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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.
4,141 topics in this forum
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- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 629 views
I have read about somthing called Bootcamp and was wondering what it is and if I can check it out? does it have somthing to do with the certificate? Bob Koonce
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 2 replies
- 459 views
I was wondering how you change the line colors in the Decal View because I have a white background(for now) and I can't see the lines. Also how does the UV Mapper work? I mean I can just take the UV Coordinate picture and put it into an outside image. How does it track that? It doesn't make sense to me.
Last reply by teh1ghool, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 512 views
Hi, I wouldn't know where to post this topic best, but I hope this is okay. I'd like to meet fellow A:M artists in the Netherlands. It don't matter if you're a beginner or a pro, please get in contact with me. I got some films to do and maybe you can help me out. If you like. Just send me a mail! Kind regards, ik hoop van je te horen, Erik www.erikvanschaaik.com
Last reply by C-grid, -
- 4 replies
- 561 views
How come sometimes when I want to create a five point patch, the interface won't allow it? Can you not have two five point patches touching each other? (sharing a commone spline segment). I got it to work...does the order that you select the points make a difference?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 23 replies
- 1.4k views
I'm having trouble applying my decal for a UV Map . I've flattened the group in an action window and i am now trying to APPLY my image as a DECAL (like the tut says) but the apply button is blanked out, and it says i can't drag it into the screen. Help would e greatly appreciated. Oh wait nevermind, I had entered the decail in the wrong object! Problem solved. Oh man nevermind to that too. How do I get into the UV Editor(Decal View) so that the image shows flattened patch? I mean I can apply the decal then stop positioning, but then how do I see it in the Decal View?
Last reply by teh1ghool, -
- 2 replies
- 400 views
Hello, I'm looking to purchase A:M and I was wondering if there were walkthroughs so I can make movies like Conrad Chow's Snapshots or if I could record my nephew being chased by dinosaur. Can you just put that dinosaur into your home movie? or are those guys just too good at animation and they are pro. I have no background in animation but I would like to make those movies just for fun. Thanks in advance. Have a great weekend.
Last reply by itsjustme, -
- 1 follower
- 7 replies
- 883 views
I have been using V. 12 for while with no problems. All of sudden today, the program loads, but immediately crashes almost like it is timed to stop working. I have V. 11.1 and that works fine. I have the Yeti disk. I uninstalled V. 12 completely and then reinstalled -- same thing. As an aside, I tried to install V. 13 about two months ago, but could not get it to work -- it did the exact same thing. Does anyone have any idea what the problem may be? If I hold down shift so nothing loads with the program, it stays up for slightly longer, but will crash if I try to do anything. I'm in the middle of a project that I need to get done, so any help would be grea…
Last reply by JMorris, -
how would i go about making a glass triangular prism that refracts a light that is pointed at it?
Last reply by Stuart Rogers, -
- 5 replies
- 648 views
Ok, I purchased what was listed as Animation:Master 2006 a couple of weeks ago. The box has a witch and broom on it. The CD has a Yeti on it. The software version is 12.0 and everything in it states that it is AM 2005. (Help/About), etc. Now, I somehow came across Version 13 Alpha and have been using that (as I am a bleeding edge kinda guy and love to debug things). Today, it said my "trial" is over with and to call a 1-800 number. So - What am I supposed to run? What did I purchase? How do I work on the TWO project without version 13? IS AM 2006 even out yet? Thanks all! -Tim
Last reply by T-Dogg, -
- 2 replies
- 415 views
Hi everyone, Even though I've been around for quite some time, I'm still very, very new to modelling. What I would like to find out, is how would be the best way to make a golf ball in AM? I have looked and searched for the answer here in this forum, and come up with using bump maps on a normal sphere as a good way, and this sounds great. (Here comes the newbie part). I have found a bump map, but it is basically a big rectangle with the dots stretched at the edges (mainly at the top/bottom). I have tried just applying the image as a decal, and flattening the image (although Im not that great at flattening). Both results varied in effectiveness, but ba…
Last reply by walasek, -
- 16 replies
- 1.1k views
Is there a way to force a spline of your choice to connect to another one on an intersection when adding points? It's frustrading to have to delete everything else then connect it and re-order, etc.
Last reply by teh1ghool, -
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 461 views
Ok, everyone, I have tried the help files and searching the online forum, but can't locate this one. I have used the Preston set quite successfully, but now want to try the higher set. I set up the aa and the ar, but when typing in a dope sheet, "How are you", the "are" is translated using the Preston set instead. Can someone help me with this?
Last reply by zandoriastudios, -
- 11 replies
- 623 views
I'm having trouble with this 'invisible patch'. I've tried re-making it, flipping the normals, everything I can think of, but it just won't appear! And It doesn't select in the patch mode either.
Last reply by Scottj3d, -
- 1 reply
- 390 views
Can someone point me in the right direction for an explanation on how to use constraints to have an actor grab and hold objects in his hand? I have his fingers wrapped around the object (in my case, the hilt of a sword). Do I have to constrain the hilt bone to the hand or finger bones or vice versa? Do I use translate to and/or kinematic constraints? Nothing I try seems to get the object to stick in its original position. For example, the hilt of the sword jumps to the outside of the hand.
Last reply by luckbat, -
lightning?
by cuboos- 1 reply
- 383 views
can anyone show me a good tutorial for making lightning and electrical effects in A:M and i would like a tutorial for making mussel flashed for guns
Last reply by Stuart Rogers, -
- 1 reply
- 408 views
I just purchased AM over the weekend and I am trying to get through the first tutorials. My problem is that when I select a character and click on its gizmo to move, rotate, or resize it the box disapears and it looks like all the verticies on the character are selected. I have found that I can use the gizmo if I hold down the shift button while clicking on it but that causes more problems after the first move. I am having a similar problem if I show the bones I cannot click on them unless I hold down the shift key. I hope this isnt the way its supposed to work. Sorry for being so long winded. Thanks in advance for any help! Ctimbs
Last reply by Stuart Rogers, -
- 2 replies
- 434 views
I created a sprite emitter material based on the one given in the manuel. I works in the project file I created it in, but does not work in other project files. I have no clue why.
Last reply by FMSonic, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 492 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, -
- 2 replies
- 441 views
I've noticed that for many things... The suggestion is made to click "show more than drivers". I can't find info on it anywhere. How do I "show more than drivers"? What does it do? Point me to a part of the tech ref, or a tutorial.. I can't find it.. I prolly don't need it (yet), but my inquiring mind wants to know... and I see Drivers with a green check mark in it in my models, so I'm wondering. Thanks,
Last reply by oakchas, -
- 1 follower
- 0 replies
- 369 views
I put the 2001 Skeleton rig in my model because I didn't want to start from scratch, but my model is a turtle. Everything would be wonderful if I had foot targets for what used to be the hands. How can I make the hands into feet that have foot targets. Does anyone know of a tutorial for a rig with four legs or can someone please tell me how to make the 2001 Skeleton work for four legs?
