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This is an open forum for discussing Animation:Master and discussions should relate to A:M in some capacity.
Ask questions. Share experiences. Outline goals and aspirations.
Discuss what you hope to accomplish with A:M and projects you are working on.
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977 topics in this forum
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- 15 replies
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This will be making the rounds... Don't Go to Art School: Why Traditional Art Schools are Failing Us by Noah Bradley. He outlines the issues and provides some resources to help address the problem. Here's a brief snippet of Noah's recommendations: His main point is that the debt incurred in attending a traditional art school is not worth the cost (a concept most will readily agree with). Agree or disagree (like most folks his solutions align fairly close with his proximity to those solutions), Noah has many interesting and thought provoking things to say and considerations to contemplate on his blog. Like this article entitled, "Start of…
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 1 reply
- 531 views
I click on link to download Animation master click on link it go no were nothing happens. has things changed here. I have done a format clean things up. went to reinstall Animation master click on link nothing happens .I just renewed subscription
Last reply by Maniac, -
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Today is the first day that I have tried in Version 19 to drag an action file shortcut onto a model. I have the action file. I have a shortcut in the library. I have the library on the monitor just below the Properties. When I click to drag the shortcut over the model, there is a very small icon that begins over the Project Work Space separately from the mouse arrow, but will not go over the highlighted model that I want to apply it to. The model does not have the unpickable sign on it. The arrow goes entirely off the monitor and the shortcut is not even on the middle of the screen. Also, sometimes I get an error message that says "Encountered an Improper Argument ". How…
Last reply by Pitcher, -
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I'm posting this here not so much to plug the kickstarter but to highlight one of the interviews/demonstrations that relates to it. Over on the Traditionalanimation.com site, Lavalle Lee conducts an interview with Don Bluth, then one with Gary Goldman and then raps up with a few question with both that dovetails into the announcement of the kickstarter. The main event however is saved for last and that is an animation demonstration by Don Bluth with him breaking down a simple animation of DIrk the Daring swinging his sword. A few highlights of the video include: Don demonstrates the traditional art of animation Don uses an exposure sheet and metronome as an aid…
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 9 replies
- 1.4k views
I hate to admit. It has been a while since I have used AM ,although I have been here since version 8.5. I would like to make a perfect circle3d if possible and add text around the interior rim circularly and if possible make it spin. Hope all is well in the Am Community, Martin and Family,Jason, Robcat, Fuchur, Rodney,Yoda64,Will Sutton,JohnL3D, Nancy the list is endless all of you have have helped me so much in the past. God Bless All in the AM Community. Happy and Blessed Easter To All !!! may you and yours be safe and well, Steve (mulls on the forum) i stlll remember the "Hash Bash" Great time and memory (0
Last reply by mulls, -
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Microsoft has teased a new device called Hololens. It is not released yet, developers dont' get access to it until about May this year and there is no commitment to even producing it yet. you can read about it in this NY Times article. Microsoft HoloLens: A Sensational Vision of the PC’s Future Briefly, here's what we know about HoloLens: -It is a headset you wear. -It overlays CG images onto your vision and synchs them to your head movements to make them appear to be planted in your real world, pehaps in a somewhat ghostly, semi-transparent fashion. -It is NOT a peripheral for your current PC, it is a self-contained computer and display. -It runs Wi…
Last reply by Fuchur, -
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Our seemingly endless wait for a truly high-quality "My Little Pony" movie may soon be over... DreamWorks Animation & Hasbro In Merger Talks
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 4 replies
- 919 views
When I first saw this I thought it was a trailer for an upcoming movie... did I just imagine that it's suppose to eventually be a full feature? Hmm. Aw well, at any rate they've released this short (starring the voice of Steve Martin as the alien leader) for all to see: FavW-Y1kaxs Something to note: The length of this film is a good measure for shorts. It runs 4 minutes 7 seconds which includes intro and credits. And yet it is more than sufficient to tell the story. It also reminds me of some old A:M shorts.
