Maxon CINEMA 4D Studio R18.057: What's New and How to Use It
Maxon CINEMA 4D Studio R18.057: A Powerful 3D Animation Software
If you are looking for a professional 3D animation software that can handle any challenge in motion graphics, VFX, visualization, and rendering, you should check out Maxon CINEMA 4D Studio R18.057. This is the latest version of the industry-leading 3D application that offers powerful, flexible, and easy-to-use tools for creating stunning 3D graphics.
Maxon CINEMA 4D Studio R18.057
In this article, I will show you some of the amazing features that make Cinema 4D R18 a great choice for 3D artists of all levels. You will learn how to use Voronoi Fracture Object, Interactive Knife Tools, Object Motion Tracking, Shaders and Surface Effects, Substance Engine Integration, and other new features and improvements that will elevate your 3D animation workflow. I will also show you how to download and install Cinema 4D R18 on your computer.
Introduction
Maxon CINEMA 4D Studio R18.057 is the next generation of its industry-leading 3D animation software that was released in September 2016. It has new features that are tailored to the needs of creative professionals who want to master the challenges of digital production for TV, film, games, architecture, advertising, and design.
Some of the main features of Cinema 4D R18 are:
Voronoi Fracture Object - a native feature in the MoGraph toolset that allows you to tear down walls and create artistic procedural geometry using spline or polygon objects to define the fractured shape.
Interactive Knife Tools - a set of modeling tools that let you cut and split models with ease and precision. You can use the Line Cut tool to draw cuts across a model in an interactive preview, the Plane Cut tool to make cuts based on the orientation of the viewport, and the Loop/Path Cut tool to create symmetrical loops or paths based on a proportional or absolute distance to the surrounding edges.
Object Motion Tracking - a feature that allows you to integrate your Cinema 4D creations into real-world footage. You can use the new Object Tracker to reconstruct the motion of an object in a scene based on its position, scale, and rotation, and then add new 3D objects that match the movement and perspective of the original footage.
Shaders and Surface Effects - a collection of new and improved shaders and surface effects that give you more control and creativity over your materials and textures. You can use the Thin Film shader to create iridescent surfaces like bubbles, oil slicks, or butterfly wings, the Shadow Catcher shader to composite 3D objects onto background plates, the Parallax Mapping effect to create realistic depth and displacement effects on flat surfaces, and the Inverse Ambient Occlusion effect to create worn edges and dirt maps.
Substance Engine Integration - a feature that allows you to download and use hundreds of high-quality materials from Allegorithmic's Substance Share and Substance Store. You can drag and drop Substances onto your Cinema 4D objects and adjust their parameters in real time. You can also cache Substances on disk for better performance and flexibility.
Other New Features and Improvements - a variety of other new features and improvements that enhance your workflow and creativity. For example, you can use the new Spline Tools to create arcs, spirals, and splines with modifiers, the new Viewport Enhancements to preview depth of field, screen space reflections, and OpenGL fog, the new Sound Effector to create animations based on sound frequencies, and many more.
To download and install Cinema 4D R18 on your computer, you need to have a valid license or a trial version of the software. You can get it from Maxon's website or from your local reseller. The installation process is simple and straightforward. You just need to follow the instructions on the screen and enter your serial number when prompted.
Voronoi Fracture Object
One of the most exciting features of Cinema 4D R18 is the Voronoi Fracture Object. This is a native feature in the MoGraph toolset that allows you to break any object into pieces using a Voronoi diagram. A Voronoi diagram is a way of dividing a space into regions based on the distance to a set of points. Each region contains one point and is closer to that point than any other point.
The Voronoi Fracture Object lets you use spline or polygon objects to define the points for the Voronoi diagram. You can also use MoGraph Effectors, Fields, or Shaders to control the distribution and variation of the points. This gives you endless possibilities for creating artistic procedural geometry or realistic destruction effects.
To use the Voronoi Fracture Object, you need to follow these steps:
Create a polygon object that you want to fracture, such as a cube, a sphere, or an imported model.
Create a Voronoi Fracture Object from the MoGraph menu or the Objects Manager.
Drag your polygon object into the Voronoi Fracture Object as a child.
Adjust the parameters of the Voronoi Fracture Object in the Attributes Manager. You can change the number of points, the seed value, the offset amount, the hull only option, etc.
Create spline or polygon objects that you want to use as sources for the points. You can use any shape or size, such as circles, stars, text, etc.
Drag your spline or polygon objects into the Sources tab of the Voronoi Fracture Object.
Adjust the parameters of each source object in the Attributes Manager. You can change the weight, color, visibility, etc.
Now you have created a fractured object that consists of many pieces. You can see them in the viewport or in the Objects Manager under the Voronoi Fracture Object. You can also select individual pieces and move them around or edit them as you like.
To make your fractured object more dynamic and realistic, you can use Dynamics to simulate physical interactions between the pieces. To do this, you need to follow these steps:
Create a Dynamics Body tag for your Voronoi Fracture Object from the Simulation Tags menu Adjust the parameters of the Dynamics Body tag in the Attributes Manager. You can change the type, mass, bounce, friction, etc.
