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A:M Forum Rules
GENERAL FORUM GUIDELINES
The A:M Forum is for technical support and the sharing of tips and ideas between users/prospective users of Hash software. It is moderated constantly by technical support representatives.
DO'S!
-Ask questions about the software.
-Assist other users... everyone was new at this once.
-Inform people of your version/platform when asking for help.
-Share resources; tutorials, models, textures, tips and techniques (link to useful websites).
-Post links to your work, or where your art is being used online (on websites, in games, toons', etc.)
-Search the A:M Forum and FAQ. The question you are about to ask may have already been answered.
-Organize and inform others about user groups, IRC chats, image and animation contests, job opportunities, etc.
-Discuss what you are working on and let everyone know about magazine reviews and articles that relate to your projects.
DON'TS!
-Do Not be rude or disrespectful or mean to other forum members in any way. Personal attacks will be removed.
-Do Not post bug/crash reports to the list (send bug/crash reports to http://www.hash.com/reports.
-Do Not complain about forum content. Complaints or suggestions can be sent directly to hash@hash.com
-Do Not reprimand other forum members for violating forum rules, that's the moderators job, which (unless you are a moderator) you are not.
-No complaining or whining on the forum or distribution of misinformation.
-No flames of any kind.
-No Off Topic posts. (Posts in the Off Topics section should be related to A:M in some form or fashion or benefit the A:M community as a whole).
-No soliciting of any kind without prior approval.
-No threads or comparisons related to other 3D Applications.
-No "Wish list" or feature requests, they should be sent to www.hash.com/reports for categorizing and prioritization (User requests define the future development of the software).
-No "me too!" posts
-No discussion of Hash Internal Affairs (finances, advertising, PR.)
-No posting of private email to the forum unless permission of the author is granted. (Private correspondence should remain private)
-No very general questions like: "how do I make a good 3D model" make your questions as complete and concise as possible.
If you have questions as to whether it's appropriate, send it to: support@hash.com, We'll be happy to let you know whether it is, or is not appropriate.
User Led Forum Considerations
Firstly and foremostly, please remember this is Martin Hash's forum and that it is every A:M User's primary resource for information about A:M. In order to remain relevant we need everyone's continuing support and interest.
Secondly, understand there is a distinction between A:M (the program) and the A:M forum. There are some topics and issues that are outside the scope of this forum and most can be deduced by reading through the forum guidelines. These include such things as Hash Inc internal policies, business practices, trade secrets, and specific plans for the future not yet publicly released. Each of these would be fascinating topics of their own but are better reserved for private communications with a representative of Hash Inc.
Related to the second, is purchasing, customer service and other areas outside the purview of the common user who may have no interest in such things; subjects relating to money exchanging hands are beyond the scope of the A:M Forum and often can lead to conflicts of interest between users and/or Hash Inc. (If Hash Inc cuts you a deal on volume purchasing it's really no one else's business). Likewise, individual complaints about a product or service are best remedied by going direct with Hash Inc representatives empowered to make decisions. Please allow them them the time necessary to resolve your specific issue and consider the cost of customized solutions.
This last area is likely the source of much confusion because many see the A:M Forum as the official outlet for Hash Inc... and it is. But the forum is not designed for conducting business and private matters best resolved by going to Hash Inc directly. Similarly, bug reports are best resolved by entering them directly into the A:M Reporting system.
Many problems can be easily addressed at the user level just by asking fellow users in the forum. If someone at Hash Inc suggests the forum as a source, it is very likely a problem can be easily resolved. For tougher issues there is even more reason to take the issue directly to the source... you don't want the issue discussed... you want it resolved quickly.
Finally, remember that we want to pass this forum on to future moderators and generations of A:M Users in the absolute best condition possible. A:M is just that good a program and is worthy of our consideration.
Thanks for making the A:M Forum a great community.