Last reply by Rodney, -
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- 683 views
From the Hollywood Reporter... I presume there's some sort of signal light they shine on the clouds to call an emergency board meeting.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
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European animation fan website Zippy Frames is highlighting Dušan Kastelic's subterranean A:M animation "Perk." Perk was quite an advance in detailed texturing in 2002 and still looks detailed today. Perk by Dušan Kastelic
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 3 replies
- 757 views
Slight dust accumulation beneath my CPU fan. I only noticed this because the fan spit out a blade and was rattling the whole case and I had to examine it closely.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 8 replies
- 948 views
I've been trying to get a dynamic bone chain to bring life to a shirt worn by Pappa Bear rather than using sim cloth. I added two dynamic bone chains to the shirt opening, then enabled collision detection. The issue comes about when stressing the range of motion as shown with the attached movie clip. I've fiddled with just about all of the settings with no real change in the behavior. I'd really like to get this to a point where I can animate the character without having to worry about the behavior of the shirt, but at this point I don't know if that is realistic. shirt_testc.mov One thing I'm wondering is if I need another bone chain to run along the bottom he…
Last reply by fae_alba, -
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- 371 views
I made a model with lots of loosing ends coming out of it. My goal is to use it several times with use of dynamic constraints. So I added all loose ends with several dynamic constraints with different weights and saved the file. After using this file in an action with succesful weighted effect I saved it under a new action name. When trying to use the start action with the saved file all my dynamic constraints are gone. Is this a common fact, or isn't it possible to reuse a file that has the dynamic constraints already confirmed?
Last reply by Madfox, -
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- 954 views
Way back in the day Computer Graphics pioneers Jim Blinn and Ed Catmull and Alvy Ray Smith conducted lectures on their work to young and eager minds that were interested in pushing the technology to its full potential. It would have been wonderful if someone would have thought to record some of those lectures. And they did! These lectures haven't been viewed a lot on youtube bit should be for historical perspective alone. The lectures dive more deeply into subject matters we are well acquainted with to include splines and patches: xhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNXre0qpHjdhC29xH8WkKnw/feed From my perspective, this timeframe was while I was in h…
Last reply by Rodney, -
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- 851 views
Okay, this is probably a pass for most people but I see some potential in it and therefore value. Since availability of these offers are of limited time I want to let people know it's currently available. The gist: This is via Shareware on Sale (I've definitely warmed up to this company and their approach although standard disclaimers apply when installing any software) Offer Efficient To Do List (Efficient is the software company) What it does: Creates basic To Do lists and allows organization of those lists Normal cost: approx. $30 Free through SOS offer for the next two (2) days. This program is almost too simple and yet it has a few things…
Last reply by Rodney, -
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https://youtu.be/z5nBA45DvRo Andrew Kramer has announced a November release for Video Copilot's Element Version 2. Element is an Adobe After Effects plug-in that offers realtime GPU based 3D rendering, right within the After Effects application. Version 1 was a big hit but had obvious drawbacks in that with realtime GPU you can not generate shadows or reflections... well, with V2 he appears to have jumped those hurdles, and threw in realtime sub-surface-scattering and refraction as well! The shadows, refraction and SSS look pretty nice, and the reflections use a bit of a 'cheat' as realtime raytracing is still unobtainable. It is kind of amazing! Prices and up…
Last reply by Rodney, -
We went to see Disney's Encanto this evening. While I thought the story was charming and thought it lacked something. There were several things that caught my eye. First was the cloth simulations. Each character had multiple layers of clothing. The characters interacted with their clothing. In one of the dance scenes the main character was grabbing her skirt as she moved through the scene. I think it was one of the best cloth scenes I have seen. I soon forgot she was an animated character and enjoyed her dance moves. Second was the hair of the characters. The dynamics and look and feel was spot on. Third was the lighting of the scenes. I felt like I …
Last reply by Shelton, -
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- 538 views
