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Cinema 4D
Professional 3D Animation Software
4.6
(131)
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Cinema 4D Reviews & Product Details

Cinema 4D Overview
What is Cinema 4D?

Cinema 4D is a platform for 3D modeling, animation, and rendering often used by graphic designers, game developers, as well as motion graphics artists. Top features include polygon modeling, particle effects, character animation, and advanced lighting tools that allow designers to create high-quality 3D content for different industries.

Company Maxon Computer GmbH
Year founded 1986
Company size 201-500 employees
Headquarters Friedrichsdorf, Hesse, Germany
Social Media
Ask Questions about Cinema 4D
What Cinema 4D is best for?
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What are the pros and cons of Cinema 4D?
Cinema 4D Product Details
Segment
Small Business
Mid Market
Enterprise
Deployment Cloud / SaaS / Web-Based, Desktop Mac, Desktop Windows
Training Documentation
Languages English
Cinema 4D Features
3D Sculpting
AR Support
Animation
Automated Rendering
Camera Controls
Collaboration Tools
Customizable Brushes
Import/Export Options
Layer Management
Lighting
Mesh Modeling
Motion Capture
Multi-Viewport
NURBS Modeling
Object Library
PBR Materials
Parametric Modeling
Physics Simulation
Plugin Support
Real-Time Editing
Rendering
Rendering Farm Support
Scene Management
Scripting/Automation
Solid Modeling
Subdivision Surfaces
Surface Modeling
Texture Mapping
UV Unwrapping
VR Support
Cinema 4D Media
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Cinema 4D Screenshots
Disclaimer
Our research is curated from diverse authoritative sources and meant to offer general advice. We don’t guarantee that our suggestions will work best for each use-case, so consider your unique needs when choosing products and services. Feel free to share your feedback.
Last updated: November 27, 2024
Cinema 4D Logo
131 Cinema 4D Reviews
4.6 out of 5
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
Dec 29, 2017
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
BS
Billy S.
Production Artist
Share
"Maxon C4D"
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

The non-destructive workflow. Having the ability to keep objects parametric is vital for what we do. It makes versioning quick and painless. Having access to edit values to alter the look of things is what makes C4D so powerful. The integration and workflow between AE has also been simplified and added to since I started using C4D and it looks like it's just getting better.

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

There isn't much to dislike about C4D, but if I had to target one thing I would have to say the UV system needs a lot of work. It's possible to do the things you need to do with the current setup, but it has a clunky workflow and is missing some much needed tools to make editing the UVs easier.

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

We provide motion graphics for various commercial installs and sporting facilities around the world. We generate ads, video intros, crowd prompts, and a variety of other content for stadiums.

Mid Market (51-1000 emp.)
Dec 17, 2017
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
JG
James G.
Creative Content Director
Share
"An obsession turned profession"
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

The ease of access to tools, training, and plugins, matched with the user-friendly UI, makes this my software of choice. For users trying to begin a career in 3D design, one of the biggest barriers to entry can be frustration, but with Cinema 4D, it's user interface is so intuitive that a person can get started and create even the most rudimentary of shapes with moderate success. Online training and help are readily available with easy to follow tutorials and techniques. Maxon is very helpful as well, as they hold multiple events around the county that users can meet up at, and engage with other users, trainers, and celebrities of the 3D world.

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

More advanced features like xpresso can feel daunting to learn. Other things are minor, but reconciling settings from one machine to another can be annoying. Having a user profile, like that of Adobe, would be helpful.

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

My business is built upon my use of this software. Without Cinema 4D I would have had to turn to inferior products like 3Ds max or maya. Being about to quickly create assets, render, and delivery is critical. This software allows me to service an area of the video production industry's needs that is still relatively specialized, but thanks to its ease of use and access to training, I was able to provide this service after a short period of learning. Now that I have become an expert in the use of this software, it sets me well above that of my competitors in the video production industry.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Nov 29, 2017
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
JL
Joel L.
Ux Designer + Web Designer + Frontend Developer (Html5 + Css3) + Flash Animator At Capital Dbg
Share
"The pefect, faster and intuitive 3D tool"
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

the powerful native 3D render engine. is very freindly software.

