c4d-usdz-sample

A sample workflow implementation to aide in the conversion of Cinema 4d files to iOS Quicklook USDZ 3D files.

Contents

Source Files:

• /spinner/spinner.c4d is the Cinema 4d 3D source file which is used to bake textures and export to other formats.

• /spinner/tex contains the source images for texture maps referenced by that file.

• /spinner/baked contains the 'baked' textures for each of the various PBR channels.

Exports from Cinema 4d:

• /spinner/abc: Alembic (export settings)
• /spinner/dae: Collada (v1.4, everything unchecked)

Conversions:

• /spinner/gltf: glTF (uncompressed)
• /spinner/glb: glTF (binary)
• /docs/usdz: Universal Scene Description (Zipped)

🌟 Utility:

• /spinner/mkargs, is a bash script that will automatically generate a /spinner/usdargs.txt file which can be passed into the apple usdz_converter tool via the -f argument.

Prerequisites

In order to open the 3D source file, you will need to install Cinema 4d. This file was created with R20.

To create a USDZ file, I converted the exported Alembic file using usdz_converter. usdz_converter is a utility that comes with Xcode. An introduction to that tool (not quite documentation), can be found in this WWDC 18 video.

Goals of this exercise:

For a more in-depth exploration of this process, please view my blog post here: (https://blog.truthlabs.com/adventures-in-3d-streamlining-the-conversion-of-assets-for-ios-quicklook-and-usdz-icloud-bash-240cf569b05f).

Utilize Cinema 4d as a source for USDZ files.

• [x] Geometry
• [x] Scale
• [x] Animation
• [x] PBR Textures

Utilize Cinema 4d as a source for Facebook (.glTF binary) 3D posts

• [x] Geometry
• [ ] Animation (not currently supported by Facebook)
• [x] PBR textures

Streamline the conversion of assets

• [x] Expedite the conversion process from c4d to usdz.
• [x] Expedite the preview process of usdz files.
• [ ] 'One-click' process to generate all assets, including web preview.

Identify strengths & weaknesses of

• [x] USDZ format
• [x] associated pipeline tools (in context of c4d -> iOS Quicklook)