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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.
4,142 topics in this forum
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- 5 replies
- 439 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
- 363 views
Well, hello ...I've been searching and I asked this question too into another post without very luck for now but I think the reason could have been it has gone unnoticed there, so... I'll try new luck here. I'm treating to take advantage of Expressions in general for some automatic movement tasks and specially of that command called "Rand()" but I have a doubt about how could I modify his "temp", do you know how I could get more quick or slow variations with that Rand() value? I mean, I know I can vary the "Amplitude" in this way Rand()*100-50 (in example), but I can't figure how could I vary the "wavelength" to control the velocity with that random movements are ge…
Last reply by itsjustme, -
- 4 replies
- 445 views
Hi Everyone, The other night I was working on a scene and the software crashed for some reason. Fortunately, I wrote down all of the Key Frame information, prior to the crash. It was then that I thought, what would of happened if I didn't write it down. Is there a way to save or print this information, for future use or in case of a crash? Thanks, Bob
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 10 replies
- 689 views
Well, although I love Expressions, it seems that always I try to take advantage of them something is going wrong, so I think the best thing I could do is treat to joint all my headaches in an only one theath, and... well, here in the first: In this case I wanted to resolve my pourpose by Relationships but for some reason it seems I can't add a Relationship to a Constrain value... So I'm treating to apply a simple Expresion from one value in a Constrained bone to another one in to another Constrained bone, I mean, one value is managed by another similar value, at first sight it seems nothing could be wrong, isn't? But as you can see here... ConstrainEaseValue_Exp…
Last reply by itsjustme, -
- 5 replies
- 403 views
Hi guys, I've finding the odd bug in my version of AM, 13.0, e.g. when scaling a spline I get, "error loading string:-1". Is there a software patch that fixes this and any other bugs and, if so, where can I find it? Many thanks. Andrew
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 2 replies
- 308 views
Hi Everyone, In TWO, I have noticed that each of the animators needed to properly locate their character in the scene before animating so that the character did not jump in location from animator to animator. Does anyone know how they did that? Thanks, Bob
Last reply by Jentham2000, -
- 1 reply
- 297 views
i'm working on putting live action with cg but every time i want to load a rotoscope it says that the AVI file does not contain a video stream? what do i do?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 26 replies
- 1.6k views
Hello, another newbie question ...Well, that's all, I've been looking for a surface option or a material with no luck... Do you know how could I add some blur to an object or a group of patches? There must be a way, isn't?? Well, I hope... THANKS!
Last reply by Ramón López, -
- 1 follower
- 14 replies
- 873 views
Hi Everyone, Someday I hope to make my own commercial, and perhaps even a short clip. I know I am WAY ahead of myself, but I am curious.... When creating a clip, do you create 4 or 5 choreography projects and then paste them together? If so, can it be done in A:M or is something else required? What techniques does someone use and has anyone ever made a tutorial or training vid for this. Also, I would someday like to add text in the clip such as subtitles and a tag at the end. Can it be done in A:M or is something else required? What techniques does someone use and has anyone ever made a tutorial or training vid for this. Thanks again, Bob
Last reply by Jentham2000, -
- 3 replies
- 407 views
We are trying to open the door for Shaggy to walk through later but it starts opening at the first keyframe.
Last reply by Short Circuit, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 320 views
Hi Everyone, I am working on a project and I need to adjust the lighting from the default in the choreography window. I have the reference manual, but I can't seem to find examples of what each type of light does, and how to use it. Do you know if there is a Tutorial available, or maybe a secondary website from one of the members? Thanks, Bob
Last reply by Jentham2000, -
- 4 replies
- 372 views
Hi Everyone, What is the best way to get a quick sample clip when Rendering? Are any of the video formats faster? I have just been choosing "LOW" for the resolution which seems to be quicker. Regards, Bob
Last reply by Jentham2000, -
- 1 reply
- 317 views
sorry to annoy you guys yet again, but i have another question... how do you do teardrops on a face and such?
