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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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- 1 follower
- 14 replies
- 1.1k views
I have the very rudimentary rudiments of cloth down--cloth and deflectors. What I can't figure out is how to make a blanket/piece of cloth move beyond just the dropping/deflecting. What am I missing? I've attached a quickie test involving some stairs and a grid for cloth. Attempting to get it to move I added two bones to two "attached" cps each, hoping to make those points by which I could drag the cloth. Keyframing those moving after 4 seconds did nothing. So then I tried keyframing the model bone to move after 4 seconds (and that's what's on the attached project), and the blanket still just sits there. What am I supposed to do that is eluding me? Tha…
Last reply by someawfulbridge, -
- 14 replies
- 2.5k views
Hiya. As an old newbie (ie, I started with AM '98, '99, ...then recently upgraded to '07), over the last 8 or so years I've been a poly-modeler. I can model in poly's quickly, smoothly, and have a fun time doing it. Now, back to give AM another spin around the block, I find myself fighting the spline-mindset. I attempted to model in AM as if each spline was the part of an edge loop, and I was planing on using the bias handles to get my desired cuveature. This didn't work out quite so well as I had envisioned. So, anyone have any good links to free or pay tutorials on AM modeling? Something that covers hard and soft surfaces (cars, buildings, etc. and…
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
- 1 follower
- 14 replies
- 865 views
Hey everyone, This is my first attempt to add AM to live action. I followed the Sam Buntrock CD's, it's a good guide. Homer_in_my_house.mov
Last reply by bighop, -
- 1 follower
- 14 replies
- 1.1k views
Hi Everyone, Someday I hope to make my own commercial, and perhaps even a short clip. I know I am WAY ahead of myself, but I am curious.... When creating a clip, do you create 4 or 5 choreography projects and then paste them together? If so, can it be done in A:M or is something else required? What techniques does someone use and has anyone ever made a tutorial or training vid for this. Also, I would someday like to add text in the clip such as subtitles and a tag at the end. Can it be done in A:M or is something else required? What techniques does someone use and has anyone ever made a tutorial or training vid for this. Thanks again, Bob
Last reply by Jentham2000, -
- 14 replies
- 1.2k views
I need help creating a science lab for a project help please
Last reply by animation man hi, -
- 14 replies
- 1.4k views
Pretty much what the topic says, I'm trying to export my model I made in Animation Master into Maya, so how do I do that?
Last reply by FlyingMonkieBoy, -
- 14 replies
- 1k views
i am trying to render the lens flares in a choreography, yet no matter what direction i render it, it wont appear... the fade behind objects is off, fade with distance is off, and fade when aiming away is off. does anyone have an idea of what may be the problem and how to fix it?
Last reply by Eric2575, -
- 1 follower
- 14 replies
- 1.3k views
Most software companies give an overview of the product they are selling listing features and such. However, I'm not able to find this on the Hash website. I have no idea what Animation: Master is like and would like to know more about it and what it can do. Can anyone lead me to some articles, reviews, etc?
