TaoA:M and the A:M Technical Reference
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Video Exercises (12,377 visits to this link)
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Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Tutorials (11,670 visits to this link)
146 topics in this forum
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I'm working on the It's a Pitch lesson and I'm having that age old issue of stuff moving when I don't want it to. I have made the 1st pose and the 2nd pose at 10 frames. Having not moved that foot yet, I forced a keyframe there so I could start it rotating for the frame 13 pose. The issue is that the foot is now moving from frame 0 to frame 10. I'm guessing this has some thing to do with interpolation method, be it Hold, linear, Spline or what ever. I'm guessing also that I need to use Hold but I'm not sure where to use it. The right foot target? There seems to be so many levels of stuff in the foot and all I want it to do is sit still until I say move. Thanx fo…
Last reply by robcat2075, -
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I have hit another deadend and after hours of struggling I am asking help once again. I have everything done but cannot seem to color my hair. But yet my face coloring worked! Here is a screenshot showing the "body front" settings I have. everything is exactly like my face yet no color anywhere else? Please give me advice.
Last reply by TheSpleen, -
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- 2 replies
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Hello my friends, When I try to load Key Kat into a chor. it says that the tga for eyes is missing. Then it loads with out the eyes. How do I get the eyes back? Keith
Last reply by BUDDHABUCK, -
- 1 reply
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I'm working on "the door's stuck" from TAO for A:M 2002, however I have the latest version. My question is regarding the timing of movement. More specifically, I want the foot to start lifting up at 00:04:00 and stay planted on the ground at every frame before that. However, The foot starts lifting at frame 00:00:01 and slowly reaches the door. I made it through "it's a pitch" and rabbit walking without this problem. The solution is probably simple but I cant figure it out. Any help would...as usual...be huge. Thanks for looking. -PM
Last reply by robcat2075, -
In Excercise 1: You're the Director, the KeeKat character is grabbed from the Library and dropped into a Choreography via 'drag and drop'. Libraries can be useful tools to organize your models. When the number of characters, props, actions, materials and more that you are using starts to increase libraries can provide a nice solution to organize and get on with animating. For those that have used Libraries before or use them on a regular basis how do they help you when working in A:M?
Last reply by Rodney, -
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I'm going back through TaoA:M and attempting to learn things with a little more depth. In Ex 2: Chorus Line I want the Can-Can Action to start at frame 00:01:00. I dropped the action onto the 'actors' at that frame, but the cancan started at frame 0. How do I get it to start at frame 00:01:00? thanks, Myron
Last reply by MJL, -
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- 14 replies
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Several tries to get to this point. Feel free to tell me what I did wrong cause I see the problems just not sure how to fix em.
Last reply by TheSpleen, -
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- 2 replies
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Hi everyone- I was able to complete a reasonable Cooper face and I'm continuing with the tutorial to finish his head. My skull is pretty good, but I've run into a snag with sculpting the ears. Please post your favorite techniques, tips, & tricks on how you sculpt an ear! Thanks so much! Erik
Last reply by SirCoffee, -
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The Art of Animation:Master (Online) Please add your exerices to this topic and others will join in. The Art of Animation:Master is being completed on a continual basis in the New Users Forum. Meeting deadlines can be an important skill to master early on but this course is self paced to allow each person the flexibility they need to learn the basics of Animation:Master. The course can be completed in as little time as necessary or as much as is needed by each participant. Note: You may want to download the videos first. All available Video Tutorials related to TAOA:M can be found on one page: The Art of Animation Master Video Tutorials The Art o…
Last reply by Jeetman, -
- 1 reply
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I cannot seem to do the giraffe tutorial in VISTA. I am having trouble getting into the Rotoscope mode so I can open up the giraffe project. I either get a white box or the giraffe without the grid and I am not able to draw the splines. I was using Windows XP and was able to do the tutorial but since I got a new computer with VISTA, i have been having problems getting into the tutorial. Any suggestions?
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 0 replies
- 534 views
Hey can anyone help me i already made my model but how can i put on the texture and also make sure the texture looks clean o the model i tried to do it by watching the FW fighter and the way they put the decal on there but i didnt come out the way i wanted it to look....ALSO when i try to save my picture in TARGA format and imported in AM the alpha channel comes out white how can i prevent that...here is a picture of what my model looks like with the decal on.
