Depth of Field in Cinema 4D

3D Animation

The built in 'Depth of Field' functionality has been in C4D for years. Simply put if you have something close up to the camera it will be in focus, and something in the distance will be blurred or vice-versa and even both making any object in the middle sharp.

Step 1.

Start by creating a new scene. Then add 2 spheres.

Depth of Field in Cinema 4D Tutorial - Picture 1

Step 2.

Move the spheres apart, one forward and one backward.

Depth of Field in Cinema 4D Tutorial - Picture 2

Step 3.

Add a sky object.

Depth of Field in Cinema 4D Tutorial - Picture 3

Step 4.

Make 2 new materials. Make one blue and the other pure white by highlighting the Luminance option.

Depth of Field in Cinema 4D Tutorial - Picture 4

Step 5.

Add the blue material to the 2 spheres and the white to the sky.

Depth of Field in Cinema 4D Tutorial - Picture 5

Step 6.

Now add a Target Camera.

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Step 7.

Lets make sure we are viewing the scene from the Cameras point of view. You will probably have to move the Camera in order to get this angle, but it is important that the Camera target sits between the 2 spheres.

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Step 8.

Now select the camera in the object window. You should see the camera settings, so select the Depth Of Field. Highlight Rear Blur and Use Target Object. It the later versions of C4D it appears under the 'Details' tab instead.

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Step 9.

Now select the Render Settings. Select the Effects option at first then go to the right and press Post Effect. A drop down will appear so select the Depth of Field. Now choose the Depth of Field option and highlight everything under Basic/Basic Properties.

Depth of Field in Cinema 4D Tutorial - Picture 9