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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
- 6 replies
- 626 views
hi all, i am using v 13 of AM. can somebody please explain how to make search light.
Last reply by petokosun, -
- 6 replies
- 974 views
I'm a high school teacher and my students are about to start The Art of Animaiton Master. This is my second attempt with a class - last year we got a little frustrated but we are giving it another try! After showing them the demo, they were really excited. Before we get started on the exercises, I'd like to let them create and animate the vase they saw in the demo. Are there any instructions for this? I've seen the demo done in person and it sold me on the simplicity of the software. However, after trying it myself - nothing works and suddenly it does not seem so simple! I understand the importance of doing the exercises in the book - this just seems like a good…
Last reply by THS, -
- 6 replies
- 607 views
But I can't member how. here's the scene: 1.I want to have a cannon fire off screen. 2. reaction to firing causes cannon to roll across screen from right to left. 3. pause 4. cannon fires again. 5. reaction causes cannon to roll (funny path spiral) away from camera 6. pauses 7. cannon fires again. 8+. cannon rolls away from camera further, stops, fires at camera. using ver 14 c I have the action of the cannon's wheels rolling. I have created a chor where steps 1 and 2 occur. ending at 3. How do i add steps 4 thru 8? While you try to explain this to me, I'm looking up resources on the extra cd and dvd. I have the walk and wave tu…
Last reply by oakchas, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 662 views
I'm trying to get a character to do a somersault and or a back flip. When I turn IK off everything seems to move for the somersault, but having the character return to IK on for walking does not seem to work. (legs fold) I'm using the shaggy character, and it does the same thing as my character that I rigged with the 2001 rig. Would the set up machine help with this? or Version 15? I'm on 13 now.
Last reply by bighop, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 970 views
I need some help. I installed the animation software no problem. But when I went to click on the desktop icon, I received an error message saying, "Cannot locate the CD-ROM: Please insert the correct CD-ROM (HASH), select the OK and restart application." I removed the CD-ROM, restarted the computer, inserted the CD-ROM again, tried to open the program from the desktop and still received the same message. I tried opening it with the CD-ROM in the disk drive, not in the disk drive, from the desktop icon, and from the pearl programs menu. Still nothing. Again I have tried opening it with and without the CD-ROM inserted into the disk drive. The pamphlet that came with …
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 6 replies
- 515 views
Simple question I'm sure but one that seems to be eluding me...: I am extremely impressed with this software but am having an issue with decal setting onto a model. If I position the decal it sets and looks great. If i save the model for later use, the decals are gone when I re-open the model and I can't figure out why. The file name of the decal still shows in the decals folder, but the image no longer appears on the model. To use the decal in the choreography, I have to first open the model, then open a new choreography, then re-apply the decals individually and then choreograph the production. Not impossible for some simple projects, but mind numbing for the dec…
Last reply by Glider, -
- 6 replies
- 509 views
Hi - I think I had this problem before, but did a couple of searches and can not find it... so maybe not. When I click on my character in the project workspace the "main" bone I guess it would be is huge and seems to get selected on accident because it is so large - can I shrink this down w/o shrinking down the character? It isn't the "root" bone - because when I click on that it is a normal size. Thanks - Eric
Last reply by flashawd, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 445 views
i m making a pose for the eye lid. in my character, the eye lid it not attached to the model as a continuos spline. but i just fixed it to the model and attached it witH the bone as a floating patch. After making the pose it worked as in the relationship window that is eye lid open and close, but it didnot work in the action window, what can i do to correct the malfunnction.
Last reply by petokosun, -
- 6 replies
- 511 views
A few days back I was advised to obtain the setup machine for use with my simple models. I did this and have spent a few days trying to install the rig into the model. .. with not a lot of luck. I follow the tutorial through steadily and get all the way through to the point of installing the final rig. That process goes through but, when I try to use the result, there is an error listed in the PWS, "Error Loading String 5003" When I try to use the figure in an action the cp's in the mesh don't seem to be affected by the bones so that, for example, when I move the bones in the arm the mesh just stays in the standard T position. When the pelvis is moved, l…
Last reply by Simon Edmondson, -
- 6 replies
- 604 views
Hi I was doing really well with a new model, but it started responding VERY slowly - a simple pan took 30 seconds and selecting a control point about the same. It is not a massive model. I found that if I was in perspective mode it was fine, or if I turned the Rulers off it was fine. I have several marker lines and the arrow indicators for these seem to 'shimmer'. Anyone any ideas as it is unusable at the moment with the rulers on. I could carry on without rulers, but I would like to know what is causing the problem. I am running version 15c with 3.5gig RAM, PENTIUM 4, 3ghZ, 120gig HD. Thanks Hoggy
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 513 views
Hello - my little boy broke my manuel into 2 halfes, then that turned into 3 - and the part missing is chapter 12 the pic of the 9 lip poses. Is there anywhere online of a pic of that page that shows an illustration of the poses. I see the video manual, but it doesn't show that page? Thanks - Eric
Last reply by flashawd, -
- 6 replies
- 801 views
Another question but is there a way to paint your colors for a more realistic looks. It seem like softwares like cinema 4D can paint. but is there a way to do this in A:M.
