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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
-Do Not reprimand other forum members for violating forum rules, that's the moderators job, which (unless you are a moderator) you are not.
-No complaining or whining on the forum or distribution of misinformation.
-No flames of any kind.
-No Off Topic posts. (Posts in the Off Topics section should be related to A:M in some form or fashion or benefit the A:M community as a whole).
-No soliciting of any kind without prior approval.
-No threads or comparisons related to other 3D Applications.
-No "Wish list" or feature requests, they should be sent to www.hash.com/reports for categorizing and prioritization (User requests define the future development of the software).
-No "me too!" posts
-No discussion of Hash Internal Affairs (finances, advertising, PR.)
-No posting of private email to the forum unless permission of the author is granted. (Private correspondence should remain private)
-No very general questions like: "how do I make a good 3D model" make your questions as complete and concise as possible.
If you have questions as to whether it's appropriate, send it to: support@hash.com, We'll be happy to let you know whether it is, or is not appropriate.
User Led Forum Considerations
Firstly and foremostly, please remember this is Martin Hash's forum and that it is every A:M User's primary resource for information about A:M. In order to remain relevant we need everyone's continuing support and interest.
Secondly, understand there is a distinction between A:M (the program) and the A:M forum. There are some topics and issues that are outside the scope of this forum and most can be deduced by reading through the forum guidelines. These include such things as Hash Inc internal policies, business practices, trade secrets, and specific plans for the future not yet publicly released. Each of these would be fascinating topics of their own but are better reserved for private communications with a representative of Hash Inc.
Related to the second, is purchasing, customer service and other areas outside the purview of the common user who may have no interest in such things; subjects relating to money exchanging hands are beyond the scope of the A:M Forum and often can lead to conflicts of interest between users and/or Hash Inc. (If Hash Inc cuts you a deal on volume purchasing it's really no one else's business). Likewise, individual complaints about a product or service are best remedied by going direct with Hash Inc representatives empowered to make decisions. Please allow them them the time necessary to resolve your specific issue and consider the cost of customized solutions.
This last area is likely the source of much confusion because many see the A:M Forum as the official outlet for Hash Inc... and it is. But the forum is not designed for conducting business and private matters best resolved by going to Hash Inc directly. Similarly, bug reports are best resolved by entering them directly into the A:M Reporting system.
Many problems can be easily addressed at the user level just by asking fellow users in the forum. If someone at Hash Inc suggests the forum as a source, it is very likely a problem can be easily resolved. For tougher issues there is even more reason to take the issue directly to the source... you don't want the issue discussed... you want it resolved quickly.
Finally, remember that we want to pass this forum on to future moderators and generations of A:M Users in the absolute best condition possible. A:M is just that good a program and is worthy of our consideration.
Thanks for making the A:M Forum a great community.
4,166 topics in this forum
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- 1 follower
- 8 replies
- 2.3k views
Hi, Am wondering if it is possible to have a 'personal library of materials'. I see in the tools->OPtions->folders it is possible to add extra path for A:M to search for additional LBR files. I have a number of materials files and am wondering how can I put them into a LBR file so that A:M will recognise them. Have searched the internet for a utility without any success. Any ideas - or am I simply barking up the wrong tree and there is an easier way that I've missed? Thanks, Oliver
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 1 follower
- 12 replies
- 2.3k views
Anyone know how to create something like this dense_beveled_cube.mdl Modzz2.mdl I cant figure it out. everything I create it seems impossible to create a smooth dense cube.
Last reply by itsjustme, -
- 16 replies
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Why is the background to my choreography different when I render-to-file than when I am working with the choreography? This is my working screen. This is the rendered file. Walking_Lower_Body_F1.mov
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 17 replies
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I am having strange encounter, my prj is made in version 13, the prj won't render in ver 18b so I create a new prj and import the models but it still crash when I render to file in avi or png, screen render is fine. Things made in the new version render without problem, what have I missed in these few years?
