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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
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-No complaining or whining on the forum or distribution of misinformation.
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-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
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-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.
4,161 topics in this forum
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- 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, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 657 views
So I watched a demo 34 minute tutorial by Jeff Lew on his website, and I was struck by how fluidly he is able to manipulate his models. When animating, I've never had the option of creating poses as quickly as he does, because my refresh rate is so much slower. I've got a 1 year old iMac Core2 Duo, with an ATI RadeonHD2400, and I thought that made my experience good. But now that I've glimpsed the other side, I'm just wondering if I'm missing some drivers or something, because he made this video SIX YEARS AGO, and he's putting my animating experience to shame. Thoughts? I mean, I have a second monitor, but when posing I'm largely moving my wrist a tiny bit and wa…
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 2 replies
- 654 views
ok thanks to all your help i finaly have enough models, materials and special effects i need to render a movie, ( there will be more questios as thry come up so your not off the hook yet) my next question is how would i make certain items stay with the camera to make the apperance of a hud ( heads up display ) it will have about 5 differant parts that will have moving/changing parts themselfs and i cant think of a way to do it
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 4 replies
- 549 views
how do you export a movie from am with just the object you built over an alpha background? thanks kev
Last reply by kevin0, -
- 3 replies
- 658 views
I've been experimenting with the bouncing ball, and I've just finished texture mapping my soccer ball (previously using a mono-toned ball), officially entering the realm where the object's rotation actually matters. The problem I hit pretty quickly is that if a ball rolls let's say just 45 degrees before being lifted, in order to simply raise it, instead of holding 2 and dragging it, I have to alternate between two directions, or enter a perfect side view- and the latter only works if the ball has a pretty direct trajectory, and makes it hard to line up with my rotoscope. There has to be an easier way- to rotate the ball, while keeping the translation angles po…
Last reply by danf, -
- 2 replies
- 490 views
I looked at the tech ref and only found the max/min volume setting for a sound. Is there any way to key frame the volume? -vern
Last reply by alano, -
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, -
No Library?
by Masna- 16 replies
- 1.6k views
Hey guys, I just uploaded A:M onto my new computer and for some reason my library doesn't seem to be coming up. All of the folders are in the computer, but not linked to the library. Does anyone know how to fix this? Thanks, Masna
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 3 replies
- 588 views
Hi! I'm good at a number of things in A:M. Materials is not one of them. Does anyone have access to a good Army-type camouflage material or have good instructions on how to create a convincing one using the Material plug-ins? There's an old post with a material that has "extended" .trb files, but when I put them in my plug-in folders, A:M says it can't load them. Any help would be appreciated. Tim
Last reply by steve392, -
- 3 replies
- 865 views
the title says it all where can i find a smoke tutorial? thx
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 5 replies
- 502 views
How does this work? Sometimes I seem to be able to do it but others... not so much. I can drag select a "group" in the chor and move those items but it doesn't put in a key frame for translation. I need to move about 200 model shortcuts together as a unit and key frame the translation. After selecting them all if I use the arrow keys or type in the translation properties only the last one selected will move. In the past I've been able to select a bunch of chor objects this way to set "Active" on or off... but after awhile it stops working. Any help appreciated. -vern
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 7 replies
- 681 views
I am an Animation teacher that has been using Animation Master in my classroom for 10 years. Recently my tech support department helped me to upgrade from Animation Master 98 to the 2008 version 15.5. It's a tremendous leap, that has left virtually all of my old classroom assignments and tutorials (with step by step instruction) completely obsolete. I too have found that I completely lack the understanding of the software to properly teach my students anything beyond basic model building. My problem has always been simple, our network configuration using a HASP driver has never allowed me or my students to access the basic libraries and help menus. I would love…
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 4 replies
- 385 views
OK i have been using materials for some time know and have some pretty cool effects , one part that still eludes me is to make the materials have shapes , such as hexagons , i know this can be done as iv seen models with this type in the archives but i cant find out how to do it my self and i don't know and key words for the search that would match
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 8 replies
- 802 views
just wondering if any one knows but i need to know if a . gif format will support having a alpha channel , when i get home i want to try and make an animated gif that has transperant background parts and though i should ask first so i don't get my hopes up
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 9 replies
- 656 views
RightClick RightClick RightClick RightClick RightClick RightClickRightClick RightClickRightClick RightClick RightClick RightClick RightClickRightClickRightClickRightClick ...and don't forget to save! Just thought everyone should be reminded to right click and explore their options and save from time to time. This message brought to you by the Right Mouse Button Channel.
