Xpresso Tutorial - Mall Doors

Hi there people! Here I am again, this time with a walkthrough of one of the coolest Cinema 4D functions
ever: XPresso! What is XPresso, you ask? Well, it's a visual programming tool that enables you to make
cool scripts for your animations. Unlike competing
and removes the need for overly explicit coding.

Section 1 - Introduction

This tutorial is very advanced, and, unlike the
the modelling and interface basics of Cinema 4D. Just in case you don't know what XPresso looks like, then
you can check for the final result of our tutorial below:

Looks complicated, huh? Well, to be perfectly honest, is *IS* complicated, and takes some considerable
time to master. Many people say that learning Xpresso is easy.
repeat myself - It's NOT that easy! In fact, I sometimes think that using Xpresso is even more complicated
than programming, although I cannot confirm this statement with absolute certainty, because the biggest
program I ever made was a baskara equation and matri
programming experience, I am happy to report that you will not need any prior knowledge at all to start
using Xpresso, although experience with logical process creation would be handy.
basics, though, things get a lot easier, and if you have difficulties at the beginning you shouldn't worry
after all, its natural when starting in a new language, especially if you never programmed before.

So then, what are we going to create in th
double doors (just like those pesky automatic doors in shopping centers) when an object gets close to them,
and then have them close automatically after it moves away.
show you what I mean:

When something gets close to the door, it opens. When there's nothing near the door, it closes. Simple!

there people! Here I am again, this time with a walkthrough of one of the coolest Cinema 4D functions

ever: XPresso! What is XPresso, you ask? Well, it's a visual programming tool that enables you to make
cool scripts for your animations. Unlike competing solutions (such as COFFEE), it is also completely visual
and removes the need for overly explicit coding. So, with that explained, lets get started!

This tutorial is very advanced, and, unlike the

Meteor tutorial

, expects that you are already competent with

the modelling and interface basics of Cinema 4D. Just in case you don't know what XPresso looks like, then

of our tutorial below:

Looks complicated, huh? Well, to be perfectly honest, is *IS* complicated, and takes some considerable

Many people say that learning Xpresso is easy. Well, just to put the record straight I will

In fact, I sometimes think that using Xpresso is even more complicated

than programming, although I cannot confirm this statement with absolute certainty, because the biggest
program I ever made was a baskara equation and matrixes calculator. Whilst we are on the subject of
programming experience, I am happy to report that you will not need any prior knowledge at all to start
using Xpresso, although experience with logical process creation would be handy.
basics, though, things get a lot easier, and if you have difficulties at the beginning you shouldn't worry
after all, its natural when starting in a new language, especially if you never programmed before.

So then, what are we going to create in this tutorial? Well, the idea is to make a little script to open a set
double doors (just like those pesky automatic doors in shopping centers) when an object gets close to them,
and then have them close automatically after it moves away. Just to summarize, here's a little movie clip to

When something gets close to the door, it opens. When there's nothing near the door, it closes. Simple!

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there people! Here I am again, this time with a walkthrough of one of the coolest Cinema 4D functions

ever: XPresso! What is XPresso, you ask? Well, it's a visual programming tool that enables you to make

solutions (such as COFFEE), it is also completely visual

So, with that explained, lets get started!

, expects that you are already competent with

the modelling and interface basics of Cinema 4D. Just in case you don't know what XPresso looks like, then

Looks complicated, huh? Well, to be perfectly honest, is *IS* complicated, and takes some considerable

Well, just to put the record straight I will

In fact, I sometimes think that using Xpresso is even more complicated

than programming, although I cannot confirm this statement with absolute certainty, because the biggest

Whilst we are on the subject of

programming experience, I am happy to report that you will not need any prior knowledge at all to start

Once you get past the

basics, though, things get a lot easier, and if you have difficulties at the beginning you shouldn't worry -
after all, its natural when starting in a new language, especially if you never programmed before.

is tutorial? Well, the idea is to make a little script to open a set

double doors (just like those pesky automatic doors in shopping centers) when an object gets close to them,

here's a little movie clip to

When something gets close to the door, it opens. When there's nothing near the door, it closes. Simple!

Note: The movie to the right is in a QuickTime format and should load automatically (plus install the
relevant applet). If you can't see the movie, you may need to enable JAVA for your browser or lower its
internal security settings.

The above clip is easily explained in the following terms:

There is an "area" around the door. When an object enters it, the right door will move constantly to the

right, whilst the left door moves to the left. After these doors reach a certain point, they stop. After the object

leaves the area, they will go back to their former position.

This explanation needs to be embellished with a little programming logic. How is this done? Well, after
deciding the objective of the script, you will need to re-write your plan using clearer logic. Thus, the
complete logical sequence in programming/xpresso terms is as follows:

There is an area (a box) around the door. If an object collides with this box, the right door will move

constantly to the right, whilst the left door will move to the left. There is an object hidden in the scene, whose

purpose is to block the door movement. If they are colliding, the door will stop moving. Also, if they are

colliding, switch 1 will be set. For a switch I will use a hidden lighting spot brightness value. If Switch 1 is

set and the there is no object inside the area, the doors will close. After the doors collide, switch 1 turns off.

Now it starts to get 'exciting'... and by 'exciting' I mean 'headache-inducing'. Because this is a tutorial and
not a show-off, please keep in mind that I will introduce some logical pathways and connections in a way
that could be done much simpler. The sole purpose of this method is not to confuse you, but to teach you
some new nodes and different methods of logic. So then, what will you need before starting this tutorial?

•

A full knowledge of the Cinema 4D Interface.

•

Basic modelling skills.

And what will you learn?

•

Assigning an XPresso Function to an object.

•

Making Switches with XPresso.

•

Boolean functions.

•

Nodes you will learn:
- Object node.
- Collision.
- Math.
- Bool (Boolean).
- Absolute.

Sounds cool doesn't it? Well, lets get right onto the action then!