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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.
4,160 topics in this forum
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- 2 replies
- 462 views
Way back when I was in Viscom Class, and 1st learning about AM. the class went over to Lightwave 3D, and I fell in love with that app at that time. Since then I've com to realize that out of all the 3D Apps, (Bryce, XSI, TrueSpace, 3DSMax, Cinema4D, Houdini, flamingo, Anim8or, Z-Brush, Xara 3D etc..) that LW, and AM are the best, user friendly, short learning curve one out there. and I want to reteach myself about AM, since I really haven't messed with it in years now, I'm a newbie again. Hence I lent my copy of my CD with Animation Master on it to another classmate, (as classmates will do.) that (a few months later) dropped out, and we lost touch over the years. …
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 2 replies
- 560 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, -
Will there be any more contests such as video or still image comming up? and if so what theme.
Last reply by Mr. C, -
- 2 replies
- 598 views
Hi all, I am in the graph editor and I am trying to edit my ease at cetain keyframes. I want to change the spline after my keyframe not before. I have tried right-clicking and choosing one of the options like post-extrapolation, etc... but it always seems to effect pre and post. How do I just edit one part of a keyframe while not effecting the other? Thanks
Last reply by Pesto, -
- 2 replies
- 689 views
Hi, I'm having a little trouble with my model. I have 2 copies of A:M, snce I upgraded once. So I keep the new one(2006) in my desktop, and the old one(2004 CD with update for 2005) in my laptop. But now I have the problem because I need to work on my model on my laptop, but it won't work with older versions of the program. Does anyone know how I can transfer it, I tried exporting it to another format but it messed up the bone structure and I lost my pose sliders. If not, does anyone know how I can use version 13 on both computers without moving the CD back and forth?
Last reply by C-grid, -
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- 473 views
One of the things I've seen around here is that apparently people can make games out of Animation: Master. Am I correct on this? If so, how does that work? What are the requirements? This is a totally new concept to me, making games from a personal 3d animation program. Sounds like something fun. Another thing is making money. Just out of curiosity, how exactly do average A:M users go about selling their own animation? If that actually happens, often? I've heard there might be certain websites to do it. This is also a relatively new discovery. I'd love for some clarification on these things.
Last reply by mfortunato, -
- 2 replies
- 683 views
I have A:M 2006 and have been updating with all the patches. My question, is A:M 2007 UPGRADE needed or are the patches being put out going to basically make it (the A:M 2006 version) into the 2007? Or do I need to buy the upgrade? Thanks. Steven
Last reply by KenH, -
- 2 replies
- 726 views
I originally purchased A:M 2000 several years ago and it came with a thick technical reference manual. I understand that a year or two after that TAoA:M became the standard pack-in manual with A:M. This is the first year I've ordered the upgrade and am looking forward to the Tech Reference Manual, but would like the get a printed TAoA:M manual as well. Is that possible? Thanks, James
Last reply by jlummel, -
- 2 replies
- 447 views
i was trying to setup my character rig so that the eyes would look towards a target i rigged the eyes to a bone, then applied an aim at constraint to constrain the eyes at a target. it seems to work fine in this action window but i seem to be having trouble getting it to function in the coreography
Last reply by eptigo, -
- 2 replies
- 722 views
hi i am a newbie and i need someone to help me to get the right lighting effect to make the model look more real and not like a plastic puppet. is there any kind of softening render effect or something? is there any tutorials on the subject please help THANKS BILLY
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 567 views
A real newbie question. I have looked in manual and can't see where it is on how to save as an avi or mpg to play animation outside Animation Master.
Last reply by C-grid, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 492 views
Hi there, I'm curious as to whether A:M allows for external assets for workflows. I may be going around it the long way but it is a newbie question. For example:- If I'm making a scene and it was my job to animate it and someone elses job to model the character. Would the character model update automatically the next time I loaded my project? How does that work? You can point me to a chapter in the book if you wish, I have a copy of it. So in theory, I could animate several characters that look the same as a base model and then change them later to be individual people? Cheers Clinton
Last reply by KenH, -
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- 437 views
Hi, I'm having a bit of trouble when i render a Rotoscope (a picture). It seems to become really light when i render it. Why is this?
