Hot CINEMA 4D How-Tos


How To: Create 3D objects from vector images in Cinema 4D
Learn how to use Maxon CINEMA 4D R10 - along with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for vector image editing - to create 3D objects from vector images.

How To: Create a basic hand rig within MAXON Cinema 4D
This tutorial covers the C4D rigging system, applying it a model of a hand. It goes from start to finish covering all the different aspects of the technique. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, and to get started using this trick in your own Cinema 4D projects, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

How To: Use a 2D bitmap image as a background in Cinema 4D
In this C4D-user's guide, you'll learn how to apply a 2D bitmap file as a background in Cinema 4D. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, including complete instructions, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

How To: Create Depth of Field with the Physical Renderer in Cinema 4D (R13)
In this short video tutorial, I will be showing you how to use the new depth of field settings provided by the physical renderer. The physical renderer is new to Cinema 4D (Release 13) and can produce great results if handled properly.

How To: Make a Mind Bending Virtual Art Installation with Cinema 4D
Nick Campbell is the creative force behind GREYSCALEGORILLA, a blog of tutorials, ideas, news and inspiration for other creators. The Chicago-based motion graphics designer has worked on the graphics for Dexter, Target, Blackberry, and the Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien.

How To: Create a simple growing tree animation in Cinema 4D
This tutorial will show you how to create a simple scene of a stylised tree growing out of the ground. You'll also learn a few settings needed to add snow to your scene, using PyroCluster. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, and to get started using this trick in your own Cinema 4D projects, ...

How To: Use the Point Cache deformer in Cinema 4D
This clip discusses a technique for using the point cache tag and point cache deformer in Cinema4D. It will show you how to cache your objects deformation and then use this on many more duplicate objects without increasing the overall filesize in the same way that you would if you used duplicate cached tags. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this...

How To: Create a 3D model of a cartoon cat in Cinema 4D
In this short Cinema C4D tutorial, you'll see how to create a space cat character using low-poly modeling and HyperNURBs. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, and to get started creating and rendering your own low-poly Space Cat, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

How To: Use the Cinema 4D HDRI Light Kit Pro from Greyscale Gorilla
Turn Cinema 4d into your own lighting studio! This tutorial shows you how to use the HDRI Light Kit Pro kit of plugins and addons to create unique lighting effects - add your own softboxes, ring lights and other sources to improve your renders.

How To: Export a Cinema 4D project to After Effects
In this clip, you'll learn how to export a clip from Cinema 4D to Adobe After Effects. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, and to get started exporting your own Cinema 4D projects to AE, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

How To: Create 3D roof tiles in MAXON Cinema 4D
This clip presents a quick lesson on how to model 3D roof tiles within C4D without using modules. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, including complete instructions, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

How To: Create high-dynamic range images in MAXON Cinema 4D
This tutorial presents a lesson in generating high-dynamic range images (HDRI) within MAXON C4D. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, including complete instructions, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

How To: Use transparency channels within MAXON Cinema 4D
Hosted by Rob Redman.

How To: Create a 3D model of a mushroom in Cinema 4D
In this Cinema 4D tutorial, you'll see how to model a low-poly mushroom in less than three minutes. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, and to get started creating and rendering your own 3D mushrooms, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

How To: Alter the speed of your scenes when editing in Cinema 4D
There are three different ways to either speed up or slow down the rate of your animations in Cinema 4D. This tutorial shows you how to use keyframes, time scales or the remapping feature in After Effects to change your speed of render.

How To: Export UV and Object Buffer passes from Cinema 4D
In this tutorial, you'll see how to export UV and Object Buffer passes from Cinema 4D, and how to use those passes to re-texture objects in 2D inside of Fusion 5. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, including complete instructions, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

How To: Destroy a wall using RealFlow and rigid body dynamics
In this tutorial, you'll learn how to destroy a modeled wall using rigid body dynamics within RealFlow. Whether you're new to RealFlow's popular fluids and body modeling software or are just looking to get better acquainted with the application its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, and to get started using this trick in your own RealFlow projects, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

How To: Create a 3D model of a bathroom in MAXON Cinema 4D
This C4D user's guide discusses how to model a bathroom in Cinema 4D. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, and to get started modeling a 3D bathroom of your very own, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

How To: Make paper crumple animations without keyframes in C4D
This tutorial shows you how to create an animation that makes a piece a paper crumple into a ball with no keyframes at all. It uses the cloth tag. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, and to get started using this trick in your own Cinema 4D projects, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

How To: Create a soft shadow effect in MAXON Cinema 4D
This clip offers a lesson in how to create soft shadows within MAXON C4D. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, and to get started using this trick in your own Cinema 4D projects, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

How To: Model arm muscles in MAXON Cinema 4D
This clip presents a walkthrough of how to model and rig a muscly arm within MAXON C4D. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, and to get started using this trick in your own Cinema 4D projects, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

How To: Slow down cloth simulations in MAXON Cinema 4D
This quick tip demonstrates a method of slowing down your cloth simulations. This method can be used with various other animation techniques that involve deformation of your objects at a point level. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, and to get started using this trick in your own Cinema 4D...

