Globe with Moving Tectonic Plates in Cinema 4D

In this Cinema 4D tutorial we build a stylized 3D Earth with tectonic plates extruding from the surface. Each plate reveals textured, layered crust down the sides, giving a geologically inspired look. We explore two cutting techniques and show how to UV unwrap the sides for a detailed gradient texture. We also look at a nifty way of animating the plates you might not have thought about.

Fully animated and includes all models, textures, materials, lighting, and Redshift Renderer settings using and ACES workflow for better color. See our ACES guide here.

This tutorial was requested by Joanna (one of our awesome Lifetime Members) who needed to create a globe with separate tectonic plates for a project she was working on.