Last reply by youngman, -
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- 363 views
whenever i pick [new] [dopesheet], and i type "i've got a secret. can you keep a secret? didn't think so", a window comes up that reads: dictionary modified or index file missing. recreat index file. ok. so i click ok since that is the only option. then a window pops open that reads: locate file:/application/animation master 12.0/index.i and it gives you opeians to enable I files (*.i) but first of all i have no idea what to choose. hash 2006 is an option because my only other options are my hard drive, network, or users. in the hash2006 no matter what i click on i can't open anything and i can't find the dictionary, or indes files, or dictionary index files or wh…
Last reply by Tralfaz, -
- 2 replies
- 440 views
Ok, been working on my exercise 6 animation (door stuck) hardcore, but I keep having a problem with my FPS. Most of the time my FPS are around 19-23 in shaded mode ( I have 1 VERY spline heavy model) but sometimes it will just dip to 1-2 FPS and nothing seems to get it back up. I reinstalled my video driver and A:M and it started working normal again ( I can't remember if it was immediate, but trying again). I tried turning my vid card settings down to minimum. Any advice? nothing is overheating. comp specs are in my profile
Last reply by skrilla, -
shiny hair
by hybrid- 2 replies
- 548 views
I have a little hair trouble. I made a werewolf (It's one of my first good models), but I want the hair to cover the whole body. When I put the hair on my character though it doesn't completely cover the body. It just looks like little hair tothpicks poking out everywhere. Also since my model is a werewolf I want to make his hair/fur look shiny and dog like. How would I be able to do this?
Last reply by C-grid, -
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- 316 views
Hi, I'm working on rigging my first character, and I'm using the 2001 rig as a basis. However, my abstract character design requires the elbow joint to be a ball joint as opposed to one that is limited to only bend one way. Basically, I can rotate the bicep bone exactly as I want; in all directions -- but I need to be able to do the same with the forearm bone. I'm pretty sure this is a matter of changing some settings for the forearm bone in the PWS. Could someone please try to explain how I would go about making the required change? I am suspecting it might have something to do with euler limits... but please specifiy exactly where and what I need to change. Thank…
Last reply by edlundart, -
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- 375 views
I created an excellent blink pose, but now I want to do a variation of that which is a hard blink, like if you get sand thrown in your face. Is there a way to duplicate my existing pose and then tweak the new copy?
Last reply by Tralfaz, -
- 2 replies
- 517 views
I just can't figure out how I can set my avatar (the little picture that is shown next to my posts). It definitively seems to be different from 'personal photo' whcih can be set in the user settings. Can anyone help?
Last reply by Raffi, -
- 2 replies
- 462 views
Hi, I am having a problem trying to blend two animations together and I get an error. I can't figure it out why. Could someone tell me how do I do it, I know I am probably not doing it right, I've must be missing something. This the error that I get:
Last reply by seduar, -
- 2 replies
- 407 views
Hi there, my name is Giovanni and I write you from Italy. I am a new user in this forum but I have not at the moment AM. My english so no good so please excuse me for probable errors! I am a young filmaker that want make a short film where a little alien visit an uman bacause he want understand the humans! Is it a little short film that I want propose a several italian festival of shorts film. My first idea was create a puppet with foam and animate it with my hand. But I have considered that the final result can be very bad, so, I go around internet and I have discovered AM!! I am amazing for the quality of puppets that it can do, but my fear is that it…
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
- 2 replies
- 412 views
I've just run into a problem when I saved a model file, opened it in a project and animated it. I need to show the project file to somebody and if I just send the .prj file then the model will be lost. As much as I could just also send them the model file, is there a way I can convert the hard disk file for it into a regular model/rigged and animated? I can copy/paste the modeled object into a new model window and that will only take care of the modeling. It wouldn't be rigged or animated. Hope this makes any sense.
Last reply by Distress, -
http://amfilms.hash.com/ wont load for me, says page cannot be displayed, is this only on my end?
Last reply by Mr. C, -
- 2 replies
- 432 views
I have a scene that I am trying to render. I have the background property of the camera set to the desired color. When I render the view through the view port using Render Mode (Q), the background color renders in. When I do a Render to File, the background fails to render and all I get is a black background color. Any idea what is going on? Thanks.
Last reply by bneacetp, -
- 2 replies
- 393 views
I have worked with AM about a year and a half now... Anyaways I'm having problems trying to make a gun fire. I've been trying to use a small sprite emitter, but for the life of me I can't get it to work right. I've been working with the flames.tga that comes with AM. What I am struggling with is that I need the sprite system to be below the camera in one frame and appear in front of the gun instantly to make it appear to shoot. However every time I do this a long fire trail follows it. Is there any way to force the images to stay attached to the emitter while the emmiter is moving? Please Help! I've had this problem for so long!