Last reply by jairo, -
- 0 replies
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Hey, I am trying to go through the flocking exercise. I am using the latest v14.0. Here's what's happening. I created a flock-birds, populated it with a goose model and used the fly action all just like the book. I keyframed the flock object to start at the left of the camera view from a distance. At frame 30, the flock is keyed closer and to the right. At frame 60, the flock is keyed closer still and to the left again. Here's what the problem is: When I scrub through the animation in the chor, everthing looks good and the geese point in the direct of the flock object's motion. When I render a movie, the geese remain oriented as they were in fr…
Last reply by arkaos, -
- 11 replies
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Need help please How do make the bones stay on the flower when I turn the flower model they dont stay with the model here a pic of what I'm talking about.
Last reply by arkaos, -
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- 9 replies
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Okay... extra cool points go to anyone that can remind me how to link to the Tech Ref and Manual found in ftp://ftp.hash.com/pub/docs The URL is: http://www.hash.com//TECHREF.pdf and http://www.hash.com//TAOAM.pdf I've linked to it before but have gone senile. I need the link for a quick test. The size of the files opening online is probably the major obstacle to success.
Last reply by Caroline, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
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Never completed 'The Art of Animation:Master'? There is no better way to learn A:M than to work your way through the manual. There are considerable benefits too. - You have A:M so lets us it! - The lessons are a whole lot of fun. (Okay... that face one... and that darn giraffe... those two are hard!) - You'll be animating in minutes! (Lets see you do that in Maya!) - You'll exercise your animation muscles. (For hours, days, weeks, months and BAM! Suddenly you are a high fallutin' animator!) - You'll learn a whole lot, make new friends, and mingle with artist and animators with similiar interests. ...and all this you'll accomplish even if you never c…
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 10 replies
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I know Exercise 6 is suposed to be an exam but I realy need help. First off I some how accidentaly erased it off of the AM disk. Is there any way I can get it from some where? The problem I was having is that I cant seem to keep one foot on the ground while he puts one foot on the door. If I animate his right foot to go up lets say between frames oo.oo.oo - oo.oo.15 and I then do his left from 00.00.15 - 00.01.00 they both go up around the same time. Could some one explain this to me step by step? Something about constraints or key frames. I need detail on this one friends. This one has got me stumped. thanx
Last reply by mouseman, -
- 2 replies
- 708 views
My students are using shaggy or the rabbit for it's a pitch because we had the knight with the bad knees. Most students did fine, however one girl has had trouble and she can't really tell me what she did different from the instructions. I have attached the file - Shaggy falls apart and his eyeballs fly out of his head. It's pretty funny, but not exactly what we were trying to do. Any ideas as to what she did wrong? shaggy_pitch.prj
Last reply by robcat2075, -
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- 6 replies
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So I'm fiddling with Lesson 3 in A:MTao and having finished the basic position assignment I started with the secondary ones. I managed to get him to squat down but I want him to look sad and depressed, with one arm across his knee and his head in his other hand. But I want his eyes not merely half closed but for him to be staring down at the floor in front of him - how do I get his eyes to track in some direction other than up, apparently at the camera? I'd also like to open the spread of his fingers more, he's holding his chin, I'd like to manipulate the fingers, spread them a bit, maybe curl differently. How do I unhide and use these finger bones? Thanks fo…
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 4 replies
- 817 views
Even though I was doing about 75% ok when I first started TaoA:M, I didn't feel that I was making a dent in understanding the software. It was hard for me to concentrate on the actors when I couldn't even build a set. I've been traveling through the forum and a few things are beginning to make sense. Using three grids, one for the sky background, and one each for the terrain and the water. I don't know if I've done it right but at least I've done it. I'm uploading the project file just in case a good Samaritan would like to tell me how to get rid of the green in the water. Anyway, Exercise 1 down. Myron Keekat_Pr1.zip
Last reply by MJL, -
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- 9 replies
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I was wondering is there a seperate rendering program out there so I could use a second PC just purely for rendering while I am animating on my main PC? I know I can't install a second copy of A:M because I am using the subscription package. any ideas anyone? C
Last reply by jakerupert, -
- 0 replies
- 738 views
I have decided to restart the TAoAM class as I've been gone for a while. I'm doing it a little different than before. I am posting everything on my 'Myspace' page. http://www.myspace.com/fdputhuff You will find the stills under the picture section in the TAoAM book and the videos under the video section. Here is exercise #1 (See Attachment) 8-3-07 If I am posting this in the wrong place, please let me know where I should be putting this stuff. Thanx
Last reply by thumperness, -
- 3 replies
- 951 views
Getting an "Error Loading String -1" error when I try to set to "Scale in X-Axis only" from page 102 of the Art of AM. The error does not appear if I have only one cp selected. The error shows up when I used a bounding box and if the pointer is near the bounding box. When the pointer is directly over one of the bounding box's cp's then the error goes away. Using ver. 15.0d
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 9 replies
- 1.4k views
I have tried to run the "Flag" tut for cloth and get blown out of AM. Everything works great until I select the "ChorName>Plug-ins>SimCloth Simulate". As soon as I do I get an error. "Unhandled Exception #001" and AM shuts down. I tried to run it on a different model with the cloth and deflector added. Same result. Any Ideas! I'm running version 14.0c.
