Cineversity

I have to model a stove and so far have all the elements done including the complex burners. I seem stumped by how to model the knobs. I tried booleans which worked except the edges need to be filleted. Need advice on technique. I can easily model this in Rhino. Is there a way to model this without booleans? See attached image.

Hi elik,

I would go in Cinema 4D with two options: Volume modeling or polygon modeling.

Yes, Boole is often not the way for polygons; this is different in mathematical CAD apps; as you mentioned, those Boole operations do not work with polygon objects in Rhino; again they are mathematically based. There is no comparison between a mathematical and a polygon-based modeler; both have completely different targets.

Below are two files (in the zip archive), the “…_01.c4d” Is based on Volume Modeling. Here have a look into the Remesh Generator/object. (As a side note, sometimes the Remesh works better when you first run an SDS on it. Even a Smoothing deformer underneath allows for a wide variety of adjustments.)

The File “…11.c4d” created the base shape with a Lathe, then via a Guide, cuts are done, and mainly with the Polygon Pen, the missing parts are placed back. Inset, Cut edges or Knife operations, and Symmetry are used. I left a few states in the file. So you can see the progress. If the SDS is needed is an artist call.
Files
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qs4uoa9apugrpva/CV3_2023_drs_22_MOsk_01-11.zip?dl=0

Volume modeling:
https://youtu.be/eJo1yNBgmKQ?t=2696

The Spline guide technique
https://www.cineversity.com/vidplaytut/modeling_02_cylindrical_hole
Start at 06:30 [min:sec]
Please note: Since many years we can use as a spline a knife, but I prefer in this case the manual mode.

All the best

Image without SDS!

Hi Sassi,

What can I say? Brilliant. that will do the trick. Thanks….Eli

Thank you very much, Eli!

Here is a rough run through the poly version (one minute)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/y3bgzhciup869em/Stove_Knob_Polygon.mp4?dl=0

And the model, with a bit of extra care
https://www.dropbox.com/s/9acqfydsr6cqreu/CV3_2023_drs_22_MOsk_21.c4d.zip?dl=0

My best wishes for your project

elik - 08 October 2022 03:00 AM

I can easily model this in Rhino. See attached image.

You could also use the Rhino model and export it as an .obj file. If it is for a still rendering you may want to dial up the resolution of the mesh in the export dialog a little bit.
The great thing about “CAD to OBJ to C4D” is, that you will get perfect UV´s right away.

Yes, good point, kolodzick.

That would be the standard way, if one is fluent in Rhino. I’m sure that Eli is aware of that.

I understood the question more like, how to do it in Cinema 4D natively.

Cheers

I didn’t want to disturb your circles.
I was using STEP for a very long time with C4D because it is my exchange format of choice in the CAD world. The bad UV mesh that STEP produces was always a huge problem especially on complex geometry. Then I dicovered OBJ and it made my workflow much easier. At this point I had experience with a variety of 3D programs for 20 years.

Thanks again, kolodzick, for sharing your experience.

You didn’t disturb my circles, far from that. Again, thanks for sharing.

It is not always clear what the motivation or target is, so I hope I met the expectations above. However, your post clarified: I should have included that in my answer. Especially when others new perhaps to Rhino read here.

Have a great evening!