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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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- 8 replies
- 819 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
- 486 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
- 429 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
- 710 views
Is there going to be Siggraph 2007 and up??
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 1 reply
- 404 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
- 459 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
- 2.6k 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
- 718 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
- 938 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
- 533 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
- 530 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
- 749 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
- 1k 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
- 1.3k 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
- 560 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
- 453 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, -
- 3 replies
- 535 views
Hi, I got this program about 2 years ago at a macworld exhibition, when I got home I immediately put the disk in my drive and started playing with it, but I found that it was too complex for me at my age, so a year after that I tried it again, still too complex. But now, after a few months getting used to other 3d programs, I want to try it again, but I am hindered by a very simple thing! Whenever I have a new composition, there are always only 100 frames, and i want to increase that number, and its driving me mad, I know there's a simple solution but I can't find it. Help? Thanks in advance, r4z2 (Hopefully an animator in the making)
Last reply by r4z2, -
- 3 replies
- 570 views
Just wondering for people who have done a lot of decaling, what resolution do you save your decals at? I've been using AI to create decals, save them as 32 bit Targa files, and I choose 300 dpi for resolution instead of 72 dpi for screen resolution. My thinking was to use the highest resolution I could so that if I'm getting close up on a model the decaling will still hold up and look good. Is this correct? Or am I just adding unnecessary file size to the decals? My final destination for most projects is to end up as an AVI file going to DVD.
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 1 follower
- 17 replies
- 4.3k views
Hi Guys, I've been away from this software too long. I've lost my modeling techniques... I'm looking for a pretty basic, but good head modeling tutorial. Which do you recommend? The model I need to do is a cartoon character - it's basically a "ball" head (no ears, pretty simple features, but fully functional mouth and expressions) - Actually, it's going to be a flaming head (another challenge). I'ts a stick figure that is going to be a character for a wood burning pizza place - like a match stick with a flame for a head. I'd love your recommendations... (BTW, I did not design this character, I just have to build, rig and animate it!)
Last reply by TommyDAQ2, -
- 1 follower
- 10 replies
- 830 views
Hi, I'm new to animating and I wanted to know what was the best to do: create a bunch of actions we load in a choreography or create some actions and modify them in skeletal mode directly in the choreography to suit a particular movment. The problem I found with the second option is that, when we animate in the choreography, it also modify every following actions that we give to the model. I have another question about actions: How do we smooth the movment fron 1 action to the second one. I mean, my guy is walking and then stops to idle. How do we make the transition between walk and idle without creating a new animation between these two? thanks tido
Last reply by Muff, -
- 10 replies
- 1.1k views
Hello, I continue my exploration of AM which I find brilliant in the design. On the other hand, the tutorials are not progressive enough. to explain the details ;-). When you are looking for something, you very quickly come across sometimes complex tutorials ... which is great when you have already acquired the basics of use! For example, I'm looking for a tutorial that could help me build a character with a basic IK skeleton. In the exercises, I only find examples with compensation bones and other somewhat complex details that I don't want to tackle until I have fully understood the basis in an exercise that takes me when up to interesting movements. …
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 4 replies
- 685 views
I built a simple character, root bone and 2 eyes with a null for target. Wondering how to give aim at constraint in model so as to not have to apply constraint everytime in chor or action. Thanks!! Also...check out Rossproductions2012 on YouTube, see what I've been working on....
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 2 replies
- 421 views
How do you do limit what frames to do the rigid body simulation. I've got some 8000 frames of choreography with a bit where I need some marbles to pile in a reasonable fashion, and then tip over some 6000 frames later. How do I limit the simulation (which is slow) to just the frame range where change occurs?
Last reply by ArgleBargle, -
- 2 followers
- 26 replies
- 4.3k views
I cant get simulate spring systems to not be greyed out. please help. WHat is the trick?
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 737 views
Dear Animasters, Does anyone recommend a link or process to create soft lighting effects that appear to be generated by a realistic background without using the time consuming GI function or HDRI? Also, to create a crystal glass object and glowing lights through skin, are there any cheats available? As I understand it, AM does not do this effect, so I thought, perhaps someone would have suggestions on how to set up a cheat. Finally, is it possible to do subpixel displacement maps to create subtle wrinkles and skin textures? Thanks, Michael Angelo
Last reply by luckbat, -
- 4 replies
- 522 views
Like a tire and rim that's speeding down the street, or in my case, the prop of a small airplane. I've got the prop boned, but I want the prop to look like it's going 5000rpm. How do I achieve that look?
Last reply by Eric2575, -
- 1 follower
- 7 replies
- 709 views
When I render anything I get an additional file with ".sinfo" on the end. What are these files, what do you open them with and do you need to keep them?
Last reply by bighop, -
- 2 replies
- 524 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, -
- 2 replies
- 418 views
Suddenly, when I do "final" renders, the shot I was setting up looks completely wrong. Namely, this character looks either toon rendered or over-exposed, and I can't find what's been changed in the surface info. Does this effect look familiar to anyone?
Last reply by danf, -
- 7 replies
- 866 views
does anyone have or know where i could get a siren that rotates with lights? the kind that sits on top of police cars, ambulances, fire trucks etc? something that looks like this.
Last reply by new guy, -
- 1 follower
- 7 replies
- 968 views
Does anyone know what happened to the free models page does it still exist Also where are all the models kept on the ftp site.
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 5 replies
- 651 views
hi, i added the 2001 skeleton rig to my character, when i turned IK ARM SETUP ON the right hand will not collaspe into the model what could be wrong. and after adding the 2001 skeleton rig, i turn out that the my model was moving with the bone rotation, could u please explain how i can correct that with smart skin.
