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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
- 13 replies
- 1.2k views
Hi all Sorry, very newbie question here. I am trying to make a short film with two different camera shots, but I'm having trouble. Can anyone tell me how to get two cameras to work and how to render them at different points of the film. I would like to have the first camera slowly zoom in one my actor then change to the next camera that is in a different place and continue the shot. Then may be go back to the first camera again. Hope this all makes scene to someone. Thanks for any help from anyone, if you could be as simple as passable because I'm not that up on tect talk. Thanks again Jeff
Last reply by Jeff B, -
- 3 replies
- 451 views
Ok heres my deal, i use a program to extract a model from a game , the program saves it into a format usable by a program called 3d studio max, when it loads into max the models akin to perfect , ie surfaces are nice , colors are accurate, and hey there are even textures , now when i save the model in a format usable by AM ".3ds" it loads in about 1 min and as said above looks like it went through a blender , the main form is still there but thats about all that there is , also i will try and upload a pic soon as due to a system change i currently cant access AM
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 5 replies
- 450 views
Hi - for some reason I thought I was able to import an .ai file into AM awhile back - but now I am not seeing how I would bring it in. Can anyone tell me if it is possible? Thanks for your help - Eric
Last reply by flashawd, -
- 1 follower
- 18 replies
- 1.3k views
See if you can figure out what has gone wrong here: bouncingBallX.mov Hint: it's about gravity. Don't worry, it's not by anyone from this forum.
Last reply by danf, -
- 1 reply
- 474 views
how is the best form to export a model to STL ( Stereo Lithography Files ) ??? MDL to STL ??
Last reply by cronos, -
- 4 replies
- 499 views
i need open it , is my work week ( Unable open file- error ) ??? is a .mdl file momia_George_ok_v_15.zip
Last reply by cronos, -
Render Times
by danf- 12 replies
- 1.1k views
What are the factors that influence render times?
Last reply by danf, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 535 views
I'm extremely knew at all of this, but I was wondering how you import model files into A:M. I have some Twilight Princess models I downloaded that included the model and texture files and I would really appreciate it if someone could explain step-by-step how to import the model and get the textures on it. I've tried, and it says it can't import the model. I believe the file is compatible with A:M, they're .3Ds files and the textures are .tga files. Thanks in advance!
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 1 reply
- 367 views
I have a couple minutes of animation, by my estimate, about a week's worth of rendering, and I'm going away for the weekend. Is there a way I can set my computer up to just "go!" while I'm away?
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 2 replies
- 343 views
ive been having some problems here. last night i lost my materials in the library. i tried everything and finally reinstalled windows clean. after getting AM back i was able to get the library/materials to show up from the tin woodsman CD data but cant get them to show up via "extras DVD" anyone seeing this? the models show up just no materials.
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 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, -
- 0 replies
- 268 views
ive made a library. how do i create one of those .lib files for it so i can move it to another system?
Last reply by sir fen the usa, -
- 2 replies
- 420 views
Hi guys, im currently making a model but i dont quite know whats happening. To explain it whats happening is in the modelling stage i can see all my splines and cp's but when i switch to shaded mode i have patches missing. Now when i render the mode all the missing patches show up as if they are there. its frustrating while trying to model and patches are missing but really they are actually present. any ideas? Thanks for your time..
Last reply by Soltek, -
- 1 follower
- 15 replies
- 1.4k views
I just learned how to make Normal maps in another post. Now that I know how to do it I am perplexed as to what the difference is. What is the difference?
Last reply by R Reynolds, -
- 2 replies
- 467 views
How do I go from running to easing into a pose. I am not very good at explaining but I will do my best. I have the shaggy running (Using the running action in the library) along a path and am trying to get him to be able to ease into a pose after he slows down. The problem I am having is I can't get him to run and then ease into the pose. Keying the bones after the action in the choreography makes the bones stay in that position when scrubbing through the timeline in the Choreography. Thanks. Here is a render of shaggy running and then slowing down. It is a bit sloppy though. Running.mov
Last reply by J90, -
- 2 replies
- 450 views
I am new to animation master and I was wondering if anyone knew how to make a sphere. NOT copying from a model. This is the best I could get a sphere to look
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 4 replies
- 595 views
I rendered out a still JPEG of one frame of animation. This took 3:36:30 (hours, minutes, seconds). Why did it take so long to render only one frame? here are the settings, no advanced, just regular final.
Last reply by MasterFunk, -
- 9 replies
- 894 views
I made it, but feel free to rip it, I think there are plenty of problems. http://homepage.mac.com/somniac/.Pictures/s08what2.mov Here are a few problems I notice, and I wonder what the solution might be: -the depth of field antialiasing is falling along a LINE!!! That's no depth of field to me. -Weird butt-shadows! What's up with that? I should note: -I have a "fill light" since in the video I've already established the sun is to this character's back. What I'd ideally have is a sort of ambient dome-lighting, like what the blue sky actually does. Is there such a method? -Slightly jerky step? I think my character's motion is mostly tim…
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 12 replies
- 643 views
I am sure there is a simple answer to this. I need a shot of a desert sun as if someone were looking straight up at it. so blue sky and sun only. then I am going to animate circling buzzards. Any suggestions on a good sun please?
