ArchiCAD to C4D & AR3 Render Elements

[hayleyminster]

Hi all,

 

I am fairly new to this forum - been watching, just not chattin

 

I am a dedicated Max + Vray user, but due to new ventures at work we are moving in the direction of C4D - primarily because of the exchange module that goes hand in hand with ArchiCAD.

 

I am finding my way around, (struggling more with the object manager and its hierarchies than anything else!!) and have been pleasantly surprised by AR.

 

The objective of this new set-up is to have a two way easy exchange with the archi's on ArchiCAD and as always, to up the workflow.

 

Being a Max+Vray user, I can only but compare to that.

 

-Can anyone tell me if there is any way to 'select by material'?

-And is there a 'vray wire colour - render element' substitute hiding somewhere? Even a psd manager plugin?

 

Really appreciate any input and happy rendering folks!

 

H

[Frosty]

-Can anyone tell me if there is any way to 'select by material'?

I'm 99% certain there is in the Object Manager - I cant check till I get home though. I don't have C4D at my new job yet

 

-And is there a 'vray wire colour - render element' substitute hiding somewhere?

I'm not sure what this means. Is it a render effect? Please elaborate and maybe we can help.

 

Even a psd manager plugin?

Again I'm not sure what this means. C4D reads psd files with layers as maps in any material channel. It can also render to a layered psd file.

[Derek Entesano]

I can recommend a free plugin made by a 3rd party guy that improves the exchange. Such as saving out multiple cameras, UVW coordinates etc. I save out by material so you dont need to sort through massive lists in Cinema4D.

 

http://dinnye.neobase.hu/

 

And if you are familiar with Vray then why not get the Vray plugin for C4D too? It works great and is always getting updated

[hayleyminster]

Thanks all!

 

Just after posting I discovered that we can save out from archicad as material groups, so that helps loads! It would still be helpful to know how to 'select by material'... I will check it out this morning in the object manager.

 

Thanks for the plugin - every little helps! Its great to be able to exchange so much in a scene.

 

Vray plugin for C4D- my dream! Our department must earn some more cash first But yes, indeed the way forward...

 

Vray renders out separate passes, one being the wire colour - all that it is a matt render of the actual colours of the objects in the scene. Its as easy as a tick box in the render settings_render elements of Vray - and takes a matter of seconds at the end of the render. Its SO very useful for post production...

(psd manager relies on groups in the scene and renders them out on separate psd layers - It is a 3rd party plugin)

SO - You say C4D can render to a layered psd file... mmm - INTERESTING! please elaborate or point me in the direction - I cant find that anywhere!!!

 

Thanks again!

 

H

[jackb602]

-Can anyone tell me if there is any way to 'select by material'?

 

Select a material in the material manager.

Go to Function > Select Texture Tags/Objects

All objects with that material will be highlighted in the Object Manager.

 

-And is there a 'vray wire colour - render element' substitute hiding somewhere? Even a psd manager plugin?

 

Sounds like you're looking to render a diffuse pass. Go to Render > Render Settings and check the Multi-Pass box. Then click on the Multi-Pass... button to see all the passes that are available. Try selecting "Add Image Layers" to get started. Then save the multi-pass image as a PSD and you're set.

 

You can also render out alpha channels for virtually any object or group of objects. Select an object in the Object Manager, and go to Tags > Cinema 4D Tags > Compositing Tag. In the Object Buffer tab, you can assign the object to a specific buffer.

 

Also make sure you check out the new Picture Viewer (Window > Picture Viewer). You may find yourself spending less time in Photoshop.

 

Also, VrayforC4D is an excellent plugin which I rely on daily, but don't overlook AR3. Maxon has made some huge advances in rendering.

 

Finally, C4D has a comprehensive built-in help system. Go to the Help menu to browse the system. To get help on a specific parameter, right-click on the parameter and select Show Help.

 

Jack

Edited January 19, 2010 by jackb602