How To: Use straight & premultiplied alpha channels in Cinema 4D
This tutorial discusses the differences between a straight and a premultiplied Alpha channel in Cinema 4D. Learn how to spot the difference and ensure you interpret your files correctly when setting up your composite. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, and to get started using this trick in ...

How To: Use Aim parameters in the Cinema 4D Constraint Tag
This clip introduces the Constraint Tag and specifically looks at the use of the Aim parameters. If you make use of the Target Tag in Cinema4D, then watch this tutorial to see how the Constraint Tag could open up a lot of extra possibilities. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, and to get sta...

How To: Use the Cloner Sort option in MoGraph for Cinema 4D
This clip presents an introduction to the Cloner Sort tool and the Random Effector Sorted mode of MoGraph for Cinema4D. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, and to get started using this trick in your own Cinema 4D projects, watch this 3D modeler's guide. Use the Cloner Sort option in MoGraph ...

How To: Use animation presets in Cinema 4D
Animation presets are a very handy way to save 3D animating time when working with Cinema 4D. This video will teach you the basics of creating and using animation presets to automate animation tasks that you perform repeatedly, saving valuable time and effort.

How To: Create Sherlock Holmes-style movie titles in Cinema 4D
Want to recreate the look of the titles used in Guy Ritchie's 2009 adaptation of Sherlock Holmes? See how it's done with this Cinema 4D lesson. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

How To: Export a scene from Cinema 4D to Adobe After Effects
See how to prepare your renders in Cinema 4D for export into After Effects. This tutorial also delves into the process of importing your render into After Effects and adding materials to your 3D scene. For more (and better) information, including step-by-step instructions, and to get started transfering your own work from Cinema 4D to After Effects, watch this free video software lesson.

How To: Use the cluster tool in Cinema 4D
The cluster tool in Cinema 4D is a great feature for making symmetrical burst animations with objects. The effect is like a jack in the box exploding.

How To: Find objects in Cinema 4D
This Maxon quick tip will help you find objects when you are working in a very large scene file in Cinema 4D using the object manager.

How To: Save incrementally in CINEMA 4D if you know AE
In After Effects 6.5, Adobe introduced Incremental saves. Rather than waiting for the auto-save to catch the latest revision to your project, incremental save allows you to manually save a new file, incrementing the name of your project in numeric integers. CINEMA 4D does the same. And with a little configuration, you can make it act exactly the same as in After Effects.

How To: Build a Minecraft landscape in Cinema 4D
You like building things in your Minecraft world, but have you ever thought about building the Minecraft world itself? Watch this video to learn how to use Cinema 4D to make a Minecraft landscape. This video will show you how to build a Minecraft landscape from scratch in Cinema 4D.

How To: Use MoGraph Physics to replicate hair dynamics in Cinema 4D
Give your animated characters realistic looking hair by using MoGraph Physics with Cinema 4D! You can use the same principles to animate fur, grass or anything similar. This is a pretty simple technique that anyone reasonably familiar with Cinema 4D can pick up.

How To: Replicate the Discovery Channel rebrand cube in Cinema 4D
Love the look of the new Discovery Channel cubic animation? The Greyscale Gorilla is here to help! After several months of experimenting, you can now benefit from his hard earned wisdom! Using Cinema 4D, you can make your own copy of this effect.

How To: Kern and typeset in Cinema 4D
Despite a lack of native kerning tools for typesetting in Cinema 4D, it is possible with a little bit of effort. Letters and characters can be spaced individually using Mograph and the plane effector. Another solution is to first kern the entire block of text externally using Illustrator and Photoshop, and then import into Cinema 4D.

How To: Improve renders with Linear Workflow in Cinema 4D
Linear Workflow is automatically activated in new projects in Cinema 4D and is a feature to ensure that lighting falloff is rendered more accurately and realistically on light sources, textures and reflections. Greyscale Gorilla explains the concept in this demonstration video.

How To: Choose the right computer for design and compositing
Increased productivity in Cinema 4D (or other processor-intensive applications) does not always have a linear correlation wtih the speed of the machine that the work is performed on. Nick Campbell of Greyscale Gorilla explains what exactly it is that a fast machine allows one to do, what kind of machine to get, and what kind of work can one expect to do on it.

How To: Create a metallic 3D logo with Cinema 4D and Photoshop
Create a three-dimensional logo in Cinema 4D and Photoshop with realistic lighting, reflection and shadows. The render is created in 3D inside Cinema 4D using Mograph Text and a bend deformer, textured and lit for initial reflections, and polished in Photoshop with blending modes, blurs and curves. Greyscale Gorilla demonstrates in this informative hour-long video.

How To: Add dynamics to concave objects in Cinema 4D
In this tutorial, create concave objects in Cinema 4D such that particle objects behave and interact realistically with the concave object. The automatic setting for objects is configured in a way that simplifies calculation and speeds up rendering time. By changing the automatic setting within Cinema 4D, the physical properties of concave and curved objects are calculated more thoroughly and are rendered more realistically.

How To: Build a glass mesh softbody with dynamics in Cinema 4D
In this 41 minute tutorial, learn how to build a spherical glass mesh with softbody physical properties (and filled with round particles) that enable it to bounce without breaking in Cinema 4D. Nick from Greyscale Gorilla shows how.