I started the Glock project on February 24th, 2018. Roughly 546 hours later, I put the final touches on the animation:
As with all projects, I started out by doing a lot of research on the subject. World of Guns was an absolute life-saver in trying to figure out the Glock. Being able to slow down the animation, hide parts, etc. made it extremely easy to break it down. Of course, many reference images were used in trying to get some of the finer details.
Modeling
Once I had a better understanding of how the Glock worked, I started creating the model. As a starting place for the exterior, I purchased a pre-built Glock 19 model from TurboSquid. The interior needed to be completely modeled to accommodate all the working parts.
In the end, I ended up creating around 50 separate parts for the entire model in Cinema 4D:
Rigging
After modeling all the parts, I created a rig with Xpresso in Cinema 4D:
UV Unwrapping
After finalizing the rig, I needed to unwrap the UVs of the frame, slide, barrel, and magazine. This was necessary in order to properly texture these parts. RizomUV made it extremely easy and fun to complete the job:
Texturing & Materials
Next, I brought the models into Substance Painter for texturing:
I used Corona to create the materials for the remaining parts of the model:
Storyboarding
At this point, I was ready to begin storyboarding:
Animation
When I was happy with the storyboard, I was ready to move on to animation. Cinema 4D’s Take System came in handy to organize each of my shots:
Rendering
There was no way I would render every frame on my 2012 MacBook Pro. I’d heard a lot of great things about Pixel Plow, and decided to give that a shot. It was quite easy and affordable to render roughly 3 minutes of animation. I would highly recommend them if you’re looking to use a render farm.
Compositing
The final step was to composite all the frames inside After Effects. This is where I added special effects and transitions to make things really pop.
For the voiceover in the animation, I used an awesome guy by the name of Andy Taylor. I would highly recommend him if you’re looking for a professional sounding voice in your projects.
The music in the animation is a track from Killer Tracks. They’re a little on the expensive side, but they tend to have a larger library of material to choose from.
Conclusion
This is a very brief explanation of what went into the Glock project. You can see that there are many parts that make up the entire animation. I really enjoyed this project, and hope you all do as well! As always, use either the comments below, or feel free to send me an email if you have any questions about this project!
Hi Matt, it’s an amazing work!,
Just a question, do you sell or license the project file with the animation? for your weapons, this time Im looking this Glock for a 3d real time experience,
Thanks
Hi John, at this time I am not selling the project file.
I am a engineer and currently working on CAD models. Will importing my CAD files into C4D and then making a rig or adding textures and other things to it pose any problems?
Hi Rupam. Nope, I’ve done this several times, and it shouldn’t be an issue! Only area that could end up being somewhat difficult is if you’re wanting special textures, like a woodgrain. But even then, there’s ways to still make it look good.
Amazing work! Would it be possible to get the blueprints to your design please, would love to see if i could rebuild it too in 3d?
Hi Vincent, at this time I’m not selling my 3D gun models. If you’re looking to rebuild it in 3D, I would suggest looking at World of Guns as a reference point. Then try to model the parts yourself.
Very good blog,thank so much for your effort in writing the posts.
Hi Matt, love your work. I am a 3D designer however I primarily work in Blender, I am also a game dev. I am comfortable in modelling and texturing and everything that comes with it, but I am interested in doing these kind of animations in Blender, however I am unsure how, you clearly seem experienced so I have a few questions (I know you don’t use Blender so I understand if you are unable to answer). Were the gun parts actually physically interacting with each other, or was it mimicked through the use of bones?. I know game engines require bones to control animations, so if your animations were at all physically interacting, could this be completely converted to bone controlled animations, and therefore be exported to a game engine(UE4)?. Sorry for the questions, I am relatively new to animation and I’m struggling to find much help, the reason I’m asking is because I have been inspired by a game known as Escape From Tarkov as I know they model and animate all their guns completely accurately. Please email me if you have any useful information on the topic!
Hey Luca! I’m so sorry I am just now responding to this. For some reason I hadn’t seen it until now!
Thank you so much for the kind comments about my work! Unfortunately I don’t use Blender, but I think the animation process is somewhat the same in every software. I don’t use dynamics, so no, none of the pieces physically interact. Everything is mostly set up with sliders. So a slider that moves the firing pin would essentially just set a min/max position value, as well a min/max value for the spring height.
Hi Matt,
Really enjoyed your video. I am looking to produce videos that show how the brain works. Can you recommend a software package that would be good for showing circuits firing and moving throughout the brain and spinal column. If you are interested in helping me with the project and sharing some of the YouTube revenue let me know. I am a retired space shuttle engineer who spent over 6 years reverse engineering the brain. I understand how it works, but need to build animations to help others. Thanks. You can view my work on http://thehighestofthemountains.com
Hey Don! So sorry for not responding sooner! Thanks so much for your nice comments about my work 🙂
I don’t have a ton of experience with medical animation type stuff, but I know Cinema 4D is more than capable. I’ve watched a few videos by the guys at Vessel Studios, and they’ve got top-notch work:
https://vesselstudios.com/
I would reach out to them and “pick their brain” on their process 😀
Hi Mr. Rittman;
I’m a retired History professor and just opened a You Tube channel . My main focus is History and of it firearms History. I also teach firearm safety as a community service. I would like to know if; first, can I use your wonderful animation for one of my videos on the History of the Glock guns. Second, can I use it in my classes ? Due credit is given as any other information that you wish.
I find your work marvelous and very important for the teaching community; keep it up.
Jose
Hi Jose, thank you so much for your kind comments. These animations took an incredible amount of time to create, and I don’t feel comfortable making them available for free. I hope you can understand.
Hey Matt!
It seems you haven’t received notification of my recent reply to your last comment.
