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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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- 9 replies
- 1.1k views
is there any way to speed up the rendering for this project? New_Group_Project_Choreography.prj
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 9 replies
- 911 views
How do I make a copy of all the rigs and lips poses that already have it own tap and make a new tap call it all and have all the rig and lips but still have the rigs and lips tap on the poses????
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 947 views
I have a simple design project that I would like to design it to scale. I would also like to output it to a file format that Autocad can read aswell so other people can see it in Autocad. Can this be done?
Last reply by phatso, -
- 9 replies
- 660 views
Hey, When I model an object, there doesn't seem to be a means of seeing it's dimensions in any system...Inches, centemeters, feet...etc. The "Scale" settings in the properties panel is not adequate. Why is there no numeric system display for this??? William
Last reply by detbear, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 866 views
how do I join two choreographies into a single large one?
Last reply by Eric800, -
- 9 replies
- 904 views
What's the best way to mix live video with 3D Animation Do I use non-linear editor? or somthing else? Thanks
Last reply by Eric800, -
- 9 replies
- 604 views
I'm a newbie so go gentle with me. Finally got around to installing version 10.5, the CD has a brown gorilla on it with purple face & hands (the contact at the website asked me this question along with what operating system / computer I'm using. Mac OS X both 10.5 Tiger and 10.6 Snow Leopard). The program wouldn't open, so I went to the website and downloaded both updates, one at a time (web & other one). When I go to open the program after trying the web update, I was instructed to type in the "Activation Code". Tried the serial number from the registration card and manual, that didn't work so I deleted that update. The other update I installed and tried to open …
Last reply by itsjustme, -
- 9 replies
- 730 views
ok im tryin gto put off an effect simmilar to the one in this image in the bottom of this lords staff you see the effect im looking for. i have tryed a few attempts but have since got nothing of the sort.
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 9 replies
- 996 views
I'm an Editor/Motion GFX Artist considering purchasing A:M. Since I do most of my finishing/compositing in After Effects (CS4), the ability to export camera data to AE is an important consideration. Does A:M have this feature?
Last reply by detbear, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 695 views
i was wonder if anyone knows the link through which i can download the environment shader. Thank you
Last reply by jason1025, -
- 9 replies
- 869 views
ok trying textures for a bit to reduce rendering times and have run into a problem here is a pic of the rendered image , you can see a belt of circut like textures surounded by a distortion of the rest . when in normal mode it looks like its fully covered by the circut texture part2.bmp here is a copy of the model i used Model9.mdl
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 9 replies
- 658 views
Hello Fellows, i m trying to render 1 frame in wireframe, i have activated it in the camera option and render options with cp s on ect..i ve tried in all mode model action choregraphie, did i missed something ? Regards
Last reply by maddle, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 1.1k views
I am modeling a room but I am adding lots of other elements that will animate and models that have been created independatly. I am getting frustrated because when I add them into the room I loose stuff like bone position. WHat is the best method to proceed on large scale things with lots of elements and animation? I am assuming adding everything into one model is the worst procedure. Do I add everything in an action? Do I add everything in a chor? WHat are the advantages and disadvantage? Thanks
Last reply by mouseman, -
- 9 replies
- 817 views
I find this rather strange. I opened up a few projects when I noticed that I couldn't enter skeletal mode or muscle mode for a couple of characters in a choreography. The buttons are greyed out. If I open the model in an action it works fine. I've just got a new computer (with Windows 7) and a new subscription for AM but I haven't used AM for a few months so I don't know if this problem appeared before or after the switch. Note that this doesn't happen to every model but so far I've noticed this in at least 2 projects. Does anybody know what might be going on here?
Last reply by Marcus, -
Hair Question
by TNT- 2 followers
- 9 replies
- 727 views
I am trying to make the eye lashes on my model. I have selected the narrow row of patches that make the edge of her lids. The problem (if you look closely) is that there is one row of hairs on each lid. On the right upper lid the hairs grow from the front edge of the patches. The hairs on the other three lids all grow from the inner edge of the patches. Is there a way to get them to all grow from teh front edge? Thanks is advance,
Last reply by TNT, -
- 9 replies
- 947 views
I was modeling a jacket and in the fever of splination I inadvertantly hit a key or combination of keys that turned my view from shaded to shaded wireframe with no CP"s. The wireframe is the same color as the model. To repeat in a redundant fashion: What did I do? How can I undo it? How can I do it again? Thanks.
