Hey,

I am trying to code a python script that automatically renders the active document and sets the preview for the document to that rendered image.

The set parameter that I use wants a BaseList2D object instead of a bitmap and I have no idea how I could convert that info. (Or maybe im dead lost already ) Maybe you can help?

Thanks in advance

import c4d
from c4d import documents
import os

def main():
    doc = documents.GetActiveDocument()
    rd = doc.GetActiveRenderData()
    # Set resolution
    rd[c4d.RDATA_XRES] = 640
    rd[c4d.RDATA_YRES] = 480
    
    # Render document
    bmp = c4d.bitmaps.BaseBitmap()
    bmp.Init(640, 480)
    if c4d.documents.RenderDocument(doc, rd.GetDataInstance(), bmp, c4d.RENDERFLAGS_EXTERNAL) != c4d.RENDERRESULT_OK:
        raise Exception("Rendering failed")
    
    # Save bitmap to disk for manual setting of preview later
    temp_filepath = os.path.join(os.path.expanduser("~"), "temp_preview.png")
    if bmp.Save(temp_filepath, c4d.FILTER_PNG, c4d.BaseContainer()) != c4d.IMAGERESULT_OK:
        raise Exception("Failed to save bitmap")
    
    # Display the bitmap for verification
    c4d.bitmaps.ShowBitmap(bmp)
    
    # Set the rendered Bitmap bmp as the preview of the document
    doc.SetParameter(c4d.DOCUMENT_PREVIEW_IMAGE, bmp, c4d.DESCFLAGS_SET_0) #<--- cant figure out how to get this working

if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()

Version: Cinema4D 2025.0.2
OS: Windows 11
Python

@ferdinand thank you for your welcoming words, for your help and edits.

Since I am no trained developer I was simply copy and pasting my first lines of code including the RegisterCommand function from the maxon python example github and thought it would fit my application since I thought the description in the sdk seemedlike a match to me ["Command can be dragged into an icon bar and delivers its own dialogs instead of icons." (- maybe I got that wrong)]. Also scince I have little developing experience the term "smallnode" is nothing I can make sense of and an accurate description seems to be missing.

Nevertheless I tried your suggestion and it works like a charm.

Thanks a lot
Marc

Sorry for the basic question -
Like the title says - I am trying to add my plugin to my costum c4d Layout but when I try to do it the plugin doesnt show. It is added but simply not visible (I know this because if an loading error occurs the place it should have been says: "Plugin not found"). In the extensions tab of cinema its shown as expected with icon and title.

I guess I am missing something basic. Anyone who can help?

The Plugin is registered as follows:

c4d.plugins.RegisterCommandPlugin(id=PLUGIN_ID, str=plugin_name, icon = get_icon(), 
                                  info = c4d.PLUGINFLAG_COMMAND_ICONGADGET, help=helptext, 
                                  dat = MyCommandData())

Thanks in advance,
Marc