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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.
4,141 topics in this forum
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- 2 replies
- 271 views
On occasions, the Shaded, and Shaded Wireframe, image in the Modeling Window appears to have a high intensity light illuminating it, and it's difficult to see what's going on. Other times, not. What causes this? [attachmentid=16750]
Last reply by Kelley, -
- 1 reply
- 428 views
I'm not a new user but this seems the most appropriate place to ask(?) I have a character and I made some shades for her. It would be fine if I just assigned them to the head bone of the rig but If I want to have the flexibility to have them moveable in an action how should I constrain them ? Would it be best to have them as an action object. If so how should they be constrained to the head ? or I've tried to assign the shades to bones in the original mode but don't know how to constrain them to the head in the action. Is it a parenting question ? Thank you for your help simon
Last reply by Simon Edmondson, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 470 views
When i make something, and i pess low quallity shading it looks for the most part fine and when i make it high quality it looks terible and theres all these andom lines that i didn't make. why is that and how do i prevent it from happening if you know? Pictures:
Last reply by Ganthofer, -
- 5 replies
- 384 views
Does anyone know if you can make a model cast a shadow without the model itself rendering in the scene. I have some trees that have foliage made out of hairs. Takes forever to render with the shadow option on. I was going to fake the shadow of the tree by decaling a single patch with an image of the tree as a cookie cut, then placing it correctly in the scene so that it casts an approximate shadow of the real tree. The trouble is the cookie cut patch renders in the scene as well and I can't see anyway of making it none renderable whilst still casting a shadow. If I place the cookie cut out of the view of the camera then I can't get the shadow position corr…
Last reply by cookey, -
- 10 replies
- 1.1k views
Casting shadow but not seeing the object. I need to make an object cast a shadow but it need to be invisible. I did it in the past for composite scene but I am overlooking something.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 4 replies
- 297 views
When I render my project, there is a shadow of my model on the ground but I want to set the shadow properly in the choreography window. I have done this before but I can't reproduce it. What are the parametersettings to do this.
Last reply by jannus850, -
- 1 follower
- 22 replies
- 1.6k views
I have been taking some cg spfx classes and trying to translate the info to AM. They talk about using shadow passes and composting them. I remember Yueves talking about linear work flow. I think they are related to shadow pass. Can someone point me in the direction for how to create shadow passes in AM? According to my class the pass is all black and white. Is there any info on how to do the linear workflow that the Y man describes with AM?
Last reply by jason1025, -
- 12 replies
- 1.3k views
I used Rotoscope and Front Projection, placed Transparency Map in front of Key Light for shadow on the model. Used Light List to get shadow on the model but not on the Ground. This is my Animated gif. I can't find the way to fix(mix) shadow of model to the Front Projection, please tell me how to, thank you very much.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
Hello All. Can anyone tell me why my Flower Power petals will not generate shadows? It looks like petal1 might be, but none of the other 12 petals do. The Stem and Leaves cast shadows when rendered. Thanks. Mr. Bill
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 7 replies
- 463 views
I made a building for a friends live action short. The time has come o composit it into the footage, someone else is doing this in After Effects but, needs me to supply a suitable render to work on. I am using v13 ( although I have V14 I have yet to install it). how do I render a file for compositing were I can put the shadows on a seperate Alpha channel or is this not possible ? regards simon
Last reply by Simon Edmondson, -
- 3 replies
- 628 views
I'm doing some stills with some primitive ojects and render them as PNGs. The good thing about pngs is, that the background is saved transparent and you can use the pictures in presentations or others. But i don't want just the object but also the shadow of the object. so I switched the floor to "shadows only" and it doesn't render anymore, but also there are no shadows. I rendered it with the toon renderer - does this option not work with this renderer?
Last reply by number, -
- 4 replies
- 722 views
A couple of years ago, someone kindly pointed me to an info file which dealt with "shadows only" rendering. I used it but in the interim have been distracted by many things. I recently reorganised the house and, when I went to get it it again couldn't find it ( it was a big change around ! ). The file described the basic wok flow behind using shadows only and then compositing in AM. I think it was part of the official documentation (?). Could someone kindly point me to the files again, or a good description of the method used? Thank you very much. regards simon
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 2 followers
- 12 replies
- 836 views
Having got my camera questions sorted out [Thanks again to all...] two other things I'd like to include in this first animation is [1] shafts of light coming down from above. I suspect it's a volumetric light solution, but could someone get me jump-started? In Carrara, we could install 'light cones'. [2] Does A:M support caustics for shimmers of light on the ocean floor? Thanks.[attachmentid=12862]
Last reply by Eric2575, -
- 1 reply
- 289 views
I was working on excersize 6 and I want to make shaggy appear mad, unfortunately when I click the mad eyes slider it automatically takes his eyes to around 50% mad and the slider changes from making his eyes normal at 0% and full mad at 100% to being 50% at 0 and a slight change to full mad at 100%. I closed the Choreography window and restarted, reset the computer, and tried deleting/importing new Shaggy's ( because I thought about someone saying that windows caches things) and nothing seems to fix the eye bug. I tried Keekat and Rabbit and didn't seem to happen. Also tried 14, same issue. Should I just use a different model? or am I missing something?
