Cinema 4D Multi-Pass in CINEWARE doesn't effect the image render

Report · Jan 04, 2023

I am running the latest AF (23.1.0) and C4d Lite (Lite 2023.1.1) releases MacOS Ventura 13.1

When I try to change the pass from RGBA to like Shadow or Object Buffer, it doesn't effect preview or render of the scene.

Is there a current bug with the newest release that won't show the different passes in After Effects. If I do a preview render in C4D of those passes, they will show up.

Report · Jan 09, 2023

The Cineware effect is actually developed by Maxon, I'd recommend contacting their support folks.

https://support.maxon.net/hc/en-us/requests/new

Report · Apr 02, 2023

Maxon website links to "support" or "suggestions" aren't working! Trying to get to them through "sales". But hoping Adobe experts might look at Cineware plugin in AE to check Multi-Pass themselves and contact Maxon, too.

Report · Apr 02, 2023

IMPORTANT NOTE... I AM USING CINEMA 4D LITE v. 2023.2.0 & After Effects 23.3. Multi-Pass Shadow in Cineware WORKED using Cinema 4D Lite version R25 with After Effects 23.0. Multi-Pass Shadow in Cineware stopped working after installing new version of After Effects with C4D Lite 2023.1. See attached video for example of my problem, among others related to newest updates.

Report · Apr 02, 2023

Another comment... this seems to be a "Cineware" problem, not a Cinema 4D application problem as demonstrated in video attached on earlier reply.

Report · Apr 02, 2023

Try a couple of things. In Cinema 4D you have a Cineware tab on project settings. Be sure to activate Save Polygons and Save Animation. Also, you can create a shadow catcher material and apply it to your floor. This way you should have your shadow pass correctly.

On the other hand, in your first post, the C4d file has no Object buffer or shadow pass visible. Not sure but maybe this is a limitation of the Lite version.

Report · Apr 02, 2023

Hi Jose. Thanks for your response. I tried your suggestions and the Cineware Multi-Pass shadow still did not work. And yes, I am using Cinema 4D LITE version 2023.2.0 (the latest available version). I was able to use the Cineware Multi-Pass shadow feature when using C4D LITE version R25 and After Effects version 23.0 but the problem started with C4D LITE 2023 that After Effects started including with AE version 23.1 and later. I made new, shorter, video to show what's happening even when trying your suggestions and, as you mention, because I'm using LITE there isn't a Shadow Catcher material available.... but it worked fine before C4D 2023 came out. I BEIEVE THAT IT'S A CINEWARE PROBLEM. Please watch the new video I've attached and, if you want to see how the Multi-Pass shadows are working in the R25 version of Cineware/C4D, see previously uploaded video.

Gary

PS: I tried changing After Effects 2023.1 and later versions so that they would use C4D R25 instead of C4D 2023 and that worked but AE sitll used the Cineware that shipped with it with the Multi-Pass problem. AE used to allow you to choose both the C4D editor AND the Cineware version in the Cineware options but that's gone now so I can't do that.

Report · Apr 03, 2023

OK... Cineware for Cinema 4D LITE versions 2023.1 to 2023.2 no longer supports the use of Multi-Pass shadows BUT... found an alternative.

For the "shadow" plane, apply a 100% white material to it. Then add a Compositing Tag to the layer and check "Compositing Background". This will allow you to use the Multiply or Darken Blending Modes in After Effects to make the "white" area around the shadows cast onto the plane transparent.

If questions.. just ask.

Report · Apr 05, 2023

OK folks. I got a response from Maxon and they acknowledge the "Multi-Pass Shadow" problem in C4D LITE 2023 and Cineware in After Effects versions 23.1, 23.2 and 23.3, all of which include and install the new version of C4D Lite version 2023.1. There is a "manual" upgrade to C4D Lite version 2023.2 that resolve the opening screen "File not Found" problem but didn't resolve the "Multi-Pass" shadow problem in Cineware in After Effects.. Maxon acknowledge this problem and said they would be working on it. In the meantime, I recorded a video to demonstrate the work-arounds for all the problems that started when Maxon updated to C4D 2023.1 and continue to be a problem in 2023.2. Here's a link to the video: AE 23.3 and C4D 2023 Work-Arounds

Hope this helps until Maxon fixes these problems.
Gary

Report · Apr 22, 2023

Thank you so much for this!

Report · Apr 22, 2023

You're welcome. - Gary

Report · May 28, 2023

Update of 6/7/2023

Latest version of After Effects, version 23.4, still installs Cinema 4D Lite version 2023.1.1 BUT... it installs an UPDATED VERSION OF CINEWARE, version 2023,101 / 5.0.14, which support the use of Multi-Pass Shadows now (see attached). The "File not Found" and use of the 3D Tracker camera as the default camera exported from AE are still problems with C4D Lite 2023.1.1 but they can easily be corrected: Ignore the "File not Found" and manually set camera to 3D Tracker camera.

-Gary