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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
- 4 replies
- 412 views
so in my rush to fix my shade wire issue i went and did a complete install of 15.0h....i wish i waited and saw your later replies about 15.0i. never the less i did the install and ive noticed that i cant modify and or add libraries. ill do the usual folders tab scroll to lib. and add new. click through to my extras dvd data / library. the path is all there and i restart AM and its gone as if i never added it. anyone else get this?
Last reply by sir fen the usa, -
- 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, -
- 5 replies
- 554 views
Can I apply a procedural texture over top of a model that I have placed decals on? Does the procedural texture have to be in a specific place in the PWS heirarchy for it to show up? I'd like to add a turbulence over top of bitmapped images to simulate staining or grunge. thanks
Last reply by mcutler, -
- 2 replies
- 461 views
Would it be better to wait until the new year (and presumably a new version) or purchase my subscription now? Thanks, Bubba
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 3 replies
- 454 views
Hello, While working on a very basic choreography my front, side, back etc... windows are all black and do not display any geomerty. I've tried shift-z to centre the scene but still nothing. The camera and light views are fine. What gives? is it a camera clipping plane issue or what? Thanks in advance Mcutler
Last reply by mcutler, -
- 6 replies
- 605 views
so i have a model of a horse and a sled. i want the sled to be connected or follow behind the horse as if the horse was pulling it. ive put a bone on the yoke and a bone for the sled. the sled seed to be find on its own as far bending and turning. i tried to constraint the yoke to the horse but the yoke separates on the path and sticks with the horse leaving the sled behind. i can constraint the whole sled with the horse but it seem a bit stiff as the horse turns on the path. any ideas on how to use the constraints to look more life like?
Last reply by mtpeak2, -
- 0 replies
- 328 views
First off WELCOME! I came here to this program and these forums around one year ago. Biggest lesson I learned was to listen to the advice you find here. An enormous wealth of knowledge just flows here. And the ease at which these folks here give out solutions or advice is amazing as well. My point basically is........................ This forum is as valuable to you as that A:M cd. Maybe more so. Again.........WELCOME! Gene Spleengene Animations (A NONprofit Studio LOL)
Last reply by TheSpleen, -
- 6 replies
- 817 views
Hi Everyone, I'm new to AM and the forum and have a question. Does anyone know the trick to getting the materials and lights to look like the NFL Access logo/animations? Is it possible to get this look with AM? Sorry, I'm sure it's possible, but I'm new and don't know the program very well. Thanks so much in advance!
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 927 views
I'm going to bring my bvh questions to this request that I think would do the hash community some good. I'm begging anyone who can to make a bvh video tuturol. Something using a simple charater like thom. Showing how to connect each constraint (orient like, aim like and ect). I've been to zandoria.com and have tried to follow the instructions on thom but I can only get certain body parts moving right(not all of them). If I new enough I would make a help video like this myself but as you can tell I only know so much. I think if there was another help video that needed to be made, this would be the one. I humbly ask!
Last reply by jakerupert, -
How do I edit a Path after I have made it and find I need to make some adjustments Also in the tech manual it mentions I can use a model spline for a path but I have not been able to get it to work.
Last reply by DJBREIT, -
- 1 reply
- 448 views
I am working on a scene and in this scene, my character talks; i ve already recorded what my character should be sayiny in my friends studio. MY question is how can i put the voice to my AM so that it appears as if the character is talking that is my characters lips should be moving. Help pliz
Last reply by Darkwing, -
- 7 replies
- 727 views
Hi. I've got a rudimentary question. I'm making a head. Given that I don't have a steady hand, my CP's aren't aligned the way I like. So I've selected a spline, and used "," to select all CP's within that spline. Now what I'd like to do is have them all aligned in the same Z plane. I've modified Pivot Z, but that didn't seem to do anything. I've modified Translate, but that seems to move them all by whatever # I enter, so they're moving within relation to each other, rather than to a single objective coordinate. I suspect I can look at the Pivot coordinates of each and subtract them from one another (1 at a time) and then modify translate with the differen…
Last reply by lafnjack, -
- 22 replies
- 1.1k views
Alright, I've had this pop up a couple times now. Bump maps (and normal maps) change DRASTICALLY from patch to patch. Anyone know what causes this? Normals are all facing the same direction.
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 7 replies
- 1.1k views
I haven't found this question so I thought I'd ask it. It may be silly. Can you have faster rendering time if you have a better graphics card or ram?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 reply
- 368 views
Right after I got A:M, I read this post by oakchas, I followed his advice and had the manuals spiral bound. It cost me less than his estimate, and has been the best advice on A:M that I've had. Better Than A Dragon Button Thought I'd pass it on. Myron
Last reply by Meowx, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 477 views
Hiya I have made a big mistake, I bought animation master in the uk, still got my box and original cd and manual but lost the cd cover which has my serial no on it, had to rebuild my machine, so now cant install, is it possible to get a new serial no, bit of a nightmare, if any of hash read this could you email me on pb@reptilezone.co.uk pete
Last reply by steve392, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 362 views
Hi, I am working on a project and need to create animation using Washington DC as my background. I am new to AM and can't seem to get AM to talk to windows movie maker. I made a flag and need to place it with my pictures into movie maker. Can it be done? Need answer ASAP. Thanks.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 reply
- 362 views
OK hopefully simple ( though often not) is there a way that i can take a line comprised of 2 CP and ad 3 more at 25, 50, 75 % along the line , i know that you could do something like this on a line thats up and down or sideways but I'm talking like at various angels
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 545 views
What are pcx files?
