Alembic

The Alembic object contains links to the Alembic file, which means that any changes made to this file will be assumed by Cinema 4D. Objects can be switched for rendering (e.g., low-poly dummy objects can be replaced by high-poly objects for rendering). The object type must, however, be the same! For example, you cannot switch a Spline object with a mesh.

The following elements will be added to the Attribute Manager’s object icons (PSR animations = transformation animations (position, scale, rotation)):

• white ,a’ at left: no PSR animation; mesh constant
• green ,a’ at left: no PSR animation; mesh points morph
• red ,a’ at left: no PSR animation; point count on mesh changes
• white film strip at left: PSR animation; mesh constant
• green film strip at left: PSR animation; mesh points morph
• red film strip at left: PSR animation; point count on mesh changes
• red ,x’ at right: no link found (e.g., because the name of the Alembic file or the Object Buffer ID changed).

If the Alembic object is made editable (C key), the geometry will remain non-animated in its current animation state.

Selection Tag

The functions described below will only work correctly as long as the number of points/polygons of the Alembic object are not modified.

Textures

If Facet Sets (polygon selections) are saved in the Alembic file, these can be used in Cinema 4D by entering the name of the Selection tag listed as a (invisible) tab in the Attribute Manager in the Selection field.

Creating custom Selection tags for Alembic objects

Proceed as follows if you want to create custom Selection tags for Alembic objects: Duplicate the respective Alembic object, make it editable (c key), make your selection, save the selection and copy the corresponding Selection tag to the original Alembic object. These custom Selection tags will be evaluated correctly (these can, for example, be used for texturing as described above).