Cinema 4D Release 9 concentrates its core changes on modelling and the interface. Full N-gon support allows complex forms to be built with a clearer mesh structure, supported by revised modelling tools such as Knife and Brush that now work with N-gons.
A configurable Head-Up Display places information directly in the editor. Preview highlighting shows modifications before they are applied.
The MOCCA character-animation module gains Hard IK as another kinematics mode, plus Motion Blending for combining movement sequences. Expanded FBX support accompanies the workflow changes. New Clothilde functions create and animate fabric, particularly clothing for digital characters.
The Advanced Render module adds Sub-Polygon Displacement. Texture detail can be generated during rendering rather than requiring heavily subdivided geometry, reducing memory requirements. Cinema 4D’s multipass-rendering export now creates project files for Discreet Combustion and Apple Final Cut as well as Adobe After Effects.
Cinema 4D Release 9 will be available from 1 September 2004. Upgrades cost between 299 and 899 euros, depending on the existing package. A full licence costs 699 euros for the base package, 1,999 euros for the XL bundle with five modules, and 3,249 euros for the Studio bundle, which now includes Sketch and Toon.
Issue 5:04 of DIGITAL PRODUCTION includes a detailed review of Cinema 4D R9 and a workshop on the Clothilde functions.
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