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

the software doesn't have shortcuts for changing of views.

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

Modeling and Rendering Products and objects.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Nov 28, 2017
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
JL
Justin L.
Computer Software Engineer
Share
"my favorite 3d modeler"
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

quite easy to understand, even my non-graphist coworkers quickly understood how to use it. plus its physical renderer is already quite good.

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

mograph can be a pain to understand and master.

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

mechanical design and 3d renders

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Jan 16, 2017
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
IC
Isaac C.
Freelance Designer
Share
"Best 3d software for graphic designers"
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

Cinema 4d is the best 3D software for graphic designers. It is the program for excellence. Nowadays more and more people in the sector are using. Is the best program to create animations in 3d. Has many new characteristics, and gives you a lot of ways to create. Recently it has improved the compatibility with adobe after effects, which makes it the best software to create your own motion graphics. Without doubt the best 3d program for this sector.

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

Maybe, the way to animate it's complex. Learning is needed to start to do something 'decent'. You need to research a lot of materials.

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

In my daily life I use Cinema 4D to make animations. I use illustrator to make the illustrations, then I extrude them into 4d cinema and create animations. At first it is not easy, but when you control the program is the best

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
Jan 12, 2017
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
CL
Carolina L.
Graphic Designer
Share
"If you're a designer in a fast pase life who wants 3d good looking models this is it!"
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

In comparison to other software like Maya, Cinema4d is easier to use and faster to learn. you will see results with great quality in less than a month.

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

As any other 3d software, it takes time to learn its interface. The shortcuts can be annoying for somebody moving from other 3d programs.

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

Motion Design

Mid Market (51-1000 emp.)
May 15, 2016
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
CY
Cynthia Y.
Graphics Intern
Share
"3D Modeling in Cinema 4D"
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

I use Cinema 4D mostly for modeling and texturing. The tools for modeling are intuitive and easy to use. I like the options I have for texturing and lighting. Having multiple views of my model on the viewport (without needing to switch between viewports) lets me work a lot faster.

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

There's a bit of a learning curve and it's not easy to pick up compared to the Adobe design programs.

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

3D models made from Cinema 4D look very professional.

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
May 15, 2016
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
AP
Alice P.
Animatrice Périscolaire
Share
"Very interressant 3d Tool for Object designer "
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

Cinema 4d is ieasier to use than most of the modeling softwares (such as rhino or sketchup), the interface is basic, even if it exist lot of options. You have a 4 different windows on the main screen, showing you the side of your object ,like in rhino. It's more pleasant and precise to use than sketchup and less difficult as rhino. It's a very nice modelling software for creating curved object which is the major advantage of cine4d for industrial designers. Also it exist lots of tutorial for starters which are great, there is a quite big C4d community.

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

I dislike the C4d rendering process, which is very complicated, long to use and isn't satisfaying me. I recommand to use an specific rendering software as Keyshot or Maxwell. It's very interresant to use Cinema 4d rendering options for making little video using also After Effect but it's quite complicated too.

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

With Cinema 4D you can model in 3d even if you'r just starting, I recommand it for industrial designer and animators.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
May 04, 2016
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
Mateo V. avatar
Mateo V.
3d Generalist
Share
"Mograph Excellence"
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

What I like the most about Cinema 4D is the mograph module, that allows really cool animations in no time, It's complete set of tools helps you create anything you can imagine, and along with the xpresso you can rig and connect almost any property giving you endless possibilities. I also find Cinema 4D to be a really intuitive and complete software, Its easy to learn,

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

I think bodypaint is a bit confusing and you need to spend more time to get the hang of it, and sometimes feels a bit laggy. I feel it really needs an update.

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

I use Cinema 4D for Motion Graphics animation and since I started using it I quickly realized it is the best tool for this, its mograph and animation tools are really complete and intuitive, they allow you to create amazing stuff.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
May 02, 2016
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
MR
Maryline R.
Founder
Share
"Freelance designer, using C4D since 2013"
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

You literally do ANYTHING with this software, any kind of volume. The renderers are pretty powerful, sometimes you won't have to use the V-Ray plug-in.

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

It's pretty hard to use the software, I learned by myself, and I had to watch a lot of tutorials. Some tools are really hard to understand.

