Cinema4D

3D in Cinema4D is the process of creating and rendering a 3D scene as a video or image from C4D to be shown alongside a faculty speaking. Cinema4D is a program made specifically for creating in 3D and has a lot of capabilities. You can model from scratch in this program and create as many simple or very detailed objects as you'd like, add simple or very realistic materials to those objects, and animate and render these scenes as images or videos.

The complexity of this option varies, but the more complex a request is, the more time it will need. Complexity can depend on number of objects in the scene, the number of moving parts in the scene, how much animation there needs to be, rendering time, etc.

Software Used

Cinema4D - C4D is where most of the process happens. Here, the object(s) are modeled, materials are added to it, the scene is animated, lighting is set up, and the scene is rendered as a PNG sequence.
After Effects - the rendered video from C4D will be brought into AE to edit it into the faculty's video. This is also where any extra effects and/or 2D elements will be added. Then, the finished product will be rendered out.

Standard Style

Brand Consistency

Even with the additional dimension that 3D provides, it should still fall in line with eCornell's brand guidelines. To tie it in with our 2d style, we should consider the following:

Color Palette

Use eC color palette swatch to match 3D object’s primary color. Use eC shades swatch to match the shadow and highlight.

2D Elements

All text should remain 2D. Text shouldn’t go on top of 3D objects. Labels and satellite icons should remain 2D following the style guide.

Just Right

Too Dark

Too Bright

eCornell Colors

Flat eCornell colors should be used in cases when the materials are not specific or important to understanding the content of the lesson.

Lighting & Shadows

Soft lighting should be applied and adjusted so that so that it doesn't blow out or darken the color used on the object's main focal point.

- Default lighting can be used for most scenes.
- Additional lights can be added if certain areas need to be highlighted.

Materials - Cel/Toon Shading

A non-photorealistic style used to make the object appear more flat and in line with our 2D style.

Realistic Style

Realistic style can be used when specifically mentioned in the transcript and/or when important to understanding the content of the lesson.

Lighting & Shadows

Realistic lighting should be applied to make the material look as believable as possible.

- Use 3 point lighting and adjust for object’s highlights and shadows
- Use your best judgment to adjust the lighting so there isn’t a harsh contrast between the light and dark
- If the object is in a specific environment, try to imitate the lighting of that environment.

Textures

As realistic as possible based on the description of the object in the transcript (for example, reflective steel, glass, mirror, scratched metal, etc.).

Glass

Plastic

Metal

Challenges of 3D

Revisions that seem small might actually be very time consuming. If there is a mistake in a video that is consistent through the whole video, it will have to be fixed and then the whole video will need to be re-rendered in Cinema4D and then updated and re-rendered from After Effects.
Any revisions or big changes requested by the faculty or ID would also require going through the process again and re-rendering. So it would be very important to have a very very solid understanding between artist and ID about what is needed before the process even begins.
Communication between the ID and the artist is crucial during the process to ensure accuracy and efficiency.

Page updated

Report abuse