Optional module - Maxon Computer

142 CINEMA 4D R11 Quickstart – Dynamics
Welcome to Dynamics (Optional module)
This is the Quickstart Tutorial for Dynamics which will help you get to know the world of gravitation and physics.
With the use of sample images and a two part tutorial we will give you an impression of what this powerful
tool can do. Let’s begin with how this tutorial is put together:
1. Introduction
You can become “Lord of the Masses“! We are referring less to your next diet than to the fact that you will be
in command of so many virtual masses. Dynamics is the perfect extension module for imitating the behavior
of physical bodies. Dynamics has made child’s play out of a task that has been very time-intensive in the past.
Simulations such as collision, drag and gravity are all done by Dynamics. This includes the virtual bowling alley
and even such soft body simulations such as rubber are no problem for Dynamics. Of course the mixing and
colliding of rigid and soft bodies is also possible. As you have become accustomed to with CINEMA 4D, this
module is also fast and reliable (rigid and soft body simulations in real time). If this isn’t enough for you, you
can adjust any Dynamics simulation, depending on the project! Simply “Bake“ the simulation and transform
it into a real keyframe animation. Then you will have the freedom to correct every frame manually in order to
make it fit your needs. Sounds promising, doesn’t it? To keep it from just sounding good we will move right on
to the next chapter to show you the basic interface so you can convince yourself.
2. General Information / Interface
In most cases, a pre-requisite for a Dynamics simulation is a solver object and two objects, each with a Dynamic
Tag (Rigid Body Dynamic Tag, Rigid Body Spring Tag or Soft Body Spring Tag, depending on your needs) and one
Effector, which is responsible for the most important physic, the gravitation. You will find all Dynamics objects
in the main menu under “Dynamics“. You can also integrate the Dynamics tools for quicker access.
Select Dynamics in the main menu Subsequently, click on the small dashed line at the top edge of the menu. This
will undock the menu. You can now right-click on this menu and can customize it as needed. You can activate or
deactivate the following functions by right-clicking on them: Text, Vertical (arrangement) and Icons/Icon Size.
Make the menu easier to work with my deactivating Text, increasing the icon size and activating Vertical. Since
a free-floating menu can be bothersome at times we will now integrate it into the layout. Simply click on the
dashed line and drag the menu to the main Tool Palette. Voila, the Dynamics menu has just been beautifully
integrated into your layout!
A given menu can be integrated into your layout wherever a black line appears when the menu is dragged over
a particular palette or region. Once the black line appears just let go of the menu and it will be integrated at
that location. You can use this method to customize your entire layout, which can subsequently be saved in the
main menu under Window > Layout > Save Layout As... You can find the Dynamics Tag by right-clicking on
the respective polygon object needed for the Dynamics function. Of course there are infinite combinations for
such functions. You will get to know at least two of these in later chapters.