Last reply by Dhar, -
- 2 replies
- 428 views
On the 1st wk of next month, i am organising a workshop and it is going to be focused on modelling shapes, pliz can any body tell me types of shapes that will be good for beginers to learn with. thz
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 4 replies
- 293 views
im trying to make a mech of sorts and as you know they usualy are not very curvy. how do i make a sharp edge on a model with out it turning into a black brick this is the best i can get but there are still distortions in the back , alos the have been black blob things as well any help would be most apreceated ow the only way i managed to do this is to set inmagnitude and outmagnitude to 2%
Last reply by Master chief, -
- 2 replies
- 446 views
Can A:M use shatter maps (or some other technique) to simulate exploding/breaking materials such as a dropped glass or window being shot out? Seems like it can do about everything else so this may also be a pleasant surprise! Thanks. raf
Last reply by raf1, -
- 1 follower
- 12 replies
- 1.5k views
Hey Gang, Has anyone tinkered with shattering glass? I'm guessing Newton would have to be used? Can it be directional shards such as this video clip? Here is a video clip of what I mean. glasss_shatters.mp4
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 4 replies
- 470 views
Hi all! I have made some spaceships that I have made shields for. And I need an effect when something hits the shield. Any ideas on how it should look? I have thought on a "rings on water" effect. But more ideas would be great! Thanks!
Last reply by johnl3d, -
shiny hair
by hybrid- 2 replies
- 432 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, -
- 4 replies
- 337 views
Hello, In bone mode, the Ctrl key help to move the bone with his CPs. But this short keys don't work with weight. So when a CP is 50% assigned to "bone1" 50% with "bone2", it do as there are 100% with "bone1" and 0% with "bone2" It is there a short keys that takes into account the weights in bone mode? In the same idea. When I move a CP, it is there a short keys that CP does not change the distribution of weights? When I add a CP on a segment of a spline, it is there a short keys that it takes the value of places where it is located between the other two CP?
Last reply by Malo, -
- 0 replies
- 365 views
First test And second test that i've done whiles half asleep (not a good idea as you will see the thing that went wrong) Holding test: found the timeline to make it all work this time. lighting test and camera control test, again half asleep. Camera control, edit, one sound, pause and movement test.(before i went to bed) The one second front n rear punch in the dark.
Last reply by crimsure, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 615 views
Now that I am starting back with AM I have forgotten some hot keys. Here is one I need. At a cp you can have different bias on either side of the cp. What is the hot key that breaks it into? Steve
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 5 replies
- 336 views
Deciding to take a break from the Bird/Flock problem, I set out to build a dino-type beast. But of late, my smooth splines are coming out with kinks. How to stop this from happening? Thinking that it was a Bias problem, and that setting the In Magnitude & Out Magnitude would smooth out the splines, I selected all CP's and set the value from 100% to 0%. Big mistake. So...[1] How to stop splines from kinking? and [2] can this model be saved? I tried Selecting All CP's and re-entering 100% in both boxes. No go. [attachmentid=16243]
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 1 follower
- 38 replies
- 3k views
I want to have a butterfly flit across the screen while the credits appear. I modeled the Butterfly and made a path in the chor. I made a flitting action but I'm having trouble successfully getting what I'm after. Using the info I have from a walk cycle tute from days of old, I tried to make it work, but I'm having trouble. How do I get the "flitting" action to work. Get the Butterfly down the path to the end at the end of the chor. I realize that I need to make the chor longer. I'm attaching an embedded version of the project. I appreciate all the help I can get. Thanks. Forum Butterfly.prj
Last reply by MJL, -
- 3 replies
- 427 views
Do the graphical glitches (glitchy update during bone manipulation) happen in XP? I picked up AM and read the forums before hand. Knew there were some small issues, but it's quite persistent and gets you out of the flow. Work around (for me) is to minimize the window and then bring it back. But it's happening often enough I don't think I can stand it. Comp: Q6600, 8GB RAM, Vista Home Premium x64, EVGA 8800GTS 320MB, AM 15b. Driver at 169.44, Vista up to date. I have a render node with an E6600, 2GB RAM and XP SP2. Is XP that much more stable and reliable running AM than Vista? Interested in hearing someone with Vista that has encountered this issue and li…
