Collie Tools is a plugin collection for the well-known 3D animation program Cinema 4D. The current version has been compiled for version 8.5 from C++ sources.
This is a set of various (interconnected) tools I originally developed for personal use since version 7 of Cinema 4D. Since the functionality of C4D has changed since then, the tools have changed with it. Not all tools are as useful as they used to be, since powerful add-ons like XPresso have been added to Cinema 4D that may replace the functionality originally only provided by the Collie Tools. Other developers have also written their own plugins with similar functionality, out of similar needs. However, these tools remain part of the package not only for compatibility reasons in (my) existing models, but also because they still have some distinct advantages in direct comparison with other solutions.
Previous versions have not been made available to the public since they contained some functionality that, in my opinion, was rather confusing and complicated to handle. These tools have been removed from the current public release version of the Collie Tools, leaving only the ones with a clear and precise functionality that is easy to understand and to handle.
The "lost" tools are not lost forever, however. Cinema 4D 8.1 provides some interesting novelties, like the multiple selection and the attribute manager, that made me rethink the "lost" tool functionality. I am currently developing some new tools that completely replace - and augment - the "lost" tools, and which will be added to the Collie Tools again in the foreseeable future.
Remark about 2.0: As the first of the "lost" tools, Posing has been re-integrated into the Collie Tools in a completely reworked version.
Until then, this is public release V2.0 of the Collie Tools, which implements six kinds of toolsets:
Named Structures and Posing are the core of the package and, for me personally, the reason to make the whole thing available for all. The rest is supporting functionality and small stuff.
Click on the item to view the documentation.
I am well aware that some of that functionality has been made available already, either in the Cinema 4D package itself (sometimes with a little trick), or in freely available plugins. However, I wouldn't bother offering this plugin collection were I not convinced that my implementations add a little extra comfort to this functionality, and reduce the "Aaargh!" effect often involved with complex programs.
If you're not sure whether the tools just provide "more of the same" or actually add useful functionality that would benefit your project, please read the documentation for each tool.
The new items are the Posing functionality as well as a Spline Controller tag and a Limit Transformation tag in the kinematic tools.
There are a few things to keep in mind when using the Collie Tools (or using Cinema 4D, even). If the tools do not behave as expected, consult the Scene Requirements.
If you encounter an error, this may not show up as dialog, but as message in the console output window. Even if the operation shows an error dialog at the end, the error specifics may still be printed only in the console output. Why? Because most functions traverse whole trees, where multiple errors are possible, and some even do it as expression which is called for every move and every redraw. This would lead to a flood of error dialogs you'd have to click away. So, you may want to open the console every once in a while, or if something doesn't work as expected.
This is a C++ plugin compiled for V8.5 on Windows PC (CollieTools.cdl) and Apple Macintosh (CollieTools.xdl). Many thanks to Klaus Busse (Kabe) who was kind enough to compile the tools on his Macintosh and to check out certain incompatibilities.
The plugin and the documentation currently support the languages English and German.
All icons have been carefully designed to work with the standard color schemes, but no guarantee whatsoever is given that they are suitable for any color scheme, especially on dark background colors. See the images here for examples.
The package has been carefully tested and is more or less in everyday use here, but if you find an error, please report it to me. And since we're at it:
(I am not a native English speaker, so these legal hints are provided for your convenience only. Should there be any discrepancy between the English and the German text, the German text takes precedence.)
This package in the current version is freeware (but not public domain). It may be redistributed freely as archive in the form it has been delivered in, including all documentation and copyright information. Source code is not provided with the package and not for public use. I cannot prevent you from analyzing the byte code and reverse-engineer the whole thing, but if you do that, you're crazy as a doorknob anyway.
No registration, serial, dongle, or other identification means is necessary.
Distribution with commercial packages, like magazine CDs or pay-sites, is prohibited, unless explicitly negotiated with me. When in doubt, contact me.
(Or in short: You're not supposed to make money with my work.)
Use is unrestricted: You may use the tags, functions and objects within in any private, free, or commercial project. Acknowledgement is welcome, but not required. Donations are also welcome, but not required. Letters of praise are... well, you get the point.
No warranty is given regarding the suitability of the package for any purpose. You install these tools entirely at your own risk. The author of this package cannot be held responsible for damage to data or hardware caused directly or indirectly by this package, or any resulting damage to property or finances on your side.
(Or in short: You get as much warranty as you pay for.)
This package in its current form, design and implementation is copyright © Ronald W. Klemp, including program code, documentation, and images.
Cinema 4D is © MAXON Computer GmbH.
Contact the author at cairyn (at) tigress (dot) com (sorry, no mailto link due to spambots and addy-collectors). Please set a useful topic (e.g. Collie Tools) and use a non-spamming provider, or the mail filters on the way will throw away your mail.