4,160 topics in this forum
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- 1 follower
- 13 replies
- 1.2k views
I'm probably missing something obvious. I have a downloaded file called "AM2005.exe" that I downloaded years ago. It is apparently the installer for AM version 11.1b (which it announces on startup). It is the latest version I have been able to use with my original AM Orangutan CD. I'm installing on Windows XP Media Center on an HP a1600n computer. It does install and successfully start up. However, there are no models, choreographies, actions, images, etc. in any of the libraries. The library droplist includes: All Libraries Hash Installed Library My Library Under the "Hash Installed Library", in the Tutorials tab, there are two tutorials:…
Last reply by Caroline, -
- 4 replies
- 1.2k views
Rob, Just watched the rigging basics video and have to admit you make it look so easy. Was there a reason you chose to use a fan bone instead of a smart skin for the knee joint? Also, if you were rigging Thom's torso, how many bones would you use for the spine? Would you use 2, 3 or more? I'm curious because it seems kind of arbitrary and I noticed that TSM seems to add a lot of spine bones, and I've seen other people using a lot of bones for the spine.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 13 replies
- 1.2k views
OK hopefully simple answer to a irritating problem . is there a way i can change the texture on one surface to that of another. OK what I'm trying to do is sort of a nanite eruption. theres a grass filled valley that gets hit with a missile of sorts, from the missile metallic lines radiate out wards eventually turning the entire valley into a metallic version. i already have the mats/textures for it i just have yet to find a application method. i know that Boolean cutters can create a new texture into what ever they cut in but i need something that mearly changes it not remove it out right
Last reply by Master chief, -
- 14 replies
- 1.2k views
Hello I am not really sure what the yellow dot is done at the bottom near the origin and between the feet. I wonder if it is the model bone, but it doesn't seem to have any scale to it and if I rotate around it it appears to be a singel point. It has the name of a previous project ( think I opened that project and save it with a new name) and if I right-click it and choose delete my entire penguin disappears (which leads me to think it is the model bone but I thought normally those aren't visible?). Also when it is selected all the points on the left-hand side (right if you are looking at the model) are selected. Any ideas as to what the heck this might be?
Last reply by Vertexspline, -
- 7 replies
- 1.2k views
Is there any way to bevel after the fact? I'm racing to finish my contest entry, and one of the parts is looking really awful with knife-like edges, but I'm not sure how best exactly to bevel it. I could try adding more CPs and then smoothing the points, and seeing if that helps. It looks really rough right now, though.
Last reply by Roger, -
- 14 replies
- 1.2k views
Hello AM'ers.... been away for awhile, now I'm back. I've been having a problem for some time and haven't seen a forum that addresses this, there are so many to look through. When I'm posing a model periodically the figure will appear to stop moving (except a small area) and I have to click off the figure to regain control of the mouse, meanwhile the figure will have moved. It's difficult to control the posing when you can't see where you're moving something to. I've tried posing in wireframe, shaded, both and the problem still happens. It comes and goes as I'm moving bones about. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Kevin
Last reply by playerktw, -
2 questions
by Malo- 1 follower
- 14 replies
- 1.2k views
Hi, Is it a way to view all Falloff's bones, in mode bones? Is it a keyboard button to move a patch along the normal as there is one for X (1), Y (2), Z (3) axis? thank you in advance
Last reply by Malo, -
- 6 replies
- 1.2k views
Does anyone one know if Animation:Master allows you to install it on both a laptop and desktop? Most applications allow this nowadays...I just wondered if Hash was following the trend? Thanks. Dave
Last reply by PostTribber, -
- 6 replies
- 1.2k views
I'm wondering -- when we create a circular spline by lathing a line into a cylinder and deleting the CPs at one end, is the resulting geometry a true circle or do splines merely provide a very good approximation of a circle? -SB
Last reply by sb4, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 1.2k views
In the attached Project, why doesn't the string render? Please don't just fix it. Let me know what the issue is so I can fix it and learn. Thanks Music Bows.zip
Last reply by thumperness, -
Glass Dome
by bubba- 6 replies
- 1.2k views
How do I make a glass dome, like on an anniversary clock? Thanks.
Last reply by bubba, -
- 2 replies
- 1.2k views
hi, I've been changing some of the shortcut keys so I can work on my laptop which doesn't have the numeric keypad. One key I want to remap but can't seem to find in Tools/Customize/Keyboard tab is the "*" key, which Expands/Collapses the PWS. Is it not exposed or am I missing it? -Jim EDIT: sorry for posting this here and not New Users. I was here looking at the existing Keyboard shortcut list!
Last reply by Fuchur, -
ive heard people refer to "hooks", what is a hook? how do you make one?
