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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.
4,155 topics in this forum
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- 53 replies
- 4.5k views
Been a looong time since I've been here, folks... And almost as long since I've messed with AM, sorry to say... I'm still in V14.0c Okay that's established. I've modeled a brain. Primitive really... but sufficient for my needs. I've cut Dex's head off... sorry Dex, really... but I just needed your head. I have saved my brain as "brain.mdl" clever that, no? And I've saved Dex's head alone as "dexhead.mdl" (equally clever, I think) Now... I've tried to import dexhead.mdl into brain.mdl. and positioned good ol' Dex's head around the brain, which seems to work just fine... Well, the brain doesn't work... Dex's just pretty.. no smarts, you see....…
Last reply by oakchas, -
- 4 replies
- 691 views
I'm working on an animation exercise right now, and if I try to just translate the mesh I can move that just fine. If I select the bone that I have assigned to the mesh and hit the "n" key and try to move it, though, not a darn thing happens. I am not sure what I'm doing wrong, I don't think I have anything toggled that I shouldn't. Any ideas?
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 7 replies
- 1.1k views
Sorry if i am missing something obvious but I can not find this option anymore. Is this still possible with Animation Master? Thanks in advance for any assist possible.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 17 replies
- 1.7k views
I've noticed lately that my PC is pretty slow at importing and rendering. Its a dual core Pentium 2.2GHz with GeForce 9400GT graphics cards with a 32bit Vista OS load. It works, but I'd like to build a much faster rig. I'm proficient at building my own PCs, so I'd like some advice on which processor/memory/graphics combo would yield the highest performance for A:M. Thanks.
Last reply by pixelplucker, -
- 16 replies
- 2.7k views
Is there software I can download that will allow me to covert the 3dx max model file to a MDL so I can use it in Animation Master?
Last reply by pixelplucker, -
- 23 replies
- 4k views
For those who were involved in, modeling, rigging and animating KeeCat and others that have used KeeCat in animation tests and/or experiments... What can new users learn from KeeCat? Would anyone care to post their thoughts concerning the KeeKat Character?
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 20 replies
- 1.9k views
I had an idea for a some alien creature that would not have any surface shading, but just an outline to it. Is there a way to use the toon lines to do that and make the surface completely transparent or not visible and just show the outline of the model?
Last reply by captainrex, -
lens flare?
by Guest upsetter151- 2 replies
- 745 views
Hi im not exactly a new user, but i kind of got out of the program for a while... i mostly use it to see how light would play on a particular shape these days. I need to make a half way decent sun... but i cant get lens flare to turn on it always displays a grayed out off... what do i need to do to turn it on? Of if some one has a sun model they would let me use that would be grand...
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- 27 replies
- 2.5k views
OK so more or less trying to pull off a black hole and need some sort of warping effect ie Any one have even foggiest idea where to start on this one?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 reply
- 681 views
Is there a way to render a model performing an action in a choreography so that the model and it's shadow are all that render with alpha channel = ON in the rendering options? Basically, I want to render a scene to targas with alpha channels with only the model and it's shadow appearing in each frame.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 19 replies
- 1.9k views
Greetings AM'ers, Before asking this, I did a search on the forums and found a tutorial on generating trees in AM, but I didn't find the Treez plug-in in AM; at least not on the mac. I have an old version of carrara on the HD. It generates trees. I rendered a tree with an alpha channel, and imported the image into AM. I moved them around, scaled them, etc. Anyway, I think this will work for now ... my plan is to use AM to do comics; with other software naturally. But sooner or later, I may want to get into animation, and may need characters to interact with trees. For you Mac-heads, how do YOU generate trees in AM?
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 2 replies
- 772 views
How does AM open LBR. files? I have a digital copy of the extras CD and it looks like if I could get AM to open it, all the stuff will appear in the AM Library window.
