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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
- 5 replies
- 735 views
I completed an animation in AM about a few weeks ago. I may post up a high quality version on gallery section later on in the future. Take it easy guys! www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJUmVFYtUcw
Last reply by jweinrub, -
- 4 replies
- 735 views
Hello - I found this in the forum... "If you are wanting to composite A:M images over something else, turning on the alpha buffer in your render settings and using alpha channel transparency instead is way better." The found the "alpha buffer" in the export settings, but where do I find the alpha channel transparency? Do I have to set the camera background a blue-screen color? Thanks for any help, Eric
Last reply by flashawd, -
- 6 replies
- 735 views
Hello! Is there anybody out there?! I'm trying to purchase the subscription version of A:M and the store won't let me. I know I have funds available on the card. All my info on the cart/site/login is correct. I've triple-checked. I've tried calling Hash Inc. I've sent emails to "orders" and "support". Nothing. I just took on a modeling/animation job based on previous knowledge/experience with A:M while working at another company. Now I've got a deadline of Friday, but no software to work with. I can make the deadline if I can get the software by tonight or tomorrow morning. Is there a webmaster or forum moderator out there who can help me? Or perhaps …
Last reply by cjmagee, -
- 3 replies
- 735 views
alright this ones a bit out there but bear with me. thanks to the help i have been getting i have managed to get some of my AM skill back and have rendered a few short animations to my liking ( again thanks guys). my main concern now is that i want to put these in a web page, but try as a might i cant find an option to render as a animated gif. that said first question is does AM have this capability. second question is that if AM does not, does any one know of a way to load a small movie file into a web page to auto run and repeat as if it where a animated gif? hopefully with out the pause paly bar?
Last reply by Xtaz, -
- 5 replies
- 734 views
Hi all, I'm starting up again with exercise 6 after being away for quite a while, and I'm running into a problem right off the bat. I want to have Shaggy walk up to the door before he tries to open it, so Ive made a path, dropped Shaggy onto it and then dropped a "resolute walk" action onto him. When he gets up close to the door, I'm hitting the "force keyframe" button at frame 30, moving his hand up to the door and placing his feet together on the ground (in skeletal mode), moving the frame counter ahead by about 3 frames and then hitting "Force Keyframe" again. What happens is that the hand and foot motions I've changed are stretched out over the entire 33 frame…
Last reply by Slipin Lizard, -
- 5 replies
- 733 views
Ok, I have been trying to figure out for the last 2 days how to make the background colors of a decal or rotascope transparent. I have done the exercise with the fighter jet, and maybe I missed it but I didn’t seem to tell me how to make a decal, and I cant seem to get my decals to not have that big white background. Iv searched the forum and cant find any topics of this, but maby me iz just stupid LOL Iv got PhotoShop 6 and have tried ever format combination I can think of, and still cant get it. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Last reply by Pengy, -
- 3 replies
- 733 views
When I open A:M, I get a message that says, "Error running scripts on this page. Do you want to continue running scripts on this page?" Then, while I'm working, I keep getting an annoying ding-a-ling chime. Over and over. What's happening here Johnnyb
Last reply by JohnnyB, -
rotoscopes
by bts0- 5 replies
- 733 views
ok its a white box again........ but when i render the final pic its fine and i can see the picture wh does this mean and y can my graphics card show the pic in the final render but it doesnt show up when its not rendered?
Last reply by bts0, -
- 7 replies
- 733 views
I am trying to rotate my camera around a model. Per Rodney's suggestion in another topic I made a circular spline as a model to use for the camera path, then dropped it into my chor. However, when I tried to path constraint the camera to this circular spline, it wouldn't work. The eyedropper picker would not allow me to choose it and it does not appear in the dropdown target list. The only targets that do appear are two other paths I've already made (created as paths right in the chor). So I guess I'm missing a step: how do I get AM to use this model as my path?
Last reply by RoyBU, -
- 1 follower
- 10 replies
- 733 views
Hi - I am running through exercise 11.5 - the face. I am having trouble w/ the 5 point spline where the eye and the nose meet. I have the 5 control points set up but when selecting the 5 cp's the "5 point spline button" doesn't activate. So I try a few more times and about the 5 time of selecting the 5 cp the button becomes active to where I can press it and it creates the 5 point patch. Is there a certain order you have to select the cp for it to activate - not sure what I am doing wrong. Thanks - Eric
Last reply by flashawd, -
- 13 replies
- 733 views
Whenever I render something it turns out fuzzy. In the quick render is is crystal clear, but the actual render is pixelated. Any ideas as to why this is happening?
