modelling question

[Dtox]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean.
I assume your plan is to create splines in order to extrude them to end up with the geometry for your walls?

You don't assign the spline itself thickness such as the 9in thickness for your walls.
You create a profile of the walls perimeter.
So if you want the walls to have a 9 inch thickness, the profile splines should be 9 inches apart so when you extrude the splines they'll contain those measurements.
Then, to end up with the 33x9 foot measurements, you input those values into the extrusion operation, not the splines themselves.
There's many ways in cinema to model basic elements to create a house from.
It sounds like you want to use the common architectural method of creating a 2D layout to extract 3D geometry from.
Which is all good.
I don't know what your experience with cinema is.
But it sort of sounds like you're not very experienced with cinema, and you're approaching this from a perspective that building a simple house will be done the same way in all applications.
Which is not actually the case.
What I would suggest is that you plan better.
You could create a standard architectural spline layout in Adobe Illustrator, then import that into cinema.
That will give you more control over the splines because cinema has a pretty basic toolset where splines are concerned.
Not sure if the Engineering version of cinema is different, but I assume it has better spline functionality.
If you use an app like AutoCad, you could do the same thing.
Create a layout and save it in a cinema compatible format.
You could also create a basic cube with those same values instead of drawing the splines to be extruded later.
I don't know if this is for a class project where you're required to create things according to a certain plan.
In which case, the use of primitives may or may not be allowed.
But if I were creating a basic wall, I would go with a basic primitive and then make it editable to add detail using sub-object elements.
For more control over the measurements of your splines and/or geometry, use the "measure and construction" tool which will allow you to take measurements and constrain your objects to the values you need.

You might need to change your units to inches, feet, etc.
Because I believe the default is meters.

If you explain the details of your project more it will be easier for people to help you.

[departedmind]

Great reply !!! much appreciated and thanks a lot...

Yes, i am complete n00bie in cinema 4d (but i have done the tutorials in Quick Start manual), just started using it 2 days ago and yes it is for my college project.

What I have to do ?
To create a 3D view of a building (given in CAD format) and create all surrounding landscape like trees, road etc...


To tell you in detail :

What I tried and did not succeed (ashamed)

Well the plan is in AutoCad format and i exported it in DXF format and i don't see import option in Cinema 4d (9.1). I click open and it does not show in the screen.

Then I tried by creating many cubes for walls (same like in Quick Reference manual) with exact dimension, but it was a headache when there were tons of cubes. I had to note all the X,Y co-ordinates in a paper and calculate and align according to it. It became so difficult and lengthy and I thought this is not the way.

Then again I followed the Haunted House tutorial from the Maxon site, but it only helps for the exterior part of the building. I need to show rooms and interiors too. So, it was of no help.

Then i began to do it in spline, well after following your reply i can extrude it but cannot get the exact dimensions.

So, finally I am asking "Why it is so hard ? " and I cannot find a tutorial too...

You Said
You could create a standard architectural spline layout in Adobe Illustrator, then import that into cinema.
That will give you more control over the splines because cinema has a pretty basic toolset where splines are concerned.

Did you mean importing a spline from DXF or AI and creating splines over it and applying Extrude Nurbs or something like that....

You Said
You could also create a basic cube with those same values instead of drawing the splines to be extruded later.

Do you mean creating single cube for each walls ? Well, i have tried that ..

You Said
I don't know if this is for a class project where you're required to create things according to a certain plan.
In which case, the use of primitives may or may not be allowed.

Yes it is for a class project, what do u mean by "use of primitives may or may not be allowed".

You Said
But if I were creating a basic wall, I would go with a basic primitive and then make it editable to add detail using sub-object elements.
For more control over the measurements of your splines and/or geometry, use the "measure and construction" tool which will allow you to take measurements and constrain your objects to the values you need.

Did not understand...so nothing to ask

You Said
You might need to change your units to inches, feet, etc.
Because I believe the default is meters.

I did that, only thing which i can do in C4d by closing my eyes.

You Said
If you explain the details of your project more it will be easier for people to help you.
If it is still not clear, i can explain again...

And, finally
Thanks a lot for replying

[Dtox]

No shame in failing, only in failing to try.

So, finally I am asking "Why it is so hard ? " and I cannot find a tutorial too...
Well, cinema has an "engineering edition"(or archviz version it could be called) that makes the creation of such things easier.
I've never used it so I don't know how much easier it is for archviz or what the exact differences are beside shaders and object presets.
Notice how Maxon calls cinema "3D for the real world", that's because cinema is made to be somewhat easier than other apps.
So some things are actually more difficult, where precision is concerned such as archviz layouts.

