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v11 is amazing!
Cheers guys! I got v11 right off the disc duplicator (still lukewarm in the envelope) a couple of weeks ago, and I basically just wanted to tell everyone I’m really excited! (Not many posts about this yet) I’ve skipped upgrading since v8.2 due to the cost and simply because that version did what I needed pretty well anyway, so of course I’ve missed the boat on some stuff. I was really surprised at the improvements in render speed – the amount of it. My test picture with some reflections through transparent glass and area shadows, took less than 1/4 of the time to render full quality in v11 compared to v8.2 on the same computer. That’s amazing! Fast render speeds has always been a selleing point, but now …!
The interface and menus are pretty much the same, thankfully. But that also leaves me bewildered – where do I find the new stuff? I know there is a lot of it. The manual have some point about ‘what’s new from v10’, but I need some hints on new since v9 and v8 too. I hope I can get some hints from you folks!? Basically what I am looking for is workflow improvements and new tools in polygon modelling that I should learn, and also better character modelling & rigging. I’ve dipped my toe into character animation with v8.2 but found it cumbersome. It seems to me now I should rather ditch most about bone animation, and use the new ‘joint’ concept instead. Am I right? I have actually used c4d since it was first available on the Amiga, but since 3d has never been my main focus (I am a multimedia ‘potato’) I haven’t had the time to delve into long winded ventures learning CA the hard way. Also discouraged by stories from frustrated users… I’ve done a lot of ‘mechanic’ animations though and used particles etc. which didn’t involve IK and bones, but it’s time to go there now I feel (at last!). My question is: are older CA and modelling tutorials still viable, or should I wait for new ones using the new tools in v11.
I have XL + S&T
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2 Replies
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Well … wow … there is an incredible lot of new stuff since v8, it’s hard to know where to start.
Modeling:
* ngon support, meaning support for polygons with more than four sides. Now you can knife through quads without creating all manner of unintended triangles;
* improved knife tool: supports loop cutting, path cutting, etc.
* soft selections;
* brush tool;
* multi-object editing;
* etc.!
Timeline/Animation:
* all animatable parameters can be keyframed by Ctrl-clicking on the small circle next to the parameter name in the Attributes Manager;
* timeline completely rewrittin in v10 and improved in v11,
Suggest you read the entire manual section on this;* new joint system and constraints;
* completely new morph system;
* morph deformer;
* completely new NLA system;
* cache tag;
Interface:
* collapsible managers;
* layer manager;
* full-screen mode;
* completely rewritten asset browser;
* scripting capability and script manager;
* etc.
Materials:
* BodyPaint 3D now part of base package;
* subpolygon displacement;
* ambient occlusion;
* texture baking;
Rendering:
* general speedup;
* completely new GI engine — faster, better quality;
* save render settings to presets;
And I’m sure a whole lot more I’m forgetting.
Existing Mocca tutorials can still be used with the old bone system, but I would suggest switching to the new joint system. The old tuts will only be helpful in terms of broad concepts. Given all the new stuff it might be a good idea to subscribe to Cineversity….
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Thanks for this Adam. Your advice will save me huge amounts of time, and it highly appreciated.
You can learn an old dog new tricks. I hope…
Her lips said “no!” but her eyes said “read my lips”.
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