Last reply by Clipping Path Specialists, -
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Hello I need some help for my smurf. I started modeling with A:M. I t works very fine and is very simple. Only smoothing some splines is difficult for me. Is it the way I'm choosing to draw the splines, by sample clockwise or unclockwise or something else? I did foind a command to smooth the points. I tried to control the normals, but got no result. After I shall copy and flip the half head and set the symetry button. I tried it, but the edges on the X axis are not joined. How can I "weld" the points? I'm joining the mdl file and a screen capture. Thanks Remy Smurf_head.mdl
Last reply by urbssenator, -
- 24 replies
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It looks like when you weld control points Shift+Weld vs Weld (right click while holding the left mouse button on PC, or a ~ click on mac) the behaviors are different. It looks like Welding the ends of a spline together joins the spline, making one spline, while Shift+weld seems to attach them, but they don't form one smooth spline. Can someone point me to documentation that explains this better. The book also mentions something about spline direction, which I can't seem to find information about either. I've looked at the basic splinesmanship web pages, and they are great, but also dated. Also, in an attempt to force me to do things rather than just see…
Last reply by C-grid, -
- 1 follower
- 19 replies
- 2.2k views
Greetings AM'ers, Before asking this, I did a search on the forums and found a tutorial on generating trees in AM, but I didn't find the Treez plug-in in AM; at least not on the mac. I have an old version of carrara on the HD. It generates trees. I rendered a tree with an alpha channel, and imported the image into AM. I moved them around, scaled them, etc. Anyway, I think this will work for now ... my plan is to use AM to do comics; with other software naturally. But sooner or later, I may want to get into animation, and may need characters to interact with trees. For you Mac-heads, how do YOU generate trees in AM?
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 21 replies
- 2.2k views
Hey Everyone. Wasn't sure where to ask/ re-visit this topic. Here goes. Getting the shadows separated for a composite is doable and I have been creating these in a separate pass with alpha buffer for some time. HOW do I get the occlusion shadows separated out or together with the normal light shadows. Can you do this for overlaying it in a compositing app?? I have tried numerous things, but so far no real success.
Last reply by NancyGormezano, -
- 1 follower
- 12 replies
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has any one ever had this happen. I'm trying some new stuff using the dark tree materials ( dsts files) when i get this at the basic material render screen. i have tryed loading 6 different mats all encountering the same effect. noting that this has only happened after my system upgrade( win7 from vista) but as far as i know i set up AM the exact same way and everything else is more or less working
Last reply by Master chief, -
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- 2.2k views
I am Scoot Sunderland, a new member. Nice too meet you. Thanks
Last reply by Wildsided, -
- 1 follower
- 10 replies
- 2.2k views
Hi, I've been working my way slowly through Barry's great Video Tutorials and then trying them out in practice and have come across something that I don't understand. It is to do with constraints where the enforecement is less than 50% Rotate-00 shows the 'home position'. All 4 bones are pointing straight up. The 'control bone' is on the left and the other three bones are all constrained to orient the same as the control bone as follows: Going from left to right, the first bone is enforced with 100%, the next bone is enforced 50% and the last bone on the right is enforced by 40% Now, rotate the control bone by 45 and all bones seem to be behaving. …
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 2 replies
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This is intended more for the newbies out there to help you to get acquainted with the software. Yes, you can move on to modeling more organic pieces fairly quickly, but I would encourage you to take some time and really learn what is possible with the more "mechanical" forms. I'll be posting examples (pics and models) of each of these soon, but this is a list of models that are a combination of various shapes (squares, rectangles, circles, spheres, and so on) that, when put together, give you quite a bit that you can actually use in various projects. There are an endless variety of sizes and shape combinations. And, these can vary from realistic to cartoony. …
Last reply by WolfsongCG, -
- 11 replies
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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, -
- 18 replies
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These letters are made is sections, like bricks. I wish them to go from shiny and new to old and rusty over a period of about 2 seconds. Hold for anther two, then begin falling apart. At first a few pieces, then faster, then all at once drop to the floor (about twice the 'letter height' ) in a pile. Animating the material strength wold handle the first part, but how would I go about that. This is a Darktree/Simbiont material. Would it be worth setting up a Newton simulation for the falling apart? I've never worked with Newton before. (I've heard he is a nice guy, but can be difficult to get along with.) Lock.prj
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 8 replies
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Been a while so I just wanted to say hi to everybody and wish all Good Things for the upcoming holidays! This is Robert, my latest BigHead endeavor.
