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GENERAL FORUM GUIDELINES
The A:M Forum is for technical support and the sharing of tips and ideas between users/prospective users of Hash software. It is moderated constantly by technical support representatives.
DO'S!
-Ask questions about the software.
-Assist other users... everyone was new at this once.
-Inform people of your version/platform when asking for help.
-Share resources; tutorials, models, textures, tips and techniques (link to useful websites).
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-Organize and inform others about user groups, IRC chats, image and animation contests, job opportunities, etc.
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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
- 2 replies
- 736 views
I know that you can use a bone to add a boolean to a model but can you also use that to make the boolean become part of the model's geometry? Also is there a function or plug-in to subdevide or add additional splines to a model easily rather than having to manualing adding all the CPs & stitching them together?
Last reply by KenH, -
- 2 replies
- 595 views
is there an easy way of modeling an environment? like lets say, using some sort of scattering tool or some kind of tree/rock/foren object generator or would i have to model and place everything one object at a time?
Last reply by ddustin, -
- 13 replies
- 1.2k views
This is pretty straight forward. Apply a decal in cylindrical fashion to a model centered on the xyz/0 axis. When checking the model, I find it doesn't close in back. I tried changing the repeat, but that doesn't do the trick. Searched the forum in vain. Tried scaling the decal wider and then reapplying with no luck. Turned the "Seamless" option on in the decal properties with no luck. What the heck does "seamless" do anyway? Ok, what else is there?
Last reply by KenH, -
- 5 replies
- 896 views
I'm working on a fire extinguisher model to put out some text I've set on fire. I'm at the spray part of it and am not sure how to handle it. I was thinking about using a particle system to generate the spray on the end of the nozzle. I want the fire extinguisher to be able to be "turned on" though so I need the spray to be off and later on. My other thought is to use a small circular model placed in the end of the hose to generate the spray from. I can put this in place or remove it any time I want. Is there a way I could group this with the end of the nozzle so I don't have to consantly position them individually? ie if I move the nozzle the spray model shou…
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 1 reply
- 565 views
I have problemw with my grid display. I have set everything to the defaults and yet the grid still seems like the point/thickness is set at 5, but I have it set at 1. I am attaching a print screen of the problem, anyone else encounter this? I am running version 12.0n, an upgrade from version 11. Thanks in advance.
Last reply by TacoBallZ, -
The links to Fontwiz seem to be dead. Is there a new link or a newer utility for importing text and Illy files as 3D objects? Carl
Last reply by carlf, -
- 5 replies
- 790 views
Hey All, I have had AM for a week now and I am having some weird things happen. I have been trying to follow one of the video tutorials on walking cycles. I double click the an actor, it opens up, I close that window and double click Actions, set the view to shaded. But, when I try to rotate the model it vanishes leaving only the bones visible. This is happening on a lot of different models. What is causing this? Thanks for your help! T MAC
Last reply by triath5147, -
- 4 replies
- 666 views
Dose anyone know if there is a way to make a water mark on AM? if so plez let me know by emailing me
Last reply by Stuntmunky90, -
- 1 reply
- 529 views
Is there a shortcut or something that will allow me to move a group under another group, like a directory tree? I've got a pupil, eyewhite, iris, and cornea, and then an eye group that selects everything, but it would be a bit cleaner if I could just put the group elements under the eye group. Can AM do this?
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 691 views
I am trying to get the effect of a light shining through a doorway into a very large dark room. The doorway won't be visible, but that seemed like the easiest way to change the light cone's shape from a circle to a rectangle. The problem I'm having is that if I turn volumetric on for the light, then the light rays are visible as they cut through the air in the dark room (which is what I want), but the doorway does not block any of the light. If I turn on shadows for the light, then the doorway blocks the light as I want but now the light cone is no longer visible. How do I get both shadows and volumetrics to work at the same time?
