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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.
4,166 topics in this forum
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- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 1.1k views
This years xmas card. A merry xmas and a verry happy new year to all of you! From a old user.
Last reply by noewjook, -
- 7 replies
- 1.1k views
I used Sprtite System created leaves for a tree, it's easy and look very good. I can use this technique in still images. But in animation it .... How can I freeze the sprite system? Thank you very much.
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 1 follower
- 13 replies
- 1.1k views
i just did a short animation that I need to send to a publisher so i can get a job.... the file is only a minute long and consists of one character and a table. the sound file didn't seem to render with the file. the size of the file is 46.1 mb Is that normal or did i do something wrong? and if it is normal, how am i going to e-mail it when noone will let me send a file that large?
Last reply by TRN, -
At the risk of sounding like a complete newbie (To late) how do you create hooks? I know what they are and how they work but I just dont know how to make them! Thanks in advance. Photoman
Last reply by Darkwing, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 1.1k views
Hi Folks I am having trouble Limiting the rotation for a bone with a Dynamic constraint. Basically I want I have a hinge that should only move on one axis. I have limited the bone to that axis via the manipulator options. Now I want to make that bone dynamic so that it swings up and down along that axis as the rest of the model moves. Unfortunately the Dynamics constraint does not seem to adhere to the limit manipulator option. Any Ideas? Is this something I should request as a feature in AM? Is this something I am doing wrong? The video illustrates my problem. Dynamics_question.mov
Last reply by jason1025, -
- 1 follower
- 8 replies
- 1.1k views
it's just a thought.I'm making a movie of my own, and I have run out of relatives to do the voices, I was wondering if any one else has the same problem, I wonder if any of the hash animators would like to use there voices for others movies project , kinda like a bank exchange, the animator could send there script through email and the recording could be sent on a attached email, just a thought. Katt
Last reply by Karl, -
- 9 replies
- 1.1k views
I was working on a little short animation where a character throws a boomerang... and ran into some problems on making the boomerang spin. Basically I want to be able to position the boomerang in several different places (ex: I want the boomerang over here, at this angle) and then use the curves or some sort of pose to control the speed and direction with which the boomerang spins along its axis as it travels between these points. I was thinking of some sort of rig for the boomerang that allows me to make its position and orientation seperate from the spinning. I've tried several things with no success... I don't really know whats going on... but it seems that t…
Last reply by rossk, -
- 1 follower
- 8 replies
- 1.1k views
Hi, everybody. new forum user here. I am having trouble bringing an avi into my chor. as a camera rotoscope. some avi will work such as video that I have created with AM but video from my camera won't show up or render... any suggestions?
Last reply by Walter Baker, -
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I am struggling to learn about constraints. I want to make eye bones aim at a null target, but I have two problems: 1. How should I do to add a constraint to a bone? I can only add a constraint in choreography. But as I want the constraint to be saved with the model I don't think this is the way to go. The reference guide explains features of different constraints but don't say how to add a constraint... So the question is: How do I add a constraint to a bone that will be saved with my model? 2. When adding an Aim at-constraint to the eye bone in choreography mode it will not work unless I move the Eye bone from the head in the bone hierarchy. The bone woul…
Last reply by Visping, -
- 1 follower
- 8 replies
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I am following a tutorial how to model an eye. When it comes to the Lathe-tool I run into trouble as it does not behave as i expect. It does not lathe with the end-CPs in center. It seems to lathe round the spline-center instead.... I have tried to alter properties, SHIFT-clicking on different CPs before lathing etc. I can see three reasons: 1: I am a bit stupid not understanding the obvious... 2: The Lathe-tool is not intuitive enough 3: There is a bug in Animation Master 17.0d I am hoping for the first and that someone can tell me what I am doing wrong. This is my spline before lathe: This is after doing lathing. Why wi…
Last reply by Visping, -
- 12 replies
- 1.1k views
So I am working on cleaning up the penguin - I am redoing the patch coloring after doing my CFA. Is there an easy way to choose additional adjacent patches to have the color I want, or should I just create a new group and reapply the material? The only reason I am not doing that is I have a ton of groups as it is and probably should start deleting them. I'm not even sure what some of them are. I don't know how I ended up with so many groups, it looks like they are copies of the existing groups I have (numbered 2-7).
Last reply by Roger, -
adding sound to your animation?
by Guest SandGroper- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 1.1k views
hi how does one add music/sound to a avi , mov file i can add the default sounds that come with am , but not my own? any ideas?
