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Basic C4D Questions to catch me up
I was a 3 year Maya user who switched to C4D 3 weeks ago. I’ve read through the entire ref manual but still have a few questions if anyone would like to take a quick stab at them:
1. Haven’t used Fizz yet. However is it necessary when I have TP? Was it just an intermediate tool before TP or is it still relevant?
2. I learned in a previous post that C4D doesn’t have a simple function to center the objects axis, but that I would need a plug-in. Is there another way to center the objects axis that is simple, like resetting some parameters to zero? When I create stuff with ‘current state to object’ or other groups of geometry, my object axis can be all over the place. There has got to be some simple way to center it up, is there not without a plug-in?
3. In Maya it was common to do the ol’ “Path animation” followed by a “path flow object” so that things travelled along a spline and deformed with it using a travelling lattice. Travelling along the spline is obvious, using the tag. But what about a travelling lattice or “FFT” that travels as well that deforms an object? IS there a simple way like Maya’s “Path Flow Object” or do I have to get an FFT to travel with a spline somehow deform itself in some fashion? I heard someone using a plug-in but I would think this would be internal option 101. What am I missing?
4. Maya had IPR which allowed semi-realtime feedback for tweaking materials and lighting. Is there a C4D equivalent? Or do I keep hitting a render every once in a while?
Other than this, I think C4D smokes Maya on many levels. I just need to get used to what is in the app that I’m just overlooking or simply is not there without plug-ins.
Chris Smith
https://www.sugarfilmproduction.com -
4 Replies
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1. Fizz is better with rigid particle/particle collisions, for anything else TP rules
2. With R9 CINEMA got a compeltely new modelling axis, but sometimes the center axis plugin still has advantages.
3. I’m not to plugin savy, but i think there is something out there that does the trick. I use the FFD trick myself.
4. You can use your own objects/secenes as material preview. For more detailed preview renderings try Paul Everetts Sniper Pro pluginHope this helps
Bj -
[Chris Smith] “3. In Maya it was common to do the ol’ “Path animation” followed by a “path flow object” so that things travelled along a spline and deformed with it using a travelling lattice. Travelling along the spline is obvious, using the tag. But what about a travelling lattice or “FFT” that travels as well that deforms an object? IS there a simple way like Maya’s “Path Flow Object” or do I have to get an FFT to travel with a spline somehow deform itself in some fashion? I heard someone using a plug-in but I would think this would be internal option 101. What am I missing? “
There are at least two plugins that make this much easier. One is RenatoT’s Path Deformer (www.tarabella.it/c4d) and the other is Multiple Spline Attach [MSA]: https://www.xlentplugs.com/I’ve used MSA for years and it’s great for this and a bunch of other tasks as well. I don’t have Path Deformer but I’ve read a lot of enthustiastic reports by users.
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[Chris Smith] “2. I learned in a previous post that C4D doesn’t have a simple function to center the objects axis, but that I would need a plug-in. Is there another way to center the objects axis that is simple, like resetting some parameters to zero? When I create stuff with ‘current state to object’ or other groups of geometry, my object axis can be all over the place. There has got to be some simple way to center it up, is there not without a plug-in? “
What’s your objection to using the plugin? It’s free, available on the goodies CD, and if it makes you feel better, it was coded by a guy who’s done a lot of programming for Maxon (same author as Fizz). 🙂
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Thanks for the feedback guys.
I don’t have objections with plug-ins. I just want to know how to use the core package correctly and make sure I am not missing something before seeking plugs. In addition, I am just a little surprised that C4D is so rich in so many areas but missing what I think are pretty basic things. Oh Well.
Like over on the AE cow, it is common for posters to asume a new trick they see on TV is always a magic plug-in when a basic understanding of AE itself will often yield these results and always could.
I will add all these plug-ins then. I would be curious to hear the FFT trick though.
Chris Smith
https://www.sugarfilmproduction.com
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