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 1 reply
- 471 views
Alright so i have this problem. i was messing around in choreography and checking some stuff. So anyways i had an idea, so i used thom for it made him walk all the way to the camera, and then i wanted to animate him knocking on the camera. but one big problem, after he did the action, at 00:20:00 i keyframed it, and brought him to a stand. but it affected the whole action because after i put him to a stand at 00:20:05 i brought the arms down and moved one leg. then when i played through the whole thing he waled all the way, but his arms werent moving and neither was one leg. How can i fix this, and how can i put in an action and t…
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 1 reply
- 403 views
OK iv heard in many post that one can use a texture map to make different types of materials , say I'm looking to make a material of hexagons with a small white area in between them is this what texture mapping can do ?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 reply
- 351 views
i was wondering if there is a way to make a material have fire come from it , i know that this is most likely the way its done but i can find out how to do it ,
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 2 replies
- 722 views
1. How do I unwrap my character so I can later paint the picture and then use it as a decal. 2.How Can I mimic reel camera movements into Animation Master.
Last reply by PF_Mark, -
- 2 replies
- 412 views
how do i get the extras from the dvd into the folders for animation master. it doesnt see them right now even though they are in the am folder. thanks kev
Last reply by kevin0, -
- 11 replies
- 1k views
Hi all sorry to be a pain for prob a very easy answer but i'm not that good yet. Can someone tell me how to use video footage from say window movie maker on Vista and use it as a back drop for my sort aniamtion. I want to add an animation in the film ie. like the film Rogger Rabbit. I have no idea how to make a scenary or back drop let alone use video footage. Many Thanks for any and all help. Cheers Jeff
Last reply by Jeff B, -
- 6 replies
- 662 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, -
- 7 replies
- 719 views
ok iv been experimenting with the boolean cutter and know can make some pretty good looking impact scars now, what i need know is the ability to apply a secondary material to the model so that the inside of the part that is cut away shows the secondary material. ie i blow up a metal wall and the freashly showing metal has a differat texture than the normals wall
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 6 replies
- 444 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, -
- 8 replies
- 1k views
If I have video footage that involves motion, let's say a pan, and I want to apply this video as the background to my main A:M camera (for the sake of putting things in the right place), is there a way to automate this camera's movement to match the original camera's, so that the scene stays stationary while the camera has a pan?
Last reply by Gorf, -
- 1 reply
- 280 views
OK i have a object that glows which shines a near prefact circular glow onto the floor , i was wondering if there was any way to make that glow stretch across the floor with out modifying the item actually emitting the glow
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 21 replies
- 1.5k views
This model has rendered fine in the past. Now certain patches do not render in some frames, creating a flickering effect. I've uploaded a .mov file so you can see what's happening. I've also uploaded an image that I rendered previously. You can see that it rendered fine. I've been using A:M for years and this is the first time I've seen this happen. Any insight is much appreciated. Thanks
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 5 replies
- 501 views
i built a money bag, now how do i get it into a chore to animate it?
Last reply by NancyGormezano, -
- 4 replies
- 465 views
OK on the side of my main projects i have a project designated for stuff i just come up with bout 12 models in various stages of compilation. when i was trying to come up with a set of materials that would look like a cool shield when AM crashed , now ever time i try and load said project AM auto-crashes , i know theres not much of a chance getting it back but i hope theres a shot.