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 14 replies
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i decal a sky TGA on to a sherical material, when i rendered it out in the chor , it turn completely black, i donot know what to do i m using V13, any help
Last reply by NancyGormezano, -
- 6 replies
- 1.1k views
Hello, I'm busily working on my animation, and I'm interested in making my renders able to be played in a standard or widescreen DVD format. Can anyone point me to the correct resolution, acpect ratio, and rendering settings for being able to view the animation on a standard or widescreen DVD screen? Cheers!
Last reply by oakchas, -
- 1 follower
- 13 replies
- 1.1k views
Hi All Since the main reason for my getting A M was more as a suport tool for my 2D Illustration and Cartooning then for the animation I jumped right into the modeling tutorials perhaps biting off a bit more than I could chew. Anyway wanting to start right away to create 3d versions of my own characters I started trying to do the faces using my own design instead of a photo Anyway It went easier then I expected I do a bit of real sculpting so the transition from papermache and clay to a view screen wasn't too dificult, other than an inability to smooth out some of the creases and don't get me started on the nostrels. Anyway this is what I've gotten so …
Last reply by thefreshestever, -
- 13 replies
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This is for a school project. I want to export a rendered image from a choreography. I need a very specific file size, so simply using "print screen" isn't going to work for me. Does anyone know what to do? Thanks.
Last reply by photoman, -
- 9 replies
- 1.1k 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, -
- 5 replies
- 1.1k views
Hi, I try to render but when i do it says : Avistreamsetformaterror, most lile caused by a codec compresssor that does not support 24 bit data. I know I have a lot of codes installed, but do i have to install codec into A:M? Or does anyone know what this can be? I could render the scen as tga images but not as avis. Another question is if there is some additional download I should do? I cant find the same assets as i se in the tutorial movies.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 7 replies
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Wondered what folks thought as best enhancement for my AM experience. Currently have a Geoforce 4 Ti 4600 Video card with 128 ram and have a p4 2.53 processor with 512 ram. Having only been working with AM for ver 12.n for about two months so I was curious what would be best choice to get a better video card with maybe 256 mb of video ram or increase my system ram to 1gb. Sometimes for me choreography is a little jumpy when I have a number of items on screen especially with textures and sometimes my model manipulating seem a little quirky . So wondered of these two choices what might be best. Overall I am having great time learning AM. And I know a faster cpu is always …
Last reply by Motility, -
- 6 replies
- 1.1k views
HI!- I've always added Hair to my characters by creating a group and dropping the hair.mat onto it...now, I want to try using a decal with an alpha to control where the hair emanates from. I've realized i have NO clue on how to do this... I've read Holmes hair tutorial which covers using decals AS the hair (feathers) but I want to use the decal as the emitter... I've done a search too. Do I--- Apply the decal, change it's type to 'other' and then apply the hair to the decal? How does the hair know the decal is controlling it? Where do I put the hair material? Thanks for any help-
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 9 replies
- 1.1k 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, -
- 10 replies
- 1.1k views
Like the title says, I've created a model, and from what I've read, the program is lagging because there are so many cp points. I have an uber fast system and would think that it could handle a model like this. does anyone know any good optimization methods for AM? My specs: Quad-core 2.6 8gb DDR2 ATI 4870 X2 Thanks
Last reply by itsjustme, -
- 11 replies
- 1.1k views
ok this may be something im going to have to deal with but my AM has started crashing a lot , mostly when im making materials or saving rendered animation , is there something i should set to fix his?
