3D modeling and animation is an intrinsically complicated process, and the vast and varied applications for the technology make it hard to identify which software is most ideal for the task you are working on. We like MAXON’s CINEMA 4D because it is an approachable alternative to more intimidating 3D animation software packages. This software is easier to learn than most competitors, but it still possesses the depth required for professional use. The great toolset and approachability make it particularly relevant to graphic artists who have less familiarity with traditional 3D tools.
The first thing you need to know about CINEMA 4D is that it comes in four flavors: Prime, Broadcast, Visualize and Studio. If you are just starting out, we recommend Prime. It has a narrower feature set, (lacking soft body, cloth, hair and spline dynamics, among other things), but it is much easier to work with for that very reason. When you have achieved a basic competency, you can always upgrade.
A step above are Broadcast and Visualize, which augment the feature set with industry-specific tools. Broadcast adds much-needed animation tools, including tracers and deformers. You should note that Broadcast doesn’t support CAD file integration. If you’re not working with CAD – and many animators will never need to – this shouldn’t matter. Visual targets and excels at high-detailed modeling and rendering for static concept images. For the duration of this review, we will refer to CINEMA 4D Studio, the full package that includes all the features of Prime, Broadcast and Visual.
CINEMA 4D comes with great support for textures and materials, and is lauded for its swift rendering speeds. It is well integrated with Photoshop and other graphics programs, which is just what the doctor ordered for Photoshop savvy graphic designers.
CINEMA 4D's greatest weakness is in the animation features. It comes with a module called MOCCA, which is responsible for animation and cloth simulation. Unfortunately, many long-time users report that these features are less versatile than competitors. That's not to say that CINEMA 4D is inadequate – the animation toolset is still adequate for professional animated content. Reasons to consider this application for animation include springs, motors, thinking particles, cloth dynamics, hair dynamics and spline dynamics. It also supports a VAMP tool for translating animations from one model to another.
We love the user interface for CINEMA 4D. The toolsets are accessible, but not overwhelming. You can also rip menus for a customizable workspace. The point and click expression interface is another boon to ease-of-use. It reduces the need for scripting, which naturally eases the learning curve quite a bit. We felt that working with this software was relatively easy and natural from the minute we opened it.
Despite the kind interface, it is still essential that you have access to help and support. Although CINEMA 4D is easier to learn than most alternatives, it still isn't easy. Fortunately, a tech support email and tutorial library are available online.
This 3D animation software is great for veterans, but it's especially appealing for those who are just breaking into the modeling world. We recommend CINEMA 4D for graphic designers and other professionals who need something powerful, but approachable.
