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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.
4,166 topics in this forum
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- 1 follower
- 8 replies
- 1.1k views
Hi Hashers, I'm back after an extended absence from AM and animating. I'm trying to get back into the swing of things having recently bought AM 2006, V13.0. Partly what brings me back is I am proposing an animation course at the community college I teach at. The other part is I like animation and want to get back to it. A couple of things I'm trying to find out about are what non-linear editors people like to use, and does anyone have suggestions for classroom assignments for my students? I'm on a Mac and I used to use Adobe Premier to edit my rendered files but they don't make a Mac version of that anymore so what do people like to use? I did a sear…
Last reply by nimblepix, -
- 2 replies
- 704 views
Greetings, I have the Yeti CD V12.0t of A:M. I see that there is a version 13 (with various Alpha release numbers) available. Is this an "unofficial" test version or something? Just curious why I wouldn't want to use V13 instead of V12. Thanks for any explanation. raf
Last reply by raf1, -
- 11 replies
- 1.1k views
ok this may be something im going to have to deal with but my AM has started crashing a lot , mostly when im making materials or saving rendered animation , is there something i should set to fix his?
Last reply by rusty, -
- 1 reply
- 443 views
I know I'm doing something wrong, but could anyone make some suggestions. Thanks. Ben.
Last reply by thekamps, -
- 3 replies
- 558 views
Hi all - I am having a little problem with constraining an object to a path then making that object start later in the choir - If I make a path - select my object and apply a constrain to path and select the path everything is fine - I can scrub my choir and the object moves along the path - when I adjust the "Ease" so that the object stats further down the path - then scrub the choir - my object no longer moves - if I reset the "Ease" back to "0" and scrub my choir - the object still does not move - the only way I can make the object move is to remove the constrain to path and re apply it. Any help on what I might be doing?? thanks, …
Last reply by tvdirector911, -
- 1 reply
- 334 views
I built my first character and gave her bones and made her run. I selected the skirt and made it cloth, and it flaps around in a really cool way, but her legs pass through the skirt. This happened before I made it into cloth, too, but now it's just more of a glaringly obvious problem. Basically, I'm looking for guidance to the right place to look. Am I supposed to fix this with constraints, or is there another path to the solution? Is there a property I can assign to the skirt so that I don't have to reset those properties every time I load the character into a choreography or action?
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 807 views
Hello, I'm a new but old member of AM. Used it about 7-8 years ago and slowly drifted towards the polygonal programs on the Mac. I've decided after seeing the newest program and repurchase that my characters, the SunPower Kidz®, would be best served with Hash. It's an all in one inclusive program that is obviously very user friendly and would allow to achieve an ultimate goals in creating interactive DVD's for children based upon my characters and their tale. When I open a new project, and create a simple spline, then lathe, it is titled 'untitled' but when I try to 'grab' it with my arrow cursor, only 3/4's of the figure is chosen, that is red splines turn t…
Last reply by sunpowerkidz, -
- 1 reply
- 442 views
After a torturous 20 months of where I couldn't get A:M to run on my clunky old computer, I now have a new machine so it's working again... but crashing a lot, even with my old models. The main problem is I have an antiquish A:M2000 v. 8.5, and the new machine runs under Windows XP. I intend to step into the 21st century with an upgrade to the newest version of A:M early next month, so I am getting excited (a gross understatement) about soon being able to start modeling and animating again. Am I going to experience a high amount of future shock when I upgrade due to all the improvements? I remember hearing about u-v mapping, and I'm looking forward to that since I…
Last reply by Dhar, -
- 3 replies
- 631 views
I need help with most of the constraints. I know about the Rigid bodies, but I need help with: -Aim at -Kinematic -Aim ROll at -Roll like -Spherical Limits -Euler Limits -Translate Limits -Surface -Aim like two -Roll Like Two -Bone to Spring
Last reply by Sonic922, -
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 530 views
i'm trying to learn the v13s.... 1. can you scale a bone along with it's cp's when modeling? 2. how do i numerically and absolutely change the position of a cp when modeling? i thought there was a little triangle that would call up a box with the xyz coords, but i can't find that anymo. everyone old is new again.... -jon
Last reply by jon, -
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 367 views
OK I was foolish and somehow I lost my models toolbar. All the other toolbars show up as they should. Checking or unchecking the model toolbar box in the toolbar portion of the view menu has no effect. Do I have to reinstall? I'm running v14 on an win XP setup. I suppose this could be the program's way of making me remember all the keyboard shortcuts. Thanks, Alan
Last reply by Caroline, -
- 1 follower
- 5 replies
- 666 views
Does anyone have Ideas on how to make Glowing energy sphere?