In case you didn’t, just wanted to let you know that I am waiting for the reply!
Hi Anand! I actually replied to your last comment via your email address. Let me know if you didn’t get it!
OMG! such a warm mail.
You know what, this is not my primary mail, so I don’t check it daily. But waiting for you reply, for last 4 days, I’ve been checking this URL (https://www.mattrittman.com/how-a-glock-works) twice a day, lol. In fact, whenever I open chrome, since this URL is bookmarked, it appears very first at the top.
Further replies on mail only.
Oh Sorry, messaging option on your twitter is not enabled. I think I will have to ask here only.
Question is: How did you create that Fire and Smoke (when bullet leaves the barrel)?
Is it done in C4D only or you did that in After Effects?
Hey man! I used a plugin called TurbulenceFD for the fire and muzzle blast. I should have gone into my detail in my blog post about this. It took a lot of trial/error to get the look I was going for. But it looks much better and realistic than the fire effect on the AK-47.
Thanks Matt, I’m obliged to see that you’ve been proved helpful to me at every stage.
Besides, I am amazed by the cleanliness and professionalism you’ve put into your AC Video. I seriously love it. By the end of 2020, I feel definitely we’re gonna see millions of views on it.
Besides, my query was, many pre-made 3D models were used in this AC video. But it took 8 months to be created? Why? Obviously, being a 3D Animator myself, I know creating such high quality stuff is not that easy. But still, 8 months time is too much. I believe in between and side by side you’ve been going through some freelancing projects or some client’s projects etc. Is it?
Also, being in the same profession, I am willing to connect with you personally as well. Maybe on Twitter, Insta or Mail etc. where I can personally message you (obviously for some professional talks/artworks/projects etc.).
Would love to see a reply.
-Professor of How
Hi Matt,
I am wondering if you do reply on Twitter as well? I have a query regarding this Glock Animation, thought to ask it on Twitter, as it is giving me a reason to follow you or to connect with you on Twitter as well.
Waiting for reply.
Again, mind blowing animation Matt. But I have a little query.
You used a design of a well established model/brand – Glock.
I know you yourself created the model, textured it and all. But Design is patented by Austrian manufacturer Glock Ges.m.b.H.
So, before creating this video, did you take permission from them that you’re gonna use their design? If not, can they raise a case against you?
I’m also going to create a video on similar topic on my 3D Animated Channel Professor of How. But, confused about design patents.
Eagerly waiting for the reply. It will be a great help!
Thanks in advance.
Regards!
Professor.
Thanks so much Anand, I really appreciate that 🙂 I did not reach out to Glock directly about permission to use their design. However, I did consult a fellow gun owner and he said that the Glock patents have run out, so I should be fine. However, I think it would be safe to reach out to the manufacturer directly just to be sure.
The other thing to consider is it seems that YouTube is getting more serious about gun-related videos. I have chosen not to do any more animation on guns, for fear that they may be demonetized. With all the time I put into these animations, it’s just not worth it.
Thank You, Matt.
Don’t worry about patent infringment. I work in this field in Europe so I have some knowledge about it. The patent rights forbid you to produce a product of the same, patented, design (for which the patent rights are granted in your country), without approval. It doesn’t forbid you to draw it nor to explain how a particular product works. Nobody can forbid you to buy for example, a Glock, disassemble it, measure the parts and draw them in a CAD software. In fact, lots of people do just that and post those works online. However, you cannot produce a gun based on that design and make profit from it (unless the patent has expired). On the other hand, most of people (or even engineering companies) cannot produce a gun just from drawings made from measured parts. You must know a lot about engineering, material properties, tolerances, production technology etc to be able to do it… Long story short, Matt is safe here. He just used an interesting product to showcase his animation and postproduction skills. Matt, I watched one of your videos couple of years ago (ak47, I believe), and it was extraordinary, so I remembered your name. Now I saw this one, it is even better. Keep up the great work!
This is definitely good to know! Thanks so much for the information about this. It gives me a better peace of mind 🙂
And thank you so much for the compliment about my other animation!
Hi. Is it possible to buy this model?
At this time I have chosen not to sell it.
Hi. Is it possible to buy this model?
+584123535755
Thank Matt for your cool explainer videos.
please have a look at my works too. It would be great to have a comment from you:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMK7btOIFjau1jqDl2TRGMg/videos
Essy
Best Regards
00989123114438
Wow, you have some really great animations! Your work is on a completely different level compared to what I can do. Seriously, keep up the fantastic animation!
Dear Matt,
I am delighted with your firearm animations. I’m a BRAVO 5 pistol finder. I wanted to make the perfect pistol and I think I did it. The result you see on YouTube, an experimental prototype that works. The idea of putting together a pistol and a revolver came to life. So far, there has only been a Dardik model but it is too complicated for serial production.
Is there any way you can do the animation of my pistol for me?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L26RByWbWc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGaU-VeaXjg
Sincerely,
inventor Zoran Bezanovic
What is the name song?
I couldnt find
Pls!
http://links.universalproductionmusic.com/EAWxGq
Thanks mate
You bet!
Hi Matt. I am a Glock Armorer and volunteer at a police department. My son teaches at a Police Academy. Is there a way I can Purchase a copy of the video on a flash drive to use teaching?
Thank you;
Frank
thank for sharing step by step breakdown. I am an weapon and prop artist. It’s really cool..l
Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate it 🙂
Yeah it was more work than I want to admit haha.
me facino el concepto 3d del objeto quisiera saber si es algun programa de tu autoria para trabajar en algo que tengo en mente espero tu respuesta matt … saludos
Muchas gracias, realmente lo aprecio! Yo uso un programa llamado Cinema 4D para esto. Lo puedes encontrar en http://www.maxon.com