Learn How to Animate an Irex Run Cycle in Maya

Animating a dinosaur such as the Indominus Rex is one of the most thrilling challenges in 3D animation. From explosive strides to the balance of speed and weight, creating a lifelike run cycle requires sharp observation of reference and a solid understanding of biomechanics.

Guided by Jonathan Symmonds—Hollywood creature animator and co-founder of Sophoria Academy—you’ll learn how to build a realistic Irex run cycle step by step inside Maya. You’ll discover how to analyse references, refine animation curves, and control body mechanics to achieve convincing motion.

Create Portfolio-Ready Dinosaur Animations

By completing this course, you’ll produce a studio-quality Irex run cycle that demonstrates your ability to animate realistic dinosaurs in Maya. This project is ideal for adding to your demo reel, impressing recruiters, or expanding your creature animation skillset for careers in VFX, animation, or game development.

Master the Art of Creature Animation

From capturing the speed and aggression of the Irex to refining animation curves for smooth, powerful motion, you’ll gain the confidence to tackle any dinosaur project. The included Irex rig, light rig, and final scene setup ensure you have all the tools you need to practice and showcase your work at a professional level.

Course Information

• Course Duration: 3 hours
• This course can be taken at any time
• Category: Animation
• Course Cost: 49 USD
• Prerequisites: None
• Software required: Autodesk Maya 2019+
• Instructor: Jonathan Symmonds

• Animate an Irex Run Cycle in Maya: Build a powerful dinosaur run with speed and weight.
• Work With Animation Curves: Refine locomotion with clean, controlled splines for stability.
• Efficient Workflow: Use production-tested methods for blocking, splining, and polish.
• Dinosaur Anatomy for Animators: Understand hip drive, torso rotation, and tail counterbalance in large theropods.
• Accessible for All Levels: No prerequisites required—ideal for beginners and intermediates.
• Learn From Industry Experts: Taught by Jonathan Symmonds, lead animator on Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon.
• Enhance Your Demo Reel: Add a dynamic dinosaur run cycle to showcase your skills.
• Exclusive Rig & Assets: Includes the Irex rig, cached animation, scene setup, and lighting.
• Flexible Learning: Study at your own pace with pre-recorded lessons available anytime.