Hi Andy.Man,
Certainly my first step would be to get the “Outline” via Mesh>Spline>Edge to Spline. With that you can create a very clean image (Sweep/Extrude) and as a high resolution render this can be easily traced (see below).
In the old days we used Adobes’ Streamline, which to my knowledge was then merged into illustrator.
If a logo is complex, sometimes “tracing” seems to be the only way, if on a certain budget. I never liked the quality; I rather drew it in Ai from the scratch. Hand drawn files allow to keep a nice point amount and the solution is most likely more elegant (technically) than any automated results. But, yes, it takes a skilled drafts[wo]men and love to detail to get there.
Having that said and established my perspective to it, I think a logo that is used over years all over the place is worth it. I see often badly (well—I’m picky) set up logos, which I think is too sad.
If your C4D model was well done, you might try to get an Outline (Sketch & Toons) exported as Ai.
http://www.cineversity.com/forums/viewthread/1470/
Follow the steps suggested. With very little work one normally can delete the second line of the outline.
Alternative:
In Photoshop you can create a selections of the parts in question, and create a path in it. This can be exported in an Ai file.
Option 2:
In Illustrator you will find the “Image Trace”, which is from my point of view the updated but as limited version of Streamline v4. But should allow for complex models
Option 3:
Export a mesh to (DXF) and open it in Ai, go from there.
Again, I believe in good old “Made by Hand” for this kind of work. There is no short cut for real quality in this case. ;o) [my 2cents]
Having no idea what the logo is, anything else is hard to tell.
My best wishes
P.S.: http://www.cineversity.com/vidplaytut/copy_c4d_splines_to_illustrator_with_cv-artsmart
