c4d.documents.BaseDocument

class c4d.documents.BaseDocument

This object contains the complete description of a scene.

Note

Remember that you need to call StopAllThreads() before making modifications to a user scene.

Methods Signatures

Magic Methods

BaseDocument.__init__(self)

rtype

c4d.documents.BaseDocument

Deprecated

BaseDocument.GetData(self, type)

Deprecated since version R16: GetDocumentData() should be used instead.

BaseDocument.GetOrderedActiveObjects(self)

Deprecated since version R13.051: Use GetActiveObjects() with the corresponding flag instead.

Uncategorized

BaseDocument.SetFps(self, fps)

Set the frames per second.

BaseDocument.GetFps(self)

Returns the fps of the document.

BaseDocument.SetLOD(self, lod)

Get the Level of Detail for this document.

BaseDocument.GetLOD(self)

Get the Level of Detail for this document.

BaseDocument.GetRenderLod(self)

Get if the level of detail for rendering should be used in the editor.

BaseDocument.SetRenderLod(self, lod)

Set the level of detail for rendering.

BaseDocument.GetDrawTime(self)

Get the editor redraw time.

BaseDocument.GetLayerObjectRoot(self)

Returns the list of layers of the document.

BaseDocument.GetSplinePlane(self)

Get the plane in which the splines are created, such as XY plane.

BaseDocument.SetRewind(self[, flags])

Rewinds the whole document (from time 0 to current time) when the next event EVMSG_CHANGE or DrawViews() is processed.

BaseDocument.GetBaseDrawCount(self)

Get the BaseDraw count in the editor view.

BaseDocument.Flush(self)

Empties the document, deleting and freeing all resources used.

BaseDocument.SetDocumentName(self, name)

Set the file name of the document.

BaseDocument.SetDocumentPath(self, path)

Set the path of the document.

BaseDocument.GetDocumentName(self)

Returns the file name of the document.

BaseDocument.GetDocumentPath(self)

Returns the path of the document.

BaseDocument.GetParticleSystem(self)

Returns the particle master system of the document.

BaseDocument.ForceCreateBaseDraw(self)

Makes sure that GetBaseDraw() (0) is accessible.

BaseDocument.ExecutePasses(self, bt, animation, ...)

Animate the current frame of the document.

BaseDocument.FindSceneHook(self, id)

Finds a scene hook by ID.

BaseDocument.StartUndo(self)

Tells Cinema 4D to start building a list of undos into a single undo action for the user.

BaseDocument.AddUndo(self, type, data[, ...])

Adds an undo type to the list of undo operations started with StartUndo().

BaseDocument.GetUndoPtr(self)

Returns the element of the last undo action. E.g. if you have added a BaseObject undo you can retrieve the object by calling this method.

BaseDocument.FlushUndoBuffer(self)

Flushes the complete undo + redo buffer.

BaseDocument.FindUndoPtr(self, bl, type)

Returns the last undo state of the Cinema 4D element bl (object, tag, material, etc.) for the specified undo action type.

BaseDocument.DoRedo(self)

Perform a redo on this document (undo the last undo).

BaseDocument.DoUndo(self[, multiple])

Perform an undo operation, same as the user selecting Undo from within Cinema 4D.

BaseDocument.EndUndo(self)

End the building of multiple undo actions into a single user undo.

BaseDocument.RecordKey(self, op, id, time, ...)

Records a key for op at time.

BaseDocument.AutoKey(self, op, undo, ...)

Compares the object chain op to undo and sets keyframes for all the changes.

BaseDocument.Record(self)

Records the active objects in the document.

BaseDocument.AnimateObject(self, op, time, flags)

Animate a node in this document at the given time.

BaseDocument.Polygonize(self[, keepanimation])

Make a clone of the document and turn all objects into polygon based objects.

BaseDocument.SetMinTime(self, time)

Set the starting time for the timeline of this document.

BaseDocument.SetMaxTime(self, time)

Set the end time of the timeline for this document.

BaseDocument.GetMinTime(self)

Get the starting time for the timeline of this document.

