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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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- 3 replies
- 579 views
I recently stumbled onto this website, I watched some of the sample tutorials and they seem very good. These dvds are on the top of my to get list, here a link for anyone interested... http://thestructureofmandvd.blogspot.com/
Last reply by serg2, -
- 2 replies
- 637 views
I was wondering if anyone new of a site that has famous peoples faces from the left or right view. I am working through the structure of man dvd lessons and want to practice this view before going on. Thanks Steve
Last reply by Stronghorn, -
- 2 followers
- 5 replies
- 482 views
Hi Everyone, Firstly, I would like to say although I am a newbie, this appears to be a GREAT forum!!! Everyone seems to be very helpful, considerate, and well wishing. I am really happy I decided to buy A:M! I'm trying to create a very simple model of a bed. At times, I would like to draw a straight line that is perpendicular to another line which results in a 90 degree Angle. I'm sure the method is in the book or has been discussed in the forum, I just can't seem to find a way to do this. Does anyone know how I can do this? Thanks again, Bob
Last reply by Jentham2000, -
- 3 replies
- 594 views
Hey everyone, Been working on a model of Kisuke Urahara from Bleach for the past couple weeks and so far, I'm liking what I've got. However now I'm on the task of dressing the man and it dawned on me that the more robe-style attire of his 'wannabe kimono top' is a little more complicated to work with than I anticipated. So I wanted to know if anyone had any good suggestions on modelling that sort of thing. I went ahead and attached my reference image if anyone needs an idea of what I'm working on. Thanks in advance, I look forward to hearing from you guys soon.
Last reply by rusty, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 408 views
another hair problem: i want to drive the color and the length of my hair system by 2 different decals, or one decal with 2 different images in it, seems to be no difference. driving the color is no problem, works fine. but when i add the second image for the length, it affects the color of the hair too!!!?? i´ve done it all like in talbots hair-tutorial-video, but it won´t work... first i thought it might be a windows-version problem (sometimes i´ve some problems with images there, won´t be displayed etc...), so i tried it in the osx-version too, but same thing. all i do is select "other" in the decal-images "type"-menue, then add a property and select l…
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 1 follower
- 8 replies
- 801 views
I'm going to be a new user of A:M in the next month just wondering if my computer will run A:M It has a Dual 2 core Processor, Two hard drives with 500gb each, and 2gb memory i did see that earlier version seemed to have trouble running with the dual core processor but will it work better with the recent version of A:M? thanx chris
Last reply by khickman, -
- 7 replies
- 1.1k views
Hey all, I just recently built an amazingly overpriced computer ( Asus A8N-SLI Premium, AMD64 4400 dual core, and 2x Nvidia 7800gt in sli) specifically for rendering and animating and stuff. I know other programs out there support dual core/multi cpu setups, but Im wondering if A:M has high support with it, or am I better off turning of affinity to one core and using hyper transport? I havent really noticed a difference in rendering either way, just curious if theres a patch or a newer version that would support it.
Last reply by SirSpectre, -
- 9 replies
- 1.5k views
The advertisement for A:M 2007 said it has dual-core support, can someone tell me how to enable it? See: http://robwilkens.com/tao/notdual.jpg On the left-hand of the attached image, you'll see exercise 2 rendering, on the right side of the screen, you see "Core 1: " and "Core 2: " usage. Core 2 is clearly doing the bulk of the rendering, as it's near 100% usage.. Core 1 is almost sitting idle, so clearly it doesn't appear to be being used. There's got to be some magic trick to enable dual-core support. Do I need to switch to a beta version to get this? -Rob
Last reply by rickh, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 709 views
windows xp pentium II dual processors service pack 1 Hash 12 and 13b Is there a dual processor render option? Did a search on forum, did not find easliy any info. Thanks, Also, What is the most efficient path to follow for tutorials, any opinions appreciated. I noticed forum members are ranked, how is this done? I see there are forum tutorials, AN matrix tutorials, Sherwood Forest tutorials and manual tutorials, as a Zbrush artist, I am so bogged down in making zbrush textures that I was wondering what is the fastest path to getting to know the in's and out's of AM All the best, Michael Angelo
Last reply by artunemedia, -
- 5 replies
- 1.5k views
Boy, I really wish you could just right click on a pose in the PWS or in the Pose Sliders or in the Relationships Window and select "Duplicate Pose". So many poses have such similar starting points. It sure would be nice to be able to duplicate them easily. Here's a newbe question though. How do I clear out values - restore them to the default position on a pose? I inadvertently set up my pose at 0% instead of 100% and I'd like to get the 0 back to default. Anyone? Anyone??? Bueller??? Anyone???