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 16 replies
- 1.1k views
Alright, the first one is an old friend that I had problems with before and thought I had... well, not fixed, but minimized. When the legs are fully extended, they "snap" pretty noticeably in the first few inches of movement. Before it had been suggested that perhaps the hinge bone was not aligned exactly with the top of the thigh bone and bottom of the calf bone, and when I did that it made the effect quite a bit less noticeable. The legs also end up pointing in slightly different directions, but I suspect this is because they're not 100% perfectly symmetrical on the body. Animation_MasterScreenSnapz002.mov However, as you can see from the movie, it's become very…
Last reply by Meowx, -
- 3 replies
- 633 views
I need a good tutorial from begining to end on how to construct a head and I will want to use decal as well. can anyone help me with this?
Last reply by rodney sirratt, -
- 4 replies
- 512 views
This is a problem I've always had and was wondering if it was normal. The edge of the patch where the decal ends is always distorted. Decals are applied to the flattened surface as planar and extend beyond the edge of the patch. The "seam" you see in the screenshot is the product of the edges of two decals (front and back). I fix it by just covering up the seam with another decal, but this complicates bump maps. Is this normal or is there a way around this?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 6 replies
- 733 views
Hi! I put this in the newbie section because it seems an RTFM question, but I couldn't find an answer in that FM... Here's my problem: I created a little character model, added bones to it (created a bone hierarchy even) assigned CPs (weighted even) and would be all set to animate. BUT: I would really like to have the bones constraint to certain movement ranges. According to the manual, the spherical constraint seems to be what I need. And here's where I'm stuck. It seems that I can only add constraints to a pose or an action... not the rig (bones) in general. At least I couldn't find any info an that. Thing is I don't want to create any specific poses and or ac…
Last reply by Meowx, -
- 17 replies
- 840 views
Ok for kicks and giggles i decided to try and make a model of some anchient guardian of sort i really dont know what to call it so ill just call it bob. like all anchient guardians i wanted to have it have the glowing lines thing and while i managed to get it to look good i did want it to "start up" with the lines flowing from the center. im sure there is a easy way to do this but so far anything iv tryed looks to square for lack of a better term
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 1 follower
- 25 replies
- 1.9k views
Hey folks How would you create a rail of light? Like say a florescent light bulb?
Last reply by jason1025, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 472 views
I there is not a free resource of image maps, what site do you recommend purchasing from?
Last reply by Meowx, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 317 views
Is Bit map plus built in to AM now?
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 421 views
what is the significance of this? I have seen this in other projects
Last reply by rusty, -
- 1 reply
- 409 views
is there an updated version? i found one from 2001 on the ftp site but wanted to know if anyone had one more recent.
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 2 replies
- 459 views
In anothr project I have a model of a van that I wanted to animate with a constraint to a path. ( I am using V13, although I have V14) I apply the translate constraint and target it t the path but, how do I animate its position over time in a choreography. Or... Am I going about it the wrong way ( not unlikely ) regards simon
Last reply by Simon Edmondson, -
- 7 replies
- 620 views
I made a building for a friends live action short. The time has come o composit it into the footage, someone else is doing this in After Effects but, needs me to supply a suitable render to work on. I am using v13 ( although I have V14 I have yet to install it). how do I render a file for compositing were I can put the shadows on a seperate Alpha channel or is this not possible ? regards simon
Last reply by Simon Edmondson, -
- 2 replies
- 509 views
Hi it s seems that the Stephen Gross Midiplugin does not longer work or i doing some thing wrong.I can download it in the prior section but it gave me an error message when i launch A:M. The other section give me a broken link. I ve tried the Wayback machine but i have the same result. Does some one have the plugin somewhere. Thank you all. M.
Last reply by yoda64, -
- 6 replies
- 781 views
Ok let s talk about something not so simple(at least with lightwave) I know the way A:M works and that it can offer some crazy tools for every kind of situations but what about this one ? i want to make a race track and i want every curve to bank on the Z axis (which is a bank).Is this possible ? In blender you can have a "hand" on the bank rotation axis before you extrude an object. Ideas around ?
Last reply by maddle, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 776 views
While making an original character speak, I have tried creating a separate pose for each phoneme, but find that in an action the frames between one mouth pose to the next are unmanageable. My solution so far has been to create poses for phrases, each phoneme pose set at, say, increments of 5% in a percentage pose. Is there a less tedious approach that allows you to use a set of phoneme poses and animate between them smoothly?
Last reply by higginsdj, -
- 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, -
- 1 reply
- 449 views
Hi, is it possible to bake the occlusion as a map ? does exist a velvet shader ? THX ps: i can t experiemnt by myself as i still don' t have my new activation key...