BaseDocument.GetMaxTime(self)

Get the end time for the timeline of this document.

BaseDocument.GetTime(self)

Returns the min time.

BaseDocument.SetTime(self, time)

Set the current time for this documents timeline.

BaseDocument.GetLoopMinTime(self)

Returns the time of the left boundary of the document’s preview range (loop range).

BaseDocument.SetLoopMinTime(self, time)

Sets the left boundary of the document’s preview range (loop range) to the given time.

BaseDocument.GetLoopMaxTime(self)

Returns the time of the right boundary of the document’s preview range (loop range).

BaseDocument.SetLoopMaxTime(self, time)

Sets the right boundary of the document’s preview range (loop range) to the given time.

BaseDocument.SetActiveObject(self, op[, mode])

Modifies the current multi selection with op, depending on mode.

BaseDocument.SetActiveTag(self, tag[, mode])

Sets a tag be the currently active one.

BaseDocument.SetActiveMaterial(self, mp[, mode])

Modifies the current multi selection with op, depending on mode.

BaseDocument.SetActiveRenderData(self, rd)

Sets the active render settings for the document, these are the settings that are used for rendering.

BaseDocument.GetAllTextures(self[, isNet, ar])

Returns a collection of all used textures in the document and optionally only for the objects in ar.

BaseDocument.SetAction(self, a)

Set the current tool in the editor.

BaseDocument.GetAction(self)

Get the ID of the current active tool in the editor.

BaseDocument.GetActiveToolData(self)

Gets the original tool data container.

BaseDocument.SetMode(self, m)

Set the main mode of the editor.

BaseDocument.GetMode(self)

Get the main mode of the editor.

BaseDocument.IsEditMode(self)

Check if the editor is in an editable mode.

BaseDocument.GetBaseDraw(self, bd)

Returns the BaseDraw hook of the editor bd.

BaseDocument.GetActiveBaseDraw(self)

Get the activate BaseDraw in the editor, this is where all drawing should be performed.

BaseDocument.GetRenderBaseDraw(self)

This is the BaseDraw belonging to the view that the user has chosen as ‘Render View’ (see View menu in Cinema 4D).

BaseDocument.GetActiveTag(self)

Returns the active selected tag.

BaseDocument.GetMaterials(self)

Returns all materials in a list.

BaseDocument.GetActiveObject(self)

Returns the active selected object.

BaseDocument.GetActiveRenderData(self)

Returns the active selected render data.

BaseDocument.GetFirstRenderData(self)

Gets the first render data or options of the document.

BaseDocument.InsertRenderData(self, rd[, parent, pred])

Inserts the render data into the document’s render settings hierarchy.

BaseDocument.InsertRenderDataLast(self, rd)

Inserts the render data as last child into the document’s render data list.

BaseDocument.GetActiveMaterial(self)

Returns the active selected material.

BaseDocument.GetDocumentData(self, type)

Get the BaseContainer settings of the specified type.

BaseDocument.SetDocumentData(self, type, bc)

Merges the BaseContainer for the settings of the specified type.

BaseDocument.GetSettingsInstance(self, type)

Returns the internal settings object.

BaseDocument.GetFirstObject(self)

Returns the first object.

BaseDocument.GetFirstMaterial(self)

Returns the first material.

BaseDocument.GetActiveMaterials(self)

Returns the material selection.

BaseDocument.GetActiveObjects(self, flags)

Returns the object selection.

BaseDocument.GetActiveTags(self)

Returns the tag selection.

BaseDocument.GetSelection(self)

Returns the selection of materials, tags and objects in a list.

BaseDocument.GetActiveObjectsFilter(self, children, type, ...)

Returns the active object multi selection and removes objects that do not match the filter given by type and instanceof.

BaseDocument.GetRealActiveObject(self, help)

Returns the active object or the dummy axis if multiple objects are selected.

BaseDocument.GetObjects(self)

Returns the highest objects without children.

BaseDocument.SetSelection(self, bl[, mode])

Sets the active selection.

BaseDocument.SearchMaterial(self, name)

Search for a material with the same case sensitive name.

