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A:M Forum Rules
GENERAL FORUM GUIDELINES
The A:M Forum is for technical support and the sharing of tips and ideas between users/prospective users of Hash software. It is moderated constantly by technical support representatives.
DO'S!
-Ask questions about the software.
-Assist other users... everyone was new at this once.
-Inform people of your version/platform when asking for help.
-Share resources; tutorials, models, textures, tips and techniques (link to useful websites).
-Post links to your work, or where your art is being used online (on websites, in games, toons', etc.)
-Search the A:M Forum and FAQ. The question you are about to ask may have already been answered.
-Organize and inform others about user groups, IRC chats, image and animation contests, job opportunities, etc.
-Discuss what you are working on and let everyone know about magazine reviews and articles that relate to your projects.
DON'TS!
-Do Not be rude or disrespectful or mean to other forum members in any way. Personal attacks will be removed.
-Do Not post bug/crash reports to the list (send bug/crash reports to http://www.hash.com/reports.
-Do Not complain about forum content. Complaints or suggestions can be sent directly to hash@hash.com
-Do Not reprimand other forum members for violating forum rules, that's the moderators job, which (unless you are a moderator) you are not.
-No complaining or whining on the forum or distribution of misinformation.
-No flames of any kind.
-No Off Topic posts. (Posts in the Off Topics section should be related to A:M in some form or fashion or benefit the A:M community as a whole).
-No soliciting of any kind without prior approval.
-No threads or comparisons related to other 3D Applications.
-No "Wish list" or feature requests, they should be sent to www.hash.com/reports for categorizing and prioritization (User requests define the future development of the software).
-No "me too!" posts
-No discussion of Hash Internal Affairs (finances, advertising, PR.)
-No posting of private email to the forum unless permission of the author is granted. (Private correspondence should remain private)
-No very general questions like: "how do I make a good 3D model" make your questions as complete and concise as possible.
If you have questions as to whether it's appropriate, send it to: support@hash.com, We'll be happy to let you know whether it is, or is not appropriate.
User Led Forum Considerations
Firstly and foremostly, please remember this is Martin Hash's forum and that it is every A:M User's primary resource for information about A:M. In order to remain relevant we need everyone's continuing support and interest.
Secondly, understand there is a distinction between A:M (the program) and the A:M forum. There are some topics and issues that are outside the scope of this forum and most can be deduced by reading through the forum guidelines. These include such things as Hash Inc internal policies, business practices, trade secrets, and specific plans for the future not yet publicly released. Each of these would be fascinating topics of their own but are better reserved for private communications with a representative of Hash Inc.
Related to the second, is purchasing, customer service and other areas outside the purview of the common user who may have no interest in such things; subjects relating to money exchanging hands are beyond the scope of the A:M Forum and often can lead to conflicts of interest between users and/or Hash Inc. (If Hash Inc cuts you a deal on volume purchasing it's really no one else's business). Likewise, individual complaints about a product or service are best remedied by going direct with Hash Inc representatives empowered to make decisions. Please allow them them the time necessary to resolve your specific issue and consider the cost of customized solutions.
This last area is likely the source of much confusion because many see the A:M Forum as the official outlet for Hash Inc... and it is. But the forum is not designed for conducting business and private matters best resolved by going to Hash Inc directly. Similarly, bug reports are best resolved by entering them directly into the A:M Reporting system.
Many problems can be easily addressed at the user level just by asking fellow users in the forum. If someone at Hash Inc suggests the forum as a source, it is very likely a problem can be easily resolved. For tougher issues there is even more reason to take the issue directly to the source... you don't want the issue discussed... you want it resolved quickly.
Finally, remember that we want to pass this forum on to future moderators and generations of A:M Users in the absolute best condition possible. A:M is just that good a program and is worthy of our consideration.
Thanks for making the A:M Forum a great community.
4,160 topics in this forum
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- 1 follower
- 15 replies
- 1.4k views
I just learned how to make Normal maps in another post. Now that I know how to do it I am perplexed as to what the difference is. What is the difference?
