Cinema 4D Basecamp
Learn Cinema 4D in 12 Weeks!
Learn Cinema 4D, from the ground up, in this intro to Cinema 4D course from Maxon Certified Trainer, EJ Hassenfratz. This course will get you comfortable with the basics of modeling, lighting, animation, and many other important topics for 3D Motion Design. Master basic 3D principles and lay the foundation for more advanced subjects in the future.
Cohort-based learning
Exercises & Project Files for Every Lesson
Technical & Creative Support Along the Way
Verified Credential Upon Course Completion
Course Overview
It’s time to take your work to a whole new dimension. If you want to create stunning 3D art, you need to learn one of the premiere professional programs on the market: Maxon’s Cinema 4D. Understanding the basics of Cinema 4D is like having a superpower, but you’ll need the proper guide to learn it right. That’s why there’s no better instructor than our Maxon Master Trainer, EJ Hassenfratz. In this intro to 3D design and animation, you’ll practice with the tools of the trade and open up a new world of possibilities.
In just a few weeks, you’ll go from beginner to practiced-professional. We’ll familiarize you with the software, teaching you the hotkeys you need to improve your workflow. Then you’ll create simple objects, adding on complexity each week until you’re ready to create entire characters. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to animate a professional-grade 3D scene. This class is designed for artists with little to no experience in the software, getting you up to speed on all of the key aspects of Cinema 4D.
What You'll Learn
Each week is jam-packed with intense learning. While you have some flexibility in how you tackle your workload, the course is curated in a specific order. We build up foundations that support more and more advanced techniques with lessons to practice your new skills along the way.
Step one, let’s actually open Cinema 4D. You’re going to need to get comfortable working in this environment, so we’ve designed a few drills to build that muscle memory. Then it’s time to create your very first model using some of the most important building blocks of 3D: Primitive Objects. You’ll also learn some basic textures and composition tips.
Everything in 3D begins with Geometry. This week, you’ll focus on modeling and creating custom geometry to use in your projects. You’ll use primitives, splines, and generators to create your own original models, adding in the little details that make them stand out.
In the world of 3D, lighting shapes your image. You’ll learn the basics of lighting techniques, ways to create more realistic lighting and shadows, how to control reflections, and other ways to illuminate the scene besides using… ya know, lights. By the end of this week, you’ll have more control over the art and direction of your scenes.
Take a week off to focus on any lessons and homework you’re behind on. We’ll also use this time to give you some insights on how to approach learning something as complex and deep as a 3D package. Watch out for a cameo from Beeple (if you don’t know Beeple, now’s a great time to Google).
This week, you’ll learn how the keyframe and graph editor systems work in Cinema 4D. You’ll also discover many other ways to create movement using some of the amazing tools built into the software. It’s time to animate different objects in your scenes...since we’re motion designers, and all.
Dive deeper into the world of ultimate flexibility with the MoGraph tools. These take the tedium out of creating looks that would otherwise require hours of painstaking work modeling and animating. You’ll be able to quickly make changes to your models and animations, clone objects, and swap parameters on the fly.
Another down week to focus on work! We’ll also go into the weeds a bit to talk about scene management. You'll learn the tricks of the trade on how to keep your scenes nice and optimized to save on your render times.
This week, you’ll use the principle of Staging, and the camera tools to create well-composed scenes and dynamic camera movement. To work in 3D, you need to become a bit of a Cinematographer, and we’ve got you covered. EJ has prepared a crash course in everything you’ll need to know in order to effectively create strong composition and camera moves.
Many times, you’ll find that you need to combine your 3D elements with your 2D stuff. Fortunately, After Effects and Cinema 4D play very nicely together. This week, you’ll combine 2D and 3D in After Effects, and bring AE files in C4D. Your final project is a :30 spot using provided storyboards. You’ll need to use everything you’ve learned to deliver a professional product by the end of the course.
The final 3 weeks of class are Extended Critique. You can use this time to catch up, complete your final project, and then turn it in for critique.
What You'll Get
School of Motion courses are custom-built to provide you with an unmatched learning experience. We want you to actually enjoy logging into your classes, and we’ve designed our programs to be the most effective form of online education out there. In every course, you’ll get:
Join artists from around the world on our custom learning platform. Never learn alone, as you’ll have immediate access to a forum of fellow students to share work, ask questions, and improve together.
Each course comes packed with free project files, assets, and additional material to keep you learning and growing long after the course ends. Our exercises are designed from real world briefs, so you’re learning the skills you need to excel on your next project or venture.
You’ll be assigned a Teaching Assistant with years of experience in your chosen course. They’ll provide technical and creative feedback to guide you through new skills, improve your techniques, and provide encouragement along your journey.
Completing a course isn’t just about bragging rights. Once you’ve completed at least 70% of your work in a given course, you’ll earn a verified credential that can show current and future employers exactly what you’ve accomplished.
We all need a refresher now and again, which is why you’ll keep access to your course—and all the assets and project files—for the rest of your life. Come back to listen to exclusive interviews, review old lessons, and try out new techniques using your old assets.