Last reply by mpmmprod, -
- 0 replies
- 321 views
[attachmentid=15158] This is simple fade to black I put a pose slider on the fader for control ..see the first chor on how to use it. You can save the model and inport it into your project [attachmentid=15159] This is another fade to black I put a pose slider on the fader for control ..see the second chor on how to use it. You can save the model and inport it into your project it needs the material which has a gradient controled by the pose slider.. do not scale this model in model window or gradient will not work correctly okay to scale in chor Project 12t [attachmentid=15157] camerafades.zip easyfade.mov gradientfade.mov
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 437 views
Alright, Thank you so much for the quick replies on my last post. I appreciate it. So I get the program up and running with no problems. But for some reason when the program starts up I am not seeing the camera view. I drag a character out of the library on to the stage - a load bar at the bottom goes to 100% but I see nothing for some reason. No grid, no camera, no character. I must be doing something retarded. Any advice? Thanks in advance, Eric
Last reply by KenH, -
- 14 replies
- 1k views
Hi All, Can anyone tell how to simulate light emitting from a light bulb? What is the most effective way of doing this in AM? This light and many others will be visible in my scene. [attachmentid=15095]
Last reply by vf124, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 378 views
Hi, I just received animation master, and the program will not run unless the install disc is in the drive. Is this how it is suppose to operate. Also when I do get it to boot from the disc, what I am seeing on the screen and according to the manual what I am suppose to be seeing are different. In the manual it looks like a camera view with a grid. I am just getting a gray background. Any help would be appreciated. Sincerely, Eric
Last reply by luckbat, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 468 views
Is there any way to recieve alerts or somthing like one, that will tell you if somone has read your replies or new topics? Thankx, Bob Koonce
Last reply by bobkoonce, -
- 2 replies
- 473 views
Hi! I'm new to A:M and the community and I was just wondering if there are any copyright restrictions on the usage of the models that come with A:M and the Extras CD. Eg. If I wanted to create a program for my wife to use in her school can I use pre-existing A:M models or do I have to create all my own? Regards, Ken.
Last reply by KenSingleton, -
- 1 reply
- 341 views
For Expedency and Symetry Can anyone tell me if I made several copys of a group and want to fix a flaw in the original does AM have a option that will pass the change to all the copies?
Last reply by Karl, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 784 views
In an earlier topic called "Need Keyframe Help" I followed the suggestions that were made without success, here's what I did. Opened time line, at frame 00:00:00 I nudged Keekats Right forearm, keyframe was create at 00:00:00, at frame 00:01:00 I nudged Keekats Right forearm, keyframe was create at 00:01:00, moved time slider to frame 00:02:00, moved right arm to position I wanted, when I moved arm, time line changed, two more graph lines appeared and stated to come together at 00:02:00 as I moved Keekats arm, keyframe 00:01:00 disappeared. I hope this was clear, and I would appreciate some help with this so I can move on. Thanx, Bob Koonce
Last reply by bobkoonce, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 502 views
How do I go about adding an alpha channel to some animation, I need it to apply over some live action. Thanks,
Last reply by Chip, -
- 1 reply
- 358 views
I have AM 9.5, I like animating for fun once in a while but have not been able to devote the time to seriously try to learn AM. I do have some questions about some of the AM books. Regarding the new AM v11 Technical Manual. Does it only apply if you have the latest version of AM, or does the tutorial work with any version of AM. Secondly, on the same subject, the link to purchase the book does not go anywhere. I know a few months back that it did, but now it just goes to Cafepress' website without any information. Thanks Griffin
Last reply by Leo73, -
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 528 views
I created a movie that I thought looked good in a 3 min Choreography window. After rendering it and watching it as a movie, 3 mins makes it look like it is in slow motion. Is there anyway to Fast Forward the movie for rendering? I want the same movie to take only 1 min and not 3 min. Hopefully I do not have to rebuild the entire movie again. I am using V11
Last reply by MMZ_TimeLord, -
- 6 replies
- 659 views
