What is the X-Particles Challenge?
The X-Particles Challenge is a competition designed to inspire creativity using MAXON's Cinema 4D and Insydium’s X-Particles.
X-Particles is a full-featured particle and VFX system for Cinema 4D developed by Insydium.
It's fun to play with and feels as easy to use as MoGraph. Find out more about X-Particles here.
Watch the 2017 showreel!
All entries to the 2018 competition will go into a new showreel
“The absence of limitations is the enemy of art.”
Orson Welles
Constraints breed creativity
This year, instead of simply saying “Go create something cool using X-Particles”, we’re providing a template file with a camera and base geometry.
The inspiration for this year's X-Particles Challenge comes from the awesome new idents for BBC2 - check them out here.
Here's another lovely reference to get your creative juices going from the excellent ManvsMachine.
To make sure it’s all about the particles, you don’t animate a camera or include any other text / logos etc.
Use the base spline in the template to create geometry which can be used to emit particles, collide with or cull particles. However the particles interact is up to you.
Be sure to read the full rules below.
Are you up for the challenge?
Use X-Particles to create a 1920x1080 30 FPS animation up to 150 frames
and post to the Vimeo group by 21st Dec 2018.
Check out the full list of rules and download the project file to get started.
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Click a logo below to download the project file!
The challenge begins here! To get started, download the project file for your preferred renderer by clicking on the logos below.
To use another renderer (not listed below), such as Arnold, download the Standard Cinema 4D project file as your starting point.
Where can I learn X-Particles?
There are a variety of resources to learn X-Particles.
- Andy Needham hosts X-Particles Essential Training on Lynda.com and on LinkedIn Learning.
- helloluxx provide premium X-Particles training.
- Greyscalegorilla offer a free Intro to X-Particles and a round up of the 25 Best X-Particles Tutorials. Additionally, Jon Bosley hosts The Gorilla Guide to X-Particles.
If you don't have X-Particles you can download a 30 day demo here.
Follow us on Twitter for the latest news and updates
Rules
- Using the template file provided, entrants will provide one (1) movie file which is 150 frames in duration rendered at 30fps at 1920x1080 pixels.
- Do not apply any text overlays or additional copy to an entry.
- Only one (1) entry will be accepted per entrant.
- Entrants can use any version of X-Particles.
- To help identify your entry, name your file: XPC2018-[YourVimeoUsername] or XPC2018-[YourTwitterUsername] or XPC2018-[YourInstagramUsername]
- Upload to Vimeo and add your entry to the group here: https://vimeo.com/groups/xpc2018 - entries can be tagged #XPC2018, #XPChallenge2018
- Once you've uploaded your entry to the Vimeo group, you can post a link to it on Twitter and mention @xpchallenge - this helps us promote your entry. Entries will also be cross-promoted via @xpchallenge on Instagram.
- The closing date for entries is: 21st December 2018. Entries submitted after the closing date will not be considered.
- Project files will be requested from finalists. Please be prepared to submit these upon request.
- Submissions which are a direct copy of a tutorial will be rejected.
- The organiser reserves the right to change details without notice.
Join the X-Particles Challenge 2018 group on Vimeo
Meet the Judges
Show them what you'll create!
Andy Needham
Andy is the organiser of this competition and a London-based freelance motion graphics artist and an author on Lynda.com and LinkedIn Learning
Nidia Dias
Nidia Dias is a Freelance Art Director and Designer from Portugal. Her work is focused mainly on styleframes and look development for motion. With a background in graphic design, combined with motion expertise she creates visually compelling images that tell a story.
Mario Tran Phuc
Mario is based in Frankfurt, Germany and is a very experienced VFX Designer who won the first competition - he lives and breathes X-Particles.
Brandon Parvini
Brandon is a freelance motion designer and director based in Los Angeles.
Jeremy Cox
Jeremy is a designer, director and VFX artist based in Brooklyn, New York.
Beeple
You'll find Mike's work online as Beeple, where he finds extremely creative ways to use X-Particles in his inspirational Everydays project.
Casey Hupke
Casey is a freelance digital content creator who has been working in the live visual, and commercial field, for over a decade. He has contributed work to major tours for U2, Lady Gaga and Deadmau5.
Sponsors
Thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this competition possible.
