Maxon Cinema 4d R11

#47

Hi all,

I havn’t used Cinema for about 6 years, but the tool set these days looks very impressive. However, while this is cool if you want to make pretty pictures at home, the really important question is how it integrates into the pipeline at work. Cineman looks like a step in the right direction, so how’s the scripting/API environment ? Are there different ‘levels’, ie scripting language (mel) vs C-API ? Is python support planned ? How difficult would it be to write custom tools for Cinema4D ? Can you access and modify openGL in the viewport ? Why is there no linux version ?

Just looking for a ‘hands - on’ report that lays out weaknesses and strengths and how it ‘feels like’ to do custom development on it…

would be interesting to hear some opinions !

#48

In order of complexity you have
Xpresso (plattform independent nodebased expression system)
COFFEE Scripts (plattform independent scripts that can be either created by recording action or edited directly. finished scripts can be docked in the interface just like any other CINEMA 4D function)
COFFEE Expressions (plattform independent Java like language for expressions)
COFFEE Plugins (plattform independent Java like language for plugins)
C++ API / SDK (plattform dependent but with a highly consistent SDK between plattforms)

The C++ API is very complete, in fact practicaly all modules of CINEMA 4D made by MAXON are based on the API and so is much of the core stuff.

A Python implementation is currently done by a plugin developer.

Not very much. Xpresso and COFFEE are managable for by far the most users. If you have some C++ experience the CINEMA 4D API shouldn’t be to difficult to get into, it is well documented and there is free support for it on www.plugincafe.com

No idea, maybe check on this over at plugin cafe.

A Linux version is only available to studios under special contract.

#49

no its not. same slow editor performance when animating, i just tested the demo on my characters. its not the rigging or the expressions (c4d is handling that task pretty well), its the way c4d handles a “nurbed” mesh that is being deformed i.m.o… i agree that this issue should be fixed first, nle-animation should be standard anyway these days.

nevertheless, respect for the maxon developers!

regards
p

#50

yup, I gat scared you’d get upset about that. But that wouldn’t be possible for adult and responsibility people! ^^
I’m so happy you did it. Plus all the rest of the news on r11 obviously…

Congrats on all that work, for us user it’s simply an awesome news like ever before!

Even more better days are comming :slight_smile:
Thank to you guys !

#51

Are there any plans in the future to make this available for the smaller studios and end users?

#52

Hair renders really fine with GI. Hair also works fine in combination with MotionClips by the way:

Some bees (quicktime h.264)
by Aixsponza

#53

I can not comment on possible future decisions or offers. For the time beeing only the OS X and Windows versions of CINEMA 4D are available to normal customers.

#54

Wow, looks cool, thanks for sharing!

#55

Seems to be a very bold release by Maxon and a great step in the right direction. I can see the PRMan support and Projection Man getting looked at in studios where Cinema4D was previously not even evaluated for use.

NLA Clips and Layers after watching the NLA Clip Mixing/Blending video on Cineversity. If you haven’t seen the video check it out. I was very much loving the workflow in that video I can see a lot of animators coming over from some other packages to dig into that great non destructive workflow and t’s very easy to use.

Bodypaint certainly has wide spread use everywhere all ready but I tell you
nothing could make me happier then the full support for photoshop brushes in it.

As simple as it may be the Doodle tool looks like it will get a lot of use from animators and those making visual notes when passing files back and forth. Deffinately handy. I know I’ll certainly be using it regularly, my dry erase markers are going to get retired.

#56

Simply a mind blowing release, I really need to get some work done but can’t stop playing around with the demo :wink:

Great Stuff Maxon!!

#57

Hi just to add to what srek has already posted (I’m a MAXON developer who is also and was previously a plugin dev). I’d say that Cinema’s public C++ API is one of it’s strongest points, it’s extremely deep, complete and modern, is fully extensible and is the same tool that we use to write the application and it’s modules (so you get the same tools we get at MAXON to write with). It’s a very complete environment/os which when adhered to makes it very easy to write cross platform code.

On top of this you get free dev support at plugincafe.com and we’ve just completed our first US Developer Kitchen, basically a meet of MAXON core developers and management with people developing tools for C4D, studios, plugin devs etc where we’re able to take feedback and give direct technical support even going as far as helping write custom code with these developers for their tools and help them make sure their tools work with the new R11 platform.

Basically MAXON is very keen to help developers, TD’s and studios get whatever it is they want out of our toolset and allow them to create pretty much any tool they need or could think of as easily as possible.

#58

Is the build-in SSS effect working with Global Illumination? Doesn’t show in my render when using GI.

Patrick

#59

Same here. I have only managed about 5 hours work today (and that’s pushing it) with clients waiting and a deadline tomorrow. I am hooked on the demo. The doodle tool, the new NLA tools and the renderer are soaking up all my time.

#60

Any mirrors for the R11 demo yet? Their servers are slammed. I can’t wait to try the demo!!

#61

Thanks for your answers Maxon!

Any non - Maxon employees want to comment ?

Ah, one more question (i could try myself, but I’m a bit busy today), are cgfx shaders with passes supported in the viewport ? ie for shadows, DOF and lens distortions ?

#62

Just wondering about the projection painting tools
Is there any info i could get about it at all…Ive scoured the net but to no avail

Being an up and coming matte painter Im very interested in this new tool but dont really know what it does.

I am downloading the demo now …is there any documentation that comes with it to explain what the new features do.

Thanks …cant wait to try it

(Edit ; …my bad …ive found the link on the maxon site explaining the new features
here it is for anyone else looking for it)

http://www.maxon.net/pages/products/new/r11/nonlinearanimation_e.html

#63

What is QMC sampling, in the GI options? How does it add/refine the render?

EDIT: oops, found it on Maxon’s site… who’da thunk!

#64

Some cool R11 video here:

http://www.cineversity.com/series/index.asp?spid=73

#65

Best is to ask these question in the CINEMA 4D-specific subforum. There’s a lot more visitors overthere that might be able to answer. There’s only a few C4D-users that visit this thread.

#66

Really looking forward to getting to grips with the new AR… GI looks great :applause: