TOPOFORMER

Discover the plugin for Cinema 4D that creates abstract animated elements from any surface.

- Mike Griggs

Topoformer is a plugin for Cinema 4D by developer Merk Vilson. It allows a mesh object in Cinema 4D to be instantly transformed into an abstract procedural model with patterns developed by some of the leading artists in the motion graphics community.

Topoformer initially divides a mesh, whether it is a ‘live’ Cinema 4D object or existing frozen polygon mesh, into a new pattern. Working with a live Cinema 4D object allows the most creativity with Topoformer, as changing the number of subdivisions on a plane object, for example, has a direct impact on the mesh pattern that Topoformer creates. The mesh pattern can be adjusted by using the Delta and Epsilon sliders to create a unique look. The real fun happens in the Generate tab, where with the click of the Create button a MoGraph extrude rig is instantly created and applied to the mesh.

This rig consists of a PolyFX object with three effectors applied to it, one for extrusion, one for scale, and a final one for rotate. Using the Position, Scale and Rotation sliders in the Generate tab of Topoformer affects the look of the pattern, and everything is easy to change. If the Beeple setting is not giving the desired result, then check out the Rich Nosworthy option for a dramatically different look from the simple selection of a dropdown menu.

The final slider in the Generate tab is the Speed slider, which allows the extruded elements to grow and contract procedurally over time. The faster the speed, the faster the movement. This is a fantastic way to create abstract organic forms with life in them.