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

I do all my 3D with this software, and all the renderings. I couldn't work without it.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Apr 29, 2016
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
ML
Manuel L.
Director De Arte ( Art Director)
Share
"Cinema 4D Best sofware to 3D and Video"
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

The interface is greatful and easy to do anything

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

More options to move or manipulate the testures

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

I did works on my job on my personal profile it is a great software.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Apr 29, 2016
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
BK
Blain K.
Blain Klitzke
Share
"C4D is an excellent tool for fast and simple projects and it can do the heavylifting when needed."
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

Speed. Mograph modules allow very quick building of motion graphic scenes. There is also a large community online sharing knowledge about tricks and techniques so no schooling cost is necessary to learn this software. Third party plug-ins are available which greatly enhance Cinema's already rich & creative tool pallet. For example, X-particles greatly expands the ease of creating complex particle behaviors and interactions . Turbulence FD which is a fire and smoke simulator can also drive X-particles with it's fluid simulations for even more organic movement. It also has third party render engines available such as Vray, Arnold, and Octane which allow for realistic renders based on physical lighting.

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

Cinema's speed and ease of use does create a ceiling of sorts. This, however, has now been addressed by adding the Houdini Engine into the pipeline. An artist who is looking to push beyond Cinema's capacity can harness the complex and nearly limitless power of Houdini by bringing in digital assets created in Houdini and exporting parameters that the artist can then control natively within the Cinema 4D tools set. Another problem has been render engines. Vray is always a few years behind in C4D as it is not created by the original authors but is instead written by a third party developer. Arnold was just bought by Autodesk so that may go away in coming years. Luckily Octane's GPU based Engine has been growing quickly and generates beautiful renders which can be sped up by daisy chained GPU's making a small render farm more affordable and expandable for freelance artists and small studios.

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

The community surrounding C4D simply put, is amazing. If i need to solve a problem, a quick google search can often supply me with answers that will at least put me in the right direction if not completely answer my query. This is invaluable. Cinema is a an amazing solution for fast turnaround projects such as style boards or simple motion graphics. The user interface is friendly and then mograph modules are powerful. I can solve nearly every problem I encounter natively within C4D and it's plug-ins. From VFX to motion graphics.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Apr 28, 2016
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
CS
Cody S.
Motion Graphic Artist
Share
"Awesome piece of software "
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

The interface is fast and easy to learn but not limiting.

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

Lack of a native node based texture system (one is available through third party plugins).

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

Cinema 4d does the whole 3D workflow for our studio. From motion graphics to vfx.

Mid Market (51-1000 emp.)
Apr 26, 2016
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
Ben K. avatar
Ben K.
Freelance Art Director / Motion Graphics Designer
Share
"Easy to Learn, Endless Possibilities"
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

Intuitive modeling tools are friendly for beginners. The UI is very friendly and customizable by the user or via built-in presets. Physical renderer can produce some spectacular results. Mograph toolset makes creating motion graphics and abstract 3D designs a breeze. Team Render is a nice feature that can help you harness all available CPUs on your network at render time. Lots of great plugins available to build on an already solid foundation. Compatibility with popular 3rd party renderers is great. Viewport speed and performance appears to be getting better and better.

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

UV editing is a bit of a trial-and-error process. Texture painting and UVs end up being easier to tackle using a different application. Physical renderer is awesome but speeds could stand to be improved, particularly when working with in-camera motion blur or depth-of-field turned on.

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

The ability to rely on the package to give me the tools I need to meet client demands and timelines. C4D provides flexibility in every stage of design and animation, and working with things like non-destructive modifiers helps keep me on time when dealing with last-minute client changes. I haven't experienced any catastrophic crashes or application errors so I feel like stability is a priority for MAXON. Reliable performance is highly important and C4D has provided that on many a late-night render sprint.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Apr 25, 2016
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
SH
Stuart H.
Motion Graphics Designer
Share
"The possibilities are endless!"
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

Cinema 4D is unbelievably powerful and also a very stable platform. You can use it for everything from creating simple mock-ups to full scale 3D productions. It is far more accessible than most 3D software and is constantly striving to improve itself. I love the support and amount of community that has built up around, it seems there is a tutorial for everything to do with Cinema 4D.