Last reply by largento, -
- 3 replies
- 401 views
is there a way to duplicate a simple shape randomly across a surface?
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 3 replies
- 499 views
I know that an object can be duplicated within a choreography. But is there a simple way to duplicate an object within the project? Thanks.
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 6 replies
- 660 views
i swear i have tried, but can't win! there has got to be a way to simply duplicate models in a chor... right? right now i have to keep importing the same model over and over into the chor and resize, move etc for everything.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 11 replies
- 1.5k views
I've got another one for you guys... I search these forums but just can't come up with the right answers... I need to put about 20 to 40 Thoms on my stage, each at about 20% scale. I tried using the "duplicator" plugin wizard, but doesn't seem to work. It scales relative to the last copy each time. Also need to add the same action to them all. Can I add the action to them before I bring them in??? Please help. Running late!!! Thanks!
Last reply by TommyDAQ2, -
- 6 replies
- 574 views
I have learned to use the Duplicator wizard to make duplicate objects that are in a straight line. But what do I use to create, let us say six objects in a circle?
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 726 views
I'm trying to add a series of flat Shelf Corals to the scene. It would make life a lot easier if I could select one within the camera view, duplicate it, and adjust its position...rather than dragging down another from Objects>Choreography, then have to back 'way out [visually] to find it, rotate it, drag it into position, then scale.[attachmentid=12929]
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 22 replies
- 1.4k views
I am working my way through David Rogers book and I am stuck on creating the windows for the building (page 227.) David says that the Duplicator Wizard to create the grid of bricks but I just can't understand the wizard. Nothing I have tried results in a grid of bricks. Please help. Thanks.
Last reply by bubba, -
- 5 replies
- 701 views
hello all i used the dup wiz to make a length of rope,this worked fine. but i've hit a wall i need to make a circular length for a knot and i can't seem to figure it out.any help would be appreciated.
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 1 follower
- 5 replies
- 740 views
Hi - I am playing around with the dust effect - my character jumps and lands with both feet - the dust is too "round" looking - is there a setting in there that would disperse it a little different like swirl - so it doesn't look like a perfect round ball of dust? Thanks - E
Last reply by flashawd, -
- 3 replies
- 424 views
Hello all, I recently found my old A.M. 8.5 CD and manual and after much hesitation because I remember A.M. as being somewhat addictive, decided the give it a final whirl in the computer before making a donation to a Salvation Army charity sale. Mistake and here I am again but it struck me that AM might be used to create visual works combining traditional art and CG. About me includes that I am a 'middle-aged white male', I live down-under in Australia in the hills west of Sydney, I earn a living painting murals and have a degree in communications recently obtained having nothing much to do these past few years. Look forward to sharing my born-again experience wit…
Last reply by PaulX, -
- 4 replies
- 661 views
Hi, I want to model a couple of aircraft, I can get the plans as DWG files. What I am looking for is some software that can read these files and if push comes to shove I could then do screen capture to convert to jpg files - although it would be nice if the software could do it for me Any ideas anyone - says he hopefully Oliver
Last reply by LensOnLife, -
- 4 replies
- 587 views
Hey all, I'm actually not a newbie at A:M.....But certainly new at this I want to use a DWG file from Auto Cad 2007. I tried to convert it in another app to a DXF then import the DXF to HASH.....But as you guessed it gave me nothing but "0" vertices and surfaces....Or something like that. Is there a way to convert a DWG straight into Hash....Plugin or something? Or a way to get this to work at all. The DXF doesn't seem to work. Kevin
Last reply by DJBREIT, -
- 4 replies
- 574 views
I'm so confused. I created a dynamic chain for an electrical cable. I have a streak emitter attached to the end that shoots out sparks. I did this in s separate choreography and project. Exported the chor and imported that chor into another chor in a different project. I didn't change anything after importing. Everything is the same in the dynamic settings. Now the dynamic chain swings really really slow. At least 50% slower than the original. In the original I had timed the streak sparks for certain points as the wire is swinging. Now they don't line up. I'm curious what might cause this. Does the dynamic constraint rely on the "speed" of the playback? The final pro…
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 6 replies
- 707 views
Despite being inspired by the Tech Talks presentation on dynamic constraints, I am unable to reproduce any of the effects there with v13. Please correct me if I am missing a critical step or two: 1. I make a chain of three bones inside a simple tube of CPs. I assign the CPs to the bones. 2. I open an action with this model. 3. I translate the top bone back and forth in a couple of keyframes. 4. I return to frame 0, click on the lowest bone, and right click => new constraint => dynamic constraint 5. I still have an animation of a stiff three-bone stick moving back and forth. No swinging. Stiffness is set to 50% by default. If I try to change this value…
