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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.
4,168 topics in this forum
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- 638 views
I am trying to work through the Lip Poses Tutorial. When I turn on the magnetic mode and click a corner of the lips to make adjustments the sphere of influence does not appear like in the tutorial video. What would cause this? T MAC
Last reply by Ganthofer, -
- 2 replies
- 635 views
Along with my ongoing problem of Foot Targets drifting away from the mesh, I now seem to have Control Ponits permanently affixed to some point in space. I've examined the model in the Action window. All points are colored and all seem to be assigned to a bone. There are no rogue, uncolored points. So what are these guys hanging on to?[attachmentid=14755]
Last reply by Kelley, -
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- 695 views
I have a small issue with video decals. I have three separate quicktine decals that load and play no problem. Two of them sit off screen for a bit (inactive) for a delayed entry. I don't want the decal to "play" until I activate it. Right now, the third video is finished playing before it even gets on screen. Can someone tell me how to set the playback start for a video decal? Thanks!
Last reply by albee01, -
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- 567 views
Today I undertook to lathe a sphere. I made a diagonal spline, lathed it into a cone, deleted the top CP's, rotated the remaining ring, and lathed that. Standard stuff. Done it many times before. Today, as soon as I select the sphere and attempt to move it in any way [with either the Translate, Scale, Rotate, or the regular Select arrow cursor] a single point leaps out from the surface. The red arrow indicates how far. If I actually move the sphere's position, the point moves away in the opposite direction. I tried Saving and closing out of A:M, then re-opening the program. It still happens. I can move the model. I can move the lathed cone. I just can't touch the sphere. …
Last reply by Kelley, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 754 views
Hi, I am sure this is easy, but I'm just not getting it. I have a model of a book. I want to put several different covers on the book with a percentage pose so I have only one model making up the little library. I understand it's possible. But how to tell the relationship "load this image, then swap at x%..." thanks very much. S.
Last reply by sbk, -
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- 597 views
With all the help on the forum I've managed to come up with a cool walk cycle along a path in a choreography. Thank you! Now, I'm mixing 3 different actions in the same choreography - character begins with the walk cycle (action 1), does a hopscotch move (action 2), then takes a few steps, turns, stops, and looks at a sign (action 3). How do I get the character to stop moving along the path as she looks at the sign (or how do I add an action to this character in the choreography that is NOT constrained to the path after she completes the actions I want constrained to the path)? Thanks. Chris Walters http://heartdancemusic.com/chriswalters.html
Last reply by cribbidaj, -
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- 581 views
Is it bad to have a model where two patches cut through each other? I'm modelling a Harrier GR7, and the fuselage does not taper to the rear, as with most jets, it’s just a cylinder ending in a hemisphere. The tailfin looks like it could be modelled as a single object with the lower part cutting through the fuselage and forming the small ventral fin, for simplicity and reduced splinage. Is this sort of modelling frowned upon? Are there any rendering considerations I need to take into account? The biggest question, though, is that if I should be modelling the whole thing as a single assembly, is there a quick and dirty way of turning the interface…
Last reply by heyvern, -
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- 625 views
Is there a way to assure that all cps are in one plane without making them snap to grid in all axes? In other words, if I have a rounded rectangle that I want all cps to be on the same plane without moving the corner points to a different location on the xz plane but I wanted them all to rest on the plane (because one or more cps is slightly offset in the y axis). Is it possible to bring that/those points to the same xz plane as the others without it moving in x or z axis, only the y axis. Man, this is hard to describe... the xz plane is a flat plane... like the ground (but ABOVE AND parallel to it). All the cps are where I want them in each axis EXCEPT y... …
Last reply by oakchas, -
- 2 replies
- 618 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, -
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- 816 views
Hello again, Im still new to the Targa rendering method. I cant seem to bring the targa sequence back in A:M to save it as something else. It either brings in one frame, or it tries to open Adobe Photoshop to show the frame. Could someone share the Targa secret?
