Python Cinema 4D Plugins
I’ve been getting acquainted with the Cinema 4D python API lately and since “doing” is much better than just reading, I took on a few simple challenges.
Hangover
First, while browsing the Mograph.net forums, someone asked about a script of some sort that would shut down or put the computer to sleep after a render was complete. I figured that would be a good challenge to take on. I wasn’t sure if it was possible but I gave it a go!
At first, I whipped up a simple script that accomplished the task, however, it required you to type in your options. Bad, bad, bad UX! Since I could not figure out how to draw the buttons in the UI within the python script, it became a plugin instead. Probably overlooking something really basic. Got to do a little more research on that one.
So, I present to you Hangover v1.0! Just drop your scene files in the Render Queue, launch Hangover and decide whether you want an audible alert, put to the computer to sleep, or shutdown the computer after the batch render is complete. Hangover will automatically start the render process for you. I’m going to attempt to implement email support and use Growl notifications instead of the annoying OS X voice. Hopefully someone finds use for it.
iTunesCTRL for Cinema 4D
I think if you are going to learn how to program, you have to create stuff no matter how ridiculous it is. Case in point, the second plugin I developed for Cinema 4D was just more of a fun little learning exercise. iTunesCTRL just adds a simple interface to interact with iTunes. I previously developed an After Effects script that does the same thing so why not do the same for Cinema 4D? It has its quirks like the song title in the text field not updating. Hopefully, I can find a way to update the title and if nothing but to just learn something new.