BaseDocument.SearchObject(self, name)

Search for an object with the same case sensitive name.

BaseDocument.GetHighest(self, type, editor)

The first object in object manager hierarchy of type type.

BaseDocument.InsertObject(self, op[, parent, ...])

Inserts the object into the document’s object hierarchy.

BaseDocument.InsertMaterial(self, op[, pred, ...])

Inserts the material into the document’s material list.

BaseDocument.GetHelperAxis(self)

Get the helper axis for the current multi selection.

BaseDocument.GetChanged(self)

Checks if the document has been changed since it was last saved.

BaseDocument.SetChanged(self)

Set the changed state of the document to reflect it has been modified.

BaseDocument.IsAxisEnabled(self)

Returns the state of the object axis modifier.

BaseDocument.SendInfo(self, type, format, fn, ...)

Sends MSG_DOCUMENTINFO messages.

BaseDocument.GetDocPreviewBitmap(self)

Get the preview bitmap of the document.

BaseDocument.GetTakeData(self)

Gets the take data for the document.

BaseDocument.GetTargetObject(self)

Gets the target object within a multi-selection.

BaseDocument.SetTargetObject(self, op)

Sets the target object within a multi-selection.

BaseDocument.GetDefaultKey(self)

Retrieves the document’s default keying settings.

BaseDocument.SetDefaultKey(self, key, overdub)

Sets the document’s default keying settings.

BaseDocument.GetPickSession(self)

Returns information about the current pick session.

BaseDocument.StartPickSession(self, callback, multi)

Starts a pick session.

BaseDocument.StopPickSession(self, cancel)

Ends the pick session.

Inheritance

Parent Class:

Methods Documentation

BaseDocument.__init__(self)
Return type

c4d.documents.BaseDocument

Returns

The new document.

BaseDocument.GetData(self, type)

Deprecated since version R16: GetDocumentData() should be used instead.

Get the BaseContainer settings of the specified type.

Parameters

type (int) – The DOCUMENTSETTINGS type of the settings to get. See DOCUMENTSETTINGS.

Return type

c4d.BaseContainer

Returns

The settings for the document.

BaseDocument.GetOrderedActiveObjects(self)

Deprecated since version R13.051: Use GetActiveObjects() with the corresponding flag instead.

Returns the objects in an ordered list.

Return type

List[c4d.BaseList2D]

Returns

The oredered list.

BaseDocument.SetFps(self, fps)

Set the frames per second.

Parameters

fps (int) – The fps.

BaseDocument.GetFps(self)

Returns the fps of the document.

Return type

int

Returns

The fps

BaseDocument.SetLOD(self, lod)

Get the Level of Detail for this document.

Parameters

lod (float) –

The default level of detail values are:

Low

0.25

Medium

0.5

High

1.0

BaseDocument.GetLOD(self)

Get the Level of Detail for this document.

Return type

float

Returns

The default level of detail values are:

Low

0.25

Medium

0.5

High

1.0

BaseDocument.GetRenderLod(self)

Get if the level of detail for rendering should be used in the editor.

Return type

bool

Returns

True if using the render lod.

BaseDocument.SetRenderLod(self, lod)

Set the level of detail for rendering.

Parameters

lod (bool) – True if using the render lod.

BaseDocument.GetDrawTime(self)

Get the editor redraw time.

Return type

int

Returns

The editor redraw time.

BaseDocument.GetLayerObjectRoot(self)

Returns the list of layers of the document.

def GetFirstLayer(doc):
    # Returns the first layer, if available, otherwise None

    return doc.GetLayerObjectRoot().GetDown()

Warning

The hierarchy method GeListNode.GetDown() can only be called on the returned object.

Return type

c4d.GeListHead

Returns

The head of the list of the document’s layers.

BaseDocument.GetSplinePlane(self)

Get the plane in which the splines are created, such as XY plane.

Return type

int

Returns

Values for this are:

PRIM_PLANE_XY

XY plane.

PRIM_PLANE_ZY

ZY plane.

PRIM_PLANE_XZ

XZ plane.

