I have a go at Desktop Ponies

[Shift 4,274]

So since everyone, their mother, their neighbor, and dog has made one, I decided to make a Desktop Pony. I decided to do the Shadowbolt from the very first episode without her clothing. 

 

Her name is apparently Nightshade, and I made her cutie mark a blue moon with a white paint-splash behind it like NMM's, since she WAS created to serve NMM.
 
...I know I messed up with the tail but god I love the mane. I'm off to fix the tail now.

EDIT: Tail fixed somewhat
 
It's my first time making a Desktop Pony, so be as harsh as you want.

Edited February 23, 2014 by Shift

[Ohnhai 69]

The mane is really nice, you have the up and down motion transferring really nicely . (Cool beans!! )

 

The tail on the other hand you have the whole thing moving back and forward for an up and down input.

 

If you treat the tail as two sprung bars then this will convert the up and down motion into a forward and back swing. (Hopefully the attached vid will illustrate this idea) the vid is shitty quality as it was a really quick effort.

 

Ok the vid dint work so here is a quick image illustrating the structure.

 

The anchor point goes up and down making the horizontal bar occilate. It's end point will trace an arc. That arc will induce a swing in the vertical bar.

 

And one last thing: You have the volume of the tail changing as it moves backwards and forward. This more than anything else will stop an animation from reading right. As the tail bounces and swings you should try and preserve the apparent thickness, as it will always still be the same amount of hair .

 

But this stuff is hard.. When I was animating Blossoms ponytail for PPG Relish rampage these motions were that hardest I had to do.

 

As you had everything else down pat I'm sure you will crack the tail on the next pass

 

Hope that helps.

 

 

Btw I've been concentrating on the hair, but I just want to say the leg motion is REALLY nice. Fluid, holds it's arcs, and maintains volume. That is some good animation.

Edited February 24, 2014 by Ohnhai

[Shift 4,274]

Thanks for the tips, maybe in a few days i'll attempt to fix the tail again.