You’ll gain instant access to our alumni platform, The Square. Here you can network with professional artists at every stage of their career. You’ll get access to new job opportunities and exclusive alumni events, such as meetups, virtual hangouts and reel reviews.
Upcoming Course Dates
Enroll Now
Our cohort-based leaning program runs on a designated schedule, so you’ll always have a group of like-minded artists working alongside you for support and encouragement. We offer multiple sessions each year, so choose the best start date for you and get ready to go!
Pay the full amount all at once. The simplest, lowest-cost option.
Pay the full amount all at once. The simplest, lowest-cost option.
One payment now, two more 30 and 60 days from now = $1245.
Pay the full amount all at once. The simplest, lowest-cost option.
Pay the full amount all at once. The simplest, lowest-cost option.
One payment now, two more 30 and 60 days from now = $1245.
Pay the full amount all at once. The simplest, lowest-cost option.
Pay the full amount all at once. The simplest, lowest-cost option.
One payment now, two more 30 and 60 days from now = $1245.
Course Instructor
EJ Hassenfratz is a multi-Emmy award winning Motion Design artist & tutorial artist based out of the Mile High city of Denver, CO. EJ comes from a family of designers. Both his father and uncle were Art Directors for broadcast news stations, where EJ cut his teeth in the industry. Inspired by his wife who teaches special-needs children, he started Eyedesyn, a motion design blog to give back to the community that helped him be successful in the field of Motion Design. He’s been fortunate to work with clients like Google, Microsoft, Apple, Coca-Cola, Nike, ESPN, and the NHL’s Washington Capitals.
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Our alumni are hired by companies like
FAQs
How do I know if this course is right for me?
Cinema 4D Basecamp is for the true 3D beginner. You could be brand new to the tools, or someone who is self taught but doesn't feel confident using the software. In this course, you'll learn foundational principles along with best-practices that you need to start diving deeper into the world of 3D. This course will get you comfortable with basics of modeling, lighting, animation and many other important topics.
What are the prerequisites?
You do not need to have any prior experience with 3D software before taking this course. We recommend that you have some basic knowledge of design and animation before taking this course. It is also recommended that you have a foundational knowledge of After Effects to complete some of the later lessons, and understand some of topics discussed in this course. Taking After Effects Kickstart is recommended if you do not have After Effects experience.
What is the required software?
Required Software
Cinema 4D R20 (Note - A complimentary Cinema 4D license is provided and can be used for the duration of the course.)
After Effects CC (16.0 or Higher)
Premiere Pro CC 2018 (12.0 or Higher)
Minimum System Requirements for Cinema 4D
Windows 10 64-bit on Intel or AMD 64-bit CPU with SSE3 support or MacOS 10.12.6+ with 64-bit CPU running on Intel-based Apple Macintosh
4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended), OpenGL graphics card supporting OpenGL 4.1 (dedicated GPU recommended)The GPU renderer requires an NVIDIA or AMD graphics card on Windows or AMD on MacOS that supports OpenCL 1.2 or newer. Metal support requires MacOS 10.14.6 or newer. We recommend at least 4 GB VRAM for GPU rendering.
Do I need to own Cinema 4D to take this course?
Nope! After you enroll, you will receive a complimentary Cinema 4D license to use during your course. While you're waiting for your course to begin, you can download a free 14-day trial of Cinema 4D directly from Maxon's website.
What is the course format?
Cinema 4D Basecamp is a 12-week course. Lessons become available at a specific time each week but you can watch them and do your work whenever it is convenient for you. The lessons include pre-recorded videos, podcasts, PDFs and assignments with working files.
All student work is critiqued by our highly trained Teaching Assistants. School of Motion TA's are professional 3D Artists with real life experience in the industry.
During the course you will be invited to a private classroom that contains all of the students and Teaching Assistants in your session. This is a great tool for connecting, asking or answering questions, sharing thoughts or insights, and winning cool contests!
How much time do I need to commit?
Cinema 4D Basecamp is a 12 week course. You'll have the flexibility to watch the course content and complete your course work on your schedule. However, you can expect to commit at least 15 - 20 hours per week on course material. The video lessons are 1-2 hours in length. There are 14 assignments total. Assignments are typically assigned on Mondays and Thursdays with soft deadlines the next day. We have designated catch-up weeks built into the schedule so students have extra time to complete their assignments if needed. There is also an extended critique add-on for those that want more time with a Teaching Assistant after the 12-week course or need more time to complete assignments towards earning a credential.
Do I get a certificate at the end of the course?
Yes, if you complete, submit, and have 70% of your course assignments approved by your Teaching Assistant you will be eligible for a Course Credential through Credly. With your Credly Course Credential, you can share your accomplishments across your social networks, the blockchain, or to print out yourself.
Can I access my course content after the course ends?
Yes! Once you complete Cinema 4D Basecamp, you’ll have lifetime access to all the course lessons and materials, so you can revisit them whenever you like. Also, if we make any changes to Cinema 4D Basecamp following your session, you’ll automatically receive access to the latest version.
Please note: Video critiques change each session, so you’ll only have access to the video critiques during the session you're enrolled in. The written critiques you receive in your homework locker as well as the classroom content will also remain available to you forever!