Last reply by animation man hi, -
- 6 replies
- 4.4k views
I know you can use the tilde-key to join splines or press the Left and the Right button on the mouse. But.. I'm on a Azerty-keyboard so there is no tilde-key AND I use the Mac with a mighty mouse. I can't press left and right at the same time. (if can I? ) PLUS I can't assign a shortcut since there is no Join or Spline join command? I search the forum but with no luck. What are my options here? Waldo
Last reply by Waldo3D, -
- 6 replies
- 536 views
I installed a later version of AM for MAC, the program "Closes unexpectedly" every five minutes. Is this because I have Leopard, and would downloading the latest patch fix this problem?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 513 views
I'm a newb... 100%... even though I bought the software at NAPP in Miami a few years ago. I never did find time to load it and use it. But... I come to ask a question from the experts... Will this software allow me to create 3d textured text animations for use in video production? I was looking at Boris Red and then I remembered buying AM and thought I'd see if it might handle the job. Thanks in advance for your comments, suggestions, insight, etc. Vince
Last reply by thefreshestever, -
- 6 replies
- 647 views
i have this square that i was experimenting putting hair on. I added a bump and a trasnparancy but when i render it, the whole top part of the shape gets cut off. maybe i should stick to the particle system, but i don't think it can make ponytails and braids effectively (am i wrong?) here is the image of the hair square. does anybody know what my problem is?
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 920 views
Hey wats up everyone my name is Alejandro.I've been looking around the Animation Master forms,SynthEyes forms,and can't find the right form on how to use Syntheyes with Animation Master.If Anyone knows the right form that will explain everything clearly on how to work with Sytheyes,motion tracking then getting it to work with AM that would be great! I've got a big favor.If anyone Can!I'm not saying U have to!It would be great if someone FINALLY MADE A video tutorial,explaining how you,motion track in SynthEyes,with Animation Master.WHAT ARE ALL THE STEPS,the right video files.This would mean alot to me! I will be checking everyday for Anyone's response!
Last reply by Bendytoons, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 768 views
i like the particle system don't get me wrong but for me it slows down the program considerably. render time is also very slow. it's good enough but it isn't very versatile in the way of spikes or other hairstyles like that. i was wondering how do you model hair? i'm not sure where to even begin. any ideas? -hisako
Last reply by Caroline, -
- 6 replies
- 674 views
What's up with this? http://homepage.mac.com/somniac/.Pictures/s02swerve.mov
Last reply by danf, -
- 6 replies
- 466 views
ok with all the model making if been doing with ships and such its goten to the point where iv actualy made a few that for lack of words ......... actualy look ok , know for one of them i would like to add a warp core lookalike to a section , if you ever watched star trek the next gen you know what im taking about , but i dont know of a way to do this any ideas
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 6 replies
- 579 views
Hello - I attached an image - I am using fluids and getting a black circle outline on the water droplets. Is there a setting under the fluid emitter or something that is causing this? Thanks - Eric
Last reply by flashawd, -
- 6 replies
- 575 views
I just felt the need to say thank you. All my life your program is exactly what I have been needing to let my creativity flow and bring my characters to life. I only wish I found it years ago. I cannot express enough how much this program has made me smile. I am a disabled Veteran and cannot work so I was searching for something to use my many free hours on. And wow did I find it! You have a loyal and dedicated customer in me and I will when I can buy every addon and cd possible! I look forward to anything you create and will definantly put it on my to buy list. Again just thought a THANK YOU was called for. Robert Thompson / The Spleen
Last reply by TheSpleen, -
- 6 replies
- 536 views
ok i have a section on my model where 3 lines need to connect with out a seam what is the best way to do this
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 6 replies
- 532 views
Ok! I'm definitely a newbie! I have a lighting project where I have multiple characters, each with at least one light focused on it. During Cho I am turning lights on and off during the music score. There are thirteen lights added beyond the basic key, background and rim. Apparently I have hit a limit and I can't figure out how to get around it. With several lights on at a keyframe I turn another on and it does not illuminate in the cho view. If I turn another light off at that keyframe my new light comes on. How can I fix this?
