skala67

I am using C4D R19 and was wondering how to create a camera that was like the old Quicktime VR object where the end user can rotate around a fully rendered object or model. Thanks TJ

Have people been having many issues with non payment or seriously long payment times?

It has changed quite a bit since 2005. I believe that's around the time of release 8? They are up to R18 and it is light years beyond where it was. That price is still competitive in the industry although i think 3DS is subscription based now. Once you buy the initial software package, you can pay $600 a year to stay current with any upgrades or major releases with no additional costs. This also will include cineversity account and better customer service. Download the trial version and take it for a spin.

If you are an expert in cinema4d then that is the program that will be fastest for you. No learning time lost. That time gained can be put towards render time or creating a more detailed product. The new vrayforc4d 3.4 now has progressive antialiasing which allows you to create a set time. They have optimized the GI out of the box to be decent and the default BF/LC settings create a flickerless animation without pre pass. I've recently created 4-5 animations using c4d if you have any questions. Rebus farm has just dropped it's prices and the plugin works seamlessly with c4d and has great technical support. Good luck!

I agree pretty much 100% with all of this. Even at a smaller sole proprietor level, with consultants on stand by for any overload, I have several clients that fulfill that "bread and butter". I've done more quick Holiday Inns and Hampton Suites than I'd like to say. These are actually more lucrative than the larger showcase animation jobs. I still can not demand any price like a Steelblue/MIR because my work is not as good as theirs but I do know that I fit somewhere in the middle and have established a good pricing wheelhouse that works for the clients and myself. I have turned down some clients because they think I charge too much, but honestly, I don't want those projects because that client sees the value of the product in different terms, and they tend to be the tougher client in the end. I like the imagery of a bunch of fat cats in a room smoking $100 bills. They are all in agreeance that all we do is hit a "Render" button and should be paid accordingly..... Thank you for the book suggestions. Will check those out.

I visit Steel Blue every time Im in SF. They have a talented, forward thinking team. I wouldn't consider it a large firm, but the skills and their deliverables/portfolio gives them that feel. We have to remember that (almost) every firm started in the same place as the rest of us. How did they get to where they are now?

Wow, that is rough. I haven't had that problem and hope that it stays that way, but I'm also not all sunshine and rainbows and realize that it can happen. Most of the clients I have now, pay within net 10 to net 30. If they are large firm it needs to go into their monthly billing, so it all depends on where in the cycle I invoice. None of the larger clients have the Gensler policy. That is odd for a firm so large? For the smaller clients, if they have proven to be on time (net 10) over our relationship, I have given them slack occasionally if they are a little late. Well Robert I wish you best of luck on your next endeavor. Sounds like the fun has been sucked out of this for you. May you find something that energizes you.

That is unfortunate. Probably helps that I know where most of my clients live ha. In all seriousness though, are you finding that happening with large corporate firms or with small to one person firms, or both?

It does seem like this conversation pops up every year. Sometimes it can get nasty and sometimes it can be very constructive. This thread is one of the better ones. That being said, my experience over the past 20 years in the viz biz has shown me that in order to survive, its not just about creating the perfect image/movie for the client, but also about building client relationships. I have found that if you are completely transparent throughout the process, listen to what it is they want, and deliver a successful product in the (always too short) amount of time they require, that they tend to see the value of the work and return to you for your services. You treat them as if you are all in this together and you become part of the team. My clients tend to be primarily Architects and Developers and the work is mostly medium to large commercial or multifamily residential. This pocket allows for me to charge a "normal" amount for my work due to the fact that my client is not the one directly paying for my services. The size of the project also helps in that what I charge does not look like much compared to the overall design service budget. Many of my clients already know what I charge and work that into their proposals so that there are no surprises right from the start. It is really up to us to define the value and to educate our base locally, because we can not change how it works globally. If someone asks you, "how do you compete with the companies charging $150?", the answer should be, "I don't". This industry is not an easy one to crack, and it takes a lot of kissing hands and shaking babies and I wish you all luck. We all need to continue to support one another, no matter where we do our work.

New studio in Phoenix AZ USA. Please add to list. Union Street Studio http://www.unionstreetllc.com

Ernest. I agree wholeheartedly. I have been using it since 2005 and it has become my primary 3D software. Unfortunately we haven't found many candidates that have C4D experience while building our studio and have had to train from scratch. We find, as expected, that most Americans are 3Dmax trained. I guess I was just wondering if there were experienced C4D users in the US or will we need to keep retraining. I know one answer is to switch over to 3DMax, but that is not an option with the powers that be.

Our firm uses Cinema4D as our primary 3d software. Was just curious if many people in the United States use C4D. I know its much bigger in Europe, but I have not come across anyone in the states that uses it. Just procrastinating the start of a project and weird questions pop in my mind. Thanks cheers,

I am having trouble finding Arch Viz firms in LA. Kilograph of course is here but what are some others? Just curious. Thanks,

Hey guys, Sorry for the delay. I cannot answer anyone about the position, because that would be unfair to CG Architect, since we have not officially posted on the site yet. The big problem I am dealing with now is the powers that be (my bosses) want to find talent but not spend any money finding them. Therefore we are finding, as Scott said, so many architects that just dabble in 3D. I appreciate the interest and the suggestions. Cheers,

We will typically have that discussion with a new client and see what their payment schedule typically is and create the first proposal/contract accordingly. We prefer 50% down to start and 100% at completion, but if it is the practice of the client to pay NET 30 or if they do not like retainers, we will typically work with them to iron out the payment schedule that works for them. We then have an established plan each time we work with the client on future projects. This is also why a contract is a good thing, because this is where you spell out the payment schedule that is binding, and any penalties associated with paying late, etc.. It will sometimes help to find out when they do their monthly accounting, because the client will get your billing in on the next cycle. Best of luck.