Last reply by mtpeak2, -
- 2 replies
- 700 views
So I set up a Dynamic constraint in an action and it is working very well. But when I go to render it, there is no constraint in the resulting render. Do I need to run some kind of simulation or bake it to get it to show up in the render? How might one get this to work?? Detbear
Last reply by detbear, -
- 0 replies
- 268 views
im having some trouble with my model i was studying the dynamic constraints when it occured to me perhaps i can use this for a skirt when i tried using dynamic constraints with the skirt, the skirt kind of ... uh ... i thought that it might have something to do with the object collision settings but even tweeking those didnt seem to have much of an effect i could just turn off object collision, but that would kind of defeat the purpose of using dynamic constraints to get the skirt to move around the legs (i could use the cloth modifier which works fine on its own but i find that when it comes into contact with another piece of cl…
Last reply by eptigo, -
- 1 reply
- 379 views
Not sure where I should put this. There used to be a tut on Dynamic Constraints (I think it may have been a tech talk) that had several examples. I know it contained THE HUNTRESS as part of the examples with her ear rings and such. I can't locate it any more on the forum. Does anyone know where to find this and the other tech talk downloads please. Thanks, EDIT: As usual, look for a half hour and can't find it. Make a post and find it two minutes later. Thansk anyway.
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 6 replies
- 715 views
I wasn't having any luck getting a AM hair to fit with the style of the model I'm using, so I've set up an IK dynamic chain to control hair movement. Problem is, it seems to ignore the Euler limits I've set for the bones lower in the chain. Am I missing something or does a dynamic constraint just ignore Euler on lower bones? I know it adheres to the Euler limits on the dynamic constraint bone itself. Attached a movie of a quick motion test where the hair just kinda flys all over. I've tried Simulate on the Fly both on and off and get the same results, but that brings me to another problem - I can't seem to simulate spring systems. At all. It gets a few frames in …
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 7 replies
- 841 views
This is my first time dealing with dynamic constraints. I applied a few dynamic constraints, put my model into a new choreography and I was pleased to see them working as I moved my model around in preview mode. But when I moved my model into a second new choreography, the dynamic constraints stopped working. What am I doing wrong? I'm using A:M v16.0a.
Last reply by gwinkelman, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 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
- 0 replies
- 434 views
I tried searching the ARM for one but it seems to be down, and I was wondering if anyone had a good dynamics tutorial for a beginner the one in the A:M guide boox really does not cover or explain anything it just shows you how to do that one poject which is good and can be used for diferent things but isn't there more that dynamics can be used for?
Last reply by Kaijin, -
- 3 replies
- 605 views
I am still trying to find out exactly where the ease in and out command is on the path constraint, I tried to click on every sub category in the properties panel to no avail. I must be really blind, could someone lead me to it please?
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 2 replies
- 464 views
I started to understand pathanimation a bit better by using a very simplistic project. I can slow the object down now by prolonging the chor-action. Also I can alter the speed of the object along the path with the ease-percenntages. But I find this rather indirectly, like an try-and-error-principle. There must be away to get an object to acellerate on a path from start to end at a mathematically exact constant pace I guess? And to steer it lets say go to a certain point on the path accelerating , then continue steadily to the next point and then slow down again till the end? Would you do that with expressions maybe or overlaying actions or mul…
Last reply by DarkLimit, -
- 3 replies
- 571 views
Hey Guys, Is there an easy way to blend the CP weights between two bones? Here's what I've got below. I just want even distribution between the bones. I have a lot of CPs because I'm going to make the thing rough like rock and I didn't want to do it using materials and combiners. I just don't want to have to go spline by spline to fade the weight between each bone. Thanks. Justin
Last reply by jmart714, -
- 14 replies
- 829 views
I need a circle that has alot of patches on it, is there a way to take the 32 patch sphere and doulbe or triple its patches?
Last reply by MMZ_TimeLord, -
- 3 replies
- 571 views
I have tried the "Eat My Dust" tutorial several times, and I can't seem to make it work. I use the constraint picker to select the bone for the left foot just as the manual says, but the dust sphere will not move to the edge of the foot. It stubbornly floats near the thigh. I was able to drag the dust sphere once but now I can't figure out how I got that to work. I watched the video tutorial and the dust sphere naturally snaps right onto the bone when the user clicks on it. But mine wont do that. Has anyone else experienced this issue? I'm using V15.0.
