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]]>Particle and fluid simulation plugins are powerful tools in 3D design, enabling artists to create realistic effects such as smoke, fire, water, cell swarms, and other dynamic elements. This article will explore some of the leading plugins available for various 3D software, focusing on Cinema 4D Particles, Sitni Sati FumeFX, INSYDIUM Fused, cebas ThinkingParticles, Chaos Phoenix, and Next Limit RealFlow. These tools are essential for those new to 3D design, providing a range of capabilities to enhance your projects.
Below are a list of terms you’ll often see used in particle and fluid simulation tutorials and manuals.
In April, Maxon introduced Cinema 4D Particles, a robust particle system that integrates seamlessly with Cinema 4D’s Unified Simulation systems, giving artists greater control over scenes. Design and create complex particle scenes easily using the Cinema 4D Particles! And it comes with new Particle presets, allowing artists to get started quickly.
Chris Schmidt from Rocket Lasso gives you 2.5 hours worth of information about the new particle system in Cinema 4D.
Maxon Cinema 4D is available as an annual subscription.
3D computer animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering software
Maxon Cinema 4D is a professional 3D modeling, animation, simulation, and rendering software solution. Its fast, powerful, flexible, and stable toolset make 3D workflows more accessible and efficient for design, motion graphics, VFX, AR/MR/VR, game development, and all types of visualization professionals. Cinema 4D produces stunning results, whether working on your own or in a team.
Cinema 4D 2024 provides unmatched speed and performance for the most sophisticated creative scenes. Rigid Body Simulations can now interact with all existing forces, pyro, cloth, and soft bodies. Pyro shines with a hot new feature that allows fire to be emitted from particles and matrices. And the new Vertex Normal tools offer artists unparalleled precision to perfect surfaces.
Cinema 4D is also available in the Maxon One bundle as an annual subscription.
Cinema 4D, Forger, Red Giant, Redshift, Universe, and ZBrush in One Bundle!
Introducing Maxon One – the ultimate subscription package for 3D artists and motion designers looking to bring their creative projects to life. With Maxon One, you gain instant access to an award-winning 3D animation tool with Cinema 4D as well as Red Giant Complete’s full collection of powerful tools for editing, VFX, and motion design. Plus, with ZBrush included in the bundle, you have the freedom to model sophisticated illustrations limited only by your imagination. Finally, the ultra-fast GPU renderer Redshift for Cinema 4D is also included. Now you can push the boundaries of what’s possible and take your creativity to a whole new level with a single all-encompassing package. Unlock the full potential of your creative brilliance with Maxon One!
Chaos Phoenix, formerly known as Phoenix FD, is a versatile fluid dynamics plugin that can simulate fire, smoke, liquids, ocean waves, splashes, and foam. It uses a hybrid simulation approach, combining both particle and voxel-based methods to achieve realistic results. Phoenix is known for its ease of use and integration with V-Ray, making it a popular choice for artists who need to create high-quality fluid simulations quickly. The plugin supports major 3D software like 3ds Max and Maya, and it is optimized for GPU acceleration to improve simulation times.
Host support: Autodesk 3ds Max and Maya
Fluid dynamics simulation software
Take your simulations to the next level with Chaos Phoenix 5. New tools give you more control than ever before. New and enhanced presets.
Try V-Ray, Phoenix, Vantage, Cosmos, Player, and Scans for free with a 30-day trial. Tech support included.
Tech support included.
Fluid dynamics simulation software
Take your simulations to the next level with Chaos Phoenix 5. New tools give you more control than ever before. New and enhanced presets.
Try V-Ray, Phoenix, Vantage, Cosmos, Player, and Scans for free with a 30-day trial. Tech support included.
Tech support included.
INSYDIUM Fused is a comprehensive suite that includes the X-Particles and NeXus plugins for Cinema 4D.
X-Particles is known for its intuitive workflow and powerful simulation capabilities. It allows artists to create everything from smoke, fire, and advection to complex fluid simulations, and even cloth simulations. The plugin includes a range of modifiers, generators, and shaders, providing extensive control over the particle behavior. NeXus is a GPU particle and simulation system that integrates perfectly into the X-Particles ecosystem.
Additionally, INSYDIUM Fused integrates seamlessly with Cinema 4D and it’s compatible with the existing particle modifiers, object deformers, Mograph effectors, and more.
Host support: Cinema 4D
Below, watch some examples from the May 2024 release.