Last reply by MJL, -
- 9 replies
- 686 views
I'm sure I'm probably doing something wrong here but I'm out of ideas so I thought I'd ask. I've pulled in an older model from the Extras disc as a starting point for something I want to make. While I was at it I upgraded to 15i as my 1 year is about up. Now I'm grouping CP's (and selecting them individually) and I can't get bias handles to show up (I clicked off it and back on again) or the yellow (I"m not sure this is the right term) bounding box around multiple CP's. I've tried selecting the different manipulators and that box just isn't showing up. Although, I can still move the CP's.... I just can't see the box or any of the controls that it gives me…
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 9 replies
- 1.2k views
Hi there! Yesterday I tried the cloth tutorial. Now I had the idea to use the cloth simulation to create primitive Hair for a simple character. But the results where not appropriate. At least I do not know If i should assign the points of the hair to the head bone or if they should stay with the main bone of the character. But if I do the last thing, they won't move with the head. Any ideas? I try to attach the project file Modulvorspann2.prj
Last reply by Florian80, -
- 9 replies
- 591 views
I have the camera constrained to a path. But when it reaches the door I would like to have the camera follow the door as it opens. Then return to the paths direction after the door has opened so it can continue down the path. I have tried something’s but it ether did not work or it screwed up the hole scene. By sending the camera to 0,0,0 at the start of the scene.
Last reply by mtpeak2, -
- 9 replies
- 1.1k views
Hey Gang! I am going to get a PC to run AM. Anyone know what specs I should get? Is it possible to get something for $500 or less? I am currently running a Mac with 10.6 and I've heard that AM (currently) runs better on Windows 7. Any input would be wonderful. Thanks in advance! Shawn
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 592 views
12 frames into an action i realize that the pivot of the hip null on Thom would be wildly more helpful if it was located in another position in relation to the box. the pivot is smack dab in the middle, as per use, and i'd need it to be on top of his left thigh, more to the right when looking from the front, but still in the middle when looking from the side. (he's quietly diggin' this totally noddable gansta rap and taps the beat with one heel.) in chor i could click into modelling and shift the pivot, but i only need the pivot to move to his right in this action. how do i plan this? and execute this? is there an animatable "offset" or somesuch? make a second nu…
Last reply by dblhelix, -
- 9 replies
- 682 views
How would I draw a spiral pathway in the choreography window so that I could have a camera, or light, travel in a 360 degree circle while moving up (or down.) Thanks.
Last reply by bubba, -
- 9 replies
- 921 views
Been working some more on terrain texturing today, trying numerous techniques and still coming up pretty blah. You can't really see much here since it's a low-res preview, but there's not much to see. Just giving you an idea of a section of ground I'm working on. Basically a large grid pushed and pulled into terrain shapes. Now, how do I go about texturing this properly? I can't figure out a good flattening technique; endless decals-on-decals to patch stretched looking sides are starting to look pretty lame, porjection mapping a material doesn't seem to be going anywhere useful... suggestions? Thanks a ton!
Last reply by mtpeak2, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 804 views
It seems that When glow is set to on and you have reflection on something like the ground, the reflection does not render correctly. Is this a known issue? Should I bother to put in a bug report?
Last reply by new guy, -
- 9 replies
- 918 views
Is there a way to set part of the camera view to render(only an area of the image). Thanks in advance for any assistance.
Last reply by NancyGormezano, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 1.4k views
I know how to do a copy flip attach, but my computer doesn't. Everything get discomboerated. Also anytime I do a copy many of the CP's are locked on the 0 reference line and will only move on the Y axis. Is it me, my computer, or the software?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 9 replies
- 1k views
Is it possible to limit the rotation of bones at the set up stage so that they do not exceed the natural limits of the human form and, if so, does anyone have a list of the angle limits ? On the setup I have at the moment it is possible to move some bones in the wrong dimension and I have to go back and reset them afterwards. For example: In the fingers, the base of the finger can move in all three dimension ( XYZ). The mid section and the finger tip can only rotate in the z dimension - forwards and backwards. The hope is to setup a rig I can use in future projects. Thank you in advance. regards simon
Last reply by Simon Edmondson, -
- 9 replies
- 1.1k views
When you render to an image sequence A:M creates a .sinfo file to somehow connect sound that was in the chor with the image sequence. How do i get that to work when I import an image sequence back into A:M?
