Recreate This Video in C4D

#1

I’m trying to recreate the following in C4D (and it needs to seamlessly loop):

I was able to create the general shape of the cable using a formula spline and a cloner cloning radially with a random effector both scaling and moving each spline:

image
image.jpg977x515 157 KB

So far so good. But then I was thinking about using a matrix in object mode with its object set to the cloner and then animate the offset parameter. I would combine this with a tracer to create the light moving effect. However, this is where I start to have issues. All of the matrices are in the exact same position along each spline!

image
image.jpg859x551 215 KB

I don’t know how to randomly offset each matrix position along each spline (as in the original video). Another issue is that once a matrix position reaches the end of the spline and wraps around to the other end, the endpoints get connected:

image

If I turn off “loop” in the matrix’s object properties, then this issue goes away, but I don’t think I can have a consistent stream of them of without loop turned on.

So the goal is to recreate something similar to the original (with the seamless loop), but I don’t know how to randomly offset the positions along each cloned spline nor do I know how to prevent the tracer from connecting the spline endpoints once it wraps around.

Maybe I’m not going about this in the best way, and I’m open to all suggestions. If my problems can’t easily be solved, how would you recreate the original video?

I have attached my project file below for reference:

fiber optic strands.c4d (215.9 KB)

#2

Your first link “original video” is broken … doesn’t play.
So, it’s hard to say what’s expected.

As per the spline closing … formula “splines” don’t have the option
to select open or closed “spline”. Seeing that the formula spline is a simple
curve …why not use an actual spline that can be controlled.

Trying to guess at the your intended result, I threw out everything but
the cloner, random effector and the sweep spline resulting in this …

Scene
Scene.png1197x589 252 KB

#3

His link is fine. I saw it from the moment he made the post. Try an other browser or enable flash.

His trying to move clones along splines in different time intervals.

Screenshot_6
Screenshot_6.jpg691x323 105 KB

#4

How would you achieve an effect like this in C4D? Am I on the right track?

#5

I’ m not sure it can be achieved with vanilla C4D . Someone who has used Signal from GSG maybe can tell as if it’s possible.

For the moment the only solution I’ve come up with is :

  1. make a particle emmiter .
  2. set it under a mograph tracer
  3. setup some particle modifiers for their path
  4. render it until every particle escapes your frame
  5. open some video editing app
  6. blend multiple instances of the video to make it a loop
#6

My guess is that this is 100% After Effects - probably with Trapcode or Stardust - just in case you have access to those tools.

#7

I’m sure that’s Particular.

#8

You could connect this splines into one, add matrix object, play with rate and rate variation matrix settings and press play to randomly offset them.

#9

Yeah, Current State to Object and Connect and Delete on the Formula Cloner. Then the offset will work.
But also no 'cause they still leave a straight line when they appear to the other side …

Try making their trails a closed circle going behind the camera.
Or put a bool on the tracer with a tube object surrounding the part where they travel to the beginning.
Personally I wouldn’t use the Tracer but Motion Blur.