Cinema 4D

Cinema 4D, developed by Maxon, is a 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software solution. Businesses of every size use Cinema 4D in industries including filmmaking, media production, animation, architecture, graphic design, video games, and manufacturing. The solution provides an intuitive user interface (UI) that enables users to build, develop, and animate 3D models, motion graphics, architectural images, product designs, scientific visualizations, and many more digital assets and components.

Maxon was founded in 2000 and is based in Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, Germany, with additional office locations throughout Europe, North America, and Japan.  

What Is Cinema 4D?

Cinema 4D is a comprehensive 3D modeling solution that enables users of every skill level to build and animate extremely detailed 3D models. The solution comes with an in-depth feature set that includes modeling, digital sculpting, a comprehensive animation toolset, and dynamic lighting capabilities. Cinema 4D can be installed on Windows, Mac, and Linux machines, and an active internet connection is required as well. The application is also fully integrated with industry standard graphics processing solutions such as Unity, Nuke, Adobe Illustrator, and others.

What’s Included in Cinema 4D?

Cinema 4D features an extensive 3D modeling toolkit that includes support for the following capabilities, among others:
 

• Modeling: Cinema 4D's in-depth modeling functionality allows you to build complex shapes with precision and ease. It features a robust set of modeling tools that include extrusion, stitch & sew, and beveling. There is also a parametric modeling tool that enables users to finetune their models down to the finest detail.
• Sculpting: The sculpting module in Cinema 4D is a powerful toolkit for modeling and shaping your 3D objects. It incorporates extensive layering capabilities that enable users to gradually build up details one step at a time, including a vast array of brushes and masks that replicate both traditional image editing tools as well as various image editing software solutions.
• Animation management: Users can bring their models to life with comprehensive animations. The system includes keyframe animations for detailed manual animation, a dedicated character animation solution, and an expression library that allows you to quickly animate characters with out-of-the-box figure poses and facial expressions.
• Lighting: Cinema 4D’s lighting module allows users to simulate real-world lighting conditions with a variety of light sources such as spotlights, area lights, and point lights. The module provides users with detailed control over shadows, reflections, and refractions.
• BodyPaint: The BodyPaint module in Cinema 4D presents an extensive suite for 3D painting, including tools to create and place high resolution textures directly onto 3D models. It comes with features including projection painting for seamless textures, multi-layer texturing, and projection painting capabilities that eliminate distortions when applying 2D drawings and paintings to 3D objects.
• Rendering: The rendering module in Cinema 4D empowers users to output high-quality 3D scenes that can be seamlessly displayed on television screens, computer monitors, mobile devices, VR headsets, and more.

Cinema 4D’s broad selection of features covers many 3D modeling tasks. However, there are many features that you should consider when selecting a comprehensive modeling solution. Learn about the top features and functions to expect from 3D modeling software from our experienced team of analysts.
 

Benefits of Using Cinema 4D

Cinema 4D is a valuable tool for both novice and experienced 3D modeling and animation professionals. It comes with an intuitive user interface (UI) that’s easy to learn, reducing how long it takes for new users to begin building detailed 3D models, broadcast graphics, visual effects, and more. The system features a multitude of modeling tools enabling users to craft their models and scenes in comprehensive detail, to wrap them with detailed skins and textures, and bring the models to life with an in-depth animation toolkit. Cinema 4D’s lighting module also enables you to add realistic lighting to your scenes. Another benefit of using Cinema 4D is that is seamlessly integrated with many industry-leading graphics processing software solutions, enabling users to establish seamless, fully integrated 3D modeling and design processes.

Cinema 4D Pricing

There are three plans to choose from for Cinema 4D, teams, individual, and perpetual:

• Individual: 
  • Monthly: $94 per month
  • Annually: $719 per year
• Teams:
  • Annually: $949 per year
• Perpetual:
  • $3495 as a one-time payment

These plans include a full copy of Cinema 4D, as well as access to a robust repository of tutorials and other materials to help new users learn the ropes of the system. Visit the Maxon website’s pricing page for more details.

The cost of software doesn’t necessarily end when you purchase a package, it’s imperative to budget for implementation costs. TEC experts have amassed years of experience helping save businesses money throughout the implementation process. Read this article on how implementation oversight can ultimately boost your return on investment (ROI) on your next enterprise software purchase.

Cinema 4D Comparison

CorelCAD, Lumion, Cedar Architect, and AutoCAD are included among Cinema 4D’s many competitors in the 3D modeling software solution market. It’s a good idea to list your 3D modeling software features requirements in detail, as this list should form the core foundation of your software selection project as you compare potential 3D modeling solutions.

Our analysts have compiled various resources to help prospective software buyers examine software solutions and make data-driven purchasing decisions based on their requirements. We’ve compiled a wide range of Cinema 4D comparison charts that highlight how the solution performed against a selection of alternative 3d modeling solutions. This is an intuitive tool to help users determine if a product is worth considering. For instance, the Cinema 4D vs Piktochart comparison shows that Cinema 4D has more support for data import, computer-aided design management, and rendering than Piktochart. The at-a-glance analysis could suggest that Cinema 4D would be a better choice for organizations that need to import CAD drawings from external sources, model and animate scenes based on the drawings, and render the scenes in a variety of file formats.

Cinema 4D Reviews

Cinema 4D users shared their opinion about the 3D modeling solution on multiple software review sites, and the majority of users seemed to be pleased with the system. A lot of reviewers reported that it was particularly easy to use for a 3D modeling solution, covered all stages of modeling including design, animation, and rendering, and that it included learning resources that reduced how long it took for new users to learn how to use the system.