Last reply by largento, -
- 7 replies
- 655 views
I've added a Simcloth material, but "simulate spring systems" doesn't get the simulation going. Am I pressing the wrong button or something?
Last reply by TigerGuy, -
- 13 replies
- 6.3k views
After very carefully placing the second decal, I realized that my targa file somehow did not keep the transparency mask I made for it in photoshop, so the "transparent" mapped white over my previous decal. I have a feeling the answer might lie in the "spherical" decal application method, but since I don't know how that works, I figure it can be part of the same question if it's the answer.
Last reply by NancyGormezano, -
- 1 follower
- 17 replies
- 1.8k views
So anyways for christmas i got these Jeff Lew Animation video's. and the last one is a tutorial. So i found where to get the character i needed for the tutorial and downloaded him and tried him on AM. He has a skeleton, but when i try to animate with him, a lot of points dont work, like the foot targets and the hip targets . also certain parts of him when you move it just pulls the part off of him, like if you grab a certain arm bome, the arm just comes right off of the character. Is it possible that im not downloading it right, and im missing something. If any of you know whats going on, heres the link to where you download the guy …
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 34 replies
- 2.7k views
So I've made my 2nd bouncing ball attempt: http://homepage.mac.com/somniac/.Pictures/bball2.mov Of note is that the first two bounces should be perfect. That's because I made an Excel spreadsheet that applies the Equations of Motion: Download Spreadsheet By typing in the first contact coordinates, and then the coordinates of the first apex, as well as the coefficient of restitution, (as long as the x-coordinates stay positive) and the number of frames between the first contact and the first apex, it computes up to the first 20 frames (for now) and the coordinates of the 2nd apex. Now the problem: You'll notice the third bounce looks like crap! …
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 4 replies
- 749 views
Heya! I've been using Hash for years, and still pick up on pretty simple stuff that I've been overlooking from time to time. One thing I've never bothered to look into is how to do a fully seamless decal. That is; usually you decal the front, then decal the back, and you'll get a seam down the side (unless you make the texture line up absolutely 100% perfect by hand). Normally, I've just worked around this, but now I really do need to do it properly. Is there a way to flatten an entire model (not just one side/area)? Could I use alpha channels/transparent backgrounds to "fade" one decal into the other? Thanks a bunch!
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 11 replies
- 757 views
hi everyone. i'm in need of some serious help as it seems as though i've fallen at the first hurdle. no...not even the first hurdle. i've tripped over at the start line! i've just bought and installed a:m v15 and its not letting me actually open it! it keeps saying to insert the cd into the drive. its already there!!! this is my first pc and as a result my knowledge of everything to do with computers is at best very limited! if anyone has any help they could offer i would be forever grateful. have i installed it wrong? i couldn't find an obvious serial number on the box or cd so i just entered what i thought was the erial number, would this be it? thanks in anticipat…
Last reply by matt_stanford, -
- 10 replies
- 885 views
well, i put a skelliton in my model, and i was all done rigging it up, i opend the action window and the pose slider window and made sure i clicked on the action window first so i can see some thing in the pose slider window and lo and behold theres still nothing in the pose slider window, u know, it supose to say, hands rig,setup, ect. whats wrong with this picture? and please dont say do it all over again its my 3ed one, it takes a long time! ths paul
Last reply by LIGHTBEING, -
- 2 replies
- 310 views
ok i know that its going to take a sprite based effect to pull of the plasma bullet effect im going for , what i want is to have a spining gloing bullet shape followed by 2 rotating plasma trails , thats the part i cant figure out , i though i could use 2 splines but have yet to get them to actualy work with them
Last reply by Master chief, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 355 views
Cant find the feature focus page
Last reply by jason1025, -
- 3 replies
- 445 views
Im trying to use the Translate to constraint to pick up a pencil and draw with it but whenever i try to use the constraint thing, it shifts before being constrained to the hand how do i fix this? ---- should i be using a different method where there are 2 pencil objects, one visible and one invisible and when the hand reaches to pick up pencil, the visibility flops from the stationary pencil to the one attatched to the hand?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 5 replies
- 638 views
Hi all, I want to create a simple action to place on a treadmill model so that the treads rotate around. Unfortunately, the treads are not perfectly round so using muscle mode and rotation isn't going to work. Any ideas for me? Thanks, Mike
Last reply by nimblepix, -
- 3 replies
- 539 views
Hi all Is the Animation Master 2006 book by David Rogers a good resource for those of us who are new to A.M in additon to the great information you can find on these forums. Thanks!