Last reply by R Reynolds, -
- 1 follower
- 15 replies
- 1.4k views
Hi Everyone. I am a newbie and eventually I would like to make a 15 or 30 second TV Commercial. Is this possible? How do get the studio's to air it? Has anyone doen this before? Thanks, Bob
Last reply by Jentham2000, -
- 8 replies
- 1.4k views
Just a workflow question -- it seems you can't drag a model from the library into a model window to work on it. Instead, you must "open" the model. Then I presume use "save as" to make a copy if you don't want to affect the original, or if the original is from the CD. -SB
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 4 replies
- 1.4k views
So , lets suppose the big bad gods took away all your own characters and you were left with choosing only one library actor. Who would it be? I am asking because I am still working on learning modeling and do hope hope to create my own characters someday but in the meantime I need to also work on learning animation techniques and just wondered what some of your thoughts would be on that. Thanks.
Last reply by Vertexspline, -
- 2 replies
- 1.4k views
I'm running latest version of A:M in MacOS 10.9.5 on a 2014 Macbook Pro. Importing targa files seems to be my best option for using rotoscopes and decals in the modeling window (jpg won't import). The images do not display correctly in the modeling window. Only part of the image is viewable. This makes it very difficult to place decals correctly on a surface, though once I do apply them after considerable effort, the decals render correctly. Modeling using the images as rotoscopes is impossible. My graphics were set to OpenGL3 initially, but I changed them to OpenGL. This gave me about 50% better viewing, but it still is not a viable option. Does anyone ha…
Last reply by cribbidaj, -
- 14 replies
- 1.4k 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, -
- 16 replies
- 1.4k 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, -
- 9 replies
- 1.4k views
I want to know how to make an eyeball. I tried to follow some tuts on here but they really did not show me what I needed to do on some parts. Thanks.
Last reply by Dpendleton77, -
- 18 replies
- 1.4k views
Hi Everyone, Does anyone know the biggest resolution AM can render? I tried to render Panavision (2048x871) and AM crashes every time. It does render 1080 every time. Is 1080 the highest resolution AM will output/render? Thanks in advance.
Last reply by Gerry, -
- 1 follower
- 13 replies
- 1.4k views
Hello! I am currently in the process of starting a team for web-based cartoons and (in the near future) games. I'd like full length 20-30 minute cartoons, and completely full length games. After looking around, this was the most expensive thing I could buy for that purpose. Now, two months later, I need an audio program to go with it. What would you guys suggest? I need it to have a full range of sound effects (explosions, mystical magic sounding stuff, mechanicle gears moving, etc), along with the ability to create music (preferably click and drag), and finaly voice acting. I'm very completly serious about this, and if I have my way you guys'll be hearing about…
Last reply by Inzane Productions, -
- 18 replies
- 1.4k views
alright, there is an image that i am trying to use within a light (u predator fans should recognize this) and the light type is a Klieg when i place this image under the light in my model, everything seems fine, yet when i render it in choreography mode, the three dots never appear on anything the light targets... i know this may be confusing, but if anyone is good with this stuff, please help me out thanks
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 18 replies
- 1.4k views
how do i lock a light on a model?? im making the starship enterprise, i want to put lights on it to shine on the letters: uss enterprise 1701-a then animate the ship, flying. thx
Last reply by Walter Baker, -
- 18 replies
- 1.4k views
Is this correct. I select Render Animation Preview button in the choreography window and it does it thing for 30 frames (and I can see the camera view in the right-hand pane) then nothing (black pane) Then, when I do a Save As... I get this. renderanimationpreview.mov This can't be right.
Last reply by Rodney, -
Fluid model
by bubba- 15 replies
- 1.4k views
I have been working with this project for some time and cannot seem to get it to look any better. Here are the settings: and here is the output: Fluids3.mov
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 11 replies
- 1.4k views
Hey I want everybody's opinion on these objects that i modeled hope you like them!
