MJL Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 WOW! Hello folks.I've been away from the forum for a while, and things have sure changed up while I've been gone.I'm using version 15.0J+ There have been a couple of new versions released. Is it possible to purchase a new CD version or is the only way to upgrade the yearly download option?Although I haven't been animating, I've been using A:M as an artistic tool to create "photo" borders. Before I left I was fairly confident in my modeling skills but stalled out learning rigging. I've decided that I want to attempt to animate a short piece, and to do this I'm gonna need to call upon the generosity that I've always found with the members of this forum.I'll need a little help with two things: (to start with, at least) 1. there used to be a water motion generator that Mark(?)created and donated to the A:M community 2. How to make a lightning bolt. I would appreciate any guidance and help. Thanks in advance Myron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Rodney Posted December 12, 2014 Admin Share Posted December 12, 2014 Myron, it's great to see you again. Is it possible to purchase a new CD version or is the only way to upgrade the yearly download option? I'm afraid the CD version went away about the time you purchased v15. There are two flavors currently available 1) $79 annual subscription - expires 365 days after activation (Note that you can use any subscription version during this subscription period... v15 through the current release)* 2) $299 perpetual - doesn't expire but updates only extend through the current year - after that you can still use that version but have to purchase to move to newer versions. *I recommend the annual subscription as it works the best for most folks. There may be specials offered but you'd have to contact Hash Inc for those. If you can meet them at a convention or tradeshow they often offer great deals there. As for the two things you need moving forward... we'll have to look into those. I'd love to hear more about your project so if it isn't hush/hush super secret start a WIP topic and away you go! Added: There are a couple of methods for creating lightning bolts. The easiest would be to use a single spline and the ramp up the roughness/noise. If you spy any reference out there on that internet that suggests 'just like that!' that would provide something to shoot for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hash Fellow robcat2075 Posted December 12, 2014 Hash Fellow Share Posted December 12, 2014 Hi Myron! On the lightning bolt.... if you go to my tutorials page and search on "Jacob's Ladder" you'll find a couple of bits on one sort electric lightning bolt. If you need something different, ask some more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Rodney Posted December 12, 2014 Admin Share Posted December 12, 2014 Here's a little drawing I put together to note a few things I didn't know about lightning. The first is that the ends of each branch of the lightning tend to flare/brighten back and forth was the energy 'searches' for a conduit to the ground. The second is that electically charged tendrils of energy have been photographed reaching upward from the ground as the tendrils wave around seeking their own conduit to the sky. The tendrils from various conductive surfaces all seem to be inviting the lightning to come down. The lightning and a trendril then move toward each other and as they begin to form a connect the stored energy within the lightning suddenly transfers to the ground. Here's a video that describes the process: I assume you may be going for a more stylized approach to lightning but that might be a good starting point. The idea being to have a point in the sky that moves back and forth along a line (of low resistance) and a point on the ground where it will hit (that will flare slightly just prior to the lightning strike. At the moment the ground fires the lightening ceases from it's wandering and strikes. Here's another slow mo recording of a lightning strike. This one showing how it progressively grows outward/downward. It's hard to see but it does appear to be several flashes on the ground just prior to the lightning strike. lightning with environ 2.mov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largento Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 I believe you can get Mark Skodacek's Ocean Generator rig here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Rodney Posted December 12, 2014 Admin Share Posted December 12, 2014 Thanks for the link Mark. And thanks for the Ocean Generator Mark! That Ocean Generator is great stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJL Posted December 12, 2014 Author Share Posted December 12, 2014 Rodney, Robcat, and Mark (Legendary Creator of the Legendary Errol Flemm. . . . . . .Legendary, I say!!!) Three of my top dozen {or two} Forum members. It's good to hear your voices again! (And I DO hear them. It helps drown out those "other" darker voices. Thanks for your always helpful help. I couldn't remember Mark Scodacek's user name nor remember how to spell his last name. (Sorry Mark) I'll be using that generator so thanks for the link, Mark. I'll be checking out your tute, Robcat, and if it's as good as all your others I'll be up and running in no time. As per your suggestion, Rodney, I'll start a thread in the WIP forum. This all has a "Homecoming" feel to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*A:M User* Shelton Posted December 14, 2014 *A:M User* Share Posted December 14, 2014 Welcome back Myron! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.