by Nick Cortes | Aug 2, 2015 | WIP
With the recent release of Element 3D V2.2 from VideoCopilot.net, I’ve been busy trying to absorb and learn all the new features. My colleagues and I were really hoping for better light control and volumetric light, but we didn’t get it. Oh well, maybe we will in V3.0. In the meantime, I’m definitely enjoying the Group Symmetry functions and Matte Alpha the most. These 2 functions alone have given me much greater freedom to construct many objects quickly, and apply custom diffuse maps with alpha channels. The results speak for themselves when I’m trying to make lightning or streaks of “electricity” or “plasma”. The scene I’ve started to make here is a text or logo revel within a sci-fi setting. The camera can come down the hallway through z-space and will eventually settle on a giant machine that will “electrify” a central space to reveal the text or logo. I’ll post those images very soon…. ...
by Nick Cortes | Apr 22, 2015 | WIP
Today I was working on a simple lower-third for a client who wanted “techy, maybe swirly things” in the background behind some text. This kind of vague direction from a client can sometimes be a blessing. I remembered a look/feel I’d seen a couple years ago in a web graphic and decided to make my own with Cinema4D. The idea was to make a simple flat colored background with these mysterious glass shapes, or “sweeps” flowing through it. In terms of modeling, it’s really very simple. It’s something that can be done very quickly and easily. Keep in mind, this is assuming you have some basic knowledge of Cinema4D already Here’s how I did it: I first made a blob using the bezier curve tool Then is used the bezier tool again to make a 3-dimensional spine. I knew I was going to use the Sweep NURBS, so I twisted the line a bit in 3D After grouping both into the Sweep NURBS, and checking the “parallel” option I then created the material for the shape. You can use a stock glass material or build your own by: Removing the color Adding reflection. Heighten the specular as much as possible, then add another reflection and set it to “reflective”. Increase reflection to 100% Adding transparency. I like to apply a Fresnel to it, then reversing the gradient knots so the center in transparent. It’s also a good idea to make sure the transparency is additive and the exit color is similar to the intended background I also add environment, and make it a similar color to the intended...
by Nick Cortes | Apr 19, 2015 | WIP
We’ve all seen countless candy and chocolate commercials on TV, and what a lot of people don’t know is that a lot of the food (chocolate, yogurt, milk, chips etc.) you see in these ads is created with software. After Effects is great for generating a flat surface (see below), and maya and Cinema4D are great for making dimensional liquid that actually interacts with other items in 3D space. Sometimes they also use a program called RealFlow to simulate liquids. Anyway, I thought I’d give it a try. Here I created a simple golden-brown scene with the letters “Milk Chocolate” emerging from the pool. ...
