Okay, okay, all this talk about C2 and I've yet to see any mention of the feature that I'm most curious about: subdivision modeling. Anyone want to share the details on that one? I've seen that term used for a rather wide range of tools and techniques, so just what can C2's sub-d modeler do?

Hello X2000, The subdivision surfaces are a modelling function that can subdivide a mesh in realtime . This way, you can work on a simplified shape while seeing the final smoothed model that updates as you modify it . To apply subdivision surfaces, you first got to select a polymesh in the VM by double-clicking on one of its polygon . Then you got the option to smooth the model more or less in the properties tray (see the pic) . After this, you're free to modify the lo-poly cage as you want, your mesh will keep its smoothing . It basically works a lot like Amapi's smoothing . A GREAT addition to the program ! :) litst

Is there a "mirror" or "symmetrical' modelling tool in C or C2 so you only have to model half a character? Thanks, Chris

Hi, looks quite nice. What I noticed, however, is that the model mainly consists of triangles with a few quads in between. Now as being a C4D User I'm wondering whether that matters concerning animation and rendering within Carrara Studio 2. Although you can mix those different kinds of polys in Cinema as well you sometimes achieve undesired results in renderings. Another question which keeps me occupied: How easy is it to learn modelling and especially character animation within Carrara. Although I'll stick to C4D I'm always interested in new kinds of 3D software. Besides, I have been using A:M in various projects at school and while it is fairly easy to get to grips with I'm quite sick and tired of the prog in view of stability, rendering and rendering speed. In other words: If Carrara is fairly easy to learn, capable of doing character modelling and animation, if it is stable and not too slow I will give it a try. Kind regards Janho

Yeah Chris, there is a mirror function even in C1. Litst, this is pretty cool, but I already use Amapi 6 for almost everything. I'm not sure just how familiar you are with Amapi, so you may not be able to anser this, but I'm wondering: can you do anything with C2's sub-d that you CAN'T do with smoothing and dynamic geometry in Amapi? Otherwise, I don't see much new here that really grabs me, other than the advances in the rendering area (which is obviously not to be taken lightly).

Janho, I would say ditto to your questions. I want ot do character animation as well and had the same experiences that you had with AM...so I gave it up. But, AM did have many high-end tools in it so your char didn't animate like Poser ones. Can C2 characters support that kind of deformations, weights, etc... to make the character move and skin deform properly? Chris

BTW, does C2 install over C1, or is it separate? Chris

to Chris : Carrara Studio 2 installs in an Eovia/Carrara Ctudio 2 folder . I don't know Amapi well, but i'm pretty sure it doesn't have bones, so subdivision surfaces are definitely a plus in CS2 :) About bones, i think you can have any shape of polygon without seeing the final triangulation change when animating (that's why some softwares need quads), at least when you use subdivision surfaces . Not completely sure, though, i'd need to experiment more . There's something that misses terribly in CS2: when animating a character, there's no way, AFAIK, to let the feet stick on the floor when you animate your model . Very annoying, i hope someone will find a technique to do that . Other than that, you can specify how much each joint will influence the mesh, so if you do this well you won't get weird deformations . Janho, Carrara's render engine is a bomb, the software is stable enough to let you work peacefully, and it's somewhat user-friendly even if there's room for improvement on this side . So you definitely should give it a try, if you like the interface you'll forget about A:M in a wink ! Try the demo of CS1 on the Eovia website and see if you can get past the interface . litst PS : Davide, if you read this, AFAIK means "As Far As I Know" ;)

Hi litst, sounds pretty good to me :-) By the way, to keep C4D's characters form sliding over the floor isn't that easy as well ;-) Concerning the interface I might give the C2 demo a try. The screenshots, however, rarely (or never?) show the traditional quad view I'm used to. Isn't that possible in C2? And how about loading drawings into each view to model from? And (OK I'm probably a pain) how about UV - mapping or using Maxon's Bodypaint with it? Thanx in advance for the answers Janho

I just thought of something...are motion paths (that are editable) possible in C2? Chris

I've used the motion paths (editable) in C1 but they're clunky. When it comes to bones, who knows! -Kix

4 views ? Yep, no problem . Even 2 or 3 or 1 big a a little . See the icons on the top right of the main windows . Loading drawing as a background ? Nope, unfortunately, nothing like that in the modellers :( UVmapping ? Yep, no problem, and they're well supported now (it was not the case with the version 1) Motion paths ? Yep, no problem . Though i don't use them very often, i think they've been improved . litst

One thing about subdivision modelling in C2 versus Amapi is you have a slider in C2 to control the subdivisions or "smoothing" which can be increased or lowered at any time. AFAIK, at least in amapi 5.15, a smoothing operation is a one time deal that greatly increases the amount of polys in an object. Therefore, it may be easier to control the poly count in C2. This subdivision algorithm was in 1.1, but did little more than to triangulate existing polys and didn't smooth much. It also does not care how many points are a the poly, since the triangulation method is far more flexible in this respect. The C2 upgrade is a full new install... You can have both apps installed (and running) simultaneously. The C2 folder is set separately from 1.1 by default. Note: Most of the presets are the same as 1.1.

Hi there, up to a certain point this all looks quite promising to me. What's bothering me judging from the posts is that there's obviously no way to load an image in any viewport to model from (as there is in any 3D prog I know including C4D, LW and HASH). This seemingly minor lack however is a serious drawback when doing lifelike portraits or any kind of exact models. If Carrara doesn't head at Character modelling and animation but just tries to equip web designers and hobbyists with a fun prog (similar to GOO which wasn't intended to replace ELASTIC REALITY ;-) this is quite OK. But serious (exact)character modelling can't be done without this feature IMHO. Is there any workaround possible in terms of mapping a front view of a portrait on a plane and loading it in the front view, mapping a side view of a portrait on a plane and loading it in the right/ left view etc.? Thanx in advance for any information in this respect Regards Janho

Janho, There is a workaround . Try inserting the appropriate bitmaps on several panels (Right,front top etc. )Place them around your model . In the modelling room click on the scene preview window, then select the "texture" rendering icon(one of those ball icons. )You should now be able to see the Texture map all the time while you are modelling. Also make the scene preview window as large as you can. Cycling through the scene preview Right, left elevations using the "k" helps in modelling.Also click on the scene preview window,then press 1,2,3or 4 to get the all the sides at once. Hope this helps . Regards Mike Moir

Loading images as background, probably refer to common modeling technique like setting up reference image for modeling or as background. (I believe this is so common that Carrara Studio will have in future). But there are always many ways to do your organic modeling. Janho, when comes to UVmapping, Cineme 4D bodypaint is probably one of the best 3D painting for texture other than Maya 3D Paint Effect, Z-brush, DeepPaint and Photoshop 7. You should know how easy and simple is the interface when work with Cinema 4D bodypaint . It has a plugin for Lightwave too. Ed

Thanx Mike, I'll try it as soon as I get my hands on a demo of C2 (not yet available I guess). Kind regards Janho

Agreed Ed :-) I bought a copy last year. Don't know, however, how it is going to work out with Carrara though. Possibly via .obj. Don't know yet. Anyway thanx for the hint ;-) Janho

Concerning background images when modelling, my guess is that Eovia didn't have the time to implement it . They probably thought there was some functions to improve/implement that had the priority on it .