Create a Floor object from the Objects menu or the Objects Manager.
Create a Dynamics Body tag for your Floor object from the Simulation Tags menu.
Adjust the parameters of the Dynamics Body tag in the Attributes Manager. You can change the type, mass, bounce, friction, etc.
Play the animation and see how your fractured object falls and breaks on the floor.
You can also use other objects or forces to interact with your fractured object, such as spheres, cubes, wind, gravity, etc. You can also use MoGraph Effectors, Fields, or Shaders to control the animation and appearance of the pieces.
The Voronoi Fracture Object is a powerful and versatile feature that allows you to create stunning effects with minimal effort. You can use it to create realistic destruction scenes, artistic abstract shapes, or anything in between.
Interactive Knife Tools
Another great feature of Cinema 4D R18 is the Interactive Knife Tools. These are a set of modeling tools that let you cut and split models with ease and precision. You can use them to create new edges, polygons, or objects based on your cuts. You can also adjust the cut with an interactive preview and lock in new edges.
The Interactive Knife Tools are:
Line Cut - a tool that lets you draw a line across a model and cut it along that line. You can snap the line to points, edges, or polygons. You can also use modifiers to constrain the angle or direction of the line.
Plane Cut - a tool that lets you cut a model based on the orientation of the viewport. You can move, rotate, or scale the plane to adjust the cut. You can also use modifiers to constrain the plane to a specific axis or angle.
Loop/Path Cut - a tool that lets you create symmetrical loops or paths based on a proportional or absolute distance to the surrounding edges. You can slide, scale, or rotate the loop or path to adjust the cut. You can also use modifiers to constrain the loop or path to a specific axis or angle.
To use the Interactive Knife Tools, you need to follow these steps:
Select a polygon object that you want to cut, such as a cube, a sphere, or an imported model.
Select one of the Interactive Knife Tools from the Mesh menu or the Tools palette.
Click and drag on your model to draw a line, plane, loop, or path for your cut.
Use modifiers such as Shift, Ctrl, Alt, etc. to adjust the cut according to your needs.
Release the mouse button to confirm the cut and create new edges.
Now you have created a cut on your model that splits it into two or more parts. You can see them in the viewport or in the Objects Manager under your original object. You can also select individual parts and move them around or edit them as you like.
The Interactive Knife Tools are very useful for modeling complex shapes and details on your models. You can use them to create holes, gaps, seams, bevels, extrusions, etc. You can also combine them with other modeling tools such as Extrude, Bridge, Weld, etc. to create more variations and effects. Object Motion Tracking
A feature that will make your 3D animation more realistic and immersive is the Object Motion Tracking. This is a feature that allows you to integrate your Cinema 4D creations into real-world footage. You can use it to add 3D objects, characters, or effects to live-action videos and make them look like they belong there.
The Object Motion Tracking works by reconstructing the motion of an object in a scene based on its position, scale, and rotation. You can use any object that has a distinct shape and color, such as a car, a ball, a box, etc. You can also use markers or stickers to make the object more visible and trackable.
To use the Object Motion Tracking, you need to follow these steps:
Import your video footage into Cinema 4D from the File menu or the Objects Manager.
Create an Object Tracker from the Motion Tracker menu or the Objects Manager.
Drag your video footage into the Object Tracker as a child.
Select the Object Tracker and go to the Reconstruction tab in the Attributes Manager.
Click on the Add Vector button and draw a vector on your video footage that matches the shape of the object you want to track.
Repeat this step for at least four vectors that cover different parts of the object.
Click on the Start Tracking button and wait for Cinema 4D to analyze your footage and track the motion of the object.
Now you have created an Object Tracker that contains the motion data of your object. You can see it in the viewport or in the Objects Manager under your video footage. You can also select individual vectors and adjust their position, scale, or rotation if needed.
To add 3D objects to your scene that match the motion of your object, you need to follow these steps:
Create a 3D object that you want to add to your scene, such as a cube, a sphere, or an imported model.
Create a Constraint tag for your 3D object from the Character Tags menu.
Select the Constraint tag and go to the PSR tab in the Attributes Manager.
Drag your Object Tracker into the Target field and enable Position, Scale, and Rotation.
Adjust the Offset parameters to align your 3D object with your tracked object.
Now you have added a 3D object to your scene that follows the motion of your tracked object. You can see it in the viewport or in the Objects Manager under your 3D object. You can also select individual parameters and animate them as you like.
The Object Motion Tracking is a powerful and easy-to-use feature that allows you to create realistic and seamless integration of 3D and live-action elements. You can use it to enhance your videos with 3D graphics, characters, or effects that look like they are part of the original scene. Shaders and Surface Effects
A feature that will make your 3D materials and textures more realistic and artistic is the Shaders and Surface Effects. These are a collection of new and improved shaders and surface effects that give you more control and creativity over your materials and textures. You can use them to create effects such as iridescence, shadows, depth, and dirt.
The Shaders and Surface Effects are:
Thin Film - a shader that lets you create iridescent surfaces that reflect different colors depending on the viewing angle. You can use it to create effects such as bubbles, oil slicks, butterfly wings, or holograms.
