a.m. overtone: visual techniques

Another Cinema 4D MoGraph example using Extrude Deformer and Random Effector. I composited the type and background in After Effects.

In Cinema 4D, creating quick Bend and Shatter effects is easy with the MoGraph Module. This example uses the 3D Stroke CSTools and animates around a Helix Spline.

Here is the simple set up in the Objects Tab. The main thing to remember is to place the Deformers inside of the Spline and keep the Objects and Effectors outside.

I’m usually not a fan of 3D type, but by using Cinema 4D MoGraph Effectors, you can create some eye catching 3D Typography. This experiment uses the Step Effector and the Shader Effector to turn LED lights into the phrase “Sound Wave”. I used Ableton Live to conjure up a quick audio loop.

Cinema 4D 11.5 has a slick render setting called Ambient Occlusion in the Advanced Render. It uses the environment to simulate smooth shadow casting on realistic translucent surfaces. The magical part of this setting is that it is able to block (occlude) the ambient light of other surfaces. The only set back is the long render time.

In CINEMA 4D Release 11 the Global Illumination provides a more accurate representation of scene lighting by taking into account light which bounces between objects. Here are my quick tests to show the lush render it provides:

1. render output window with global illumination

2. finished output with global illumination

3. photoshop touch ups