Rating: 
Summary: 3d software even I can use
Review: As a stop-motion animator by trade I thought it was about time I investigated 3D computer animation. After several unsuccessful attempts at creating with other (probably more well known) 3D apps someone at work suggested I try A:M. I have to say this has got to be the most intuitive and easy to use 3D software available. There is a full online manual on the CD and a more newbie friendly printed `quickstart` book that will guide you through the basics in no time. The modelling is different to most other apps in that you create your characters by drawing with splines. I guess it depends what you`re used to but I, and all of my animation friends that now have this software, actually much prefer this way of working. Also, there are no extra plugins to buy for Hair and Fur - it`s all included and works beautifully. I love it!
Rating:
Summary: Great Character Animation Software
Review: For character animation, Hash's Animation Master is a top-quality program at an affordable price. The workflow is intuitive and the software has features usually only found in high-end 3D packages...hair, particles, etc.Whether your animation project is a cartoon or a 3D animation, Animation Master shouldbe your software of choice.
Rating:
Summary: A Little Giant.
Review: Hash's Animation:Master 2004 is an amazing software. The workflow is very well designed. It's a great tool for the artist and not the technical computer person. It's fast, easy to use and cheap. All that you hope in an animation program.
Rating:
Summary: Learn to "animate" not "calculate".
Review: I bought Animation Master in the "rough unstable year" and I never used it much. About a year ago, I took a chance on upgrading and that's when I re-discovered the coolness that is computer animation.
If you want functional and intuitive interfacing software, look no further. If you want all the latest buzz features without needing plugins, stay where you are. If you want a character animation system like no other, Animation Master is for you...
Once you've created your animation masterpieces, render them to quicktimes and put them on the net for all to see. No other software required.
To see exactly what this software is capable of, just go and browse Hash.com. Oh and drop into the forums where you'll get a friendly welcome.
Rating:
Summary: The most fun I've ever had with a piece of software
Review: I hardly know where to begin. This is a wonderful piece of software. Dollar for dollar there just isn't anything else out there that compares with AM. The character animation toolset is the best in the business. The modeling rocks. The workflow is terrific. Stablility issues have been solved in version 11. It runs rock solid now. I've been playing with graphics and 3d apps for almost as long as pc's have existed and this is just more fun than a guy should be allowed to have.
Rating:
Summary: The most fun I've ever had with a piece of software
Review: I hardly know where to begin. This is a wonderful piece of software. Dollar for dollar there just isn't anything else out there that compares with AM. The character animation toolset is the best in the business. The modeling rocks. The workflow is terrific. Stablility issues have been solved in version 11. It runs rock solid now. I've been playing with graphics and 3d apps for almost as long as pc's have existed and this is just more fun than a guy should be allowed to have.
Rating:
Summary: The best software in the world
Review: I really love Animation Master. You can do some pretty incredible things with it, if you have the time and patience. The software is very stable (few crashes), and its relatively easy to learn. If your into animation and or/filmaking, I would highly recommend it. However, there are some things to consider.
There is a very steep learning curve, especially if you're new to 3D animation. Don't expect to make "The Empire Strikes Back" overnight. Learning how to animate figures and objects is difficult enough. Learning how to effectively create your own models takes several months, maybe even years. The software itself is much more advanced than what ILM was using just a few years ago. The problem is PEOPLE POWER. It takes literally a staff of experienced people to add the level of detail that you see in big budget hollywood movies. One person working on a computer can make some really impressive stuff (AFTER A LOT OF WORK), but be prepared to keep things in perspective. Start small (like modelling inorganic objects such as airplanes or spaceships), and keep your animations under 5 minutes, before attempting your magnum opus. You'll spare yourself a lot of frustration.
My biggest complaint with AM is that its incompatible with all the other consumer 3D amimation platforms out there. Programs like Poser, Vue D'Espirit, Bryce, and Carrara are compatible with each other, for the most part. Animation Master promotes its product as "all you'll ever need", so they consiously avoid making there sofware compatible with other platforms. So, if you're serious about eventually taking your 3d to a proffesssional level, you MIGHT want to consider investing in another application such as Poser, etc. That way, you'll not have to reinvent the wheel every time you tackle another program.
Rating:
Summary: Be an animator buy Animation Master!
Review: If you ever had dreams of becoming an animator, and doing stuff like Shrek or Finding Nemo. Then buy Animation Master! It has MORE features than some of the other 3d packages, at a cheap cheap price. I've been using since ver3. The software had some ups and downs. I can really say this is the BEST version of Animation Master yet. I am so happy I stuck with Animation Master, because I guarantee that many larger productions will start using it because of it's price point and amazing features.
You can't go wrong with the price. Regardless of price Animation Master has the BEST character animation tools, hands down.
Rating:
Summary: Be an animator buy Animation Master!
Review: If you ever had dreams of becoming an animator, and doing stuff like Shrek or Finding Nemo. Then buy Animation Master! It has MORE features than some of the other 3d packages, at a cheap cheap price. I've been using since ver3. The software had some ups and downs. I can really say this is the BEST version of Animation Master yet. I am so happy I stuck with Animation Master, because I guarantee that many larger productions will start using it because of it's price point and amazing features.
You can't go wrong with the price. Regardless of price Animation Master has the BEST character animation tools, hands down.
Rating: 
Summary: Mac Users Too
Review: The Disc that comes in the box will include the installers for the Mac version of the software in addition to the Windows version. Just so you mac users know we haven't been left out in the cold :) I'm a bit biased so don't know that I can offer an honest review of A:M... I did write the book on how to use it so I would obviously have some ulterior motives. But if you want to pursue character animation either as a hobby or a future career, there is no other package out there at even close to the price of A:M that delivers more character bang for the buck. Is it perfect? well no... but then neither is any other piece of software A:M has it's little idiosyncrasies, and 3D is still a complex and deep subject for any one to tackle (a good book perhaps? ;) ) But the workflow and the animation tools alone make A:M worth the price. A:M also has a dedicated and friendly community of users that has been helping newbies come up to speed for over a decade, one of those not in the box features that really adds value to the product. Cons? A:M does not an industry standard approach to modeling. (which some of us who don't like modeling in the first place actually would consider a pro.) So if you want to learn to model for a career you might consider another program. -David Rogers
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