Last reply by Eric800, -
- 4 replies
- 1k views
I'm finally back with a brand new copy of AM and raring to go , only problem is a error right out of the gate AVIFileCreateStream error: C:\Users\(my user name)\AppData\Local\Temp\AMV17\Untitled\Untitled0000.avi. i get this when i render animation preview but other wise the render goes of with out a hitch, it just complains that it cant write the file, then it cant delete the file a render to file does not cause this issue so far i have gone throptionshe optons menu but thnot does nto appear to be a place to chtemporarytemperary location to write these and i am running as administrator
Last reply by Master chief, -
- 6 replies
- 993 views
Hello, I want to do a minecraft animation and I have started by creating a load of grass blocks, when I render them I get lines between the blocks and the textures just don't line up. I'll show you a before and after render and you can see what I mean - any suggestions would be useful. Thanks in advance. Cloister
Last reply by Cloister, -
- 3 replies
- 899 views
Hey guys I em back know, still very new to this but got alot of time now i got my copy at comic-con san diego in 2006 i remember A.M. website you used to be able to post your TAoAM stuff and they would email a little gratz you completed this project or what ever, was just wondering if they still did that i also like to know if there is a place to download already made models for animating just somthing to mess with (aliens,lara croft,orcs,T-Rex) i did find 1 T-Rex but my version of A.M. wont open it
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 2 replies
- 663 views
i have A.M. 2006 and i am working through the Animation:Master A Complete Guide, well i got to the circle and cant apply the porcelain material does anyone have a clue how to do this? the book just says import it but no way to do in contextual menu? Please help and Thanks John
Last reply by Tarantula, -
Spline layout... 1 2
by MikeV- 60 replies
- 5k views
So, as a test project, I'm working on recreating the smaller market stand I talked about in this post. I got the upright legs done easily enough, just created the basic shape of the legs and extruded and scaled. I'm now working on the larger cross-beam that you can see peeking out from beneath the canopy. Being the most "complex" piece of that particular model, it provides a new challenge for me, in that it has an area recessed into the "wood" and isn't one big flat piece. With polygonal modeling, it's a matter of some extruding and scaling. With patches, of course, it takes a bit more planning. So, started thinking about how to best reproduce that piece. I de…
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 4 replies
- 789 views
I am rendering a scene with 2 models and a targa imported as a layer in a choreography. The tga image appears with a "white" outline when rendered. I have edited the image in photoshop, making sure all of the edges of the image are black, and included an alpha channel and played with the layer's options settings - "flat shaded", "occlusion", etc. - but the white outline continues to render. The image I've attached is a render using the"white render" settings I just found in another post in these forums (very beautiful, soft rendering style! - thanks, Jason!), but this "white outline/edge" I'm describing appears on the targa no matter what rendering options I choose. H…
Last reply by cribbidaj, -
I have a scene in the shower. This will be composite shot. The character is hand drawn but I need to have an effect of water droplets coming down and off the body. for shower effect I will be using robcat2075 shower spray. But I need to make the water droplets on the body. I have made a model of the image for the effect. Any idea’s?? Also dose any one have a shower head with a coord?
Last reply by johnl3d, -
D3D vs OGL
by MikeV- 10 replies
- 888 views
Is it just me, or does the OpenGL mode in A:M seem to perform substantially better than the DX8 mode? It also looks a lot clearer. I can crank the patch detail level all the way up to the 4th/full detail level in OGL and it's perfectly smooth, and the splines are nice and clear. The only artifact I get from it is that if I draw a selection box or drag a guideline it causes a "blank spot" 'til I release the mouse button. If I go into DX8 mode, it's smooth up to level 2, but as soon as I get to level 3 detail, and more so level 4, it chops up pretty bad. Also the grid lines become jagged and "broken up" looking. The one positive is that I don't get the "blank spo…
Last reply by MikeV, -
- 18 replies
- 1.5k views
So, I'm working on the "Take A Walk" exercise. Up through frame 15, it's all fine. There's some tweaks I need to make, but it looks good to my eyes for a first go. Where the trouble begins is in the steps where I'm copying and "paste mirrored" on the keyframes (0:00:00 mirrored to 0:00:20, and so forth). It's copying the bone positions, but it doesn't seem to be tracking the vertical position of the rabbit itself. So, it goes through the first step just fine, but then it stays at the same height when playing out the "paste mirrored" frames. There's nothing I can see about changing any settings or anything, other than to zero out Balance and Balance Rigid, …
Last reply by MikeV, -
- 1 follower
- 60 replies
- 4.1k views
Does anyone know of a way to get a wet looking material. property or map that they could tell me about ? I want to have a character painting or mopping the floor and need to have it look wet. It will be a white floor. Would a reflective, transparent material be the way to go ? Thank you for your consideration regards simon
Last reply by Simon Edmondson, -
- 18 replies
- 2k views
I am trying to modify an existing material, "ceramic cup" to have a black color instead of white or off-white. I set both the diffuse and specular colors to black, but it is not black, just has more of a gray tint. Did I forget something, or is there another attribute I have to set the color for?
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 34 replies
- 3.4k views
Hello... So, here I am with my first dilemma.. on my first attempt at a model that isn't from one of the manuals. go figure Anyway... Here's a link to a screenshot I took for reference. I've decided to model a series of objects I have around my house, start simple and get more complex as I progress and gain more skill and confidence. My first object is typical enough, a coffee cup. I get as far as modeling the cup (a simple lathe, nothing big there), and the handle which was only moderately more challenging in that it required rotating, extruding and tweaking of CPs. Where I'm running into trouble is connecting the handle to the cup. My thinking was …
Last reply by Roger, -
- 6 replies
- 814 views
Just a quick question... I'm opening up the different models that come with A:M to sorta get a feel for how they're put together, and to marvel at how you can accomplish so much with so little using patches versus polys or even SubD surfaces. I am wondering, though, why is it that with some of the models (Kee Kat, the Rabbit and I think one other I was looking at), the eyes are sorta "sunken in" inside the characters' heads? I notice that when you bring them into Choreography, that's not the case. Only in the model view. Can someone explain why this is? Is there a specific reason for it?
