One weekend, two guys
The idea was simple, we wanted to create a complete animation within 24 hours using only the tools and props that come with CINEMA 4D R12 studio and those we can create ourself within those 24 hours.
To allow for a bit of sleep the 24 hours were split in 2 x 12 hours with about 6 hours naptime inbetween.
This is what came out of it:
1. Intro scene
Scenefile intro.c4d
The key part of the intro scene are the stopping balls. The first part is simple dynamics, only when the balls reach the ground an Xpresso setup takes over.
For each ball there is one goal Null with an Xpresso tag. The Expression adjusts the direction of the movement towards the goal, starting the moment the distance of the ball to the ground is only slightly larger than the radius of the ball.
A range mapper node is used to change the influence on the velocity from simply directing the ball to stopping it. The stop is done by multiplying the current angular- and linear velocity with a value between 1 and 0 depending on the distance to the goal. Shortly before the goal the factor goes smoothly from 1 to 0, thereby stopping the sphere in a visualy nice way.
A wind object is used to give a bit more randomness to the ball movements. After we found a motion that suited us we baked the dynamics. This made it easy to adjust the letters in the balls so they are correctly aligned in the end position.
2. Dispenser
Scenefile startenddispenser.c4d
This scene use straight forward dynamics for all the action except the turning coghweels. Those are controlled by a simple Xpresso setup that adjusts the rotation of the big drive cog to the rotation of the small connected to the motor.
What this scene shows nicely is how well the new dynamics work with deformed objects, the inlet cage is set up straight and only bend using a deformer.
3. Wind
Scenefiles windrenderbaked.c4d windrenderstartbaked.c4d
This scene is the only one where we used softbodies. Not because they weren't useable, we simply did not have that many ideas on how to use them for this project.
Again some XPresso was used to control rotations, the fan rotation is controlled by the animated wind strength converted by a range mapper node.
4. Pedestals
Scenefiles podestebaked1.c4d podestebaked2.c4d
No Xpresso was used here (except for some camera control), this is straight forward dynamics using hinges to fix the levers.
5. Hammer
Scenefile hammerbaked.c4d
Again no Xpresso was used here, the main action is done by springs that conenct the moving elements.
6. Stairs
Scenefile treppebaked.c4d
This scene took a while to get the ball timing right. We could have faked something with Xpresso but we wanted to do it without since it looks more convincing.
7. Scenes that didn't make it
Scenefiles unused1.c4d unused2.c4d unused3.c4d
These three elements did not make it into the movie, basicaly we weren't satisfied with the ideas behind them and decided to put more time into making the other ones nicer instead.
8. Basic setup of the transporter
Scenefiles basictransporter.c4d
This is ther basic setup for the machine that at the end of the movie transports the ball up into the dispenser again. It contains a nice little Xpresso setup that controls the movement of the bucket.
Textures used for the projects
More on Youtube:
Rolling
Behind the scenes