Last reply by rusty, -
- 1 follower
- 10 replies
- 1.1k views
This is certainly a case of a guy who left Animation:Master for years and came back... For the record, I'm still running with Animation 2006 here - that was the version I'd upgraded to before I gave it up in despair because my old computer used to crash it. I've now upgraded to a brand new "Windows 7 Home" machine, which runs it very nicely. Anyway, to the subject of my problem. My hare Danbuster's kilt is an essential part of his quirky personality, but not to the point of absurdity I wouldn't have thought. I just tried attaching a SimCloth material to the ring-splines that make up his kilt below the belt, using the defaults from the "Waving the Flag" tutori…
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 1.1k views
Hello all, I am trying to use the Dwarrowdelf set so generously donated by William Sutton, as found on the Hash2005 CD under data\models\sci-fi\balrog. I loaded the dwarrowdelf.prj file and tried to render out (to a file) one frame as a TGA. Although I specify the beginning and ending time as the first frame, the render nonetheless begins rendering all 300 frames. When I abort the process after waiting for one or two frames to have finished, I find that the resulting TGA files are basically empty and unreadable. By the way, I tried with both AVI and Quicktime and both of those also ignore my direction to only render a subset of all the frames. (In mucking a…
Last reply by RoyBU, -
- 11 replies
- 1.1k views
Hi i posted a great site with free tutorials, and when im came here again it looks like it was deleted. Why was that? did i break the rules? regards
Last reply by Aseddicu Member, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 1.1k views
I cant seem to get copy key frame and pasted mirror to work in an on off "relationship" I am viewing a tutorial that shows it working properly but in 15i I cant seem to get a result. Any ideas? much appreciated.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
Thought I might try a bit of tree planting this weekend, using the TreeZ plug-in and HomeSlice's excellent PDF tut for reference. Also thought I would try for some hair leaves as well. However the plug-in seems to fail to generate the additional groups/levels in the model after running needed for the hair leaves. On starting, the plug-in tells you how many levels its going to make but once its run, it soon becomes evident that it never actually bothered to make them. So my question is; is this a new problem with TreeZ in AMv16a or a problem with TreeZ & Macs or a combination of the two maybe? Has anyone else noted this? I'm on a Mac running 10.6.8 with A…
Last reply by mtpeak2, -
D3D vs OGL
by MikeV- 10 replies
- 1.1k views
Is it just me, or does the OpenGL mode in A:M seem to perform substantially better than the DX8 mode? It also looks a lot clearer. I can crank the patch detail level all the way up to the 4th/full detail level in OGL and it's perfectly smooth, and the splines are nice and clear. The only artifact I get from it is that if I draw a selection box or drag a guideline it causes a "blank spot" 'til I release the mouse button. If I go into DX8 mode, it's smooth up to level 2, but as soon as I get to level 3 detail, and more so level 4, it chops up pretty bad. Also the grid lines become jagged and "broken up" looking. The one positive is that I don't get the "blank spo…
Last reply by MikeV, -
- 3 replies
- 1.1k views
So for the time being I am working in v13 until I get my licensing issues sorted out. I thought I would start a goldfish model, something simple to get some practice in and I am happily modeling away and I think to myself "I should save this". So I got to File > Save Project as and I get a dialog with no place to input the name or hit "save". I can't resize it to get those things, either. Any thoughts as to what might be going on? I may be using v13 for a few days yet and don't want to not be able to save my work. I have posted a screen cap.
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 11 replies
- 1.1k views
Hello. I'm having trouble with the basic movement of my character. What I'm looking to do (and this is just me practicing), is have a character kick with his one leg, bring it down, then kick with the other. (This applies to arms as well.). However, after I create the movement with his one leg and begin the other, the 2nd leg begins to move at the very BEGINNING of the entire animated sequence (during playback) instead of AFTER the 1st leg movement. Any help? Suggestions? Thanks. Steven
Last reply by robcat2075, -
Hi. I am trying to find information re: eyes. I understand how to make spheres and modify them to look like eyeballs. How do you make them more realistic? Decals? Materials? I appreciate the help. V 12.0
Last reply by fanng, -
- 1 follower
- 8 replies
- 1.1k views
Hi Hashers, I'm back after an extended absence from AM and animating. I'm trying to get back into the swing of things having recently bought AM 2006, V13.0. Partly what brings me back is I am proposing an animation course at the community college I teach at. The other part is I like animation and want to get back to it. A couple of things I'm trying to find out about are what non-linear editors people like to use, and does anyone have suggestions for classroom assignments for my students? I'm on a Mac and I used to use Adobe Premier to edit my rendered files but they don't make a Mac version of that anymore so what do people like to use? I did a sear…
Last reply by nimblepix, -
- 1 follower
- 8 replies
- 1.1k views
I can not figure out how to post my exercises to the forum.
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 1 follower
- 7 replies
- 1.1k views
Hi Folks where can I find the bevel plugin?
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 9 replies
- 1.1k 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, -
- 4 replies
- 1.1k views
Hi, im looking throu the video tutorials and i se it says Animation Master 2003 in top. Does this mean that the videos are 10 years old, and if so, are they outdated? I just wonder so I dont sit and learn stuff that is obselete. Sins Dyrwoolf
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 10 replies
- 1.1k views
Hello, I am new and I'm trying to find out how I can make my own patrticle sprites. I've done the Smok, Wind, Fire tutorial but I don't understand what does what, I just did it. Can some one please guide me to a tutorial, or and explanation how to manipulate and come up with your own particle sprites? Right now I'm trying to make a rocket with a trail of fire and smoke.
