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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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- 2 replies
- 459 views
When resting over a button, it looks like a description of the button pops up for a fraction of a second in the status bar area (bottom left of the screen) and is then replaced with "For Help, Press F1". Does anyone know how to make the description stay there so we can see what the button does? Thanks.
Last reply by KenH, -
- 3 replies
- 420 views
Hello, Is there anyway for me to setup the forum so that when I click on a topic, the most recent response (post) comes up first instead of the initial response? Right now, when I click on a topic, I have to go through all the pages (or click on the >> icon) to get to the end. With most forums, the last response pops up first. Thanks for the help.
Last reply by Kurrykid, -
- 5 replies
- 703 views
I have had this really odd error. Basically, I right click, <new>, <rotoscope> and then select an image. AM: Then gives me a white/blank image of the correct pixel dimensions. In the project workspace it lists the correct image, and if I double click on the image it opens up a new window in which the image is correctly displayed. These images are all comming straight off the CD and they worked prior to me attempting Exercise 10. (FW-190 Fighter) Midway through I had to save and quit. After that I have never been able to get the Rotoscopes to display. Any Suggestions on how to fix this?
Last reply by clonewar12345, -
- 2 replies
- 521 views
I'm trying to understand the effects of using different render settings and codecs and found this suggestion in an archived discussion. Can someone tell me what "load the animation in A:M's image folder" means. Is this something I do from within AM, or am I supposed to move the tga folder into one of AM's folders? The closest folder I see to an image folder is one called ImageIOS, but I doubt that's what I'm looking for. Thanks.
Last reply by ytsorf7, -
- 2 replies
- 541 views
Actually I am not a new user(i have been working with A:M since 2000), but the question I want to ask is somehow a newbee-question, so I will ask it here: In the cloth-video-tutorial from hash, I saw and heard about a function called: "select everything attached"... What key is that? I only know the ',' key for the whole spline, but what do i have to push, if I want everything attached? *Fuchur*
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 2 replies
- 530 views
My computer died a couple days ago, so I ran out and bought a new one, installed animation master on it, and copied my old project file to it. However when I go to edit the models, the control points are pitched black, and the software ignores the color setting I choose for them in the customize menu. The big issue however, is when I go to edit the skeleton; in wireframe the control points are in the correct color corresponding to the bones they're bound to, but in shaded mode, they're still black. Here's a picture of what I mean:
Last reply by FMSonic, -
- 6 replies
- 699 views
Ok..this is probably a dumb question, but, I want to create letters that can be used in an animation. (Letter falls and character picks up letter and puts it back in its place). I'm in model mode, and have created my letter, but, how do I create a MODEL from that letter to be used in my choreography mode? I've looked in the manuals and the new A:M book, but maybe i'm missing something. Any help??? Thanks. Steven
Last reply by Steven547, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 613 views
Does anyone have a tutorial or any other kind of help for rendering (to file)? Granted, I have only been using A:M for 1 day but I can't seem to get any of my rendering to work. It seems pretty straight-forward but for some reason if I render a tga file, it just comes out completely white with nothing on it. If I render a movie (i.e. Quicktime), it is just pure black. There must be something I'm not doing right. Thanks.
Last reply by Kurrykid, -
- 2 replies
- 495 views
Hi, I just bought a copy of AM and want to take a real photograph of a product and rotate and manipulate the image. The book doesn't touch on this use at all. Any suggestions?
Last reply by Eric2575, -
- 2 replies
- 480 views
I am going through the book trying to learn how to model and somethings are differnt than the book. I am on page 102 and i cannot find the Rotate Manipulator button. you can email me at mike@vg-productions.com thanks
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 6 replies
- 1.2k views
Does anyone one know if Animation:Master allows you to install it on both a laptop and desktop? Most applications allow this nowadays...I just wondered if Hash was following the trend? Thanks. Dave
Last reply by PostTribber, -
- 3 replies
- 570 views
i know this as been answered before i just never read the post because this has never happened to me i downloaded the 13 beta and all my librarys are missing can any one tell me how to get them back?
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 10 replies
- 846 views
I'm having problems when first opening A:M. I click on File, New, then Model. According to the book, a grid is suppose to open, yet all I am getting is a blank screen with scales on the top and side, but I'm not able to draw anything. I tried opening multiple new model windows, then minimize and maximize the windows at random and MAY eventually get a grid. Any help would be appreciated.
Last reply by jason, -
- 2 replies
- 465 views
Hey, Can anyone help me out? I downloaded the latest version (yes, I have the yeti CD), but I get an error message on startup [Master.exe - Unable To Locate Component. This application has failed to start because MFC71.DLL was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.] Well, I tried that, twice, and nothing. What am I doing wrong?
