In footstep animation, character studio can create three types of gaits; walk, run, or jump.

• In a walk, at least one foot is always in contact with the ground. The periods when one or both feet are in contact with the ground are known as support periods.
• In running, there is a period between each support period in which the body is airborne.
• Jumping is a special case of running. Both feet are in contact with the ground at the same time, or airborne at the same time.