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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
- 10 replies
- 1.6k views
Hi everyone! I've been an A:M user on and off over many years and was even briefly involved in the Scarecrow of Oz project. I recently watched the TWO DVD and really enjoyed it. It inspired me to pick up A:M again. I might even get through all the exercises in the AoA:M manual this time. Nice to see you all again! -Sean
Last reply by markw, -
Not so much a question, more just a cautionary tale! I was working on a character and noticed some rendering artifacts on a 5-point. Shift-1 and sure enough, normals were flipped the wrong way. Corrected it and then noticed that there were some MORE normals nearby in the neck facing the wrong way, too. Started fixing them and was surprised at how many there were. So, just to be safe, I went and turned off "show back facing polys." EEP. Embarrassingly, there were quite a few normals facing the wrong way. Extrusions in particular seemed to be pretty nasty. This got me wondering, so I went back and opened up a model I had finished a while back. My reaction: …
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 3 replies
- 1.6k views
Hi Guys I know its been a little while. Where can i find the data download zip? Cant remember.
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 8 replies
- 1.6k views
Hello, I am getting very frustrated trying to figure out how to get a flag animated using SimCloth. I believe I have followed all the steps correctly but my flag keeps flying away. I tried this on my own model as well as the model in the tutorial. This is what I have done ( hope you can follow ) I created a Flag and Pole model. Created a group for attached and another for the flag. Created a bone for the mast and applied all CP to the bone. Set attached to on for the attached group ( both in Model mode and Choreography mode ) Created the Force and Turbulence as outlined in the Tutorial. Created the Spring System by selecting the flag group i…
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 8 replies
- 1.6k views
Quick question, i wish do make a bot that can fold up into a sphear to roll around to move, is there a way that i can take the sphear that comes with the library and cut it into 4 parts and still have the 4 parts keep its shape so that when moved together they form a round sphear again? i have tryed som basic cutting methodes but the remain parts allway warp due to not having the CPs if deleted
Last reply by GAngus, -
- 12 replies
- 1.6k 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, -
- 1 follower
- 18 replies
- 1.6k views
Rather than take too much time investigating I'll ask to be reminded here. Having one place to look will help immensely. So... Who do I owe a TAoA:M certificate to? Please post a note here so I don't forget you. I'll try to catch up quickly but it may be after Hash Bash before any certificates get out. Seeing your post here should expedite the process. Thanks in advance, especially to those that have emailed and expressed their interest. If you've completed TAoA:M... I O U!
Last reply by Atomike, -
- 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, -
- 2 followers
- 19 replies
- 1.5k views
I'm trying to get my fire with a flickering light - I've looked through the forum and found that if I render the fire to a tga alpha channel I could apply it as a gel to a klieg light ( ) However, I've tried various ways - the simplest is rendering a ball with the flame material as described in TaoAM Chapter 16. I get the alpha channel for the ball, but the flames do not show in the alpha channel. Am I doing something wrong, or are particles not supposed to show up in the alpha channel? I was reading this thread on Compositing Particles, and, while it is all a bit too hard for me, it does seem to imply that you can get an alpha channel from particles. …
Last reply by johnl3d, -
Can anyone recommend an artist for hire that could draw a character (front & side) that could be used as a rotoscope? I have to search the internet for pics when I create a character, since my drawing skill is limited to a bad stick figure. It really limits me to what I can create. Thanks - Eric
Last reply by aen916, -
- 9 replies
- 1.5k views
I just noticed under my A:M 11.1i File | Plugins I have an Export category with three items, including: Poly Model 3D Studio Avatar These look like they give A:M some interoperability with other programs. Have these proved to be useful? -SB
Last reply by myrakern279, -
- 3 replies
- 1.5k views
As I am reading through the manuals, I keep hearing about plugins. Eventually I would love to make some of my own. 1. how do you get started in plugin development? 2. any tutorials? 3. is there a scripting language inside this wonderful program? Thanks, Stede
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 19 replies
- 1.5k views
Hi folks, looking for some opinions on rigging... I'm reaching the point where I'm needing to rig my character. It's a little daunting. Okay, it's a LOT daunting. :-) I don't really know what all my options are, but from what I've been able to see there's: the 2001 rig, the Squetch rig or create a custom one. I'm on a Mac and running Tiger, so The Setup Machine isn't an option for me. I've been messing with the 2001 rig (after doing the boneless thom tute) and it goes okay until I start getting to parts that deviate too much from the default rig or go past the tutorial (like finger bones). Not understanding how all of the various hidden bones work, I'm…
Last reply by largento, -
- 1 follower
- 5 replies
- 1.5k views
Launched Animation Master today, but it didn't load. Subscription must be expired. Does anyone know the steps to renew? What do I do?