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 455 views
Been using AM for more than just a few yrs. and still having trouble understanding action blending. Does the blending function mean how it blends with previous or next actions? I understand the transition to next action when you have a gap from one to another but doesn't have anything to do with the blending directly, right? Been trying to match the end of a saved action with a chor. action (just one lousy arm) and thought that just entering the rotation numbers from the position in the chor. into the last keyframe of the saved action would work but just whacked everything out. Been trying to duplicate the problem in a smaller chor. file but can't even get that …
Last reply by svetlik, -
- 1 follower
- 7 replies
- 632 views
I made two Actions, an idle, and a walk. I want the character to be idle, and then walk away. I made a path, and added the actions. But the character slides until the idle is over, and then walks. How do I have the character stand still on the path?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 4 replies
- 692 views
If I'm working on an A:M project, and I need to leave the computer for, let's say, an hour or more; when I come back, whatever is on my desktop [wallpaper, icons, etc.] will be in the Modeling Window or the Choreography. If I try to go to a different section [e.g., leave Choreography and go to a Model Window] there is only a blank grey screen. I still have toolbars, but the only way to get back to any of the workspaces is to do a Save and close out...then re-launch A:M. Does this ever happen to anyone else?
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 1 reply
- 478 views
For Expedency and Symetry Can anyone tell me if I made several copys of a group and want to fix a flaw in the original does AM have a option that will pass the change to all the copies?
Last reply by Karl, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 458 views
Hey all, I can't understand how and what is the IK. Like in a human skeleton having 3 bones on an arm for example and the same bones are copied above and below the arm for IK thats what i don't understand. Also what are the constraints used for IK? I read the reference but still things aren't clear enough for me. hope you can help me by a good guide or useful information. tnx in advance...
Last reply by Caroline, -
- 16 replies
- 1.1k views
i m using v13. i rigged a charater and when i turn ik arm ON the result is displayed below , how can i correct this.
Last reply by MJL, -
- 4 replies
- 419 views
Hi - this is odd. I created a character - and put a bone structure in him - tested him in the resolute walk and he worked fine. I turned off the IK Let Setup to smartskin him - did that at several joints - brought him back to the main screen and turned the IK Leg Setup back on. Now when I bring him into an action or chor it is acting as if the IK Leg Setup is not on... when I pull his hips down to the ground his legs remain straight and the whole character moves down. Anyone know what is going on here, I have never had this problem?? Thanks for any help- Eric
Last reply by flashawd, -
- 1 follower
- 8 replies
- 952 views
lesseee... 1. is there a way to simultaneously (=identically) change light cone values on a group of lights? it could be just me (this pc), but shift-choosing is problematic due to the refresh freezing. any tips/workarounds appreciated! 2. how to grapple with the oddsy roll handle - it changes when rotating the.. hmm the yellow balk? indicating light direction and gets in the way. if i delete the entire param in pws this changes xyz rotations. this is not serious but a bit of nuisance at larger quantities of lamps/lights. 3. the fill light is a bit of a performer isn't it? one fill just needs to be present and on and the entire chor is awash with its influe…
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 11 replies
- 733 views
Hello Everyone! I've tried to extrude this IL file in AM, but AM doesn't like it. I know you have to save it as an IL 8 file, and so I did, but AM still doesn't like it. I've zipped both files. Anyone care to take a crack at it? Thanks 2_illustrator_files.zip
Last reply by new guy, -
Hello all, I have built a 8ft, high 6ft wide, and 5ft deep sound proof computer room. The walls are 8in thick using various sound baffles. At the end of the month i am going to order my computer(ABOUT TIME). This computer is going to be for the sole purpose of making a 2-D cartoon like the simpsons. I needed a 3-d program with bone structure that converted to 2-d. I am going to have no programs except for animation and windows xp pro on it. I have a laptop off to the left to surf the web and listen to music so this one will be off line. The computer spec's are as follow's: 2048mb pc3200 ddr400 memory 300gb 7200rpm 16mb serial ata hard drive 2- n…
Last reply by 8up, -
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 445 views
Ok i was fooling around and all of a sudden i deleted my project gallery that had all my models in it. How do i get it back now??