Last reply by Joe Gamblin, -
- 2 replies
- 463 views
Dare! Practice.mov
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
OK...I think i'm missing something here...Where is the text tool? I want to create text in my animations, but can't find the font wizard or anything? Thanks. Steven
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 8 replies
- 1.2k views
is there some sort of function that welds verticies that are near each other?
Last reply by eptigo, -
- 4 replies
- 715 views
I was searching the forums to find these 2 tricks in animation. None of the topic headers seem to have keywords to track down the info. Logically, they have to be common animation techniques for some time now: 1. Rotating a wheel such as a car, and to keep it spinning. 2. Animating a prop that pops up in one area and then disappears and something else pops up in the same location, like magic. For instance, a frog breakdancing and then instantly disappears and a prince pops up in the same spot.
Last reply by Dhar, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 708 views
windows xp pentium II dual processors service pack 1 Hash 12 and 13b Is there a dual processor render option? Did a search on forum, did not find easliy any info. Thanks, Also, What is the most efficient path to follow for tutorials, any opinions appreciated. I noticed forum members are ranked, how is this done? I see there are forum tutorials, AN matrix tutorials, Sherwood Forest tutorials and manual tutorials, as a Zbrush artist, I am so bogged down in making zbrush textures that I was wondering what is the fastest path to getting to know the in's and out's of AM All the best, Michael Angelo
Last reply by artunemedia, -
- 0 replies
- 419 views
Hey all, I just upgraded to v13 the other day. Now my old HDD crashed, luckily i was able to back up all my materials and other important stuff, so I loaded in v13, worked good. Finally decided that I should continue to work on my project i have going. I made all my materials before the models. I just finished a model and wanted to import the material in to A:M and apply it. I go to load the material, and it gives me a "Missing IO plug in" error. I didnt have any plug ins like that when i made them, so there couldnt be anything wrong with the materials themselves. Heres the kicker, After I say "fine I'll remake them", I close down the import window and now my ma…
Last reply by SirSpectre, -
- 11 replies
- 1.1k views
I have modeled a box and applied decals for a realistic look. When I brought it into a default chor it looked fine until I moved off frame 0, whereupon all the decals disappeared and the shading reverted to the plain, non-decaled look. So all frames after frame 0 fail to show my decals. Presumably there is a setting that needs to be changed. Could someone clue me in? Thanks.
Last reply by ronburk, -
- 12 replies
- 988 views
I'd like to collect a few Cameras to add to the Extra DVD as it seems like it might be a great resource to explore. In particular I'm interested in collecting a variety of render styles with settings for people to examine on the DVD. If you have an old project laying around gathering dust you can import it into v13 and see what settings are there. If its a keeper save the camera as an external .CAM file and share it here. If you'd prefer your particular settings to be revealed when the DVD is released that is fine too. You can send the files to me via email if you prefer. Attached is the plain ol' default v13 camera. All settings are (of course) default! …
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
- 1 follower
- 0 replies
- 455 views
i am back from boston and again working diligently with version 13 of am. i am ready to attach the 2001 rig to a model. is it possible to attach the rig to an unfinished model? when trying to attach the rig some of the bones don't show up. i've look in the project work space where the bones are listed and cannot find the fore arms etc. what is the trick? richie ps i'm starting to understand splines a little better.
Last reply by stumblebum, -
- 2 replies
- 555 views
ok t been like this for a long time and i keep forgeting to post this. but since i've had A:M, and got on a:m comunity, i've been under choalmarch productions and it says hi, thomas ingham. my screen name is what i want it to be (the_black_mage333). but i'm under a completely diffrent name. also i made another account, and did every [thing] to be [put] under my name and every thing, but i forgot my password and the answer to my question!!!! i sent a request on the [A:M] reports like a month ago and no response can any one help me.
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
- 11 replies
- 1.2k views
Would anyone be kind enough to help me out here ... for two days now, I've been trying to create this knob ... any and all help is greatly appreciated. I'm totally stuck ...
Last reply by vf124, -
- 2 followers
- 11 replies
- 1.3k views
I've been reviewing that some 3D artist start their models in 2d. They draw up the left/right side and then front/back. In which, they then integrate those two 2D outlines and make their 3D model. Other 3D artist seem to start off with just a couple patches and keep extruding and tweaking step by step. Apparently, there is no true way to model, I presume. My question is this though, how do you as a 3D artist/modeler start your day when you begin making a model? Also is there an effective way to model, to speed up the process at times?
