foot arch that allows for spring and the transmission of huge forces when we walk, making it more energy efficient. It is more adapted to forward propulsion and aids our gait, than that of a flat, figured hand of a chimp. Far from being faster, Beast would most likely injure himself trying to compete against human feet. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>T Roganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044864192174034999noreply@blogger.com5