All INSYDIUM products in one collection
INSYDIUM Fused gives you the ultimate toolkit to create mesmerizing particle effects, realistic terrains, animate plants – and more! With this powerful collection of plugins and products at your disposal plus an array of assets just waiting for you to discover them, there’s no limit to what creative solutions can arise. Plus with technical support available any time should anything come up along your artistic journey – you’re guaranteed success in completing even the most complex projects easily.
The INSYDIUM Fused Annual Subscription provides the Fused license on an annual basis. The full collection is only available if your license has Maintenance or you have a Subscription.
INSYDIUM's collection of Plug-ins, Products, and Benefits
INSYDIUM Fused gives you the ultimate toolkit to create mesmerizing particle effects, realistic terrains, animate plants – and more! With this powerful collection of plugins and products at your disposal plus an array of assets just waiting for you to discover them, there’s no limit to what creative solutions can arise.
Plus with technical support available any time should anything come up along your artistic journey – you’re guaranteed success in completing even the most complex projects easily.
12 Months Maintenance for Fused Users
INSYDIUM Fused Annual Maintenance, existing users get 12 months of Technical Support and instant access to exciting new features for Fused.
If you purchase Fused perpetual, the first 12 months of Technical Support and Updates are included. With this in mind, to continue to receive Technical Support and Updates, you must purchase the INSYDIUM Fused Annual Maintenance.
FumeFX is a powerful fluid dynamics plugin used primarily for simulating realistic fire, smoke, and explosions. It is widely used in the VFX industry due to its flexibility, speed, and natural-looking results. FumeFX uses a voxel-based simulation approach, which delivers high-detail simulations. It also supports GPU acceleration, significantly speeding up the simulation process.
Host support: Cinema 4D, 3ds Max, and Maya
FumeFX has been used on numerous TV shows, game cinematics, and feature films including Ironman 3, Hugo, Avengers, 2012, Superman Returns, Ghost Rider 2, Thor, Thor: The Dark World, Suckerpunch, Red Tails, The Priest, Alice in Wonderland, Star Trek – Into Darkness, Green Lantern, Oblivion, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Great and Powerful Oz, Northmen – A Viking Saga, Dr. Strange, and many more.
Video clips in the reel below are courtesy of Blur Studio, Iloura, Hydraulx, Luma Pictures, Mr. X, Pixomondo, Mr. Ruairi Robinson, and Uncharted Territory.
FumeFX is available for 3ds Max, Maya, and Cinema 4D.
One of the Fastest and Most Flexible CG Fluid Dynamics Simulation Systems Available
FumeFX is a powerful fluid dynamics plugin-in for Autodesk 3ds max, designed for simulation and rendering of realistic fire, smoke, explosions, and other gaseous phenomena. Unrivaled in its ability to capture the subtlety and complexity of fluid gas behavior it is favored among visual effects artists, game developers, visualization professionals and everyone else who demand the utmost in realism.
A powerful fluid dynamics plugin designed for simulation and rendering of realistic explosions, fire, smoke, and other gaseous phenomena
Sitni Sati FumeFX for Maya is unrivaled in its ability to capture the subtlety and complexity of fluid gas behavior it is favored among visual effects artists, game developers, visualization professionals and everyone else who demand the utmost in realism.
A powerful fluid dynamics plugin-in for Maxon Cinema 4D
FumeFX for Cinema 4D is designed for simulation and rendering of realistic fire, smoke, explosions and other gaseous phenomena. Unrivaled in its ability to capture the subtlety and complexity of fluid gas behavior it is favored among visual effects artists, game developers, visualization professionals and everyone else who demand the utmost in realism.
RealFlow is one of the most renowned fluid and multiphysics simulation tools in the industry, known for its ability to create highly realistic liquid simulations. It uses the SPH (Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics) method for small-scale simulations and the FLIP (Fluid-Implicit Particle) method for large-scale simulations like oceans and rivers. RealFlow can handle complex interactions between fluids and rigid bodies, making it suitable for a wide range of applications from film to advertising.
Host support: Cinema 4D, 3ds Max, and Maya, plus a standalone.
Below are examples from RealFlow users, from the RealFlow website. For the artist info, please click through to Vimeo or YouTube.
Feel the Power - Fluids the easy way
Next Limit RealFlow is an industry-standard, out-of-the-box fluid simulation software. Fast and easy to use, it is compatible with ALL major 3D platforms. Simulate anything from a single drop of water to a massive tsunami.
