Learn How to Animate an Irex Walk Cycle in Maya

Animating a dinosaur such as the Indominus Rex is one of the most exciting challenges in 3D animation. From weight shifts to stride rhythm, creating a lifelike walk cycle requires careful observation, biomechanical accuracy, and strong control of animation curves.

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

Create Portfolio-Ready Dinosaur Animations

By completing this course, you’ll produce a studio-quality Irex walk cycle that demonstrates your ability to animate large theropods with weight and realism. This project is ideal for adding to your demo reel, impressing potential recruiters, or expanding your animation skillset for careers in VFX, animation, or game development.

Master the Art of Creature Animation

From capturing the rhythm and balance of the Irex’s stride to refining animation curves for smooth 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 needed to practice and showcase your work at a professional level.

Course Information

• Course Duration: 4+ 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

What You’ll Learn

• Animate an Irex Walk Cycle in Maya: Build a realistic hybrid dinosaur walk with weight and rhythm.
• Work With Animation Curves: Refine movement using clean splines for smooth, professional results.
• Efficient Workflow: Follow a step-by-step process from blocking to polish that saves time without losing quality.
• Dinosaur Anatomy for Animators: Understand balance, hip drive, and tail counterbalance in large theropods.
• Accessible for All Levels: No prerequisites required—ideal for beginners and intermediates alike.
• 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 professional-quality dinosaur walk 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 you can revisit anytime.