Last reply by nimblepix, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 1.2k views
Hi. My name is Myron LeRoy andI'm coming back into the Forum community after several years of wandering in the wilderness. Although I made some small contributions to "The Scarecrow Of Oz" , my biggest claim to A:M fame is probably my collaboration with Gene Thompson, known as "Spleengene". I am looking forward to getting toknow the current cast of characters, new as well as old friends on one of the best Forums I've ever found. Happy Splining. Myron
Last reply by MJL, -
- 11 replies
- 1.2k views
I wanted to build a room. But the light didn't come through the window. The light came through the wall. In the testproject can you see light and shadows from other objects in a close(!) room (camera1). What make I wrong? room.prj
Last reply by cfree68f, -
- 12 replies
- 1.2k views
Does anybody know how to model a planet? I've tried making a giant sphere, than place a material on it, but instead of a planet, it looks like a giant marble! So, I would like some assistance please! Thanks, Rooky Animator
Last reply by phatso, -
- 10 replies
- 1.2k views
Hi everyone, I'm currently running Animation:Master on a Mac G5 with 3 GB of Ram. OS version: 10.4.11. The computer's about 5 years old. I can still edit with Final Cut Pro just fine, but A:M doesn't seem to like it very much. A:M will crash once in a while, rendering is a crapshoot, and some tutorials like putting fur on Chewbacca was difficult for the computer to handle. I'm anxious to learn and use A:M for all sorts of projects, so I figure I should get a new computer. The PC I currently have is pushing 10 years old, so I was going to buy a new PC, but alot's changed in 10 years!! Can anyone recommend a good PC to buy? I was hoping to get one unde…
Last reply by SirCoffee, -
- 10 replies
- 1.2k views
Long time no talk here. Nice to be back! I've been absent for awhile (job move to california, etc), and I had to reset my CPU. I currently have the 13.0 version on disc and want to update that to 14.0 c, but I can not find that update. Anyone have a link or know where I can get those updates? I went to the "latest info" on the forums here, and that link it mentioned for 14.0 doesn't work. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
Last reply by Zaryin, -
- 1 follower
- 15 replies
- 1.2k views
this is not a project i'm working on now, but i'd like to understand something and find out what that something is . to make a model come apart at the seams, think "Sarah's Asylum Nightmare" in T2, the nuclear explosion, she's at the playground fence or Iron Man says to computer "exploded view" - is there something called exploded view in reality? (yes i know where this might point and yes i might stray but it's a:m for me, period.) - is there a simple way to use the patch information to perform this type of operation in a:m? boiling down to, can i blow up any model, or should i for instance go find a polygon model and then explode it in a:m? i'd …
Last reply by jimd, -
- 15 replies
- 1.2k views
Hi, ive put 2 posts in here, but when i return to the forum few hours later...they disapear!
Last reply by chuchi_disturbed, -
- 12 replies
- 1.2k views
I've tried everything and I just can't figure it out. Is there anyway to turn IK off for that rig without messing up all the other key frames? I tried adding a second chor action. This worked but then I can't key the bones. Is there a way to key all the bones at the point the second chor starts? I'm very desperate for a solution. Time critical. -vern
Last reply by heyvern, -
I just started with A:M. My goal is to just make simple boxes and color them. Actually, I want to create 3-D engines and eventually use A:M to render street rods. BTW, I am a master draftsman (figure drawing) and have been a traditional animation and graphic design instructor and a professional illustrator for over 40 years. I have the drawing skills. I just don't have the 3-D modeling skills. Thanks. Dennis
Last reply by Xtaz, -
- 8 replies
- 1.2k views
Are there some recommended settings for A:M if you are working with "toons" style rendering that will be most efficient for rendering and overall workflow? -SB
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 14 replies
- 1.2k views
I have a headheak tryng to achieve this. Each time i select four cp s and press "E", i have a mess. Because A:m Keep the original patch from where i do extend and i don t know how to delete it without doing my mesh a mess ? Is there an Extrude (and not extend) tool ? Thank you for your help. here is what i want to achieve.
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 2 followers
- 10 replies
- 1.2k views
I've started playing with particles, and thought that blobbies would make a good blood effect. I may end up with streaks in the end, but in the mean time, I need to know what is causing this strange grouping of the blobbies. I've tried changing every parameter in the blobby emitter and the sprite emitter, but nothing seems to change the square groups of blobs to a continuous stream of blobs. Does the properties of the emitting surface effect the emissions? My emitter surface has four patches. If it had 49, would the emitted blobbies behave differently? The attached picture shows this unusual (I think) clumping of the blobs. When rendered, the blobs are sti…
Last reply by wingalls, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 1.2k views
Howdy from Tucson, As I'm creating lip poses to be used in lip sync animation, I find it difficult to hide certain control points. Perhaps, as I'm a newbie, is there an "Eye" icon feature to hide/unhide groups as you are editing? Right now, I have a "tongue" and "teeth" groups I'd like to hide while manipulating the lip without accidently hitting a tooth. Any suggestions? Thanks! ...doobie angorabell.wordpress.com
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 3 replies
- 1.2k views
I've started work on my Prehistory entry but I have a number of five-point patches. While I know how to close these, is there a recommended technique for avoiding them in the first place? (Don't be fooled by my forum membership longevity. I'm still a noob, I've had a twelve-year hiatus and wasn't particularly good before that!)
