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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
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-No complaining or whining on the forum or distribution of misinformation.
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-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 reply
- 328 views
you know those words just under the avatar vid/picture they say "newbie, journeyman, master, exe" some of the words look like theyve been reworded by some people, is it because they have authority to do so, they have a high enough rank or is it because im having trouble trying to do the same to mine? i hope im not confusing you. thx
Last reply by nimblepix, -
- 1 reply
- 422 views
OK bad puns aside i do have a question . i have a model setup to unfold in about 5 different movements and though that i could get the pose option to preform this . i attached bones to all the models parts and tired to set up a pose to do it but its not working . there is an option on the bottom that looks like the time line for the choreography but it does not seam to work . am i using this correctly or is this not how the poses option work
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 3 replies
- 432 views
Hello, An observation on subdivision. It seems that subdivision by 1/2, is not very compatible with the topology of AM. There are better results by 1/3. For the follow examples, I use the SplitPatch plugin that use subdivision by 1/2.(thank you Yoda for all yours plugins!) The subdivision by 1/3 has been done by hand. Some hooks can cause problems. (because it is not possible to stick more than three hooks per segments) So prefer to use the third solution.
Last reply by higginsdj, -
- 8 replies
- 912 views
Hello everyone! Allow me to introduce myself. Mundanely, my name is Marni. My ID on these boards is marefyre. I'm a married 30-something living in Florida. I went to Sheridan College for their Classical Animation course back in the early 90's, but left after 3 years and didn't go into the field, in fact, I'll admit I abandoned it. For years. Recent odd occurences have re-kindled my interest in animation, and in learning A:M I foresee finally being able to tell my short stories and create the demo reel I always wanted, but couldn't achieve in my academic years. I found A:M at MegaCon 2006 here in Orlando, and after seeing the prices for DAVE school and Ligh…
Last reply by Leo73, -
- 1 follower
- 10 replies
- 820 views
I may get a little long winded, so please feel free to move on to a more interesting post. I was a child in the 50's, watching Lassie and the Beaver in first run in black and white. My dad had one of the very first remote controls: Me. In Junior High in the early 60's I explored Time and Space with Heinlein, Asimov, and Van Vogt. I went to my first concert in 1965. The Beatles played the Memorial Coliseum here in Portland Oregon. In the late 60's I explored Time and Space in a different manner, and from the few high points I remember, I had a pretty good time. Pong became a sensation and "Asteriods" became astronimical entertainment at a quarter a pop. …
Last reply by NancyGormezano, -
- 2 replies
- 407 views
I need to make a collar bone line on my model. But as you can see it picks up other lines I don't need.. I have figured out how to remove the hooks line but I am at a lost on how to remove the other unwanted lines. Any suggestion?
Last reply by DJBREIT, -
- 6 replies
- 850 views
Hi, I was wondering if it's possible to animate a photo of a car like this: http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/mustang/launch/ What steps would have to be done? (ie, import a photo of a car into animation master, animate the tire spin, somehow create the dust)?
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 5 replies
- 477 views
I am aware that you can constrain a character or an object to a path and render that animated action over time. For example, create a walk cycle for a character and have him walk along a spline/path placed on the ground. The question is: Is there a way to have a cross section of a model follow a path in the choreography window and sort of build itself over time. Think of a model that magically grows and grows unto completion before ones eyes. An example of this might be a single spline/path that swirls around to look like a written version of the fluid Coca Cola logo. Could you have a cross section of a model follow that sweeping path and animate over time so th…
Last reply by Tom, -
- 2 replies
- 440 views
hey im new and i am getting tired of always having to click the key button and key every key frame. i have seen people animate with ought havening to push the key button every time. how do you set it on animate mode?
