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MAXON CINEMA 4D R14 Integrates Sculpting & 3D Camera Matching

MAXON CINEMA 4D Release 14 has a new integrated sculpting system, camera matching
functions, and improved integration for workflows with Nuke, Photoshop and After Effects.

CINEMA 4D is 3D motion graphics, visual effects, painting and rendering software for motion graphics/VFX artists and visualization designers who need to produce 3D content more fluidly and collaborate more efficiently. CINEMA 4D Release 14 includes dynamic digital sculpting tools to control the creation of detailed models. A layer system is used for flexibility, and for efficiency complex sculpted objects can be baked into displacement and normal maps applied to low-poly meshes.
New tools for modellers are interactive workplane modes, dynamic guides and a redesigned snapping system. Users can align a workplane to any world axis, the camera or the current selection, then snap to the grid or adjust global coordinates based on the workplane orientation. They can draw linear or planar guides directly in the view, or snap to dynamic guides generated around each component. Objects or components can also be selected by painting over them with the right-mouse button pressed.
Camera Calibrator functions have been developed to match 3D camera images to a 3D environment, a useful function for architects and matte artists. The Motion Camera, Morph Camera and Camera Composition Helper frame a 3D scene following recognised composition rules. Users can interactively set focal distances with the Camera Focus Picker.
Direct integration with The Foundry’s NUKE allows direct export to a NUKE project with multi-pass layers, including support for OpenEXR and FBX files. The Photoshop Extended exchange plug-in enables opening and manipulating CINEMA 4D scenes into a Photoshop 3D layer, and integration with After Effects has been updated to improve the ability to directly import and export native CINEMA 4D files.
The enhancements to cameras, dynamics and character tools in CINEMA 4D R14 should make it possible to speed up the animation workflow. For example, the Motion Camera system can be used to morph between camera positions and create dynamic camera animations. CINEMA 4D Broadcast and Studio have tools such as aerodynamic forces, plastic springs and breaking connectors, plus enhanced Xpresso control, for further realism and control over dynamics. Rigs are updated and the Character Object tools are improved also.
Updates to rendering have been made to enhance realism and compositing control. New shaders are added to simulate wood grain, weathering effects and normal mapping. More accurate GI calculations are possible with Multiple Importance Sampling and radiosity maps. Artists can also gain more control over renders with colour grading in the Picture Viewer and as a post effect. Compositing workflows may be optimized with the position pass. www.maxon.net