Posted by Mark Bremmer on Oct 28, 2013 | 2 comments

Publisher: Maxon
Platforms: PC/Mac
Description: 3D animation, virtual reality and photo-realistic rendering
MSRP: Studio Version (complete package – there are options with less features and reduced cost) New  $3,695; Upgrade $995
Expected Release: Available Now
Official Website: http://www.maxon.net
Demo: Click Here 
Special Discount: Click Here
Review Issue: Issue #92 (10/13)
Review By: Mark Bremmer
Final Score: 9.5 (out of 10)

With the R15 upgrade, Maxon proves again that they listen to their users’ wants, which is why Cinema 4D is one of the software packages whose upgrades I always look forward to.

For the microfilmmaker, this release has some special treats that make it even easier to blend real and CG footage into your projects.

The full C4D Studio complete edition, while easy to use, is a very robust program. There are different scaled versions available if your particular needs don’t require everything C4D Studio does (and they cost less, starting at $995 for the Core package). However, for this review I’ll be covering the most useful features in the C4D Studio R15 version for the micro-budget filmmaker.

 Ease of Use

Maxon’s Cinema 4D was (and is) one of the ‘original’ easy-to-use 3d packages with pro-grade capabilities embraced by television and filmmaking studios. That tradition continues. For example, the photo-realistic rendering capabilities of the Physical Camera now have fewer things you have to mess about with while still producing better, faster results. Who doesn’t like that philosophy?

Maxon also doesn’t simply tack on new abilities without careful consideration. To wit, the new Crane Camera ability demonstrates the integration of real-world crane visual tools to manage the virtual camera. Consequently, you get smooth jib shots with very little fuss, so creating match-moves for studio CG shots just got even easier.

Interactive, on-screen GUI for excellent bevel creation and control

Another example is the new bevel/chamfer controls. Creating slight rounding on edges that appears realistic – especially with complex hard edge shapes–is a challenge. C4D’s new solution provides multiple means of control, with the best being simple onscreen ‘handles’ to grab and adjust bevels,  providing dynamic feedback. That ability is backed up with numeric and slider inputs on the tool control panel so that you can use what works best for you.

Depth of Options

Simply put, C4D just does everything very well from photo-realistic to highly stylized to sports motion bumpers. There are other robust 3D packages, but from a total user experience and breadth of ability, C4D sits very close to the top.

Grass can be photo-realistic or stylized; wet or dry. All colors can be changed

New options in C4D R15 include a nice, very welcome Architectural Grass shader. There have been ‘hacks’ for this in C4D and other software packages that typically involve repurposing the Hair shading abilities.  The Grass function, however, has been streamlined for grass appearance and render speeds, even when using multiple Grass shaders on a single object to increase randomness and natural presentation.

Another very welcome enhancement is the improvement of typographic controls. A boon for 3D signage or titling, there is now native, interactive support for all typographic adjustments including: kerning, tracking, baseline shift, uniform scaling and horizontal/vertical independent scaling. You can select individual letters, portions of a word, or entire sentence/text groups and adjust them with the on-screen GUI or use the numeric inputs in the text tool control panel.

Performance

Once you no longer have to worry about stability with a program, there is only one real king in the performance arena: Render Time. This has significantly been  improved for the Physical Camera with Global Illumination settings used for photo-realistic output. For networked users, Team Render abilities shorten that further still. If you use one of the many commercial render farms for C4D, your expenses will also drop because of the shortened render times.

Realism is much more easily achieved with the Physical Camera and Global Illumination

While kind to older 64 bit configurations, check the minimum spec and make sure you meet it. I’ve found R15 to be very, very stable and coupled with auto-saves, makes blood pressure stay low.

For all of the advances in C4D over the years, one thing leaves me puzzled: the lack of development in the included BodyPaint 3D, which is the texture painting component of C4D. State-of-the-art when debuted and still extremely powerful and well integrated with Photoshop, the UV mapping/mesh adjusting abilities are now a bit clunky to use in contrast to the rest of the program. (and when compared to other CG applications that also include texture painting)

Value

As with all the Cinema 4D packages, the Studio edition of C4D R15 is a not an insignificant procurement if you are buying new. Even the upgrade is 10 Benjamins. As there are a number of package options with Cinema 4D, don’t over-buy. Carefully read through the other C4D offerings like Visualize, Broadcast or Prime, especially if budget is THE consideration for where you’re at in your creative journey.

Of course, if you need a practical reason to justify moving up to the Studio addition, the camera tools introduced back in r14 make getting C4D Studio almost a no-brainer if you need CG or realistic virtual sets. And, it should be noted that as of the most recent Cloud Edition of Adobe’s  After Effects, Maxon is much more tightly linked with the Adobe production pipeline, seamlessly merging C4D’s 3D workflow into film and multimedia production.

If your check book can swing it, you won’t regret going up to Studio pinnacle of this versatile and pro-level software.

Final Comments

For filmmakers starting to work with CG and explore the rich, story telling abilities that these tools can enhance, C4D is an excellent choice. Filmmakers don’t need to get the whole Studio R15 version to start capitalizing on these abilities either. The beauty of C4D  is that it’s a very mature, well supported program that users can scale up into as budget or need dictate. Of course I need to mention that working with C4D is like eating potato chips, once you start and see the options that open up as a filmmaker, it’s kind of hard to stop. But there is really no need to stop; C4D is calorie free.

Mark Bremmer

Mark Bremmer has operated his own commercial studio for over 18 years. He’s been fortunate enough to work for clients like Caterpillar, Colgate, Amana, Hormel Foods, Universal Studios Florida, and The History Channel producing stills, digital mattes and animations. Mark contracts regularly as an art mercenary with production houses that shall remain nameless by written agreements. If you've seen shows like The Voice, The Grammy or the ESPY Awards, then you've also seen some of Mark's day-job work.