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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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- 14 replies
- 865 views
i have a starship with some round windows around it. i want them to change color using the dope sheet as if the colors were talking. not sure but maybe there is a bug in 15F? it seems to not be able to hold my colors in the poses. im going to try some basic tests to see if just the model that has issues. but if any one has seen this let me know. thanks
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 10 replies
- 864 views
Continuing my fascination with clunky World War One-ish things, I started to build a seaplane. [bi-plane, center pontoon hull] Last night I was setting Specular highlights. I had done most everything: the hull, engine, fuel tank. nacelle, and the cockpit. [and had Saved] Just before wrapping up for the night, I came back to find that the cockpit nacelle's dark green upper surface, and the brown leather rims, had defaulted to the red used on the nose. Today, I undertook to repair that. After three attempts, I gave up. I can change the colors back. [i remove them from Groups first] But as soon as I assign Specular color, it snaps back to red. Might I have exceeded a limit t…
Last reply by KenH, -
- 7 replies
- 864 views
I did the "Can You Say That?" tutorial and rendered it out, [never mind that it still looks like it was dubbed from an old Godzilla movie] but I'm wondering what to do from here. How do I get one of my characters to say the right thing at the right point in the Choreography? Should I save it as an Action>Library and drop it onto the character at the right frame?
Last reply by Kelley, -
- 6 replies
- 864 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, -
- 5 replies
- 863 views
Hey Rodney! I just want to thank you for your never-ending efforts to cheer on the new users who come to A:M. Thank you for using your powers for good and not for evil. Continue cheering for truth, justice and the A:Merican way! If only a certain former cheerleader were more like you...
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 8 replies
- 863 views
Is A:M good for game modeling/animation?
Last reply by Paul Forwood, -
- 7 replies
- 863 views
Hi, I'm new to this program, I used it a bit in high school some 5 years ago and saw it on Ebay and decided to buy it since I had so much fun with it. I started doing the tutorial on the CD that came with it, but it keeps telling me to open models in the Library folder as several locations in the tutorial, but I don't have any Models in the said folder, I tried mailling the person who sold me the software (package and all) but didn't get an answer. So I was wondering if there's somewhere I can download a Model, any model, just so I can try the "Chorus Line" and "Baseball Throw" exercices. It's really hard trying to learn how to move bones when you don't have a m…
Last reply by Telvak, -
- 2 followers
- 9 replies
- 863 views
I have heard this word over and over in A:M, and I am confused about it, what does it mean? What does it do? Did I spell it right? Stuff like that....
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 3 followers
- 12 replies
- 863 views
I'm trying to learn how to mix animation with live action video and I'm having a hard time learning. I've seen a few tutorials but they aren't complete enough as I'm too inexperienced to pick up on how to do the directions. This CD is referred to often, but it always points to pluginz.com and apparently they don't have it anymore. Does anyone have any idea how I can get one, or the replacement if there is one? Thanks.
Last reply by robinsn, -
- 7 replies
- 863 views
Is there a list anywhere - other than the list of fixes that comes out w/ each iterative update, that lists the major (and minor) feature changes and enhancements among the various versions? When I started using A:M back in '95, when there was a version number change (as opposed to a letter extension), there were pretty major changes, like adding hooks, hair, cloth, etc... However, for the past few versions, I have no idea what's changed other than bug fixes and can't seem to find a list of what enhancements or changes have been integrated. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks, TommyDAQ
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 6 replies
- 863 views
OK, so this is probably a dumb question with an easy answer but; how do you turn on and of sprite emitters during an animation? All the tuts about them seem to assume that you want them on from the very beginning and with some pre-roll. What I need it to do is to start emitting some 10 or 20 seconds after the start of the sequence and last for 3 or 4 seconds, then stop emitting briefly, start again for another 3 or 4 seconds maybe and then be off for the rest of the animation. This is also a one take shot with no camera cuts. As always any help and advise would be greatly appreciated.