Last reply by TNT, -
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- 9 replies
- 979 views
Does anyone know why sometimes the spline curves are smooth but sometime are not?
Last reply by Rodney, -
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Working on walk cycles and secondary motion. 1st try Take a Walk
Last reply by robcat2075, -
- 4 replies
- 858 views
I thought this wasn't a bad first attempt at this, I have to say I love the technique of using rotoscopes, this is something I will definatly use in some future models - and the plane doesn't look too bad either! plane.wmv
Last reply by robcat2075, -
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- 56 replies
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I thought I'd try to run through TaoA:M with a 'Scarecrow of Oz' theme applied. Others are welcome to join in with this theme as well of course. Especially those of you that have an interest in contributing to the film. Benefits include: Get to know the people here in the forum better. Get familiar with the powerful rigs used in TWO and SO through Posing and installing the rigs. Animate! Animate! Animate! Create props for possible use in the movie Explore the world of A:M! Its a lot more fun if others join in so let your wishes be known.
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 17 replies
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Hi, I didn't want to post this in the taoA:M 'cause everything looked so orgainized... I know zip about the forum or the video versions of the tuts -- I went through the tuts long before the videos existed using (get ready for a blast from the past... perhaps a collectors item by now): Anyway I noticed that the voice and the video are offset which is maddening for a person just learning. Seems to be this way with the online versions as well as the versions on the Siggraph 2006 Pro Series. Is there anyway to fix this? Thanks! Rusty
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 0 replies
- 687 views
Welcome to The art of Animation:Master! Word of the new websubscription is going out to all parts of the world and the stage is set for the arrival of many new users. Welcome to the A:M Forum if you are one of those! If you are returning... Welcome Back! The art of Animation:Master is designed to thoroughly expose you to the workflow of Animation:Master with a focus on the principles of computer animation. Its a step by step process to set you up for successful animation from the time you start Lesson 1. There are many additional benefits of working through TaoA:M too. Here are a few: - A certificate of completion from Hash Inc! (Read more about it he…
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 3 replies
- 883 views
Okay foks, Participation in TAoA:M has been increasing for some time and continues to move in that direction. There's no better time to get involved and master the basics than now. We've tried letting everyone post their Exercises separately but up until now it's never really taken off (i.e. It didn't work). Then along came the Animation Bootcamp (ABC) which inspired many to post in one place and that has worked quite well. Maybe its time to try again? Perhaps it will work for TAoA:M? We'll give it a try. Beginning today TAoA:M Exercises are welcome to be posted in the main New Users Forum area. Once they get to the stage of being 'finished' or ac…
Last reply by Leo73, -
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The forum for TAoA:M has not had an update since October. Maybe it is buried too deep? http://www.hash.com/forums/index.php?showforum=108 Would it be worthwhile to move it up a level, to the top of "General Discussion"?
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 4 replies
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This exercise is a never ending exercise. By that I mean no matter how simple or complex you make the choreography, there is always room to improve the animation (walks, anticipation, follow thrus etc..). Here's what I mean The_Door_is_Stuck_2.mov
Last reply by phatso, -
- 3 replies
- 761 views
Hello all, I was planning on working through both the TaoA:M and Mr. Roger's Complete Guide. I was wondering however what the experienced folks had to say about which one should be done first or if they could be worked together. I realize that TaoA:M is close to everyone's heart as it's the manual and everyone has it, but if I'm not mistaken the AM complete guide is the defacto standard outside of that. What do you guys and gals think? Also if anyone could tell me about what Animation Bootcamp is all about that would be appreciated. John
Last reply by JohnWayne, -
- 12 replies
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Exercise 1. Did this one and the second one in feb 08. Decide to redo and try to stay on track with the manual and the online video lessons. Comments Welcome.
Last reply by asphalt maker, -
- 2 followers
- 31 replies
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One of my goals for 2008 was to go through all of the tutorials in TAoAM. Some of them I had actually done in years past, but I wanted to do them ALL. Well, I'm (mostly) done now. (I want to put in a little more work on 11.5.) I know most people post their entries under the topic for each chapter. The thing is, I haven't been doing that all along. But I did want to post them, and I thought since they were all almost done, that it might be easier on everyone if they were all in one spot. Is it just crazy to be thinking that? Anyway, I'm gonna post them one per response.
