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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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- 4 replies
- 615 views
I would like to know the basics of modeling a charater How do you start modeling one? Thanks
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 3 replies
- 615 views
Hi all, My students and I are working on a live action film with 3d aliens and spacecraft in it. Who knew school could be this much fun, eh? Anyways, we want to have the spacecraft land with that weird heat wave present. I thought I saw a forum topic on this year's ago but couldn't find it. Any ideas? Thanks! Mike
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 reply
- 615 views
Quick question... I am having trouble finding an answer to. I am saving an animation as an image sequence. Those images are .bmp's, although the same problem occurres with .png and .tga When I then import these images into A:M as a layer, they are like 90% transparent. What am doing wrong when I save as image sequence???
Last reply by Ganthofer, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 615 views
I see a lot of how do I questions and try to answer a lot of them but if you want a quick answer to most of these questions you can search the forum and find them and many times a lot of different answers the search in the upper right next to help click then more search option then you can narrow your search from there Just another method to get a quick answer
Last reply by Caroline, -
- 3 replies
- 615 views
So I made a triangle and I want it to look not as straight and I want it to look deformed. Is there a way to do this without doing it one by one.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 reply
- 615 views
I was really disappointed to find that about 98%+ of the character models on the Extras DVD did not have Phomnems(sp) created for them. You know, the pose sliders for speech. Is it really difficult to make those myself? Is there a tutorial somewhere that explains how to create pose sliders for, I'm assuming, muscle movement?
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 2 replies
- 614 views
I forgot how to put decals on a model, and I can't find how to do it in the book! Oops, I accidentally posted 2, sorry.
Last reply by Slipin Lizard, -
- 2 replies
- 614 views
do you have to have the cd in to use a:m. i have nother software i use with it and it requires a cd too
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
- 3 replies
- 614 views
ok i have seen some stuff in the forum that V12 can do can any one tell how to do the newton plugin and the AO setting?
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
how do you make something change color? like in an action or something?
Last reply by Ravager, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 614 views
I shot a mail message to support but I thought I'd cover this base as well. I got a Mac mini from work so that I could work from home. Since my home PC is way old, I wanted to install A:M on the mini. The install of A:M 11 goes OK, but after entering in my info & serial the program just shuts down. System stats are as follows: 1.83 gig core duo 2 gig Ram Mac OSX I checked the FAQ but didn't find anything similar to my situation. Sorry if this isn't the place for this question. Also, I know a mini is hardly the workhorse that should be running A:M but it it's all I got. Any help is greatly appreciated. C.
Last reply by cwaters72, -
- 2 replies
- 614 views
I want to share a model in Quicktime VR on my MySpace page. Are there any tutorials on how to do this? I am using AM 2006 (Mac OS X version) Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Matt
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 614 views
Hello, I am attempting to import Ai files into animation master via the plugin wizard. However for some reason it will not import the files. With recent Ai file formats it will exit the wizard, but not import anything. With older files, the software shuts down. I can't figure it out. Has anyone else had this problem? I'm using Windows xp pro. service pack 2. Any idea's/thoughts? Thanks. MC Also are there any plugins that allow the import of an .eps?
Last reply by mclemster, -
- 1 follower
- 5 replies
- 614 views
I've been doing this for awhile now and still not quite understanding this. Example: you start a character walking in a chor in skeletal mode - walk him forward 10 steps - it leaves the model bone where you started. It seems the only way to turn the character is to be in choreograph mode. But then when you use that to turn the character it turn him from the original position and moves him way away from where he was at - having to then go frame by frame and replace him. What am I doing wrong?? Hopefully I am making sense what I am saying. I may have posted this a year ago or so, but I couldn't find it. Thanks for any help.
Last reply by flashawd, -
- 3 replies
- 614 views
Hi guys, OK, I have the potential to use A:M at work for some business projects. I've been given an assignment to animate a big assembly project we have going. If it turns out good, My company will let me animate more in the future. I'm currently using my V14 CD so I can do this during work and hopefully not interfere with my SO assignment while I'm home. Not to mention it's great to be able to use A:M for a work project instead of AutoCad and Inventor hehe. OK I have to model a huge multimillion dollar assembly process and then create an animation of it in action. It's for our company's website to give a visual of what our product does. Again if they like it, I…
Last reply by Master chief, -
- 2 replies
- 614 views
Hey Guys: It's been a while since using A:M... I can't remember where the flattening function is!!! Can someone guide me through this again? I know that you select the model, use the rotate tool, move the pivot, and then flatten... but I can't remember where the flatten function is... and sorry... that book that David Rogers did is pretty good... but the guy almost never tells you where anything is located in the controls. Thank you soooo much. I am using A:M v. 15 - Justin
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 2 replies
- 613 views
Whats the difference bettween the two? Ive been meening to ask this for a long time.
Last reply by Robert-Jank, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 613 views
Hello, I got my A:M software about a week ago, I've been fooling around with different things. But now I'm ready to get serious on learning how to use A:M. I'm trying to create some gun shot blood splatters for head & chest hit's for my film. (www.revelation2222.com) I found A:M at an FX show in Orlando and was hooked on the spot! I could post some clips for examples from Land & Dawn of the Dead, But I'm not sure if that would O.K. there only about 19 frames long. Thanks! This is were I'm at so far.[attachmentid=14729] Blood_Test_1.mov
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 2 replies
- 613 views
Actually I am not a new user(i have been working with A:M since 2000), but the question I want to ask is somehow a newbee-question, so I will ask it here: In the cloth-video-tutorial from hash, I saw and heard about a function called: "select everything attached"... What key is that? I only know the ',' key for the whole spline, but what do i have to push, if I want everything attached? *Fuchur*
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 613 views
Hello, Somehow I solved the problem of the character not mouthing the words from my previous post. I'm not sure what worked but the character now does mouth the words from the voice action. However, when I render the clip which is about 11 seconds long a couple of things are not right. First I have a picture in the camera shot which I imported. When I move through the frames in A:M the image is visible when I want and not visible as I've set the active option in the properties. However, in the AVI render the image does not appear. Also in the rendered AVI the dialog is greatly speeded up. Probably at least three times normal speed. But when flipping through t…
Last reply by greg, -
Expressions
by TNT- 3 replies
- 613 views
How can I write an expression that will keep the "Y" position of one CP exactly centered between two neighboring CP's "Y" positions? "(Y1 + Y2)/2" I want to try to control a few individual CP's so that an area will not crease. Thanks,
Last reply by TNT, -
- 4 replies
- 613 views
As I'm starting to add texture, I'm finding it very difficult to preview stuff in real time because the textures are just ridiculously low-res. The texture itself is pretty big, the upper body texture in the screenshots is about 2000x1000. It's kinda hard to even apply a decal, it shows up in low res there too (3rd pic). Is it just because the texture is too big? Also, "Clear Cache" doesn't seem to do anything. If I edit a texture, I have to reload the project to get it to update. I'm on a Mac, dunno if these are Mac problems or A:M problems.
Last reply by Meowx, -
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 613 views
Any one have a material or suggestions.