Last reply by KenH, -
- 2 replies
- 481 views
I looked at the tech ref and only found the max/min volume setting for a sound. Is there any way to key frame the volume? -vern
Last reply by alano, -
- 2 replies
- 596 views
I know I am missing something here, and even after surfing around the forum for firework effects and such I still am not able to animate my Streak Emitter properties. When I create a new material I can click on Attribute then animate such things as diffuse color in the timeline. However, if I click on the Streak Emmiter then try changing the rate of emmission at different frames AM does not set a keyframe. I even tried creating a new action, but I could not get the material to show up under the "Shortcut to Model" in the action. That was also the case when I tried looking for a shortcut to the material under the Model's Choregraphy Action in the Project Works…
Last reply by ccmsteach, -
- 7 replies
- 953 views
Hi, I would like to make my character blush with an animated small decal on the cheeks. I have made a decal with transparency but I can not make it appear or fade away in an animated scene. I feel I am missing some vital facts here, sure it must be possible to do in some way? Ulrika
Last reply by Ullis, -
- 6 replies
- 633 views
I've been tooling around with the image sequence option for decaling, and simply can't get it to do anything. I've imported as a sequence, and they have little movie clip icons next to them in the timeline - - but I can't seem to get them to actually DO anything when I apply the decal. I've messed with the settings, looked through the manual... nothing. Help!
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 2 replies
- 424 views
Is it possible to animate a decal? Lets say I have a character who has a smiley face decal attatched to him for the first 12 frames but changes his expression, via decal, on the 13th frame. Better yet, can you decal movie files? Thanks for the help, Masna
Last reply by Masna, -
- 12 replies
- 1.1k views
i was wondering if AM has the ability to save a small animation as a animated gif or a item of the same relevance
Last reply by Masna, -
- 4 replies
- 442 views
Hi, The manual seems to indicate that is possible to import an animated gif file and use it as a decal. Whenever I try to import such a gif file, either through "Import Image/Animation" or "Import Image/Sequence", and click the "Import as a sequence of images", I'm told that it is an "Invalid gif file." What I am trying to do is to import a 4-frame animated gif and apply it as a decal to a model (in this case, a playing card) and when rendered, have the animated gif play as the card moves. Is this possible? thanks...
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 18 replies
- 1.2k views
ok iv just gone over the creating materials tutoral and have made some pretty interesing things , know what id like to know is can the materials be made to move. example i have a for lack of a better term rock that the material makes it look like its electrifyed , id like to be able to make the electric bits move
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 3 replies
- 384 views
What I'd like is a toggle switch for simple, repetitive actions - like a spinning doodad on a prop or a character breathing. I've been playing around with stuff, digging through the manual and searching the forums... either I'm missing something obvious or this isn't something that you can do. Thanks!
Last reply by Meowx, -
- 4 replies
- 557 views
I have a MPEG-2 that I want to use as an animated rotoscope. To what do I need to convert this video file? An AVI? A MOV? Help me, kids. - Justin Curfman
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 1 reply
- 381 views
So... I am superimposing something I created in A:M over a video. The object has to move in unison with the video background. Is there a video rotoscope option? Or... do I have to make an animated decal and slap it up as if it were a rotoscope?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 684 views
Hi, I am sure this is easy, but I'm just not getting it. I have a model of a book. I want to put several different covers on the book with a percentage pose so I have only one model making up the little library. I understand it's possible. But how to tell the relationship "load this image, then swap at x%..." thanks very much. S.
Last reply by sbk, -
- 5 replies
- 710 views
Trying to get a sprite particle system set up, and can't help but think I'm missing something basic here. I can't get the opacity to change over time. It's just constant. I adjust the opacity over time on the timeline, but it does nothing. And is it possible to use an animated format for a sprite? .gif or .mov? Had no luck with .mov, nothing renders. Thanks!
Last reply by robcat2075, -
OK this is kind of hard to explain with out an aimated example but when i animate i dont know how to make something to start move from a certain frame. For example. say im animating a guy jumping. when i get to frame 5:00 or so i start to make him go up into the air but when i do this he starts going up into te air slowly from frame 0 instead of a few frames befor 5:00. i dont know how to make it so i doesnt do this?? is there a certain button or mode to make the movement start from a certain frame instead of from the beginning. Also what is the button force key frame can any of you give me what it does and how to use it etc??
