Cinema 4D XL allows you to turn almost any computer into a 3D animation studio. The software's enhanced architecture promises workstation performance on consumer hardware, so you can build your own animation studio with less investment than ever before. Incredibly fast workflow in a fully-integrated 3D environment combined with the world's fastest raytracer will help you produce mind-boggling 3D graphics quicker than ever before.

Streamlined interface

As a 3D artist you know that fast, easy workflow is the key to meeting deadlines and beating the competition. Cinema 4D's interface takes advantage of non-modal managers for real-time feedback and robust OpenGL support to provide an efficient foundation, while allowing you to customize almost every aspect of the interface itself to achieve the fastest and easiest workflow possible.

Content Browser

As an integral part of the Cinema 4D workflow, the Content Browser ensures an optimal overview and management of projects and related files. The Content Browser's sophisticated search functions, in combination with its directory structure view of your project's files and the ability to assign keywords help you find your files quickly and reliably. You can use drag-and-drop to manage models, shaders or presets within the three available catalogs.

Modeling

The first step in most 3D projects is creating the objects that will be used in the scene. The most basic shapes are provided in Cinema 4D as parametric primitives, with parameters like size, fillet and orientation easily adjustable. Parametric objects can be used as is or converted to polygons as a basis for more complicated objects.

A number of deformers and other generators can be used in conjunction with objects, and their non-linear construction history makes it easy to adjust items as the scene progresses. Splines can be used as the basis for extrudes, lofts, lathes and sweeps, all of which can be adjusted dynamically in real time and even animated

Animation

Bringing your 3D objects to life through animation can be the most rewarding and challenging aspect of any 3D project. Cinema 4D provides the animation tools to achieve almost any animation effect. An extensive timeline allows easy organization and manipulation of animation tracks, and all parameters can be automatically keyframed as you make changes.

XPresso

You can build extensive relationships and add powerful interaction to your 3D scene with XPresso, Cinema 4D's visual node-based expressions editor. An expression is a relationship between objects in your 3D scene that often includes some mathematical manipulation, like using the rotation of one object to change the position of another. Normally, these types of relationships would require programming, but with XPresso they're a matter of drag and drop.

Material Editor

Every 3D artist knows an extensive material system is key to creating realistic and convincing 3D images. Whether it's artificial or natural materials you're creating, Cinema 4D's material system provides incredible control over the properties of your 3D objects. You can easily define an object's color, diffusion, luminance, transparency, reflection, environment, fog, bump, alpha, specular, glow, displacement and illumination properties.

Lighting

Lighting is perhaps the most important aspect of any 3D render. Just like a poorly lit photograph, a 3D scene without proper lighting will fail to meet the expectations of clients and colleagues. Cinema 4D offers a complete array of gaffer's tools so you can make your scene shine far above the competition.

Rendering

The Cinema 4D rendering engine is legendary for its ability to deliver stunning image quality with unprecedented speed. When a deadline is breathing down your neck, it's good to know that you can rely on Cinema 4D's outstanding renderer to deliver great-looking results in a very short time.