Last reply by jason1025, -
- 4 replies
- 612 views
ok, so my post yesterday about having 10 splines join caused a ruckus and I finaly threw the modele out , how ever going trough some of the images iv seen is some of the help files iv nocoted that splines can terminat on another spline with out creating a CP , and i have tryed this , only problem is that it seams to attach the spline where ever it wants along the attached to spline , how can i get this to go where i want as if i can find this out i could reduce the number of splines in my model drasticaly
Last reply by Master chief, -
- 8 replies
- 612 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, -
- 2 replies
- 611 views
One of the things I always enjoyed looking at, to inspire me with AM, was the old PDF file that looked like a software box, that showed AM's possibilities and feature set. Although its VERY out of date, I miss it. Is there somewhere I can re-download that? I can't seem to find it, one the revamped site. Thanks! John
Last reply by lafnjack, -
- 7 replies
- 611 views
okay i have a flattened model that i'm looking to apply decals to. is there some kind of website i can find skin textures for A:M (i know Poser has a website called content paradise that lets you download xtra stuff into it's program so i was wondering about A:M). Or do you generally have to make this type of thing? I don't know how to make good looking skin though... i have Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7, and i was thinking i could make it in there, but i'm not sure how. it generally has the same effects as any other paint program so what effects do you guys use to make skin? i think there was a tutorial, but i can't remember where it was. -hisako
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 3 replies
- 611 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, -
- 4 replies
- 611 views
I'm so confused. I created a dynamic chain for an electrical cable. I have a streak emitter attached to the end that shoots out sparks. I did this in s separate choreography and project. Exported the chor and imported that chor into another chor in a different project. I didn't change anything after importing. Everything is the same in the dynamic settings. Now the dynamic chain swings really really slow. At least 50% slower than the original. In the original I had timed the streak sparks for certain points as the wire is swinging. Now they don't line up. I'm curious what might cause this. Does the dynamic constraint rely on the "speed" of the playback? The final pro…
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 3 replies
- 611 views
Hello and me again. now i had make catapult wheel on and again problem get that roll.. first mistage was draw wrong side catapult. front vas left side so i take while a go figure why i cant wheel roll right.. so question is: here was tutorial on car where wheel spin. i cant find it.. i must print on paper manual for me becouse i forgot too easy i become too old) here catapult what and i make video. i get wheel spin when they was only second model ( so catapult is one and wheel was alone, that way i get wheel spin) now both are same. and not get spin right way now. (damn) katapult02.mdl And what is "right way" done video. any tips? resolu…
Last reply by Hodari, -
- 2 replies
- 610 views
Hey, all-- I'm getting my head around Animation:Master, courtesy of the Animation:Master 2000 Handbook. (Yes, I'm a little outdated.) It mentions some plugins such as RasenX, RebumpX, and A:M Loft, as well as a whole section on using governmental STDS files for environment mapping. The problem is, it being a little out of date, most of the links it mentions are dead and I've not had much luck hunting them down elsewhere, even on the lowrestv Plugins page (the RasenX/RebumpX link appears to be dead). Does anyone have new (live) links to these and other tools for A:M?
Last reply by abdab, -
- 2 replies
- 610 views
i put two lights in my tripod and i set volumetric on but it wont make visible light any help with this? heres a pic [attachmentid=17370]
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 610 views
i discoved somthing so cool, you can put lights in the modeling window!!!!! i shacke when i did it and did another test to see if the light in the modeling window would effect in the choeography, and i dose!!!!! i know how to have specific lighting on a model in an animation. thats exactly what they do in the show jimmy nutron, no mater where they are there is always 3-point lightin on the chatacter. man this is so cool!!!! all you have to do is rightclick ( import-> lights ), then all you have to do is possition the light useing the poperties(you can't do it any other way)
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
- 2 replies
- 610 views
I UNDERSTAND THE DIFERENCE IN MAKING KEYFRAMES IN "FRAMES ELAPSED TO 0" AND " SMPTE" MODES... IM JUST WONDERING WHAT SMPTE STANDS FOR? REGARDS!!! DANIEL!
Last reply by Daniel Servolo, -
- 6 replies
- 610 views
I have learned to use the Duplicator wizard to make duplicate objects that are in a straight line. But what do I use to create, let us say six objects in a circle?
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 3 replies
- 609 views
Just wondering for people who have done a lot of decaling, what resolution do you save your decals at? I've been using AI to create decals, save them as 32 bit Targa files, and I choose 300 dpi for resolution instead of 72 dpi for screen resolution. My thinking was to use the highest resolution I could so that if I'm getting close up on a model the decaling will still hold up and look good. Is this correct? Or am I just adding unnecessary file size to the decals? My final destination for most projects is to end up as an AVI file going to DVD.