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 6 replies
- 482 views
I had purchased AM twice in the past, and the last time was Animation Master 2000, v8.5 I had taken up animation as a hobby, and completed all the examples in the book. Fast-forward to 2009: I would like to get back into animation and character modeling, and was looking at the following free products: * Blender: best free product, but difficult to use * Alice: fun, but more for kids * POV-Ray: nice, but not as intuitive as AM * 3D Studio Max: too expensive... * Maya: ... likewise But I still love AM, am would consider getting an upgrade: * the Hash website has an unversioned product (posted 2007?) for $299 * SafeHarbor (sharbor.com) has…
Last reply by mouseman, -
- 1 follower
- 12 replies
- 775 views
Hello, I was in Fry's the other night and just happened to find a copy of the A:M software while looking at video editing applications (I do quite a bit of audio engineering and mixing and just got into video). Anyway, animation and modeling strikes me as fun. I have no goal for using the software other than something fun to do during spare time and if I were to get good enough, perhaps have some fun composing music for short animated videos. Anyway, to the question: I have no animation or modeling background, so how realistic is it that I would be able to learn how to use this software? More specifically, I guess I'm looking to figure out whether the time i…
Last reply by Bob Savage, -
- 3 replies
- 351 views
I'm seeing the "Show Manipulator Properties" being selected in quite a few tutorial video's, the seem to be different looking than the one I'm seeing when I've multiple CP's selected. I've Animation:Master 2002:A Complete Guide, and it has tutorial video's that show the Manipulator Properties to show X,Y,Z Scale and X,Y,Z Pivot when having multiple CP selected. Mine only shows X,Y,Z Offset when having multiple CP's selected. Now I know I can find Scale and Pivot also in the Properties Tab, but I'm human and in nature very lazy, so if I can do some thing with less moving of my mouse I like to take the easy way All joking aside, is there an option to chan…
Last reply by MJL, -
- 3 replies
- 570 views
I am trying to repeat an image sequence imported as a layer in a choreography. As the attached jpeg shows, a "show more than drivers" icon is unavailable in the choreography. Where can I access "show more than drivers" for this image sequence & what the best way to repeat this 9 frame sequence? Mac OS 10.4.11 using A:M 15.0j+
Last reply by cribbidaj, -
- 2 replies
- 444 views
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, -
I have a scene in the shower. This will be composite shot. The character is hand drawn but I need to have an effect of water droplets coming down and off the body. for shower effect I will be using robcat2075 shower spray. But I need to make the water droplets on the body. I have made a model of the image for the effect. Any idea’s?? Also dose any one have a shower head with a coord?
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 0 replies
- 290 views
Hi all, I want to show all my controls for my character on the dopesheet (keyframe sheet) because I need to key them all for each pose. So I am using the 'tack' function but everytime I go to another control, the others disappear on the dopesheet. How can I prevent this from happening? Also, other than moving (jiggling) the other bones that are not being moved, is there a way to set them automatically when you set one of the other controllers? Thanks
Last reply by Pesto, -
- 2 replies
- 658 views
I thought that in order to show all curves, you hit the button with the red, blue and green curves - how do you show the pose curves as well? I've gone back through my notes and am having problems finding that.
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 8 replies
- 625 views
say, how do you display the x and y axis lines. i am going over the controls and i cant find it. also in the flower power exercise, in creating the yellow bud, it creates a doughnut shape instead of a circle shape.
Last reply by north, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 232 views
Right clicking on an action (Actions folder) shows a "shrink length" function but does nothing or i just don't know how to use it. Any help appreciated.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 0 replies
- 348 views
Just wanted to think who ever put the Siggraph videos on AMFilms. I enjoyed all of them but, That human modeling one was just what I needed.
Last reply by Cool Scary Guy, -
- 4 replies
- 571 views
Is there going to be Siggraph 2007 and up??
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 1 reply
- 312 views
What would be the best Siggraph video to start with? I sure ol' Wilky's wondering the same thing Anyone have them all that wouldn't mind saying a good order to get 'em or a top 3 etc?