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 3 replies
- 513 views
I imported the 2001_skeleton to a robot I modeled, adjusted the bones and assigned points to the bones, but when I open a new Action to check the model's movements all the bones below the pelvis disappear. Any ideas?
Last reply by mtpeak2, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 570 views
I see a lot of how do I questions and try to answer a lot of them but if you want a quick answer to most of these questions you can search the forum and find them and many times a lot of different answers the search in the upper right next to help click then more search option then you can narrow your search from there Just another method to get a quick answer
Last reply by Caroline, -
- 1 reply
- 422 views
OK as many of you know i import models from 3dmax (game 3d designer) to work with them in AM , this however has a effect similar to a blender as 3D uses polygons while AM uses splines , and during the conversion process AM assigns splines based on the polygons points and while the outcome resembles the original models it does have the aforementioned blendered effect. one thing that might help clean it up would be the ability to select several current CPs and then make a line between them automatically possible removing the previous line segments. is there a hot key command or something of the such that will do this or will i need to use the old fashioned manual method?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 5 replies
- 676 views
ok iv been doing some pretty good materials over the holidays but one still eludes me , which its the water one, the best that i came up with was a ball that had what looked like a liquid form on the bottom and then become encased in it but not flow like water should , can some one post the settings to make water flow as if from a hose please.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 4 replies
- 429 views
i need to make a authentic looking spider web any ideas?
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 24 replies
- 1.5k views
I just got Animation:Master 2004. And I know everyone is going to tell me to look through the tutorials. But my question is... what do I do after that? I want to know how to create my own animation, whether still frame or music video, but I'm a complete newbie. I know next to nothing about animation but I really want to know how to design cool things. Could someone tell me how to do this? I was looking at Thom in the wireframe mode and I moved all his segments around and everything. Which project do I go to to make things like him? How do I create segments? Can someone please help me with this gigantic challenge? If you could, it would be greatly appriciated.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 0 replies
- 364 views
Alright, so anyways, im still working on the fighter modeling tutorial, and im coming across a really anooying problem. I cant see the scaling box, i did before a second ago, when i decaled the left side, but then i made the decal again and i cant scale it at all. any help please? this is a photo of the decal thats showing, if i put my mouse on it, yes i can move it, but i cant scale it. Edit: alright i was messing around a bit and it seems i can see the scaling box, on the left view (numpad 4) but not on the right side (numpad 6). also on numpad 4 i cant exactly see the little control points on the scaling box, and the only was i can s…
Last reply by AMkyle, -
- 7 replies
- 594 views
Happy New Year All April 2008 I purchased a one-year subscription for Animation Master. I am trying to create my first short animation music video with five characters, 3D backgrounds and various musical images. I am looking for someone to help or get involved
Last reply by TheSpleen, -
- 10 replies
- 1.2k views
Hi! In the ideal, I'd like to render a scene at 13200 x 10200 pixels, by my calculations, but A:M crashes when I set a render at that resolution. Is there a way to only render a portion of a size like this, and then piece the parts together in a program like Photoshop, later? I feel that if I try to move the camera and render only parts of a scene, the perspective would change for each section. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Tim
Last reply by Gerry,