Last reply by animas3D, -
- 1 follower
- 12 replies
- 1.5k views
As a test for my first animation in A:M, I want everything to happen around a group of rocks [underwater]. What's the easiest way to make the camera revolve around a center? In other programs, I could move the 'geometric center' of the object. In this case, do I need to move the 'camera bone'?[attachmentid=12848]
Last reply by ArgleBargle, -
- 18 replies
- 1.5k views
I am new to animation master, my friend let me borrow his old 2003 version but when i install all the textures are not there and the example models aren't there! All there is is a few post effects. If anyone can please help me get the basic textures and models and all that stuff i would be very great full. Thanks in advance.
Last reply by higginsdj, -
- 5 replies
- 1.5k views
I haven't been splining since 2006 but recently fired "my" latest copy of AM V15 up and am starting to model again. Never got too deep in the animation part of AM but I had forgotten how much I enjoy modeling and although still learning in the chorwindow I enjoy setting up the image's. Still have some health issue's but I hope to improve my modeling skill's and maybe spend a bit more time catching up here.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 11 replies
- 1.5k views
so my motherboard went bad. they sent me another. i installed and all seemed to work well. i just installed the new AM update and got the error above. i saw some threads on this and did a search and there must be at 200 files with different dates. am i screwed here. do i have to re-format? mike
Last reply by Jason Simonds, -
- 3 followers
- 11 replies
- 1.5k views
I made a mouth for my character, but when I did the dope sheet the jaw doesn't move or barely moves. Why doesn't my jaw lipsinc with the words.
Last reply by arkaos, -
- 5 replies
- 1.5k views
Boy, I really wish you could just right click on a pose in the PWS or in the Pose Sliders or in the Relationships Window and select "Duplicate Pose". So many poses have such similar starting points. It sure would be nice to be able to duplicate them easily. Here's a newbe question though. How do I clear out values - restore them to the default position on a pose? I inadvertently set up my pose at 0% instead of 100% and I'd like to get the 0 back to default. Anyone? Anyone??? Bueller??? Anyone???
Last reply by largento, -
- 11 replies
- 1.5k views
I've got another one for you guys... I search these forums but just can't come up with the right answers... I need to put about 20 to 40 Thoms on my stage, each at about 20% scale. I tried using the "duplicator" plugin wizard, but doesn't seem to work. It scales relative to the last copy each time. Also need to add the same action to them all. Can I add the action to them before I bring them in??? Please help. Running late!!! Thanks!
Last reply by TommyDAQ2, -
- 11 replies
- 1.5k views
Hi all Well this is quite embarrassing but I'm having issues trying to activate AM. I've spent the last 15-20 minutes searching and reading but I am still stumped. First the version I bought is the lifetime not the yearly one, don't know if that makes a difference. I have AM installed but I don't see a master.lic file only a master.txt file. When I look at the details of my account I see: Transaction ID AuthCode I tried both of these codes but nothing. There are two other codes but I assume they have to do with the credit card. Where do I find the activation code. *hangs head in embarrassment* EDIT: May have jumped the gun as it shows it's st…
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 1 follower
- 16 replies
- 1.5k views
I bought animation master from a guy off the internet. it was version 11.5. im gonna buy version 14 bt i need the activation code. The guy neve gave me the activation code for it is it somewhere on the disc?
Last reply by DJBREIT, -
- 1 follower
- 19 replies
- 1.5k views
Hi all, Just got a problem, I wanted to create and simulate water. I have made the material but the water is just a material. How do i animate it? does it do this automaticly. I have selected animate but i dont realy now what i am doing Please help
Last reply by elliotclem1, -
- 4 replies
- 1.5k views
I've installed AM 17.0e SSE4 on a new Dell XPS 8500 Desktop Computer with a 1GB AMD Radeon HD 7570 Video Card and I get the AVIFileCreateStream Error when trying to do Final. When I try wireframe I get "Failed InitBoundRenderInfo". Need assistance. Thanks, Michael
Last reply by believesailing, -
- 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, -
- 6 replies
- 1.5k views
I was gone for awhile taking classes in another software and I find myself wanting to dive back into Animation master and I see a sub-forum with this my curiosity is peeked. Question so there was a certification in this at one time or is this in the planning? I could not look in the forum as it was marked private. Thanks. TaoA:M (The Art of Animation:Master) Online
Last reply by Dpendleton77, -
- 8 replies
- 1.5k views
I needed a simple project to get back on track, so I thought I'd have a go at a fish. It is still really rough. This is very much going to be a stylized fish as opposed to a photo-real fish.
