Anyone using Hash Animation Master? Opinions? How is it for modeling? Rendering? Never hear much about it, and don't see any reference to it in any forums or tutorials here at renderosity... thanks.

I have Hash Animation and have tried to use it with Poser but with no success. Hash uses a special "Hash Spline" which is not quite a true NURB used by some of the high-end packages; the problem is you can import the Poser model into HASH but need to hand convert all the polygons to Splines; very time consuming. Also the HASH method of decalling does not support the UV mapping of Poser models, so all of the textures have to be redone into HASH decals. Most Poser models also have the joints already have the joint defined so it is an easy task to make poses; when a Poser model is moved to HASH you have to make all new joints to start any poses or animations. I do like HASH but I find that as a new user I can do more in Poser. I hope this helps, Sam

Thanks, Sam... Wasn't really thinking of using Hash with poser... just wanted to know who was using it and what they think. Nate

I Have it since a while but never really use it. However i did try to create a simple figure and its looks easy.

The main drawback of Hash is incompatibility. You pretty much have to model everything yourself. There does not seem to be a DAZ or Zygote for Hash. Furthermore, the A:M community is weighted toward professional or semi-professional users. There is little sharing, compared to the Poser community (even in this day, when absolutely everything goes straight to one of a dozen stores). Hash has recently added the ability to import 3DS props, but I have yet to read of the feature actually working. On the other hand, I have seen spectacular renders created with Hash. I bought it a year ago, and have used it perhaps a dozen times, always to model Poser props....

Actually, apparently, someone is using it to build poser figures. I think that is what it is good for poser users, modelling, not rendering. The Spline bit is very versatile. I liked it, and wish I had bought long agao. I think Richard Kane's Physique was done in Hash, it has that look to it.

If I could get mine to run I'd be thrillied. It would crash every computer it was installed on and Hashs suport left me high and dry.(Full black screen shut down unbootable dead!)A+ certified people at computer shops couldn't get it to run on any computer. It even crashed a work station. Its A:M 98 build 6c and nothing will run it. All these years later now its a $200 coaster. I hope they have improved since then. If I sound unhappy I am. I lost $200 and over two years saving up for something else.

since I saw it run at the con on a pocket pc with 4 meg memory. I guess it must have gotten better.

There is a company that makes a plug-in to 3d Max that will import Hash in its native file format. Then you can export it into what ever format 3d Max supports. Can't remeber the name but if you are interested I can dig it up. ========Deberus

Hash can import DXF and 3DS files now or at least there are plugins for this feature. Sam

I bought hash animation master a year ago at the recommendation of many hash users i talked with on various web boards I was told by many that hash was extremely "intuittive" and i would be creating awesome character animation with it in short order. after installing the program i was shocked to find that my huge library of 3d model and props ( .3DS,DXF, LWO) would all now be essentially useless!! due to hashes proprietary "patch" geometry hash will import a DXf or 3DS mesh after an agonizing 15-20 minute wait.( on a 300MHZ G3processor) and once you get it in, the work required to make it usable defeats the whole purpose of having premade content that saves time modeling mundane objects like table lamps and coffee cups. In the area Character animation has has some very powerful features but they are very labor intensive and NOT very intuitive at ALL!! and the user interface is HORRIBLE!! in my opinion the hash online community in my opinion tends have a high population of "Software evangelists" that is people who elevate thier favorite software to the level of a religion and tend to be very defensive about the programs shortcomings and unfairly critical of ALL other 3D programs. especially Lightwave I was viciously attacked and flamed by die hards on the hash user list for daring to admit that I still use bryce!! being told "you bryce and poser weenies deserve what you get" I had made more way progress with lightwave and Cinema 4DXL 6.5 after 4 to 6 weeks of ownership than i did in 4 months of hash use. and i already had plenty of lightwave objects to immediatey begin doing radiosity test renders including meshes exported right out of poser4. and Cinema can convert poser exported BVH files to animated Cinema skeletons than can be fixed to imported poser meshes for rendering in Cinema at $300 hash is a great buy feature wise but if you are really ready to get a high-end app save up for lightwave 6.5 or Cinema4DXL6 Mocap

This is VERY interesting reading. When I was ready to buy a modeling/animation program, it came down to a major decision between Poser 4 and Animation Master. My husband wanted Poser 4, and I wanted AM... I'm glad he won the toss! I love using Poser and the support in the community is outstanding. And the props that are available constantly inspire me to learn more so I, too, can get something cool out there for the masses. Just my 2 cents worth. Poser 4 was a great buy.