Last reply by Dhar, -
- 1 follower
- 5 replies
- 524 views
I'm getting good at modeling. Well, decent, anyway. Now I'm trying to set up rigs. I'm very young and naive in the way of animating my models. (These are my babies, and I'm trying to teach them to walk!). But I'm trying to get a grasp on it so I can become like many of the wizards who reside here. So, I'm learning to rig and I'm getting the concept. I think I can rig a character pretty well from all of the learning resources I've found here. But the part that is confusing me is the constraints. I "get" the concept and how to do it, but I have to set up an action in order to get that option. Is there a way to set up a constraint such that every time I import that cha…
Last reply by zandoriastudios, -
- 2 followers
- 8 replies
- 919 views
It's probably something really stupid that everyone knows how to fix but me, of course, I'd really appreciate any help. I've attached a file to show my issue, see the little black things on the side of my mode? I want them gone, makes rendering fuzz, how do I fix it? Thanks in advance for any help. untitled.bmp
Last reply by phatso, -
- 2 followers
- 12 replies
- 1.6k views
Hi Everyone, Somewhere in my past searches, I found the 1998 Manual. For a newbie, it explained some of the various terms and methods that most users seem to know but I am unaware of. I know that some of things have chanegd, but, having the very basic knowledge can make the learning process easier and greatly speed up the learning curve. Does anyone know of a link where I can find them? Thanks, Bob
Last reply by Jentham2000, -
- 5 replies
- 548 views
Hi Everyone, Attached is my first render of an idea that I am working on. The House and Thom were modeled by others. My portion is the Letterbox Chor, and my first time using a video editor to place the text in the bottom corner. For a newbie, I am happy so far. Not satisfied, just happy to make somehting useful. My question is, how do I add a textured background or clouds to this shot? I looked in Camera 1 but it looks like you can only change the color. Also, would anyone know how to extend the grass/sidewalk on the right and left sides of the house. Thanks again for help.... Regards,Bob Comm1.mpg
Last reply by Jentham2000, -
- 2 replies
- 385 views
I am following the guide by David Rogers, and when I make my patches the outer edges of splines turn into hexagon shapes. Like when making a sphere, it is round but with the hexagon look to it. I hope someone understands what i am saying, meaning i hope i am explaining it clearly and in the right way. thanks for any help. Steve
Last reply by phatso, -
- 6 replies
- 753 views
Does any one know a way to animate a bicycle chain. I've puzzled over this for some time. I even tried placing a bone in each link with not much luck. All the other parts are working fine, but it just looks silly with the chain not moving. Camillo
Last reply by Camillo, -
- 7 replies
- 817 views
I'm looking for an online group! I'm a begginer (Learning) So please tell me if you want to invite me to a group! thnks
Last reply by thebestkiller, -
- 3 replies
- 335 views
Hi Everyone, I have short chor project that I would like to render in a Letterbox Format. I believe I am looking for 720 x 480 resolution or similar. Is there a way to set this, or hopefully is there a letterbox option or button? Thanks again, Bob
Last reply by Jentham2000, -
- 1 follower
- 12 replies
- 749 views
i am trying to render a movie with one of my alien models, and it's about 2 minutes.... and the estimated render time is 200 hours O_O is it supposed to do this? if so, then..... well, i don't know what i'll do.
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 445 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, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 287 views
Hello, I've been working a lot on the 2001 rig, now I have been reading about a squetch rigg? What is this? Is this only with the V14? Do I have to relearn everything?
Last reply by bighop, -
- 2 replies
- 312 views
Hi all The latest sticking point I've been having with a small project I've been working on. I just finished creating one of the first 3d set pieces I've been experimenting with In this case a stairway. (Yes I know It has a way to go but bear with me) Anyway what I want to do is animate a tracking shot going up the stairs. The problem I'm having Is I mostly have figured out how to manipulate the camera and I think some of my attempts are working. But so far I haven't even figured out how to look through camera 1 so even If I'm doing everything else right for the render I'm flying blind. All suggestions are welcome and with any luck this isn't too stupid a que…
Last reply by Montanto, -
- 1 follower
- 5 replies
- 475 views
is there a tutorial to show how to model a cartoon eye like bugs bunny, i look every were cant find what i am loking for thank you very much in advance
Last reply by pitbull, -
- 6 replies
- 523 views
Hi all! I've got this skeleton I'm working on and I want to make the surface look older. I'd like to keep it simple and found some of the tutorials rather complex (like UV mapping). Anyone have a good suggestion on how to weather his joints? It looks like the weathering option is gone from version 13; is there something similar?
