StarScape
StarScape is a plugin for Cinema 4D.
If you’ve tried to create a space scene in Cinema 4D, you will have surely tried to use the ‘Starfield’ shader provided. And been sorely disappointed with the result. The shader only produces an extremely simple star field; what is really needed is one where you can adjust star numbers, colour, size, and so on. This shader tries to give a better star field; it is entirely procedural, highly configurable, and doesn’t require that you search for a suitable bitmap instead (and end up using the same one as everyone else). Now you can create star fields that are unique to your scene.
These are some of the renders possible with this shader. Click the small image to see the larger render.
- basic_starfield
The basic starfield with all default settings. Very similar to the C4D inbuilt shader.
- basic_starfield_250density
Same basic starfield with a density of 250%.
- two_layers_coloured_layer2
Two layers instead of one, the second with a larger scale and a more colourful set of colours for the stars.
- horizon_effect2
A simple horizon effect (landscape silhouette added in post).
- simple_masking
One layer partially masked with a Noise shader.
- milkyway_effect
A 'milky way' effect using a second layer with a very high density and glow width setting, then partially masked using a Noise shader scaled up along the X axis.
- three_layers_two_masked
Three layers, two of them masked with identical masks.
- three_layers_two_masked_rotated_mask
The same as the previous image but with the mask rotated by 45 degrees.
- decorative
Non-realistic render for purely decorative purposes.
This screenshot of the user interface shows the available controls in star field mode (you can also generate large single stars complete with sunspots):
The shader has up to 10 layers, all of which have their own set of parameters. In the image at the top of this page, four layers were used; three with starfields with stars of different sizes, then a single star on the top layer. You can mask out parts of the star field, with some other shader such as Noise, for example, and each layer can have its own mask.
With StarScape you can produce almost any starfield you like and apply it to an object (such as a Plane object) or the Background or Sky objects in Cinema 4D.
Availability
StarScape is the first in a series of 'space scene' shaders and objects. It is, of course, completely free. You can download a copy from the links below.
Compatibility
StarScape is compatible with the following versions of Cinema 4D:
| Cinema 4D version | Compatible? |
|---|---|
| R2024 | Yes |
| R2025 | Yes (Windows only - see this blog article for details) |
There are no versions of StarScape for C4D R2023 or earlier.
Download
Download StarScape for R2025 (Windows only)
Page last updated September 25th 2024