Last reply by Caroline, -
- 1 follower
- 58 replies
- 4.4k views
This is my my first exercise after following the TAOAM.
Last reply by StormedFX, -
- 2 followers
- 20 replies
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Note: Users of A:M 2006 (Yeti CD) please read information at this link for more on troubleshooting a problem with the Knight's knees. Read about it HERE . You'll want to use a working model for Exercise 15: Eat My Dust. The Art of Animation:Master (Online) Please add your exercises to this topic and others will join in. The Art of Animation:Master is being completed on a continual basis in the New Users Forum. Meeting deadlines can be an important skill to master early on but this course is self paced to allow each person the flexibility they need to learn the basics of Animation:Master. The course can be completed in as little time as necessary or…
Last reply by Moonsire, -
- 21 replies
- 8.5k views
Each of us collects information related to A:M in one way or another. Some write in the margins of TAOA:M others in notepads, on your desk, and in other obscure places. Here your chance to add useful information to The Art of Animation:Master in a way that can benefit everyone. Who knows, the information you identify just might make it into the next edition. There have been several versions of The Art of Animation:Master. It is important to note that they differ in a few ways. Updates/Changes: If you know of any significant changes from edition to edition please let us know by posting here. We'll post examples of these changes as time allows. Th…
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 9 replies
- 4.6k views
Did you know you can get credit for completing the exercises in The Art of Animation:Master? There are many benefits of certification. They include: - Your very own personalized certificate - Eligibility to work on Hash Inc's movie projects - Qualification for the A:M Community's mentorship program - Cool prizes! (For instance, you are automatically enrolled for a chance at a free upgrade *every* year) - You learn with others while comparing notes along the way - You'll have the benefit of knowing other TAoA:M Alumni that you can collaborate with in future projects ...all this and more! So, what are you waiting for? ---------------------…
Last reply by shamyl, -
- 3 followers
- 110 replies
- 24.3k views
Welcome to the Art of Animation:Master! Did you know you can get credit for completing the exercises in The Art of Animation:Master? There are many benefits of certification. They include: - Your very own personalized certificate - Eligibility to work on Hash Inc's movie projects - Qualification for the A:M Community's mentorship program - Cool prizes! (For instance, you are automatically enrolled for a chance at a free upgrade *every* year) - You learn with others while comparing notes along the way - You'll have the benefit of knowing other TAoA:M Alumni that you can collaborate with in future projects ...all this and more. Now you can…
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 1 reply
- 1.8k views
Welcome to The art of Animation:Master! Word of the new websubscription is going out to all parts of the world and the stage is set for the arrival of many new users. Welcome to the A:M Forum if you are one of those! If you are returning... Welcome Back! The art of Animation:Master is designed to thoroughly expose you to the workflow of Animation:Master with a focus on the principles of computer animation. Its a step by step process to set you up for successful animation from the time you start Lesson 1. There are many additional benefits of working through TaoA:M too. Here are a few: - A certificate of completion from Hash Inc! (Read more about it he…
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 3 replies
- 759 views
I am working on the third lesson on page 38. I have done all the steps correctly but when I get to "Click Rabbit to select him, and then click the Skeletal button on the Mode toolbar" the button is unavailable. What do I do???? Snowy
Last reply by Rodney, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 858 views
I'm on exercise six and I've spent weeks on it, because I keep encountering something. All goes well with having the guy turn the doorknob this way and that. He pulls on the door. Then he lifts his foot to put it up on the door frame. And it all goes bad from there. Suddenly his foot is curling up and lifting up from the very first frame rather than from the frame I wanted it to - frame 00;00;03;20 in my case. All movement is now going back to that first frame instead of where I wanted it. I don't like that and it's discouraging me. Why is it happening? What am I doing wrong - every time?
Last reply by loggydoggy, -
- 7 replies
- 1.3k views
Hi Rodney and all, I sat down this morning ready to work on Exercise 8. When I tried to d/l the video I got a page-not-found error. So I said ok maybe its just that one tute......tried to randomly d/l other tutes........apparently the links are all broken, or the server hosting them is down. I'm kinda bummed ;(. Hopefully they will be back up the next time I can make time to use A:M ~Zzzippo~
Last reply by Jeetman, -
- 4 replies
- 781 views
I have tried to follow the exercise1, but everytime I tried to render by clicking in the choreography I will get an error message when the rendering reach 70%. I am running it on Vista. "not responding" Thank you.
Last reply by StormedFX, -
- 12 replies
- 1.4k views
Has anyone heard from Rodney in the past few days to a week?
Last reply by Rodney,