Last reply by SirSpectre, -
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- 481 views
Hello Everyobody! I'm Chris and this is my intro thread. A little about myself. -17 y.o. - I have owned AM 2005 since Dec. 2004 (LOL) - I am taking a course to learn how to properly use AM and its various functions - I will have a new computer soon so after that I will get more involved in animating I find this to be a great forum with many resorces/people who can help each other out. I won't try posting on everything (this is a BIG forum) but I will be reading what I can to learn. I love the tutorial section and I will be sure to work on them when I'm done with my course. I also need a place to show off to people who understand what went into an ani…
Last reply by cfree68f, -
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I've noticed that for many things... The suggestion is made to click "show more than drivers". I can't find info on it anywhere. How do I "show more than drivers"? What does it do? Point me to a part of the tech ref, or a tutorial.. I can't find it.. I prolly don't need it (yet), but my inquiring mind wants to know... and I see Drivers with a green check mark in it in my models, so I'm wondering. Thanks,
Last reply by oakchas, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 715 views
How do I go about adding an alpha channel to some animation, I need it to apply over some live action. Thanks,
Last reply by Chip, -
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- 671 views
Hi! I'm new to A:M and the community and I was just wondering if there are any copyright restrictions on the usage of the models that come with A:M and the Extras CD. Eg. If I wanted to create a program for my wife to use in her school can I use pre-existing A:M models or do I have to create all my own? Regards, Ken.
Last reply by KenSingleton, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 635 views
Is there any way to recieve alerts or somthing like one, that will tell you if somone has read your replies or new topics? Thankx, Bob Koonce
Last reply by bobkoonce, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 530 views
Hi, I just received animation master, and the program will not run unless the install disc is in the drive. Is this how it is suppose to operate. Also when I do get it to boot from the disc, what I am seeing on the screen and according to the manual what I am suppose to be seeing are different. In the manual it looks like a camera view with a grid. I am just getting a gray background. Any help would be appreciated. Sincerely, Eric
Last reply by luckbat, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 590 views
Alright, Thank you so much for the quick replies on my last post. I appreciate it. So I get the program up and running with no problems. But for some reason when the program starts up I am not seeing the camera view. I drag a character out of the library on to the stage - a load bar at the bottom goes to 100% but I see nothing for some reason. No grid, no camera, no character. I must be doing something retarded. Any advice? Thanks in advance, Eric
Last reply by KenH, -
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- 606 views
I created a sprite emitter material based on the one given in the manuel. I works in the project file I created it in, but does not work in other project files. I have no clue why.
Last reply by FMSonic, -
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- 617 views
Hi everyone, Even though I've been around for quite some time, I'm still very, very new to modelling. What I would like to find out, is how would be the best way to make a golf ball in AM? I have looked and searched for the answer here in this forum, and come up with using bump maps on a normal sphere as a good way, and this sounds great. (Here comes the newbie part). I have found a bump map, but it is basically a big rectangle with the dots stretched at the edges (mainly at the top/bottom). I have tried just applying the image as a decal, and flattening the image (although Im not that great at flattening). Both results varied in effectiveness, but ba…
Last reply by walasek, -
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- 563 views
Hello, I'm looking to purchase A:M and I was wondering if there were walkthroughs so I can make movies like Conrad Chow's Snapshots or if I could record my nephew being chased by dinosaur. Can you just put that dinosaur into your home movie? or are those guys just too good at animation and they are pro. I have no background in animation but I would like to make those movies just for fun. Thanks in advance. Have a great weekend.
Last reply by itsjustme, -
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- 515 views
Hi to all from Italy. I hope someone can help me. I often model half a face and then I Copy/Flip/Attach. If the point of the central spline are not exactly in 0 (in X axis when I am in the front view) Copy/flip/attach sometimes doesn't work. So my question is: how can I have all the points of a selected splines at exactly 0 in x axis? I discovered that if all the points are in, for istance, 1cm and I select the spline and write 0 all the points move to 0. But if the points are not all in the same position in x axis (1 point at 1,01cm, 1 point at 1,04 etc...) it doesnt work. Another question: I need to export my models in polygons to work in other softwares. I…
Last reply by artistadj, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 729 views
Hi, I wouldn't know where to post this topic best, but I hope this is okay. I'd like to meet fellow A:M artists in the Netherlands. It don't matter if you're a beginner or a pro, please get in contact with me. I got some films to do and maybe you can help me out. If you like. Just send me a mail! Kind regards, ik hoop van je te horen, Erik www.erikvanschaaik.com
Last reply by C-grid, -
- 2 replies
- 688 views
I was wondering how you change the line colors in the Decal View because I have a white background(for now) and I can't see the lines. Also how does the UV Mapper work? I mean I can just take the UV Coordinate picture and put it into an outside image. How does it track that? It doesn't make sense to me.
Last reply by teh1ghool, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 663 views
Hi all; I have been going through the tutorial, and I have not been able to set the poses at the required frames, 0, 5, 10 ,15, etc. I am certain I must be missing something (Simple) and yet even after following along with the video, I get the same results. I set the pose as required for frame 0, then I type in frame 5, re-pose the rabbit, and then type in frame 10. When I go to loop the frames, nothing happens, the counter counts (as it should), but the rabbit does not cycle. (This is in the action window). If anyone can shed some light on this it would be wonderful. Thanks!!