Last reply by RoyBU, -
- 3 replies
- 567 views
Just wondering for people who have done a lot of decaling, what resolution do you save your decals at? I've been using AI to create decals, save them as 32 bit Targa files, and I choose 300 dpi for resolution instead of 72 dpi for screen resolution. My thinking was to use the highest resolution I could so that if I'm getting close up on a model the decaling will still hold up and look good. Is this correct? Or am I just adding unnecessary file size to the decals? My final destination for most projects is to end up as an AVI file going to DVD.
Last reply by heyvern, -
adding sound to your animation?
by Guest SandGroper- 1 follower
- 9 replies
- 1k views
hi how does one add music/sound to a avi , mov file i can add the default sounds that come with am , but not my own? any ideas?
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 3 replies
- 730 views
hello all. im looking for some old super-hero models for referrence that was made in A:M that i once found on the now gone 3DCC.com website. they were Flash, Batman, and Wonder Woman, and i just got a friend of mine interested in A:M, and i wanted to show him what Hash could do. anyone know where these can now be found? and who made them? i thought they were pretty cool. thanks.
Last reply by dtu031770, -
- 14 replies
- 946 views
Ok, I'm lost here. This is what I know. I'm using about 19 decals. If I add more, they won't show up in the final render. I can switch decals. So, in other words, I can delete a decal, and a different one in a different spot, it will still work. Here's the strange thing: when I use render lock mode, all the decals show up fine. So I can go past my "limit" and using render lock mode click the screen in choreography and all the decals appear just fine. I am going to try and post screen captures. Assuming I'm successful, here's what you'll be looking at. 1) the model un-rendered. 2). the model rendered using "render lock" mode. 3) the model rendered hitting the "rende…
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 1 reply
- 703 views
Thank you. Niels Krook This still, from my first animation, took 49 seconds, it has field of depth, lights, etc.
Last reply by Odog2020, -
- 14 replies
- 1.2k views
As the last bit of the "Moving Foxhole" set, I'm building an alley where the action starts. I want it narrow and dark. So far, so good. But the lighting is giving me fits. I want a bright light at the far end so the characters throw long shadows in front of them as they walk forward. It's coming. But slowly. [ Biggest problem is that the right amount of light to produce the shadows makes a a burned-out, hot spot at the end of the alley]. But my biggest headache is the yellow rays indicated by the arrow. I searched Tools>Options> and there's no fog or volumetrics turned on. I looked in Properties under the light used in the alley: Volumetrics WAS turned on, now it's …
Last reply by Stuart Rogers, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 520 views
Hello everyone! I'm really excited to be finally getting a taste of what Animation Master can do. After learning all the industry standard programs at school and bemoaning that I could not afford to legally own any of them, I'm finding a promising home here to continue my passion for animation with far fewer obstructions and more intuition than say, Maya. That said, I have actually hit a bump that you might be able to help me with. I am doing the A:M tutorials, naturally, and thought it would be logical to preface "The Door is Stuck" (exercise 6) with a walk cycle like I did in the previous exercise. Cool. Shaggy walks up to the door, nonchalantly to set the…
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 590 views
Hello, Is there any way to render an image so that the background is transparent in Photoshop. For example, say I have a character, but I don't want the background to be rendered. When I render the image the background shows up as transparent after I bring the image into Photoshop. Or do you have to render the image and then clip out the character like any normal photo. I was just wondering because I see cut out (clipped) 3D images and type used everywhere in graphic design layouts, but I don't know how they get those images into the layouts. I know Photoshop can simulate some 3D type effects, but the stuff I see seems more complicated than Photoshop simulated 3…
Last reply by Moonshine, -
- 3 replies
- 542 views
I guess the title says it all. Now that I'm not stumbling over my thumbs, [as much] it's time to jump into the deep end of the pool.