Last reply by markw, -
- 6 replies
- 861 views
its in the question broskies
Last reply by KenH, -
- 9 replies
- 861 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, -
- 5 replies
- 861 views
Hello, Here in France I have a few days of vacation to accelerate my exploration of AM which I find brilliant, only the rather long calculation times bother me. The rest of the program is fine with me. In the tutorial : at 8:57 the user clicks on a bone and duplicates it with the control key. I can not reproduce this action !? I do not understand why ? Do you have another example please? I don't have any examples of how to use smartskins, do you have any? This is what animation master lacks. These are simple examples of simple situations. When I understand the basics of AM better, I will try to find time for many very simple examples. This can help…
Last reply by createo, -
- 5 replies
- 860 views
anybody know were i can find a dragon model
Last reply by thumperness, -
- 2 replies
- 860 views
Ok, I'm sure the problem is on my end, but I thought I'd post here and ask just in case anyone has any helpful information. I have a number of object in .OBJ format, with materials. Import seems to be a bit hit and miss on whether I get any materials in at all, which is pretty understandable. I have texture maps for all the materials but I'm sure there are some odd settings somewhere! Is there anything I should look out for in importing/exporting OBJ files to use in other applications? Any gotchas, or things I shouldn't do? I have Silo and that's what I've been using to twiddle my OBJs. I'm on AM V12 (latest release of that). If AM V13/14 has better OBJ …
Last reply by ddustin, -
- 4 replies
- 860 views
Ok folks, heres one. Do any of you know if there is a post or tut on how to transport (dematerialize) model A then re-materialize as a different model? A friend has a logo starts as a silhouette of a person, starts to break apart and dematerializes. We would like to have it re-materialize as text for his company. Any suggestions?
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 6 replies
- 860 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, -
- 3 replies
- 859 views
I am trying to change background color, permately if possible, so I can key out background when compositing. I can't find the color chip mentioned in the help files to save me. I find a control for the ground color but not background color. Any help is appreciated.
Last reply by luckbat, -
- 1 follower
- 8 replies
- 859 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, -
Hello AM, So Im looking for somefeed back. I use to use other 3d programs in the past. Now 7 years later im finding myself interested in 3d again. I have been working with some polygon modeling software lately and I am very limited to modeling. So I'm asking for some advice. How hard is it to create custome characters in AM as to creating with other 3d software. I can create characters in 2d till the world ends, but now its time to turn them into 3d, will AM complete this task with basic knowlegde of modeling. Also will just modeling bog down my system, because im on a older laptop. Or will i be fine intill I start rendering animation. Thanks AM members
Last reply by Ludmasson, -
- 1 follower
- 8 replies
- 859 views
I'm wondering if there is a way to import camera data from another program. We're using, primarily, Vue to create a landscape and I would like to be able to insert Animation:Master elements as well. We can export a camera that would work for After Effects, Maya, and perhaps others. I'm not exactly sure how much we can convert the data, so please give as many options as possible for import and we'll hopefully find a medium that will work. Thanks!
Last reply by Luuk Steitner, -
- 4 replies
- 859 views
I forgot how to add a text model into an animation, could someone show me how? like how to have words in the animation
Last reply by Jason Simonds, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 859 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, -
- 5 replies
- 858 views
Hey All, I have had AM for a week now and I am having some weird things happen. I have been trying to follow one of the video tutorials on walking cycles. I double click the an actor, it opens up, I close that window and double click Actions, set the view to shaded. But, when I try to rotate the model it vanishes leaving only the bones visible. This is happening on a lot of different models. What is causing this? Thanks for your help! T MAC
Last reply by triath5147, -
- 7 replies
- 858 views
I am a new user, and while trying to model a character, I have encountered many problems. In a nutshell, the whole thing is very overwhellming. I would appreciate any advice any experianced modelers here have to offer. Also, if anyone has a cool model they want to donate, that would be awsome! Many thanks.