BaseDocument.SetRewind(self, flags=0)

Rewinds the whole document (from time 0 to current time) when the next event EVMSG_CHANGE or DrawViews() is processed.

Parameters

flags (int) – Not used.

BaseDocument.GetBaseDrawCount(self)

Get the BaseDraw count in the editor view.

Return type

int

Returns

The count.

BaseDocument.Flush(self)

Empties the document, deleting and freeing all resources used.

BaseDocument.SetDocumentName(self, name)

Set the file name of the document.

Note

name must contain the filename part only.

Parameters

name (str) – The file name part of the document to set.

BaseDocument.SetDocumentPath(self, path)

Set the path of the document.

Note

path must contain the path part only.

Parameters

path (str) – The path part of the document to set.

BaseDocument.GetDocumentName(self)

Returns the file name of the document.

Return type

str

Returns

The file name of the document.

Note

If the document has not been saved then the name is in the form ‘Untitled 1’, for instance for the first unsaved document.

BaseDocument.GetDocumentPath(self)

Returns the path of the document.

Return type

str

Returns

The path of the document.

Note

If the document has not been saved then the path is empty.

BaseDocument.GetParticleSystem(self)

Returns the particle master system of the document.

Return type

c4d.modules.thinkingparticles.TP_MasterSystem

Parameters

type – The particle system of the document. Is useless when the document was deleted, None if Thinking Particles is not installed.

BaseDocument.ForceCreateBaseDraw(self)
Makes sure that GetBaseDraw() (0) is accessible.
This is only important in import filters where, at the time, there are no valid base draws.
BaseDocument.ExecutePasses(self, bt, animation, expressions, caches, flags)
Animate the current frame of the document.
To update the editor you then need to send an update message using c4d.EventAdd().
Parameters
  • bt (Union[None, c4d.threading.BaseThread]) – This thread can either be None (for the main Cinema 4D thread) or if you are within your own thread then you pass the thread.

  • animation (bool) – Animations are evaluated.

  • expressions (bool) – Expressions are evaluated.

  • caches (bool) – Caches are evaluated.

  • flags (int) –

    Flags:

    BUILDFLAGS_NONE

    None.

    BUILDFLAGS_INTERNALRENDERER

    Rendering in the editor.

    BUILDFLAGS_EXTERNALRENDERER

    Rendering externally.

    BUILDFLAGS_ISOPARM

    Generate isoparam objects.

    BUILDFLAGS_EXPORT

    Exporting (e.g. Alembic).

Return type

bool

Returns

True if successful, otherwise False.

BaseDocument.FindSceneHook(self, id)

Finds a scene hook by ID.

Parameters

id (int) – The scene hook ID.

Return type

c4d.BaseList2D

Returns

The found scene hook, or None.

BaseDocument.StartUndo(self)

Tells Cinema 4D to start building a list of undos into a single undo action for the user.

Return type

bool

Returns

Success of starting the undo list.

Here is a small example how to write a redo support for newly inserted objects.

import c4d

doc.StartUndo()                     # Start undo support
cube = c4d.BaseObject(c4d.Ocube)

doc.InsertObject(cube)              # Insert the object
doc.AddUndo(c4d.UNDOTYPE_NEW, cube) # Support redo the insert operation
doc.EndUndo()                       # Do not forget to close the undo support
BaseDocument.AddUndo(self, type, data, allowFromThread=False)

Adds an undo type to the list of undo operations started with StartUndo().

Note

Always has to be called before a change is made.
In the case of the creation of a new object the call is done afterwards, after insertion into the document/object/track/sequence but before calling subsequent functions like BaseDocument.SetActiveObject() which creates another undo:
tag = c4d.UVWTag(op.GetPointCount())
op.InsertTag(tag)
doc.AddUndo(c4d.UNDOTYPE_NEW, tag)
c4d.EventAdd()
Parameters
  • type (int) –

    The undo type:

    UNDOTYPE_NONE

    None.

    UNDOTYPE_CHANGE

    Any change to an object, including hierarchy modifications; modification in positioning (object has been moved from A to B), substructures etc. (Needs to be called before the change.)