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 393 views
AM_fbm turbulence plugin I deleted it by accident can some one post it?
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 367 views
Can some one kindly point me in the direction or provide a link to a rainbow material? Or color wheel material? something like that will do.
Last reply by jason1025, -
- 4 replies
- 532 views
As I'm starting to add texture, I'm finding it very difficult to preview stuff in real time because the textures are just ridiculously low-res. The texture itself is pretty big, the upper body texture in the screenshots is about 2000x1000. It's kinda hard to even apply a decal, it shows up in low res there too (3rd pic). Is it just because the texture is too big? Also, "Clear Cache" doesn't seem to do anything. If I edit a texture, I have to reload the project to get it to update. I'm on a Mac, dunno if these are Mac problems or A:M problems.
Last reply by Meowx, -
- 5 replies
- 724 views
Dear Terrians Everybody recommand this tutorial to master some of A:m tools but the link is broken http://www.colins-loft.net/new_coop_tutorial/tutorials.html does someone get a copy or a kind of mirror site ? the other question that i ve bought on ebay the aM hanbook 2000 and the author mention a third party plugin named A:M loft (with double rails loft, and multisection lofting function) where can we find it ? I use the term "we" for us poor newbies we are front of the majic software. Last questioon but not least: is it possible to bake the ambiant occlusion as a texture map ? Thanks
Last reply by maddle, -
- 7 replies
- 814 views
Hi , anyone know how long it take to AM support to give me a new activation code ? Thank you.
Last reply by yoda64, -
- 7 replies
- 725 views
Hi One month ago, i ve asked if it could be possible to attribute a short key to a plugin, some says no because the plugins don t appear in the custom short key list menu.I was sure i was crazy because some time they appear and i don t know why ! i had to reinstall my OS and then i ve shot this !! (5 notes theme of Close encounter of the third kind music here ! I don t understand why these plugins appear or disappear from time to time from the short key list ! Any clue ? where is Lt Colombo ?
Last reply by maddle, -
- 1 reply
- 317 views
ok futhering my work on trying to make my dark matter effects i found that one basic once can be created by using toon lines, but this seams to be a full on off aspect. is there a way to render one object with toons on while the rest of the sceen stays normal?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 5 replies
- 536 views
I'm trying to recreate an effect i saw in a game. to the point its making a dark mater blast . a black liquid ball with a white Aura like outline. i have been experimenting with creating a black water material with varied success. but the aura is still "not happening" . i have tryed to create a larger form of the bolt and tint and tweak it but it in some way or another covers the black core which is supposed to be pure black. does any one know way to do what I'm asking. i found this image online, its a beam version but the effect is simmilar
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 3 replies
- 667 views
Hello, I just drop to say hi and and encourage you to watch some ideas on how to start an animation. If you guys like animation, you will probably want to watch this movie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGdWs90J4Qg...feature=related Have Fun Animating!
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 3 replies
- 386 views
I just started using 15.0g about a week ago, and from time to time when I go from a model into an action - to, say, test out some rigging - and then close the action and go back to the model... the modeling toolbars won't come back. It just stays with the animation ones. Closing and reopening the model doesn't work, not even closing the entire project! Fiddling with toolbar settings doesn't work either - the modeling toolbar will show up when I'm in the customization menu but then go away as soon as I close it. I have to save and reboot A:M to get the toolbars back. Anyone else having this issue?
Last reply by Meowx, -
- 4 replies
- 567 views
So I just had a thought which I figure I’ll throw out there, as my own cloth/particles skills aren’t up to testing the idea yet—has anyone tried using cloth to serve as (pseudo)fluids in animations? I’m talking about a really “thin,” semi-transparent cloth, “pulled” over a surface (I imagine it’s outward “flow” would have to be manually adjusted/keyframed, like pulling a blanket, but perhaps with a slightly “tilted” set the cloth could slide down and calculate the flow/slide itself), where the surface itself would serve as the deflectors and the cloth contour itself accordingly. I’ve heard tell of new fluid simulations in v15, but, alas, my wallet mandates that I st…
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 2 followers
- 7 replies
- 990 views
In Barry's training He says that your patches need to be facing the correct way all the same. I just realized that some of my patches are not all facing the same direction. The correct normals plugin does not really work. WHat are the negative effects of this? Can I just ignore it?
Last reply by Darkwing, -
- 2 replies
- 505 views
ok i managed to find the old post i made about making crystal and such and yes have been able to make some pretty interesting objects with said settings. my current question know is how do i make the inside have a cloudy crystal effect to it i managed to find an image from a game with such an effect Picture hopefully some one will have an idea on how to do this
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 4 replies
- 594 views
I'm missing something very fundamental here: I'm trying to model a logo from scratch using a rotoscoped image. I got the outline for the logo finished and looking good and then extruded it to get some depth. My rendering mode is set to shaded & wireframe. As you can see from the attached image (which is the perspective view), the sides of the logo look fine but I'm missing a front & back face. How do I add a front and back face to the model?
Last reply by robcat2075,