Last reply by Xtaz, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 592 views
Er... hello. I am rather new to Animation Master and I rather suck at modeling. I'm trying to do a movie with my friend that requires a CG shopping cart. I would really appreciate it if someone could take the time out of their busy life to make a shopping cart model for me. I have tried SO many times, I really just can't. So once again, if you have any time and would like to help some kid with a movie he is making, uh... please do. I would appreciate it very much. ~ Matt
Last reply by mattzilla, -
- 8 replies
- 884 views
I'm following the Take a Walk tutorial in the manuel using a model I made. I made the first 4 keyframes, and now I want to use them to make the other 4 key frames using the paste mirrored command, but everytime I use it the the frame number I want to paste mirror the keyframe in, nothing happens. I never had this issue using the rabbit model, so is my model at fault?
Last reply by KenH, -
- 4 replies
- 739 views
Hi.... I'm currently working on animating speech in spanish.... where can I find info on it??? That is phoneme poses for spanish and would I have to build a spanish dictionary file???
Last reply by C-grid, -
- 3 replies
- 551 views
Hey, all-- I'm working through the David Rogers book and I'm making your standard remote control. It is laid out with circle-holes (lathed from a diagonal line, top circle deleted, resulting in a four-point hole) for buttons and a rectangular face around them, with the face comprising five-point patches connecting to the holes' cps. So, theoretically, especially since it will not be animated with any flexing/bending, having a 0-y-scale mesh, even chock full o' five-point meshes, should be crease and wrinkle-free, yes? But at every corner where two or four five-point meshes join, I'm getting a tiny crease. I've tried various combinations of how to lay out …
Last reply by someawfulbridge, -
Hello - Perusing WillP's post on CloneDisc issues in the FAQ forum I thought I'd ask what the procedure is to load A:M on either my HD or a memory stick so that I can run the software without loading the CD. Is this what programs like CloneDisc are for? What is the best solution? Thanks, Chris
Last reply by cribbidaj, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 766 views
dose anyone know if theres a site were i can upload video's have have them "on" my site. useing html. and yes i did try you tube but for some reson i can ever get my e-mail confermation e-mail.
Last reply by Stuart Rogers, -
- 8 replies
- 1.4k views
Hello all, Been a while since I have posted (went back to college). Now that I am almost finished and I was Spammed to upgrade to V13 (and I will), My old computer crashed about a week or so ago (crappy performance since I bought it 2 years ago) so I have one to just get by for college work (word processing, etc). When I order a new computer, what specs are best for AM now. I would prefer to either get a Mac that will boot also to windows but I don't know if I want to spend that much money. Feel free to change my mind because I would like to Final Cut Studio. (now you know why I am hesitant to get a mac...i already have the adobe products) OK, so providing…
Last reply by SirSpectre, -
- 1 reply
- 474 views
when I import a model into a new project, I lose sight of the already posed actor that came from the A:M actor library. Where did it go? how do I get it back? Is there a size difference from the imported model and the A:M actor?
Last reply by KenH, -
- 2 replies
- 533 views
Please can someone help me?I am doing a birthday card for a friend and have come to a standstill. As you can see from the quick render screen the picture(wip)is ok.But when i do a render to file the Thom model on HAPPY disapears and the HAT ends up on the floor. I am using the current version of V13a. Please someone tell me this is just a silly newbie mistake. [attachmentid=17679] [attachmentid=17678] [attachmentid=17680] P.s.I am not worried about the skydome problem as this is just a tempory item.
Last reply by youngman, -
- 1 follower
- 13 replies
- 1.4k views
I tryed starting a new topic about 5 mins ago, the post hasnt shown yet so im gonna post again an hope for no double post. Hello all, I would like to make this look like this but fade the transparency out, or in depending how you look at it, overtime. The problem is when i adjust this to lower the opacity of the decal in an action or chor i get this in other words the patches that are stamped with the decal disappear. i'm getting something wrong along the way even after reading quite a few alpha channel an decal tuts . i'm using AM 11.0t. heres the decal decal any help greatly appreciated. Jungl…
Last reply by ronburk, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 838 views
What are nurbs? Thanx
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
- 1 reply
- 633 views
i have some characters that need bones i want to use them in movie 1st chara is a monster 2th a ninja 3th the man under mask 4th old guy 5th old werewolf i will post pictures of them so that u can see if you can handle it and then i will post the models I hope you guys can help me its very important btw this is what i need pose sliders at eyes hands mouth the model has to be able to move smooth and fight like a martial artist
Last reply by stinkyu111, -
- 2 replies
- 579 views
As of last night, after making several long renders, I got this error message. What is it telling me to do? [attachmentid=17651]
Last reply by Kelley, -
- 2 followers
- 2 replies
- 524 views
Dear AMasters, I have downloaded the v13 release and am seeking how to's for the new features listed. Does anyone have any direct links that demonstrate how to use the features. In addition, are there any forum locations or links on how to output alpha channels and how to use the compositing feature I have heard is included? Is there a master technical reference for the new features? I am using Zbrush to create displacement maps for Maya. Has anyone used this tool for Animation Master? Thank you, Michael Angelo
Last reply by artunemedia, -
- 10 replies
- 802 views
Whenever I try to open the options, it shows up for less than a second and closes itself! What's going on? Can I fix this? Please help. Thank you.