Last reply by Vertexspline, -
- 16 replies
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Is there a forum here where computer jocks and motivated users can really work together on computer/AM compatibility problems in the interest of finding obscure workarounds if necessary, rather than just abandoning the computer or buying expensive new hardware? I'm having more display problems with my Vista laptop, but I don't want to give up. I feel there must be some workaround, such as a special OpenGL compatibility driver that can use low-end chips, even if slower, or DirectX option, or some other trick like using an older A:M DLL or such. My main problem seems to be repainting the screen. The latest showstopper is that when using a rotate manipulator, the…
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
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Spent hours setting up constraints finger joints, all was working well. Came back later, opened the project and boom. Most of the constraints had vanished. For some reason a few remained (see attached) but they were "broken" and had question mark on them. This was made with new pose on/off when I started and everything seemed to be working. I did notice as I was doing this that AM was creating an Action file and all was going into that but after closing the window and returning to the project all constraints but a few had turned to vapor. I also saved constantly while I was working on this. Again I've stumbled into a Moron Mode somehow and cant get out. Any help ap…
Last reply by svetlik, -
- 12 replies
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Hi, I'm back - and starting at the very beginning. Decided to start with cylinder type models, but the results are not consistent. The problem is with the top surface using planar decals. Looking at the attached photo you can see 2 poor quality decals and I can't work out what I'm doing wrong and 2 that are OK For each, I started with the right hand outline, did the flip/copy/attach and then used the lathe. The breadboard (bottom left) probably had the most complex shape and yet turned out really nice. The only other one which turned out OK is the middle one which was a basic cylinder - nothing complex at all. No doubt I'm making a really basic mis…
Last reply by LenseOnLife, -
I did a search for the extension 3ds but did not find any reference. Can this file be opened in A:M, or converted so it will open in A:M. If so, how?
Last reply by bubba, -
- 12 replies
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Need a little help guys... I've got a character for a local commercial - 7 second intro, that he's supposed to "fist bump" the owner at the end of his intro. I've set up the lip-synch anim for the VO, and now I want to do the body action and fist bump. I would typically work in the action window for his movements, but since he's got to interact with a live action character, I figured I'd have to work int he Choreography window w/ a Camera Rotoscope playing the live action video. I've set up a cho, imported the video clip as a Camera Rotoscope, I set the start point at 0:00 and the end point at 7:17 on the rotoscope. But when I advance frames, the video roto ju…
Last reply by TheToadStool, -
- 1 follower
- 20 replies
- 2.2k views
This where i came until today on my model adaptation from LW.To be honest I m a bit disappointed about how things came.Splines modeling need serious preparation and planning to have honorable result.I m not a good modeler, but spline are the most difficult because you need to control a lot of parameters bias,magnitude?alphas,Gammas, tension !! what s this !! i ve posted the Wip for everybody have a look.If any one (the pros ! Rob,Fuchur,Eric Largento;, ect) have an idea to optimize it or to give us a " DECREASE the CREASE" Technique, we will be happy ! Regards patch_apple_opti.mdl
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 7 replies
- 2.2k views
In the video I am doing I need a classic cartoon fight cloud. Everyone has seen one and I am hoping it has been done before here successfully. If not I will just have to make a step by step fight, but the genre of how my toon looks, really calls for the fight cloud. Any help?
