Stability of the OSX version?

[Michael Hartlef]

Hi folks,

 

I was playing with A:M on Windows year ago when it was around version 10. Now I am mainly using a 2009 IMac with OSX.10.6.8 on it and I am thinking of subscribing the OSX version of A:M.

 

Being very long gone from A:M I wonder if the stability on OSX has improved a lot or if it would be better to get the Windows version instead.

Back then there were quite a few reports about problems with the OSX version where the WIN version was running mostly fine.

 

If you are using the OSX version, do you think is it stable enough? What are the biggest problems for you with A:M on OSX? Will it run fine on OSX 10.7.x?

 

Thanks

Michael

[robcat2075]

I'm not a mac user but the current mac users seem to be very pleased and impressed with the stability and speed improvement of A:M.

 

A:M is dramatically stronger now than v10 was, for both PC and MAC.

 

If you have a choice I'd still say go for the PC version as there are some plugins that don't exist for the mac version and a few interface things like "workbook" that mac doesn't have.

[Michael Hartlef]

Thanks Robert. About "workbook"... what was that again?

 

What I wanna do is model and then toon render to 2D images. Mainly creating sprites for games.

[largento]

Hi Michael,

 

I'm using the OSX version on a 2008 Mac Pro (Snow Leopard) and I can definitely say that the improvements since v10 have been huge.

 

Starting with v13, A:M has run well on my Mac, but v16 greatly improved render speeds, which has made doing animation much more feasible. Working solo, I was able to create a 15-minute animated film on one Mac in less than 4-1/2 months. That included rendering and post production.

 

You can see the WIP thread here.

 

If that's not proof enough, give it a try. $79.99 won't break your bank.

 

I have not switched to Lion yet because some of my Adobe apps weren't supported. I've just recently upgraded them, so I could in the near future, but will probably just go straight to Mountain Lion.

 

As to compatibility, Robcat's correct, there are some plug-ins that are PC only. One is used to create fake AO (which wouldn't apply to toon rendering) and the other big one is the Anzovin Setup Machine rigging plugins. Sadly, the Setup Machine hasn't been supported in years and there's no guarantee it will continue to work with future Windows versions.

 

I have read that "Symbiont" the DarkTree shader plug-in will not work with Lion. Also probably not a concern if you're going to be doing toon rendering.

 

[EDIT] Robcat can let me know if I'm wrong, but I believe workbook is tabbed windows. No tabbed windows in the Mac version.

[Gerry]

Yes, "Workbook" is the tabbed-windows layout. I work extensively in A:M on both PC at my day job and on an iMac at home. I regularly carry my files back and forth and work on them seamlessly. Pros and cons: More plugins available on the PC side, but the Mac renders way faster.

 

There are a couple of small workarounds on the Mac. The main one is when you want to "Open" or "Save": for some reason, the Open and Save windows will often open greyed out and inactive. When that happens, hit ESC (the Close button won't work), hit Cmd-H to hide the whole app, then Option-Tab to reselect it.

 

Then the Open and Save windows work fine.

 

I know this sounds kind of onerous but you quickly incorporate it into your work habits.

[Michael Hartlef]

Thanks guys for all the info. I will get the OSX version then!

 

Edit: Got the OSX subscription. Off to studying the tutorials.

[largento]

Good call on the Finder problem, Gerry. I've gotten so used to the workaround that I don't even think about it anymore.

[Michael Hartlef]

Thanks for the hint, it would have driven me nuts. But that is something that should be fixed. Actually I am surprised how many times I already got it to crash. :-/

[robcat2075]

Thanks for the hint, it would have driven me nuts. But that is something that should be fixed. Actually I am surprised how many times I already got it to crash. :-/

 

 

If you're having random crashes, old video card drivers are the first suspect.

 

If you can repeat a crash and describe the steps we now have AMReports where you can submit it.

 

www.hash.com/reports

 

You'll need to email Jason@hash.com to get an account and password, but anyone can submit bug reports.

 

Vague things like "it crashed when i pressed a button" don't help much. Steffen needs exact steps.

[robcat2075]

If you can screencam a bug happening like this

 

http://www.hash.com/forums/index.php?showt...=Bone++Position

 

 

that is even better.

[Michael Hartlef]

You can update the video drivers on a mac? I always thought that you have to take what apple puts in.

[largento]

What are you doing when it crashes?

 

If it's the Finder thing, the workaround will take care of that.

 

People always make fun of me for saying this, but one of the things I've noticed with using A:M is that you have to change your work rhythm. A:M likes a pattern of click on something, pause, do the next thing. For instance, instead of trying to grab a control point and move it, click on it to select it, pause and then click and drag to move it. The pause is a very small one, but it takes some getting used to.

[Michael Hartlef]

I think that is my problem atm. I am used to instant reaction of an UI. The crashes are random. Mostly happen when I am to fast for the UI/Finder. If I will find a reproducable bug I will post it for sure.