Here's something to put on your radar. Not long ago I said, "The time is coming and now is that rendering (as we know it) will be obsolete." or something to that effect. This site is an example of the moving in that direction. Although this is not a renderer as we know it the site does purport to encode media with a hands off approach. What does that mean to you? If you've already rendered a file and need it converted to another format you don't have to spend time rerendering or searching for proper programs and codecs if you can drag and drop the file and get the conversion done while you do other (more important) work. Concerns about security? …
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 5 replies
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OK OK I should know how to do this by now and I've done it in the past but now can't get environment maps to work - they're sticking like decals. AM v19oh on Windows OS7 New material - attribute/plugins/hash/environment maps and Global axis is ON and the object is moving around in Chor. but environment map is sticking like decal. Any help appreciated.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
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My annual subscription came due. I have been using both AM18 -32 bit and AM -64 bit systems with no problems. I downloaded the new subscription for AM19 and got an error: The program can't start because api-ms-win-crt-runtime (some symbol here)1-1-0.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem. I then tried to download AM19 32-bit to see if that was the problem. I ran the extract mode again, but it never completed and just hung the system. I tried to contact support@hash.com I got this message: >>> suppor@hash.com (reading BANNER): 554 p3plibsmtp02-10.prod.phx3.secureserver.net bizsmtp 205.219.233.9 h…
Last reply by RS3D, -
- 3 replies
- 670 views
Hi. Just downloaded V18(64) and entered the activation code. That part went well, except there's an "ERROR:" message in the modeling window. Project Workspace looks correct. Tried to open other V17 projects, other tabs, and start new ones, but nothing shows other than the error. Was using V17 with no issue. Have an HP Windows 7 machine with an i3, 4G RAM. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, CS
Last reply by Fuchur, -
- 0 replies
- 558 views
How is it that no one noticed this before? Escher’s impossible stairs inspired by high school stairwell
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 4 replies
- 897 views
There are many ways to approach the breaking down of scenes in a film but one of the best is to study what has worked (and worked especially well) in the past. For many years Hans Perk has posted the drafts from classic films on his blog where the films can be examined in light of these production drafts. These drafts attempt to break down the assignment of scenes as they are doled out to the various animators. Much can be learned from these drafts. As a means to understand the breakdown of timing in a shot or sequence we can see the timing of any particular shot from the vantage point of any animator or director. In this assigned shot, M…
Last reply by Rodney, -
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- 1.3k views
Try to export the model (.obj) from Amimation: Master to import (.obj) into Blender then try lighting and Render. Try both Render Engine: Eevee and Render Engine: Cycles, with Render having clear background (alpha). And then overlapping a background, adding a (bobby) graphic logo, and adding text in GIMP
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 3 replies
- 999 views
I know we can export Lights to a python script but... Can we reimport that script back into A:M or is this for external usage only? (If not I know the workaround... perhaps more direct route... is to simply save the Chor setup and import that back into A:M. I do note however that editing the script to create lights is easily readable via the python script) The same appears to be true for exporting Choreographies to python scripts.
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 1 follower
- 17 replies
- 1.9k views
I have no experience of using full exposure sheets, but begin to feel that I should be using them. I have been trying to follow an article on AWN about setting up a spreadsheet in Exell to make an exposure sheet template. Only slightly more experience of spread sheets, mean that its proving awkward. A few questions if I may, Can anyone kindly point me to a resource on how to use x sheets and how to set up and use them in exell ? I will be using it with AM but the immediate use is for a Stop frame project as a means of getting familiar with the process. regards simon
Last reply by Simon Edmondson, -
- 10 replies
- 1.6k views
for fun trying to have random color changes in models but using a rand() expression in the color numbers causes AM to crash ..tried RGB(r,g,b ) with random numbers ..crash played with x,y,z size expressions and tried to have those number go into color number slots...crash weird numbers do not need to be integers so rand()*255 should work without color changes quick test front model has pose turned off randomize.mov
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 15 replies
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EXR IO 2.0 for Photoshop has been released. This won't do much for those without current Photoshop/Adobe CC but for those that have it... Among other things, EXR IO is said to extract all channels from an EXR file and place them into separate layers in Photoshop. For features and download see: https://www.exr-io.com/features/ Disclaimer: I haven't tested this with A:M's EXR files yet.
