As a motion graphics artist using Cinema 4D, the release of Cinema 4D S29 brings some exciting new features that will enhance my motion graphics workflows. In this article, I will provide an in-depth look at the key new features in Cinema 4D S29 that are most relevant for motion graphics.
Hair Improvements
Cinema 4D’s hair toolset has received some major upgrades in S29 that will give me more control and flexibility when creating hair and fur effects.
Hair Generator
The new Hair Generator makes it easy for me to generate complex, realistic hair styles quickly. I can choose from preset hair styles or customize parameters like hair length, waviness, clumping, and more. The Hair Generator is great for quickly testing out different hair looks.
Hair Styling
The enhanced hair styling tools allow me to sculpt and shape hair more intuitively. New brush styles like Curl, Straighten, Clump, and Comb give me more localized control when styling hair. I can also use Polygrouping to apply styles to specific sections of hair. The hair styling experience is now more like working with an actual hair brush.
Hair Dynamics
Hair dynamics simulation has been improved to deliver more realistic, physical movement and interaction of hair strands. New constraints allow me to pin hair in place or tie sections together. There is also better support for wispy ends and flyaway hairs. Overall, I can achieve more natural, dynamic hair motion.
Volume Mesher
The new Volume Mesher toolset introduces a full voxel workflow to Cinema 4D. This allows me to convert polygon objects, spline objects, or even particle systems into volumetric voxels.
I can sculpt and shape the voxel meshes, as well as combine voxel objects using boolean tools. Voxels open up creative possibilities for unique motion graphics styles. The voxel meshes can be converted back to polygons at any time.
Geometry Spread Tools
Cinema 4D now includes powerful new tools for distributing and spreading polygons and points over surfaces.
Geometry Spread
The Geometry Spread tool allows me to distribute polygon objects or spline points evenly across a surface. I can spread polygons over another object, or use a polygon as a source to spread across another surface.
This is perfect for scattering design elements, creating patterns, distributing duplicates, and more. I have precise control over spacing, randomness, and object rotation.
Point Spread
Similar to Geometry Spread, the new Point Spread tool lets me distribute points evenly over a surface. I can then convert the points to polygons or use them to generate hair or particle systems.
Point Spread is great for placing details across complex surfaces and experimenting with abstract particle effects.
Scene Navigation
Some new viewport navigation options will improve my workflow when working in complex scenes.
Selection Sets
Selection Sets allow me to save and name multiple object selections. I can then quickly switch between selected groups of objects when working. This helps me efficiently focus on particular parts of a complex scene.
Isolate and Hide
The new Isolate mode temporarily hides all non-selected objects, isolating only the selection. Hide works similarly but persists after deselecting, keeping objects hidden until unhidden.
Both commands help me isolate specific objects and declutter the viewport.
Additional New Features
Some other notable new features include:
- Keyshot Bridge – Improved integration with Keyshot for enhanced rendering
- Vertex Maps – Isolate and select vertices on a polygon for precision weighting
- Pose Morph Tag – Animate between multiple poses on a single character
- Spline Dynamics – Add physics simulation to splines for interesting motion effects
- Viewport Falloff Preview – Visualize falloff ranges when working with effects
Conclusion
The modeling, animation, and rendering toolsets in Cinema 4D continue to evolve with each new release. As a motion graphics artist, I am most excited about S29’s hair improvements, volume meshing, geometry spread tools, and scene navigation enhancements. These features will help me create more impressive motion graphics and save time in my 3D workflows.