Last reply by johnjohn, -
- 6 replies
- 688 views
Once you have brought an image into the library, how do you turn it into a model that you can manipulate ?
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 6 replies
- 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, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 762 views
The issue occurs when I use the render mode and depending on the detail involved, it will cause the program to show a 'not responding' message at the top of AM program's title bar (where the project name is listed). This issue also occurs in renderring lock mode, however, it works perfectly fine when renderring to a file. Working with AM v15.0 I disabled desktop composition. System Alienware Custom M17 Notebook Video/Graphics Card: Dual 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3870 - CrossFireX™ Enabled! Processor: Intel® Core™2 P8400 2.26GHz (3MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB) Chassis: 17-Inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD (1200p) with Clearview Technology Operatin…
Last reply by Paul Forwood, -
- 6 replies
- 431 views
Hi, I've used animation master for a number of projects, and feel relatively comfortable with modeling and animating objects. Recently I have run into a problem when I try and copy and paste a model inside the same object. For example, I'm making an auditorium with about 200 chairs in it. I created the original chair then copied all the points and splines and pasted it next to the original chair. I kept this up and then started doing it by rows of 15 chairs. after creating about 7 rows with 15 chairs in each my computer takes forever to copy even one chair. If I click somewhere to begin creating another point, it pauses for about 2 min before reacting. Are ther…
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 6 replies
- 654 views
Hi, I am trying to create a usable walk cycle action using my own character rather than the rabbit, but the feet are slipping in the action? I've included a small frame-by-frame video below for reference. Walk.zip I tried searching the forum and found some excellent walk tutorials, but I haven't found a specific post where this issue is addressed. I wonder if anyone can point me in the right direction? Thanks
Last reply by robcat2075, -
I can't figure out how to create angle limts for my bones, I'm making a character that I'd like to limit the bones to their realistic counterpart. so the elbow can't bend backwards etc. any help would be appreciated. Thanx guys.
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 1.1k views
I know there's been a lot of alpha channel talk lately, but I don't think this has been touched on- I'm using a .TGA sequence to rotoscope a 3D element into my real footage. One problem is the shadows. While I've read tutorials that suggested making objects that match those in the scene, and then project the same decal from your main camera onto those, I think having a live actor in the shot makes this more complicated. What would be ideal to me as compositor, would be a way to export the ball and some darkness under itself softened by another alpha layer. In my mind the way to do that would be to make the surfaces that receive shadows, and then t…
Last reply by Caroline, -
- 6 replies
- 799 views
its in the question broskies
Last reply by KenH, -
- 6 replies
- 701 views
Ok... i got the movement part down with my character, because i copied the key frame just 1 frame after he was standing still. Now his whole body starts to rotate... Look at it. Messed_Up_Factory.prj
Last reply by Code D, -
- 6 replies
- 518 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, -
- 6 replies
- 568 views
I experience lag when I drop in a complex model such as Chewie. I run on a 64 amd duel processer. With 1G of ram. Now my question is I run on a low end video card. If I invest In a new vid card will that fix the lag issue. And what card would you suggest? Not a huge problem now I just got the program 4 days ago.
Last reply by rusty, -
- 6 replies
- 660 views
When I try to do some things, Animation Master will close out on me. This gets really irritating, especially when I'm in the middle of a project. Is there any way to fix this?
Last reply by Master chief, -
- 6 replies
- 881 views
i was fooling around with some skin texturing in A:M and i can't get it to look photoreal. Can A:M produce photo real graphics or do i need to invest in another program? i have seen some amazing images done with A:M so maybe it's the images i am using. if it's me and not the program what could you all recommend to me to make the skin textures look more realistic?
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 6 replies
- 754 views
Hi forks I can't get the Patch group mode (shift+p) to work, is it only me? The cp's do not take on 15e please help
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 6 replies
- 543 views
OK i recently posted a post with a test of a helicopters main roter , now i have been testing some spin speeds and have gotten mixed results , apparently the blades need to spin The right way or every one dies. my questions is that in order to get some of the good spin speeds i have to rotate 4000+ degrees a second and that number is getting pretty big like 12000+ 8-9 minutes into the animation, i heard a while back there was a way to make a item rotate X amount of time by using some pose option but the only ones i could find where on of or 0-100% . any one know how to do this?
