Cinema 4D Basecamp

Learn Cinema 4D, from the ground up, in this intro to Cinema 4D course from Maxon Certified Trainer, EJ Hassenfratz. This course will get you comfortable with the basics of modeling, lighting, animation, and many other important topics for 3D Motion Design. Master basic 3D principles and lay the foundation for more advanced subjects in the future.

Course Overview

Week 1

• Familiarize Yourself with the Course
• Cinema4D Keyboard Shortcuts
• Navigating the C4D Interface

Week 2

Nothing happens in 3D until there’s some geometry, and in the first week you’ll learn about all the various ways to create it. You’ll use primitives, splines, generators, and you’ll even get a crash course in some basic modeling techniques.

• Basic Modeling Techniques
• Using Splines
• Generating Geometry

Week 3

In the world of 3D it’s lighting that shapes your image. You’ll learn the basics of lighting techniques, ways to create more realistic lighting and shadows, how to control reflections, and other ways to light the scene besides using… ya know, lights.

• Basic Lighting Techniques
• Creating a Mood with Lighting
• Different Material Properties

Week 4

We’ll also use this time to give you some insights on how to approach learning something as complex and deep as a 3D package. Watch out for a cameo from Beeple.

• Techniques for Learning with a Purpose

Week 5

This week you’ll learn how the keyframe and graph editor systems work in Cinema 4D, and you’ll also learn many other ways to create movement using some of the amazing tools built-in to the software.

• Using the Graph Editor
• Setting Keyframes
• Animating on a Spline

Week 6

The MoGraph tools in Cinema 4D are incredibly powerful, and will give you wizard-like abilities once you wrap your head around the way they work. This week dives deep into this toolset with lessons on modeling and animating using MoGraph.

• Using the MoGraph Tools
• Creating Geometry with Cloners
• Using Text in C4D

Week 7

Another down week to focus on work! We’ll also go into the weeds a bit to talk about scene management. You’ll learn the tricks of the trade and keep your scenes nice and optimized to save on your render times.

• Scene Optimization

Week 8

In this week, we’ll focus on using the principle of Staging and the camera tools to create well composed scenes and dynamic camera movement. To work in 3D, you need to become a bit of a Cinematographer

• Working with Cameras in 3D
• Creating Good Camera Moves
• Staging your Scenes

Week 9

Many times, you’ll find that you need to combine your 3D elements with your 2D stuff. After Effects and Cinema 4D play very nicely together, and in this week we’ll tackle a real-world project to teach you how to use all of your MoGraph apps in tandem.

• Compositing 3D in After Effects
• Polishing your Renders
• Putting Everything Together

Week 10,11,12

• Extended Critique Period

Course Instructor

EJ Hassenfratz

EJ Hassenfratz is a multi-Emmy award winning Motion Design artist & tutorial artist based out of the Mile High city of Denver, CO. EJ comes from a family of designers. Both his father and uncle were Art Directors for broadcast news stations, where EJ cut his teeth in the industry. Inspired by his wife who teaches special-needs children, he started Eyedesyn, a motion design blog to give back to the community that helped him be successful in the field of Motion Design. He’s been fortunate to work with clients like Google, Microsoft, Apple, Coca-Cola, Nike, ESPN, and the NHL’s Washington Capitals.

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Cinema 4D Basecamp