Mocap....roflmao I was thrown out of the hash group twice in one day for asking how to get around a bug in the program. I bought it because I think it's a good program but you are right, rather than admit to problems they trash other programs. Debra makes some pretty cool critters with Hash, but she's the only one I've seen that appears to be happy with it. C4D is cool, and Lightwave. TygerCub, you ought to look into getting the lower end version of Cinema 4D, looks like it could be good as an entry program for you. I'm presently learning Lightwave with a smattering of C4D. I would not recommend Hash to anyone who doesn't have extra money and a h**l of a lot of patience. So much to learn, so little time! 8^) Marque

Thanks for the input all... I sorta figured as much. I used some early version of what later evolved into AM years (like 17) ago. It was pretty difficult... but not many 3D apps around then. I personally love the old RayDream 5.5, Poser, Bryce and Rhino. I have Inspire (ala Lightwave) but haven't gotten into it... may take a look and see what Cinema 4D is about and what their "light" version is.... This forum and it's folks are always helpful and very kind. Good crew... that's why I keep coming around. Best regards... Nate (tour the web site = http://nateowens.com )

Hi Folks! I've had Hash AM for nearly two years. When I first bought it, I looked at the interface, looked at the manual--and then went back to playing with Poser3. I recently upgraded to AM 2000 and I've made a promise to myself that I will learn it this year. But with all the good stuff happening to Poser I just haven't had the time. Interesting observations about the Hash boards. I'll keep that information in mind before I wander into any of them. As a Mac user, I already deal a lot of digital bigotry, so I certainly don't need that. What I'd really, Really, REALLY like is for someone to resurrect Infini-D. I think think it was one of the best low-end apps around--affordable price, gentle learning curve, rich features, and a friendly interface. Its rendering engine wasn't the best, but I've gotten some stunning QuickTime movies from it. Any of you folks from Specular out there listening? Peter (Dr Zik)

1. experience same to many of you:) 2. AM can exported as OBj with plugin 3. have 2000 version( v. ) and would like to give away cheap :P 4. paid for upgrade to V. 8 and abandoned the next day

1. can import poser obj via the same plug but like editing wureframe and it was huge.

So to sum up: Viva Poser! :) Just wish Curious Labs would add some of the bells and whistles that A:M supports....

I'm new to the whole scene (be gentle)and purchased A:M at COMDEX this year to make a hobby of it. I've always wanted to do CG work, and I do have some artistic ability (end humble mode) I've had my run ins with A:M but I'm still learning and it's not fair of me to trash it yet, but what can you tell me about "POSER"? What is it, how much is it? How "newbie" friendly is it?

Ive worked with both, and I can tell you that both have their up and down sides. Poser can be a little daunting at the very beginning until you realize that you have to position everything in the human body to make it work successfully, and bodies are tough to pose correctly. The Poser interface can also be a little confusing as well until you get into the swing of it (For the longest time I couldnt tell the difference between the rotate and revolve tools =) ), then it almost becomes second nature. My sole complaint about the interface is that it sometimes grabs the wrong body part when youre trying to reposition something: it will, for some reason, take a part under the one you want and will almost refuse to select the one youve asked for. But, like Bryce, you can usually get good work out of it your first time out of the gate. Its what I call a "rewards-oriented" program, in that it lets you see instantaneously what youve done right. For its price and for the wealth of features available around the Net that can be used to enhance it, you really cant beat it.