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

Unfortunately, despite being much better than some 3D software the interface and options can still be a bit daunting. Though I am not sure right now how to suggest a solution. The fact that a whole piece of design can fail to work simply because you have not checked a single box can be a real pain. Also, the integration with the Arnold renderer needs some work as this causes my version to crash quite a lot. One other thing, is that as Maxon update the software quite extensively with each new iteration, many tutorials become confusing quickly. For example whole areas of the interface completely change, so it can be quite challenging working out how to make things work with the new tools.

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

We have used Cinema 4D for everything from VFX work to mock-ups, full scale animations and compositing. There are so many possibilities when using this software the benefits just keep on stacking up with each new version.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Apr 22, 2016
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
DV
Diogo V.
Creative Director
Share
"I work, teach and play with it"
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

It's an amazing software. The Mograph tools and the dynamics are incredible and very easy to use. Very design/creative driven it makes working with 3D more accessible to someone just starting. It has lot's of community support and lot's of plugins that can complement and intensify the application usefulness and flexibility. Great interoperability with After Effects. The content browser library can be of extreme use. The new take system can be a lifesaver regarding customer interaction and validation. Love the help context system and the new commander tool, very helpful.

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

I think Bodypaint needs a big update. It should be more intuitive. Its not difficult but seems a bit outdated. I don't like the new reflectance channel. I't's not very user friendly, Also the modelling tools could be a bit more advanced and the tools names could be more suitable, or at least more industry standard. Also the internal particle systems (Particles and Thinking Particles) could be more advanced.

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

I can do quick concept designs and mockups and work my way up until final product. Very quick to use and to get great results. Specially when playing with Mograph. We can get apparently complex animations with a few simple steps. I use it to complement my motion design projects, specially when I need to mix 2D with 3D elements.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Apr 19, 2016
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
TN
Thomas N.
Ceo & Founder
Share
"best learning curve of the market"
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

fast learning curve, simple but efficient material creation, easy to setup for rendering as for animation. a lot of plugin are available, big community online, new version every year with lot of improvement.

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

no fluid and smoke simulation in native format. does not support importation of some CAD files format ( from Solidworks or catia for exemple )

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

perfect sofware for still 3D rendering and animation. easy to setup, wide range of possibilities

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
Apr 18, 2016
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
Ryan Z. avatar
Ryan Z.
Financial Analyst
Share
"It is an advanced tool for people who is looking for design/render/animation all in one."
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

The fact that you can design and 3-d model inside the software while you can see beautiful rendering which can be generated in a few second. After all you can create stunning animation effect for your design is just absolutely amazing. I love the lighting effect in Cinema 4D because you can adjust every little details of the lighting that you placed for your rendering.

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

I don't really like the rendering part. I wish there is an option inside cinema 4D to allow user to preview their freshly adjusted texture instantly without waiting for couple minutes to generate a single angle rendering image. Keyshot is doing great but consider you can not model inside keyshot they should have this feature. So I think if cinema 4D have this "instant preview" feature it will be much more attracted to wide range of people.

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

I mostly use cinema 4D to generates simple rendering and simple animation effect (logo, video intro etc.) for clients.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Apr 15, 2016
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
FM
Fábio M.
Product Designer
Share
"Very good 3D software"
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

3D modeling is fast and easy The user interface is very easy to understand and use Very complete in terms of shape manipulation Compatible with Keyshot and Vray Vey good for beginners and professionals

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

Default rendered could be better. Render times are a bit long, but that depends on the computer

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

3D modeling and rendering

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Apr 14, 2016
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
GR
Guglielmo R.
Stage Visual Artist
Share
"C4D review from Ghiaccio"
What do you like best about Cinema 4D?

Motion graphics, user interface, modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering. C4D is really user friendly for people who wants to start a new challenge with 3D but they don't have so much techinical skills. The software is very helpful to understand the dynamics of motion graphics, polygonal 3d modeling and animation. It works togheter in the pipeline with After Effect.

What do you dislike about Cinema 4D?

Not too much realistic. Not phisical - based

What problems is Cinema 4D solving and how is that benefiting you?

I realize everyday lots of motion graphics and works for many companies.