Last reply by TheSpleen, -
- 5 replies
- 2.2k views
Coming back to something I really enjoyed a long time ago. My last foray into AM was with 2005 version. I've created a short animation using Windows Movie Maker. It consists of 13 images with some simple transitions, basically a slideshow. I am using Pazera PS MPEG to AVI converter to get the AVI. I have tried every CODEC available with the converter, but when I attempt import the AVI I just get a dialog box saying "IMPORT NULLOBJECT". What am I doing wrong? Should I be using a particular CODEC? Thanks for any help, glad to be back!
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 6 replies
- 2.2k views
Hi, The geriatric is returning to AM after a break of about 5 years. During the interval I've created a big library of models using SketchUp (free version) and there is really only Collada DAE or STL export options available in SketchUp for me. The DAE also has an option to include texture data in the export. So the question that just about everyone must ask - is there any way of converting DAE to any of the AM import formats (without breaking the bank)? OR Is it possible to re-texturise / paint the STL imported model? Any help will probably allow me keep a bit more of the ever thinning thatch on top of the brain cells, Cheers, Oliver
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 2 replies
- 2.2k views
Hi, I hope this is the right place to ask this. I've already received a trial license in the past, and want to upgrade to a full (yearly sub) license in the near future. What is the process for that? Will it simply "upgrade" the trial key to a full one? Or will a new license be provided? Tried finding an answer to this on the forums, but couldn't find anything specifically about that. Thank you.
Last reply by WolfsongCG, -
- 14 replies
- 2.2k views
Hello everyone! My name is Steve and today I purchased my copy of A:M 18. I know nothing about 3D and animation, and can't wait to learn. My first impressions of A:M are not going so well though. After starting the program, I get a nice welcome screen, with a list of tutorials. After getting through the first two, which I enjoyed, I get "videos not ready yet". This is a bummer and not very professional. Are there alternative tutorials? I don't want to jump around from specific tutorial to tutorial, I just want to learn in a structured way, or at least learn the basics of modeling in A:M. Thanks, Steve.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 23 replies
- 2.2k views
I am working on a project where I want to have several orbiting balls bounce off each other while orbiting a central gravitational object. While I've played around with A:M for a while this is my first real project. I just haven't been able to find anything that seams to address this particular subject.
Last reply by mustangsRbtr, -
- 2 replies
- 2.1k views
In Action I activate the other items icon and the groups all show up but I can't select ANY of them. Is this normal? Any help appreciated.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 6 replies
- 2.1k views
Hi, is there a good tutorial on rigging tank treds? One that isn't material driven. I initially thought about assigning each tred to a circular path constraint, but when i tried to offset each tred to a desired position the motion path went crazy. Is there a better way?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 8 replies
- 2.1k views
I look to see if there was a cylindrical mapping tutorial and could not find one. I ahve problem mapping a seamless image onto a cylinder. first of all, i want to know why it always default to a repeat of 3 in the x !!! it is seamless so i want the beginning to match my end around the cylinder. Then, about the normals. Should they be pointing out of the cylinder or in? Sometimes, my map shows up as a mirror image... Any tutorial out there? Thanks. Pierre
Last reply by mouseman, -
- 1 follower
- 11 replies
- 2.1k views
Hi to everyone, I´m completely new to animation:master. I got my A:M last week and today it´s the first day I dive into it. I try to follow the exercises from the manual and got a problem with exercise 4:"it´s a pitch" and the knight-model. I´ve tried and tried, but I can´t get the knees of the knight model to do what I want. They always bend in the wrong direction, mostly backwards but never as they should. Especially when I lower the torso of the knight, they bend backwards, so I can´t pose him with bended knees. The only way to work around I´ve found was to swich IK off, but then I loose all my poses. Can anyone tell me, what I´m doing wrong? Than…
Last reply by Liquidspaceman, -
- 1 follower
- 12 replies
- 2.1k views
Hi folks, I decided to play around with A:M v18 (I've been an on/off A:M user for many years) and I'm faced with the same dilemma when I buy a subscription: should I use the Windows version or the Mac version? I'm primarily a Mac person, but I have Windows 7 installed under BootCamp as well. I've had stability issues with the Mac version of A:M in the past. In general, what is the consensus with stability regarding OS X vs Windows version? I don't want to start a platform war! I use both (and Linux), but I'm just looking for a recommendation since I have a choice. Also, it's not explicitly mentioned, but is the Mac version of A:M 64 bit? Thanks folks! -Sean
Last reply by seancwall, -
- 1 follower
- 22 replies
- 2.1k views
I have been taking some cg spfx classes and trying to translate the info to AM. They talk about using shadow passes and composting them. I remember Yueves talking about linear work flow. I think they are related to shadow pass. Can someone point me in the direction for how to create shadow passes in AM? According to my class the pass is all black and white. Is there any info on how to do the linear workflow that the Y man describes with AM?