Last reply by MrShandavio, -
- 2 replies
- 618 views
I'm encountering a bug (or perhaps a feature) where, during animation, characters and objects leave 4 ghosts behind them in addition to their current state. These don't appear to be a rendering problem as they appear as solid 3D models appearing on even intervals. This hadn't been happening until a while ago, and I'm not sure what I did (maybe an accidental key command?) to cause it. This picture is an example of what I'm talking about, from the "take a walk" tutorial, as this serves as the best example. From what I can tell, it leaves one of these ghosts behind on every keyframe, though I could be wrong. This problem occurs on all projects with any a…
Last reply by phort99, -
- 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, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 493 views
This is really driving me nuts! ATM I only have my workstation to render with, so I do my rendering when I got to bed, and work with the footage the next morning. Each time (twice now) I have tried to render at some point the program just stops. I check my PC and the program is turned off, and I have not movie. I use Avid Express to edit with so I export to Quicktime at DV resolution @ 29.97 fps. I am exporting using the 2D render, and for shot stills it works. Is there an issue with QT render? Or could it be my virus software? PLEASE HELP!!!
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 5 replies
- 790 views
Hi all, I have been doing the tuts the video ones as well as reading and after the 3rd I decided to play with the actors and there bones a bit to get used to them. I can't load certain actors though I get "The parameter is incorrect" even thought I get the right file for hair and such things. I tried restarting A:M and my computer as well as checked my drivers, they are up to date... Any idea's? I await your wisdom Thank you ahead of time
Last reply by LuLu, -
Hi. I am trying to find information re: eyes. I understand how to make spheres and modify them to look like eyeballs. How do you make them more realistic? Decals? Materials? I appreciate the help. V 12.0
Last reply by fanng, -
- 12 replies
- 1k views
I might be jumping the gun on this question and will find the answer soon-- I'm working through the tutorials in the David Rogers book (BEST BOOK EVER, based on the first 1/3, at least--the tutorials are very instructive and logically arranged) and I just modeled my first realistically-muscled appendage (a leg). To keep spline density low, the tut focuses on using spline bias manipulators to define the musculature. On the tut, however, the only cps whose bias is manipulated belong to the spline rings going around the leg. Is it standard/advisable, when modeling, to adjust bias on splines running lengthwise, as well? Is there a reason to stick with bias manipul…
Last reply by C-grid, -
- 9 replies
- 997 views
I was working on a little short animation where a character throws a boomerang... and ran into some problems on making the boomerang spin. Basically I want to be able to position the boomerang in several different places (ex: I want the boomerang over here, at this angle) and then use the curves or some sort of pose to control the speed and direction with which the boomerang spins along its axis as it travels between these points. I was thinking of some sort of rig for the boomerang that allows me to make its position and orientation seperate from the spinning. I've tried several things with no success... I don't really know whats going on... but it seems that t…
Last reply by rossk, -
I got it :)
by LuLu- 2 replies
- 429 views
I got my copy of A:M in the mail woohooo! Now for my full blown first silly question. I am doing the video tuts and the problem is when I go from front view to side I often lose my model and can't find it. So enlighten the simple one what silly thing am I not doing that makes my model leave from view upon changing view? I have tried the buttons and read the book..so I either missed it or its a big secret! please tell Happy animating
Last reply by LuLu, -
- 5 replies
- 651 views
Hello, I've been creating actions for the figure I've created, and I am now practicing stringing them together in a choreography. Two problems I'm having: 1) I'd like to move to a frame, say frame 00:01:00 and have all action start there. When I move the frame counter to 00:01:00 and drag an action onto my character, however, the action starts at 00:00:00 and not the place that I'd like it to. 2) I've added an action to a choregoraphy and it ends at 00:01:00 I want the next action to begin at 00:01:10 with a blend in the intermittent frames. Again, when I set the frame counter to 00:01:10, and the last action ended at 00:01:00, the program ignores the ten f…
Last reply by robcat2075,