Abstract Animated Light Streaks in Cinema 4D

Learn how to create animated light streaks in Cinema 4D that flow perfectly along any 3D geometry.

If you’ve ever struggled to get light trails to follow a complex shape without the headache of heavy particle sims, this project file is for you. It’s built around a smart, efficient workflow that uses clever surface mapping and layered textures to create that high-end “digital energy” look you see in tech commercials and sci-fi films. I’ve laid out a straightforward process for prepping your mesh and setting up the shaders so you can easily customize the speed, density, and glow of the streaks. It’s a lightweight, practical setup that adds a ton of movement and polish to your renders with minimal effort.