This documentation describes how to develop C++ plugins for Cinema 4D. For the latest changes of the API see SDK Change Notes for Cinema 4D 2023.1.

Resources and Examples

The Cinema 4D SDK is included in every distribution of Cinema 4D.
The Project Tool is available on developers.maxon.net.
General information on how to use Cinema 4D can be found in the Cinema 4D User Manual.

The sdk.zip file contains these example projects:

cinema4dsdk: Contains various example plugins based on classic API hooks.
maxonsdk: Contains various example plugins based on MAXON API interfaces.
microsdk: Is a minimal example project combining classic API with elements of the MAXON API.
example.nodes: Contains various examples about using the node framework.
example.assets: Contains various examples about using the asset framework.

The example projects are also available on GitHub.

Setting up a new project	Plugin Development	Best Practices
Project Tool Development for macOS Development for Microsoft Windows Development for Linux	Plugin Development Plugin Types General Plugin Information Manual Plugin Functions Manual	Plugin Migration Programming Advice Debugging

Introduction

Foundations

Data & Algorithms

Basic information to start plugin development

Basic building blocks of the API

Generic and reusable data structures and algorithms

Application Development

3D Concepts

Handbooks

Elements for generic application development

Handling 3D scenes and elements

Development Handbooks