vector works and C4D

[loki1_11]

Yap it works fine !
Try to set your view in some 3d at vector then export as a dxf file then open it on cinema 4d :)

Try that and take a look yourself !

Cya !

[Jamo3D]

Was that with the Vectorworks special edition of C4D? From what I've read, it is basically a VW and C4D bundle but with two special plug-ins that allow them to communicate directly.

Jamo
+BIL

[mimo8]

there is a pluggin connecting cinema and vectot works - they offer it as a special edition on the maxon page :
www.maxon.net/pages/products/c4d/vectorworks_edition/vw_specialedition_e.html (http://www.maxon.net/pages/products/c4d/vectorworks_edition/vw_specialedition_e.html)

no idea if the pluggins(s - should be two for both of the progs) is seperately available

[alanmac]

Hi
I've just purchased Vectorworks 10 and Cinema 4D for Vectorworks. I've used Vectorworks for some time and I'm a great fan of the program. I also use Artlantis as my render program but found this limiting so purchased 4D. Whilst this is also great progam, which I have yet to get to grips with the "plug-in" to allow file export straight to 4D has a bug in it.

It will crash Vectorworks. There are details of a fix on the Maxon site, which works but I've found this messes the dockable pallettes feature in Vectorworks. I should add this is the Windows version of each program. The Mac version of Vectorworks 10 does not have the dockable pallette feature I believe.

Exporting works well. I just wish they had sorted this out before release. No reply from Maxon tech support since my email of a week ago last Tuesday.

I like the fact you can buy the different modules for Cinema depending on your needs. I use these programs for exhibition stand and display unit designs. Hope to be as good as some of the people on this site but I've a way to go yet.

Gripe aside I think you'll find the programs good to use but as with all programs another will always do some part better than others.

[loki1_11]

Originally posted by Jamo3D
Was that with the Vectorworks special edition of C4D?

Jamo
+BIL


Nope Jamo It was with cinema 4d studio bundle without vector suport !

But cinema 4d acept natural dxf files so u have to do the procediments that I say it in my last post and it should works fine cuse forme it has worked !!

Cya !

[AdamT]

No reply from Maxon tech support since my email of a week ago last Tuesday.
Not an excuse for the nonresponse, but I believe the plugin is made by Nemetschek and tech questions about it should be directed to them.

[alanmac]

Originally posted by AdamT
Not an excuse for the nonresponse, but I believe the plugin is made by Nemetschek and tech questions about it should be directed to them.

The plug in is made by the same people who make the Artlantis plug in, which works in Vectorworks. It is not the responsibility of Nemetschek. If you look on one of the Vectorworks forums you will find their tech support staff answering questions on this directing you to Maxon. It is sold by Maxon. In the UK they are distributed by the same company Computers Unlimited who also supply tech support for these products in the UK. I've found them helpful and quick to respond, not so Maxon direct.

Another twist to this is I believe Maxon is part of the Nemetschek group, but I can't be 100%.

I brought this version as the "Cinema 4D 8 Special edition for Vectorworks" which annoys me because this was not sorted before release. Maybe it works okay with Vectorworks 9.5. I have version 10. The plug in is on a seperate CD with additional textures etc. for Vectorworks, all branded as Maxon.

Previous to these I had Vectorworks 8.5 with the plug in for Artlantis and Artlantis 3.5.

Aside from this issue both programs are very good.

[arkitekto]

The VW plugin works fine except for one thing: my model seems to scale by 1/10th the size when imported. For example, a 1000mm cube in VW gets converted to 100mm in C4d. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong?

ariel

[AdamT]

Originally posted by alanmac
The plug in is made by the same people who make the Artlantis plug in, which works in Vectorworks. It is not the responsibility of Nemetschek. If you look on one of the Vectorworks forums you will find their tech support staff answering questions on this directing you to Maxon. It is sold by Maxon. In the UK they are distributed by the same company Computers Unlimited who also supply tech support for these products in the UK. I've found them helpful and quick to respond, not so Maxon direct.
The plugin is distributed by Maxon, but it is not coded by them. Both companies are owned by Nemetschek.

[brammelo]

Hi guys,

As I had the "privilege" of testing the plugin, I can tell you the following:

- The plugin is developed by the same guys that developed the VectorWorks-Artlantis plugin. Of course, this is done in consultation with Maxon. The plugin in it's current iteration offers the same as the Artlantis plugin.

- Things are on the drawing board to improve the plugin, but I'm afraid I would have to kill you if I talked about it. While that may be acceptable, it's also possible that Maxon still would have to kill me. And that is really NOT acceptable ;).

