Cinema 4D users

[Xero150]

I currently have no experience in the UDK and have found it to be very interesting so far in what I've read about it. But I was wondering if anyone who has used it or is using it and is having there models done in cinema 4d, if there is anything I should know before trying to use the UDK since most to all of my models will be done in C4D.
(Such if it is even compatible)

[TE4200]

For static Meshes, you should be able to get an ASE Exporter for C4D.
For animated models, you're supposed to use ActorX which seems to be only available for Maya, 3DSmax and XSI.

[Xero]

For animated models you can also try exporting your models as collada if C4D supports it.

[Figglesworth]

I've tested Collada export from Cinema 4D using a basic cube into the UDK and it works fine. I also baked the object with a diffuse and a normal map which also imported smoothly.

I have yet to try anything with bones or a proper collision model, but that's probably the next thing I will try. I will keep you posted.

[strangelet]

im a lifelong c4d user. i highly reccomend it. however the ase exporter seems not to support the full range of features available to max users.

my pipeline is cinema4d for all geom and texing (including MCDCX_ or UCX_ collision), and once complete, exporting as obj to max, where i add any complex stuff like extra uv channels for lightmapping, vert color, material setup using the multi/sub material, and smooth groups - none of these things is supported in the ASE exporter for c4d.

also no animated meshes are possible to export from c4d, it has to be done with actorx, which basically means animating/rigging in max.

max to me has always been a glorified file converter, but i highly advise learning how to export from it at least, since c4d cant do the whole deal. you only need to learn a few basic things in max to get the full benefeit.

[Lipton]

will be some plugin such as ActorX to 4d cinema soon?

[strangelet]

most probably not. c4d does a number of things in a fairly alien way. for starters i've read that it draws polygons "left handed" whatever that means (i think it refers to the default triangulation of quads) and its smoothing group system is incompatible with export to almost everything. it doesnt support vertex color (only vertex weight)

the best you can do is go pester the plugin creation community which is fairly extensive. failing that, be prepared to learn how to use max as a file converter and exporter.

[FrozenDozer]

Or just kick Cinema away (as it is thought for Films/Animation only, not for Games) and use Max.

[Joseph Ferano]

Or just kick Cinema away (as it is thought for Films/Animation only, not for Games) and use Max.

What exactly about it makes it unideal for games?

[FrozenDozer]

Mainly its designed for HighPoly Modeling -> for Movies / Animations
Plus: Theres no real support for exporting objects/animations from Cinema to UED

[wuren]

Year, I agree!

[Lipton]

Mainly its designed for HighPoly Modeling -> for Movies / Animations
Plus: Theres no real support for exporting objects/animations from Cinema to UED

I don't agree, if you would be watch out of the polys - it was be ok. No real support - just one reason to use other modeling program and Cinema easy then Max or Maya and have a same possibility...
My opinion)

[Lipton]

For static Meshes, you should be able to get an ASE Exporter for C4D.
For animated models, you're supposed to use ActorX which seems to be only available for Maya, 3DSmax and XSI.

Where is I can get ASE Exporter for C4D?
Thanks!

[Viion]

I don't agree, if you would be watch out of the polys - it was be ok. No real support - just one reason to use other modeling program and Cinema easy then Max or Maya and have a same possibility...
My opinion)

That makes absolute no sense what so ever lol


What exactly about it makes it unideal for games?

Cinema 4D is not ideal for games because its not built with games in mind, you will very rarely (if at all) find a company that use it. Now not to diss cinema 4D, I use it for everything, I love it, but what Cinema 4D is best known for is BodyPaint and Animation, its very good with animation rigs and stuff and xpresso is almost identical to kismet. Cinema 4D is not very friendly on the programming side, its tough to make plugins for, its not easy to get work from it, into other packages.

If you want animation, you have to use Maya or 3DsMax, there is no way around it what so ever. Though if you master animation (character-wise), in cinema 4D, its identical in 3DsMax. 3D Models like said before can just be exported as Obj (dont do .3ds it wont shade correctly), and put into 3ds Max. Also remember that Cinema 4D Obj export is very limited and poor, you will most likely need to fix your models and ensure you triangulate your meshes first as the Obj read into 3ds max can make breaking points on edges.

[ianucci]

You can correctly export OBJs and edge breaks from Cinema with two (free) plugins from here. http://skinprops.com/download.php

Riptide exports OBJs perfectly and is indispensable, the other plugin is called Add Normal, you just add an Add Normal tag before export and voila you C4D model is exported with edge breaks.

I am still looking for a way to export models to UDK, with collada I can load my mesh but the UVs disappear.

[shadowscrawl]

or you could look into modo which has i similar interface to c4d and has pretty decent interaction with unreal engine

there is a great ase exporter for it that supports smoothing groups and the everything and (as far as ut3 goes this works but i have not tested it in udk) it can be used for animation as well

i was a c4d user until i got into game asset creation and the earlier poster is really right c4d is and never was meant for low poly game modeling but dont believe all the fanboy hype about 3ds max it is not the only game in town

modo is a great app and it works in such an intuitive way compared to max which imho is overgrown and clunky and entirely too abstract in its workflow

modo is very well suited to game design and is in fact the in house modeler of choice for id software and it is being used extensively in the creation of rage and doom 4

i am currently using it myself on a (yet unnamed) udk project and having no trouble whatsoever

[roberdan]

Mainly its designed for HighPoly Modeling -> for Movies / Animations
Plus: Theres no real support for exporting objects/animations from Cinema to UED

I am also a long time user of C4D, and there is a solution for both these problems.

To reduce the high poly of mesh there is a plug in names simple maker pro work very well and you can adjust it manually with a real time preview.
For the export question now that UDK as a .FBX import C4D export in that format the problem is that it seems to have problems in loading them inside UDK but I doubt is a C4D problem as other using other 3d toold have also the same problem.

I hope there will be actorX also for c4d the number of user of C4D are not that low and many are now starting to appreciate it more.

Sorry not to offend anyone but 3dmax as always been a garbled ..... of software the standard is just because it was from autodesk but there is much better 3d modellers around today another one is Modo another is Zbrush.

[hr0nic]

im using c4d for everything, i making game with my friends in c4d and udk :)
this is example of our work.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD5-vi3JWeQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXtobT-KLxA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV9xB2HQpHY