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 6 replies
- 562 views
Does anyone have a small example PRJ that shows a "surface constraint" in operation?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 1.3k views
I'm still learning expressions. Is there a simple way to save a randomly generated value so that it can be used throughout the animation after it's been generated at frame zero? I have a "flock" of stars, and want them to rotate about the Y axis by a constant amount of between -1 and +1 degrees per frame - a bit like they are hanging from a child's mobile. I've used the flocking plugin to generate all my stars - would each have its own variable or would they all rotate by the same amount?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
I'm an A:M newbie and hope that someone with more experience using the software will take the time to respond to the following question: Does Animation:Master recognize and/or allow the use of a 3-D mouse, such as the 3-d connexion space navigator? http://www.compuplus.com/i-3D-Connexion-Sp...b89ft8u386s9114
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 6 replies
- 681 views
I had purchased AM twice in the past, and the last time was Animation Master 2000, v8.5 I had taken up animation as a hobby, and completed all the examples in the book. Fast-forward to 2009: I would like to get back into animation and character modeling, and was looking at the following free products: * Blender: best free product, but difficult to use * Alice: fun, but more for kids * POV-Ray: nice, but not as intuitive as AM * 3D Studio Max: too expensive... * Maya: ... likewise But I still love AM, am would consider getting an upgrade: * the Hash website has an unversioned product (posted 2007?) for $299 * SafeHarbor (sharbor.com) has…
Last reply by mouseman, -
- 6 replies
- 784 views
what up homies! i guess this fits under the newbie genre ... my first animation just a short animation i did for a independent study of animation, thanks to AM i gots me some good grades! http://s589.photobucket.com/albums/ss336/p...=Sequence01.flv lemme know what you think! and if any one wants to use or modify my model i can hook you up!
Last reply by alano, -
- 6 replies
- 427 views
Ok I have an action (works great!) I have tweaked all settings I can find but I need the action to start at frame 15021 and all I can seem to get to work is it starting at frame 00000 Thanks! Gene
Last reply by TheSpleen, -
- 6 replies
- 542 views
I need to actually remove poses from a project and start over however when I delete the relation ships, I go to set up new poses yet in the pose sliuder box I see that the old ones still remain. AND worst of all it effects the new poses I make. Say I do a pose where the character smiles , the cps hardly move like they demonstrated when in mucle mode setting up the pose. Ive done this many many times but never ran into it before. here is the screen shot. note that in the Relation ships below you see the pose labled PK Blink, PK Happy and etc but yet in the top pose slider box you see the same ones PLUS blink smile and etc? Tried everything I knew, how do you get rid …
Last reply by Sean delgatto, -
- 6 replies
- 579 views
I've made a small model and made 4 second movie with it. I need to shorten it by about a second or so, (actually speed up the action) but the place where I need to make the adjustments is in the first half of the movie. It's short enough to just redo, but I figured that this may be an opportunity to get a deeper understanding of some of the "mechanics" of A:M Thank You in advance for any insight. Myron
Last reply by MJL, -
- 6 replies
- 772 views
Hello again, just finished a figuring out the skeletol heirarchy for a character I am starting. Now my question is......... When I smart skin a joint. As I move the sliders up and down in time line. Am I setting permanet characteristics? i.e. I bend the hip 90 degrees. does that limit the flex of the joint until i reset it? My character's right leg "disapears" and "reapears" as I try to move the joint in choreagraphy window. Also is it important to set all Joints? dont know if I being clear enough. I am so close to being able to create my toon walking and acting in the world. You know how I feel! I can almost see my ideas in real life. Please help!!!!!
Last reply by Hazard6211, -
- 6 replies
- 578 views
I have an issue with nulls, I have a bone, foot, that is already assigned to the control point and I created the null. And even if I have Attached to parent neither on nor off mater, once I try and control the null from the choreograph nothing happens. Basically I grab the cross and rather than move the foot, the cross just slides around. Check out the screen shot and see if there is something I am missing cause Ive worked with Poses and Bones before, but never had set up a null. Its my last peice of the puzzle then on my way to animating. As far as attached to parent, if you make that chenge do you have to re drop it into the choreograph?
Last reply by Sean delgatto, -
- 6 replies
- 532 views
I put some cookiecut decals on two patchplanes and get some artifacts as the cookiecut doesn`t seem to be completly transparent. I have checked the normals o.k., alphachannel is on in the tga decal. Any possible explanation, what might cause this and some help woould be highly apreciated. Win 15f
Last reply by jakerupert,
