Cineversity

Hi everyone!

I watched this video on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/76641540) and I tried to figure out how it could be done on Cinema 4D.
I cloned some squares around a deformed sphere but this opened a box of questions.
How avoid overlap?
How to fix the top and bottom part?
How adapt the shape of clone to the surface?

I attach the C4D file if someone is interested: https://app.box.com/s/boon4s1kobku3un1rg4e
Any ideas?

Thanks for your attention!

Hi iaec,

What a nice making of clip, loved it.

As you asked “more or less” for a MoGraph Solution, I start with a simple version, but have a look below, I will share as well a more “manual/cloner” version.

I have attached a little sketch (you need to make it more egg than a sphere as in my “egg-sample”), but I’m certain it contains enough ideas to get it done.

I left all the “set-ups” active, but it might be simpler, after you locked the shape, to use the “splines-matrix” without a cloner, so you can move them or even add one or two.

One key feature is the Cloner Object set to Object>Distribution>Step (and of course a proper parameter)

I tried as well to use a Helix for that, but I’m under the impression the “copper-artist” used rows. Perhaps an FFD cage deformer with 5 or more grid-points in Y and 2 for X and Z might help the “spline- matrix” to be more fine-tuned.

One more option could be to use more than one “Target Effector”, with MoGraph-Selections, to adjust the scale orientation for the top, middle and bottom part separately. Test were not so promising so far, as long the scales are all the same. So, not my favorite. A more tricky solution would be to use a (e.g., Linear) Falloff of the Target-Effector and adjust the scale orientation perhaps via Falloff>Spline. But I guess several Target Effectors might work here best, as you gain the most control. I used only one, as I made only a sketch, to keep the set up “read-able”. All in all, the Target Effector would work on a row by row basis, which seems possible, but I prefer then the Spline/Rail combination. Perhaps a question of taste.

To give the “dragon-scales” some volume (I guess it is a Dragon egg, I have followed it so far only on Cinefex [the vfx-magazine]), you might extrude it (the single clone, or just use a Cloth-NURBS/Surface. If you like to adjust a little bit the scale “pre-orientation” based on the parent Null in the example, the Poly Object can be rotated.

Another way for the scales to be “directed” would be via Rail-Spline, but I haven’t explored it so far.

I hope my little sketch helps. :o)

My best wishes for your project

Sassi

P.S.: a more complex sketch, with most of the “adjustment” options mentioned above.
Additionally one could adjust the “Scale” deformation (Spherify) for an egg like shape, as the Scales need to be more flat in the middle than around the top. Not a lot, but it might support the overall shape. (MoGraph cloner Blend/Modify Clones [Effector])

If I had to do it for a high level production such a GoT, this would be the way to work for me, if the object would have any significance in the image.

It might take longer, but the way it can be adjusted is above a “clone at once” strategy. It might pay of instantly, while the first change is requested.

I have played with it —a little bit (sketch), the orange one. ;o)

Brilliant Dr. Sassi! Thanks for your help, I’m going to follow your advice and play with all this options.

Regards!

Thank you for the reply, iaec! :o)

I hope you get what you are looking for. The last example would perhaps much faster, if each “critical” parameter would be in an User Data “Mixer”. In that way you might copy a “row” and then adjust it to your needs and then the next—etc.

All the best

Sassi