I've been messing with A:M's (v.12t) hair emitter today and am trying to get a "billowing in the wind" animation in either an action or a choreography. I haven't found a tutorial that addresses this, so I apologize if there is an obvious oversight on my part. I've tried to adapt the A:M "Wave The Flag" tutorial to my current needs, but am running into a snag since I'm using a hair emitter, not A:M cloth. How do I get my hair material to react to a wind force? -Chris
Last reply by cribbidaj, -
- 1 follower
- 8 replies
- 636 views
I wanted to interact some 3D animation with an image, to make an interesting DVD menu. I'm a new user, and found that decals seemed to be my best option. So, while using "snap to grid" I modelled a perfect box, and applied my decal on it. It looked perfect. Until I rendered it. Then there was distortion. The distortion is mainly visible in the upper left quadrant, and may be present only there. And it is _very_ visible. Once in a hundred tries I did not see the distortion, but I didn't do anything different at that lucky shot. I'm even beginning to doubt that it even happened... Is it a bug, or is it me? I'm using A:M v8.5 with Windows XP pro on a pretty po…
Last reply by Aleta, -
- 2 replies
- 324 views
Hello Everyobody! I'm Chris and this is my intro thread. A little about myself. -17 y.o. - I have owned AM 2005 since Dec. 2004 (LOL) - I am taking a course to learn how to properly use AM and its various functions - I will have a new computer soon so after that I will get more involved in animating I find this to be a great forum with many resorces/people who can help each other out. I won't try posting on everything (this is a BIG forum) but I will be reading what I can to learn. I love the tutorial section and I will be sure to work on them when I'm done with my course. I also need a place to show off to people who understand what went into an ani…
Last reply by cfree68f, -
- 3 replies
- 490 views
Hi everyone, I organized my coreography and put in a Character, a camera and a path. What I wanted to do was to make the camera follow the path while pointing to the character. So, I gave the camera a Constrain "Aim at" in compesate mode to the character. First step done. Then, I applied a second constrain to the camera in order to follow the path (a 3 point curve around the character). When I did that, the camera begun following the path but aiming the path too. I clicked off the Store roll option in order not to aim the path and the camera started aiming to the front... but not to the character. I tried to do this in A:M 7 and A:M 12 obtaining the same results…
Last reply by Miguel Esteve, -
- 1 reply
- 393 views
I have a character that is lifting a box. The character bends down to pick up the box, then I constrain (translate to) the box to his hand. He then picks up the box and places it on a table. This all works nicely until I place the box on the table and turn the enforcement of the contraint to zero. At that point the box jumps back on the floor. Is there an option I can click somewhere that forces the box to stay in the place it was last translated to when the constraint was turned off?
Last reply by luckbat, -
- 2 replies
- 626 views
Hello again, Im still new to the Targa rendering method. I cant seem to bring the targa sequence back in A:M to save it as something else. It either brings in one frame, or it tries to open Adobe Photoshop to show the frame. Could someone share the Targa secret?
Last reply by SirSpectre, -
- 12 replies
- 957 views
Hi All, I have tried many times the Wizards Duplicator. AM will not duplicate the texture map attach to the group being copied. Do I need to turn on a menu item somewhere? I can copy a group and then paste groups with it texture maps ok but not when I use Plugin>Wizards...>Duplicator... Can somebody help me? Technodandy
Last reply by Technodandy, -
- 2 followers
- 0 replies
- 371 views
I have set-up a material Library for texturing the objects in "Tin Woodsman of Oz". If you would like to help get all of these objects for the movie textured, I could really use your help! All you have to do is drag and drop materials from a library onto groups in models, and then tweak the parameters on the material shortcut. It is just a matter of choosing an appropriate material and tweaking the color, basically. This is a good opportunity to learn and to contribute to making the things ready to render. If you are interested, send me an email and I will point you to where to get started. Thanks,
Last reply by zandoriastudios, -
- 10 replies
- 647 views
well that wasnt long at all now when i click the format button it drops down and gives me 3 choices avi. mov. tga. but no jpeg and when i try to upload it it says that the file extension is forbidden?? a little more help plz...
