Process and Production - Cinema 4D lesson 3

In the third production session with Jay, we continued to learn about the 3d program Cinema 4D. We were provided with the files that were needed. In order to make the Illustrator files work in Cinema 4D, the illustrator files needed to be saved into an Illustrator 8 format.

I merged the files into Cinema 4d and ungrouped the items then renamed the paths to body and top.
Created two lathes and added body and top into each lathe which created a 3d can. It produced a horrible mess in the middle of the top of the can. In order to fix this, I deselected the top lathe and selected the points tool on the left of the screen. This allowed me to select the middle point and use the arrow selection tool to move the point a fraction to the right, resulting in the top of the can becoming smooth.

We then created some materials to make the 3d model look more aesthetically appealing. Added “reflection (legacy) and fresnel” in the reflectance tab. I then opened “layer fresnel” in the sliders and changed the options from none to Dielectric. After this, I added the label provided in the process and production pack.

Had to change the mapping to cylindrical and then fit the texture to object through right clicking texture tab on layers. After creating another texture for the top of the can, I used reflectance again.
I then added a background and floor and changed setting in in tab dropdown, in cinema 4d tags, Selected compositing.

I then added lights and changed the coordinates placing them in the correct area to light the scene in a nice way. I added another light with the intensity of 50% also which created a soft feel to the scene. Then added a shadow with mapping (soft). This created a nice soft shadow behind the can.

Group the layers from the can and change the null name to can. Then drag this group into a cloner and change linear to grid array. Then it was just a case of changing the count and size in order to distribute cans.

This was the final result of the cans. I find it interesting how this can be created from two paths in illustrator. 3D software is something I want to look into more in the near future. 

After creating the cans, the class moved on to learning how to create a bottle. We went through the same process of using the lathe in order to create the 3-dimensional objects. I created the bottle cap separately. In order to create the glass material for the bottle, I used a material that was already downloaded as a preset and changed some of the settings to suit the means needed. The same lighting was used creating the soft shadow. 

Finally, to finish off this process and production session, we were instructed to create a box. I created a cube and started from there. I the created a material and added the graphics onto the texture layer as I had done on the other two objects. 

I think I have learnt a few new skills in Cinema 4D after this process and production session. I am excited to bring some 3D work into my own projects. 

Process and Production - Cinema 4D logo

This was the first session with Jay, looking into a software that I do not know a great amount about. I was excited to get into some new software, as I have always liked 3D design. To begin the session, we were instructed to create a logo out of outlines, having at least 3 different objects. I saved the illustrator file as an Illustrator 8 file in order to make it compatible with cinema 4D.

This was the logo once a floor and background had been added to the cinema 4D document, allowing a coloured background to be added. I also added the text "Design" in the application with the use of motext. 

After this, it was time to use cameras in order to look at the logo from different angles, as well as incorporating lighting into the design to create the shadow. 

First Cinema 4D Logo from Jack Pomfret on Vimeo.

Finally I animated the scene that I had created, using simple keyframe techniques which reminded me very much of after effects. I have been improving my knowledge in this area, and it was nice to have something that seemed at least slightly familiar in the cross over from after effects to Cinema 4D. I am looking forward to going into more depth with the Cinema 4D program in future tutorials. 

Introduction to Cinema 4d

For the introduction to Cinema 4D, the task was to create a 3D type/logo. In order to do this I just created the letters JP in Illustrator, and created a path. I saved this as an Illustrator 8 file in order to import it into Cinema 4D. 

This is how the letters looked when I merged them into Cinema 4D. 

I then used extrude NURBS on each of the letters. This creates the 3D effect that can be seen. I also added a floor and lighting which created a shadow, though selecting soft shadow in the lighting effects. 

I then added a wood texture though the Cinema 4D presets.  

This is the final render. I am happy with the result, and have learnt something new. Cinema 4D is defiantly a program that I intend to look further into.