    UNDOTYPE_CHANGE_NOCHILDREN

    Same as UNDOTYPE_CHANGE, but without child modifications. (Needs to be called before the change.)

    UNDOTYPE_CHANGE_SMALL

    Change to local data only (e.g. data container), no substructures (e.g. no tags on an object) and no children. (Needs to be called before the change.)

    UNDOTYPE_CHANGE_SELECTION

    Change to point/poly/edge selection only. (Needs to be called before the change.)

    UNDOTYPE_NEW

    New object/node/tag etc. was created. (Needs to be called after the change.)

    UNDOTYPE_DELETE

    Object/node/tag etc. to be deleted. (Needs to be called before the change.)

    UNDOTYPE_ACTIVATE

    Automatically managed by BaseDocument.SetActiveObject()/SetActiveTag()/SetActiveMaterial() etc. No need to use manually.

    UNDOTYPE_DEACTIVATE

    Automatically managed by BaseDocument.SetActiveObject()/SetActiveTag()/SetActiveMaterial() etc. No need to use manually.

    UNDOTYPE_BITS

    Change to object bits, e.g. selection status. (Needs to be called before the change.)

    UNDOTYPE_HIERARCHY_PSR

    Change in hierarchical placement and PSR values. (Needs to be called before the change.)

    UNDOTYPE_PRIVATE_STRING

    Private

    UNDOTYPE_PRIVATE_MULTISELECTIONAXIS

    Private.

    UNDOTYPE_START

    Private.

    UNDOTYPE_END

    Private.

  • data (c4d.BaseList2D) – The object the undo has been added for.

  • allowFromThread (bool) –

    New in version R14.014: If an undo is added from a thread this is not executed. (As a safety measure, because normally this doesn’t make any sense.)

    For explicit cases where a thread has to call AddUndo() (the view redraw and everything else is blocked) this can be set to True.

Return type

bool

Returns

Success of adding the undo.

BaseDocument.GetUndoPtr(self)

Returns the element of the last undo action. E.g. if you have added a BaseObject undo you can retrieve the object by calling this method.

Note

Always be sure to check the type of the result first.

Return type

c4d.BaseList2D

Returns

The last undo element.

BaseDocument.FlushUndoBuffer(self)

Flushes the complete undo + redo buffer.

New in version R14.014.

Warning

Only call when absolutely needed.

BaseDocument.FindUndoPtr(self, bl, type)

Returns the last undo state of the Cinema 4D element bl (object, tag, material, etc.) for the specified undo action type.

New in version R14.014.

Here is an how to retrieve the pre-undo object after a change has made

preundo = doc.FindUndoPtr(obj, c4d.UNDOTYPE_CHANGE)

Note

Always check the type of the returned object.

Parameters
  • bl (c4d.BaseList2D) – The element from which to obtain the last undo action.

  • type (int) –

    The undo type to check:

    UNDOTYPE_NONE

    None.

    UNDOTYPE_CHANGE

    Any change to an object, including hierarchy modifications; modification in positioning (object has been moved from A to B), substructures etc. (Needs to be called before the change.)

    UNDOTYPE_CHANGE_NOCHILDREN

    Same as UNDOTYPE_CHANGE, but without child modifications. (Needs to be called before the change.)

    UNDOTYPE_CHANGE_SMALL

    Change to local data only (e.g. data container), no substructures (e.g. no tags on an object) and no children. (Needs to be called before the change.)

    UNDOTYPE_CHANGE_SELECTION

    Change to point/poly/edge selection only. (Needs to be called before the change.)

    UNDOTYPE_NEW

    New object/node/tag etc. was created. (Needs to be called after the change.)

    UNDOTYPE_DELETE

    Object/node/tag etc. to be deleted. (Needs to be called before the change.)

    UNDOTYPE_ACTIVATE

    Automatically managed by BaseDocument.SetActiveObject()/SetActiveTag()/SetActiveMaterial() etc. No need to use manually.

