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Material Preview - Reflection
Posted: 09 November 2019 06:28 PM   [ Ignore ]  
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I’ve endlessly searched for how to change the material preview reflection to the HDR instead of the studio look. I see the file in the Library folder, but I just have no clue how to change it to the sample reflection HDR.

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Posted: 09 November 2019 08:19 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 1 ]  
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Hi Mark,

When I open R20, it doesn’t show me the preview in the way you have it.

Please have a look here:
https://www.cineversity.com/vidplaylist/cinema_4d_quick_tips/create_a_custom_material_preview

The Sky has the Material with the HDR.
You need to make sure that the image file is found
I would suggest to Localize (v. Global) the Texture field entry, .i.e., just the name and suffix, not the path in the entry field for the Material.
Then place the image next to the “.c4d” file, if not there already.

I tested it, of course, in R21, and both places, Preference or App folder works. All of that is for the standard Material.

All the best

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Posted: 09 November 2019 09:30 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 2 ]  
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I’ve already watched that video. Not what I’m looking for.

First thing is, I don’t have the files (in R21) at the very beginning that he’s referencing. The folder ‘materialpreview’ only has matprev_env.hdr file in there. Second, the video only addresses changing the shape of the object, not its reflection.

The rest of your explanation seems to suggest I’m trying to put the HDR within my file. That’s not what I’m trying to achieve.

My goal, is on any Material previews that are in the dialog boxes (not within the scene itself). I don’t want to have the checkered studio with studio lighting environment, but I want the flat striped background with outdoor trees reflection. This is what was in previous versions. It’s also what is shown the video tutorial you recommended.

Since the file ‘matprev_env.hdr’ is still provided with R21 in the materialpreview, I would hope there would be a way to use it.

The studio lighting preview and an outdoor environment give entirely different representations of Material previews.

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Posted: 09 November 2019 11:17 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 3 ]  
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Hi Mark,

Sorry that I couldn’t give you an explanation that works for you. The tutorial holds all the clues in it. The Sky has the image that is used for the reflection. This is the way to change it.

Rick describes and shows the way the files have to be set up.
Here is an example of such a newly created file and a screen capture.

https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/Jae0Wrl4bzscNA4F8ylvdNz3p6kBj4QbMQbki0q8KZB

Place the image the project file into the Preferences>>Library>Material Preview (restart!)

In this way, you can also link the previous matpref_env_Conver.hdr to the preview.

If you copy all the objects from a previous version into it, perhaps with the prefix R19 for example, it will work.

Anything else, I’m not aware that one can change this in R21. You might have to check with the support.

All the best

P.S.: Check you PM

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Dr. Sassi V. Sassmannshausen Ph.D.
Cinema 4D Mentor since 2004
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Posted: 10 November 2019 04:27 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 4 ]  
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Hopefully this comparison better explains my position.

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Posted: 10 November 2019 05:15 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 5 ]  
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Mark,

In the previous files, which you got via PM, anything needed is inside these files. You can open them, set them up as you need, even connect the old HDR with the Sky Object. Use the Compositing tag for even more variety if required.  If you want the GI option on, leave the plane with the Luminance material on for Render. Just what you would do in any essential set up, you know that I’m sure. Please note the Refection Material is not in those files; otherwise, the preview would give you not the current settings.

You have all the parts now and can set them up precisely what you want. What else can I do? I have, at the moment, I have no further idea of how to explain these setups.

Here is the latest screen capture of all the 15 preview files.
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/VRbqOwqMtDm3b6F1G5C8Ke8ZDcmvRXRflnoSJQP1MNg
If you need anything else, I guess I have given you all the required information, and have sent you again all the files, with the object switched to get your stripes back. I labeled them R21b_…

Have a nice weekend

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Dr. Sassi V. Sassmannshausen Ph.D.
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Posted: 10 November 2019 07:04 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 6 ]  
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I appreciate all the effort you’ve put in. However, it’s still getting me quite there.

If you notice, the striped neutral background is not in the background. Instead, it’s putting the object on a cove studio once again, so the stripes are now becoming a part of the HDR reflection instead of using the entire HDR.

I’ll give Support a call tomorrow. It’s possible developers thought the studio preview is the only option. It’s a bummer because all my older materials are completely unrecognizable once I drop them into R21’s Material Pane.

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Posted: 10 November 2019 07:50 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 7 ]  
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Hi Mark,

Again, my R20 standard preview is different. I have no idea what your set up is nor what has changed.

Anyway, this is an easy fix, just place a new plane in the background and delete the bent one.
Set the Compositing Tag to Not Receive /Cast Shadow.

Example
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/Q7Dg1DO27CUuWV1HEowuojW5STwdjDzPsOjKi8Iu7VS

Alternative, set the Compositing Tag to not seen by Rays, Reflection, leave Transparency on. Just a standard scene setup work.
Sphere file and screen capture.
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/DS3prU8PEhffxlMOPr06o6CfU23halWES3Jm502hjrS

Good luck with the support. Ask the support as well as how that can be changed for the Node Material Interface. I have no information about it.

Cheers

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Dr. Sassi V. Sassmannshausen Ph.D.
Cinema 4D Mentor since 2004
Maxon Master Trainer, VES, DCS

Photography For C4D Artists: 200 Free Tutorials.
https://www.youtube.com/user/DrSassiLA/playlists

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