Introduction¶

Release: 2023.2.0
Date: Mar 28, 2023

About this Documentation¶

The Cinema 4D Python SDK documentation is a publicly available development reference. As such, it is a growing document that is designed to help developers understand how to create Python plugins and scripts for MAXON Cinema 4D.

Developer Support¶

Plugin developers find all resources on the Development Support blog. Additional example code is presented on GitHub.

Additional developer support is provided on the Plugin Café support forum. This forum is also used to report feedbacks and issues about the documentation.

For more information about developer support see How to get Support.

If your project is under NDA or you need to address the support team directly, please email sdk_support@maxon.net for further assistance.

About Python in Cinema 4D¶

A separate Python installation is not needed. Python is integrated into Cinema 4D and runs out of the box.

Python can be found in different parts of the Cinema 4D eco-system.
It can be used to extend, automate or improve workflow by creating custom scripts or plugins.

Being all the functions of the “c4d” module calling their C++ equivalent, executing a Python code, invoking only Cinema 4D SDK functions, takes almost the same time of the equivalent C++ code.

A python interpreter called c4dpy is available to execute python code with the Cinema 4D API outside of Cinema 4D.
Moreover c4dpy bring extra features such as Autocompletion or Debugging for Python Script (Plugin are not supported). See the c4dpy manual.

Contact¶

For further questions about MAXON Computer or our applications Cinema 4D and BodyPaint 3D, please contact MAXON at any of the following locations:

Headquarters Germany: info_de@maxon.net

USA, Canada, Americas: info_us@maxon.net

United Kingdom & Ireland: info_uk@maxon.net

Japan: info_jp@maxon.net

France: info_fr@maxon.net

Singapore / ASEAN: info_sg@maxon.net

Copyright¶

The MAXON C++ SDK Documentation is copyright © MAXON Computer GmbH, Friedrichsdorf, Germany. Any form of unauthorized use, publication, reproduction, copying or changes to this document is not permitted without the written consent of MAXON Computer GmbH.

Disclaimer¶

MAXON cannot be held responsible for any damages to your code or project-schedule as a result of your study and use of this documentation or correspondence with our SDK-support team. MAXON is not obliged to make any changes to the SDK at your request.

When using this reference or inquiring for support you do so at your own risk.