Yes it is for a class project, what do u mean by "use of primitives may or may not be allowed".
Some instructors would want you to adhere to the method they're teaching.
In 3D, the Malcolm X philosophy rules-"By any means necessary".
But when you're in school many times they're teaching a specific method or skillset which they want you to use.
Like extruding a CAD layout, which doesn't include primitive modeling.
Primitives as I'm sure you know are just basic object presets like 'sphere' 'cube' 'plane' etc..

Well the plan is in AutoCad format and i exported it in DXF format and i don't see import option in Cinema 4d (9.1). I click open and it does not show in the screen.
From "cgarchitect"-
c4d only officially supports autocad r12 DXF format.

You have to explode polylines to plain lines before importing. Also, circles and closed shapes sometimes get turned into polygons by C4D. Once imported, the lines will all be seperate spline objects, and make the program slow down. Its best to select all of the lines, or meaningful groups of them, and 'connect', then delete the original ones. That will speed things up considerably (if you had a lot of lines imported).
Also, you import in cinema just the same way you 'open'.
There's no seperate 'import' function.

Then I tried by creating many cubes for walls (same like in Quick Reference manual) with exact dimension, but it was a headache when there were tons of cubes. I had to note all the X,Y co-ordinates in a paper and calculate and align according to it. It became so difficult and lengthy and I thought this is not the way.
What I would suggest for that particular problem is to break down the layout into groups of cubes, such as say the 1st floor or room.
Once that group of cubes is made, make them editable and connect them with the 'connect object' command.
That won't creat a physical connection between cubes, it just makes them 1 object.
You could also make them child objects of a 'null' object just for the sake of tidiness.
Then once they're in cinema, you can hide all but one and start connecting them physically either through bridging, welding points, or simply 'connect' from the functions menu.
You could also create a snapshot of the cad plan, put it in a viewport and drag out the cubes visually.
You'll still want to connect them all to make the scene manageable.

Then i began to do it in spline, well after following your reply i can extrude it but cannot get the exact dimensions.
This is where the 'measure and construction' tool comes in handy.

Do you mean creating single cube for each walls ? Well, i have tried that ..
You want to create base cubes for say 1 wall of the structure, give it segments according to your needs, then make it editable and use basic poly modeling to cut and extrude that single cube into as many walls as you need.

Did you mean importing a spline from DXF or AI and creating splines over it and applying Extrude Nurbs or something like that....
You can import AI files and cinema will make them splines that you can edit directly.
No need to create splines on top of them.

But if I were creating a basic wall, I would go with a basic primitive and then make it editable to add detail using sub-object elements.
For more control over the measurements of your splines and/or geometry, use the "measure and construction" tool which will allow you to take measurements and constrain your objects to the values you need.

Did not understand...so nothing to ask
When you create a primitive you have to make it editable before you can actually modify it using basic poly modeling.
In your 'functions' menu, there's a command called "measure and construction".
It allows you to measure objects and force them into specific measurements.

It really sounds to me that what you need to do is allow yourself a few days of intensely working with cinemas basic tools to get familiar with it before you actually try to use it for this project.
If you try to do this project as you learn, you'll frustrate the hell out of yourself and create a situation where your project is next to impossible.

Create an account at cgarchitect.com and scour the forums for C4D related threads.
Use the search function here to find threads related to your situation.
When all else fails, post a "specific" question relating to the task you're trying to complete.

As it stands, your questions are too general and most people will tell you to "read the friggin manual" instead of giving you help.
Because it's almost as if anyone here will have to teach you to use cinema before we can actually help you with a specific problem.

Don't get me wrong, we want to help.
But you need to be more familiar with cinemas tools and methods before it's possible for us to really help you.
You need to know what we're telling you to do before you can apply any of the information we give you.

Don't get frustrated, that will doom you from the start.

Good luck.

[vid2k2]

Per your request:

1- using a primitive cube
2- spline
3- extrude spline

You can also use the splines from your DXF file(if not exploded)
via Illustrator to, etc, etc,

HTH

[jazzmik]

you should be able to import your AutoCAD dxf file and then extrude the splines from that. Just make sure you have saved the AutoCAD file as r12, dxf and that you close the file in AutoCAD before trying to open in Cinema.

the more time you put into cleaning up the file in AutoCAD - ie. eliminating duplicate lines and unnecessary layers, connecting lines as much as possible, converting to plines, etc. - the easier it will be to manage in Cinema.

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