Last reply by Caroline, -
- 2 followers
- 14 replies
- 1.8k views
Hi all, I recently purchased a v 16 subscription. After download and install, I tried to register, but when I entered my number, it said three was an error writing the master.llc file. I contacted Hash, who sent me a good one. I moved that file to the correct directory and, upon launch, I got the same request for my number and the same error. I've since completely uninstalled and reinstalled the program and both entered my number and copied the file directly to the directory, but no change. Please help! Best, Anton.
Last reply by thumperness, -
- 5 replies
- 1.2k views
Wikipedia mentions that A:M Version 14 (2007) introduces Ambient Occlusion (AO) and Image-based Lighting (IBL). Can someone explain what those are? Regards, -SB
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 27 replies
- 2.5k views
I need help with entering the image contest! I emailed my image to steve@hash.com are newbie's not allowed to enter the contest?????? Thank you Dion Kirfman Here is my image I didnt get to enter,
Last reply by goodguy20k, -
- 1 reply
- 474 views
so whats happened to the image contest? have hash pulled the plug on it. its like half the years gone by and no word.....
Last reply by Paul Forwood, -
- 2 replies
- 599 views
Hi everyone, I need a quick an answer as possible as I don't have much time for this project. My problem is that when I add an image in my chor. it receives lighting from the sun, rim etc. which distorts all of it's colors. Is there way to have it not receive lighting? Thanks, Jared
Last reply by Masna, -
- 2 replies
- 449 views
When we bring in the decal, it shows up as a white box rather than an image. I am using it in a school setting with multiple users if that makes any difference. Thanks
Last reply by Short Circuit, -
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 3.6k views
So I'm finally starting to wrap my head around modeling with patches, and now I'm digging into various texturing techniques... https://youtu.be/dVVwayFoPMQ Question: when you apply an image per patch (i.e., by selecting a patch, right-clicking on it, then choosing 'Add Image') can the UV's be adjusted for each patch to better position/size the image? Thanks! Bryan
Last reply by bcgreen24, -
- 1 follower
- 8 replies
- 805 views
Thank you for looking. I'm just about ready to purchase for first time. Can I import an image, weather it be a digital camera image, paint program image, etc.... and use this to either "trace" or use as a guideline for making my image in AM? Again and thank you. Just a suggestion, a "Pre Sales" forum may be useful. Tom
Last reply by dwdmguy, -
- 11 replies
- 1.8k views
I have a character model with a 24-frame walk cycle that I rendered as a .tga image sequence that I want to use as a decal on another model. How do I get the walk-cycle image sequence to repeat as a decal on the other model within a choreography?
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 1 follower
- 14 replies
- 942 views
Does this feature work? I am using a Jpeg image sequence on a few monitors in a chor. Sometime some frames render the first frame of the image sequence regardless of of what frame in the time should be rendered.
Last reply by jason1025, -
- 1 follower
- 17 replies
- 1.7k views
As I understand it, one should be able to import a sequence of images into A:M and treat them like a movie. I'm seeking to bring in a previously rendered sequence to A:M Composite to merge with other layers but each time I import a sequence on my Mac, all I end up with is a PWS stuffed to the gills with individual pictures that can only be referenced or manipulated one at a time. 3 layers of 300 frames each suddenly becomes an all day head-to-the-desk-tedious task. I think I've seen a screenshot of how this theoretically should work and a sequence ought to import as a single object with the individual pictures nested inside of it. A:M can do this, right? Am I having a pro…
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 4 replies
- 1.6k views
Hey Everyone.... Either I never did this, or I have forgotten the process. How do you place an image sequence onto a model and key it to a pose slider?? Thanks Bunches!!! Detbear
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 7 replies
- 774 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, -
- 1 reply
- 501 views
Hi, I was donig a little bit of research and i came across this web page. They claim to have the latest technology in Animation for Films and games. For what it looks like it seems that they are doing a prertty good job. Ah! What do you guys thinK? Check the link bellow. http://www.image-metrics.com/
Last reply by Luuk Steitner, -
- 1 reply
- 418 views
i have managed to collect some nice hair and eye textures from all of the poser characters i used to download, but as far as other things such as textures for clothes, buildings, cars and other non-human things i am lost as to where to go to find that. do any of you know any good websites that supply textures (especially for clothes) for cg? thanx - hisako -
Last reply by petokosun, -
- 2 replies
- 1.5k views
I'm running latest version of A:M in MacOS 10.9.5 on a 2014 Macbook Pro. Importing targa files seems to be my best option for using rotoscopes and decals in the modeling window (jpg won't import). The images do not display correctly in the modeling window. Only part of the image is viewable. This makes it very difficult to place decals correctly on a surface, though once I do apply them after considerable effort, the decals render correctly. Modeling using the images as rotoscopes is impossible. My graphics were set to OpenGL3 initially, but I changed them to OpenGL. This gave me about 50% better viewing, but it still is not a viable option. Does anyone ha…
Last reply by cribbidaj, -
- 4 replies
- 579 views
Not to clutter up an already cluttered thread.. KenH wrote: What implications would that be?