Fluids And More Inside Your Platform
RealFlow | Maya gives you the best in fluid simulation and more, directly inside Autodesk Maya®. Now it is faster and easier to simulate granulars, viscous, viscoelastic, rigid, and elastic materials with an even easier and faster workflow. Achieve high-end GPU-accelerated simulations from inside the Maya interface.
Fluids Inside Your Platform
Next Limit RealFlow | Cinema 4D gives you the best in fluid simulation, directly inside Cinema 4D. Now you can achieve high-end simulations with an even easier workflow.
The Newest Member of the RealFlow Family
RealFlow | 3ds Max brings the well-known RealFlow fluid simulation tools directly to Autodesk 3ds Max®. Stay in 3ds Max® to perform your liquid, granular, viscous, and viscoelastic simulations.
NOTE: RealFlow | 3ds Max is available for Autodesk 3ds Max® 2017, 2018, and 2019 only.
ThinkingParticles by cebas is a rule-based particle system that excels in creating complex particle effects. It is particularly well-suited for simulations that require precise control and interaction between particles. ThinkingParticles uses a node-based interface, allowing users to define behaviors and interactions through a visual scripting system. This makes it ideal for creating intricate effects like debris, shattering, and procedural destruction. The plugin is compatible with 3ds Max and is widely used in both film and game production
finalFluid is the first NVIDIA – GPU-only based real-time Sparse Grid Eulerian fluid solver for 3ds Max, fully integrated with deep integration into 3ds max workflows.
Host support: 3ds Mac
The ultimate rule-based particle system for 3ds max
Are you tired of working with particle systems that don't give you enough control? Say hello to thinkingParticles 7, the ultimate rule-based particle system for 3ds max. Unlike event-based systems, it offers unparalleled power to users through its unique and non-linear rules-based logic. With simple behaviors governing every aspect of particle movement, life, death, and collisions, you'll have full control over every detail of your masterpiece. Say goodbye to time-based constraints and hello to endless possibilities with thinkingParticles 7.
Countless blockbuster movies and projects depend on thinkingParticles’ limitless ability to recreate advanced physics-based particle effects fully procedural and rule-based.
Real-Time Smoke & Fire for 3ds Max
cebas finalFluid for 3ds Max is a state-of-the-art, fully integrated real-time fire and smoke GPU simulation engine.
Are you an After Effects user? See: In Depth: Particle Plugins for After Effects within your Budget.
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]]>The post In Depth: Render Farms / Network Rendering / Distributed Rendering appeared first on .
]]>Setting Up a Network Rendering for After Effects
Autodesk BackBurner for Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, Flame, and more
Other Tools:
Using your Plug-ins and Software on a Network Rendering Setup
The idea of network rendering, or distributed rendering, is to distribute your render over a network, or farm, of computers, to speed up your render times. This can be done in many different programs with a myriad of different setups, so it isn’t as straightforward and clear-cut as I’d like it to be.
Creating the right storage and management can be a challenge but it’s important to get that in place first. There are tons of resources out there but I’m keeping this short and sweet so this will be a page of resources more than actual instructions. If you have a great resource, let me know. If you’re a vendor and you’d like your information added or updated, please contact us.
Featured image credit: stevepb at Pixabay
aerender is a command-line rendering set up for After Effects. The aerender application can be used for running a render farm on multiple computers and it can also be used for batch operations on one computer. There’s a full section about Automated Rendering and Network Rendering in the Adobe After Effects User Guide and comes with After Effects. Network rendering works best on a very fast network with rapid connectivity to storage devices.
You’ll need all the plug-ins
Ty Audronis explains how to set up a render farm properly. He says not to mix up Macs and Windows on your network. Stick to just one OS due to problems with plug-ins.
RenderGarden is a script for After Effects that will help you increase your render speeds on one machine but also lets you render faster with hyperthreaded rendering on each network render node. Plus, you do not need to have Creative Cloud serialized to run aerender. Simply follow the directions above to enable Render-Only mode for aerender, which doesn’t require you to sign into your Adobe account.
Network rendering features of RenderGarden
Read: Toolfarm Introduces RenderGarden Plug-in for Dramatically Faster Rendering in Adobe After Effects
Review: RenderGarden accelerates After Effects renders
Get RenderGarden | More Info | Free Trial
RenderGarden news: Update: RenderGarden v1.1 for After Effects – Now with Done Alert Option
BG Renderer can help make network rendering easier. There is a new portable app/folder feature that makes it easy to create an ad-hoc render farm quickly by simply copying this portable app to all the machines on your network and just double-clicking it to launch the render on that machine.