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 10 replies
- 1.2k views
Hi! In the ideal, I'd like to render a scene at 13200 x 10200 pixels, by my calculations, but A:M crashes when I set a render at that resolution. Is there a way to only render a portion of a size like this, and then piece the parts together in a program like Photoshop, later? I feel that if I try to move the camera and render only parts of a scene, the perspective would change for each section. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Tim
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 4 replies
- 1.2k views
I'm finally back with a brand new copy of AM and raring to go , only problem is a error right out of the gate AVIFileCreateStream error: C:\Users\(my user name)\AppData\Local\Temp\AMV17\Untitled\Untitled0000.avi. i get this when i render animation preview but other wise the render goes of with out a hitch, it just complains that it cant write the file, then it cant delete the file a render to file does not cause this issue so far i have gone throptionshe optons menu but thnot does nto appear to be a place to chtemporarytemperary location to write these and i am running as administrator
Last reply by Master chief, -
- 13 replies
- 1.2k views
This is pretty straight forward. Apply a decal in cylindrical fashion to a model centered on the xyz/0 axis. When checking the model, I find it doesn't close in back. I tried changing the repeat, but that doesn't do the trick. Searched the forum in vain. Tried scaling the decal wider and then reapplying with no luck. Turned the "Seamless" option on in the decal properties with no luck. What the heck does "seamless" do anyway? Ok, what else is there?
Last reply by KenH, -
- 14 replies
- 1.2k views
I need help creating a science lab for a project help please
Last reply by animation man hi, -
- 6 replies
- 1.2k views
Hi! I am on the exercise "can you say that" and I am having some trouble. I built the dope sheet and added the sound to the actor, but when I press play, I hear the words, but keekat's lips still don't move. The tutorial tells me that the lips should be moving. Thank you for your help! purplegirl
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 13 replies
- 1.2k views
I noticed a few posts scattered around where folks have offered up models for use free of charge for any purpose but there didn't seem to be a dedicated area for such philanthropy. Did I miss it? Is there a section for free use models? Has the community as a whole ever gotten together to create a free use library for anyone in the community to pick from? I've got big plans and a lot of work to do. I'll need all the help I can get and will take whatever I can get so I'm obviously curious. Thanks.
Last reply by TheSpleen, -
- 4 replies
- 1.2k views
I'm finding if I create a new Action window with a model, and I like the model default pose for my first and last keyframe, I can't just press "Force KeyFrame" on frame 0, move to frame xx, press "Force KeyFrame" again, and get keyframes. They just don't "take". However, it seems if I perturb a bone once in a keyframe (such as keyframe 0), and do the same procedure as above, the keyframes are "recorded" -- meaning I can skip back and forth to the keyframes. I typically have the filters: Key Skeletal Translations, Scaling, Rotations active and the Key Bone filter activated, and the other filters inactive, but I don't think any combination of filters has changed …
Last reply by sb4, -
- 2 followers
- 14 replies
- 1.2k views
I'm just curious. When I take my daily look through the various forums I often wonder about the ranking system, from Newbies to Masters. Obviously one has to work one's way up. But how does it does it work? Rodney, perhaps you can enlighten me? Ed
Last reply by Robert-Jank, -
- 10 replies
- 1.2k views
I'm not sure where exactly this post would belong - I didnt see any "general help" forum, so please feel free to move this if its in the wrong place. I just bought one of the Sony UX180P Micro PC's and would love to use Animation Master with it. The Animation Master software requires for the CD to be in the tray while it starts, but the UX180P does not have any sort of CD/DVD Drive included (and the optional one sells for $399 and (I believe) requires it be plugged into a power outlet, eliminating the advantage of a mobile PC. I'm not talking about bypassing the protection or anything illegal, but just looking for a general way of running the software without us…
Last reply by martin, -
- 5 replies
- 1.2k views
I just downloaded and activated v17.0 subscription and the program opened and would let me draw lines, etc but when I tried to open an existing project file from a previous version (v11.0) instead of opening a file from the directory it automatically went to, the program stalled and then crashed. This is the same problem I had with v16.0 last year and never did figure out what was wrong so I went back to my v 11.0 (run as v12.0 with a downloaded patch file from the ftp site awhile back). Unfortunately that option is becoming increasingly difficult as the CD has gotten all scratched up and the Disc repair I tried didn't work. Needless to say, half the time it doesn't even …
Last reply by robcat2075, -