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 9 replies
- 1.6k views
ok i used to be able to do this but i think AM is laughing at me...... I have a ball for lack of words, over this ball is another one with a semitransparent material pattern, in the choreography when i try and rotate the material it like AM simple does not want to accept what I'm telling it to do, i have turned on show more than drivers and even made sure that i have placed keys in the time line. i have uploaded the project file as that seams to be able to help more. I know this should be easy ( as i have done this before) but it may be the new version or lack of using AM for a while Game.prj
Last reply by mtpeak2, -
- 9 replies
- 802 views
(This topic has been split off from another discussion.) I would like to see a basic discussion first of how A:M uses percentages. I am of the old school that says a percentage is a fraction of something (and that 0 and 100 are the min and max.) So I would like to know the basis that A:M is uses for each property. Same for numbers. Some are easy like particle count or size (cm default but whatever the unit.) But velosity - is it furlongs per fortnight or what? I know it is probably just me, but it would go a long way to helping me be a better animator.
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 592 views
I think I am going to have to set up smartskin for my penguin, because for some of the more extreme positions of the joints, the model starts to look like absolute trash the way the skin pinches. Anyone have any tips for working with smart skin?
Last reply by zandoriastudios, -
- 9 replies
- 1k views
Let me ask another question. I have my objects set to be rendered as wireframe. They look like they are drawn as vectors although they should not be. The edges are straight and not curved. So when i look from my camera, i see a square object with straight lines. If i rotate the object, it becomes rounded. How can i make the wireframe not look like vector through my camera view? Hope i am making sense? When i go in the modeler, the object is all rounded, no straight lines? I checked all the settings and they are all set to wireframe. Thanks. Pierre
Last reply by pierrotsc, -
- 9 replies
- 770 views
I find it a tad annoying how the camera rotation works when modeling. When adding splines you have to re-select a CP in order to have the camera rotate around it, else AM reverts back to the center XYZ coordinates and rotates the camera around there. Depending on the size of the model and how far away you are from the X or Y axis, when having nothing selected, camera rotations feels clumsy and some what disorientated. Does AM hold an option to rotate around last selected CP or CP group or some manipulation key to have AM not fall back to the center XYZ camera rotation.
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 9 replies
- 1.6k views
hey guys long time no see i have been trying to get an effect similar to this not the crystals them self but the cracking pattern on the ground, making ground is easy enough but the few methods i have tried so far don't quite work for the cracks as its ether virtually impossible to get the lines to match the terrain grid or it just doesn't line up. additionally i cant seam to make textures blend into each other vs a hard line.
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 9 replies
- 1.7k views
I’m looking for guidance, some step by step guide or tutorial, movie some other form of instructions on how to model a head/face. Currently I’m struggling with the creation of a head for my model. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve started over from scratch again. The body of my female model has been created through the use of a front, side and rear view picture of the basic shape. Through the use of the lathe tool, extruding tool, scaling and lots of tweaking. Took sometime getting the body modeled right and I've started from scratch plenty of times that really aided and improved my ability to model. However, I have tried repeating the same way I created …
Last reply by NancyGormezano, -
- 9 replies
- 1.1k views
How I can add video clips made by camera into AM V13.0 ?
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 9 replies
- 885 views
When exactly do you want to use an action? I have a bit of confusion as to when you would want to use them. I am guessing something like walk or run cycles would best be handled by an action, while blinks, winks or hand clenches could be driven by pose sliders. Am I correct in assuming that most animation you are (in general) going to want to do pose-to-pose in the choreography?
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 2.3k views
I found these on Safe Harbor ,was just wondering if anyone has bought them or have heard anything about them be it good or bad.
