Optional module - Maxon Computer

CINEMA 4D R11 Quickstart – PyroCluster
2. General Information / Interface
The actual effect basically consists of the PyroCluster shader, the PyroCluster volume tracer, an emitter and an
environment object. Together they comprise the necessary elements who’s properties you can set to create any
and all pyrotechnic effects. The components in detail:
The PyroCluster shader is the material which is assigned to the emitter. We’ve taken a little work out of your
hands by entering a couple of presets under “Settings“ in the “Globals“ menu of the PyroCluster’s Material
Manager.
PyroCluster’s Material Manager menu is the quickest way of creating cool effects. Fire, Volcano and Cloud as
well as Steam, FireBall and Smoke are at your disposal. This is where you set the gradients and can determine
the self-illumination properties and shadow parameters.
The PyroCluster volume tracer produces volumetric effects and is assigned to the environment object. Some
of the settings you can make here are Render Mode, World Step Size (One of the most important parameters.
Read more about it in chapter 6 “Tips & Tricks“), Volume Light, Ray Trans. Limit, etc.
CINEMA 4D’s own emitter is part of the particle system. It’s an object that emits particles which you can then
modify as you wish. The number of (Birthrate), velocity, lifetime and rotation of the particles can be set.
Last but not least is the environment object. You can add fog or an environment color to your scene. In our
case it will serve to incorporate the PyroCluster volume tracer as a material so that it can assume the scene’s
volumetric calculation.
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