3D Workshop (Cinema 4D)

Theme: Cinema 4D / 3D Text / Introduction to 3D Design

In this session we worked in Cinema 4D, focusing mainly on 3D text. The workshop was all about experimenting with what 3D text can do and understanding the basics of how 3D software behaves. We tested out different effects, looked at how textures respond in 3D space, and pushed the software to see what kinds of outcomes we could create.

One thing I learned straight away is that 3D requires proper equipment. You need a strong laptop or desktop to work smoothly, otherwise the program lags or freezes which we definitely experienced. It showed me quickly what works and what doesn’t when it comes to hardware for 3D.

Even though Cinema 4D itself is a complex program (definitely more complex than Photoshop), 3D design as a whole actually fits my style perfectly. It’s something I can see working really well in my workflow, especially with the type of clothing, posters and covers I design. I like the depth, realism and energy you can get from it.

But instead of Cinema 4D, I think I’ll move towards Blender in my own process. Blender feels more suited to how I work, and I’ve always heard good things about it being powerful and more flexible.

In the workshop we used a simple 3D text sample inside Cinema 4D. We experimented with making the text do different things:

• crumbling apart
• stretching or deforming
• giving it a balloon-like look
• adding different elements and seeing how they interact

It gave me a good introduction to how 3D objects behave and how much potential there is creatively.