Learn How to Animate an Ox Walk Cycle in Maya

Animating a heavy quadruped such as an ox is a rewarding challenge for any 3D animator. From balancing weight shifts to capturing the rhythm of each step, this course teaches you how to achieve a lifelike walk cycle that feels grounded and believable.

Guided by Jonathan Symmonds—Hollywood creature animator and co-founder of Sophoria Academy—you’ll learn how to build a realistic ox walk cycle step by step inside Maya. You’ll explore biomechanics, refine curves, and study body mechanics to create natural and powerful motion.

Create Portfolio-Ready Quadruped Animations

By completing this course, you’ll produce a studio-quality ox walk cycle that demonstrates your ability to animate heavy quadrupeds in Maya. This project is ideal for strengthening your demo reel, impressing recruiters, or expanding your skillset for careers in VFX, animation, or game development.

Master the Art of Animal Animation

From learning how to distribute weight across the ox’s stride to refining animation curves for smooth motion, this course equips you with the confidence to animate heavy quadrupeds convincingly. The included ox rig, light rig, and final scene setup provide all the tools needed to practice and showcase your work at a professional level.

Course Information

• Course Duration: 2+ 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 Ox Walk Cycle in Maya: Create a realistic ox walk cycle with proper weight distribution and pacing.

• Work With Animation Curves: Master techniques for refining motion and smoothing curves for natural locomotion.

• Efficient Quadruped Workflow: Follow a clear, production-proven workflow designed to save time while maintaining quality.

• Ox Anatomy for Animators: Deepen your understanding of biomechanics and learn how the ox’s anatomy impacts its movement.

• Peer Review & Feedback: Share your work and gain constructive critique from fellow students and professionals.

• Accessible for All Levels: No prerequisites required—perfect for beginners and intermediates learning quadruped motion.

• 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 polished ox walk cycle to your demo reel to impress recruiters and studios.

• Exclusive Rig & Assets: Includes a custom ox rig, cached animation, light rig, and final scene setup.

• Flexible Learning: Study at your own pace with pre-recorded lessons you can revisit anytime.