Last reply by pixelplucker, -
- 9 replies
- 1.5k views
Typically, the initial mesh I plot out looks just fine. Of course, I have to move it around to get it looking right, and once I do, crinkles and creases start showing up from some angles - even though the splines look perfectly smooth. How do I fix/avoid this?
Last reply by Meowx, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 1.5k views
Can you put more than one model in an action?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 21 replies
- 1.5k views
i made another face; i think this one is less flat. How does it look? Still not my final production; sorry i lied in that other forum saying i wouldn't post again, but now i think i need to so i can learn more.
Last reply by phatso, -
- 1 follower
- 8 replies
- 1.5k views
Im new to all of this and everthing im working with is old v12 and all old tutorials,im hoping to scrape up the money to get $79 sub,and should I (since im just learning) better off getting the newest version or is most of the program the same ,and if i get to know v12 ill still know whats going on in v16.In a nutshell what has changed or is that too much to get into with me just starting out?Are there alot of plugins that were separate from A:M now a part of A:M and does set up machine still work in the newer versions,if you could point me in the right direction I would be very grateful.
Last reply by mouseman, -
- 6 replies
- 1.5k views
After reading about poses in techref.pdf, I'm trying to set up a pose slider: Plop a cube into the choreography pane. Right-click the cube's bone, select New | Pose | Percentage. In the relationship pane, rotate the bone and scrub the slider to make sure it works. Back in the choreography pane, set keys on the pose channel. As a result, the pose slider value changes over time, but the cube isn't animated. What am I doing wrong?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 6 replies
- 1.5k views
Description says it all... Just not sure how to do it. How can I have a decal turned off on one frame, then turned on on the next - or even just turn it off once it's been applied without deleting it? Thanks tommy
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 6 replies
- 1.5k views
Has anyone attempted to make a animation of a welding torch raining down sparks and what not?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 4 replies
- 1.5k views
Hello - I'm not a new user but I have a new user question. When modeling, the user is able to select a cp either by clicking on that particular cp or by using the "G" key and grouping a couple of cps. After these cps are highlighted (they turn green) the user can hit the "T" key and rotate the model ... ...and those selected green cps should now be the center axis for the "turn" action to rotate around. That is what I remember... but now when I click on a cp and use the "T" command the model rotates haphazardly and the software does not use the selected cps as the center axis for "turning".. Can anyone explain where this is going wrong? Many thanks, To…
Last reply by Tom, -
- 19 replies
- 1.5k views
Ok.. I'm still confused on the "keyframe". I'm looking through my manual and not finding what or how to do what I want. I'm creating an action with a Penguin. He lifts his right foot, moves it to his right, THEN he is supposed to move his LEFT foot and move it to his right. However, his LEFT foot is moving at the same time his right foot is. Where do I find how or on screen, where is it, on how to lock this left foot until I want it to move? Thanks Steven
Last reply by Steven547, -
- 4 replies
- 1.5k views
Hey Everyone.... Either I never did this, or I have forgotten the process. How do you place an image sequence onto a model and key it to a pose slider?? Thanks Bunches!!! Detbear
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 20 replies
- 1.5k views
Hello. long time. Have two problem now start. My project file come so big and more and more slow my computer. file is nov 5..936kt (is that normal) and i try do some avi movie clip. 5sec render 9hours and first i try do 30sec (that was rendertime 57hours ) nice... so is any tips how i can meke project file smaller than computer work better. or is my setup option somethin wrong... here is picture on what i try do and file too (if that open) A:M is ver 13.o and computer intel core E6850 3.00GHz 4G ram and 2x GeForce 8800 GT / 512Mb and vista 64bit. And extra guestion: is that ver 13 newest what i can get in this. (yeti 2006 cd) (sorry my englis is not…
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 16 replies
- 1.5k views
I'm at a bit of a loss understanding why I'm getting the results I am with the index of refraction. I know all the theoretical aspects of it (that is, learned from college physics). What I don't understand is the rather profound deepening of color I see with applying even the smallest index of refraction (1.01). [attachmentid=16239] The two objects in the image have the same color and 95% transparency. The item to the right has 1.01 index of refraction a it gained a deeper-blue color. In another model I made, a small bit of transparency and a bit of refraction produced a profoundly deep-colored plastic that I liked. However, this time around I want to keep …
Last reply by ArgleBargle, -
- 8 replies
- 1.5k views
Still in the process of learning the program, but i cant find anything in the manual or here that explains why im consistently getting these odd shaded triangle sections whenever i try to make a sphere of any kind. They originate from the top and bottom where all the CPs meet and extend out along the surface when i put it in shaded wire-frame view, has anyone else seen this or am i just missing something downright obvious?