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
- 17 replies
- 1.3k views
Ok, Rodney's topic brought up something I've been scratching my head about for a while now. I'm rendering out displacement maps for footprints. The displacement maps render fine, but now come the next step. I need to combine the frames so the footprints "add up". I'll try to say this simple and clearly. So, you have the first frame: ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- No footprints. Second frame: ---------------- ---x------------ ---------------- First foot print. Third frame: ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Nothing. Forth frame (and so on): ---------------- ------x…
Last reply by Ganthofer, -
- 1 follower
- 13 replies
- 1.3k views
Hey im Lucas and i recently got A:M Im trying to find the tuts, anyone help please? I may 13 but i still wana learn How you all doin?
Last reply by dude, -
- 1 follower
- 12 replies
- 1.3k views
Hi - I am thinking of buying A:M Painter and wanted to get some imput from anyone that has bought it and uses it. Can you flatten a model or portion of a model and apply a decal within the painter program - or is the flattening done in Animation Master? Any pros and cons of the program - I would appreciate any input. It is an inexpensive program, so I will probably just buy it and try it out. Thank you - Eric
Last reply by flashawd, -
- 16 replies
- 1.3k views
First of all I just want to say hello, second I would like to apologise for the length of this post, I am a new AM user and have had the software for a month now, I find it to be a great piece of 3D software, however I have encountered a few problems along the way and would like to ask for some advice on a few issues. Thank you in advance for any help given. I am using HASH AM 2007 OZ CD V13r on a Compaq Presario SR1937uk, Pentium D 3.2ghz, 2gb ram, GeForce 7600 GT, Windows XP Home ed SP2 1.Matterials as bump maps: When I use materials as a bump map, the bump map only renders if I use Multi-Pass, if I render without Multi-pass the bump simply is…
Last reply by the_black_mage, -
- 18 replies
- 1.3k views
I'm working on an entry for the 11 Second Club, which has three Squetchy Sam characters in it, plus a couple of stationary props. My problem is that the choreography is playing back so slowly that I can't get any sense of the motion or the timing without rendering out a quicktime every half hour or so. I've got relatively big iron hardware (3.0ghz P4 HT, 2GB RAM, 80gb HD running WinXP and AM14), and I usually I can get 30fps with an older rig, like the Knight or Shaggy. I know that the squetchy rig is more complex, but does it really slow things down that much? I've got version 15 on my dual core Mac, but I can't even run this choreography at all on that machine …
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 22 replies
- 1.3k views
I am working my way through David Rogers book and I am stuck on creating the windows for the building (page 227.) David says that the Duplicator Wizard to create the grid of bricks but I just can't understand the wizard. Nothing I have tried results in a grid of bricks. Please help. Thanks.
Last reply by bubba, -
- 27 replies
- 1.3k views
I am still struggeling with the path constraint. I have a car model sucessfully constrained to a path, but strangly the modelbone is not moving along with it, thereby causing the posesliders doing unwanted things. Any ideas, what could keep the modelbone from going along happily with the model?
Last reply by jakerupert, -
- 13 replies
- 1.3k views
I just got around to checking out the chat room for the first time and there was no one home. The last few messages were from some dude plaintively mewling for help with rigging and a bit of a troll correcting his spelling. LOL. But those were days old. I'm surprised such a neat feature gets so little use. Does anyone know if the Hash, Inc. reps still do a once a week chat in there or not... and if so when?
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 7 replies
- 1.3k views
For the last day or so I have been trying to render a simple scene with a decal. But I cannot get the decal to render correctly. origenal render
Last reply by Rodney, -
how do i add details ? i can make a person but how do i add details?
Last reply by mtpeak2, -
- 7 replies
- 1.3k views
Is there a way to somehow group, mark or label bones that have a particular meaning (such as indicating bones that are exportable)? For example, object layers or user-defined properties would do fine. I'm only seeing colour labels (which can be put to better use) and the visibility toggle (which is not suitable for the purpose). Of course, a naming convention can always be made up, but something less intrusive and hackish would be better. Apparently some things can have shortcuts in choreography—is this supported for individual bones?
