Cinema 4D: The Artist's Project Sourcebook, 2nd Edition

by Anne Powers

Make the creative leap to 3D. Realize your artistic vision with this treasure chest of instructional projects. Get the essential concepts and techniques without drowning in the technical complexities.
This new edition is an artist's sourcebook for the visionary in you that wants to master 3D-and have fun in the process. It serves as a complete guide for the creative use of CINEMA 4D R10 and all of its modules.
This new edition features an engaging full-color presentation of short, playful projects show you how to put this powerful toolset to work. You will master R10's improved workflow, scene management, enhanced animation timeline and searchable object manager, as well as
* MOCCA 3 system, including Joints, Skin Objects, the Weight Tool, the Morph Tool, Visual Selector and Clothilde
* MoGraph module for motion graphics, type manipulation and the animation of multiple forms
* Bodypaint 3D for applying 2D drawing and painting skills to 3D models
* Advanced modeling tools such as the Brush tool
* Interface with third-party applications including Z-Brush, and Adobe's Creative Suite
You also get inventive quick starts for other modules including Hair, Sketch and Toon, Advanced Render, Dynamics and Thinking Particles.

The companion DVD is bursting to the brim with project source files, extra projects, tutorial movies, guest artist tutorials, inspirational galleries and unique C4D Teacher Files (C4D scenes with embedded step-by-step instruction).

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 7, 2004

About the author

Anne Powers is a lifelong artist who has delighted in all kinds of traditional media, multimedia and digital media. In past adventures she was the head of Roane State Community College’s Art Department/Computer Art and Design program in Tennessee, taught 3D Animation for Digital Media Academy for five summers at Stanford University, and conducted training in Cinema 4D for television networks including HGTV, DIY and Country Music Television. She has been the recipient of national awards in watercolor and digital media, including the American Watercolor Society and Best in Show in New York City's MacXibition. Examples of her work in traditional and digital media can be seen on her website at www.ANNIEMEDIA.com.

Her interest in writing was sparked when she was asked to write a book for artists who wanted to make the leap into digital media. (“Cinema 4D, The Artist’s Project Source Book”) While serving as caretaker for her parents, she was unable to go to her studio, so she used the only creative tool she had available, her laptop, and began to craft stories using words and snippets of story in a highly visual writing style.

Reviews

[Zenpvnk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad book.. i was really impressed the whole book was in full color .. but maybe a little too beginnery for me. If you've never touched C4D it might be good, but I'm not sure I learned anything new. If you already know the basics and wanna learn how the pros use the program, get Cinema 4D Workshop by von Koenigsmarck.

[Tim Jaeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been wanting to integrate 3d successfully into my workflow for some time now, at least for small things that otherwise I was not able to do (like quickly construct models, stage designs, useful things for websites/videos/etc.) This book will have you working with 3d within a few hours.

Cinema 4d is also rumored to be one of the better 3d apps to play well with After Effects. In fact, Maxon is doing a lot of promotion of these capabilities.

I would recommend this is your already know After Effects and want to integrate some additional skills to your professional software repertoire.