Last reply by Kelley, -
- 1 follower
- 5 replies
- 808 views
Models, Models, Models... Also - where can I get (preferably realistic, european) vehicle models for A:M? Thanks
Last reply by KenH, -
- 9 replies
- 868 views
Is there a limit to the number of decals I can apply to a model? I'm doing a model of a music keyboard, and its pretty decal intensive. I've reached a point where I can still apply more decals, but they will not show up in the render.
Last reply by oakchas, -
- 2 replies
- 571 views
Hello. First of all I like to thank SlipingLizard; KenH; rossk; DarkLimit; UGP; Dhar and Rodney for helping me out so far. I am getting better avoiding those folds and creases. I have modelled the head the arm and leg. Now arrived at the foot I have another question. Can anyone suggest how best to model the foot of this baby? The bottom rim of the leg has 6 control points. How do I connect them with the 5 toes and the heal of the foot? The baby should have a plastic sort of look, so the toes don’t need much reality details. I thought that I might could join up some spheres as toes!? What is in your opinion the best way of finishing the foot? Thanx, in the hope…
Last reply by Dhar, -
- 3 replies
- 645 views
Im having big probs when i render.. i made a model with small yet amazing detail but when i render it, its hardly visable. how (when i render) do i get it to look more realistic. its really hard for me to explain this
Last reply by oakchas, -
Hello to all, I just purchased AM this week and started looking around the interface and exploring a little for the first time last night. I created sign in name in the Community panel but when I click the sign in button, a panel comes us saying (Sign in name does not exist). What am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance! T MAC
Last reply by KenH, -
- 1 follower
- 11 replies
- 921 views
Ok.....just wondering....is it normal for a 10 second movie to take 3 days to render???
Last reply by Robert-Jank, -
- 1 follower
- 15 replies
- 1.3k views
Im working on a movie for The mini movie contest, and when i render it, theres this Y,X,Z manipulater in the far bottom left corner how can i get rid of it when i render it?
Last reply by Robert-Jank, -
- 7 replies
- 816 views
I've been applying decals of Soviet Revolutionary Posters over brick wall. The posters go on fine, then after a while, disappear. The white areas on the wall show where the posters were. The one remaining [near ground level] has since disappeared. The container in the PWS then changes from 'SOV. POSTER_01' to 'SOV. POSTER_011' [or...SOV.POSTER_03' to 'SOV.POSTER_031'] The 'Image' inside the container says 'SOV.POSTER_01'. Is the brick [as first decal applied] over-riding the poster? Something else?[attachmentid=13991]
Last reply by Dhar, -
- 0 replies
- 407 views
Is A:M able to use grahic tablets(pen devices) to any degree? If so, any recommendations in both the low end/intro to the high end/advanced?
Last reply by zerokill, -
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 472 views
Ive been working on a movie, not for a very long time. I need someone that can take a look at it from time to time and see what parts need tweaking. Could you help me out with that, if so just reply and ill Private Message you my link.
Last reply by Robert-Jank, -
- 2 replies
- 572 views
Hey, all-- I'm getting my head around Animation:Master, courtesy of the Animation:Master 2000 Handbook. (Yes, I'm a little outdated.) It mentions some plugins such as RasenX, RebumpX, and A:M Loft, as well as a whole section on using governmental STDS files for environment mapping. The problem is, it being a little out of date, most of the links it mentions are dead and I've not had much luck hunting them down elsewhere, even on the lowrestv Plugins page (the RasenX/RebumpX link appears to be dead). Does anyone have new (live) links to these and other tools for A:M?
Last reply by abdab, -
- 1 reply
- 500 views
I'm trying to make some grass and i'm following along on http://www.hash.com/am2004/Modeling/Hair/index.htm but when i change the color of the blades from green to yellow on the diffuse color timeline, the color changes in blocks--that is it begins with a green, then abruptly changes to a lighter green, and then to a yellow. there seems to be no gradient.