Last reply by higginsdj, -
- 1 reply
- 333 views
I just loaded AM that I bought a few months ago and cannot seem to be able to sign in. I tried the s/w registration panels many times and it simply took all the info and that was it. I could not sign in to s/w. Then I registered on the AM site, got confirmation, and s/w still shows no name exists and I cannot use it. Please help.
Last reply by ssappington, -
- 28 replies
- 2k views
Having issues creating the simcloth effect. I followed the instructions in the AM book, set up the force and turbulence. And yet when I clicked on simcloth simulate, nothing happens. I've looked for video's but there are usually non applicable. Or they are about what do do after creating all the stuff. Do you guys know a link that will show how to work in AM vrs 13 with Windows xp sp2? Meaning that when they go to a link that I should see the same link in my project as well Thank ya -Sean
Last reply by Sean delgatto, -
- 5 replies
- 492 views
Hi - I have been seaching the forum for materials trying to learn more about them. I see the following darksim link http://www.darksim.com/html/simbiontam.html How does this work - it says the Simbiont Plug-in is already in version 13... and up I am guessing. I just upgraded to the latest version - how do I know if I have the plug-in. Also, are the free materials they have on on the site applied like you would a regular material? Someone help me see the light, was a little iffy about downloading the plug-in, didn't know if it was just for an older version
Last reply by flashawd, -
- 1 follower
- 5 replies
- 728 views
I was wondering where I might find tutorials on version 13's newest features, especially simcloth, the compositor and hdri lighting. Thanks for any links or instructions. Sincerely, Michael p.s. I asked last week but could not find my posting to see if there was a response.
Last reply by artunemedia, -
- 2 followers
- 3 replies
- 365 views
I've been playing around with SimCloth for a project. I've got the material all figured out and I know when I want it to act like cloth. So I set up my chors Simcloth settings to "use chor range ->off" "range 3:29-4:29". and then I hit plugins -> simulate simcloth. It looks ok until I scroll back a bit. (to before 3:29) where the cloth material seems to be anticipating the impact. (I'm throwing something at the cloth object.) From 00:00 to 3:28 the cloth model is slowly forming into the shape of the impact. Is this just from a lack of keyframes with the models cps? Or is there something I've missed? I'm working with version 13.0(whichever o…
Last reply by Chrury Sanson, -
- 2 replies
- 408 views
Hi all, Trying to create a blanket over a character in bed and having all sorts of problems with the mesh passing through the blanket. I've been reading through the forums and found reference to Solver Precision which I cannot find. Anyone know where that is? Also, the forums suggest changing the polygon modifier/Simcloth but when I right click a model in the choreography no option show's up under polygon modifier (that is, no simcloth option). Any suggestions? I'm still using v12w (yes, I need to upgrade!)
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 519 views
I have a problem with simcloth. Why the red model glues at the blue and the ground and how I can change that. The ground and the blue model have a deflector 16 and the red model have a cloth-material with the default value. glue.mov glue.prj
Last reply by ftu_de, -
- 1 follower
- 10 replies
- 808 views
Hello everybody, I have been working with Sim Cloth with some success ( I have a human model with a hooded robe + cape outfit which is working relatively well in Sim Cloth) however it is only working well because the geometry resolution of the fabric is relatively low (as is the invisible model used for bounding information). While it is working pretty serviceably as is, I was trying to use the split-patch plug-in to make the fabric more complicated. Of course upon doing this, the simulation times became very slow, which isn't so bad, but now also the number of collisions is in the tens of thousands and often the simulation now becomes unsolvable even with a good d…
Last reply by frosteternal, -
- 12 replies
- 990 views
I tried searching the forum but decided the quickest way was to just post a question. I'm doing a second Simcloth skirt on my dancing girl (some new steps), just resaved the chor with the original skirt animated and deleted the splines folder. But when I go to do the simulation, her skirt just falls through the floor. I know this has been brought up (probably by me!) but I can't find an answer and I recollect that it was a simple fix. EDIT: Got the skirt to stay attached but now the simulation isn't happening. The skirt stays rigid. Awhile back I downloaded and watched the video tute on cloth made from a scene in TWO, however I lost it when my external drive went bel…
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 3 replies
- 428 views
i have a question about the simcloth material effect, what, exactly, does it do? what is its purpose? how do i do it? i'd like to know thx
Last reply by clonewar12345, -
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 324 views
is there a post or guide with simcloth settings? you know, like settings for silk or leather or denum and all other types of cloth. its getting tiring to guess and check my simcloths and any help would be apreciated.
Last reply by zandoriastudios,