Last reply by mtpeak2, -
- 6 replies
- 2.1k views
Hi, The geriatric is returning to AM after a break of about 5 years. During the interval I've created a big library of models using SketchUp (free version) and there is really only Collada DAE or STL export options available in SketchUp for me. The DAE also has an option to include texture data in the export. So the question that just about everyone must ask - is there any way of converting DAE to any of the AM import formats (without breaking the bank)? OR Is it possible to re-texturise / paint the STL imported model? Any help will probably allow me keep a bit more of the ever thinning thatch on top of the brain cells, Cheers, Oliver
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 2 followers
- 10 replies
- 979 views
I need to know how to do skies and put clouds in the skies. Everytime somebody does make a sky, they always say that it is made from a dome shape. I don't understand what they are talking about. Can somebody please help me?
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 686 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 reply
- 418 views
Hello amigos, is there any way (easier) to put sky lights?
Last reply by MMZ_TimeLord, -
- 14 replies
- 1k views
i decal a sky TGA on to a sherical material, when i rendered it out in the chor , it turn completely black, i donot know what to do i m using V13, any help
Last reply by NancyGormezano, -
- 4 replies
- 511 views
My question is totally covered in the subject title. I want a sunset/sunrise shot. What will this take?
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 2 replies
- 440 views
is there a way to get a snake to slither across the ground or something like that?
Last reply by KenH, -
- 5 replies
- 688 views
Is there a place I can go to learn more about how to model and set up things like tubes sliding around circular rods, making cymbals flop around on a stand when struck by a drum stick without the stick passing through the cymbal, making machine type assemblies rotate on an axle without sliding through the axle. The learning experience has been hard for me, but I am determined to learn no matter how long it takes. Thanks in advance! Tony
Last reply by itsjustme, -
Slow motion
by bubba- 1 reply
- 392 views
I am working through David Rogers hopping sack tutorial. The action runs for 24 frames (1 second.) Is there anyway, short of re-doing the action to slow it down?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 18 replies
- 1.4k views
I'm working on an entry for the 11 Second Club, which has three Squetchy Sam characters in it, plus a couple of stationary props. My problem is that the choreography is playing back so slowly that I can't get any sense of the motion or the timing without rendering out a quicktime every half hour or so. I've got relatively big iron hardware (3.0ghz P4 HT, 2GB RAM, 80gb HD running WinXP and AM14), and I usually I can get 30fps with an older rig, like the Knight or Shaggy. I know that the squetchy rig is more complex, but does it really slow things down that much? I've got version 15 on my dual core Mac, but I can't even run this choreography at all on that machine …
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 7 replies
- 886 views
I've been trying to use the Edit->Move Frames-> Scale and Snap to Integers feature to slow down clips of mine, but it seems that this won't work when trying to change the keyframes on the model bone. In fact, I cannot move any of the keyframes on the model bone. Is there something I'm overlooking here or a better way to do this? I basically would like to slow down my movie but keep the keyframes on integers so I may go back and easily edit them. Thanks --Ross
Last reply by jakerupert, -
- 6 replies
- 431 views
Hi, I've used animation master for a number of projects, and feel relatively comfortable with modeling and animating objects. Recently I have run into a problem when I try and copy and paste a model inside the same object. For example, I'm making an auditorium with about 200 chairs in it. I created the original chair then copied all the points and splines and pasted it next to the original chair. I kept this up and then started doing it by rows of 15 chairs. after creating about 7 rows with 15 chairs in each my computer takes forever to copy even one chair. If I click somewhere to begin creating another point, it pauses for about 2 min before reacting. Are ther…
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 425 views
my intense textures are slowing my computer down, at least when i am trying to edit in a choreography. i've seen that in some models, the textures aren't visible, yet when you render, there they are! (Ex: Gala model) (and this increases performance A LOT) how am i able to do this? anyone know?
Last reply by Ravager, -
- 4 replies
- 421 views
I created the walk cycle and it looks great and no slipping when it is viewed from that action. When I attach the character to a path and have him walk using the created walk action there is a slight slipping of one foot - I have set the "has stride length" correctly and even adjusted that several times to try to fix the slip, but not having any luck. Is there something else I might not be setting correctly to get rid of the slip? Thanks again for all the help with this whole walking thing. ;-) Eric
Last reply by flashawd, -
- 2 replies
- 607 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
- 421 views
Hi - I have smart skinned pretty much all the bones in my character although when I have my character walk - when he puts one leg forward his pant leg goes down into his shoe - also the back of his leg bunches up. What am I missing? Thanks - Eric
Last reply by flashawd, -
- 4 replies
- 407 views
im using the shaggy rig on a model i made. in both the shaggy model and mine, i can't change or add smart skin to lets say the thigh bone. when i try the bone dissapears and all i see is the right foot target. you can't add smart skin to the target and in smart skin mode the target node is frozen so i can't bend the knee and then adjust the skin. i see on shaggy they did add smart skin to all the leg bones. how did they do it?
Last reply by sir fen the usa, -
- 11 replies
- 771 views
Hi, I've done my first animation model and I was animating him. I had some control points not animating very well and I've heard about smart skin that could solve my problem. I did a search in the help and followed the instuctions but, when I do "new smart skin", on a thight bone, in the relationship window, I dont see that bone, I only see the other ones (look at image) if I try to select a foot and move it(so it would move the thight bone as well), a msg box poops and says "circulatiry found: "balance left foor" shortcut to relationship1 /translate to ..|left foot target" what am I doing wrong? thanks tido
Last reply by luckbat,
