Cinema 4D is a software program developed by the German company Maxon. It is used for 3D modeling, simulation, animation, and rendering. An important factor that goes into deciding to learn a new skill is researching complementary and related skills. Doing so will help designers make more informed decisions about what they want to learn and help them decide whether or not learning a specific skill is the right decision. Designers will also learn what skills they may want to learn to complement their training later. Read on to learn about related Cinema 4D training options, such as video editing, animation, and motion graphics.

What is Cinema 4D?

Cinema 4D is a 3D animation tool that Special Effects Artists and hobbyists use to create dynamic motion graphics, models, and simulations. Developed by German company Maxon in the 1990s, Cinema 4D software is now available to artists across the globe in 12 major languages. Corporations of all sizes utilize Cinema 4D to create masterpieces celebrated for their special effects, including well-known movies such as Pacific Rim, Avengers Infinity War, and Inception. Featuring tools like BodyPaint 3D and photorealistic materials systems, Cinema 4D allows users to design realistic characters for film and game development. 

Read more about what Cinema 4D is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with Cinema 4D Skills?

Cinema 4D is used to create computer-animated designs, models, and simulations, and a variety of professionals rely on it, including artists, architects, special effects creators, and game designers. For example, it has been used to create realistic landscapes, player and non-player characters, and other motion graphics in numerous movies, including Avengers: Endgame and Furious 7. Game designers also use Cinema 4D to bring customizable characters with realistic movements to life. Cinema 4D integrates with several Adobe Creative Cloud applications, such as After Effects, Illustrator, and Photoshop, further diversifying the tools and functionality of this program.

Skills Related to Cinema 4D

Cinema 4D skills are a valuable asset for almost any designer. However, most well-rounded designers also have a number of other complementary skills, such as knowledge of the principles of motion graphics or animation or video editing skills. Having these complementary skills gives designers a more extensive toolkit to work with. Learning new skills is also an excellent way for designers to stay relevant in an industry constantly changing as new technology emerges and trends evolve.

Motion Graphics

Motion graphics involve designing and creating moving pictures, usually with a computer application like Cinema 4D or Adobe After Effects. Cinema 4D is often used to work with motion graphics, so designers who plan to use this application will benefit from an education in motion graphics. Motion Graphics Designers not only understand how to create motion graphics, but they typically have some understanding of the principles of design, which are principles that explain the way that various design choices impact the audience. 

A growing number of companies are utilizing motion graphics because they can effectively capture and hold customer attention. For instance, Web Designers have found that visitors are far more likely to stay on a site that incorporates motion graphics than one that does not. Motion graphics are also being incorporated into education because they can be a highly effective teaching tool, particularly for visual learners, who are estimated to comprise almost two-thirds of the population. 

Animation

Animation is another thing that Cinema 4D users often work with, so it can be helpful for designers to learn some of the basic principles of animation, like how physics affects people and objects and how to use contrast, lighting, and perspective in a scene. Designers who understand these principles will be able to create more believable creations and will have an easier time doing so.

One thing that most Animators eventually learn is the 12 Principles of Animation, created in 1981 by Disney animators and have been followed by animators worldwide ever since then. These include the principle of squash and stretch, where the animator can squash and stretch people or objects to give the illusion of weight or flexibility. For instance, an animated ball should squash and stretch as it hits the ground. Anticipation is another animation principle. Anticipation is about using movement to show the audience that something is about to happen. For instance, a character about to hit someone or something first pulls their arm back. 

Video Editing

Video Editors combine clips, audio files, and special effects to produce an entertaining and appealing video. Video editing skills can be valuable to designers working with any type of animation, modeling, motion graphics, or visual effects because the design and editing processes are closely related. With editing skills, a designer will be more likely to create a strong final product and have more control over what that final product looks like. 

Designers who know how to edit video, in addition to creating video elements with Cinema 4D, are also likely to find themselves in a stronger position when it comes to job security. Video editing is an in-demand skill. The Bureau of Labour Statistics predicts that in the next ten years, the overall employment of Video and Film Editors and Camera Operators will increase by 12 percent, much faster than average. With multiple skills–like Cinema 4D and video editing, designers will not only have an in-demand skill, but they will have a better-rounded resume overall, which can help them stand out to potential employers. 

Video Game Design

Cinema 4D can also be used to create content for video games, so learning more about game design is another complementary skill. Video Game Designers use programs like Cinema 4D to create a variety of different content for games. Designers often specialize in specific elements such as scenery, characters, visual effects, or titles. Video gaming has always been popular in the United States and worldwide. In recent years, it has become even more popular because the spread of smartphones has made it more accessible.

According to a recent report by the World Economic Forum, “The video game sector is booming–and it’s tipped to keep on growing.” The report states that the global gaming industry is projected to go from earning total revenue of about $214 billion in 2021 to more than $321 billion by 2026. In 2021, a New York University Professor who studies gaming told the New York Times, “The game industry’s swimming in cash. . . . It’s just raining money on these people, on these companies.”

Learn Cinema 4D Skills with Noble Desktop.

Noble Desktop offers a number of classes designed to help students make the most of the free Cinema 4D Lite plugin. Cinema 4D in After Effects Bootcamp is a short but comprehensive course covering this program's basics. Noble also offers a Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate and Motion Graphics Certificate. These multi-month classes teach students how to interweave programs such as After Effects, Audition, Cinema 4D Lite, and Premiere Pro to create the motion graphics and special effects that will make any video stand out. Certificate classes are also an excellent way for students to prepare for certification exams.

Key Takeaway

• Several skills complement Cinema 4D and can benefit designers who plan to work with this application.
• Motion graphics have become popular in many industries, and designers who use Cinema 4D will likely work with motion graphics.
• Cinema 4D users can benefit from a knowledge of animation principles.
• Designers who learn about video editing will have a better-rounded resume and the ability to create better designs.
• Video gaming is a booming industry, and game design is another skill complementary for designers working with Cinema 4D.
• Designers who want to learn these complementary skills will find a range of class options at Noble Desktop.