Last reply by thefreshestever, -
- 14 replies
- 1.3k views
Before choosing between jumping off a nearby cliff or dusting off the old light-box having ripped the rig out of this model three times and still having the same problem - I thought I'd put this to the forum. The character is rigged with the 2001 skeleton. As soon as I move the arms downwards they flip and/or disappear. It's most likely a constraint problem (?) but after much trial and error and comparing arm bone by arm bone to models with the same rig and that work, I admit defeat. Any ideas? Attached is a top view in which can be seen that the right forearm has boldly gone where no forearm has ever been (eh - no rude comments please lads) and the left has flipped ba…
Last reply by PaulX, -
- 1 follower
- 14 replies
- 893 views
i'm still working on that same head from another topic, but i've deleted most of so i could start over. I added two rings around the eyes and one around the mouth ( i was told to do that in another forum). but know i'm not sure how to go about connecting the eyes nose and mouth. i managed to connect them earlier but the face wasn't smooth and the lips didn't come out quite right. First- how do i connect the parts? Second- how do i make the lips protrude naturally? thanks if you can help ~Hisako
Last reply by Jeetman, -
- 14 replies
- 1.2k views
Hello AM'ers.... been away for awhile, now I'm back. I've been having a problem for some time and haven't seen a forum that addresses this, there are so many to look through. When I'm posing a model periodically the figure will appear to stop moving (except a small area) and I have to click off the figure to regain control of the mouse, meanwhile the figure will have moved. It's difficult to control the posing when you can't see where you're moving something to. I've tried posing in wireframe, shaded, both and the problem still happens. It comes and goes as I'm moving bones about. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Kevin
Last reply by playerktw, -
- 14 replies
- 1k views
ok i have a sceen where a bullet like projectile hits 2 armor tiles right where they connect , what should happen is that the tiles deform to just allow the bullet through then slowly restore to normal , only problem i have is that it seams to take way to many bones on the part that the bullet plows through and it dosent look very good , is there a way to set 1 model segment to automaticaly deform when another "hits" it or do i just have a lot more work ahead of me
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 1 follower
- 14 replies
- 1.5k views
Hi sorry to ask probably a silly question. But I have just finished a short film that is about 1minute long and it took 22hours to render is this normal or could it have anything to do with that fact I used an extra light and so created two lots of shadows. I'm using a MacBook with AM v15. Any help or advise will be great thanks.
Last reply by Gorf, -
- 14 replies
- 1.4k views
I have a student in my class that is trying to create a simple action. Everything looks correct except that none of her movements are being recorded as key frames. In 10 years I haven't had this issue come up. Usually when my students animate an action, it's a pretty user friendly process...change the cell number, move the bone..ta da...but for her, something just isn't working. I'll attempt to attached the files here. logo.prj
Last reply by Mothdiver, -
- 14 replies
- 1.1k views
I keep getting an unhandled exception 001 when I try and open the advanced tutorial. It locks up the whole program and shuts it down. It happened once when I was doing something else as well. Anyone know why this is happening?
Last reply by Rob_T, -
- 1 follower
- 14 replies
- 1.2k views
I've used Hash since 2000, but this is the most major problem I've ever had. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS: I'm using Hash for a production. At one point I set up choreographies with my own frame counters in the form of image files per frame as rotoscopes in the camera...(single camera in each chor) I erased those rotoscopes to move on in production, but now all of a sudden...when I load these choreographies there are a zillion folders that load into the PWS. So many that the files are huge and I can't navigate without taking 10 or more minutes to erase all of them.... The folders...all one zillion of them are named "Rotoscopes" This has made it nearly imposs…
Last reply by DJBREIT, -
- 14 replies
- 1k views
I have two moves I need the camera to make. The first is a mere rotation pan done with key framing. But on the second I want the camera to follow a curved path starting at point A and ending at point B, using (I'm assuming) an aim at constraint. Is this done in the chor or in an action? Or is there some obvious "other" thing I'm missing? Thanks, Myron
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 14 replies
- 1.8k views
--What is that questionmark for in the actionobjects or materials for example? Does it say something is missing? Seems nothing is really affected by it.... Can anybody clarify this please --Also: Why can a cropped action not be copied multiple times into the same channel? I wonder, if it really is necesary to copy the action onto the model every time you need it newly again?
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 14 replies
- 893 views
I have made a decal for my wood floors. But some of the groups I have add it to come in hazy. I am using a jpg file. Also add any other tips I may need to know about the decals
Last reply by DJBREIT, -
- 14 replies
- 781 views
i have a starship with some round windows around it. i want them to change color using the dope sheet as if the colors were talking. not sure but maybe there is a bug in 15F? it seems to not be able to hold my colors in the poses. im going to try some basic tests to see if just the model that has issues. but if any one has seen this let me know. thanks
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 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, -
- 14 replies
- 1.2k views
I have a headheak tryng to achieve this. Each time i select four cp s and press "E", i have a mess. Because A:m Keep the original patch from where i do extend and i don t know how to delete it without doing my mesh a mess ? Is there an Extrude (and not extend) tool ? Thank you for your help. here is what i want to achieve.