Last reply by MasterFunk, -
- 1 follower
- 7 replies
- 733 views
Hello, Using the AI wizard I am trying to open an Ai file. nothing seems to happen. do I need Illustrator installed in my computer? the wizard opens and I can find the file when I finish I still have a blank model window. Any suggestions would help Thank you
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 1 follower
- 5 replies
- 733 views
I'm making a robot and wondered what I need to do to make him metallic like the Tin Woodman. What changes do I need to make on for the surface?
Last reply by zandoriastudios, -
- 3 replies
- 732 views
hello all. im looking for some old super-hero models for referrence that was made in A:M that i once found on the now gone 3DCC.com website. they were Flash, Batman, and Wonder Woman, and i just got a friend of mine interested in A:M, and i wanted to show him what Hash could do. anyone know where these can now be found? and who made them? i thought they were pretty cool. thanks.
Last reply by dtu031770, -
- 4 replies
- 732 views
I reloaded windows and when I reinstall v12, it says it can't start because it can't find mfc71.dll. I've downloaded it, installed it in both the AM folder and the system folder, but I still get the same error. V11 starts ok from my disk. How do I solve this? Searched on mfc71.dll and got 0 results. Thanks.
Last reply by Eric2575, -
- 7 replies
- 731 views
i have seen some other members have a movie for their avatar insead of a picture, is there any way that i can do it to?
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 2 replies
- 731 views
i have A.M. 2006 and i am working through the Animation:Master A Complete Guide, well i got to the circle and cant apply the porcelain material does anyone have a clue how to do this? the book just says import it but no way to do in contextual menu? Please help and Thanks John
Last reply by Tarantula, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 730 views
Greetings; I hope someone here can give me some advice. I am considering purchasing animation master. I am a professional clown and magician, so it would be fun for me to learn a new skill that will help me express my creative side, but I am primarilly considering buying it for my teenage kids. My son is deep into comics, not much of an artist but has lots of ideas he has trouble getting on to paper because he can't draw. My daughter just learned how to use a graphics program and loves creating new pages and posters. Both kids are comfortable with computers and drag and drop graphic software and with acid, the software I use to create music. Is animation master som…
Last reply by KenH, -
- 7 replies
- 730 views
Me again, i don t know how to fill a hole, i selecte one cp then while olding the mouse button i go to another then right click to connect and i got this result ! ?
Last reply by itsjustme, -
- 2 followers
- 4 replies
- 730 views
Hi Folks I am viewing a tutorial on texturing by Will Sulten. In the tutorial he is using the hipogyraf and I wanted to fallow along with him using the same model. I know I could use something else but if its available could some one point me to it or post it?
Last reply by jason1025, -
- 3 replies
- 730 views
I would appreciate some help here, I can not figure out how to make my figure draw a line. I can make her finger follow a path - line, but how do I make that drawn line visible as she makes it? I would be very happy if someone could direct me to some information about how to do this.
Last reply by eptigo, -
- 7 replies
- 729 views
I am currently working with Animation Master version 11.1 Does anyone know what file formats work for exporting models into After Effects 7.0 Are there special plug-ins that I need to download for this? Thank you.
Last reply by rickh, -
- 3 replies
- 729 views
Wanted to say hi. So um... Hi. Also, I was thinking of picking up AM. It really is very impressive. I had just a question. I'm running a 1.6g antholon with 1g ram, with a geforce fx 5200. does that stack up as a decent machine to run AM, or should I look to upgrade? I understand the Minimum requirments for the system that are listed in the program info, but I was just curious what those of you who use it regularly would suggest is an ideal pc config.
Last reply by DarkLimit, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 729 views
Hi, I'm currently messing around with Realm Crafter a MMORPG design tool. I can import models and animations of models if they're in .b3d file format (Blitz 3D) and soon RC2 will support .x file format. Is A:M capable of exporting models and animations in these formats. If so, you've sold an upgrade! Thanks for any help! Sritsod
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 5 replies
- 729 views
i was just curious, should i change any of the render settings to make a picture look more realistic (of a human with a pretty good mapping semi real looking) -hisako
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 6 replies
- 729 views
Hi! I put this in the newbie section because it seems an RTFM question, but I couldn't find an answer in that FM... Here's my problem: I created a little character model, added bones to it (created a bone hierarchy even) assigned CPs (weighted even) and would be all set to animate. BUT: I would really like to have the bones constraint to certain movement ranges. According to the manual, the spherical constraint seems to be what I need. And here's where I'm stuck. It seems that I can only add constraints to a pose or an action... not the rig (bones) in general. At least I couldn't find any info an that. Thing is I don't want to create any specific poses and or ac…
Last reply by Meowx, -
- 7 replies
- 729 views
How do you set up a set of image sequences so they loop. I tried it as a decal but there is no option to loop the sequences. Is there any other way of doing this other then copying the images and renaming them in sequences.