Last reply by Jeba, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 1.1k views
Hi all, I am trying my own version of the bouncing ball. I watched Cristin McKee's videos (Anzovin Studios) and I understand the part about being able to rotate with one bone (center bone) and doing squash and stretch with another bone (at base of model), and swtiching between both during the creation of the animation. The problem I am having is when I switch to the bottom bone it won't sqaush and stretch at all. Am I doing something wrong or could this be a bug? Thanks Chris
Last reply by Pesto, -
Face Camera
by JohnP- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 1.1k views
Where are the instructions for adding a camera to point to a model's face? The manual that comes with AM 2006 talkes about using multiple camers but I cannot find any instructions to accomplish placing a face camera. Can someone help get started or point me to a place with instructions? Thanks.
Last reply by JohnP, -
- 1 follower
- 13 replies
- 1.1k views
Hi - I have no idea what I am doing, but the fire tutorial and a couple hours of playing around got me to the point of having the jet engine fire for my fan character I'm working on. It didn't come out half bad, but and suggestions to make it better would be more than welcome. http://www.flashanimationwebsitedesign.com...urningFan3.html My question is- I have a choreograph scene that I put my character in and also the object "smoke" which has the "fireMaterial" dropped on it. That is what I rendered 5 seconds of at the above link. I used the "smoke.mdl" and images for the sprites that goes along with the fire tutorial. The idea is to have the characte…
Last reply by flashawd, -
- 1 follower
- 8 replies
- 1.1k views
If you purchase a yearly subscription and wish to purchase the program, will that year subscription be applied to the purchase price?
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 1 follower
- 7 replies
- 1.1k views
switching emphasis between projects on monday, summing up and after gathering a foundation for troubleshooting one last area is as basic as it is murky. i can't confidently use terminology yet, so this is going to sound a bit weird: lots of people have time and again made the same mistake, as have i - confusing in which window to set the value for a certain thing. and they are different things. each time someone comes to help asking 'have you set the parameter in this window you have to remove it and do the same in that other window'. (PWS vs. chor window, object properties vs. right clicking etc) this was at its most confusing when reading about lighting a scene. …
Last reply by dblhelix, -
- 16 replies
- 1.1k views
i m using v13. i rigged a charater and when i turn ik arm ON the result is displayed below , how can i correct this.
Last reply by MJL, -
- 11 replies
- 1.1k views
I made a walking action for the rabbit. when i try to put it in a new choreography it starts walking backwards
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 9 replies
- 1.1k views
Hello.. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem and/or if there's a fix for it? I'm working through the manual tutorials so I can follow through and get my AM diploma :-). However. I'm stuck on the first lesson, "You're The Director". If you'll look at the attached screenshot, when Keekat's Dynamic Pose is at 100%, his right foot is not positioned as it is in the picture, but instead gets sorta "rolled" to one side. What's more, when I put the slider back to 0%, that same foot remains in the same position, even while everything else goes back to the default pose. What to do? I'm using version 2005/Sasquatch (12v+) Thanks! EDIT: Ran…
Last reply by martin, -
- 12 replies
- 1.1k views
I'd like to collect a few Cameras to add to the Extra DVD as it seems like it might be a great resource to explore. In particular I'm interested in collecting a variety of render styles with settings for people to examine on the DVD. If you have an old project laying around gathering dust you can import it into v13 and see what settings are there. If its a keeper save the camera as an external .CAM file and share it here. If you'd prefer your particular settings to be revealed when the DVD is released that is fine too. You can send the files to me via email if you prefer. Attached is the plain ol' default v13 camera. All settings are (of course) default! …
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
- 1 reply
- 1.1k views
Hi, I've installed the 2008 Skeletal Rig into one of my characters (as best as I could). However, it's a really complex rig with lots of constraints and other things going on with it. Other than the install instructions, are there any other instructions, or tutorials on how to use it properly? Other than that, is that the most up to date character rig publicly available for AM? Thanks! Tommy
Last reply by markw, -
- 10 replies
- 1.1k views
I'm sorry if there's already a helpful link or something that I've missed, but I've been studying eye anatomy to make realistic looking eyes, and I've noticed other 3d projects with usually simple irises but they're illuminated.....light fades around the edges. An example would be the character Tak. I just want to know how other people are doing it, maybe it'll save me a missed shortcut. I like the look of those eyes.
Last reply by Dhar, -
- 1 follower
- 22 replies
- 1.1k views
Ok i know this is going to sound like a compleatly dumb question but iv have some how managed to lose my manual , ok how do i take a image file say a jpeg of sand and import it into AM
Last reply by Rodney,