3D Character Modelling with Cinema 4D for Beginners
A course by Luke Doyle, CG Lead and Art Director
Learn basic modeling techniques to create playful characters filled with texture, light, and detail using the Redshift plug-in
In the world of 3D modeling, anything is possible. Without the constraints of real life, you can push your imagination to the limits and create rule-bending characters and environments. CG lead and art director Luke Doyle has been 3D modeling since he was a teenager, and throughout his career has created unique worlds and engaging characters for the likes of E4, Marie Curie, and Spotify.
In this course, he teaches you the fundamentals of 3D modeling using Cinema 4D and Redshift. Join Luke as he introduces you to Cinema 4D, teaches you basic modeling techniques, and shows you how to use them to create playful 3D characters based on real-life references. Bring your imagination to life by learning 3D modeling from scratch.
What will you learn in this online course?
22 lessons & 21 downloads
What's included in this course?
Get started by learning about Luke’s background and how he came to work in 3D modeling. He then tells you about the films, video games, and books that have influenced his work.
Next, Luke teaches you the basics of Cinema 4D and how to navigate its interface. Discover two modeling techniques - box modeling and spline modeling - which allow you to create simple shapes and objects. Luke then introduces you to UV texturing, tells you about the key deformers, and guides you through the functions of MoSpline. Learn how to use one of Cinema 4D’s most powerful features, MoGraph, before getting to grips with the Redshift plug-in.
Build a reference board of inspiration before sketching your initial designs. Luke shows you how to model your plant pot, leaves, and stem. Then use the techniques you’ve learned so far to create the eyes and mouth of your character before adding its limbs.
Bring all the elements of your design together by creating a stage, and positioning your character. Then experiment with the lighting, textures, and materials in Redshift. To finish the course, Luke guides you through how to render and export your image, ready to share on social media.
- 88% positive reviews (25)
- 879 students
- 22 lessons (4h 25m)
- 21 additional resources (10 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
Recommended software & tools for this course
Cinema 4D
Redshift RenderWhat is this course's project?
Create a playful yet realistic plant pot character in Cinema 4D.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone interested in learning about 3D modeling.
Requirements and materials
No previous knowledge of 3D modeling is required.
You simply just need a computer with access to Cinema 4D and the Redshift plug-in.
Reviews
Luke Doyle
A course by Luke Doyle
Luke Doyle is a CG Lead and Art Director based in London. He started sketching at a young age and has been working in 3D modeling since he was 15 years old. He later went on to study for a degree in animation at the University of Wales. In his current role, he works with directors and creatives to bring 3D characters and environments to life on screen. He works on every stage of the production process, from modeling and rigging to animating and rendering, using the world around him as inspiration.
Luke has created unique worlds and engaging characters for the likes of E4, Marie Curie, and Spotify. He also regularly shares his latest work and passion projects with over 40K followers on Instagram.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
The Fundamentals of C4D and Redshift
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Getting Familiar with the C4D Interface
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Primitives and Generators: Introduction to Box Modeling
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Introduction to Spline Generators and Spline Modeling
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Introduction to UV
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Introduction to Deformers and MoSpline
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Introduction to Mograph
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Getting Familiar with Redshift 1
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Getting Familiar with Redshift 2
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U3
Plant Pot Pal!
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Searching for Inspiration and Sketching 1
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Searching for Inspiration and Sketching 2
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Modelling the Pot
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Modelling the Leaves
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Adding Leaves to a Stem with MoSpline
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Building the Eyes and Mouth
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Building the Limbs and Adding Them to Your Character
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U4
Lights, Camera, Action!
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Posing and Staging Your Character
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Lighting, Texturing and Rendering Your Character 1
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Lighting, Texturing and Rendering Your Character 2
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Lighting, Texturing and Rendering Your Character 3
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Exporting for Social Media
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FP
Final project
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3D Character Modelling with Cinema 4D for Beginners
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
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Meet expert teachers
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Certificates
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate users who have basic familiarity with 3D software and want to advance their skills in Cinema 4D, focusing on character modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering with Redshift.
You’ll need Cinema 4D (with MoGraph and Redshift recommended), a computer with a modern CPU and GPU, and a graphics tablet is suggested for digital sketching. No additional paid plugins are required.
You’ll learn character and environment modeling, texturing, UV mapping, lighting, rendering with Redshift, procedural workflows, and animation basics. The course also covers art direction, color composition, and integrating real-world references into your 3D work.
Yes, a foundational understanding of Cinema 4D is recommended. You should be comfortable with the interface and basic modeling operations before enrolling.
Yes, the course covers techniques for replicating real-world materials in 3D, including UV mapping, texture painting, procedural texturing, and using Redshift Shader Graph for realistic results.
Yes, the course includes detailed lessons on rendering with Redshift, covering lighting setups, material creation, render sampling, and optimizing scenes for high-quality outputs.
You’ll learn foundational techniques for animating characters, including using deformers, effectors, and basic rigging with Point IK tags, focusing on stylized animation and art direction.
Cinema 4D
Redshift Render
Excelente curso para aprender el uso de nuevas técnicas y aplicaciones de las mismas. No es para alguien que esta iniciando en el programa ya que muchos pasos los aplica de manera rápida o con shorcuts que si no conoces se te puede complicar un poco, pero definitivamente vale la pena.
Molto interessante! ottimi consigli
This course is not really for beginner. Many of the steps led to dead ends and I had so many issues with getting certain parts to work properly.
Redid some exercises several times, I guess some important steps were omitted, wasn't able to finish it.
The course was really enjoyable and insightful. I learned a lot about modelling, texturing and lighting tips. I recommend everyone to take this course.