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Description
FURAFFINITY FILE: [link]

This is somewhat a continuation to:
DA:
FA:[link]

Even though I am specifiying canid, this refference could be used for almost any mammal that have digitigrade legs.

The top two large drawings show the most realistic type of digilegs- the 5-piece. Which consists of frontal thigh, butt/back of thigh, lower knee, calf, and lower shin padding. Which, will create the most accurate form. The downside to using so much foam is that the suit will be hot. Thick foam does not breath.

- Now, the difference between top left and top right are the proportioning. Top right shows the common digileg proportioning, where the "shin" section of the digileg is much shorter compared to the "foot" section. (For a refference, your human foot creates the toes of the digileg). The top right dimensions are very compact, and good for young, springy "comic" characters. Whereas, the top left shows more realistic proportioning with the 5-piece foaming. (See top link for proportioning details).
(And yes, technically the entire front of the leg (thigh and lower knee) could be made into one piece like the 2-piece legs tend to be, however, I find the legs have better movement if you separate the knee.)

The bottom left leg shows somewhat and example of 2-piece and 3-piece foaming. Do not get me wrong 2-piece leg foaming can be done very well and look great although, it all depends on what type of effect you are going for in your suit. For the avereage person, I will suggest a 3-piece. Which consists of thigh (which comes down to under the knee), calf, and lower shin padding.

- The number one thing about legs that some people screw up is the placement/length of the foam pieces. For example, bottom middle sketch shows a bad foaming job (which unfortunately if fairly common) 2-piece foaming HAS potential! (2-peice being the most common type of digitigrade leg, consisting of a large foam piece for the thigh that will also go below the knee, and calf padding.)
YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE KNEE COMES DOWN FAR ENOUGH AND THE CALF COMES UP FAR ENOUGH. THE LEG SHOULD BE CLOSE TO THE SAME THICKNESS/WIDTH ALL THE WAY DOWN. (Except in the upper-thigh/butt area sometimes). Bottom right shows a good example of 2-piece foaming.

It's all about creating the right shapes.
Hope this helped, and remember guys, NEVER WASH THE FOAM; they are like big sponges and can deteriorate very easily. You need to make the foam either removable (and can be replaced held on just by the shape of the fur or my personal prefference: velcro/snaps), or you will just never wash it, which is kind of gross. FEBREEZE DOES NOT WASH! Dx

Description
FURAFFINITY FILE: [link]

This is somewhat a continuation to:
DA:
FA:[link]

Even though I am specifiying canid, this refference could be used for almost any mammal that have digitigrade legs.

The top two large drawings show the most realistic type of digilegs- the 5-piece. Which consists of frontal thigh, butt/back of thigh, lower knee, calf, and lower shin padding. Which, will create the most accurate form. The downside to using so much foam is that the suit will be hot. Thick foam does not breath.

- Now, the difference between top left and top right are the proportioning. Top right shows the common digileg proportioning, where the "shin" section of the digileg is much shorter compared to the "foot" section. (For a refference, your human foot creates the toes of the digileg). The top right dimensions are very compact, and good for young, springy "comic" characters. Whereas, the top left shows more realistic proportioning with the 5-piece foaming. (See top link for proportioning details).
(And yes, technically the entire front of the leg (thigh and lower knee) could be made into one piece like the 2-piece legs tend to be, however, I find the legs have better movement if you separate the knee.)

The bottom left leg shows somewhat and example of 2-piece and 3-piece foaming. Do not get me wrong 2-piece leg foaming can be done very well and look great although, it all depends on what type of effect you are going for in your suit. For the avereage person, I will suggest a 3-piece. Which consists of thigh (which comes down to under the knee), calf, and lower shin padding.

- The number one thing about legs that some people screw up is the placement/length of the foam pieces. For example, bottom middle sketch shows a bad foaming job (which unfortunately if fairly common) 2-piece foaming HAS potential! (2-peice being the most common type of digitigrade leg, consisting of a large foam piece for the thigh that will also go below the knee, and calf padding.)
YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE KNEE COMES DOWN FAR ENOUGH AND THE CALF COMES UP FAR ENOUGH. THE LEG SHOULD BE CLOSE TO THE SAME THICKNESS/WIDTH ALL THE WAY DOWN. (Except in the upper-thigh/butt area sometimes). Bottom right shows a good example of 2-piece foaming.

It's all about creating the right shapes.
Hope this helped, and remember guys, NEVER WASH THE FOAM; they are like big sponges and can deteriorate very easily. You need to make the foam either removable (and can be replaced held on just by the shape of the fur or my personal prefference: velcro/snaps), or you will just never wash it, which is kind of gross. FEBREEZE DOES NOT WASH! Dx