Last reply by Leo73, -
- 5 replies
- 858 views
Hi everyone, I'm still relatively new to AM so please forgive me if these sound like a stupid questions. I've seen some incredible animated shorts posted at AM Films. I'm working on one myself ("The Door is Stuck" exercise). My question is, How do you create a final render with different camera angles? I was told it can't be done in AM but people are doing it some how. I'm hoping you can do this completely in AM and not have to buy another software package. Specifically, Is there a way to see camera changes in the previewed animation before rendering? If no, then why allow you to turn camera's on and off? Basically I want to make my "Door …
Last reply by Stuart Rogers, -
- 6 replies
- 858 views
I keep getting a message "Exeption #033 Realtime Render" everytime I try I try to do something with the model I'm making. (selecting it, turning, adding CP's, ...anything with the model I can't do.) I've tried the www.hash.com/reports, but it wouldn't let me log in. Anybody ever have this problem before?
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 5 replies
- 857 views
Ok, I purchased what was listed as Animation:Master 2006 a couple of weeks ago. The box has a witch and broom on it. The CD has a Yeti on it. The software version is 12.0 and everything in it states that it is AM 2005. (Help/About), etc. Now, I somehow came across Version 13 Alpha and have been using that (as I am a bleeding edge kinda guy and love to debug things). Today, it said my "trial" is over with and to call a 1-800 number. So - What am I supposed to run? What did I purchase? How do I work on the TWO project without version 13? IS AM 2006 even out yet? Thanks all! -Tim
Last reply by T-Dogg, -
- 3 replies
- 857 views
I saw that this has been addressed a few times in forums, but I never found an actual answer! I have finished the modeling part (not texturing/surfacing, and there is no decaling) of a computer. At some point during me setting up my test renders, the splines started showing on the surface at all times, even in the final renders. "Render as lines" is set to off, I'm using final-quality render settings (no shaded/wireframe), and all the obvious stuff I can think of checks out. I just pushed the wrong button somewhere. How do I make this stop?!? Here is the pic, and in case it'll help, I'm also attaching the project file. Thanks! commodore.prj.zip
Last reply by someawfulbridge, -
- 4 replies
- 857 views
my new wireless keyboard has no number pad, how do I switch views? Thanks.
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 5 replies
- 857 views
I just recently found my older copy of A:M 10.5 and am trying to install it but have run into 2 problems. 1: it tells me I'm using an unsupported newer version of windows. 2: Once I got past that it is asking me for a serial number which I have no idea where that could be. Thanks for your help Dave
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 1 follower
- 5 replies
- 856 views
I am very new to the program i got it for Christmas and am just getting around to getting really involved in the program. I am trying to make a terrain for a movie im trying to do but i am really confused i have done some tutorials but i cant ever get anything to extrude the way i want. If it helps in answearing my question i am trying to make a canyon. Please help and thank you. Geoff
Last reply by clonewar12345, -
- 4 replies
- 856 views
My post got deleted because I suggested new fun simple tutorials?
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 9 replies
- 856 views
i might have asked this already but, how do i add movies to the A:M films area? i think it was by sending it to someone and then they would upload it, but it never got on...
Last reply by mouseman, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 856 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 reply
- 855 views
The Art of Animation:Master (Online) Please add your exerices to this topic and others will join in. The Art of Animation:Master is being completed on a continual basis in the New Users Forum. Meeting deadlines can be an important skill to master early on but this course is self paced to allow each person the flexibility they need to learn the basics of Animation:Master. The course can be completed in as little time as necessary or as much as is needed by each participant. Note: You may want to download the videos first. All available Video Tutorials related to TAOA:M can be found on one page: The Art of Animation Master Video Tutorials The Art o…
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 855 views
I have modeled a character, and for a scene I am animating his hand needs to appear to be on fire. So I created a material with particles, however, when I add the material to his hand and render it there seems to be a beam of random particles that are emitting from nowhere. I have included a pic illustrating what is happening as well as the specifics of my material. Can anyone tell me what is going on, and more importantly, how to stop it?? My Particle Material My crudely drawn example of the problem Any ideas as to what is going on??