Last reply by nemyax, -
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 1.3k views
Hi Folks It been a long time. I got the latest version of Parallels for my mac. But can't get Am running. It says an internet connection is required and I have one I can access the internet but I guess the app ca not. Any ideas?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 8 replies
- 1.3k views
i bought and installed my copy of AM whislt i Was in my college library on their wifi network, I'm now sat in a different part of the library and the wireless network is not working, not your fault, lol. But when I run A:M I get the error message wrong host for license (-4). why is that, I won't be going home for another two hours yet, do I need to be connected to the net for A:M to work?
Last reply by higginsdj, -
- 1 follower
- 23 replies
- 1.3k views
When I model, I never use the bias - I always fill out with splines. I am sure that I should be using the bias handles, but I always seem to get creases instead of the nice curves I am looking for. Do "real" modellers always use bias to get definition? What's the secret to stopping that little handle from slipping out of control all the time? Is the secret to create the mesh as far as possible and only then tweak?
Last reply by itsjustme, -
- 18 replies
- 1.3k views
i was wondering if there was a way for mist, or steam, to leave a trail of itself in coreography mode, like someone breathing in and out on a freezing night, or smoke/steam coming out of a jet engine, or vehicle. thx
Last reply by Ravager, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 1.3k views
I'm still learning expressions. Is there a simple way to save a randomly generated value so that it can be used throughout the animation after it's been generated at frame zero? I have a "flock" of stars, and want them to rotate about the Y axis by a constant amount of between -1 and +1 degrees per frame - a bit like they are hanging from a child's mobile. I've used the flocking plugin to generate all my stars - would each have its own variable or would they all rotate by the same amount?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 17 replies
- 1.3k views
Hey all, I just purchased A:M and got done installing it. The installation process seemed to go okay(although the status bars were a bit quirky). But after I got the 'installation complete' sign and hit finished I tried to open the thing. And it never opened. I uninstalled and reinstalled but I keep getting this 'Please insert the correct CD-ROM(HASH), select OK and restart application' error... I don't really get it, considering I can be running the DIAG application off the CD and still get this error. Any help please?
Last reply by jup, -
- 13 replies
- 1.3k views
At one point I modeled an old-timey padlock, but now can't find it. So I'm doing another one. Problem is, I can't quite close up front of it so it is a solid surface. The part that is giving me problems is the upper-right. I thought I was going to be able to have a 4 point patch and a 5 pointer, but the 5 point patch actually has six points, so I don't know how I'm going to fix this without creating a buch of extra patches. Also, it just kind of looks odd the way it is right now. I'm not sure that the splines are laid out right. The other thing, now that I've learned about beveling, I really don't have a clue how to bevel something like this. Its fairly …
Last reply by Roger, -
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 1.3k views
Has anyone created a keyboard shortcut .pdf for new users? With things like what to press and click to attach CPs to each other How to connect bones etc...
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 18 replies
- 1.3k 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, -
- 14 replies
- 1.3k views
Hi, I am buying AM within the next two weeks. I have searched the forums and had some questions answered and other not it may e because I am not searching them right. I have very little animation exp. I currently do animations projects for creative fun and I draw them, then make models in milkshape. Sometimes I record 3d worlds and then export the avi into filmstrip and then render new or adjusted 3d animations within the video. I am hoping AM can not only help me learn but cut down on the drawing because it takes months to re-draw just a few seconds of video footage. Well it may take some less but i'm green. If anyone can point me to the tutorials or like questi…
Last reply by LuLu, -
- 9 replies
- 1.3k views
Help! I have two error messages I have researched and can't fix. 1. When I open A:M I get the message "unable to load plug-in [/applications/animation master 16.0/textures/simbiont2.atx], -err- This one doesn't seem to cause any problem, but because I have another error (below) I thought I'd mention it. 2. When I create a new dope sheet, I add a sentence then get the message "dictionary modified or index file missing. Recreating index file" This message takes me to a "locate file" dialog box, and at the bottom of the dialog I can see that it's expecting a *.i file. SOOOO, I can't make my characters talk! Btw, I have version 16.0b and I'm ru…
Last reply by purplegirl, -
- 1 follower
- 14 replies
- 1.3k views
i tried to save my best modle in the "my library" section and when it did, it was denied, so i quit and came back to see if it would work better, but instead, my weeks and weeks of work on my modle was erased and never seen again. is there a way to save in the library and if not, please tell me if i can ever retrieve my weeks of work!