Last reply by DJBREIT, -
- 6 replies
- 729 views
Hi guys .... I bought the amazing Jenpy's Fake/Fast AO too, but I can't put it to work.. A:M is crashing when it's being aplied ( after softening pass ).. If I model a simple ball it renders correctly ... but A:M crashs using complex objects ( characters, cars...etc...etc ) Windows 7 64 bits A:M v16 beta 5 / 64 bits check the video... FIXED in 1.03 thanks Jenpy bmw.mp4
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 5 replies
- 729 views
Is it possible to use AM v13, for cutting and joining animated clips done in AM. I m not sure i have heard of this done in AM before. thanks.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 728 views
I've animated tanks in Carrara, but this one is a first in A:M. I'm thinking that I should arrange one whole track [treads. drive wheels, armor. etc.] as a named group, animate a full cycle where each track-plate goes all the way around once, and save that Action to the Library. Then duplicate it, flip it on the Z-axis and drop the Action onto the new tread. Is there a better way? [in Carrara this was not difficult, but it was tedious. So before I launch in...] Secondly, in Carrara, there was a way to select groups of key-frame markers, and, [if I recall correctly, by holding down the Alt key] drag the markers out proportionally, thereby slowing the action, or compre…
Last reply by cstanton, -
- 2 replies
- 728 views
I originally purchased A:M 2000 several years ago and it came with a thick technical reference manual. I understand that a year or two after that TAoA:M became the standard pack-in manual with A:M. This is the first year I've ordered the upgrade and am looking forward to the Tech Reference Manual, but would like the get a printed TAoA:M manual as well. Is that possible? Thanks, James
Last reply by jlummel, -
- 13 replies
- 728 views
Hey, you know how if you click and drag on the ruler it creates a line and an arrow for placement reference? The arrow is showing up on the left hand side but the line isnt, that seems useless. does anyone know how to fix it? (also when i drag it down or up it basically turns everything white in a straight line, for example if i drag up from half way and go allth e way up, the upper half of the screen will turn white, but hwne i relese it goes back to normal but still no marker.... help plz -Tony EDIT: correction, it only not shows up on the side veiw... but i kinda need that veiw
Last reply by Tanvarian, -
- 3 replies
- 728 views
I am trying to repeat an image sequence imported as a layer in a choreography. As the attached jpeg shows, a "show more than drivers" icon is unavailable in the choreography. Where can I access "show more than drivers" for this image sequence & what the best way to repeat this 9 frame sequence? Mac OS 10.4.11 using A:M 15.0j+
Last reply by cribbidaj, -
- 2 replies
- 728 views
Under the Newton properties for an object there is the line Extended Material Click to Select Is anything supposed to happen when i click that? The first time i tried it I got a little dialog box that said "Big Problem" But since then nothing, even after doing "reset all settings"
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 4 replies
- 727 views
How come sometimes when I want to create a five point patch, the interface won't allow it? Can you not have two five point patches touching each other? (sharing a commone spline segment). I got it to work...does the order that you select the points make a difference?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 10 replies
- 727 views
well, I like what I see, and the price you just can't seem to beat. Ive read alot of reviews, some really positive, some not so much. My biggest concern is that people are saying that it is unstable. Has that been fixed in the lastest versions? I'm 15 and I used to do animation in power point just for fun. I tryd maya at a friends but it was really hard to use and WAY out of my price range. Also, is there a return policy if the cd is defunct? thank you.
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
- 11 replies
- 727 views
i am just going to post my progress on my parts of a head here.. dont be expecting somthing every day i am just going to get this topic started. and if anyone has first head models or anything they can post theres as well. i have started out by showing a nose i have made. please comment
Last reply by totlover, -
- 7 replies
- 727 views
ok, i have this light, with lens flares, and when i render it, i can't see it, what do i do?
