This is an introduction into the 3D software Cinema 4D

1. The Animation Shoppe
Introduction to Cinema 4D

2. 3D Vocabulary

3. Viewport: the window that allows you to view your 3D scene

4. Orthographic view: two-dimensional view of a three-dimensional
object. This view represents the exact shape of an object as seen
from one side. Depth is not shown.

5. Perspective: shows your object three-dimensionally

6. X, Y, and Z
• X, Y, and Z are axis lines
• In 2D animation, when you’re using a piece of paper, X is left to right
and Y is up and down
• In 3D animation, we add in depth, the Z-axis

7. Origin: where the X, Y, and Z axis meet

8. Empty (Null): an empty object that doesn’t have points or
surfaces, but can be used as one or more objects’ parent

9. Parent/children: (barrel of monkeys chain): parent is an object at
the top of a hierarchy and/or above another. Children are the
objects below another object.

10. The 3D Model

11. Topology
Tris Quads N-gons

12. Model: a collection of 3D components that make up your different
objects
• Everything in your scene could be referred to as a model

13. Components: the elements that make up your 3D model

14. Vertex: the point of intersection between three or more edges
(vertices)

15. Edge: any line on the surface of a 3D model where two polygonal
faces meet

16. Faces: a plane that is made up of three or more edges

17. Mesh: a collection of vertices, edges, and faces that defines the
shape

18. Wireframe: a skeletal representation of a 3D object

19. Hard-surface modeling: modeling that consists of machined or
man-made object

20. Organic modeling: modeling that consists of objects derived from
living matter

21. Low-poly (game) modeling: modeling where there is a high
importance on how dense your model is