Last reply by TheSpleen, -
- 4 replies
- 415 views
For all of you embarking on character animation (That's why you got A:M) here's an opportunity to develop your eye. A Heavy Lift that doesn't look very heavy: Lifting things is something everyone should be able to do convincingly with their characters. But some basics have been forgotten. What do you see going wrong here? You can rip this one because it's not by anyone here, and it's always easier to see the log that is in someone else's animation, which makes it even more useful.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 4 replies
- 437 views
For some reason whenever i open up Hash animation master v 15 (which i subscribed for), Once it open some thing pops up and says system clock has set back (-40) And then whenever i press ok or x animation master just closes and i cant use it. Heres a photo of it.
Last reply by AMkyle, -
- 1 follower
- 15 replies
- 1.2k views
I'm working on a short that takes place in mostly one place. For that giant bulk where the scene is set, and most things won't be moving, would you make it all one choreography file, or would you arrange choreography on a shot-by-shot basis? My first sequence I began by going shot-by-shot, but by the end there were segments of action that were continuous, so it made more sense to render the various perspectives out of the same choreography file. I can imagine a variety of perks to keeping one file (not pulling out all your props for each new shot), but I also feel like there are advantages to having a clean slate for each shot (not confined to realistic object …
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 8 replies
- 542 views
ok workign on my stuff i have come to realize that most of my current terrains look like a flat plane with parts pushed up , bt then i heard about the terrain tool , unfortunatly i know nothing about how to use it , any help
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 9 replies
- 796 views
I don't really care if it is rigged or not I need one fast for a School project (don't ask why) the project is due in seven days. Please help.
Last reply by animation man hi, -
- 11 replies
- 2.1k views
I'm using the stock Gas Pump model from the A:M supplemental DVD. It has a skeleton on the hose so it can be manipulated. My problem: I can't seem to manipulate it gracefully. My reasoning tells me I should be able to put some kind of constraint on the handle so it stays in my character's hand, but it never seems to work right. So I'm stuck with this hose that is constantly flying around, twisting my handle during inbetween frames, and generally giving me a headache. I actually finished a whole shot doing the nozzle frame-by-frame. It just feels wrong. What's the answer?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 6 replies
- 674 views
What's up with this? http://homepage.mac.com/somniac/.Pictures/s02swerve.mov
Last reply by danf, -
- 2 replies
- 448 views
If I'm feeling feisty and want to work on my next shot while rendering this one, can I open A:M a second time? Anyone know how I'd do this on a mac?
Last reply by danf, -
- 1 follower
- 29 replies
- 1.7k views
This is my first attempt at creating a character. So he is not so good yet. My splinemanship needs improving but I have no dead ends nor do I have more than 4 intersecting splines. I kinda like his look though. I started with the stock rabbit character and redid the body a bit. and completely made the head from scratch. I am welcoming all crits and advice. His body is fully rigged as the rabbit was, but I still need to rig his head, eyes, and mouth. I only posted this so that I could get advice and crits. So please hit me hard. This is a learning experience.
Last reply by TheSpleen, -
- 2 replies
- 416 views
Does anyone have a cp weighting tutorial? I have searched the forums but didn't find any. Thanks, MasterFunk
Last reply by MasterFunk, -
- 4 replies
- 694 views
Hello everyone, Could anyone provide for me a set of XYZ coordinates using the spherical combiner texture? After a lot of playing with different settings, I just can't seem to find it. (I'm just that bad at math) Thanks in advance, Masna
Last reply by Masna, -
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 524 views
I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but using texture mapped planes isn't looking as good as a real 3D environment would (especially when the camera moves). So I'm starting to think about building a desert from scratch. Or from reference photos anyway. I'm thinking something like the Great Plains: There's a lot to terrain like this. Subtle rolling hills. Bluffs and Crags. Shrubs aplenty. Crackled ground. I don't even know where to start with this. I tried making a displacement map but it didn't come out at all. Like, a splotch in the middle disappeared, that was it. Seems like bluffs would be easy enough to model... Anyways, just starting…
Last reply by zandoriastudios, -
- 16 replies
- 1.3k views
I'd create an image sequence of this display in a paint program, going from lowest price to highest price, and apply that sequence as a decal to your sign. In your chor you can control the displayed frame of an image sequence. It would be easy to make it go up-down-up-down as needed for your story. And easy to revise the timing of that as you refine your animation. Is "image sequence" a technical term? I made a bunch of .jpgs of the various prices, but I don't see an obvious "apply image sequence" option under applying decals.... (the glitches I'm getting w/ jpgs is another problem, I'll just mass convert them..) Is this just another way of saying m…
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 4 replies
- 517 views
Last time I tried (this isn't a real example I'm talking about) I had issues going from one action to the next. The scenerio is a character walks up to something, and then grabs it, much like in the door-opening tutorial. But in that tutorial I used no walk cycle, and animated each step one at a time. In a larger setting it seems it's harder to control precision movements from the choreography mode, largely because my character is no longer perfectly centered on axis, and the keypad no longer gives me clean perspectives to adjust the position from. So I've been exploring walk-cycles and pre-constructed actions. My problem was that once the walk cycle ends, it…
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 801 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, -
- 7 replies
- 697 views
ok this would be easyer to explain to some one who has played the game "Sword of the stars" one of the playable races called the "liir" ( or as i like to call "Space fishy") anyways there ships have a unique way of moving in such that they teleport forward bit by bit hundereds of times a minute giving a flickering effect , i was woundering if there is a way to make a model flicker in and out like that with out having to set its transperancey every .5 of a frame.