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 2 replies
- 442 views
Quick question: I just purchased the 2007 upgrade and downloaded the update (v. 13.0r). When I load up my program, it shows the OZ screen, but when I view the "about A:M" to verify that the correct update has been applied, it says "A:M 2006 13.0r". Is this correct or should it say "A:M 2007" ? Thanks.
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 2 replies
- 531 views
The libraries are on the program CD (OZ), not on the HDD I can't drag and drop a primitive from the library panel to the modeling window. I can't drag and drop a primitive from the Library panel to the PWS model that is open, or to any other (new) slot in the PWS. I CAN import a primitive to a new model window. But drag and drop would be easier. What am I doing wrong? Thanks,
Last reply by oakchas, -
- 2 replies
- 420 views
Good morning, After extruding an eyebrow to give it depth and increased girth, how do you apply the same surface to the newly added control points and splines? It renders out as plain white. Thank you. Larry
Last reply by Paul Forwood, -
- 2 replies
- 499 views
gonna be a theater release?
Last reply by Mr. C, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 442 views
Ok, so I'm using paths a bit... And I constrained my model to this path. Now, how do I set the time that it starts on the path and when it ends? So far, I can only get it to work with the choreography time... Can you do this? Where? How? Thanks!
Last reply by goodguy20k, -
- 2 replies
- 558 views
i wanted to try using decals on my character but i guess im not too good at making character decals they call it skins or something right? how do you set up the skins on the decal before its applied to the model? how do you compensate for this stretching effect that im getting when the build reachs the edge of the skin thingy? help?
Last reply by AJS007, -
- 2 replies
- 332 views
Is this a bug or something I'm not doing right? I am trying to make the distortion toolbar visible. I went to Tools-Customize and picked the Toolbars tab. I clicked the check box for "Distort." The distort toolbar appeared. I clicked "OK" and the distort toolbar vanished. I tried it several times and even re-installed the software. No joy. Why won't it stay? Running version 13.0s on an Intel Macintosh.
Last reply by BrainLock, -
- 2 replies
- 466 views
hi, can some1 tell me the diference between add mode and add lock mode and when i need to use add lock mode and add mode... i find they are the same exept for the 2 points only in lock...
Last reply by chuchi_disturbed, -
- 2 replies
- 431 views
is there a method that i could use for selecting empty groups in the project work space?
Last reply by C-grid, -
- 2 replies
- 637 views
Hi all, I just wondered that in A:M there was a way to add titles and credits to my films as i am using Microsoft movie maker for them at the moment. Elliot
Last reply by AJS007, -
- 2 replies
- 413 views
]HEY I RECENTLY BROUGHT THE LATEST VERSION OF A:M BUT I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH ROTOSCOPING. I'M TRYING TO MODEL OVER FACES I FOUND ON THE INTERNET, AND ALSO ON CHARACTERS I DREW AND SCANNED INTO A:M BUT THE PICTURES DON'T SHOW UP IN THE PROGRAM FOR ME TO MODEL OVER. NO MATTER WHAT I DO I CAN'T GET THE PICTURES TO APPEAR ON THE GRID TO BEGIN TO MESH THE SPLINES OVER LIKE THEY DO IN THE DEMOS AND TUTORIALS. PLLLLLEEEEAAAASSSSEEEEE HELP!!! [THANX
Last reply by clonewar12345, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 364 views
I'm working on rigging a character and noted that most models have a folder called "relationships" that define bone/null constraints. In an Anzovin tutorial I went through, I made a new action to define bone constraints but it was all outside the model in the end. What is a good resource to learn about constructing a model's constraints internally with relationships? Almost there! Chris =)
Last reply by SplineSoup, -
I'm having trouble getting the right results using the flatten command, and its mostly because of the instructions in the manual. It says "To correctly orient the pivot, click on the Red handle at the end of the Green Axis (to orient the pivot around the X axis) and drag in the direction of the arrow in the image below until the Properties panel shows -90° rotation in the X axis." But the properties panel doesn't tell me anything!