Last reply by pwknox, -
- 2 followers
- 12 replies
- 1.3k views
OK due to some post by other iv come to the conclusion that textures most likely wont do it for me( note there was nothing wrong with the post they just steered me in a new direction) so i need to know how to make materials, any help would be nice
Last reply by Helojammer, -
- 1 follower
- 15 replies
- 1.3k views
I'm trying to add detail to some vents and wall outlets. Namely, screw heads. For the the life of me I can't figure out how to make a bolt, or screw head...any tutorials or suggestions?
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 12 replies
- 1.3k views
I tried searching the forum but decided the quickest way was to just post a question. I'm doing a second Simcloth skirt on my dancing girl (some new steps), just resaved the chor with the original skirt animated and deleted the splines folder. But when I go to do the simulation, her skirt just falls through the floor. I know this has been brought up (probably by me!) but I can't find an answer and I recollect that it was a simple fix. EDIT: Got the skirt to stay attached but now the simulation isn't happening. The skirt stays rigid. Awhile back I downloaded and watched the video tute on cloth made from a scene in TWO, however I lost it when my external drive went bel…
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 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, -
- 11 replies
- 1.3k views
ive been working on a model for awhile now and it came time to do a flip copy attach. the hand came out distorted. i deleted the hand and just took the left hand and copied it and did a flip hoping that it would be okay. unfortunatley it came out distorted. any ideas as to why this is happening?
Last reply by Walter Baker, -
I know it's been awhile. Bruce and Ken have been helping me with a little project I've got in the works and I've been a little busy as well. I drove across America and I now live in San Diego. I'm going to school at Platt College San Diego and I'm learning Graphic Design (for an A.A.S.) and either animation or video compositing (for a B.A. which will bring my college degree count to 4). I love Animation but the siren call of After Effects is pretty hard to resist. Fortunately I'll be taking at least some of both. After that I have to decide which one I want to specialize in. I've actually shown some of the stuff I've done in A:M to some of the 3D professors an…
Last reply by HomeSlice, -
- 10 replies
- 1.3k views
I have the Orangutan 10.5 disk which I installed, then applied the 2004 11.1i upgrade to. When I launch the 10.5 version, the help menu works fine. With the 11.i1 version (2005), everything seems to work fine except the Help menu -- it gives the error: "Failed to launch Help" I'm hoping it is some simple file missing from some place during the install. Does anyone familiar with old versions have an idea what could be amiss? My work around is to install and run both versions, just to access the help menu, which is awkward and space-busting. Is there some way to view the help without the program? That could be another workaround. Regards…
Last reply by sb4, -
- 1 follower
- 14 replies
- 1.3k views
Most software companies give an overview of the product they are selling listing features and such. However, I'm not able to find this on the Hash website. I have no idea what Animation: Master is like and would like to know more about it and what it can do. Can anyone lead me to some articles, reviews, etc?
Last reply by thefreshestever, -
- 1 follower
- 10 replies
- 1.3k views
Hi - I'm just restarting learning A:M (V11.1i) after years of fallow, so I have some really basic platform/environment questions. I was just fooling around with Keekat in a choreography window. I started in Chor mode. (Standard Mode was selected the whole time.) In Chor mode, it seemed there is only one selection I can make, the entire Keekat object, so I found a handle and tilted Keekat so he fell like a tree in one second (using 3 key frames) and was horizontal. It played back fine using the "play range" button. I tried clicking the "Modeling Mode" mode button and then "play range". It also played back the same animation, albeit with a different l…
Last reply by sb4, -
- 4 replies
- 1.3k views
In this PRJ, Model 1 has two groups, "target" and "original" SimpleSnapTest02.prj I want to Snap the CPs in "original" so they are on the surface of "target" and I want to do it in a Pose. They don't have to be in some exact spot but i do want to get them on the surface of "target" What is the proper way to use Snap TO Surface for that? I haven't had much success with it.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 13 replies
- 1.3k views
Any suggestions as to how I might be able to make sprites glow?
Last reply by Tom,