Last reply by mouseman, -
- 9 replies
- 902 views
Does anyone have a good clear plastic material, or ideas for the settings for one? I've tried all the ones that come with AM, I thought Perspex would work but it is a bit smoky. The only thing that comes close is "fake glass". I'm trying to make one of those domed lids like you see on a slurpee. I've got the shape down, now it is a matter of getting the material setting.
Last reply by Roger, -
- 4 replies
- 813 views
OK this is a newb question hehe when i try to make a path for a toon to walk on it only want to make it vertical at the start then it will bend after i make a second CP i know i pushed somthing to change this can you please let know what to do to undo it Thanks
Last reply by Tarantula, -
- 7 replies
- 971 views
Hello again, Just popping in quick to see if anyone knows of any podcasts related to Animation Master? I have the privilege of being able to listen to music or what-not at my job, and so I usually like to keep myself entertained by listening to music or podcasts/interviews about various topics of interest. Since A:M is back on my list of interests, I'm wondering if there's anything about this program I could listen to? Google search hasn't really yielded anything, but sometimes it's just a matter of finding the right oddball combination of terms... Thanks!
Last reply by MikeV, -
- 1 follower
- 7 replies
- 966 views
Hi all, So, as my subject says, I'm a returning member here to the world of Animation Master. My last trek with it was around 2007 or so I guess. The last version update of the software I own is 2006, the Sasquatch CD. I also have the 2004 disc with the Gorilla. I took time away from pursuing A:M as I was really devoted to working on my own upstart game projects, and life very rudely interrupted me a few times in the interim (lots of moving around). I am still interested in getting into game design, however, not with something of my own. I have the goal of being hired at a major game studio as a level/environment designer. I veered away from "doing my own …
Last reply by MikeV, -
- 14 replies
- 1.5k views
I am doing a project where I am going to have the letters of a word fall out of a hat. I need each letter to react to each other, bounce on the ground and then form a word. I would like to know what would be the best way to approach this effect ? I take it that I would need each letter to be collidable and have mass but I have never explored AM Physics before except to animate a flag. Is there a tutorial that would be a good one to work through ? Pinballwzd...
Last reply by Pinballwzd, -
- 3 replies
- 641 views
I am trying to repeat an image sequence imported as a layer in a choreography. As the attached jpeg shows, a "show more than drivers" icon is unavailable in the choreography. Where can I access "show more than drivers" for this image sequence & what the best way to repeat this 9 frame sequence? Mac OS 10.4.11 using A:M 15.0j+
Last reply by cribbidaj, -
- 1 reply
- 570 views
Hi, all. A couple snippets of my recent labors on YouTube. Secret Service gone wild 1.wmv Happy Dance .mp4 You can see that I had a little trouble controlling the left hand in happy dance and my feet are slipping through the floor slightly in a secret service.
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 7 replies
- 1.1k views
Hi, everybody. I actually have some time off from work to animate! I have a great character modeled and it's time to really learn these constraints. I'd like to know some great tutorial resources that will help with picking up objects, surface constraints (ie. a hand not going through a table top). I'm finding it's difficult to manuever hands and arms realistically and easily. Any suggestions on specific tutorials would be great! Thomas
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 18 replies
- 1.1k views
This seemed like the best place to ask (?) I am using V15J on a Mac under OSX10.68 and trying to set up some cycles at first but animations later. There is an anomaly on the Mac version which never seemed to happen in the PC interface and I wondered if there was a way to correct it ? When setting up key frames over a timeline you can 'bracket' the frame range at the top of the window to just play back those you want to see. On the PC ( as I remember it ) the inactive frames were shaded in a different colour and it was easy to spot the limit and then adjust it. On the Mac version, its a slightly darker shade of grey, and that makes it awkward to find…
Last reply by Simon Edmondson, -
- 23 replies
- 1.8k views
I am working on a project where I want to have several orbiting balls bounce off each other while orbiting a central gravitational object. While I've played around with A:M for a while this is my first real project. I just haven't been able to find anything that seams to address this particular subject.