Last reply by markeh, -
- 2 replies
- 567 views
I'm having an issue with my AM V.12p modeling window. Seems like I may or may not have pressed a button that may or may not have changed something in regards to the way the screen responds. Before today, the modeling window was fun and easy to work in, the model turned with relative ease when I used the manipulators on it. Today, after some quick key strokes, something changed. The modeling window is now noticeably less responsive, the model sorta jerks into position when I turn it and the view sometimes doesn't update. Very strange. I changed from DirectX to OpenGl and back but no change. Which one is the better performer anyway, DirectX, right? After s…
Last reply by Dhar, -
- 8 replies
- 867 views
Hi! I've modeled my character for animation in the T-pose. I plan to use Anzovin's "Setup Machine" so I can start posing and animating my character. My question is: Should I do all the coloring and decaling of my character BEFORE rigging and animating, or should I animate my mesh, save the actions and then add them to a character who has been "decorated" after the movements are done? Any ideas would be appreciated, regarding flow. Tim
Last reply by heyvern, -
- 2 replies
- 639 views
well im underway with TAoAM V12 Yeti and reading the book and watching the videos, i have come to realize something. watching the web videos i see that in the project workspace eg: model, there is an arrow next to it that you click and the properties for this item drops down under the item. but in my Yeti v12 the properties opens up in another window like it use to be in V7 that i was using. so did they revert back to the old way or is there an option that causes the properties to pop down from the workplace items? cheers
Last reply by John_TrueBlue, -
- 3 replies
- 536 views
Hi! I'm currently learning about Decals. I noticed that when used as a decal, any particular image can only have one property (i.e. Color, Bump, Displacement, etc.) Let's say that I have a color image and I made the same version of it in grayscale, to render the exact decal as a bump, as well. Are there any tips on how I can position the color and bump images exactly on top of each other? It does not appear that a decal can be moved once it is applied, so I'd need to know how to apply two with certainty that they would overlay each other as if they were one image. Thanks, Tim
Last reply by Laconic, -
- 1 reply
- 472 views
Hello New user here. I was wondering the fastest way to handle making a scene where to characters talk to each other back and forth. Do you have to make a seperate action and dope sheet each time a character speaks. or can I make one really long dope sheet for everything each character says and then space it out in the chor. I hope this makes sense
Last reply by Dhar, -
- 9 replies
- 910 views
I'd like to model a fly rod, but the only problem I see is with the fishing line. I'm really bad with bones and constraints and what not, but I'm guessing i'd probably want to assign bones to the line or something to make it limp. I also need to wrap it around the reel, obviously. I just wanted to know what the best way to go about making the line was before i started.
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 0 replies
- 420 views
Does anyone know if there will be an update with Animation Master V11.1, A friend of mine loaned me his Radeon X1900 XT so I can see if it is worth the expensive price for it and when running AM on the card it looks kinda funky. The Workspace looks like it is in 8 bit 16 color mode. No matter what I do it just looks weird. I've downloaded the latest catalyst drivers and the one it came with and still no change. Is this something that ATI needs to correct or Hash? Any information on this issue will be greatly appreciated.
Last reply by Lokinz, -
- 3 replies
- 541 views
How do I export a model to create an avatar?
