This session was about Cinema 4D. I have used this software before but only briefly, what I think of it is that I like the different things you can create on it but before this session, I didn't know how to use it.
The first step was obviously getting familiar with the tools on it. I learned what nearly every important tool is used for.
One of the first things I have learned was the render button, where it will render the object you have created and show you what it would look like so it's like a preview which is shown below, the before and after.
The basics
The next step was learning the basics like how to create a shape, how to rotate it, enlarge it and move it which led to learning how to only move the camera and not the shape, this is useful if you want to see the whole of the shape without moving the shape. This is achieved by pressing the number 1 on the keyboard to move it, number 2 to scale it and number 3 to rotate it.
Key information -
- Green - Y axis
- Blue - Z axis
- Red - X axis
The next step was learning how to manipulate the object in a way that I can change the shape of it in anywhere I want. This is achieved by adding segments to the object so it's easier to change each part of the object and the segments can be seen by going to 'display' then 'gouraud shading (lines)' which is shown below. The next image is just me playing around with the object by changing the shape of it, this is achieved by using the 'points', 'edges' and 'polygon' tool on the left side.
How to make an object move?
The first part was creating a shape then making it flexible like bendy which can be done by going to 'bend' then 'object' then 'strength and angle' which is shown in the first image below. The next step is creating a clone of it by going to 'mograph' then 'cloner' then make it the parent of the first shape which is shown in the second image below.
The last part is actually making it move, this is achieved by moving the frame of the time line which is found at the bottom to 0F, go to 'coord' which is found on the right side, this is shown in the second image below then pressing the grey button of 'R.B' which will turn to red. Skip the frame to 90F then change the 'R.B' to 720 degrees and press the grey button again, finally press play and the object will move.
How to sketch, add text and upload a shape created in Illustrator?
Sketching is easy, this can be achieved by going to the 'pen tool' at the top, I learned how to view the sketch in every angle so I know what it looks like which is shown below. The perspective, front, top and right camera can be viewed.
Just like sketching, adding text is easy as well, this can be done by using the text tool. If you want it to look 3D, this can be done by using the 'extrude' tool then the 'null' tool and make that the parent of the text and extrude.
Let's say I want to upload something I have created in Illustrator, I would save the document in Illustrator by saving it as an old file, so instead of 'Illustrator CC', I would save it as 'Illustrator 8' then upload it onto Cinema 4D.
If I wanted to make the shape I created in Illustrator 3D instead of 2D and manipulate it, I would create a rectangle on Cinema 4D then use 'sweep' and make that the parent of the rectangle and the shape, then I would change the dimensions of it, for example, to create the shape in the image below, I made the width smaller than the height to create a hole in the middle.
How to add light and shadow?
Light can be created by using the 'light' tool which looks like a light bulb at the top. To control where you want the light, all you have to do is drag it around and to where you want the light, you can have more than one light, as shown in the images below.
You can change the color of the light by going to 'general' at the bottom right then simply change it to what you want.
A floor can be added to make it more realistic which is helpful because it helped me decide where to place the light as I imagined how objects look on the floor which the light on it.
How to add texture to the object?
This can be achieved by going to 'create' then 'new material' which is found at the box at the bottom then drag the object (matt) onto the object, making sure that the object is highlighted, from there, just simply change the colours of the light and object.
Conclusion
In my opinion, this was one of the best sessions I have had. I had fun using Cinema 4D because of the different things I can create and how I can create something 3D/4D to move. I still think I need some time to understand the software but it is a software that I am willing to use next year.
I think I have learned the basics, I feel comfortable enough to create any shape I want, add texture and light to it to make it realistic and make it move. I think that is all I need to know for now.
Overall, I found this session useful because I got an insight of how Cinema 4D works which is useful because it's a software that I will use next year so it was nice to get an idea of how to create something and get some experience from it.