Nexrender is a tool for render automation for Adobe After Effects that also allows users to set up a render network and render several projects simultaneously.
AG CodeWerks Watchdog-ae is a free and open-source watch folder render manager for After Effects that is simple and efficient.
Render Brain is a Local and Network Background Render for After Effects that speeds up your workflow.
I wrote up a feature in December, C4D Spotlight: Setting Up A Render Farm in Cinema 4D with Team Render, which was what actually prompted me to update this article. Unfortunately, the video featured in that article is no longer on YouTube In the article, I talk about how Team Render replaced Net Render in R15 and that Team Render is fully integrated into Cinema 4D, making it very easy to set up a network render.
Autodesk Backburner is a free render manager from Autodesk that allows Autodesk users to network render. It’s for Mac, Windows, and Linux.
V-Ray Swarm is an evolution from Distributed Rendering (DR) for V-Ray. “Swarm gives users the ability to capture all the compute power of their local network and render using either the CPU or GPU. It can be used for final frame rendering or progressive rendering, and will drastically speed up workflow allowing for more design iterations and feedback.”
Pipeline from Brave Rabbit is an uncomplicated tool for distributed rendering for 3D, including Maya, V-Ray Standalone, Nuke, After Effects and Cinema 4D. You can also use it with Modo, Blender, and Redline with Renderer descriptions.
After publishing the article, Matt Silverman got in touch with me to recommend Tractor. He said, “It’s surprisingly inexpensive and bullet-proof (i.e. good enough for Pixar is good enough for me), but requires a smart Python person to set it up. We wrote custom submit scripts for direct queuing from AE, Nuke, C4D, Houdini, Handbrake, and others…” Perhaps they will build create a product in the future so that others can buy and use it too. Perhaps…
Not exactly a render farm tool or a tool that you render with in any way, but it will help with syncing plugins, maintaining, optimizing, and troubleshooting over a network for Final Cut Studio, FCPX, Avid, and Adobe Premiere Pro!
Note: This item has been discontinued at Toolfarm
Learn more | Buy Digital Rebellion Pro Media Tools
Ramma is not a tool to help with setting up your render farm, per se, but I’m including it because its purpose is to spot corrupt, dropped, or non-contiguous frames in rendered sequence and it works over a network. This could save you from so many render headaches!
“Intended for post-production professionals—large facilities as well as smaller or indie shops—producing motion graphics, visual effects, color grading or other video and animation work, working with Autodesk, Adobe, Foundry, Blackmagic Design, Maxon or any products that render to image sequences.”
Related: The Importance of Image Sequences
If you need to get plug-ins for a couple of computers that you will use for rendering purposes only, do you have to pay full price? Great question, indeed!
Companies have many different policies about using their plug-ins and software on networks/render farms. Below, we have a list of companies and their policies for using their plug-ins on a rendering machine. Some are free for render nodes, others have discounted render nodes, some limit the number. Of course, many products do not have any sort of render node policy.
If you’re a developer and your information is out of date or needs to be added, please email Michele at Toolfarm, and we will update your information
Network rendering requires that the plug-in is installed on all machines that are participating in the rendering. Render nodes do not require a license. Just having the unlicensed plug-in installed is sufficient for the machine to render a scene that was prepared on another machine.
Neat video: Full license purchase must be made for each render used. Multi-user licenses are available.
A single-user license allows you to install and activate the full version of After Effects on two computers, but users can install an unlimited number of After Effects CC render engines on computers without using these two activations.
Several products have render-only licenses available. Render-only licenses are available in the Product Options pulldown for a variety of prices. Click on the specific products to find out more. Note: This list may be incomplete because new products are always being added. Also, not all plug-ins from a company may have a Render-Only option.
Network Rendering support with Autodesk Backburner.
The standard Anima license comes with 3 render nodes in addition to the fully interactive version. Instructions
3ds Max: Starting Network Rendering
ArtVPS Shaderlight Network Licensing
Render Farm Support – AXYZ offers credit for RebusFarm, Ranch Computing, Renderflow, RenderNation to all new anima customers.
The Upgrade and Support plans include 5 Render nodes per Full License.
A 1-Year Unlimited Network License is available.
Corona Renderer works with Team Render out of the box, making it easy to harness the power of all your available machines to contribute to render (or to share frames of animation across machines using the Team Render Server). You can network-render using Autodesk Backburner and Thinkbox Deadline, or use Corona’s integrated DR solution.