Last reply by jason1025, -
- 21 replies
- 2.1k views
I have come to the conclusion that animation is hard. This might actually take a little practice to have things do what I want them to. I do not even have the Stuck Door project to a point that I'm willing to share where I am. The frustrating part is I know what I want it to look like; I know what some of the comments are going to be, but it just won't come together like I wish it to. I guess timing is the largest issue followed by secondary motions. But we keep trudging along and practice practice practice.
Last reply by Vertexspline, -
- 1 follower
- 25 replies
- 2.1k views
Is there some kind of anti-alias setting or something to reduce the pixelated look of my finished renders in Quicktime? I didn't seem to have any issue with my previous 3D program's renders which meant it must have been a default in the other program. I've messed with the A:M render settings, but haven't found an answer. My outputs are set at 720x486 1 pass (4 pass didn't fix the problem). Any suggestions?
Last reply by NancyGormezano, -
- 20 replies
- 2.1k views
I did an annual purchase of AM a few days ago. AM seems nice, was very happy to see the 3d connexion option, though every time I start AM the Windows Colors drops to the limited Windows 7 Basic palette. It's rather disappointing, as the windows 7 basic color palette looks ugly compared to the other palette. Does any know when this will probably get fixed? Also, what are the current rumors on OpenCL rendering?
Last reply by southpawami, -
- 1 follower
- 21 replies
- 2.1k views
Hi All I'm working on a model and I can't get the splines to act right. The spline fallows the curve right between the CPs but in some places between 2 CPs the curve flips, like in this image: and you end up with divots where I don't want them, as in this image: I only have 2 = 3 point patches and 2 straight splines. All other patches are 4 point. Here is an image of the splines: I've tried to refind normals, I selected one of these weird splines and tried to flip the normal and I tried using the smooth tool, all with no effect. This model looks OK with the toon shader turned on: but I'm trying to use him as a standard 3d …
Last reply by earthquake, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 2.1k views
Anyone know how to cure the effect of an object spinning with increasing speed until it looks like its going in reverse? Like movies of propellers and wheels. Other than just slowing it down to a crawl. Had tried to come up with a way of making the chain advance along a path using expressions but just animated the chain & sprockets separately. Thanks in advance. Sprocket01.avi
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 24 replies
- 2.1k views
Hey, i really dony quite understand the concept of rotoscoping, does anyone, by any chance, have a tutorial that could help me all about rotoscoping and how to do/use it.