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 1 follower
- 15 replies
- 1.5k views
I met an animation major, and she was saying how on job application reels, it's best to use a minimalistic "rig" rather than a fully fleshed character. She also said some people will throw away a tape just because of the rig they see used. So my question is, what's a good pre-made rig for A:M to practice animating, not modeling? Mind you I do own the bonus models DVD, so those are fair game for recommendations.
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 18 replies
- 1.5k views
I've had this problem for quite some time now, but it's getting irritating of late. Imported models - regardless of format - basically have every ex-polygon separately shaded. Even if I change all the CPs to Peak, the shading is still all glitchy. For example: How do I keep this from happening? It makes the import completely useless. Thanks!
Last reply by Moden, -
- 21 replies
- 1.5k views
say i want to create my own anime or do fan-work of existing anime from japan. i want to create a look to what they use. i want to use mecha robots as well something like the animes of Naruto, Bleach, Code Geass, etc. so far AM has a somewhat disney cartoon look to it. im looking to something like this http://mofandom.wordpress.com/2009/01/02/t...-of-anime-2008/
Last reply by north, -
- 9 replies
- 1.5k views
The advertisement for A:M 2007 said it has dual-core support, can someone tell me how to enable it? See: http://robwilkens.com/tao/notdual.jpg On the left-hand of the attached image, you'll see exercise 2 rendering, on the right side of the screen, you see "Core 1: " and "Core 2: " usage. Core 2 is clearly doing the bulk of the rendering, as it's near 100% usage.. Core 1 is almost sitting idle, so clearly it doesn't appear to be being used. There's got to be some magic trick to enable dual-core support. Do I need to switch to a beta version to get this? -Rob
Last reply by rickh, -
- 3 replies
- 1.5k views
Hi all, I've been using screen space ambient occlusion and it keeps crashing on me. I have an Nvidia gt540m graphics card on my toshiba core i7 laptop. I try to use just the cpu to render the screen space ambient occlusion but it still fails. Any ideas or setting I might be able to use? Does anyone else have this issue?I have a deadline coming up, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Mark
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 12 replies
- 1.5k views
The A:M Community always stands ready to help each other out and this is indeed one of the reasons why I devote time to the community. I've been on the recieving end of the community's generosity more times than I can count. Having said that... a word of caution to new users might be in order. The knowledgeable among us (old and new) can certainly help us through the trouble spots but carelessly abusing the graces of others is guaranteed to put a stop to such excellent assistance rather than see it prosper and get us to the goal (whatever that may be in each case). Of course, A:M Community members can defend themselves so I'm not attempting to speak for th…
Last reply by vf124, -
- 1 follower
- 11 replies
- 1.4k views
I need help modeling. How do they construct a 3D model from a 2D picture? Please I am really needing help on this.
Last reply by Muff, -
- 24 replies
- 1.4k views
I just got Animation:Master 2004. And I know everyone is going to tell me to look through the tutorials. But my question is... what do I do after that? I want to know how to create my own animation, whether still frame or music video, but I'm a complete newbie. I know next to nothing about animation but I really want to know how to design cool things. Could someone tell me how to do this? I was looking at Thom in the wireframe mode and I moved all his segments around and everything. Which project do I go to to make things like him? How do I create segments? Can someone please help me with this gigantic challenge? If you could, it would be greatly appriciated.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 22 replies
- 1.4k views
Afternoon everyone. I'm getting back into this again after the clean up here in California from the fires. So, I apologize if i'm rusty or sound stupid, but, I have an animation (simplistic), using the lamp (the pixar looking one). I want to animate it (which i've done so far). I want to have that light bulb turn on or stay on. How do I add a light source to the lamp? Thanks!
Last reply by Steven547,