Last reply by Redwings, -
- 2 replies
- 642 views
In my country ( netherlands ) there is a legal am 2006 for sale, because it's to complex for the person. License is three weeks old. Can somebody tell me if the license can be transferred to a new user ?, and what is used as a protection for am 2006. If people are user off the am 2006 version will he be able to get a free copy off ver 13 if it is coming out this year ? Thanks in advance Greets from the netherlands.
Last reply by C-grid, -
- 2 replies
- 649 views
Hello Sorry if this has been covered, Ive searched the forum but been unable to find a solution. Im simply trying to mirror smartskins, but after I perform the `mirror all smartskins` operation, all I get is a new -but empty- smartskin folder. On the original side I can find a folder containing all of the modified splines, but on the mirrored side, the smartskin folder is just empty. Ive also tried deleting smartskins on other models, on one side only, then using `mirror all smartskins` to get them back, but I get the same problem. I dont know what Im doing wrong, as its worked for me in the past (some how). Any ideas? Thanks
Last reply by Christian, -
- 2 replies
- 483 views
Hashers, I am trying to repose my charactar after a walk cycle. But when I do it messes up the action. How do I do a walk cycle with an action, then when the character gets to the end of the path do I then animate him without messing up the action? I tried making a new keyframe frame just after it but that didn't seem to work. thanks
Last reply by tysono_71, -
- 2 replies
- 448 views
how do i make .MOVs loop so they keeps replaying?
Last reply by cuboos, -
- 2 replies
- 518 views
I've got a few shorts I'd love to upload, but the hash upload page hasn't been right for me as long as I've tried. For example, here's a copy-and-paste of the upload page: humbnail: Byg to allow A:M Films viewerso save it, copy it, or s your own, and that yogement or copyrig Animation Info - Step 2 "yogement?" "copyrig?" Is this me? My attempts to upload have failed. Any suggestions?
Last reply by noewjook, -
- 2 replies
- 529 views
In all the versions of help I've found, the Java table of contents crashes. Java doesn't crash on anything else. It looks like it's looking for privleges and not giving me a chance to grant them. Why I don't know. Is there any version of the TOC that doesn't rely on Java? I'm using... Version 1.4.2_04 (build 1.4.2_04-b05) Copyright 2003 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All rights reserved. Use is subject to license terms. (Also, any advice on where to get help on the 101 little problems I seem to be running into with learning the program? For example, attaching two parts of a model changing the colors assigned to patches, what all the different frobs mean in the…
Last reply by DNew, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 747 views
Any thoughts on how to achieve SSS and ambient occlusion effects on skin? Are there any recommended skin material settings or techniques that have become most useful in AM? All the best to AMasters, Michael Angelo
Last reply by noah brewer, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 661 views
What is the best way to add beveled edges to a model after it has been created? Thanks Steve
Last reply by mcpSteveS, -
- 2 replies
- 547 views
any one have a good tutorial on how to use the booline cutter? oh yea sorry if i spelled it wrong typed this in a hurry
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 2 replies
- 582 views
John Bailey Exercise 2 4/11/06 http://media.putfile.com/Exercise2 How can I make them dance longer? If I extend the time range, they dance slower, and if I add key frames they stop at 2 seconds and just stand there like dummies for the rest of the time.
Last reply by JohnnyB, -
- 2 replies
- 531 views
I did exercise one "you're the director" Here's all that i've got, I guess that's all there was to that!!! [attachmentid=15973]
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 565 views
When I click on add mode to draw my outline when ever i want to place a certain point it wont do it unless its on a corner of the grid. I want to be able to place it any where on the grid not just the corners. I figure its just a setting and I cant seem to find where to turn it off.
Last reply by KenH, -
- 2 replies
- 593 views
I purchased Animation Master a long time ago but I'm trying to get back into it. I purchased David Roger's Animation Master 2002 Handbook to learn the features of Animation Master but I noticed he is publishing a new edition in May. I was wondering if anyone knows how this edition will be different than the previous edition. I was very impressed with the previous edition and wish to add this book to my collection. Thank you.
