Hi Greg,

Getting more information along the way changes the course.

Here is my take on how I would do it if I had to continue with clones for some reason. I would rather develop a Surfacing package.
Of course, you can add more variety to it by using the other two color Channels as masks and adjusting noise and Blend Modes.
https://stcineversityprod02.blob.core.windows.net/$web/Cineversity_Forum_Support/2024_PROJECTS_DRS/20240706_CV4_2024_drs_24_RSrd_31.zip

Screenshot 2024-07-06 at 2.42.50 PM.jpg

I hope that provides you with the options you need.

After all, Render Instances have some excellent advantages and hard-wired limitations. It is a frequent question of how to overcome those limitations, and I try as much as I can, but there are borders.

Enjoy your weekend.

Thanks for taking the time, Greg, to explore it.

It is a powerful option with many uses. Here, it is used in a static way, but it can also be interesting for animations.

Have a nice weekend

It is excellent that this works for you, Greg.

Yes, if you can define a Geo-based Matrix that works for you, that is perfect.
In the past, I suggested using as many polygon objects as needed to create this Matrix (see below), which prevents the simple ID sequence from being broken. You can adjust each clone based on that single polygon (or use groupsas in the scene you have shared).
CV4_2024_drs_24_RSud_11.c4d

However, since your example was a demo and you mentioned there is no way to make it in one, I left this out; I expected your project setup to be more complex. Hence, my Bathroom Tile is a "working title," which can quickly become quite complex.

Anyway, you have what you need, great.

As a side note, here is the simplest way to do it, if we talk about your demo scene.
CV4_2024_drs_24_RSud_22.c4d

Screenshot 2024-05-03 at 9.48.52 PM.jpg

Enjoy your weekend

Thank you for creating a suggestion, Greg.

All the best

I like the sound of that, Greg.

Thank you very much for the lovely feedback.

How to get, produce, and share (re-use) information. That is all I did.

Enjoy your project.

Hi Greg,

Thanks for getting my intention.

My best wishes

Hi Greg, thank you very much for the reply and the lovely feedback.

Yes, XPresso can sometimes expose a lot of parameters. Perhaps that helps:

Drag the Object into the XPresso Editor.
With the Object active, drag the parameters from the Attribute Manager to the blue square of the Node, and let go of the "mouse". The wanted Parameter should be established as input. If you need an output, drag the Parameter from the Attribute Manager on the red square of the Node.

Example use: Output can be helpful to explore how a Pulldown menu was coded. Like in the Random Effector, you have more options. See image. This helps to know about "hidden" parameters.
Screen Shot 2024-02-26 at 9.16.14 AM.jpg

Each of the entries is coded with an Integer number. So you can change the entry via XPresso.

Thanks for the feedback file. Yes, that looks stable. If there was a question and I missed it, let me know.

As a side note, the Take System might be a great addition to the sequencing of image output.

Enjoy your project

Hi Greg,

Of course, no problem. My hope is always that exploration leads to a better long-term memory of the findings 😉 But I'm happy to share whatever is needed and wanted.

The main problem is that clones have a single channel for colors, not two or more.
Your request is a two-channel effect. Hence, we need a way to share the two independent pieces of information with the Material.

Image information can be used to blend between two Cloner child objects. That works on an object level but not on the attached node-based Material.
The process is simple. The Cloner child objects (Clones) can blend where they have matching parameters, which can be UserData (e.g., a single channel, e.g., Color is not blended).
This means an Effector or field can share information (Modify Clone). The example file below shows a plain Effector. Parameter> Others: Modify Clone. Use the slider to see the effect.
CV4_2024_drs_24_MGbc_01.c4d

Since the second channel is gray-values 0-1, that can be done with a single User Data entry.

This can also be done with User Data. Compare the file from above (v3). One User Data is 0%, and the other is 100%. The Modify Clone results in a 0-100% value, which is equal to the value of the Modify Clone.

The Modify Clone can be driven by a Texture (e.g., Shader Effector or Shader Field in an Effector [like Plain Effector])

So we can move the information along, and the user data Node can read it. The key here is that both User Data entries need to be the same, name-wise.