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 5 replies
- 480 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
- 2 replies
- 545 views
I saw in the manual that AM can import a DXF 'with a lot of work'. Is this the end of the story... or perhaps there is a ocnversion tool that support AM model format? Or - are there upcoming releases with new import/export abilities? Can AM use BVH files? Also - I have not yet used AM - is there a demo/eval version? I missed the link if there is. And - the Tech Ref links to pdf/chm files on http://www.hash.com/2007web/reference.htm are dead - is the PDF available? Thanks
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 5 replies
- 646 views
Hi all I have some mocap data in bvh format. I have already imported a sample bvh file into Animation master (version 2005), but when I try to export it I get 1 frame as an output with "Shortcut to ground" as a root of the hierarchy. All I am trying to do is to examine the format that Animation Master exports bvh files. Any ideas what is wrong? Export from animation master HIERARCHY ROOT Shortcut_to_Ground { OFFSET 0 0 0 CHANNELS 0 End Site { OFFSET 0 0 984.252 } } MOTION Frames: 1 Frame Time: 0.0333333 Imported BVh looks like this HIERARCHY ROOT Shortcut_to_reporter { OFFSET 0 0 0 CHANNELS 0 End Site …
Last reply by giannis, -
- 5 replies
- 774 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, -
- 3 replies
- 618 views
ok thankts to help from you guys ive been able to extact a model from a game and then import it to 3ds max remove unneeded models and export to AM , thing is when importing it asks for a testuxe file and i point it to where it is , it than says its not a valid file and fails to load the textures and the entire model is plasted in grey, any thoughs
Last reply by StormedFX, -
- 0 replies
- 513 views
hey there, is there someone who has experience in importing poly objects in the newest version of A:M. I'm planing to do a short animation with a friend who's native in poly modeling. Can props be correctly importertet with decals or materials from another modellin tool? Are there screenshots of results out there? thank you so much for your support Pablo
Last reply by pabloschmid, -
- 12 replies
- 1.2k views
I'm currently looking at A:M's various abilities. Can A:M import various scene files from other 3D app packages? Can Animation Master import/open a Lightwave scene that contains only nulls? What can be imported (other than images) and what can't? Thanks in advance.
Last reply by luckbat, -
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 495 views
Hey guys, I've been trying to import a quicktime movie as a rotoscope for sometime without success. The only real info I've found says to rightclick on the camera and select new rotoscope. It also says to change the file type to what ever I'm importing, but I never see that option. The video shows up in my choreography as black video, which I think means it doesn't read the codec. I have a MacPro, running OSX tiger, with quicktime pro. So I would think that my computer has the proper codec for Quicktime movies. I've tried many different compressors on the quicktime movie, Animation, Sorenson, and even None. Neither work. What I really want to do, is insert a model in…
Last reply by SplineSoup, -
- 3 replies
- 681 views
I imported an action file to a character in my chor, that is a facial action. please how can i configure my action to work with model in the chor, help me out please.
Last reply by Luuk Steitner, -
- 1 follower
- 7 replies
- 950 views
I was trying to import a rotoscope of some 2d blocking for a shot (using v13.0t) and noticed that all of the sudden, my lipsync didn't seem to match up. I then added frame numbers on my imported image sequence and noticed that animation master would skip frames, seemingly at random. Any idea why hash just won't bring the sequence in like it should and would skip frames? What am I doing wrong? thanks for any help
Last reply by robcat2075,