Any purchased Corona Renderer license (other than a Student License) includes a minimum of three additional render nodes, so you can leverage multiple computers that you own to reduce render times. Corona is also supported on a number of commercial render farms.
See: How to use Distributed Rendering?
Generally, Autodesk Backburner should be used in “each PC is rendering a single frame” scenarios, while Corona’s DR works by rendering a single frame across all PCs in the network simultaneously. [Source]
Free install on all render-only computers.
Digital Film Tools software is set up for free rendering on render farms. When a user is using an After Effects Render node to render a project that contains DFT filters, no license is needed for rendering on the Render node machines.
But, licenses are only needed if the full GUI version of After Effects is running.
ePhere Ornatrix for 3ds Max, Maya, and Cinema 4D includes Render farm points and discounts.
RenderNodes are designed to work efficiently alongside the other tools in your production facility. They are controlled by your render farm manager using simple command-line instructions.
The RenderNode license will enable you to use a 3rd party network rendering application to manage and distribute the rendering of both VUE scene files (.vue) AND integrated scenes (.max, .ma or .mb, .c4d, .lws, .scn) over a network of computers.
Free install on all render-only computers.
The plugins now run without any licensing requirements for Team Render Clients, as well as when run via the Command Line (for render farms). However, we require that networks with 5 or more render clients have an annual Plus account. This means that monthly Plus subscribers may use up to 5 render nodes at once.
This requires that you’ve updated the HUB to v1.113 or higher, and the plugins must be at v1.010 or higher.
More in the Greyscalegorilla FAQ
Cycles 4D Render Nodes are available for purchase.
There are regular licenses and network licenses available. In-Network license mode, for example, a pool of licenses is available on the server, for use in any computer on the network. You only need to have licenses for the maximum number of simultaneous users expected, however, not for each computer where the software will be installed.
KeyShot Network Rendering comes with 32 cores for the Enterprise license only. Network rendering nodes start at 32 cores for $480. The number of slave machines is limited to the number of cores. 256 cores are the largest offered but they can work with you if more cores are needed. Learn more at the bottom of the Details tab on the KeyShot page.
If you have questions, please contact us.
See Questions about setting up KeyShot Network Rendering
Maxon One and Cinema 4D include five (5) Team Render nodes for C4D. Redshift subscription for C4D does not include Team Render nodes.
See Setting Up A Render Farm in Cinema 4D with Team Render
Red Giant render-only licenses are available at no cost to Red Giant Complete Teams customers. Render-only licenses are provided via RLM.
Amleto is a Lightwave 3D Network rendering controller that is on GitHub.
Pixelan Software allows for a free install on all render-only computers.
Custom quotes are made for render-only licensing based on the number of render stations.
All SiNi Software plugins are designed to render on local and cloud-based render farms without having to purchase additional licenses. The products will need to be installed on each render node to read and render. The DeSipher license server will need to be installed on the network. SiNi Products are free for rendering and render farms.
Download the free 3ds Max RenderFarm installer
Every FumeFX workstation license ships with an additional simulation license (FumeFX SL). It can be used to run FumeFX simulations on any machine with BackBurner Server running.
Cinema 4D/Team Render: If you need to render then you don’t need any extra license, just the FumeFX installed on that machine. You will want to run a simulation on that machine, then you would need the FumeFX SL installed and an SL license.
3ds Max and Maya – There is an Arnold shaders render node (at an extra cost) only if the user is using FumeFX Standard Shader. Please contact us for more information.
2 render nodes included in the purchase.
Synthetic Aperture gives you a free install on all render-only computers.
Video Copilot Optical Flares: Each Optical Flare license can be installed on up to 5 render-only machines, though unique license files will be required, and is dealt on a case by case basis.
Note: Video Copilot Optical Flares for Nuke has a Render Node License that is sold separately. Contact sales for purchasing info. Minimum purchase required. Requires at least 1 full license of Optical Flares for Nuke Render only, does not have Flare Editor
Video Copilot Element 3D: It is possible to use Element on a network render farm but we do not recommend or support it because of inconsistencies in GPU rendering. Since Element renders with impressive speed on a single GPU it is ideal to pre-render any 3D elements before pushing them to the render farm.
Zaxwerks allows two installs (for instance, a desktop and laptop) with one copy active at a time.
However, Zaxwerks 3D Invigorator Classic does not work across a network.
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]]>The post How to Smash the Learning Curve to Learn Software Faster appeared first on .