Hello all, I have built a 8ft, high 6ft wide, and 5ft deep sound proof computer room. The walls are 8in thick using various sound baffles. At the end of the month i am going to order my computer(ABOUT TIME). This computer is going to be for the sole purpose of making a 2-D cartoon like the simpsons. I needed a 3-d program with bone structure that converted to 2-d. I am going to have no programs except for animation and windows xp pro on it. I have a laptop off to the left to surf the web and listen to music so this one will be off line. The computer spec's are as follow's: 2048mb pc3200 ddr400 memory 300gb 7200rpm 16mb serial ata hard drive 2- n…
Last reply by 8up, -
- 15 replies
- 1.1k views
last week i rendered a 5 mins work, i cant believe that i was 203mb, wat could have cause this and how can i reduced the seize of my rendered file
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 2 replies
- 1.1k views
Snap Group to surface is "view dependent" which I take to mean that it will move the CPs in what ever direction you are viewing from, right? However, i can only get it to move in one direction. I filed this as an A:M report which is why it's in German but maybe someone here has an answer before Steffen gets to it... SnapGroupToSurfaceQuestion.mov SimpleSnapTest02.prj
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 10 replies
- 1.1k views
Has anyone out there used the AI plug in that comes with Animation Master? I am trying to bring in a logo from an illustrator file and I can locate the file no problem, the option dialogue box comes up, but when I hit "ok" nothing happens. The model window just sits empty. Anyone actually been able to create a 3D logo with the AI plug in?
Last reply by ArfGraf, -
- 1 follower
- 14 replies
- 1.1k views
I have the very rudimentary rudiments of cloth down--cloth and deflectors. What I can't figure out is how to make a blanket/piece of cloth move beyond just the dropping/deflecting. What am I missing? I've attached a quickie test involving some stairs and a grid for cloth. Attempting to get it to move I added two bones to two "attached" cps each, hoping to make those points by which I could drag the cloth. Keyframing those moving after 4 seconds did nothing. So then I tried keyframing the model bone to move after 4 seconds (and that's what's on the attached project), and the blanket still just sits there. What am I supposed to do that is eluding me? Tha…
Last reply by someawfulbridge, -
- 1 follower
- 15 replies
- 1.1k views
I'm working on a short that takes place in mostly one place. For that giant bulk where the scene is set, and most things won't be moving, would you make it all one choreography file, or would you arrange choreography on a shot-by-shot basis? My first sequence I began by going shot-by-shot, but by the end there were segments of action that were continuous, so it made more sense to render the various perspectives out of the same choreography file. I can imagine a variety of perks to keeping one file (not pulling out all your props for each new shot), but I also feel like there are advantages to having a clean slate for each shot (not confined to realistic object …
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 10 replies
- 1.1k views
This topic is a place holder for Rodney Sirratt. He'd like to build of room full of stuff. So would I. What kind of room would you like to make Rodney? What kind of stuff do you want to fill the Room with?
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 1 follower
- 15 replies
- 1.1k views
I have a layer and its in a chor its supposed to be a bunch of tiny lights off in the distance. Any ideas on how to make the lights which are basically circles of solid colors twinkle?
Last reply by jason1025, -
- 12 replies
- 1.1k views
hello everyone I am wits end. been tring to download service pack 3 from 1997? my pc won't give me any answers. Havent used AM since 2001 ,should i just get new package?????????????????? iam new here to dont know what to do
Last reply by stonewoven, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 1.1k views
What other software do you guys use with A;M software. I know some use Photoshop but whatelse? What video editing software do you guys use ?
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
- 12 replies
- 1.1k views
I'm currently looking at A:M's various abilities. Can A:M import various scene files from other 3D app packages? Can Animation Master import/open a Lightwave scene that contains only nulls? What can be imported (other than images) and what can't? Thanks in advance.
Last reply by luckbat, -
- 1 follower
- 12 replies
- 1.1k views
Hey everyone! I'm Ryan and just purchased this software this weekend and I must say the examples of people's work is astounding for what this thing can do! I've always been looking for an affordable piece of software to do 3D, but they all seemed to be way out of my league. This software looks very promising and the work that's been coming out of this community is very impressive. I was wondering for those of you who have learned the program how hard the learning curve was for you? I barely used Maya and I do catch on rather quick to things, but this is pretty much my first 3D program I bought and am very excited to bring some of my ideas to life on scree…
Last reply by Eric2575, -
- 12 replies
- 1.1k views
When I bring in an image as a rotoscope to use on a model the image comes in at a low resolution So I lose a lot of detail and makes the image useless to work from for smaller details. Is there away to get A:M to show it in full resolution?
Last reply by DJBREIT,