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 4 replies
- 415 views
Hi, I'm new to A.M. I have modeled several objects, one inside the other, how do I animate the transparency of the outer object to reveal the inner one over time? Can I animate a property? I cant find a tutorial on this. Thanks Phil
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 16 replies
- 1.4k views
I would like to make a 2 seconds animation of a simple object rotating. I would like it to start as a wireframe and as it rotate becomes fully textured and then back to wireframe. Is that something possible to do? If so, could someone point me in the right direction? Thanks. Pierre
Last reply by NancyGormezano, -
- 2 replies
- 1.4k views
Hey..... For smart skin purposes.....can you animate/key the bias handles curvature? If not, a low spline model with longer handles seem to present a difficult issue with how the curves work as the creases get squeezed.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 3 replies
- 394 views
Hello! My current project has a number of separate "neon" lights that I would like to flash on and off. Each light will be on a similar on/off cycle, but they will not be flashing at the same time. I thought that creating an action that toggles the Ambient Intensity on and off would be a good idea, but I don't know if I can put this into an action that would then be able to be placed on different lights. Is there a way to achieve this effect? Any help would be appreciated. Tim
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 4 replies
- 584 views
Are there any good tutorials that will help me learn to animate??? (Besides the ones in TAO:AM) What confuses me the most is the keyframes!! I do not understand them at all. For instance, how would you make something move really slow, then, make that object suddenly move fast. Everytime I ask this question, a person always mentions that it depends on the timing. Is this true? How do you even set the timing?
Last reply by phatso, -
- 5 replies
- 547 views
OK, so i am having lots of trouble animating sometimes. Sometimes i just try too hard maybe, but how are people suppose to animate. #1 The problems im talking about is like, how do you get your character to do all sorts of actions like walking and talking with hand gestures, or like running and jumping. Just all sorts of actions, maybe a bit like combining two actions.?? could any of you tell me how to animate like that? #2. Also a problem i have is kinda stange and i dont know how it happens. When im animating an action, sometimes its really messed up like for a jump for example. ( like a large action, my guy will run, and then maybe turn to the sid…
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 reply
- 350 views
I am hoping someone here can lend me a hand. I am using v.12 and trying to animate streak emitter properties. According to the info I have, you need to create an Action, and then just drag the Emitter Properties into the action. Well, that doesnt work. As soon as you drag the Emitter properties onto the action window, my cursor turns into that circle with a slash through it. Can someone please help me out and let me know how this is done??? THANKS
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 454 views
How do you animate values like the rate of emission to start/stop a particle material from generating particles? I've figured out the way to animate things like opacity, size, and gravitational effect, but stopping and starting the effect using rate of emission eludes me. An example of where it's done is the Explosion Project in the Animation: master libraries. I'm sure most of you know what I'm talking about. Whoever can answer this for me absolutely rocks. Even if you don't answer, you probably rock anyway.
Last reply by Bigger Picture Films, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 515 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, -
- 1 follower
- 10 replies
- 884 views
Hi all i'm a new A:M user and i have a lot of bvh files (animation capture) and i would like to know if i can import a model and apply this bvh animation file to it ? In case A:M does not not support this sort of file , does exist a plug in or another method to do this ? Untitled_8.mov
Last reply by Dhar, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 852 views
i finally got this animations file size lowered so it should be able to be uploaded here it is, i uploaded it finally!!!!!! ians_birthday_party3.mov if the sound happens to work for you then great because its not working on my computer or is it the file. i dont know, im not really sure
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 3 replies
- 944 views
Sometimes when I'm animating, I'll have one bone not moving for a few seconds, then when I do move it for another frame, it's moving during the whole animation!!! Of course, I try to set it back in each frame where it's not supposed to move, and then everything starts wiggling like crazy because I'm not very precise. I've heard of weights for cp's...is there some kind of "weight" like that for bones that will keep it in place while I don't want it to move? Thanks for whatever help you can give me!