]]>I may be an expert on the topic of learning new software or learning in general. Over the years I have dabbled in so many different software to learn them and I’ll be honest, the only two I have really felt like I have a solid knowledge of are Adobe After Effects and Photoshop. I have a basic understanding of Cinema 4D, Maya, Modo, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Motion, Illustrator, Resolve Studio, and Nuke. I’ve even learned Dreamweaver, Director, and Flash (I hated Flash!), as well as this DVD authoring software that you’ve likely never heard of. And Commotion. Remember Commotion?
Yes, that’s a big list of tools, but I’ve been at this game for a while. I’ve picked up some learning habits along the way. I use these habits for other things as well: language learning, meditation, and yoga practice, etc.
An expert is someone who, over many years, manages to remain confident enough to keep trying and humble enough to keep learning.
James Clear
• Do you want a better job?
• Do you have a vision you want to bring to life?
• What is your end goal?
These are very important questions to help you determine the right path to achieving your objectives. Knowing WHY you want to learn software will help you figure out WHAT you need to learn to achieve your goal.
For example, let’s say you want to learn Cinema 4D. It’s a massive program. If you want to learn to model characters for a short film you have an idea for, you’ll want to focus your learning on modeling and rigging. Maybe your clients are asking for 3D animated titles, so character rigging isn’t even on your list. Or, what if you want to get a job in the VFX industry in Hollywood, creating visual effects? All of these things can be done in Cinema 4D, however, your path to learning VFX is very different from someone who wants to create some 3D animated titles for a corporate client.
Goals help you focus on what you really want to learn. Believe me, it’s easy to follow a training routine and end up spending hours learning something that is really of no use to you. So, be specific and clear when you name your goals.
Goals also hold you accountable and keep you from getting bored and procrastinating. We’ll talk more about that later but just remember, hazy goals create hazy results.
Yes, this seems really easy but when you’re looking at training options, make sure that it meets your criteria.
Some companies have a 30-day trial, which isn’t much time to learn the software. Many software companies offer student versions or Personal Learning Editions (PLE) of their software to those who qualify. Below, read a list of some products that have PLEs. It goes without saying that these licenses are for learning only and not for client work.
If you want to earn more, learn more.
Zig Ziglar
Like learning anything, such as a language, there are two stages to learning it. That language article directly correlates to learning software or anything you want to learn, and I highly recommend reading it. Knowing this is key to hacking that learning curve.
Stage one is the most difficult and boring. It’s where people will often become discouraged because they want to create things that are too complex for what they know, so they just quit. Just know that this period is short if you stick with it. Make sure your expectations are realistic and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Learning takes time.
You know you’ve arrived at stage two when you run into problems and you are able to solve them on your own, without looking to YouTube or the manual. When you reach this point, go to YouTube and try some of those more complex tutorials.
This will make learning fun and give you a goal right out of the gate so you can put your knowledge into action.
For example, I want to learn Adobe Character Animator. I have a file full of script ideas for shorts and for longer scripts. Not only that, I’ve been wanting to learn how to draw. This would be a perfect opportunity for me to write some short scripts that I can animate to. I can combine learning to draw, learning to animate in Character Animator, and finally getting my script ideas out of my Notes on my phone.
What would you like to create?
You wouldn’t go on your road trip without a map, would you? This is not an easy part and a lot of people fail to set a clear plan for themselves. Without a clear plan, you will not stay on track.
Whatever plan you choose, make sure it covers what you want to learn. Of course, you may not know exactly what you want to learn yet, and that’s fine, but you should at least have a rough idea when you look at the curriculum.
Both have their pros and cons.
You are not married to the plan. Whatever you choose, you can change over time if you find that you don’t like the training, or you learn of something better for your needs. It’s a map to get your learning on its way. The key here is to just get started.
YouTube incorporates fantastic tutorials from very talented professionals, but from my experience, it’s a giant rabbit hole. For example, you see a video from a pro user and you love their final result. You watch the tutorial and try to follow along but they skim over a basic skill that you haven’t yet acquired. Then you have to look up how to do that thing that they skimmed over, throwing you off track of learning and wasting your time. YouTube can be a distraction machine, so I don’t recommend it for Stage 1 of learning software (unless, it’s a great series, like the Free Training: DaVinci Resolve 17 Video Series)
That said, if you’re in Stage 2 of learning, by all means, go to YouTube and have fun!
To stay on track, schedule your learning at the same time every day or every week. If you are learning something for work, ask your boss or your team if you can spend three hours every Monday learning your software, for example. Then put it in the calendar so you will do it.
