Unreal Engine 5 gives so many inventive alternatives for 3D artists that it may be nearly bewildering for them to discover a route into Unreal Engine that fits them. It will probably accomplish that many issues, equivalent to character creation and animation with the unbelievable MetaHuman creator, or straightforward scene format with its huge array of property accessible within the market. For a lot of artists who’re used to 3D content material creation purposes equivalent to Cinema 4D and Maya, Unreal presents a brand new manner of working that takes time to study.
The potential velocity of the real-time rendering choices that Unreal gives makes it a tempting program for 3D artists
Nevertheless, the potential velocity of the real-time rendering choices that Unreal Engine gives makes it a tempting platform for 3D artists, particularly those that specialize in product and movement graphics rendering, which is a core space for Cinema 4D customers. Handily, Maxon gives a model of Cineware, the mannequin trade protocol for native Cinema 4D recordsdata, for Unreal Engine. This makes it easy to import Cinema 4D recordsdata into Unreal with out having to export to an interchange mannequin format equivalent to Alembic or FBX.
However as soon as in Unreal Engine, how does an artist shortly construct a scene to profit from the software program? Effectively, that’s the place the Atlux plug-in is available in to supply a extra ‘conventional’ format atmosphere that excels for current 3D artists. As soon as put in as a plugin for Unreal, Atlux can create its personal distinctive stage throughout the software program, which is the closest equal Unreal has to a brand new scene or file that sits throughout the bigger Unreal challenge. Atlux may simply add components to an current stage. (Learn our information to the important Cinema 4D plugins for extra.)
Skilled tip: Use Studio Scale Multiplier
(Picture credit score: Mike Griggs)
Utilizing the Studio Scale Multiplier within the Atlux interface, you may shortly modify all of the Atlux components to rescale all the pieces, together with mild and digicam values, to the specified dimension. This may be extremely necessary for small or bigger objects to make them look photographically actual.
If the artist nonetheless must import the Cinema 4D file, they will use the Cineware plug-in through the Datasmith Import menu choice to insert the C4D file into the Atlux stage, instantly in the course of the Atlux studio atmosphere. From there, the artist can then change between the Atlux preset scenes simply, a few of which offer animation setups equivalent to turntables or digicam pans and dollies. These can then be changed into a sequence, the Unreal Engine equal of a linear animation timeline, earlier than being rendered out as a last animation.
Rendering may be simply managed by means of the Atlux interface with fast, easy entry to the render engine and file output settings. Because of this Atlux may be the singular interface the artist makes use of whereas working with Unreal Engine, making it a simple option to discover extra of what it has to supply.
For this tutorial, a Cinema 4D scene has been created of a automotive mannequin. It doesn’t have something throughout the scene aside from the mannequin itself, though the Maxon Cineware importer can import the entire scene information, together with animation. The file does should be saved as a Cineware model. The Maxon Cineware plugin for Unreal is accessible at no cost from the Maxon web site.
Atlux is accessible as a plugin at atlux.ai and has its personal installer. Nevertheless, each Atlux and Cineware for Unreal should be enabled within the Unreal plugin menu (Edit>Plugins), after which the Unreal challenge must be restarted. As soon as Unreal has restarted, there needs to be an Atlux icon by the Platforms dropdown. Press on it to open the Atlux Interface.
This Unreal challenge was created with a Clean Recreation preset, including panorama and environmental lighting. Urgent on one of many Atlux studio presets will add these property to the present stage if the Create New Studio Degree choice is toggled on the prime of the Studio Preset record. This can create a brand new, clear Atlux stage with solely the Atlux studio components.
So as to add the Cinema 4D file, go to the ‘Rapidly add to Challenge’ icon (a dice with a inexperienced + image) on the prime of the Unreal Window, choose Datasmith>File Import, after which select the Cinema 4D file required, on this instance, the automotive. Unreal will ask the place within the Content material Listing to put the Cinema 4D property. Select what property from the C4D scene are required, and press Import. The mannequin ought to seem within the middle of the Atlux studio.
Do you might have a 3D trick or hack? Share your recommendation within the feedback under.
