Latest News

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Cinema 4D R20 Released

Posted on by Andreas Block

The new major version R20 of Cinema 4D has been officially released.
Check out the new features of Cinema 4D R20 on maxon.net.

This time there are some major changes to the SDK:

  • C++ SDK comes with changed workflows and the new MAXON API (see blow)
  • Python SDK got extended by the new features and provides a nicer workflow via c4dpy
  • C.O.F.F.E.E. has been removed completely.

All C++ plugins need at least to be recompiled. Most likely the developer will also need to adapt to the new API.
Python plugins and scripts should still continue to work (with minor exceptions).

The latest version 20.026 (Service Pack 1) of Cinema 4D is available for download. Developers must use this or later versions of the SDK to develop C++ plugins for Cinema 4D R20.

Documentation and Downloads

C++

Python

DevKitchen 2018

Currently we are planning a DevKitchen embedded into the Cinema 4D SuperMeet 2018 in Frankfurt on November 1st and 2nd.
This will be a great opportunity for plugin developers to get informed about the SDK changes in Cinema 4D R20 and directly discuss with the MAXON’s SDK Team.
There is also the chance to present your plugins at the SuperMeet, please contact us separately via mail to sdk_support@maxon.net, if interested.

Please take a look at the announcement.
We will need a certain number of non-binding pre-registrations until September, 16th for the DevKitchen to happen.

New Support Forum

The new official developer support forum is now online at plugincafe.maxon.net. Please create a new account and use this forum for all future support requests and discussions on Cinema 4D plugin development.

Please make yourself familiar with the rules and procedures in this new forum as described in these threads:

As before, the forum can be used to create new unique plugin IDs. The IDs are created and listed on the “Plugin ID” page.

If you have a user account in the existing support forum, please access your account and store your plugin IDs locally.

New Documentation Online

C++

The documentation of the Cinema 4D R20 C++ SDK is now online. This documentation includes manuals about the new API as well as information on how to port older plugins to the new SDK.

General information on API changes and plugin development is presented on these pages:

Information on how to adapt existing plugins can be found on these pages:

Python

The Python documentation has been updated and extended, too.

Project Tool Available

The Project Tool is used to create the necessary project files for Microsoft Visual Studio and Apple Xcode. The tool can be obtained from the Downloads page.

More information on the Project Tool can be found in the documentation: Project Tool.

c4dpy Available

The c4dpy executable can be used as a Python interpreter in conjunction with various IDEs. The latest version is available on the Downloads page.

Example on GitHub

The examples on GitHub have been updated (well, actually by the time of writing this post the update was not complete, yet. The update will follow asap within the next days). All C++ example code can now be found in one repository.

The new repository contains these examples:

  • cinema4dsdk: The standard example project that contains code that uses both the “classic” API as well as the new MAXON API.
  • maxonsdk.module: A new example project using only the new MAXON API.
  • microsdk: A new example project showing a minimal project setup.

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Anyone Interested in DevKitchen 2018?

Posted on by Andreas Block

Dear Developer Community,

now, that Cinema 4D R20 has been announced, MAXON is planning an event in Frankfurt am Main on November 1st and 2nd, 2018. Due to the rather large changes inside of the SDK’s, we are thinking about having a DevKitchen in parallel to this event.

The DevKitchen would be a one day event with several presentations targeted at plugin developers. Currently we have the following topics in mind:

  • MAXON API – General Concepts
  • MAXON API – Basic Tools
  • Demo: R19 Plugin Project to R20 Plugin Project
  • Python in R20
  • R20 Features and their APIs

These topics are not set in stone, yet. If you are interested in other topics or have specific topics for discussions, please let us know.

We may also have the option for a second day, probably used for hands-on workshops, if there’s enough interest.

Of course the SDK Team will be there almost entirely, so there’s also the possibility for additional Q&A and extensive discussions.

DevKitchen itself is free and as a DevKitchen attendee you will also get free access to the entire surrounding event, including free lunch and drinks.

In order for DevKitchen to happen, we would need roughly 15 pre-registrations until September, 28th (edit: pre-registration period prolonged). Please send such via email: sdk_support@maxon.net

There’s another interesting option: As a plugin developer you might want to present your plugins at the event or even do a talk or presentation. If this sounds interesting to you, please contact us for further discussion.

Looking forward to meeting you,
your SDK Team

4

Preparing for Cinema 4D R20

Posted on by Andreas Block

Hello everybody,

we announced it already on several channels, with the upcoming Cinema 4D R20 a few old features need to be removed to allow for future development.

Over at MAXON Labs we have released two plugins, that are supposed to help with this transition.

C.O.F.F.E.E. Filter
Search for usage of C.O.F.F.E.E. scripting language in scenes and C4D installations.
This will provide you easy access to the code, so it can be easily ported to Python.

Scene Updater
Cinema 4D R20 won’t be able to load scenes saved with versions prior to R12. With the Scene Updater plugin one can easily scan for and convert such scene files, so they can still be loaded with R20.

Have a good time,
MAXON’s SDK Team

2

Quick Prototyping

Posted on by Andreas Block

Hi Everyone,

We’d like to quickly turn your attention to a new toolset commissioned by Cineversity and developed by Niklas Rosenstein.

This plugin makes it easy to convert your prototype Python scripts and UserData to Cinema 4D plugins and resource files. After download and installation, you’ll find two new tools in your Plugins menu – the Script Converter and the Prototype Converter.

We’re sure this toolset will help many of you achieve your goals faster than ever before.

Cheers,
MAXON’s SDK Team

Getting Started

Hi,
first time around?

Pick the right API for the right job

The very first thing you will need to do is choose which API will suit your needs.

Cinema 4D has… three APIs, the first two may be used to add functionality and are part of the product’s distribution:

  • C++
    The C++ SDK is what is used internally by the development team to write all our product’s functionalities.  It is robust reliable and the obvious choice for commercial plugins.  The C++ SDK offers the most extended capabilities of all APIs. Yet, if you are new in software development the learning curve may be a bit too steep. Then you probably want to have a look at the scripting languages.
  • Python
    Python is a scripting languages. It is a good choice for TDs, easier, more flexible to use than the C++ API, but the feature set exposed is a bit less extended. In general Python provides the means for very rapid development. On the other hand your sources are harder to protect in Python, your algorithms are easily exposed to all for reading.
  • Mélange
    Mélange is a bit different, as it provides means to exchange data with the “outside world”. It can be downloaded on this site.

Find information

All APIs have their own documentation which can be downloaded from this website.  That documentation contains two things: articles explaining concepts and a functional documentation of the header files.  The later is generated directly from our sources and is written by our development team.  We publish relevant articles on our plugin development blog.  These articles eventually find their way into the API documentation.

The first place to look is on your chosen API’s page.  We will explain how to setup your development environment and get results fast.

Find help

We all need help once in a while. For this we have the Plugin Café forum where all are invited to ask questions and provide answers. Our support engineers will do their best to provide a solution to your problem.