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
- 4 replies
- 543 views
well i was just wondering how to take stills and not animations. I open director mode then lay everything out then i hit the render file do i type 00:00:00 or 00:00:01 or is there a diffrent way to go about this sincerly, |logan|-|BHS animator|
Last reply by BHS Animator, -
- 1 follower
- 15 replies
- 1.3k views
Hello all here at hash animation master im new here and looking to get into 3d animation. but im useless with it i got it about a week ago and i carnt make nothing just need some advice on where to start once you get animation master with no experince in 3d? any advice on where to start how to start what to start with??? Thanks in advance guys look forward to replys. im thinking i should quit because i have always been intrested in 3d animation try loads of programs but never get the hang of it so now im trying animation master hope the experts here can help me out cheers cya soon
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
- 7 replies
- 691 views
For my mini-movie entry for the contest I've been trying to add several layers of sound. One audio file is for the background ambient noise, one is for footsteps, then a few for other random noises. In the realtime playback of the scene, all of the auido is lined up perfectly, but upon render the audio gets shifted. Secondly, when I try changing the sound volume or changing whether the sound is muted or not... it seems to have absolutely no effect in the realtime or rendered version. Any help or ideas on how to add sound properly? I've heard about rendering to TGA's and then loading them into quicktime pro to add the audio in there or something... but I would …
Last reply by rossk, -
- 2 replies
- 443 views
When a scene renders [and I'm thinking about multi-frame animations] does the program have to calculate every CP in the model for every frame, or just what the camera sees?
Last reply by Nichod, -
- 1 reply
- 422 views
This is a really newby-ish question, but is there a way in A:M to attatch two splines together withought having to make complicated stuff? Say I want to make a rocket. How do I take a four column 3-D shape and "connect" it to say an 8 collumn 3-D model. Sorry if you're having complications understanding what I'm saying, I don't know the vocab too well lol.
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 2 replies
- 447 views
Is there a way to assure that all cps are in one plane without making them snap to grid in all axes? In other words, if I have a rounded rectangle that I want all cps to be on the same plane without moving the corner points to a different location on the xz plane but I wanted them all to rest on the plane (because one or more cps is slightly offset in the y axis). Is it possible to bring that/those points to the same xz plane as the others without it moving in x or z axis, only the y axis. Man, this is hard to describe... the xz plane is a flat plane... like the ground (but ABOVE AND parallel to it). All the cps are where I want them in each axis EXCEPT y... …
Last reply by oakchas, -
- 1 follower
- 5 replies
- 544 views
hi- i have 2 questions for the group. i want to add my own material to the library but what format can i use? what is ".mat"? i'd like to add a photoshop file: jpg or bmp or ?. can i? and- if i want to create a cube with specific dimensions- can i do that? if so, where do i specify that? thanks much patter
Last reply by Fishman, -
- 2 replies
- 386 views
Is it bad to have a model where two patches cut through each other? I'm modelling a Harrier GR7, and the fuselage does not taper to the rear, as with most jets, it’s just a cylinder ending in a hemisphere. The tailfin looks like it could be modelled as a single object with the lower part cutting through the fuselage and forming the small ventral fin, for simplicity and reduced splinage. Is this sort of modelling frowned upon? Are there any rendering considerations I need to take into account? The biggest question, though, is that if I should be modelling the whole thing as a single assembly, is there a quick and dirty way of turning the interface…
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 10 replies
- 872 views
I'm new to A:M so naturally I jumped in over my head and started a big project. My WIP is a music video. I have a 2d model of a stage with some scenery in the background. I'm trying to fade the background to black (as the sun sets) and leave the stage lit up. I thought I could just make a black background behind the scenery then slowly make the scenery transparent with a pose slider, but it didn't work. I searched the forum and my manuals I have but haven't found anything to help. Any ideas?
Last reply by Kamikaze, -
- 3 replies
- 429 views
Hello, I'm practicing rigging and posing in A:M 12.0 on a Powermac G4. I need help in understanding how to maintain the relationship between bones while I'm building a pose. Here's my situation: Let's say I have Two (2) bones: Bone 1 and Bone 2. I'd like a pose where they move in relation to each other in a Percentage Pose. I right-click on the object name in the workspace and choose [New][Pose]. This opens a pose slider which is set to 100%. I then set up relationships between bones using "Orient Like" [bone 2 is set to "Orient Like" Bone 1,] When I move Bone 1 with Bone 2 related, it works fine and the bones moves as they should with the re…
Last reply by itsjustme,
