Anyone here use Cinema 4d?

Ksanti

Ksanti

Ksanti

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I'm very impressed with the work I've seen in Cinema 4d, and fancy trying to learn it properly during Summer, but will start fairly soon, anyone got a any tips for what to start off with and how to get going?

Oh and how spec intensive is it? Could I play around and learn it on a mid-range laptop or would I need to be running my desktop (i7 920 @ 4Ghz, 5870)?
 
Ksanti said:
I'm very impressed with the work I've seen in Cinema 4d, and fancy trying to learn it properly during Summer, but will start fairly soon, anyone got a any tips for what to start off with and how to get going?

Oh and how spec intensive is it? Could I play around and learn it on a mid-range laptop or would I need to be running my desktop (i7 920 @ 4Ghz, 5870)?
Click to expand...

I've not used C4D, but I have used 3D Studio Max, Softimage XSI, Maya, Lightwave and several others (My degree is in computer animation). All of them are more than capable of producing stunning images and animations.

My advice would be to learn to walk before you run. it may be tempting to jump right in and produce some great render with hair, particles, lights everywhere etc. But take your time and learn low poly modeling first. Really get used to manipulate polygons efficiently. Then learn to texture properly. This is a huge area to learn, and can take a lifetime to master. Then once you are good at modeling and texturing, move onto understanding rendering and lighting.

As for the computer spec, the more the merrier really. But having said that, I did my degree with a AMD Athlon and 2GB ram. The more important thing for me would be to use a decent monitor and mouse. You want as much screen real estate as possible for all the menu panels, and ideally a dual screen setup as you can then have the program on one screen, and reference material on the other. A good mouse is also important, and trying to to modelling and animation on a laptop's trackpad would be an exercise in frustration. Hope this helps. :)
 
I use C4D, just google for tutorials, there are loads to get you going. The application is very good, most inputs are non-destructive so you can go back and tweak things later! I use it in combination with vectorworks but I have used it alone to model simple things like furniture.
 
Yeah I think I'll work with text effects and maybe some basic structures (wheels etc.) to get to grips with it.

I don't have a second monitor at the moment but I'd imagine a 1080p monitor is enough to be learning with? I have a 1280*1024 17" downstairs which is soon to be retired, although I may nick that one and use it for Sony Vegas and if I get into it, C4D.

Thanks for the advice guys, what 3d modelling software is compatible with C4d, I'm fairly competent in Sketchup and Solidworks at the moment so it would be nice to have a photorealistic rendering setup for designs, I'm pants at drawing and modelling out of card :D
 
I would but where I have my desktop 90% of the time I don't have enough desk space, I may need to look into those desk arms if I'm going to run a dual monitor setup consistently.
 
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