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 21 replies
- 2.9k views
hi all as you know in other topics, i actually haven't the time to play with this wonderfull software to be clear i go make animation with, i bought it for because i think it is the software power but to be clear also, the render seems to be old, gives me the watch of plastic or else. no way to change to blender which is too complicated for me but perhaps do you use in animated shorts some external renderer wich don't consume to much time to render some frames ? anyway i go soon learn it and i am happy to be of yours, because of the good persons i met here and the software abilities regards
Last reply by stefff285, -
- 1 reply
- 402 views
Just wondering what happened to the animation contest, and is there a new topic for the stills contest, i completly missed the christmas contest, and i was working on a good one anyway
Last reply by Luuk Steitner, -
- 4 replies
- 413 views
For all of you embarking on character animation (That's why you got A:M) here's an opportunity to develop your eye. A Heavy Lift that doesn't look very heavy: Lifting things is something everyone should be able to do convincingly with their characters. But some basics have been forgotten. What do you see going wrong here? You can rip this one because it's not by anyone here, and it's always easier to see the log that is in someone else's animation, which makes it even more useful.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 15 replies
- 1.8k views
This one is a bit more involved than I might otherwise target, but our own forum member steve392 has daringly volunteered it for inspection, so have at it! The centaur nature of the character complicates things a bit, but I think you can still examine this mostly in terms of a biped doing a standing jump. Which is a good basic body mechanics challenge for an animator. There's quite a bit going right here. Can you spot what's going wrong? side_jump.mov 3/4 view same jump
Last reply by alano, -
- 1 follower
- 18 replies
- 1.3k views
See if you can figure out what has gone wrong here: bouncingBallX.mov Hint: it's about gravity. Don't worry, it's not by anyone from this forum.
Last reply by danf, -
- 5 replies
- 482 views
OK i have an animation that ive made thats about 10 seconds long, but it starting to say itll take about 2 days just to render out all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or like 42 hours, is this going to be really that long ir will the time shortenup a lot??? because ive got to have this done in less than 24 hours. AYE KARAMBA!!! its for a friends birthday present.
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 21 replies
- 2k views
I have come to the conclusion that animation is hard. This might actually take a little practice to have things do what I want them to. I do not even have the Stuck Door project to a point that I'm willing to share where I am. The frustrating part is I know what I want it to look like; I know what some of the comments are going to be, but it just won't come together like I wish it to. I guess timing is the largest issue followed by secondary motions. But we keep trudging along and practice practice practice.
Last reply by Vertexspline, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 301 views
ok im trying to do a wepon system with a laser blast but for some reasion when ever i place the shot at the time its ment for it gets placed at the very begining in some weird place. all i want to know is how should i put a lasser shot in with out it being placed at the very start of the movie , or does every model you are going to use have to be in at the start?
Last reply by phatso, -
- 8 replies
- 671 views
Ok, I should have been paying more attention to Dylan at Momentum, rather then dreaming about the beautiful Stephanie Giles ( Work Experience chick - while I was doing my " internship" ) . . .Ahem. Can some one give me a quick break down of key frame animation in AM. For instance when I create a walk cycle according to the AM book, how to I translate this to another action ? Also on walk cycles, if I have a walk cycle, how do I loop it JUST USING KEY FRAMING in choreography ? I have got this to work when I constrain it to a spline path - the cycle loops properly - when I adjust the keyframes - the walk cycle is accelerated - or 25 frames are stretched into say 3…
Last reply by KenH, -
- 8 replies
- 907 views
Why does animation master have some many problems it keeps not doing what I want it to do. Also it keeps freezing on me all the time.
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 1 reply
- 460 views
I'm very sorry if this issue was discussed. I have the edition of Animation Master with the Gorilla on the CD. How is this edition different than the new Yeti edition. I plan to upgrade but I just want to know the new features and changes to the program. Thank you.
Last reply by luckbat, -
- 4 replies
- 1k views
Hi, im looking throu the video tutorials and i se it says Animation Master 2003 in top. Does this mean that the videos are 10 years old, and if so, are they outdated? I just wonder so I dont sit and learn stuff that is obselete. Sins Dyrwoolf
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 3 replies
- 529 views
Hi all Is the Animation Master 2006 book by David Rogers a good resource for those of us who are new to A.M in additon to the great information you can find on these forums. Thanks!
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 2 replies
- 680 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
- 555 views
I purchased Animation Master a long time ago but I'm trying to get back into it. I purchased David Roger's Animation Master 2002 Handbook to learn the features of Animation Master but I noticed he is publishing a new edition in May. I was wondering if anyone knows how this edition will be different than the previous edition. I was very impressed with the previous edition and wish to add this book to my collection. Thank you.
Last reply by Leo73,