High Dynamic Range Images are not only fun to look at but can also be easy to make. While this method isnt the most accurate as far as HDRI renders go, it is the easiest way to set up and renders the quickest. With this method you can go from this:

to this:

Instead of doing a 2-for-1 tutorial I've done a 1-for-2. I split it into two parts so those new at C4D can follow from scratch to finish. If you already have the basic hang of creating and texturing objects then skip the first one. I apologize for both my thick southern accent and for my hyperactive mousing at times I'm not a very good tutorial maker. It is easy to pause and scrub the timeline, though, if you missed something. Hope you find it useful!
Part 1
Part 2

**56k Warning** Sorry, but the file sizes may be a little large for slower connections (2.4 meg and 5.4 meg). They are a little large because I compiled them into Flash format so that people shouldn't have any problems viewing them as opposed to using video compressions or codecs that others may not have.

Comments and questions welcomed

that is an amazing tutorial..

did u do that? or did u take it? (sorry to ask)

I made it at work last night in my spare time, if that's what your asking.

this is a great tutorial =) keep up the good work

Very cool tutorial

YES i been looking to see how those peeps get their stuff all shiny and thing

wow great tut teaches me alot thank you


one last favor could you give me a link to where i could get some more materials / shaders?


please and thank you.

Try this one out, great place to start. Wish I had found it before making my own mats....
http://www.maxon.net/~deepshade/shader/shadr_inx.html

I thought the tuts were not supposed to be linked!?

Well unless someone wants to host the flash files for the tutorials, I dont see any way other than link to them...

about that shader site, when i download a shader i get a .sit file, how do i load these shaders into cinema 4d?

You have to extract a .sit file using StuffIt Expander ( i think thats the software name) Actually on the site itself there will be link to the sit file as well as the sofware on top of it if i remember correctly. I think .sit is generally used in macs.

At the end when you change the render tag there isn't a render tag option on mine.

Thank you, Thank you thank you.

There isn't a render tag at my cinema either??? How can i solve that?

There isn't a render tag at my cinema either??? How can i solve that?

select the sky object - Right click and go to Cinema 4D tags and then select Compositing. Then follow whats being done in the tutorial.

When I attempt to load chrome and and gold texture I get a texture error that lists several jpg images

thanks mate, that really helped. Thank you so much. Now i finally know how to to all this.

- X

Does no one know the answer to my plight!

You have to have those jpeg files on your comp - If you dont have the images then you get the texture error

Are you talking about downloaded materials from that site link above or your own materials?

downloaded off that site, I "unsit" them and just throw the file in my documents, thyen i load the .c4d and i get that error.

You have to load the images that would have come along with the shader into the appropriate channels. Look into that folder where you extracted the file - you would probably have those jpegs. You have to load them in the proper channels in the material editor(chances are its mentioned in the filenames of those files) and thats all there is to it

It just so happens those are the file names , But what do you mean specify the channel? I'm very new to this whole 3d thiing.

Can you give me the link to that shader? THat would help me give a simple explanation - I dont want to type a long answer - its too late here and im still awake

http://www.maxon.net/~deepshade/shader/sha...al/011/011.html

2 in the morning! what are you still doing up! its only 4 pm here

Kewl. Once you load the material you can see the gold,chrome and that other thing. right?

Double click on the chrome thumbnail pic - this opens up the material editor.

If you select color - you will see renessance.jpg next to load image text. CLick on that and navigate to wherever you extracted the sit file and select renessance.jpg

Similarly select environment and get the reflection.jpg file.

Similarly for other shaders - you have to follow the same procedure

HAH im forever in debted to you, now get to bed!

Kewl. I expect you to take part in the next compo lol

Its a possibility

Very nice tut.
Thru the video i also learned to move around very quicly.
Thx.

nice tut

Very nice tutorial, you really know your stuff. Do you have any others, if not you should make some more, I could learn a thing or two from you. And I bet there are others who would agree with me.