    UNDOTYPE_DEACTIVATE

    Automatically managed by BaseDocument.SetActiveObject()/SetActiveTag()/SetActiveMaterial() etc. No need to use manually.

    UNDOTYPE_BITS

    Change to object bits, e.g. selection status. (Needs to be called before the change.)

    UNDOTYPE_HIERARCHY_PSR

    Change in hierarchical placement and PSR values. (Needs to be called before the change.)

    UNDOTYPE_PRIVATE_STRING

    Private

    UNDOTYPE_PRIVATE_MULTISELECTIONAXIS

    Private.

    UNDOTYPE_START

    Private.

    UNDOTYPE_END

    Private.

Return type

c4d.BaseList2D

Returns

The last undo element.

BaseDocument.DoRedo(self)

Perform a redo on this document (undo the last undo).

Return type

bool

Returns

Success of the operation.

BaseDocument.DoUndo(self, multiple=False)

Perform an undo operation, same as the user selecting Undo from within Cinema 4D.

Parameters

multiple (bool) – This parameter only matters if this method is called between AddUndo() and EndUndo(). If multiple is True then all the AddUndo() steps will be undone. Otherwise only the last AddUndo() step will be undone. If EndUndo() has been called then all steps are always undone.

Return type

bool

Returns

True if successful, otherwise False.

BaseDocument.EndUndo(self)

End the building of multiple undo actions into a single user undo.

Note

This must be paired with StartUndo().

Return type

bool

Returns

Success of finishing the undo list.

BaseDocument.RecordKey(self, op, id, time, undo, autoKey, eval_attribmanager)

Records a key for op at time.

New in version R16.021.

Parameters
  • op (c4d.BaseList2D) – The object to record.

  • id (c4d.DescID) – The description ID to record.

  • time (c4d.BaseTime) – The time to record.

  • undo (c4d.BaseList2D) –

    The object in the old state.
    This is necessary e.g. for autokeyframing so that Cinema 4D can compare values
    Usually this is the object from the undo buffer.
    To record keys (no autokeying) None can be passed.

  • autoKey (bool) – If True then autokeying is used and undo needs to be passed for comparison.

  • eval_attribmanager (bool) – Evaluate attributes manager.

Return type

bool

Returns

True if successful, otherwise False.

BaseDocument.AutoKey(self, op, undo, recursive, pos, scale, rot, param, pla)

Compares the object chain op to undo and sets keyframes for all the changes.

New in version R16.021.

Parameters
  • op (c4d.BaseObject) – The object chain to add the keys to.

  • undo (c4d.BaseList2D) – The object chain to compare to. This is necessary e.g. for autokeyframing so that Cinema 4D can compare values. Usually this is the object from the undo buffer.

  • recursive (bool) – If True then the function applies to all children of op as well. The hierarchy of op and undo must match.

  • pos (bool) – If True keyframes are added for differences in position.

  • scale (bool) – If True keyframes are added for differences in scale.

  • rot (bool) – If True keyframes are added for differences in rotation.

  • param (bool) – If True keyframes are added for differences in parameters.

  • pla (bool) – If True keyframes are added as PLA for differences in point positions.

BaseDocument.Record(self)

Records the active objects in the document.

New in version R19.

BaseDocument.AnimateObject(self, op, time, flags)

Animate a node in this document at the given time.

Note

Does not take expressions into account.

Parameters
  • op (c4d.BaseList2D) – This is the node to animate.

  • time (c4d.BaseTime) – The time at which it is being animated.

  • flags (int) –

    Flags:

    ANIMATEFLAGS_NONE

    None.

    ANIMATEFLAGS_NO_PARTICLES

    Ignore particles.

    ANIMATEFLAGS_NO_CHILDREN

    Do not animate children.

    ANIMATEFLAGS_INRENDER

    Prepare to render scene.

    ANIMATEFLAGS_NO_MINMAX

    Private.

    ANIMATEFLAGS_NO_NLA

    Private.

    ANIMATEFLAGS_NLA_SUM

    Private.

BaseDocument.Polygonize(self, keepanimation=False)

Make a clone of the document and turn all objects into polygon based objects.