Last reply by zerokill, -
IS IT LEGAL
by 8up- 1 follower
- 13 replies
- 3.6k views
I plan on making a CARTOON FROM ANIMATION MASTER TO SELL ON DVD. I have a few legal questions about making a cartoon and publishing it myself 1) if i buy the program(AM) do i have all rights to use it(can you come back and say you want a cut because i used your program) 2)Do i (by law) have to tell what program i used to make my cartoon (must i put am's name on the box) 3a)I see alot of add's in 3d world magazine for pre-built 3d things like cars, town's lamps etc. Will any of these programs work well with animation master. can i just order the kit and drop and drag things into A.M. in a 3d workspace 3b) are these legal (do i own th…
Last reply by luckbat, -
- 9 replies
- 968 views
Sorry Rodney, do not know where to post this! Why do I get creases and dents in my splines? Now this problem does not happen all the time, just on some tied places and curves. When I move (translate) a control point the new spline has a dent. Where does this dent come from? I have checked the difference with Peak and Smooth but that does not solve the problem. I tried to adjust the problem with the bias handles but no success. I have a jpg image that I would like to show you so you can see what I mean. Also I did not have this problem with the giraffe, maybe because I put more or less every control point to the same place as the tutorial but the problem started …
Last reply by Slipin Lizard, -
Exercise 2
by kanime- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 590 views
Here is post # 2. I enjoyed this one. It was simple but shows off the ease of using premade animations that you can apply. BR, KB
Last reply by kanime, -
- 2 followers
- 2 replies
- 631 views
Hello, I recently received a flyer describing a neat 2006 upgrade that will have "Group Project" software and that software will facilitate an animation that we can all participate in. Great idea and so I have decided to post my work in hopes that I can join the project. I like the forums and community that seems to be available here. With that here is my first post, which is for Exercise 1. Thanks
Last reply by MMZ_TimeLord, -
- 6 replies
- 876 views
Hello All! I have created my first model mesh and I'm happy with it. I created the model in centimeter measures, and now I'm ready to add my decals. I plan to create the decals in Photoshop. Here are my questions: 1) If my model is 1000 cm tall according to the rulers in A:M, should I also start with a 1000 cm file in Photoshop, so that when I'm decalling, the proportions are correct? (Ignore the fact that I might only decal some parts. I just want to know if the measurements in Photoshop should be the same as in A:M). 2) If the answer above is yes, what should the pixel density/resolution of the file in Photoshop be? (300 dpi? 72 dpi?) 3) Finally, is …
Last reply by Laconic, -
- 2 followers
- 14 replies
- 1.2k views
I'm just curious. When I take my daily look through the various forums I often wonder about the ranking system, from Newbies to Masters. Obviously one has to work one's way up. But how does it does it work? Rodney, perhaps you can enlighten me? Ed
Last reply by Robert-Jank, -
- 12 replies
- 930 views
As I'm putting certificates together for those that completed The Art of Animation:Master in 2005 I'm reminded of a few of the obstacles that animators have run up against while working through the manual here in the New Users Forum. I can see a few things to help streamline the process of administration/certification on my end too. Everyone's ideas are solicited in an effort to keep TAoA:M fun and educational. If you've completed the exercises online in the forum I'd especially like to hear from you. Some of the things I'm hoping to implement this year include: Collect all the exercises into one user friendly interface on a webpage to launch off from. …
Last reply by Robert-Jank, -
- 5 replies
- 869 views
Hi there, I've been an on-again off-again AM user since version 4. When I download the v12 updates or the v13 alphas I get this message when I try to install:- " An I/O error occurred while installing a file. This is normally caused by corrupt installation media or a corrupt installation file" It happens with any .exe file I try to download. Anyone got any idea what this is, as the problem must be at this end. Mike Logan
Last reply by mike logan, -
- 7 replies
- 884 views
I've been trying to use the Edit->Move Frames-> Scale and Snap to Integers feature to slow down clips of mine, but it seems that this won't work when trying to change the keyframes on the model bone. In fact, I cannot move any of the keyframes on the model bone. Is there something I'm overlooking here or a better way to do this? I basically would like to slow down my movie but keep the keyframes on integers so I may go back and easily edit them. Thanks --Ross
Last reply by jakerupert, -
- 1 reply
- 510 views
Why does the Objects lines kink between the controlsin the v12? In v11.1 2005 the lines had a nice curve to them. With the new ones,will we have to put more control points. Maybe there is a setting in the options I hav'nt found. Here is a shot to show what I mean. Can any body explain? Thanks[attachmentid=13811]
Last reply by KenH, -
- 2 replies
- 582 views
Whats the difference bettween the two? Ive been meening to ask this for a long time.
Last reply by Robert-Jank,