Hi Matt,
One key point is to have all the needed steps known. I often get one, then the next and so on. Which is in return, a chain reaction. Something that works is obsolete after the next step is revealed. I have asked often in this forum for a storyboard, I have yet to see one for the discussed project.
Which brings me to point two, yes, one can start and figure things out. A typical sign of this is a constant uncertainty, with the side effect that things get into the scene file that can be just tossed in, typically stuff bought from 3rd parties. The illusion of progress at that early state.
Getting lost based on the steps mentioned so far. Shifting procedures after unveiling new steps and sorting through a lot of parts in the scene that is not needed at that point will wear the artist down. I have sadly seen it too often, and it is not pleasant to witness that it takes the fun out of it.
Starting without R&D. I always start with tiny little explorations, simplified scenes, like the hole piercing into the plane. This works fast, and if it doesn’t, one doesn’t glue to work already done, which brings me to another observation.
Similar to all things said already, I often get questions here when someone hit the wall. Yes, I can’t be in all these thousands of projects done from the start; I understand that, but between sharing the whole story or only describing the roadblock are worlds apart. A typical procedure: Patching something from the point of the problem or going back and see if there was something that could have been set up from the start to prevent that problem in the first place, instead of patching up the problem and have a scene with a patch and the problem for the whole future.
There is more, but I hope you can see the pattern already.
Where you are at the moment is a critical point. My philosophy is, any problem comes back until solved. You want to quit this project, that is sometimes needed. However, any project will have some growing pain, desperation, and then perhaps a long stretch of feeling overwhelmed. All of that is the space you grow in as an artist. You remember probably the last project, didn’t you feel great when all things were finally rendered, and you had all that success with it?
Let me share a personal experience outside of digital art. I have worked as an architect for two decades. Each new project was more significant, more overwhelming. I had just finished and sold a $67M project, I had worked years on, I felt like the king of the hill. I had a team of 20 people in the office and mostly 100+ workers on each single construction side. (I managed 18 projects back then in that office) When I started with the next large project, I felt pumped up, unbeatable. Beginning with a new one means that all greatness that was achieved in the last one has no meaning anymore. Each project is special. Besides one’s experience and education, one starts at zero with each project. There is no: I know every single part of that project, ever screw or stone; Nothing. Just the requirements, among, law, location, client, environment, design, and banks. (Etc). From the top of the mountain to the deep valley in no time. This is each time a substantial psychological roller-coaster time. Because everyone expects the same confidence as before. Will not happen, but one has to keep going and grow.
===
This morning I woke up and thought, what about the cloner, and blend, while having Alembic in the mix. You see, I really don’t know all the combinations either. Cloner/Blend doesn’t work with Alembic files in this case. I have to figure out how to make it work. Edit: I found it, let me know if you like to see it. /edit
Cinema 4D has way over a thousand options, functions, and objects. If you combine only two at the time, there are a million possible outcomes, combine three, and you get a feeling of touching infinity. Combine 20, and it is impossible to go thought each and every option in a lifetime. So, yes, no one knows everything. People who pretend to know everything often know pretty much nothing. Or after reading about a solution: “Yes, of course”. But to get there, with all the points above in mind is the key, not hindsight.
I certainly have the impression that you have the endurance to go through complex projects. I have seen you adapting to challenges, and you finished projects. Remember that great feeling? Good. Take a day off and then make a list of what is needed for that project. Keep it as simple as possible. We can discuss options then.
Define a one-line “log-line” for this project: what is it, what needs to be shown, as well as how. This is the mantra for the project. Don’t go below and if you go above, check if it doesn’t jeopardize the whole.
My best wishes.
I really should have created an official storyboard before doing any real work on the project. Because I’ve probably already created more work for myself than needed. Thank you for creating the different states of the balloon, this will help me along the way!