3D Lettering with Cinema 4D and Redshift
A course by Zigor Samaniego , Illustrator and 3D Designer
Discover new and advanced modeling features and give your letters character
Staying up-to-date and adapting to the technological advances presented by the industry is one of the keys to being an outstanding motion graphics professional. 3D artist Zigor Samaniego has been creating incredible lettering for over 10 years, and with the introduction of the Redshift rendering engine to his workflow, his pieces have reached new levels of realism and dynamism.
Discover the new features of Cinema 4D Release 20 and Redshift rendering by doing three exercises: a liquid letter, a mini-animation of a letter with tentacles, and a smoke lettering piece.
This course is complementary to Zigor's previous Domestika course 3D Lettering: Modeling and Texturing with Cinema 4D, in which he teaches you how to give life and character to letters in Cinema 4D.
What will you learn in this online course?
20 lessons & 8 downloads
- 3,560 students
- 20 lessons (3h 41m)
- 8 additional resources (5 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish, English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish
- Level: Advanced
- Unlimited access forever
Recommended software & tools for this course
Cinema 4DWhat is this course's project?
Create your own lettering pieces by applying Zigor's techniques and the new features of Cinema 4D (Release 20).
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Designers, illustrators, and anyone who knows how Cinema 4D works and wants to learn the new features of the latest version (R20) of this software as well as how to use the Redshift rendering engine.
Requirements and materials
To take this course, you need a working knowledge of Cinema 4D and Adobe Photoshop.
For materials, you need a computer installed with Cinema 4D Release 20, compatible with Redshift (although you can use the rendering engine of your choice). A graphics tablet would also be useful, but is not essential.
Zigor Samaniego
A course by Zigor Samaniego
In Zigor Samaniego's more-than-ten-year career as a 3D designer, he has had the opportunity to experiment in various branches of the discipline, from the creation of graphics for video games, advertising, and lettering pieces to character creation. Creatures from his personal project, which he regularly showcases on social media, have paved the way for him to work with clients such as Prada, Maxon, Nickelodeon, and Nestlé, among others.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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Presentation
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Influences
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U2
Liquid letter
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References and sketches
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Modeling
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Modeling II
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Lighting, materials and renders
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Lighting, materials and renders II
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Lighting, materials and renders III
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Final retouching
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U3
Letters with tentacles
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References and sketches
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Modeling and animation
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Lighting, materials and renders
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Lighting materials and renders II
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Lighting materials and renders III
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Final retouching
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U4
Smoke Lettering
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References and sketches
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Modeling
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Lighting materials and renders
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Lighting materials and renders II
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Final retouching
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FP
Final project
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Advanced 3D lettering techniques with Cinema 4D
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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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
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
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FAQs
3D lettering involves creating three-dimensional letters using software like Cinema 4D for modeling and Redshift for rendering materials and lighting, achieving striking and realistic visual results.
The course is aimed at people with intermediate knowledge of 3D or graphic design. Basic experience with Cinema 4D and Photoshop is recommended to get the most out of the content.
You’ll need Cinema 4D (preferably R20 or newer), Redshift as the render engine, Photoshop, and a graphics tablet like a Wacom. A computer with good graphics capability and memory is recommended.
You’ll learn how to create and model liquid letters in Cinema 4D using volume tools, splines, and boolean operations, plus add realistic liquid effects and splashes.
The course teaches how to create photorealistic materials in Redshift using nodes, adjust reflections and transparency, apply HDRI lighting, and set up cameras for high-quality renders.
Yes, the course covers techniques to animate letters with tentacles and particles using MoGraph tools, hair simulation, and volume effects in Cinema 4D and Redshift.
By the end, you’ll be able to create, model, and render advanced 3D letters with professional materials and effects, plus retouch images and animations ready for portfolios or creative projects.
Cinema 4D