Parameters

keepanimation (bool) – Keep animation.

Return type

c4d.documents.BaseDocument

Returns

The cloned polygon based document or None if failed.

BaseDocument.SetMinTime(self, time)

Set the starting time for the timeline of this document.

Note

For conversion of FPS or other time units, see BaseTime
You may also find the GetFps() useful when using this method.
Parameters

type (c4d.BaseTime) – The time.

BaseDocument.SetMaxTime(self, time)

Set the end time of the timeline for this document.

Note

For conversion of FPS or other time units, see BaseTime
You may also find the GetFps() useful when using this method.
Parameters

type (c4d.BaseTime) – The time.

BaseDocument.GetMinTime(self)

Get the starting time for the timeline of this document.

Note

For conversion of FPS or other time units, see BaseTime
You may also find the GetFps() useful when using this method.
Return type

c4d.BaseTime

Returns

The time.

BaseDocument.GetMaxTime(self)

Get the end time for the timeline of this document.

Note

For conversion of FPS or other time units, see BaseTime
You may also find the GetFps() useful when using this method.
Return type

c4d.BaseTime

Returns

The time.

BaseDocument.GetTime(self)

Returns the min time.

Return type

c4d.BaseTime

Returns

The current time.

BaseDocument.SetTime(self, time)

Set the current time for this documents timeline.

Note

This function only changes the document time, it does not start a redraw and/or animation/expressions.

Parameters

type (c4d.BaseTime) – The time.

BaseDocument.GetLoopMinTime(self)

Returns the time of the left boundary of the document’s preview range (loop range).

Return type

c4d.BaseTime

Returns

The time.

BaseDocument.SetLoopMinTime(self, time)

Sets the left boundary of the document’s preview range (loop range) to the given time.

Parameters

type (c4d.BaseTime) – The time.

BaseDocument.GetLoopMaxTime(self)

Returns the time of the right boundary of the document’s preview range (loop range).

Return type

c4d.BaseTime

Returns

The time.

BaseDocument.SetLoopMaxTime(self, time)

Sets the right boundary of the document’s preview range (loop range) to the given time.

Parameters

type (c4d.BaseTime) – The time.

BaseDocument.SetActiveObject(self, op, mode=SELECTION_NEW)

Modifies the current multi selection with op, depending on mode.

Note

BaseDocument.GetActiveObject() Should be called afterward to update the internal selection state.

Parameters
  • op (c4d.BaseObject) – The object.

  • mode (int) –

    The selection flag:

    SELECTION_NEW

    Starts a new selection.

    SELECTION_ADD

    Adds to the current selection

    SELECTION_SUB

    Subtracts from the current selection.

BaseDocument.SetActiveTag(self, tag, mode=SELECTION_NEW)

Sets a tag be the currently active one.

Note

BaseDocument.GetActiveTag() Should be called afterward to update the internal selection state.

Parameters
  • tag (c4d.BaseTag) – The tag to set active.

  • mode (int) –

    The selection flag:

    SELECTION_NEW

    Starts a new selection.

    SELECTION_ADD

    Adds to the current selection

    SELECTION_SUB

    Subtracts from the current selection.

BaseDocument.SetActiveMaterial(self, mp, mode=SELECTION_NEW)

Modifies the current multi selection with op, depending on mode.

Note

BaseDocument.GetActiveMaterial() Should be called afterward to update the internal selection state.

Parameters
  • mp (c4d.BaseMaterial) – The material to set active.

  • mode (int) –

    The selection flag:

    SELECTION_NEW

    Starts a new selection.

    SELECTION_ADD

    Adds to the current selection

    SELECTION_SUB

    Subtracts from the current selection.

BaseDocument.SetActiveRenderData(self, rd)

Sets the active render settings for the document, these are the settings that are used for rendering.

Parameters

rd (c4d.documents.RenderData) – The render data that you want to make active.

BaseDocument.GetAllTextures(self, isNet=True, ar=None)

Returns a collection of all used textures in the document and optionally only for the objects in ar.