Timebox. Set a smaller window of time for learning, you’re less likely to procrastinate. To illustrate, wide-open 8 hours will not be nearly as effective as a focused 90 minutes. Learn more about timeboxing.
Rome wasn’t built in a day and you can’t expect yourself to learn a gigantic program like Cinema 4D or After Effects in only a few weeks. Instead, focus on small achievable goals each week.
How? Chunk up your training for higher retention. Science says that learning speed has a direct correlation with retention. In other words, focus on one thing at a time and build upon each thing you learn. Yes, this takes time but learning slowly will help you to work quickly later on.
Yes, I am telling you to take notes longhand. You could do this digitally but science has proven that taking notes by hand gives a deeper understanding of the content. It has to do with the hand-brain connection.
If you haven’t heard of a Bullet Journal, it’s a system for organizing and tracking a project or even your life. People use them for planning a garden, learning a language, or tracking fitness goals. Software engineers use them to track development on their software. It’s also incredibly useful for learning software. If you google Bullet Journal, often affectionally called a BuJo by afficiandos, you’ll find pages with gorgeous intricate sketches and color-coded habit trackers. While this is fun and beautiful to look at, the goal is to organize and track software learning.
All you need to get started is a new notebook or a blank book and a pen or pencil.
On the first page, write your goal. Number your pages. In the front of the book, set up an index page so that you can find your notes quickly. Then you set up pages to help you stay on track. For example:
On those breaks, stretch, take a walk or just move. You can’t spend too much time watching training or sitting in front of the screen because you will, at some point, stop retaining important information. Clear your head so you can quickly get back to learning.
Once you’re in the second stage of learning, when you’re comfortable with it, try something that is more difficult than you are used to. Share your projects on social media (but be prepared for trolls). Ask peers questions on forums.
You are just learning. Your renders are not going to look like the work of someone who has been using the software for years and uses it 10 hours a day to make a living. When you compare your work to other artists’ work, you’re only poking holes in your self-esteem. By all means, look to others’ work for inspiration, but don’t get caught in the trap of comparison. It will only make you feel inadequate and you will likely quit.
Pros are just amateurs who learned from their mistakes.
James Clear
Grab a notebook and jot down some ideas. Check out some training at LinkedIn or other places. This software isn’t going to learn itself!
Stay focused, go after your dreams and keep moving toward your goals.
L.L. Cool J
If you are interested in setting habits in all aspects of your life, not just learning software, I highly recommend checking out the book Atomic Habits by James Clear. It’s even streaming on Spotify.
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]]>The post How RealFlow | Cinema 4D works – Your First Simulation appeared first on .
]]>
Fluids Inside Your Platform
Next Limit RealFlow | Cinema 4D gives you the best in fluid simulation, directly inside Cinema 4D. Now you can achieve high-end simulations with an even easier workflow.
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Default Cinema 4D Scene
Cinema 4D Layouts
In the first video, you are walked through reference videos to get an idea of how the particles should flow. In addition, you’ll learn the basics of setting up the Granular Solver.
In the second part of the Sugar Stacks tutorials, learn which parameters to adjust to create a stack of particles. He also takes you through some art direction of the second set of particles that will be added to the original stack.
In the third part of Sugar Stacks, learn the process of linking Thinking Particles with Realflow. In essence, this will give you access to the particles for rendering inside of Redshift.
It’s the final Sugar Stacks chapter. Set up custom objects for the Particle Geometry. After that, set up lights and materials while adding motion blur. Motion blur will add realism to the final render.
Fluids Inside Your Platform
RealFlow | Cinema 4D gives you the best in fluid simulation, directly inside Cinema 4D. Now you can achieve high-end simulations with an even easier workflow.
And, it’s fast! In fact, RealFlow | Cinema 4D 2.5 is built on RealFlow’s 10 Dyverso multiphysics solver. In essence, you get the best in fluid simulation quality and performance, with an easy workflow.
Learn More Try Realflow | C4D for free!
3D for the Whole World
Cinema 4D S22 is Maxon’s first subscription-only release giving customers early access to performance and workflow advances including UV unwrapping and editing tools, improved selection and modeling tools, organizational licensing for volume customers, and updated viewport technology with support for Metal on macOS.
Maxon has also boosted Cinema 4D’s pipeline compatibility with GLTF export, GoZ integration for Z-Brush, and support for node-based materials in FBX and Cineware.
Cinema 4D S22 is immediately available for subscription customers. Perpetual license holders of Cinema 4D will enjoy a release that will incorporate the features of S22 and much more later in the year.
