are there issues with going from C8.5 > 8?

[Ernest Burden III]

Like missing materials?

 

I have a renderer friend who uses FormZ and bought Cinema 8. We work together on projects sometimes so that is a big part of why I bought FZ and Cinema. He's on a Mac.

 

So he sent me a file today to put in some of my newfound glass material skills, and to pass along some of the CGA and STRAT wisdom. I did all that and sent him back the .c4d file.

 

But he says the materials are all gone (little Xs in the object list) and it renders all white. Why is this?

 

In the meantime I sent him an .xml version and a saved out materials file. But I cannot see how to load materials to REPLACE ones in a files instead of just adding un-used duplicates. And the .xml file loses the 'fresnel' textures in the glass and water, which was why I was helping with the glass.

 

Any ideas, oh wise C users?

[Frosty]

No dice Ernest. Unfortunately, its not backwards compatible.

 

Luckily there are only small differences in the shaders, so the materials can likely be re-dreated in 8.0-8.2. Your friend should download the 8.5 demo to open your file. then simply recreate the settings in 8.2.

[Ernest Burden III]

No dice

 

Thanks, I think...

 

I hadn't realized that because I open his file from 8.2 just fine. I hadn't though that we were 'going backwards' but that's in fact what's happening.

 

So why the hell didn't 8.5 have a 'save as' v8? I bought from them as an AutoDesk alternative. I don't need ADSK-like stupidity from Maxon.

 

Crap.

 

So when I buy C v9 are there going issues opening its files with 8.5?

[STRAT]

 

So when I buy C v9 are there going issues opening its files with 8.5?

Bingo!

 

It's ok for you the user, as why would you want R8.5 when you have R9?

 

but if ur clients or friends want a lesser version then they'll loose a fair bit of data in the translation. (not that there is a translation, but you get my drift).

 

In AutoCAD for instance you can (at the moment anyway) down-save a current version DWG into a much lesser version. But not in C4D. this is due to the fact that the latest releases have allot of features integral to the files that you just cant down save as.

 

ie, SPD, SSS, certain GI, etc etc etc. these are built into the latest files types and cant really be ommited from them in a down-save.

[Ernest Burden III]

Bingo!

 

It's ok for you the user, as why would you want R8.5 when you have R9?

 

Great.

 

So it's me that's screwed next. My friend was annoyed by our C4D file incompatibility, so he ordered the v9 Studio bundle, will get it Monday. Now I"M going to be behind.

 

I guess I had better order my upgrade.

[STRAT]

hehehe. my R9 bundle arrived 3 days ago.

 

typical though, i'm installing it as we speak and guess what? the installation codes are buggering me about!!! why cant you just press a button and off you go?

 

i hate computers, i really do

[Ernest Burden III]

typical though, i'm installing it as we speak and guess what? the installation codes are buggering me about!!! why cant you just press a button and off you go?

 

i hate computers, i really do

 

I hate paying for a product only to be made to jump through hoops to protect the publisher from others who DON'T pay for their software.

 

Anyway, to paraphrase "guns don't kill people, people kill people"...

 

computers don't frustrate me, people who design, build, market, sell, write and sell and don't support software and corrupt via virus...frustrate me.