Last reply by Leo73, -
- 2 replies
- 487 views
don't know if this is the right place to post this but for my war of the worlds short i need some sound effects what i need at the moment is a good sounding heat ray sound effect i wont one that sounds like a real one i don't want any of the old sounding ones from like the 80s or like the 1953 war of the worlds (hope i'm not asking to much on that one) and a foot stomping sound that sounds like a gigantic metallic object is stomping on the ground thats about it hope i'm not asking for to much there
Last reply by Leo73, -
- 2 replies
- 546 views
reminds me of the 60s with the flower power and all that. had fun making it though. flower_power.prj.zip
Last reply by roger harradine, -
- 2 replies
- 650 views
can some one please tell me how you put a movie that you made on the forum And i mean hi on the tittle sorry
Last reply by LazyDude, -
- 2 replies
- 415 views
I've installed a simple 'One bone in the body-two bones in each wing' and assigned CP's to each bone. When I try to flap the wings, the bird swings around and parts fly off. What am I missing here? [attachmentid=16190]
Last reply by ddustin, -
- 2 replies
- 467 views
Someone please help explain this to me. WHat options besides Fog: ON have to be accounted for when using Fog. I have it ON, I set the Start and End to where I want them, however, I never am able to get any fog to show up when I render my image. What am I missing?? Any help would be greatly appriciated!! Thanks!
Last reply by Rampage0007, -
- 2 replies
- 550 views
Well, I'm calling this done. I found this one very hard, I'm just waiting for those nice young men in there clean white coats to come and take me away ha ha. giraffe.mov giraffe.mov
Last reply by c-wheeler, -
- 2 replies
- 559 views
U guys know the calender hash has on the website? (On main page click on FREE Models-then there is "Come see us at a 'Trade Show Near You' to pick up a free copy!" click on 'Trade Show Near You' and it comes up with a calender.) What are all those events? cuz on november 9 (my b-day) they have something in dallas texas and i'm wondering what are all those things. I think they are conventions or something....Thx!
Last reply by FlyingMonkieBoy, -
- 2 replies
- 565 views
I had a bit of fun with this one, when I tried to move his left arm it swiveled around all over the place. After studying it for a while I realized I was assigning bones with the left elbow open. I switched that off and re assigned the arm bones and it was o.k. boneless_thom.mov
Last reply by Leo73, -
- 2 replies
- 547 views
I use a G5 Power Mac with an Apple "Mighty Mouse" which has a roller ball for scrolling horizontally and vertically, plus it provides "right click" cabpabilities similar to a PC mouse with two buttons and a scroll wheel. The problem seems to be that when using this mouse in A:M (Macintosh OS X 10.4.6 & A:M Version 2005 12.0u) the scroll function of my mouse is not recognized. If I switch to a third pary two-button mouse with a scroll wheel like Logitech's Optical Notebook mouse, I can scroll (up/down) within frames/windows that have scroll bars and within windows that use the zoom feature, the scroll wheel acts as a zoom tool that allows zooming in/out quickly. …
Last reply by BWCHAPIN, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 547 views
Hi I don't know if anyone else is having this problem as well as me. I'm trying to log into the community from ver 12u and keep on getting an error message that reads: Exception #23.Socket error in stream. And in ver13 beta 1 i am getting the following message:Cube Map (Cross) In both instances the program completely hang's and does nothing. Can anyone help or shed any light on this for me? Many thanks Jason
Last reply by youngman, -
- 2 replies
- 565 views
Now that I have vers. 10.5, 11.1, 12u & 13 running (with an upgraded dongle) ... I would like to redo many of projects, including all the lessions. Question One: Upon completion, will I be entitled to a new Certificate? Question Two: Is your "com.cast" email any good? TIA
Last reply by vf124, -
- 2 replies
- 547 views
I'm trying--struggling, really--to get my head around poses. As I try and fail to create new poses, the pose count attributed to the model keeps growing, so by the time I get one set, it's "Pose 8," and there seems to be no way to delete the other 7 so I don't have them cluttering up my project. This is especially true of the first 5, which seem to be default poses, but I can't find a way to edit them. How do I delete those I don't want and edit those I do once they're set? Thanks. I'm none too pleased with the pose tutorials I've seen--or, haven't--so I'm fighting my way through this, and losing!
Last reply by Stuart Rogers, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 558 views
I have been trying to viw on online help that came with my 2006 CD and that came is 13.0 beta, and it doesn't seem to work. I can open the nodes in the java applet but when I chose a topic nothing happens, I have tried double-clicking it, single clicking it, dragging it. Nothing seems to work. Am I doing something wrong? I will say that Spotlight in Mac OSX Tiger does a nice job of searching though, but it would be nice to see if catagorized. any ideas would be appreciated. thanks,
Last reply by thumperness,