We’re elated about the release of Maxon Cinema 4D S22, the first subscription-only release. But, as with any major release, the issue of compatibility comes into play. Developers are working diligently to make sure everything will work smoothly with the new S22 release.
We have put together a list of products and information to keep you informed about plug-in and product compatibility.
Maxon Cinema S22 Compatibility
The world’s first fully GPU-accelerated, biased renderer.
Redshift is a powerful GPU-accelerated renderer, built to meet the specific demands of contemporary high-end production rendering. Tailored to support creative individuals and studios of every size, Redshift offers a suite of powerful features and integrates with industry-standard CG applications.
Learn more | Get Redshift Try Redshift for free!
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]]>Below the videos, I’ll list a few third-party plugins that I’d recommend for creating weather effects, such as rain, clouds, snow, and other elements. I’ll also link to a few older In Depth articles about weather creation.
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]]>The post Nescafe Commercial Tutorial | RealFlow, Octane Render and Cinema 4D appeared first on .
]]>RealFlow | Cinema 4D gives you the best in fluid simulation, directly inside Cinema 4D. Now you can achieve high-end simulations with an even easier workflow.
The post Nescafe Commercial Tutorial | RealFlow, Octane Render and Cinema 4D appeared first on .
]]>The post RealFlow | Maya Overview videos #tutorialtuesday appeared first on .
]]>There is a sale currently happening on RealFlow, and therefore, there is sale information at the bottom of the page. Be sure to scroll down!
Note that none of these tutorials have sound. There are several more on their Vimeo channel too.
Indeed, RealFlow is turning 20, and to celebrate, Next Limit is offering a special bundle of RealFlow 10.5 and your favorite RealFlow plug-in at a reduced price.
Choose your favorite plug-in:
Most importantly, this bundle is only available for a limited time. Get yours today.
Buy Now Sale and 10.5 Update Info
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]]>The post Oreo Commercial in RealFlow, Cinema 4D, Octane Render, Premiere Pro & After Effects appeared first on .
]]>Who’s The Kid with the Oreo Cookie? It can be you! I learned this morning that Oreos are vegan, but this tutorial certainly has a lot of meat!
Arthur Whitehead explains his workflow for making Oreo cookie that splashes into some milk and caramel or liquid chocolate, made in RealFlow. RealFlow | Cinema 4D gives you the best in fluid simulation, directly inside Cinema 4D. Now you can achieve high-end simulations with an even easier workflow.
Arthur uses several applications in making this Oreo animation but this is pretty simple to follow, and interestingly, he starts with the soundtrack. He also gives tips on working with 3D scenes, time-saving tips, simulations, and outputting for Instagram. Finally, he brings it all together!
Fluids Inside Your Platform
Next Limit RealFlow | Cinema 4D gives you the best in fluid simulation, directly inside Cinema 4D. Now you can achieve high-end simulations with an even easier workflow.
3D for the Whole World
Maxon Cinema 4D R23 breathes life into characters and animations with outstanding new tools and workflow enhancements. Key improvements to animation workflow make it easier to create and manipulate keyframes, produce fantastic new character rigs, and manage poses, retargeting, and skinning. Enjoy all the UV and Viewport updates from S22, as well as additional refinements to both. Step into the future with a preview of the new Scene Nodes system-the power and performance of Cinema 4D’s future. R23 includes Red Giant’s Magic Bullet Looks technology. In addition, there are Deformer enhancements. Markedly, Maxon has updated integrations for Python 3, OBJ, FBX, and USD.
We’re elated about the release of Maxon Cinema 4D R23, the first subscription-only release. But, as with any major release, the issue of compatibility comes into play. Developers are working diligently to make sure everything will work smoothly with the new R23 release.
We have put together a list of products and information to keep you informed about plug-in and product compatibility.
The post Oreo Commercial in RealFlow, Cinema 4D, Octane Render, Premiere Pro & After Effects appeared first on .
]]>The post Next Limit Realflow | 3ds Max Getting Started Tutorial Compilation appeared first on .
]]>RealFlow | 3ds Max brings the well-know RealFlow fluid simulation tools directly to Autodesk 3ds Max®. Stay in 3ds Max® to perform your liquid, granular, viscous and viscoelastic simulations. RealFlow | 3ds Max is available for Autodesk 3ds Max® 2017, 2018 and 2019. Get started with the tutorials below.
Learn more about RealFlow | 3ds Max
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