Last reply by mustangsRbtr, -
- 4 replies
- 641 views
I installed V15J as standard from the CD on my Imac. For some curious reason the help files did not seem to install at the same time ( this was some time ago I admit ). In order to stop me asking my usual dumb questions, is there a way to install the help files after initial installation ? regards simon
Last reply by Simon Edmondson, -
- 3 replies
- 629 views
I have recently downloaded V17 and successfully moved my license over and it runs. The issue is, it makes me fill out the Animation Master Registration every time I run the software. Is there some other file I need to bring over from the V16 folder?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 14 replies
- 1.4k views
is there a way i can copy a group of bones and past them on another area? i have made new arms on my tripod and i rigged one arm but i want to know if theres a way i can copy and past them to the left two times heres a screen cap [attachmentid=17049]
Last reply by NancyGormezano, -
- 2 replies
- 630 views
Hi guys, At some point my speedy, yet sloppy, mouse clicking caused me to lock on grid all of my control point movements and I haven't found on tools, options how to unlock...help please?
Last reply by tomross2002, -
- 4 replies
- 676 views
Can't give too many specifics since I'm at work right now but I thought I'd get this out there... I was working on a scene last night (v16.0b 64 bit) and had a model with only one group, with the glow surface property set to on. If I do a screen render in the model window the model glows quite nicely. If I drop that model into a chor and render to an avi file, there is sadly no glowing. Anyone know of a quick workaround? What I'm working on doesn't need fancy dancy solutions,is a quick down and dirty bit for the tech conference I'm attending so I'm perfectly willing to lit it slide, but glowing things look nicer than non-glowing so if I could get it to work, I'd…
Last reply by fae_alba, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 586 views
I need to Download AM 15J+ For comparisons to AM 16 and 17 I upgraded my system. the previous download links do not work
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 3 replies
- 702 views
According to sgross' website the MirrorBones plugin is available in AM v16. However I don't see it when I right click PlugIns/Wizards. I only see MirrorConstraints. Should I be downloading the MirrorBones plugin from sgross' website?
Last reply by Greenhorn, -
- 1 follower
- 13 replies
- 1.1k views
Hi folks, I am following the flower tutorial and want ot duplicate the paddle. I have it grouped and when I right click on it, the plugin is not in the context menu. Any clue what is wrong? Besides some texture plugins, AM shows no other plugins. For an exmaple, there are no export options at all. Cheers Michael
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 22 replies
- 4k views
So I'm trying to model this: http://www.casrem.com/zoom_e.asp?immago=testata_s_gr And I've run into my old enemy... the circles/ridges. I have to do a few of these things and I've done some similar stuff in the past and I always end up fighting with the ugly dark ridge that shows up. Obviously I'm not a great modeler. But circles have always frustrated me for this reason and I feel I'm must be doing something fundamentally wrong here. In the past I've just pulled everything into Photoshop and "fixed" it. But I'm hoping maybe someone can tell me where I'm falling down here so I can kick this problem once and for all. As you can see the model is a…
Last reply by Maniac, -
- 1 reply
- 524 views
Are smartskins stored in the relationships section of the PWS, or are the put someplace else? I had some set up to deal with the flippers but it doesn't look like they are there anymore.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 10 replies
- 2.4k views
I used sound from this (for English Sub) this is my Thai presentation web page http://www.bobby.in.th/PagesBox/myNote_0007flv.html and the OK version (only mouth) before I complete the action. NaiToSatTra_ok09_0000.mov Words used in Dope Sheets
Last reply by KJ'd Beast, -
- 6 replies
- 999 views
Hi! I am on the exercise "can you say that" and I am having some trouble. I built the dope sheet and added the sound to the actor, but when I press play, I hear the words, but keekat's lips still don't move. The tutorial tells me that the lips should be moving. Thank you for your help! purplegirl
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 8 replies
- 1.1k views
I am not sure where the best place to post this so I am posting here since I am still learning AM. I have AM v16.0b 64 bit. I'm running it on Windows 7 64bit. I have a Dell XPS 1702X with a 4Core i7-2760QM CPU and a dual graphics cards. The built in Intel Card and an NVIDIA Geforce GT 555M graphics card w 1GB RAM. I have set the NVIDIA control panel to use the Graphics card when loading AM 64 bit. Other than that I have only the default NVIDIA settings. While working on a model, it has happened 2 - 3 times now - the numpad keys wont work for switching views. Everything else seems to be working - other keys in AM seem to be working. The mouse ( I have a lo…
Last reply by Greenhorn, -
- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 1.3k views
I know how to do a copy flip attach, but my computer doesn't. Everything get discomboerated. Also anytime I do a copy many of the CP's are locked on the 0 reference line and will only move on the Y axis. Is it me, my computer, or the software?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 6 replies
- 832 views
Like to know if there a way to lay font in a arc or instead along a straight path... Think I saw a post here I have been digging but cant find it or if someone can explain again or direct me to the link. Trying to make a logo for a friend. thx...Here is a sig i made i put lettering around logo moved each letter manually.is there a easier way
Last reply by robcat2075,
