File linking in C4D?

djoshi · May 31st, 2008

How can we do the file linking especially .DWG in C4D. So that we do any modeling changes outside C4D, it gets updated in C4D without affecting textures..! Like we can do it in max with " File link manager"...

.

OR any other way to update outside models..may be using some other file format ??

STRAT · May 31st, 2008

you cant.

you can use xrefs (c4d to c4d files) but thats it.

djoshi · May 31st, 2008

I am new to C4D.. there is no other way to do it..?

" Xref " can it help.. ? how..?

There are many people use different software for modeling & C4D for rendering how they do it??

STRAT · May 31st, 2008

xref is just using c4d files 'within' c4d files.

i use different softwares for modeling and rendering - i use autocad and sketchup for modeling and c4d (with vray) for rendering. When my autocad model is complete, i make a .3DS file of it and bring it into c4d. if the model then requires to be changed, i make the changes of the appropriate bits in autocad and re-import those new bits into c4d. i just drag and drop the materials from the old bits onto the newly changed bits, then just delete the old.

you cant 'live' mix formats in c4d.

jackb602 · May 31st, 2008

Maxon does offer plugins for users of Vectorworks, ArchiCad and Allplan. They allow you to change the model externally, and then update the Cinema model while keeping materials intact. This link explains it a bit more:
http://www.maxon.net/pages/products/.../import_e.html

You can't do this with AutoCad however, as Strat noted. I don't use the plugins myself (though Vectorworks looks tempting) so I use a workflow similar to Strat's, exporting from FormZ.

Jack

Wokka · June 3rd, 2008

The live file linking work great (ay least with Archicad and Vectorworks). The updated model is just merged into C4D and automatically alters the objects changed without needing to reapply materials etc (depending upon the method you use). For AutoCad, could you have a dwg placed in a C4D file and Xref it into the model C4D file. If the DWG is updated, you only updated the 'xref'ed' file? That should not affect the main model file?

Frosty · June 3rd, 2008

I use FormZ as a modeler as well. Its quite quick once you know what you're doing.

Alliance · October 16th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by STRAT

xref is just using c4d files 'within' c4d files.

i use different softwares for modeling and rendering - i use autocad and sketchup for modeling and c4d (with vray) for rendering. When my autocad model is complete, i make a .3DS file of it and bring it into c4d. if the model then requires to be changed, i make the changes of the appropriate bits in autocad and re-import those new bits into c4d. i just drag and drop the materials from the old bits onto the newly changed bits, then just delete the old.

you cant 'live' mix formats in c4d.

How do u save a 3ds file in autocad ....i tried saving and also exporting but i cant get the option of 3ds in my options.It can be saved as a dwg and many other formats but no 3ds.

STRAT · October 16th, 2008

Alliance · October 16th, 2008

You said " When my autocad model is complete, i make a .3DS file of it and bring it into c4d." and i thought that u could export the model from autocad as a 3ds ...sorry about that

May 31st, 2008	#1 (permalink)
djoshi Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 80 Name: darshit joshi	File linking in C4D? How can we do the file linking especially .DWG in C4D. So that we do any modeling changes outside C4D, it gets updated in C4D without affecting textures..! Like we can do it in max with " File link manager".... OR any other way to update outside models..may be using some other file format ??

May 31st, 2008	#2 (permalink)
STRAT Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK. Age: 36 Posts: 6,501 Name: Stephen Leworthy	Re: File linking in C4D? you cant. you can use xrefs (c4d to c4d files) but thats it. __________________

May 31st, 2008	#3 (permalink)
djoshi Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 80 Name: darshit joshi	Re: File linking in C4D? I am new to C4D.. there is no other way to do it..? " Xref " can it help.. ? how..? There are many people use different software for modeling & C4D for rendering how they do it??

May 31st, 2008	#4 (permalink)
STRAT Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK. Age: 36 Posts: 6,501 Name: Stephen Leworthy	Re: File linking in C4D? xref is just using c4d files 'within' c4d files. i use different softwares for modeling and rendering - i use autocad and sketchup for modeling and c4d (with vray) for rendering. When my autocad model is complete, i make a .3DS file of it and bring it into c4d. if the model then requires to be changed, i make the changes of the appropriate bits in autocad and re-import those new bits into c4d. i just drag and drop the materials from the old bits onto the newly changed bits, then just delete the old. you cant 'live' mix formats in c4d. __________________

May 31st, 2008	#5 (permalink)
jackb602 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 441 Name: Jack Bransfield	Re: File linking in C4D? Maxon does offer plugins for users of Vectorworks, ArchiCad and Allplan. They allow you to change the model externally, and then update the Cinema model while keeping materials intact. This link explains it a bit more: http://www.maxon.net/pages/products/.../import_e.html You can't do this with AutoCad however, as Strat noted. I don't use the plugins myself (though Vectorworks looks tempting) so I use a workflow similar to Strat's, exporting from FormZ. Jack __________________ Built Light

June 3rd, 2008	#6 (permalink)
Wokka Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Blue Mountains Posts: 91 Name: Warwick Lloyd-Martin	Re: File linking in C4D? The live file linking work great (ay least with Archicad and Vectorworks). The updated model is just merged into C4D and automatically alters the objects changed without needing to reapply materials etc (depending upon the method you use). For AutoCad, could you have a dwg placed in a C4D file and Xref it into the model C4D file. If the DWG is updated, you only updated the 'xref'ed' file? That should not affect the main model file? __________________ Wokka C4D R10.5 - VRayforC4D 1.087 ArchiCad R11

June 3rd, 2008	#7 (permalink)
Frosty Moderator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Durham, NC Age: 35 Posts: 1,017 Name: Steve Shaw	Re: File linking in C4D? I use FormZ as a modeler as well. Its quite quick once you know what you're doing. __________________ Steve Shaw, M.Arch www.crucialperception.com

October 16th, 2008	#9 (permalink)
STRAT Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK. Age: 36 Posts: 6,501 Name: Stephen Leworthy	Re: File linking in C4D? __________________

October 16th, 2008	#10 (permalink)
Alliance Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Nicosia Posts: 7 Name: Nicolas Mikellides	Re: File linking in C4D? You said " When my autocad model is complete, i make a .3DS file of it and bring it into c4d." and i thought that u could export the model from autocad as a 3ds ...sorry about that

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