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 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
- 4 replies
- 577 views
is the treez plugin usable in v 13.
Last reply by petokosun, -
- 21 replies
- 1.3k views
I know I know newbiest question ever! I how do I change the background screen to a .tga of my choosing? I am finishing off a new animation and need to add the credits. Thanks.
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 0 replies
- 384 views
I found photos of the exact desert I want represented in my animation, and I feel humbled by the number of subtle shrubs, hills, bluffs, and so on that make the desert what it is. Especially since it is only going to be in the background and does not move, I don't see the sense in modeling all of this from scratch. So now I'm toying with the logistics of animating my A:M components to be most compatible with my photoshopped and then 3-D composited (probably in After Effects) sort of environment. I understand there's a way to render animations with an alpha channel, although I don't know how. I guess that's question number one. Another question is "how to …
Last reply by danf, -
- 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, -
- 2 replies
- 499 views
ok like the title says im looking for a way to make the ghosting effect seen in ninja gadien , if you havent played its pretty simple, Ryu( the good guy) sees a bad guy with a way to big head ,ryu dashes towards the bad guy but as he does blueish ghost trail him in the exact pose he was at that time, then bad guy loses head , happy ninja
Last reply by MasterFunk, -
- 2 replies
- 475 views
simple and short trying to sprush up a black background with some stars that hopefully wont take 5 mins each to render
Last reply by Julian, -
- 2 replies
- 429 views
When I went through TAO:AM, I know there were some moments that I was asked to do things that just didn't seem to be in my software. Easing is a great example, and since I finally have a reason I want to ease, I'm going to ask about it. So I locate the ease in the PW. I double-click it. Isn't it supposed to expand? For me, the "ease" looks like a bone's keyframe line or anything else's, but I can't find anywhere to edit it. In the Properties window, it lists only the title, "Ease*" and a single button which changes whether the waveform is curvey, sharply angled, or another one. I can't figure out how to edit ease functions on my computer, although I can…
Last reply by danf, -
- 8 replies
- 765 views
I'm making a character walk, and it's not even a very zany walk, but there are certainly times when he's moving forward, and moments when he's recovering from hitting the ground. Problem is, the walk-cycler seems to take all frames as equal parts of the forward stride. This results in some moments that my character slides forward, and others when he seems to moon-walk. Is there a way to vary the forward-movement within a single walk cycle?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 2 replies
- 469 views
Hi, I am using AM 2005 on windows Vista When I go to render a character, it renders but AM stops working and shuts down..any solutions? Thank you
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 1 reply
- 382 views
Hi i have installed AM 2005 on my computer that is Vista...i am having a problem with the models showing up ...there seeems to be nothing in the folders...what can I do? Thank you!
Last reply by itsjustme, -
- 3 replies
- 534 views
Hey everyone. A friend just let me borrow his A:M CD and I'm diving right into the exercises along with the book. I was working on exercise 5 "Take A Walk" where you make the rabbit walk along a path. And for some reason, the path has a decline in it. I have no idea how to make it level. In the final rendered movie, the rabbit appears to gradually sink into the ground, like he is walking through a swamp. Below is an attachment to screenshots. Any answers how to fix this would be much appreciated. THANKS!
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 1 reply
- 326 views
ok it should be simple but i guess for me its not , im trying to apply a material to a model but when i do it applies to the whole thing , iv tryed selecting only the sections i want but it stil does the whole thing, what am i doing wrong
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 2 replies
- 480 views
Hello All, I am trying to location the Selected CP option in the properties window but I am unable too. I am doing one of the Basic Modeling tutorials and I believe the tutorial is using v10. I, on the other hand am using v12 and can't seem to located where this property window is. I have include a sceenshot of the property window in v10, where would I find this property window or option in v12 Thanks T Selected_Cp_Window.bmp
Last reply by tjk_17, -
- 2 replies
- 466 views
Hi all, I just brought A.M. and it seems that the tech. pdf file, seems to say that version 15 supports normal and displacement maps. Is this true or do you still need a plug-in for it. Anyway I got my brain awash in learning this new software. Thanks for any answers in advance.
Last reply by digman,