Last reply by markeh, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 855 views
I don't have the, preset settings in the render to file dialog, Is there any way to get them back?
Last reply by WillP, -
- 6 replies
- 855 views
Dear Animation Masters: I'm new to A:M and this forum and I'm getting the modeling and such down but the technical stuff...not so much. I hate to say it but I have that love/ hate relationship with A:M. I love the creative side but hate the technical/ computer side. I know several of you feel my pain. Anyway, I'm interested in making a very simple memory game using A:M and I was wondering if there's a plug in that allows a user to interact with the animation...meaning I model the objects, set up the animation and choreography, and during the animation you can click on the objects with a mouse to make them do certain things (flip over, stop, change colors, etc). Has a…
Last reply by Ilidrake, -
- 1 reply
- 855 views
Please can someone explain how i can constrain a sprite emitter to an object in the chorography so that it will emiiter from a particular point in a specified direction.
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 854 views
HELLO! Hmmm, I treat to explain me... A Patch or surface is not generated when the area is delimitated by five points/lines/faces/splines (I don't know how call it...) or more and I wonder if there was a secret way or ways... Well, THANK YOU very much (in advance) and CIAO!
Last reply by Ramón López, -
- 6 replies
- 854 views
I am modelling a head, and I am having problems with creases around the neck, eyes, and mouth. I've attached some pictures so you can what I am talking about. I have only had A:M for a couple of months, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.[attachmentid=16782][attachmentid=16783][attachmentid=16784][attachmentid=16785] I ran out of pace for that post, so here are the side views. [attachmentid=16787][attachmentid=16788]
Last reply by T-Dogg, -
- 7 replies
- 853 views
Hey everybody. I have been on the search for a while now for something to explain computer animation. I have done some stop motion projects but I would reall like to get into computer animation soon. So could you guys give me some info or places where I could get some info about computer animation. By the way I want to know about the technical stuff first because I can animate on paper and Stop Mot but I don't know all the technical stuff for computer animation. This infromation will probaly be a factor in whether or not I save up to buy infromation master. Thanx everbody.
Last reply by Muff, -
- 9 replies
- 853 views
is there any way to make hair floww smoothly with the head (maby a constraint?) , instead of it all being stiff during the entire action without having to brush it every keyframe?
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
- 8 replies
- 852 views
Sorry to those who may know the obvious answer because I am not sure how to go about searching for this certain question. So I will try to ask as best I can. I notice on some of the rendering in the W.I.P the background is a whitish color while the model comes out in a light gray look that looks very real. How do I go about setting it up so my preview renders look the same way?
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 2 followers
- 8 replies
- 852 views
do hairemitter simply not apply on five-point-patches? how can i solve this problem? help please!!!!! i attatched a screenshot of the rendering an one of the a:m window, that might help to understand. short sytem info: i´m working with a:m 12.0 on a macbook pro 2,33 ghz dual with 4 gig ram, a:m is used on parallesls desktop under windows xp (runs smoother than in osx)!
Last reply by Caroline, -
- 8 replies
- 851 views
I created two relational poses (percentages) within one pose window to two different bones within the model. Both showed up under user properties. But when I apply them individually within a keyframe they seem to interfere with each other. When I set the right one to 100 the left one goes to some positive value (it is supposed to be zero) Think of toes on a foot. I want to squeeze them at some point in a walk. But when I set the right foot toes to 100, the left pose slider has moved also. Should I have created each percentage pose separately in a different pose window?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 11 replies
- 850 views
ok i have fianly managed to rebuild most of my models that i lost and i have created a basic corograpy ( i know i cant spell) any ways i have 9, 4 leged robots who have a basic walking animation and i have them walk along a predefined path and the leags move correct to the speed ( that took a while ). my question is seeing that i have used a rounded terrain instead of blocks is there a way that i can make it so that the legs on my bots dont go through the ground. Ie touch it but go no further.
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 849 views
So I was animating today and the movement looked not natural so I was wondering how to make it look like the way we move.
Last reply by animation man hi,
