The Basics-looking for a guide.Learning

[Brian Jones]

There are tutorials out there for everything from C4D 6 to 12, the interface has changed from time to time as stuff has been added and improved. It definitely helps to be looking at one for your version but it’s not absolutely necessary with older stuff just hunt a bit and what you want should be there. Doesn’t always work with tutorials for versions that are newer but basic stuff should still be very close. The empty spline object in 10 is Objects/Spline Object I don’t remember if it was called empty spline before it might just have been what the writer called it.

here’s some stuff, it’s not all real basic but hopefully there are some good things in there, there are many, many more out there.

https://www.today.plus.com/3d/tuts/ – for v8 but basic
https://homepage.mac.com/komaruyama/Tutorials/Cinema4D/index.html
https://www.pixel2life.com/tutorials/cinema_4d/
https://www.cineversity.com/portal/maxon/ – some are free
https://www.bonkers.de/
https://www.peranders.com/tutorials/

[Randal Radabaugh]

thanks.

I am using the Quickstart r10 manual=https://http.maxon.net/pub/r10/doc/quickstart_r10_us.pdf= and like all others i have used it is full of stuff that does not work, apply or is down right wrong.

Here is an example and actually where I am at at after 2 days.And stuck again.

When you’re finished select the objects “Upperleg_R“, “Lowerleg_R“ and “Foot_R“. Once they are highlighted
in red in the Object Manager press the “G“ key on your keyboard
This groups all and makes all selected objects
children of a Null object. If you look at the Object Manager you will see the newly created Null object. Clicking
on the “+“ symbol will open the hierarchy and the objects we just selected will be shown. When the Null
object is selected, the axis of this Null object serves as the axis for all three leg objects. If this axis is rotated
all children of this Null object will be rotated. Move and rotate the Null object a little and you can make the
figure stick its leg out.

the truth is (and often is with other such directions)it is not true,
And I am stuck with no way of moving forward with this basic beginner
maxon Cin4d r10 manual for 1st timers.(my version btw)
When I select anything it does not turn red.Tried changing things and still does not apply..I select all three
objects and click “G” and nothing.I restart and reload and still will not work.
Ok I got them to group- but they arent red.
next step again.

Also no null object appears or seems to be created either in object manager.So I cant find or click on null object to do anything to axis as per instruction.
click the + symbol and undocks panel,but that is not what is supposed to happen.

I am just so sick of this, I really want to send message to Maxon bout this INCREDIBLE beginners manual.Basically completed 6 steps,
and 4 out of 5 were wrong or misleading or dead end.

Any one got an alternative to do this? My apologies, I am getting frustrated.

[Tim Shetz]

If you need to group objects, you can select the objects in the object manager (using Shift, ctrl/cmd) then right click and select GROUP OBJECTS (about 2/3’s the way down in the menu)

Not to plug my own site (but I will) I have tutorials for beginners in C4D on my site, totally free:

c4dtraining.com

They are for versions 10.0 and up. If there is something specific in the tutorial for a given version, it is mentioned clearly.

Tim

Tim Shetz
c4dtraining.com

[Adam Trachtenberg]

3DFluff has just come out with a new DVD that sounds right up your alley, except it’s based on R12. You might send them an e-mail and ask whether it would be generally applicable to an R10 user.

https://3dfluff.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=120

[Cory Petkovsek]

Hey bud, just keep at it. I’m learning C4D from a lot of different versions of tutorials. Forget the specific details that get you stuck, that’s not how you’ll learn anyway. You need to learn concepts, because those will then be applicable to any other 3D app you pick up. Eventually you’ll learn how to perform those concepts in the app you are using.

So in this case it says “Press G to group objects”. Grouping objects into a container is the concept, Pressing G is the step. I have older video tutorials from version 9 and 10, but am studying version 11.5. So in my case I get the concept – group objects. Now I hunt through the interface or google how to fulfill the concept if the instruction is wrong. In this case Alt+G is the correct command (maybe option G on a mac?) Or as stated by another, its in the menu of the object manager.

Using the command manager (I think it’s Shift F12 or look in the menu) will also help with finding keyboard shortcuts or conceptual commands, if you can’t find them in the menu.

Where to learn?
The quickstart is a good document. I like video tutorials better. You get to see someone’s workflow as they do it, you’ll learn much faster. Here are some good ones (Not basic necessarily, but easy to follow along and learn quickly):

Grey Scale Gorilla (start at the oldest, though he’s on a different version back then, but given the above you should be able to figure most things out):
https://greyscalegorilla.com/blog/category/cinema4d

Tuts+
https://cg.tutsplus.com/?s=cinema+4d

https://pariahstudios.co.uk/cinema4d/
https://greyscalegorilla.com/blog/2009/06/five-best-cinema-4d-training-sites/
https://planetpixelemporium.com/tutorials.php

Cory

—
Cory Petkovsek
Corporate Video
http://www.CorporateVideoSD.com

[Randal Radabaugh]

thanks so much for the replies and info. Will keep referring for future reference.

But I got to say, I am still ranting lol.

For example, next on guide is for modeling.

3rd step after creating a cube, adding a nurb? extruding inner,

it tells me to use point tool then selection tool and select all four points. (END) How the heck to select all four points? it does not say.

So I have to search how to select all four points. A simple thing probably but I don’t know how to.Tells me to what tool to use, but not how to use it??

It is just frustrating that they can put together such an application but cant seem to proof read their own manual.

Well, I will use the links and do tuts, I am through with this guide.

Again many thanks for lending an ear, and making the links.

[Alex Damon]

I enjoyed the Lynda training material, and https://www.greyscalegorilla.com has some great stuff.

Video Editing & Motion Graphics:
Atlanta video production

[Randal Radabaugh]

Well Thanks to everyone who replied, I will reference this a lot.

But to be honest, I said to hell with the manuals and just dove into it.
And I have learned more in a week than any manual might LOL

I am the type to try and read it from the ground up so as to understand everything. But every manual I ever read is usually fruitless.(the best manuals are in the Army-TAMMS)

And also thanks for COW. It has answered many questions without me having to ask them.Just if some would title their threads better.