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 2 replies
- 455 views
I've been practicing the walk cycle, and then I decided to try making a hop cycle for rabbit, but can anybody give me a idea of how I would set up the stride length for a hop, or how I would gauge it correctly? I've been experimenting, and I've gotten the animation action to look good, but the stride length is somewhat hard to gauge what I need to base it on. I keep seeming to end up with rabbit either hopping way too fast across the screen when I set up the choreography of it, or if I slow it down, every time he lands he slides forward a bit.
Last reply by Lee, -
Hey, Im curious as to how you get involved in working on TWO i would love to help but i would obiously need to concentrate on working in certain areas before i get involved. Do you have to show a certain proficency or what? Thanks Geoff
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 2 replies
- 445 views
Hi! I am a long time user of A:M but sometimes even we have newbee-questions So: How do you set the pivot of a model to a new position? When I model a character and rig it and than I want to reset the pivot of the model (in the model-window) to a new position so that for example the feet of my character are at the 0 / 0 / 0 point. I could translate the geometry and after that the bones with a translate-comment on the highest hierachy-level, but I wounder if there is a way to just set the model-pivot with a number-input like "Set new pivot to 50 cm lower."? Thanks for your time and your answers *Fuchur*
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 2 replies
- 529 views
I figured I would post this to show, I've working on walks, and doing some jumps, i decided to see if I could make a character just stand there and be believable as opposed to the static frozen pose. I've had AM for a week and half.
Last reply by Lee, -
- 2 replies
- 374 views
Sorry if this has already been asked, but I can't see the smoke on the hash cd. I also can't see anything when I make a "streak emitter". Do i have something turned off or has anybody heard of this problem? I am using v13.0s.
Last reply by raineyeric, -
- 2 followers
- 2 replies
- 355 views
i wanna make some decals, but not know where to begin. guess i suck at that ;; all this time ive been trying to use photoshop to build the stuff, but ive been wondering wondering if theres a program i could use to paint the materials right on the model, that would be awsome
Last reply by Caroline, -
- 2 replies
- 444 views
I tried to do some research on my own but found little to nothing call me blind or whatever but, guess i just didnt know where to look in the previous versions of AM a new set of particle systems were introduced and the cloth material as well so i was wondering, whats new in the latest version of AM?
Last reply by Jason Simonds, -
Hi - can anyone point me in the direction of a tutorial that someone has created that uses a particle system for jet engine effect? A solid, almost pointed short stream of fire. Thanks - Eric
Last reply by flashawd, -
- 2 replies
- 320 views
Hi - I created a character and created all the 9 mouth alphabet positions for the character as pose sliders and named them appropriately. I created a new action and dropped in "secret" audio clip from KeeKat Tutorial. I made a new dope sheet for it and it automatically filled in everything. The problem is his mouth isn't moving, but everything is set up and working fine - when I scroll over the audio all the pose sliders are moving back and forth as they should - just no mouth movement. I tested it w/ KeeKat and it worked fine, so the issue is something I did with this model. Any ideas what I might be doing wrong? Thanks - Eric
Last reply by flashawd, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 518 views
What is the best way to start or Plan an animation short? Would I get the backgrounds, props and etc. set up first? Or do the animation first and add the other stuff later? Also is it better to do a shot by shot animation and render it all together later? Which Programs (I.E. Photoshop Vegas, Illustrator) are best for this type of animating? I know Lots of questions, and probably 10 times as many answers, but I need a little suggestive help to find the best way for me to get an organized approach to starting and completing an animation. Any tuts out there would be helpful too. Thanx
Last reply by Wolf, -
- 2 replies
- 453 views
Hello all, sorry if this might have been asked before, I searched for a while, and couldn't find an answer. What I am trying to do is model objects that I want to render into single frame animations. I need the backgrounds to be transparent, or at least one solid color. The goal is to say model a tree or rock outcropping that I could render into a 2d image and paste it as a "billboard" on a plain in DarkBasic Pro. What I have done so far is to eliminate the ground in the chor and eliminate all unnecessary lighting. However, I can't seem to get the background color to a uniform color. If anyone has used AM for gaming apps, any ideas or methods would be greatly appreciat…
Last reply by mshihrer, -
- 2 replies
- 399 views
Hi - I created a character and dropped him into a choreography scene - it added a large bone that is making it hard to work with because it is so large. Here is a pic Is there a way to hide this bone and why did it add the bone in the first place when I put him in the scene? Thanks - Eric
Last reply by flashawd,