Last reply by AMkyle, -
- 16 replies
- 2.1k views
Hi, I just finished assignment 7 and wanted to practice with other models. I've downloaded and installed different .wav files and the one and only time I could get the .wav file to "attach" to the model I couldn't get the mouth to move. All other times I've tried to attach the files A:M immediately freezes and I have to reboot my system. If anyone has any ideas I sure could use the help. Thanks, Robin
Last reply by candimeg, -
- 1 follower
- 13 replies
- 2.1k views
Hi Folks I have been studying Cloth and Newton Dynamics. I have been very productive results and am amazed at the power behind both of them. I have a puzzle I am trying to solve. For a few short shots in my presentation I have a parachute carrying some cargo to the surface. I was thinking because the cargo is very heavy and large that instead of cables connecting the cargo to the parachute I would use chains. I have been practicing creating chains with Newton and its very easy and works great. You get a huge payoff for little effort. Another reason why I want to use chains is they are visually stimulating more so than newton driven cables. I am not apposed to cabl…
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 12 replies
- 2.1k views
Hi Everyone! I've attached the project to a certain look I'm trying to get. Also attached a jpeg as to the look I'm trying to get. Looks like reflections from the ground and sky, but I tried that and it just didn't work. Sucks being a newbie. I've tried numerous things and nothing seems to work. If anyone has time and wants to take a crack at it, please do so. You guys can use these files for anything you like. In fact, I insist. The project has the models and chor with movements already in place, just need to figure out the "glossy-reflective" look. Thanks in advance! glossy_reflections.zip
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 25 replies
- 2k views
Hey folks How would you create a rail of light? Like say a florescent light bulb?
Last reply by jason1025, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 2k views
how do you make the legs follow the feet? like with those models in the extra cd?
Last reply by T-Dogg, -
i'm newbie. nice to meet you guys. :clap:
Last reply by Xtaz, -
- 11 replies
- 2k views
Hey I really need to know if anyone knows how to make a realistic saber. iv asked this and i keep getting the same tutorial, and the saber looks nothing like the movies.. i want to know if it is posible to make a light saber almost identical to the movie
Last reply by Dark_Jedi, -
- 1 follower
- 29 replies
- 2k views
Just as I solved my video card problem with fresh drivers, and entered into [hopefully] A:M heaven...I start getting white spline lines showing through the decals. 'Happened last night with lines on a roof. Now again with the wheels of this armored car. [it's not happening with the other objects because they are older bits brought over from the tank model.][attachmentid=13517]
Last reply by KenH, -
- 31 replies
- 2k views
Hi, I had the 2003 CD version and some plugins but unfortunately I didn't use it much. Now I started again with animation, so I bought the subscription to have more features (or less bugs). Currently I'm using (trying to learn) 15.0G because there was a bug with real time rendering in shaded mode with the 15.0H version, so I'm sorry if the following problems have been corrected: 1. If I try to customize the toolbars just by adding more toolbars to the window (Tools/Customize/Toolbars), when I press "OK" all changes disappear (my screen resolution is 1920x1200 if that helps). 2. While there is enough space on the existing toolbar line for more toolbars (~4…
Last reply by dllb, -
- 15 replies
- 2k views
Hello and here is my scenario: I have developed MANY detailed models in A.M., V15 - that I want to have plastic Injection Molds made from. The Models are to Exact Scale because threaded Inserts will be needed and holes will need to be lined up and they need to interact with other components in the "Industry Standard" size. I am trying to convert one of the many files with little success. My Problems: 1. AM's MDL files are not supported except in Wings 3d (Old version). 2. When I export the model into a *.OBJ or *.DXF File - I lose my curved surfaces. I must have curved surfaces (I thought DXF supported that? No? How do Autocad users get their smooth model…
Last reply by Wildsided, -
- 9 replies
- 2k views
hello all such a long time i didn't came here. so then to be clear i sold all my blender 3d books but still want to make cgi. so as i own two licences of a:m 18, i am actually trying to make it being transfered to my new linux system under wine, as i tried before and it succed ^^ and soon i hope i will have the pleasure to ask you several questions about animation but first modelisation. i wish you the best and tell me good luck for licences kindly regards
Last reply by stefff285,
