Maxon Cinema 4D, two decades of experience in the development of 3D graphics

The new version 12 of Cinema 4D leverages two decades of experience in developing 3D graphics and features dozens of new productivity-enhancing features including render acceleration, improved dynamics, new deformers and extensive character animation capabilities that will allow digital artists to intuitively and easily create high-performance 3D images and animations.

The new version 12 of Cinema 4D leverages two decades of experience in developing 3D graphics and features dozens of new productivity-enhancing features including render acceleration, improved dynamics, new deformers and extensive character animation capabilities that will allow digital artists to intuitively and easily create high-performance 3D images and animations.

According to Harald Schneider, CEO and co-founder of Maxon Computer, "our development team did everything possible to make the features requested by customers easy to use, stable and powerful. Creative professionals in all fields will be able to find unprecedented solutions to help them meet the challenges of today's high production environments and create world-class content."

New features

Depending on the equipment configuration, Maxon Cinema 4D in version 12 offers new functions such as improved dynamics. Cinema 4D now features a complete, easy-to-use rigid body dynamics system based on the proven Bullet engine. Objects can be connected through hinges, springs and complex joints, and with a simple click, they can be transformed into soft bodies.

Rendering has also been improved by streamlining batch rendering, and when it comes to linear and color profiling work, adopting a linear workflow is now as simple as checking a box. Colors and lighting are mixed more realistically, and the result is higher quality images with less effort. Color profiles are now integrated into Cinema 4D for more accurate color representation.

As for IES lights, it is possible to apply precise light fades using IES data directly from the lamp manufacturers. Photometric intensity based on lumens and candela is also supported by the new version.
To ensure that calculations are accurate and scene scaling remains consistent, it now incorporates actual units of measurement, converting them automatically and preserving both scales and units in each document.

Cinema 4D's advanced image viewer now includes a full-screen player, viewer, and histogram browser.

In terms of tools applied to characters, the Inverse Kinematics (IK) system incorporates new dynamic properties, also including a powerful integrated pose-mixing and morphing system.

Also new in the latest version is the addition of several new deformers including options to modify objects based on a low poly cage or screen space.

Lastly, version 12 supports the powerful Python language allowing users great functionality to create scripts, expressions and plugins for an unlimited creative workflow.

Four editions

This release also marks a general reorganization across the entire Cinema 4D R12 product line with the introduction of four editions that offer a proven workflow and feature set aimed at professional 3D animators, motion graphics artists, architects and designers.

The Cinema 4D Release 12 product line includes new advanced editions to support the creative workflow needs of 3D professionals, as well as an update to BodyPaint 3D, Maxon's popular high-end painting and texturing application:

• Prime – The core professional 3D graphics package includes basic modeling, animation and rendering capabilities. Additionally, Version 12 now includes ambient occlusion and many deformers that were previously found in the Mocca and MoGraph modules.

• Broadcast: Leverages the capabilities of Cinema 4D Prime to deliver a powerful motion graphics toolset designed expressly to enhance the creative process of Broadcast design professionals. Version 12 now includes the features of the previous MoGraph module, rendering with IG and an extensive library of objects, materials and settings.

• Visualize: the professional solution for architects and designers. Take advantage of the functionality of Cinema 4D Prime to offer a professional solution for architects and designers. Cinema 4D Visualize includes all the features of previous editions of Architecture and Engineering, (the Advanced Render, Sketch and Toon and NET Render 3 modules plus an extensive library of materials and objects.

• Studio: the most complete edition of Release 12 of Cinema 4D includes all available functions, as well as all the libraries of the Broadcast and Visualize packages.

• BodyPaint 3D v12 for 3D painting, texturing and UV editing. While benefiting from all the new developments in its sister app, Cinema 4D Prime, BodyPaint 3D v12 offers a full complement of 3D painting and texturing tools unmatched by other packages on the market. New features in Update 12 include color profiles, the option to render ambient occlusion on a texture, and connecting Cineman to RenderMan by including render previews directly within BodyPaint 3D. In addition, it has updated exchanges with 3ds Max, Maya, Softimage and LightWave 3D.

Requirements

Recommended system requirements include Windows XP, Vista or 7 running on Intel or AMD CPUs with SSE2 support; Mac OS X 10.5.8 or higher running on Intel based Mac; 1024 MB RAM, DVD ROM drive. DVD installation may require 2.5 GB of disk space.

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