Are you familiar with creating User Data?
https://help.maxon.net/c4d/2024/en-us/Default.htm#html/5826.html

Inside the Material, the single channel for gray values from the UserData can be requested via Scalar user Data. Click on the node, and the parameter tab will allow you to enter the user Data's name.

The other Colordata (RGB) is done similarly, with a User Data node set to MoGraph> Color.

The two are connected in a Color Correction Node, and the Gravalues "run" the Saturation values.

As mentioned above, the Shader Effector and Shader Field provide a single RGB value to each Clone. A common misconception is that the Shader Effector would texture "Images" to the clones. In fact, just one Color is given for the whole.

Please let me know if that works for you. Yes, it is a wild mix of many little techniques, so please ask if something is not clear.

All the best

Hi Greg,

When I place an RS Renderview in the lower left corner, save that Layout as RS View, then move that RS Render View to the upper right corner, and save it as RS View 2, then it stays there.

BUT: not when I go from RS View directly to RS View 2, only when I use a different Layout in between. I change the RS view two by scaling the RS Render smaller.

Then, I save the layout, but I have to go to another layout for a moment, as the hardwired rule (AFAIK) seems to be that the last window appearance sticks, so I have to go out and then to the desired one with the same windows.

I have no idea how to overcome this.

Perhaps check with tech support. Admittedly, even if I like to have things differently, I need to stay in the standard layout as a trainer. Hence, this is not an area where I have a lot of muscle memory.

All the best

Hi Greg,

If I get it correctly, you found a solution. When it is discussed in the RS forum, then all is good.

All the best

Here is the FAQ Entry for Cinema 4D from the Director of Tech-Support.

https://support.maxon.net/hc/en-us/articles/11311545984924

You're very welcome, Greg.

Cheers

Hi Greg,

Yes, 16K will have an impact, especially in 16bit or float. Many years ago, a real problem to load, especially when an HDRI had to work as background as well, then perhaps more than 32-64K to get sufficient data in the camera view. Which sometimes leads to manually resampling the image for what is needed.

I will run some tests with the current release and then file a report. Fingers crossed, it will help.

Thanks for your patience.

All the best

Thanks, Greg,

Let me say this first, as I believe everyone needs to find the OS that fits their idea of producing content.
Not to start the old Win vs. Mac discussion from last century, of course.
After many years, I presume everyone got used to their OS, and I'm OK with that, just to prevent any endless arguments about it.

My personal take is:
I love to create and not think about the hardware and stuff; that's pretty much all. If there is a hiccup, it is muscle memory to fix it for me.
Well, and (bragging alert), I had the pleasure over many years to drive up to Cupertino and share some of my knowledge with the beautiful Graphic Senior Team there, which left me with even more loyalty than before. So I'm a lost cause if someone tries to convert me, 😉

I assume you enjoy it as I do, and I hope it stays that way.

Cheers

Thanks for sharing, Greg,

I love your progress and ingenuity with it.

I look forward to your next iteration with the color refinement.

Enjoy your weekend

Hi Greg,

Fingers crossed, the reason will be found. Thanks in advance for checking with tech support

I checked the usual sources, and I couldn't find anything.

When things are not responding as they should, they bring us out of our creative flow, and I'm certainly interested in solving that.

Cheers

You're very welcome, Greg.

Thank you very much for the feedback. When image quality is the target, which is my assumption, preparation is critical.

My best wishes for your project

Thanks for the feedback, Greg.

Another thank you for watching the show!

Enjoy your weekend

You're welcome, GegBollela.

It looks like you found your workflow. Yes, Remesher is a good idea. I will add the file to the screen capture. It works with Split and Thicken, while the Fracture can provide even colors.

Enjoy your weekend.

Yes, Greg, exactly.

Once you have done it, it is relatively simple, considering its effect.

Thanks for your feedback. I love the little 60-second clips. They are like drawing to me; one must "see" to guide the hand. When it hits the "canvas", you own it. 🙂

Enjoy