- The plugin works with VectorWorks 9 and VectorWorks 10, and with Cinema 4D R7 and Cinema 4D R8

- I never had problems with VectorWorks crashing when exporting to C4D. Of course, as I work with a Dutch / French version of VectorWorks, results may differ (meaning that I don't know if there are problems with the English version). To be clear about this: I tested the plugin with VW 9 and VW 10 (and all in-between iterations) on Win2000 and, and I had no crashes. Nor have I ever had complaints about that part.

- The plugin has a major advantage over DXF export: it allows for updates. If you finished a scene in C4D, and there are some changes in your VW model, you can simply update your scene in C4D without losing any info.

- Althoug the plugin is Maxon's responsability, it's sold/distributed only by VectorWorks distributors / resellers. If you manage to get hold of the plugin at your local C4D reseller, and that reseller doesn't sell VectorWorks as well, then you're in something fishy.

- The current version of the plugin doesn't allow scaling of your model on import in Cinema 4D. A tip: switch to centimeters in VectorWorks before exporting, and set your unit preferences in C4D to centimeters as well.

- You should be able to get the plugin separately, but only if you have Cinema 4D. At least, that's the Benelux policy.

Cheers,
BaRa

[brehaut]

Ive been reading this topic and are curis as to what the plugin does as i use a program chief architect and export dxf file, does the plugin give a lot more transferable features.

[brammelo]

The current version of the plugin gives you the same options as the DXF export: the possibility to split geometry into different groups. This allows you to quickly change the materials for the correct set of objects. In concreto: say you have 3 classes in VW - concrete, wood, glass - and you assigned the correct objects to the right classes, then you get 3 object groups in C4D. Each object group gets automatically a material.

So the only (major) advantage the current plugin has over DXF export, is the ability to update your scene. If you use DXF, and you have to update a scene in C4D, it's always cut-and-paste hell between files. With the plugin it's an automated process.

The future version of the plugin will contain more than that, but I'm afraid I can't comment on that. Perhaps a Maxon employee can jump in?

Cheers,
BaRa

[lllab]

i would really hope there was a kind of reference plugin for other file types than vw.

the UPDATE thing is a BIG thing. i think it is the most important feature when you modell in an external modeler and render in cinema. there are always changes in the design, and now i have to update the modell manually.

i have developed some tricks to do this in accaptable time, but i wish there will somtime be a kind of reference function in cinema, or a plugin that can do this. for example with dxf or dwg files.

cheers

stefan
lllab

[brammelo]

Hi lllab,

There's no technical reason why ACAD-developers couldn't make exactly the same kind of plugin for ACAD. The sole reason for NOT developing is political / commercial.

The typical rendersolution for ACAD is Viz or Max, and as Discreet is part of the AutoDesk group, they won't start pushing the development of a C4D exchange option anytime soon.

The idea of Maxon developing some kind of reference functions is good, but again not realistic. Either you try to develop your own interpretation of the DWG file format (which is the way they do things with VectorWorks) or you get a license for the DWG file format (which is ridiculously expensive - trust me, I've seen the prices). Maxon doesn't have the resources for this type of thing: architectural users form a small part of the userbase. The pressure for developing other aspects of Cinema is MUCH higher.

Of course, if DWG exchange is a problem, you might always consider VectorWorks. VW10.5 has an excellent DWG conversion ;). There's of course also Polytrans that you can use for conversion.

Cheers,
BaRa.

P.S. to lllab: are you going to Angoulème? I'm leaving the 23th and coming back sunday night. Are you still in Brussels?

[SteveB]

-- alanmac - looks like im in the same line of work as you. Btw I also came from artlantis - seems a strange package looking back on it now! Working in that silly small viewport eh!

Steve

www.3dvisuals.net

[AdamT]

Originally posted by brammelo
architectural users form a small part of the userbase. The pressure for developing other aspects of Cinema is MUCH higher.

Actually I think architectural users form a pretty large part of the professional userbase--certainly in relation to (professional) character animators.

[alanmac]

Hi

This is somewhat of an old thread and was suprised be see it still active.
I solved all my problems with the plug in. A Windows only related glitch. I agree that Cinema user base does include a great number of none animation people.

With the big increase in CG in films etc it seems CG and Animation is the new rock and roll to borrow an old expression. I fear that whilst there are many places available the number of people wanting to do this work will shortly far outweigh the vacancies.

I'm old enough to remember the same situation with graphic designers a few years ago.

That does not mean we should not continue to work hard at our skill and try to to improve. I'm sure many subscribers are hobbyists rather than full time users.

I'm grateful I still love to discover new things, and try to increase my talents and skills. The plug in works for me in my line of work because it allows for easy updating of the original Vectorworks file through to the Cinema 4D or Artlantis rendering I'm creating.
Once set up it's a simple and easy process.

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