Last reply by Fuchur, -
2 questions
by Malo- 1 follower
- 14 replies
- 1.2k views
Hi, Is it a way to view all Falloff's bones, in mode bones? Is it a keyboard button to move a patch along the normal as there is one for X (1), Y (2), Z (3) axis? thank you in advance
Last reply by Malo, -
- 1 follower
- 14 replies
- 1.1k views
I folks I could sure use your help. I am using carolines tutorial on the tsm 2 rig. Its great. But I am stumped at the mirror bones part. I have read the documentation by sgross and carolines info but its just not working right. Any thoughts. Could some one do a quick tut.
Last reply by jason1025, -
- 14 replies
- 1.2k views
Hi I'm right now working with a model and have encountered some problems, for example when I rotate my model AM runs very slow, lags. Same thing happens if I for example change the vertex positions or similar. I have checked if my CPU is overloaded or something similar but it is not, my model have around 4000 patches. What could be wrong? My PC is old but not very old, using Vista 32 bit, 2 GB RAM, AMD Athlon 2.6 GHz and a Radeon X1650. My graphic card is bad? Any suggestions of what graphic card is good for 3D animation/modeling? //Birdie
Last reply by birdie1, -
- 14 replies
- 813 views
need some opinions. this is a first test here on a fireworks display. i have tons more images to use for sprites but just started with this simple one. any suggestions? firework_test1.mov
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 1 follower
- 14 replies
- 871 views
Does this feature work? I am using a Jpeg image sequence on a few monitors in a chor. Sometime some frames render the first frame of the image sequence regardless of of what frame in the time should be rendered.
Last reply by jason1025, -
- 14 replies
- 1.1k views
I have a very simple stick figure in which I installed the skeletal rig from the cd. I asked a question a few weeks ago about constraints and carrying boxes. This is slightly different. My little figure is going to mime, air guitar style, while holding a broom. What would be the best constraints system to set up so he can swirl the broom around ' a playin a guitar?'. He needs to be able to swing it side to side, behind the his own neck, and side to side , like elvis ... Pete Townshend, Jimi, Jimmy Page, George Harrison... Thank you in advance regards simon
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 14 replies
- 1.7k views
Almost Christmas and already Christmas cards are landing on my doormat and I expect I’ll find some digital Christmas e-card in my email box any time soon. So instead of building my own e-card online with often pairs with unwanted e-mails I thought why note create my own digital Christmas card created with AM. Quick easy and simple... or at least I initially thought it would be easy... I’m expecting it’s not a whole lot of work, but for someone who is still learning never done any kind of animating before it’s really time consuming and a challenge. The idea is, White background/ground, Render 1 or 2 Christmas balls, hanging from a branch, shadow cast o…
Last reply by wildcard, -
- 14 replies
- 911 views
Kinks.actFollowing the recent advice here I am plodding along with my project. However, I have encountered a curious problem ( another you ask ? ). I am going for the second pass on an action file to put it the hand and face movements when I noticed that, somehow or other, the left hand bone has reversed direction and is now pointing back along the forearm. It still affects the cps of the hand but can go a bit wild when I try to move it. Can anyone explain whats happened and, most importantly, how I can correct it ? Thank you kindly in advance. regards simonFingers_Janitor_15.mdl
Last reply by Simon Edmondson, -
- 14 replies
- 1.4k views
Hello, I have been working with AM for about 4 months.. First time ever to explore animation, modeling etc.. I have really enjoyed the process and plan to continue learning and working on animation. Here is the video I made, hope you like it. David...
Last reply by nino banano, -
- 14 replies
- 1.6k views
I have a model that has bones and CPs assigned to these bones. Or so I thought. When in bone mode and I click on the top level object in the PWS, a black bone shows up. According to what I have read, this is the default bone to with all "unassigned" CPs are assigned. I have looked and looked at my model and cannot find any black CPs. What can I do?
