Bootcamp: Topoformer

Discover the plugin for Cinema 4D that creates abstract animated elements from any surface

Discover this helpful plugin for Cinema 4D

Topoformer is a plugin for Cinema 4D by developer Merk Vilson. It allows a mesh object in Cinema 4D to be instantly transformed into an abstract procedural model with patterns developed by some of the leading artists in the motion graphics community.

Topoformer initially divides a mesh, whether it is a ‘live’ Cinema 4D object or existing frozen polygon mesh, into a new pattern. Working with a live Cinema 4D object allows the most creativity with Topoformer, as changing the number of subdivisions on a plane object, for example, has a direct impact on the mesh pattern that Topoformer creates. The mesh pattern can be adjusted by using the Delta and Epsilon sliders to create a unique look. The real fun happens in the Generate tab, where with the click of the Create button a Mograph extrude rig is instantly created and applied to the mesh.

This rig consists of a Polyfx object with three effectors applied to it, one for extrusion, one for scale, and a final one for rotate. Using the Position, Scale and Rotation sliders in the Generate tab of Topoformer affects the look of the pattern, and everything is easy to change. If the Beeple setting is not giving the desired result, then check out the Rich Nosworthy option for a dramatically different look from the simple selection of a dropdown menu.

The final slider in the Generate tab is the Speed slider, which allows the extruded elements to grow and contract procedurally over time. The faster the speed, the faster the movement. This is a fantastic way to create abstract organic forms with life in them.

That is the great thing about Topoformer – the fact that it works so well within Cinema 4D, just like the artists from which it takes its inspiration. For any Cinema 4D user who is looking to create new types of geometry, Topoformer should certainly be at the top of their list.

01 ADD TOPOFORMER TO A SCENE

Topoformer works in a similar way to a standard Cinema 4D deformer object: select it from the Extensions menu and apply it under the mesh object that is to be adjusted. There may be no immediate change to the mesh, so make sure that in the Topoformer Object menu, the Topology Type dropdown is set to an artist’s name. The edge pattern on the mesh object should change as different Topology Types are selected.

02 MODIFY THE MESH

The Topoformer pattern can be adjusted in several ways. In the Topoformer Object tab, the Delta and Epsilon controls can be altered. These have a different result depending on the Topology Type chosen. The Info box under these sliders changes to detail what the Delta and Epsilon sliders do per Topology Type choice. Just under the Info tab, there is a helpful link to the webpage of the artist who inspired the pattern.

03 EXTRUDE THE SHAPE

In the Generate tab of the Topoformer object, click Create. Topoformer will then create a Polyfx object with three effectors that control the extrusion of the elements on the shape. The Position slider controls the depth of the extrusion; the Scale controls the size of the endpoints, allowing a tapered extrude; and the Rotation determines the angle of tilt of the end polygon. All of these elements can be animated as they are standard Cinema 4D Mograph parts.

04 ANIMATE THE TOPOFORMER

The Speed setting in the Generate tab can be used to animate the extrusion of the Topoformer Mograph system. This is a great way to create one-touch procedural animation. The Speed setting determines the rate of the movement, and if blended with keyframed elements for the extrusion it can create complex animations really quickly. Topology Types can also be animated, allowing for some genuinely abstract creations.

05 USE WITH MOGRAPH

The real power of Topoformer is released when it is combined with Cinema 4D’s powerful Mograph Fields toolset. Creating a field in one of the three Moextrude objects, effectors can create easily controlled procedural shapes from adjusting an extrude with a simple move via a linear field. More complex procedural animations can be created using a formula deformer. When Field objects are combined together, there are near-limitless animation possibilities.

06 ADVANCED MOGRAPH WITH TOPOFORMER

As Topoformer integrates with Cinema 4D so well, it is easy to create more advanced looks with the Topoformer object. For example, using Mograph Effectors to create coloured polygons that interact with the extrusion is easy to do with a Fracture object. As Topoformer creates geometry that Cinema 4D can see, Topoformer works really well as a procedural animation base for Mograph Cloners and Matrix objects. •