Shadow Catcher - a shader that lets you composite 3D objects onto background plates by catching shadows and reflections. You can use it to create effects such as placing 3D objects on a photo or video, or creating realistic shadows on a floor.
Parallax Mapping - an effect that lets you create realistic depth and displacement effects on flat surfaces. You can use it to create effects such as bricks, tiles, or stones that have bumps and grooves.
Inverse Ambient Occlusion - an effect that lets you create worn edges and dirt maps based on the geometry of your object. You can use it to create effects such as rust, dust, or grime that accumulate in the crevices of your object.
To use the Shaders and Surface Effects, you need to follow these steps:
Create a material that you want to apply to your object, such as a color, a texture, or a reflectance.
Select the material and go to the Material Editor.
Select one of the Shaders or Surface Effects from the Shader menu or the Shader Presets.
Drag and drop the Shader or Surface Effect into the channel that you want to affect, such as Color, Alpha, Bump, etc.
Adjust the parameters of the Shader or Surface Effect in the Attributes Manager. You can change the color, intensity, scale, etc.
Now you have applied a Shader or Surface Effect to your material that enhances its appearance and realism. You can see it in the viewport or in the Material Manager under your material. You can also select individual parameters and animate them as you like.
The Shaders and Surface Effects are very useful for creating realistic and artistic materials and textures for your objects. You can use them to add more detail, variation, and expression to your materials and textures. You can also combine them with other shaders and effects to create more complex and unique results. Substance Engine Integration
A feature that will make your 3D surfacing more easy and fun is the Substance Engine Integration. This is a feature that allows you to download and use hundreds of high-quality materials from Allegorithmic's Substance Share and Substance Store. These are dynamic materials that can be customized and adjusted to fit your needs and preferences.
Substance Engine Integration works by connecting Cinema 4D to the Substance database, where you can browse, download, and use Substances directly in your scene. Substances are smart materials that contain multiple channels, such as color, roughness, normal, etc. You can change the parameters of each channel in real time and see the results instantly. You can also cache Substances on disk for better performance and flexibility.
To use the Substance Engine Integration, you need to follow these steps:
Create an account on Allegorithmic's website or log in if you already have one.
Go to the Substance Share or Substance Store and find a Substance that you like. You can use the filters, categories, or search function to narrow down your choices.
Click on the Download button and save the Substance file on your computer.
Open Cinema 4D and go to the Extensions menu. Select Substance Engine and then Substance Asset Manager.
Click on the Import button and locate the Substance file that you downloaded. Click Open to import it into Cinema 4D.
Drag and drop the Substance onto your object in the viewport or in the Objects Manager.
Select the Substance and go to the Attributes Manager. You will see a list of parameters that you can adjust for each channel of the Substance.
Now you have applied a Substance to your object that gives it a realistic and detailed appearance. You can see it in the viewport or in the Material Manager under your object. You can also select individual parameters and animate them as you like.
The Substance Engine Integration is a powerful and easy-to-use feature that allows you to access a huge library of high-quality materials for your objects. You can use them to create realistic and varied surfaces for your objects with minimal effort. You can also customize them to suit your needs and preferences with real-time feedback.
Other New Features and Improvements
Besides the features that I have mentioned above, there are many other new features and improvements in Cinema 4D R18 that will enhance your workflow and creativity. Here are some examples:
Spline Tools - a set of tools that let you create arcs, spirals, and splines with modifiers. You can use them to create curves, paths, or shapes with ease and precision.
Viewport Enhancements - a set of enhancements that let you preview depth of field, screen space reflections, and OpenGL fog in the viewport. You can use them to create more realistic and immersive previews of your scene.
Sound Effector - a tool that lets you create animations based on sound frequencies. You can use it to sync your objects or effects with music or sound effects.
New Media Core - a core that supports most image, video, and audio formats natively without QuickTime. You can use it to import and export media files faster and easier.
New Modeling Kernel - a kernel that improves the stability and performance of modeling operations. You can use it to model more complex and detailed shapes without errors or crashes.
These are just some of the new features and improvements in Cinema 4D R18. There are many more that you can discover and explore by yourself. You can also check out Maxon's website or YouTube channel for more information and tutorials on how to use them.
Conclusion
In this article, I have shown you some of the amazing features that make Cinema 4D R18 a powerful 3D animation software. You have learned how to use Voronoi Fracture Object, Interactive Knife Tools, Object Motion Tracking, Shaders and Surface Effects, Substance Engine Integration, and other new features and improvements that will elevate your 3D animation workflow.
Cinema 4D R18 is a great choice for 3D artists of all levels who want to master the challenges of digital production for TV, film, games, architecture, advertising, and design. It offers powerful, flexible, and easy-to-use tools for creating stunning 3D graphics.
If you are interested in trying out Cinema 4D R18 or learning more about it, you can visit Maxon's website or contact your local reseller. You can also download a free trial version of the software or watch some free tutorials on YouTube. I hope you enjoyed this article and found it useful. Thank you for reading. Now, let me answer some frequently asked questions about Cinema 4D R18.
FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers about Cinema 4D R18:
Question
Answer