Last reply by agep, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 371 views
Hello all, I made a simple model, not so simple that I couldn't apply the 2001 rig to it. I'm using v13. I assigned all the bones, but the leg and foot bones disappear when I try to make an action. Also, the "Hip orientate" does not seem to stay with the leg bones, is it suppose to? Is there any other option other then rigging again?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 0 replies
- 255 views
Hello, I know this have been covered before, but I'm not getting it. I followed the tutorial several times, but it does not work for me. I made a simple model. I followed the steps for bounding the bones. But when I apply an action to it, it freaks out! Does v14 resolve any of this? I know I must be missing something, but I have no idea what. Any help would be great! **The biggest problem is the legs, the knees bend backwards. I didn't rotate any bones, so I don't know how that could happen.
Last reply by bighop, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 498 views
I build a model for a book. I then did a save as, so I could use the base model for other books. I got this message:
Last reply by bighop, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 401 views
Hi, I've gone through the "Combining CG Characters With Live Action Tutorial" here (http://www.hash.com/users/ed/tutorials/fpm/fpm.htm). I have built my shadow-catching models to scale (using a ruler on the real scene) and placed them correctly in reference to the camera. I have all the correct image properties on the shadow-catching objects and have turned Front Projection ON, but when I render them, I can see them as DARK distortions to the scene. I want the shadow, but not the CG objects darkening the areas in which they appear. I have tried bringing the "falloff" down as close to zero as possible, but the CG shadow-catching objects don't disappear into…
Last reply by NancyGormezano, -
- 5 replies
- 474 views
Hi! Yeah, that is... All my raytraced proyected shadows seem to me like a bit "sharp" and I think there must be a light option to avoid it in the same way I can add blur (or smooth) to my Z-Buffered shadows, isn't? Although I've been study all the options unsuccessfully and finally I don't know if really I won't be missing something about all this... Ohhh, this damned A:M curse! Always a newbie... THANKS!
Last reply by Ramón López, -
- 3 replies
- 362 views
i was wondering...what is a proxy model?
Last reply by LIGHTBEING, -
- 1 follower
- 8 replies
- 430 views
Hello again, I'm making progress with A:M but of course now I get to the hard part adding a voice. I have a choreography where at the end I want to have a character, Eddie for the time being, say a sentence. I've watched the "Can you say that" tutorials and I think I'm doing things correctly. I've created a new action in my choreography for Eddie, imported my WAV file, created the dope sheet and moved the words so that it synchs up. I've saved the action and then put it into the choreography where it is supposed to go on the timeline. However, Eddie's lips don't move. The audio file plays but no lip movement. Earlier in the choreography I did make Eddie smile …
Last reply by greg, -
- 0 replies
- 238 views
I've created an action from a BVH motion capture file and tailored it to work well with the Gala female model from the A:M library. The animation looks fine in the action window and also looks right if I apply it to the Gala model in the Choreography on frame 0. If however I move the action to start on frame 100 in the choreography it no longer works correctly. The model slides all over the place and all of the translations and rotations seem wrong. The further the action is away from frame 0 in the choreography the worse the effect is. I want to be able to apply more than 1 Mocap derived action to the model within the choreograpy, the 1st action will work fine on fr…
Last reply by cookey, -
- 2 replies
- 363 views
Hey guys, So, I've been trying to figure out how to stop hair from passing through my characters face. I've read a post that said, turn on object collisions in dynamics. I did this, but it only keeps the hair from passing through the scalp. I changed the collision radius, but the higher number I go, the hair becomes a crazy mess. It looks like my character is under water. Thanks. Justin
Last reply by jmart714, -
- 10 replies
- 633 views
Hi, I'm treating to get an expression to be able to control a point with the movement of several other points, I mean a point that moves automatically the average of the distance the controller points move, you know, just like when you add several "Translate To" dynamic constraints to a one bone and it moves in the middle when any of that controllers bones is moved... I have tried to "concatenate" (cause it seems not possible to add several expressions to a same parameter) little expressions in this way "..|..|..|Spline #164|CP #169.Translate ..|..|..|Spline #165|CP #170.Translate" but it doesn't works and I have tried to join'em in all the ways I can imagine "&, |, …
Last reply by Ramón López, -
- 1 follower
- 7 replies
- 560 views
I am thinking of purchasing a pre-made model. Does anyone know what formats are accepted in V13? Has anyone had a good or bad experience? Bob
Last reply by largento, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 234 views
Anyone else having this problem? I'm running on a MacBook Pro if that helps with the diagnosis. The clip just shows up black. image sequences seem just fine though.
