This is the first time I've ever decalled an avi so I'm not sure of the process. But I did it like an image and when I render it comes out with artefacts around the areas that aren't decalled. Anyone know how to solve this? Thanks. v15e.

Looks just like the decal artifact problem a few of us have been having with v15e. Two solution/workarounds: 1) Don't use 15e with decals or 2) Make your decal big enough to cover all the patches you need to and don't use transparency. File type makes no difference. This only happens with some users and no one knows what we have in common.

Try scaling your avi up so that it completely covers all the visable patches when you apply it.

Alan

could load the avi into AM then save it as a QT or series of tga files...just a thought

Sigh. This works, but the avi isn't the same dimension of any patches. I could work around that but it really adds to the workload with multiple avis on a page. Is v15d available anywhere? Otherwise, I'll dig out trusty v14.

Perhaps decal the entire surface (all patches) first with an image that is the color that you want the background patches to be (eg white - doesn't matter size, resolution) and then apply the avi decal on top. That way all surfaces are decaled. (I haven't tried this - but suspect it would work)

You might also need to go to a tga sequence instead of avi , in the event you find some compression/timing issues with the avi that conflict with your animation.

I'm having trubbles with decals right now too...but not THIS one..

I have experienced that though, and HERE's MY workaround: In the application where you made the decal, you need to add a very small 'noise' or occasional 'pinholes' in the alpha... the trubble is being caused by patches that are being decalled having NO imagery in the decal...so put a TINY little bit of imagery there...

This is fixed for V15f , in such a case you need hold down the shift key while applying the decal. I have not changed this in general, because it's occurs only in some rare conditions and it's a slowdown ...

For the avi problem , I need the projectfile , I have fixed a similar problem (for V15f too ) but I'm not sure , if the fix address this problem too.

So--- the 'shift' thing does not work in 15E...will be working in F...right?

Any idea when 15f will be available?

Alan

Thanks Steffen (and others)! I'll send the project if your fix doesn't do it for avis.

Can you tell us why it's happening for images and what the fix does?

Ken - I am curious - Did you try this? - I don't have 15 anymore - so I can't check it out for you. I had never noticed this problem that you and others are reporting when I did have 15 & when texturing the SO characters - but I always covered the whole surface and layered decals like crazy (yes...like a crazy person)

(EDIT: I had found other problems with decals in 15 - but never this one)

Hmmmm.......hmmmmm......I went back to the project to try it Nancy, but now it's not causing a problem! The only thing I can think I did different since is to install v13.

Ah....now I just reapplied the decal and the problem has returned. And I can say that your idea does fix the problem.

Correct

FYI...

I let this thread run because on the surface it has remained kosher BUT I had to delete a similar thread in the "Newbies" section, obviously fueled by this thread, of the "I can't believe you guys are so sloppy - I can't work until you fix this - blah, blah, blah" variety, which is WHY we don't allow these kinds of discussions in the forum. However, I've instructed the moderators to ALLOW threads similar to this one but IMMEDIATELY delete any thread that goes wild. So far, so good. I just wanted to let you know what the dynamics behind the curtain were and what we're thinking.

Martin

I have ALWAYS decaled so all patches are "covered". I never allow "half" covered patches. What I mean is that the patches that the "image" should appear on are completely covered by the decal. for example a single patch with an image in the middle would have the whole patch covered by the decal with "extra" image or adding splines to accomplish this. This has been my rule of thumb since practically day one of using AM. Making sure there are enough patches to "hold" the decal (my made up description). I have been doing this for years and years since my very first image contest entry. I don't know if this applies specifically to this issue but following this rule has almost always solved decal problems for me... or at least many of them.

I've never decaled with an AVI though.

If this is irrelevant or already covered in the discussion I apologize for the intrusion.

-vern