Jackson - After Effects and Cinema 4D lite 3D motion graphics and visual effects using Cineware

After Effects
and Cinema 4D
Lite

First published 2015

by Focal Press

70 Blanchard Road, Suite 402, Burlington, MA 01803

and by Focal Press

2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN

Focal Press is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

2015 Chris Jackson

The right of Chris Jackson to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

Notices

Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience broaden our understanding, changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical treatment may become necessary.

Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in evaluating and using any information, methods, compounds, or experiments described herein. In using such information or methods they should be mindful of their own safety and the safety of others, including parties for whom they have a professional responsibility.

Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

Jackson, Chris (Chris B.)

After effects and Cinema 4D lite : 3D motion graphics and visual effects using CINEWARE / Chris Jackson.

pages cm

Includes index.

1. Computer animation. 2. Three-dimensional display systems. 3. Adobe After effects. 4. Cinema 4D XL. I. Title.

TR897.7.J329 2015

777.7--dc23

2014019803

ISBN: 978-1-138-77793-4 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-1-135-77232-5 (ebk)

Typeset in Syntax

By Chris Jackson

Table of Contents

After Effects designers: Enter a new dimension with CINEMA 4D Lites robust toolset. You are about to take a journey that combines these two powerhouse applications. Enter the world of CINEWARE and CINEMA 4D. Welcome aboard.

One of the most exciting new features in After Effects CC is the integration of CINEMA 4D using the CINEWARE plug-in and a free version of CINEMA 4D Lite. Both provide a wide assortment of new 3D tools and options that are difficult or nearly impossible to achieve in After Effects alone. This book demonstrates how the new workflow bridges the two applications together to raise the design bar for motion graphics and broadcast design.

Each chapter helps After Effects designers understand how CINEWARE and CINEMA 4D Lite integrates within their motion graphics project. Now that Adobe has partnered with Maxon, the two programs are tightly interwoven together with the latest software release. After Effects provides an easy-to-use application for creating visual effects and motion graphics. CINEMA 4D Lite provides a powerful 3D modeling and animation package. The CINEWARE plug-in makes working between the two applications extremely flexible.

For motion graphics designers, CINEMA 4D takes their motion graphics project to the next level in 3D animation. 3D models can now be composited seamlessly as a layer within a composition using the CINEWARE plug-in. After Effects also can apply its assortment of visual effects to multi-layered 3D files. Not only can you import and composite CINEMA 4D files into tracked video footage, but you can also export your composition from After Effects as a CINEMA 4D file. The creative possibilities are endless.

All an After Effects user needs to do is know more about CINEMA 4D Lite, its features, and what they can do with them to enhance their motion graphics projects. That is what this book addresses. The books objective is to bridge the two applications together and clearly demonstrate how CINEMA 4D Lite and After Effects can be integrated to produce enriched content for motion graphics using CINEWARE.

The primary audience for this book is motion graphics designers and graphic designers. These readers can be professionals in the workforce, students, or anyone interested in creatively enhancing their After Effects projects with 3D content. This book assumes that readers have prior After Effects experience. They should have a working knowledge of the After Effects workspace.

The book provides an introduction to CINEWARE and CINEMA 4D Lite, its workspace and tools. The book does not necessarily show the reader what all the tools do; rather, it shows how to use them to enrich motion graphics projects. What differentiates this book from similar books is that readers will build real world examples and, as a result, learn how to use the software through each projects implementation rather than reading chapters that only explain what each button or effect does. Practical application of 3D modeling and motion graphics is the best way to learn and understand how to integrate these two powerful applications. After Effects is the leading application for motion graphics design and with the new enhanced 3D capabilities present, showcasing After Effects content using CINEMA 4D Lite is the best way to go.

Regardless of how a reader approaches this book, using CINEMA 4D Lite to enhance After Effects content is growing in popularity. This book teaches readers how to think creatively and get excited about 3D modeling, motion graphics, and visual effects in their After Effects projects. It clearly illustrates how these two applications complement each other and help raise the design bar for motion graphics and broadcast design.

After Effects and CINEMA 4D Lite provides hands-on exercises that clearly demonstrate core features in CINEMA 4D Lite and After Effects. As an instructor, I know you appreciate the hard work and effort that goes into creating lessons and examples for your courses. I hope you find the information and exercises useful and can adapt it for your own classes.

To use this book, you need After Effects CC installed on either your Macintosh or Windows computer. If you do not have a licensed copy, you can download time-limited trial versions on Adobes website www.adobe.com. If you own a professional version of CINEMA 4D, you can use that with CINEWARE instead of the Lite version that comes with After Effects. Refer to Chapter 9, page 259, to see how to change both the render and executable path to the professional version of CINEMA 4D instead of the Lite version.

The books structure discusses how the two applications can work together in unison. illustrate how CINEWARE allows you to seamlessly import and export content between each application.