Last reply by PeterS, -
- 6 replies
- 727 views
Hi I am using a macbook at school, and i am working on animation during my art class because my teacher has let me do so, buuuuut i was trying out the talking on my character and it is having a lot of problems with the dope sheet, i am trying out the sound "secret" and i type into the dope sheet "i've got a secret. Can you keep a secret? Didn't think so" but when i click ok, the only word that shows up on the timeline is "I've" and it keeps having erros like unable to access animation master, and cannot find dictionary. I have even looked in the animation folder and dictionary.dic is in the folder! so i have nooooo idea whats going on please please anyone who …
Last reply by bts0, -
- 1 follower
- 7 replies
- 727 views
i'm making snow, and i don't understand what the preview is on about. the chor is huge, it's a landscape. there's no motion anywhere, yet. when pressing play with the marker on frame 0, there then appears the rendering indicator; the line at the bottom of the window with a percentage telling how big a portion has already been rendered. the rendering is very quick. the marker then moves to either frame 16 or 18, and renders that. then it moves to frame 0 and remains there, though the play button is visibly still on. there is no motion, it's not snowing, not even by two frames. any idea what's going on? is this just beyond capacity for my machine?
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 2 replies
- 727 views
Hi guys, At some point my speedy, yet sloppy, mouse clicking caused me to lock on grid all of my control point movements and I haven't found on tools, options how to unlock...help please?
Last reply by tomross2002, -
- 2 replies
- 726 views
I'm trying to model a '50's style fedora similar to the one shown. The hat itself is little problem, but my challenge especially concerns the portion of the band circled in yellow. Would it be better to model this in geometry or as a (bump, normal, or displacement) map... I'm concerned that a map would make it less 3D than it is, though the actual "bow" on a fedora is pretty form-fitting in real life, it does have dimension and this photo shows it fairly well at the rear of the bow where it is obviously not "decaled" to the hat, but a seperate piece. [attachmentid=12783] Of course, since it would be part of complex scenes (with a person under it) patch cou…
Last reply by oakchas, -
- 3 replies
- 726 views
When I use a .png image file as a decal, it renders it as super bright and saturated, really blown out. Targas work fine, but I'm just wondering if anyone else gets this problem with .png. I wish I could use them because they're usually quite a bit smaller in file size....
Last reply by skurge13, -
- 5 replies
- 726 views
I am having an issue when I attempt to either import or open an AVI 15 second clip that I created with Windows Movie Maker: Error with AVI file. The file does not contain a video stream. Any basic rules or suggestions to start off with? Thanks, z
Last reply by itsjustme, -
- 7 replies
- 726 views
Hi. I've got a rudimentary question. I'm making a head. Given that I don't have a steady hand, my CP's aren't aligned the way I like. So I've selected a spline, and used "," to select all CP's within that spline. Now what I'd like to do is have them all aligned in the same Z plane. I've modified Pivot Z, but that didn't seem to do anything. I've modified Translate, but that seems to move them all by whatever # I enter, so they're moving within relation to each other, rather than to a single objective coordinate. I suspect I can look at the Pivot coordinates of each and subtract them from one another (1 at a time) and then modify translate with the differen…
Last reply by lafnjack, -
Need ideas
by Mr. C- 9 replies
- 725 views
Well, I'm at a boarding school. And I just may have the oppertunity to teach a course in animation master (10 hours of work per class) Problem is, I need to learn AM in 4 1/2 months or less... Is that even possible? I've about convinced my school to buy 10 copies. (one of which will be mine) And I really want to learn and learn to teach amimation. Any ideas on were to start? Can somone link me to all of the online VIDEO toturials? And is 4 months even enough time. I would lead four two-week classes. class would be structured in the following manner: - Students will create and animate their own character - Students will learn the basics of m…
Last reply by Mr. C, -
- 4 replies
- 725 views
When I am using Wire frame mode of my model, edges of the model shown rounded (Please check the attached "Wireframe" pic). When I am using Shaded mode of my model, edges of the model shown sharp (Please check the attached "Shaded" pic). But I have seen from a tutorial that it does not happen with others. Just wondering if it is some set up problem. Can anyone please explain it to me?
Last reply by virus81, -
- 8 replies
- 725 views
this is a bit elimentary. But can any one xplain how i can render a 5 point spline so that the patches can be seen
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 7 replies
- 725 views
Hello, I am working on a short character animation that will be imported into Flash as a sequence of jpeg images. Ideally these should be the images of the character only without the backgrouds (ground, light) so it can be incorporated with the existing Flash scene . I found that I can remove the default ground from the PWS but do not know how to get rid of the sky/light (whatever it is?) that is rendered together with the model. I know that A:M can do that (Merlin the assistant is a good example, it floats and fits to the scene) - any suggestions? Another issue I am struggling with is the combining two animation sequences. In this particular case I have a 1. charact…
Last reply by Yossi, -
still help
by cuboos- 2 replies
- 724 views
i need to know how do i make a still pic what i have been doing is making a small avi movie and then take a pic from it is this how i'm suppose to do it or is there another way?
Last reply by Stuart Rogers,