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 19 replies
- 2k views
I am trying to import files that have alpha channels in them. Sadly these are comprimised in - *.pdf - *.psd - *.pxr - *.raw - *.tiff extentions. These extentions can not be imported in Animation Master. Is there a plugin that can do so?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 2 replies
- 773 views
Pretty funny!
Last reply by TheSpleen, -
- 4 replies
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Sorry, I'm a skipping record about this (not a broken one), but I am on a mad search for face capture that will work with Animation Master. Animation Master works well for me over here (even on MAC) and so I can afford to sit and think about luxurious ideas such as body and face capture. I have said that I think one of A:M's great things is its ability to use .bvh files. When I discovered this it was a renaissance ! Anyhow, I cannot find a reliable face capture program that can somehow translate to A:M. I have busted my butt to try to get the A:M track 2 to work and although the tracking seems to be there somewhere, the program is too temperamental to be of use to a…
Last reply by TheToadStool, -
- 3 replies
- 1.3k views
Hi, I haven’t done much with A:M for years. I need to install a head control rig like the one I installed on the model in the attached image (don’t remember if it has a name) on other models but…lol, that was years ago and I don’t remember exactly how to install this puppy. Is there instructions or a tutorial around somewhere? Thanks, Rusty
Last reply by rusty, -
- 2 replies
- 623 views
Here I am again fishing...this time for help. Everyone knows I'm working on the Woke Up Dead movie (check my signature) So I'm making progress with the models but now comes the part where I need to do phenomes and such....(think I spelled that right) Beyond the basic phenomes what would the rest of you guys recommend as a base line set of facial expressions that are a must have in the line up. I guess what I'm doing is trying to compile a complete list of what really comes in handy. So go ahead and hit me. Doesn't matter what anyone says this is all good stuff to know.... (all this stuff I'm learning will one day become a video tut for future AMers)... …
Last reply by higginsdj, -
Facial Rig
by Xtaz- 1 follower
- 12 replies
- 3.4k views
This is for the Rig´s Gods Itjustme, mtpeak2 !!!!! 8qeOFibRmoo
Last reply by John Bigboote, -
- 4 replies
- 671 views
Could someone help me to find a tutorial about facial rig and weight.
Last reply by JimFier, -
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I have a friend she is writer and wrote a book named Fada de botas ( Fairy with boots ) ( http://www.fadadabotas.com.br )... we are planning to transform it in a 3d short movie... here is a little test that i rendered to show him some possibilities... modeled and animated in A:M rendered in C4D ( Octane renderer ) teste0001_1.mp4
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 1 reply
- 983 views
I LOVED the Neverhood. Doug TenNapel has teamed up with a few old friends and is creating another similar game. Terry Taylor is onboard for the soundtrack! They're looking for support, I thought I'd help spread the word. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/194953...=home_spotlight
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 657 views
I love animated movies. And in every movie there is a scene that captures me. I was rewatching The Croods tonight and the top of the tree scene captured me.
Last reply by johnl3d, -
- 10 replies
- 1.9k views
I was wondering if there will ever be an FBX importer that can import the mesh and bones of an FBX file. I currently use a program called Fuse combined with Mixamo Rigged character models that export into FBX and would love to animate them using A:M. I love A:M, but there's been no progress on any plugins for it in forever... I can understand if it's never going to happen, I just need to know so I can use something else that can handle more modern file formats. The only reason why I'm asking is because I would rather not use something else... I love A:M...
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 1 reply
- 586 views
I haven't read through the document so really can't comment on it but for those that have the time and inclination the FCC has posted their 400 page report on the new 'Net Neutrality Rules'. http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2015/db0312/FCC-15-24A1.pdf Recommendation: Right Click and choose Save As to download the PDF file
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 2 replies
- 616 views
Materials is one of those areas I haven't mastered yet, so over the years I've built up a library of canned ones, just in case I needed them. But for the life of me I can't seem to get my hands on a decent felt material, or any felt material. Anyone happen to have one kicking about in the dusty corners of their 'puters?
