Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
lifetimes, even though the result would undoubtedly be an invaluable
resource. This single chapter doesn't even try to cover all that is of value in
even a single category of the animal kingdom. With these kinds of numbers,
how could it? For the sake of space I have limited this chapter on animal
locomotion to quadrupeds, birds, and fish; within these categories I have
had to further limit the subjects while trying to present a useful range. To
work in a limited space I have had to omit the entire insect world along with
much else that would no doubt be of interest and value to animators and
others. So be it.
The three classifications I concentrate on here represent a huge range of
life forms. Therefore I have had to limit even the range of samples from
each of these three categories. The ones I have included from within each
of the separate classifications have been chosen to usefully represent the
broadest range of animals within that classification. It is also important to
remember that this study does not set out to be a substitute for other, more
scientific texts that exist to deal with a narrower group of subjects but to
a much deeper level. This is not a scientific zoological or biological study,
but it does perhaps provide a starting point for a more in-depth study. The
depth to which I have covered the various examples does not extend to
providing the relevant mathematical equations or formulas that underpin or
illustrate the performance of muscle, animal locomotion, drag coefficients,
or anything else related to animal dynamics. A number of texts cover these
topics already and provide a seriously in-depth study of the samples I cover.
These may perhaps be of interest only to other specialists in that particular
field and are certainly beyond my experience and expertise as an animator,
but I have recommended a number of texts that the reader may find useful for
further study. I must remind the reader that this text is intended only to assist
animators and others working in related areas and disciplines in analyzing
movement.
Some of the individual examples of animals here should offer a reasonable
and useful substitute for other animals of similar species. I have tried to
choose examples that offer the animator not only direct reference but also
an indication of locomotion of the broadest range of other related subjects.
It should then be possible to use the example of a particular subject and, in a
very general sense, apply the results of that study to other subjects of a similar
type, size, and shape. For example, in making a study of the flight of a carrion
crow, it is reasonable that we would be able to gain an appreciation of how
other types of crows, rooks, ravens, and even other unrelated birds of a similar
shape and size are
likely
to move.
It might be useful to begin the chapter by looking at few principles of
animal physiognomy and the way that environmental and other conditions
have helped shape and determine their physicality and behavior, as well as
the way we have gained insight into and deeper knowledge of the natural
world.