Last reply by livewiresrus, -
- 9 replies
- 1.3k views
Help! I have two error messages I have researched and can't fix. 1. When I open A:M I get the message "unable to load plug-in [/applications/animation master 16.0/textures/simbiont2.atx], -err- This one doesn't seem to cause any problem, but because I have another error (below) I thought I'd mention it. 2. When I create a new dope sheet, I add a sentence then get the message "dictionary modified or index file missing. Recreating index file" This message takes me to a "locate file" dialog box, and at the bottom of the dialog I can see that it's expecting a *.i file. SOOOO, I can't make my characters talk! Btw, I have version 16.0b and I'm ru…
Last reply by purplegirl, -
- 9 replies
- 1k views
Does anyone have a good clear plastic material, or ideas for the settings for one? I've tried all the ones that come with AM, I thought Perspex would work but it is a bit smoky. The only thing that comes close is "fake glass". I'm trying to make one of those domed lids like you see on a slurpee. I've got the shape down, now it is a matter of getting the material setting.
Last reply by Roger, -
- 9 replies
- 1.6k views
I just noticed under my A:M 11.1i File | Plugins I have an Export category with three items, including: Poly Model 3D Studio Avatar These look like they give A:M some interoperability with other programs. Have these proved to be useful? -SB
Last reply by myrakern279, -
- 9 replies
- 1.4k views
I want to know how to make an eyeball. I tried to follow some tuts on here but they really did not show me what I needed to do on some parts. Thanks.
Last reply by Dpendleton77, -
- 2 followers
- 9 replies
- 3.6k views
I am rigging the fingers of a hand and I know of 3 different ways to make the CPs move in a controlled fashion: Smart skin Fan bones CP weights I have found tutorials for each of them but I have not found the overall explanation how to think when choosing between them. In my case of the fingers, I started weighing the CPs and planned to do some smartskinning in the next step to tweak it more precisely.... But in the middle of the work I asked myself; Is this a good approach? I am worried that if I combine smartskin and CP weighing it will be confusing, for me, if I afterwards need to correct some unwanted behaviors of the fingers. What is the best pract…
Last reply by zandoriastudios, -
- 9 replies
- 1.9k views
hello all such a long time i didn't came here. so then to be clear i sold all my blender 3d books but still want to make cgi. so as i own two licences of a:m 18, i am actually trying to make it being transfered to my new linux system under wine, as i tried before and it succed ^^ and soon i hope i will have the pleasure to ask you several questions about animation but first modelisation. i wish you the best and tell me good luck for licences kindly regards
Last reply by stefff285, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 1.8k views
Hey Guys, I have been writing support for a couple days now trying to figure out the process of getting my subscription moved to a different windows machine. My last machine crashed and burned so I do not have ANY file I can copy over. I have no feeling how buried the Hash guys are, but how long should a request like this take to get a response? i also emailed jason @hash.com yesterday per a different post's suggestion. Anything else I can do to get a response, or am I being too "Hurry up, already" at this point?
Last reply by thumperness, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 546 views
Never have to wait very long for something new to pop up. Animated decal on leg. Have tried AVI, JPG & TGA with and without alpha channel. No change. Granted the skin is flexing but have run out of ideas for fixing it myself. Any help greatly appreciated. Results are the same when rendered with Netrender.
Last reply by svetlik, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 1.1k views
Am updating from 7 to Windows 10 and wondering if I'm to expect any bumps with AM? Thought I'd ask here for a heads up. Any help appreciated.
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 457 views
is there a way to lock the camera so it can’t be moved by accident? I seem to be always moving the camera inadvertently in the choreography window. I can’t seem to see a way to prevent accidental movement when( I move around the camera window as I would in a front or side view, the camera as well. very annoying.
Last reply by Rodney, -
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, -
- 8 replies
- 870 views
Hi! I've modeled my character for animation in the T-pose. I plan to use Anzovin's "Setup Machine" so I can start posing and animating my character. My question is: Should I do all the coloring and decaling of my character BEFORE rigging and animating, or should I animate my mesh, save the actions and then add them to a character who has been "decorated" after the movements are done? Any ideas would be appreciated, regarding flow. Tim
Last reply by heyvern,