Last reply by largento, -
- 8 replies
- 2.4k views
The prizes may not be of great use to A:M users and the judging criteria are rather hazy, but a lot of you already have great looking female characters on the shelf that might be dusted off to be worthy entries. https://www.cgtrader.com/challenges/3d-challenge-female-characters#section-awards
Last reply by largento, -
- 3 replies
- 773 views
If you watched Saturday Morning cartoons as i did you certainly saw Filmation's work, including Fat Albert, Archie and Star Trek. Filmation was one of about three significant producers of animation for Saturday morning TV in the US in the 60's, 70's and 80's but the only one that was able keep the production in-house and not outsource it. Lou Scheimer somehow made that work. http://www.newsfromme.com/2013/10/20/lou-scheimer-r-p/
Last reply by largento, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 1.9k views
Standard Disclaimer: Installing software from Shareware on Sale (SoS) can be detrimental to the performance of your system. Pay close attention to information you share and the installation process. Filter Forge is a node based texture and effects editor with plugin for Adobe Photoshop, Corel Photopaint, etc. Filters created with FF can even be used in freeware programs such as Irfanview. Normal pricing is $250 but in teaming with Shareware on Sale a 100% discount is available for the next two days. I pass along this notification because I've found Filter Forge filters to be useful in the past and access to the filter editor is recommended for those that use such filter…
Last reply by pixelplucker, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 362 views
I'm making a fireworks mode. I'm not planning on animating it at first,although it would be very cool to do so. There used to be a "Wizard" that pot a 'particle on a CP along a path, but i don't remember exactly what it was called, and I can/t seem to find it now. EDIT: EXTRUDE is the wizard, but it's not working the way it used to. It just occurred to me that an exploding fireworks model may already exist somewhere. Thanks in advance
Last reply by robcat2075, -
I've decided the best way to make progress is to try small projects, not necessarily related to my main film, to at least keep my skills up. The kind of thing that could be completed in a night or weekend. Hence, a fishbowl. I was curious: how would the rest of you go about handling water inside the bowl? Model it as a separate object, or try and use the fluid feature? Or some combo? I'm going to post my fishbowl model by midnight CST, if anyone is interested. At least the glass part.
Last reply by Roger, -
- 5 replies
- 826 views
In another thread about compositing, Rodney kindly supplied a link to a talk about the subject. I followed up the link provided and it asked me to update the Flash player. I did that and installed it but, when I went back to try the link again it still wanted me to install the latest version... This has happened before with other things, notably on Youtube, so I suspect it may be part of the Apple - Adobe battle I've heard about? Is anyone else using a Mac having this problem and, if so, does anyone know a solution ? I'm using OSX 10:68 with Safari regards simon
Last reply by Simon Edmondson, -
- 0 replies
- 816 views
Here's an interesting (hand drawn) flour sack animation by Ron Zorman. The aspect I like best is perhaps the transitions of weight throughout with the flour sack interacting with those various objects. Not that it's high-falutin' awesome or anything but that it's subtle-like. There are a few inconsistencies (the typical continuity problems that exist in most stories) such as when flour sack feels obvious pain in his foot during one sequence but is oblivious to that pain later (when we are set to anticipate it). Ron Zorman is a character animator on Ren and Stimpy and many Pixar movies.
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 3 replies
- 713 views
FYI... If you are in the US or get US TV shows, long-time veteran Disney animator Floyd Norman will be on "The View" on Tuesday. It's a very odd place for him to show up but my guess is that his personal experience with Walt Disney will come up and it will be framed against recent claims that he was not a nice person.
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 5 replies
- 892 views
For both PC and Mac... I don't know a lot about this so wont comment much except to say I'll put in a recommendation to check this out. (translation: Go get it!) Especially for those of you included toward music, foley and audio effects. What's the skinny? Unless your budget is $100K or more you can now use these tools for free. If over $100K then you'll need to license. Note: FMod was free for non-commericial projects before but now it is officially free for independent commercial projects. http://www.fmod.org http://www.fmod.org/download/ The pitch here is more toward realtime audio for development of games but this can be leveraged…
Last reply by Rodney,