Last reply by Muff, -
- 14 replies
- 1.9k views
I was trying to hide none animating bones in a model which i was rigging I edited their visibility property But when i tried to save , it is not saving and it is giving me the following error message : "An Invalid argument was encountered" I repeated the process more than one time and it kept on giving me the same message . I appreciate your help
Last reply by Nik, -
- 14 replies
- 1.4k views
I posted earlier that I haven't been yet able to try this software, so I have silly questions. I do hope I'm not testing any of your patience. I'm guessing there is a lot to animation, more than I'm aware of, and perhaps rendering is the least of it. I'm looking at A:M and Houdini Escape as options, and with a workstation ATI card in my laptop, Houdini renders faster than the other software I've tried(GPU rendering). Yet... A:M's TAO technical manual says that the patch exports take under a hundred patches and turn into thousands on a single character. Does this patch modeling and painting make rendering any faster? My processor is only an i5 in my laptop and fr…
Last reply by southpawami, -
- 2 followers
- 14 replies
- 1.7k views
Hi all, I recently purchased a v 16 subscription. After download and install, I tried to register, but when I entered my number, it said three was an error writing the master.llc file. I contacted Hash, who sent me a good one. I moved that file to the correct directory and, upon launch, I got the same request for my number and the same error. I've since completely uninstalled and reinstalled the program and both entered my number and copied the file directly to the directory, but no change. Please help! Best, Anton.
Last reply by thumperness, -
- 14 replies
- 1.1k views
In the project on which I'm working, I have a medley of famous songs I animated to. When I started they were all split up into separate parts and each bit done as an action. With fresh eyes I realise that may not have been the best of plans (?) so now I am trying to put it all together as one with the whole 1min 54 seconds of medley. I tried to do this in the choreography but could not get the separate actions to run concurrently, even when I adjusted the input/output settings in 'properties'. So I tried to copy all the bones info in one action and paste it into a new one, along with the full medley. That did not work either. Is there a way to s…
Last reply by Simon Edmondson, -
- 14 replies
- 829 views
So I'm working on 'The Door's Stuck' and want to be able to quickly adjust timing between some keyframes. *** I am working on a Mac if it makes any difference. *** What are some techneques(sp) people use to add and delete space between keyframes to play with the timing? There is a command in the edit menu, (can't remember it's exact name) that I'm assuming is used to do this but it is asking for four different inputs and I am not sure what goes where. I'm hoping there's a way to just window select stuff in the timeline and drag it where I want it to be. Thoughts?
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 14 replies
- 1.2k views
Hello I am not really sure what the yellow dot is done at the bottom near the origin and between the feet. I wonder if it is the model bone, but it doesn't seem to have any scale to it and if I rotate around it it appears to be a singel point. It has the name of a previous project ( think I opened that project and save it with a new name) and if I right-click it and choose delete my entire penguin disappears (which leads me to think it is the model bone but I thought normally those aren't visible?). Also when it is selected all the points on the left-hand side (right if you are looking at the model) are selected. Any ideas as to what the heck this might be?
Last reply by Vertexspline, -
- 14 replies
- 1.7k views
I am doing a project where I am going to have the letters of a word fall out of a hat. I need each letter to react to each other, bounce on the ground and then form a word. I would like to know what would be the best way to approach this effect ? I take it that I would need each letter to be collidable and have mass but I have never explored AM Physics before except to animate a flag. Is there a tutorial that would be a good one to work through ? Pinballwzd...