Last reply by banditsgirl, -
- 4 replies
- 419 views
AGGhh! Outbid with five seconds to go on AM on ebay. Looks like it will be a little longer before I get AM. OH well I will just have to save alot of milk money for awhile. lol! I will have AM one day, I just hate waiting.
Last reply by Stronghorn, -
- 1 follower
- 12 replies
- 1.1k views
Yo guys, long time no post. I'll save the catch-ups for another thread, but I have a question that's been bugging me lately and I figured it seemed a little newb-ish, so I thought this would be the place to put it. The topic description pretty much says it all; I've been reading alot of 3D tutorials about edgeloops and I'd like to know exactly how they make facial expressions easier to work with. Maybe I'm just missing something cause I haven't really done much outside of blinking and some fairly simplistic expression work, but I feel like I'm kinda missing something here. Thanks in advance and I hope you hear from you guys soon.
Last reply by ypoissant, -
- 1 follower
- 5 replies
- 577 views
The manual says sometimes you need to switch to edit mode to properly shape the hair. How do you do this, the manual does not illustrate or explain.
Last reply by jason1025, -
- 6 replies
- 826 views
I printed up the short cut keys taped them together(even took a highlighter to the odd numbers) and put them on the wall. Since i just got animation master this is very helpful. What would be even more helpful is editor keys for A.M. http://www.photoshopsupport.com/tools/editors-keys.html They would be easy enough to make. I would like to buy a set. ANYONE GOT EM?
Last reply by TeresaNord, -
- 2 followers
- 11 replies
- 1.3k views
I've been reviewing that some 3D artist start their models in 2d. They draw up the left/right side and then front/back. In which, they then integrate those two 2D outlines and make their 3D model. Other 3D artist seem to start off with just a couple patches and keep extruding and tweaking step by step. Apparently, there is no true way to model, I presume. My question is this though, how do you as a 3D artist/modeler start your day when you begin making a model? Also is there an effective way to model, to speed up the process at times?
Last reply by Xtaz, -
- 5 replies
- 615 views
I am trying to make an animated electrocardiogram with a darkish green background with the 'blip' animating a normal sinus rhythm. I want the blip to glow and leave a trail that fades as the blip travels along the "path" just like you see in the movies. I have tried sprites constrained to a path placed in a tube shaped like a normal sinus rhythm, but even with collision detection on I cannot keep them in the tube. I was thinking of applying a material that would travel along the length of the tube, but am at a loss as to what or how. I remember John had something of this effect when he rendered a box as lines with something tracing the box lines and glowing. Could …
Last reply by grandma, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 802 views
I need help with a character but first I need to embed all the decals or anything else that goes with him so I can post the model here for someone to look at and tell me my mistake please. Or....is my model already to go and the decals are in it now?
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 465 views
What shapes work best, to get the type of emitting you need. I've tried many shapes, each get a different emitting. egg, flat bull's eye, ball, cone, cube, etc. also is there a way to controll which part of the emitter shape does the emitting? Thanks, Chip
Last reply by KenH, -
- 3 replies
- 493 views
Hi all, I am embarking on an animation project and just decided to purchase AM but I am a bit hesitant that I will be able to pull this off since I am not a professional. My charachters are simple, a smiley face and a chalkboard with a straight forward story. I worry that I won't be able complete my character rigging and will be dead in the water. How hard is this and do people offer rigging services? I use a Mac and have 10.4.7 (Tiger) and I noticed the additional available software that helps you rig doesn't work with 10.4. Thanks in advance, Lori Hiatt
Last reply by Kamikaze, -
- 6 replies
- 520 views
OK In a part of my movie and giant explosive uncovers an obelisk, now i have been able to create the bas geometry for it but when trying to add the glyph as i would call them it causes two much distortions and there are open patches . i need to know if there is a way to add the glyphs an easier way with out having to use a Boolean cutter to do so
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 5 replies
- 584 views
Hi There, I'm just having trouble viewing any of the tutorials that use the Ensharpen CODEC. Quicktime quits when I try opening the tutorials. I downloaded the latest Ensharpen 1.1 Universal installer from their site and updated to 10.4.10 - but still no luck. Any help would be much appreciated. Cheers Ben MacBook MAC OS 10.4.10 Quicktime Pro 7.1.6
Last reply by largento, -
- 2 replies
- 600 views
is there an easy way of modeling an environment? like lets say, using some sort of scattering tool or some kind of tree/rock/foren object generator or would i have to model and place everything one object at a time?
Last reply by ddustin, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 700 views
i was wonder if anyone knows the link through which i can download the environment shader. Thank you
Last reply by jason1025, -
- 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,