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 2 replies
- 609 views
When a scene renders [and I'm thinking about multi-frame animations] does the program have to calculate every CP in the model for every frame, or just what the camera sees?
Last reply by Nichod, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 609 views
I need help modeling a rose and I'm having a hard time getting the rose petals right. If you have any tips please post them.
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 609 views
Greetings all! While I have puttered around with A:M since 2000 I haven't really done anything other than some interesting stills but my real interest is animation. So here are my questions: 1. Is the A:M 'school' where you upload your progress through the tutorials and have them graded still in effect or am I too late? 2. The TWO project was begun in 2005 as a three year project so I assume it must be in its final stages. Considering the fact that I still must go through the A:M tutorials and that I hold down a full time job is it too late for me to hope to contribute to this project? Finally, a side note: I noted somewhere that there was still some t…
Last reply by phatso, -
- 4 replies
- 609 views
It used to be that A:M would do the "real time render" and show decals in shaded mode. But now I have to go to render mode to see that decals. Even on previous work? Anyone know what happened, and how I could change it back? Thanks, Myron
Last reply by TheSpleen, -
- 5 replies
- 609 views
so im still having this weird thing with black dot appearing. ive tried everything. any one here ever see this before? attention_256K_Stream.mov
Last reply by sir fen the usa, -
- 4 replies
- 609 views
Does the Choreography window automatically create perspective? If I place two objects of the same size in a window, does the object further-est from the camera appear smaller?
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 609 views
I cant see any of my crowed in the flock. I think there is a trick to see them. I think you have to turn on particles but I dont know how?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 3 replies
- 609 views
Does a swept object appear as a just one piece to AM? I'm trying to select one of the cross sections that make it up to move it down or rotate it, but I can't. I don't get the yellow selection highlights like I normally do. I've tried Edit > Deselect all but all the CPs are still green. Any ideas what's going on?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 2 replies
- 608 views
My computer died a couple days ago, so I ran out and bought a new one, installed animation master on it, and copied my old project file to it. However when I go to edit the models, the control points are pitched black, and the software ignores the color setting I choose for them in the customize menu. The big issue however, is when I go to edit the skeleton; in wireframe the control points are in the correct color corresponding to the bones they're bound to, but in shaded mode, they're still black. Here's a picture of what I mean:
Last reply by FMSonic, -
- 2 replies
- 608 views
"Paste Mirrored" will not work for me. I ask myself: 'How can you screw up a simple Copy & Paste command?' Yet everytime I do, the legs contort like in the lower panel. Usually they're worse. Am I missing something obvious? Thanks. [attachmentid=18220]
Last reply by Kelley, -
- 5 replies
- 608 views
Hi there, I am struggeling to import liveaction into A:M. When i select a file that i have recorded and try to import as a rotoscope it comes up with the following error: This happens for avi and mov. Can someone please help me elliot
Last reply by elliotclem1, -
- 3 replies
- 608 views
I recently stumbled onto this website, I watched some of the sample tutorials and they seem very good. These dvds are on the top of my to get list, here a link for anyone interested... http://thestructureofmandvd.blogspot.com/
Last reply by serg2, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 608 views
is the treez plugin usable in v 13.
Last reply by petokosun, -
- 6 replies
- 608 views
I just felt the need to say thank you. All my life your program is exactly what I have been needing to let my creativity flow and bring my characters to life. I only wish I found it years ago. I cannot express enough how much this program has made me smile. I am a disabled Veteran and cannot work so I was searching for something to use my many free hours on. And wow did I find it! You have a loyal and dedicated customer in me and I will when I can buy every addon and cd possible! I look forward to anything you create and will definantly put it on my to buy list. Again just thought a THANK YOU was called for. Robert Thompson / The Spleen
Last reply by TheSpleen,