Last reply by Pinballwzd, -
- 14 replies
- 2.1k views
Hello everyone! My name is Steve and today I purchased my copy of A:M 18. I know nothing about 3D and animation, and can't wait to learn. My first impressions of A:M are not going so well though. After starting the program, I get a nice welcome screen, with a list of tutorials. After getting through the first two, which I enjoyed, I get "videos not ready yet". This is a bummer and not very professional. Are there alternative tutorials? I don't want to jump around from specific tutorial to tutorial, I just want to learn in a structured way, or at least learn the basics of modeling in A:M. Thanks, Steve.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 14 replies
- 1.9k views
Ok, onto my next question... I searched the forums but didn't find what I was looking for. I probably just didn't have the right terms.... But now, I want to have Woody walk through a live action scene. He's going to come out from behind something. Scenario: I have a still of the interior of a bar. I want Woody to enter the scene at the back of the shot, entering from the far end of the bar. Therefore ,when he first enters, the bar is blocking the lower part of his body from being scene. Please remind me as to how to set an object in my scene so that it receives a projection map (I think - the camera rotoscope), but yet still has geometry that will block o…
Last reply by frosteternal, -
- 14 replies
- 3.4k views
Hi, everybody. been a while. I recently upgraded to win 8 and need to recover my version 16. how do I go about this? thank you
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 14 replies
- 4.3k views
I don't know if this belongs here or not. Here's my problem. I had a Win7 machine that I downloaded and installed v19 on. I bought a one year subscription. It died, the machine did. I bought a new computer. It's pretty bad-@ss. I used my old invoice and link and downloaded and installed the program but my activation code says that it's already in use (by me). I've contacted about transferring my license like two weeks ago and never heard back from them. What can I do? I'm not exactly looking forward to spending another $80.00 to put the program on this new computer when my current subscription is only a month old. Any suggestions?
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 13 replies
- 1.2k views
This is pretty straight forward. Apply a decal in cylindrical fashion to a model centered on the xyz/0 axis. When checking the model, I find it doesn't close in back. I tried changing the repeat, but that doesn't do the trick. Searched the forum in vain. Tried scaling the decal wider and then reapplying with no luck. Turned the "Seamless" option on in the decal properties with no luck. What the heck does "seamless" do anyway? Ok, what else is there?
Last reply by KenH, -
IS IT LEGAL
by 8up- 1 follower
- 13 replies
- 3.6k views
I plan on making a CARTOON FROM ANIMATION MASTER TO SELL ON DVD. I have a few legal questions about making a cartoon and publishing it myself 1) if i buy the program(AM) do i have all rights to use it(can you come back and say you want a cut because i used your program) 2)Do i (by law) have to tell what program i used to make my cartoon (must i put am's name on the box) 3a)I see alot of add's in 3d world magazine for pre-built 3d things like cars, town's lamps etc. Will any of these programs work well with animation master. can i just order the kit and drop and drag things into A.M. in a 3d workspace 3b) are these legal (do i own th…
Last reply by luckbat, -
- 1 follower
- 13 replies
- 1k views
OK... i'm seriously considering buying this product based on reviews, demos. But, the hefty $300 price tag is a killer. However, I did find a 2005 version of A:M for cheap. It says its version 11.1b ?? Is it possible to buy that and then upgrade to version 2006 for $100. Saving $150? Or is it better just to buy the 2006 outright? Thanks for any help. Steven
Last reply by Chad_Hunt, -
- 1 follower
- 13 replies
- 1k views
What has to be activated for Spherical Limits is show up in the Properties?
Last reply by Kelley, -
- 1 follower
- 13 replies
- 1.3k views
Hey im Lucas and i recently got A:M Im trying to find the tuts, anyone help please? I may 13 but i still wana learn How you all doin?
Last reply by dude, -
- 1 follower
- 13 replies
- 1.4k views
Hello! I am currently in the process of starting a team for web-based cartoons and (in the near future) games. I'd like full length 20-30 minute cartoons, and completely full length games. After looking around, this was the most expensive thing I could buy for that purpose. Now, two months later, I need an audio program to go with it. What would you guys suggest? I need it to have a full range of sound effects (explosions, mystical magic sounding stuff, mechanicle gears moving, etc), along with the ability to create music (preferably click and drag), and finaly voice acting. I'm very completly serious about this, and if I have my way you guys'll be hearing about…
Last reply by Inzane Productions, -
- 1 follower
- 13 replies
- 1.3k views
hey everyone, I just wanted to post my first model in AM, and get your opinions. This is going to be a surfer character in a :30 second commercial south park like spot. So I will be exporting out to 2D. It took me roughly 3 days of frustration to learn the finer points of modeling in splines, but once you get used to it....well it is great. This model was made freehand, no rotoscoping. I do have a character sketch I am going by but since it is a simple toon, I didnt want to roto it. I started this around 10am yesterday and this is what I have so far. I have to confess, I hijacked the hands from another model, I just dont have time to model hands lol. So I …
Last reply by Dhar,