Last reply by bighop, -
- 1 follower
- 10 replies
- 622 views
Well I have another decal question. I made a model of a math book I use at my school. Another model I made will carry it. The model has patterns from the surface color breaking through. I need the surface color to match the decal. Any suggestions?
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 4 replies
- 449 views
How to establish exact parameters for Translate Manipulator. While it is possible to move only it any way. I tried to insert values in Show Manipulator Propertits, but Manipulator to it does not react. It creates a problem at performance precisely symmetry commands "Flip". Thanks! Apologize for my bad English.
Last reply by ypoissant, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 439 views
Hi, Everyone: I don't know if this would be a question more for the rigging forum, but I thought others must have done this before. Does anyone have any suggestions for the best way to rig a frog tongue. It needs to stretch really far and bend and twist like a rope. The character will be swung around from it. Thanks in advance for any help.
Last reply by itsjustme, -
- 4 replies
- 536 views
Dear All A:M user. I 'm trying to use A:M by V11 ( illicitly version ) for a while to make a decision on purshaing software. I founde that it's very attractive program. Even if I try on C4D,Lightwave but I chose fantastic A:M. I just need to have advise on the way what I will go with A:M is not the wrong path to made me more confident. I plan to have my own game business ( character desing only ) , childrend book , childrend CD learning in Thailand. Please advise and sorry for my rusty Enlish. Regards,
Last reply by phatso, -
- 2 replies
- 388 views
When adding bones how do you bound a bone to another bone so it will stay attached to the when you move it?
Last reply by Masna, -
- 3 replies
- 213 views
I am working on a new character and was doing a quick render and the render came out w/ a black line around the eye - I haven't changed anything in the advanced options - it almost looks like a toon render, but toon render is off - anyone know what I am doing wrong?
Last reply by flashawd, -
- 3 followers
- 27 replies
- 1.2k views
Hi Everyone, I am trying to create my first model of a Winnie the Pooh Character. I imported the Rotoscope and began to draw the required ARC's to match 1/2 of the face. The problem is that when I create the Arc that I want, I also create an Arc I don't want. I'm not sure how to explain this, I think the picture will do the best job. Also, my plan for creating this character is as follows, does it make sense? 1. Import the Rotoscope (Front View) 2. Outline Half of the Face 3. Mirror the Half Face at the Center Line 4. Then do Left View, and import Rotoscope of Side View 5. Outline Side View 6. then I'm not sure what to do next. Thanks…
Last reply by Serega-198323, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 272 views
Hi - can anyone suggest how to set up a solid white background in a choreography? I tried doing a white floor and setting the camera background as white, but the floor had a lot of brown to it. I also created a ramp model w/ a slight curvature in the back (like a skateboard ramp), but I don't think I have the lighting right - I have been experimenting around w/ putting lights here and there, but can't seem to get it to look really good. Any suggestions would be great - thank you.
Last reply by flashawd, -
- 1 reply
- 439 views
I have version 11 and 12, but have never really used them. My son is now at the age where he would like to try animation. When I try to run Animation Master it says: cd/dvd emulation software has been detected. Please disable all cd/dvd emulation software and restart the game. I have tried to disable all the emulation programs through task manager and right clicking all programs at the bottom right of windows. I still keep getting the error. Is there a way to satisfy these requirements without removing the emulation software completely from the PC? I have no desire to copy program, just learn animation. I contacted support, b…
Last reply by WillP, -
- 2 replies
- 283 views
i uploaded a video to the A:M FILMS area, and it has been 2 to 3 weeks since i did and it still isn't up there...... i filled out the parts that were required to be filled out, where did i go wrong?
Last reply by Ravager, -
- 2 followers
- 18 replies
- 993 views
I'm stumped. I have a very simple animation. I am using the Hash supplied cube model. Each major face has a decal with an image. (Think of a )photocube. I get my decals applied, but the image associated with the image object keeps getting reset to 'None'. I run through the six faces, and re assign the images, then pretty shortly thereafter, I'm seeing a gray cube again and all of the images have been reset. It seems that as soon as I save, the image reverts back to None. As you can imagine, this is very frustrating and any clues would be very welcome.
Last reply by AndyDavis,