You have Rigid Body dynamics to simulate solid object interaction. You add properties such as mass or friction to define how Dynamics should affect an object, and when animated, Dynamics will automatically calculate the correct behavior.
You also have Soft Body Dynamics that are used to simulate soft objects such as jelly, cloth, or goo. These soft bodies can be deformed by forces available in Dynamics. Forces from one part of the mesh are distributed over the surface via the net of springs. Splines and forces like wind can also interact with soft bodies. You also have other forces available that can be used to attract or repel objects.
NET Render
NET Render is the module that will let you speed up rendering times. NET Render is primarily geared for today's professional media production industry. With the complexity of projects increasing, and completion time frames shortening, the need for faster renders is necessary. How to accomplish this? Through the use of multiprocessor systems and networks. Using NET Render, you can take advantage of multiple systems across a network to reduce the rendering time and this module handles it all.
Through an HTML interface you can delegate your rendering tasks, and check up on the progress whenever you want to. Using the web interface, you can add jobs, change jobs, and monitor the progress of your clients. Any completed file can be downloaded directly for a more thorough view.
NET Render takes advantage of dynamic load balancing to maximize your rendering time. When a faster computer finishes its assigned frames, it can be automatically assigned new frames from slower machines. If a connection to the server is lost, the computer will continue to render and upload its files as soon as it is reconnected. Localized problems may slow down your render, but it will not stop NET Render.
Sketch and Toon
Sketch and Toon makes it easier than ever to create high quality photorealistic imagery. It has many different styles of 3D rendering that make it useful in just about any field. Architects and engineers can create precise technical illustrations, and artists can create artwork such as charcoal sketches.
Article comments
1 - Marinus Lutz
Thanks for the lucid review. You were more positive on Thinking Particles than others have been. [The consensus seems to be that it's so complex and badly documented that nobody uses it.]
About C4D's renderer speed. How does it currently compare to Mental Ray?
If you append that info to your review, please let me know [or maybe you could just write me? :D].
Thanks for everything!
Marinus
Skeleton walks into a bar, orders a beer and a mop.