Note

If isNet is passed True (default) then the function only delivers the textures of the current take.
Set the parameter to False to get all.
Parameters
  • isNet (bool) –

    New in version R16.021: Pass True (default) to retrieve the textures used in the current NET rendering.

  • ar (List[c4d.C4DAtom]) – An atom array to get the textures for. If None (default), all used textures in the document will be returned.

Return type

c4d.BaseContainer

Returns

A container with all filenames of used textures in the document.

BaseDocument.SetAction(self, a)

Set the current tool in the editor.

Parameters

a (int) – The values are ID_MODELING_MOVE, ID_MODELING_SCALE, ID_MODELING_ROTATE etc. The IDs are listed in modelingids.h.

BaseDocument.GetAction(self)

Get the ID of the current active tool in the editor.

Return type

int

Returns

The ID.

BaseDocument.GetActiveToolData(self)

Gets the original tool data container.

Note

The container is alive until the host object is freed.

Return type

c4d.BaseContainer

Returns

Tool data container.

BaseDocument.SetMode(self, m)

Set the main mode of the editor.

Parameters

m (int) –

The value:

Mcamera

Camera mode.

Mobject

Object mode.

Mtexture

Texture mode.

Mtextureaxis

Texture axis mode.

Mpoints

Point edit mode.

Medges

Edge edit mode.

Mpolygons

Polygon edit mode.

Manimation

Animation mode.

Mkinematic

IK mode.

Mmodel

Model mode.

Mpaint

Paint mode.

Muvpoints

UV points mode.

Muvpolygons

UV polygons mode.

Mdrag

Drag mode.

Mpolyedgepoint

Combined poly/edge/point mode. Must only be used in ViewportSelect.

Medgepoint

Combined edge/point mode. Must only be used in ViewportSelect.

Mworkplane

Workplane mode.

Mdrag

Drag mode.

Muvedges

Uv Edge node is enabled.

Muvon

Uv mode is enabled.

BaseDocument.GetMode(self)

Get the main mode of the editor.

Return type

int

Returns

The value:

Mcamera

Camera mode.

Mobject

Object mode.

Mtexture

Texture mode.

Mtextureaxis

Texture axis mode.

Mpoints

Point edit mode.

Medges

Edge edit mode.

Mpolygons

Polygon edit mode.

Manimation

Animation mode.

Mkinematic

IK mode.

Mmodel

Model mode.

Mpaint

Paint mode.

Muvpoints

UV points mode.

Muvpolygons

UV polygons mode.

Mdrag

Drag mode.

Mpolyedgepoint

Combined poly/edge/point mode. Must only be used in ViewportSelect.

Medgepoint

Combined edge/point mode. Must only be used in ViewportSelect.

Mworkplane

Workplane mode.

Mdrag

Drag mode.

Muvedges

Uv Edge node is enabled.

Muvon

Uv mode is enabled.

BaseDocument.IsEditMode(self)

Check if the editor is in an editable mode.

Note

This checks if GetMode() is Mpoints, Medges or Mpolygons.

Return type

bool

Returns

True if the editor is in point/poly editing mode.

BaseDocument.GetBaseDraw(self, bd)

Returns the BaseDraw hook of the editor bd.

Parameters

bd (int) – If there are multiple views (multiple basedraws), this selects the view.

Return type

c4d.BaseDraw

Returns

The requested view in the editor, or None

BaseDocument.GetActiveBaseDraw(self)

Get the activate BaseDraw in the editor, this is where all drawing should be performed.

Return type

c4d.BaseDraw

Returns

The active view in the editor.

BaseDocument.GetRenderBaseDraw(self)

This is the BaseDraw belonging to the view that the user has chosen as ‘Render View’ (see View menu in Cinema 4D).

Return type

c4d.BaseDraw

Returns

The render view in the editor.

BaseDocument.GetActiveTag(self)

Returns the active selected tag.

Return type

c4d.BaseTag

Returns

The active tag, or None.

BaseDocument.GetMaterials(self)

Returns all materials in a list.

Return type

List[c4d.BaseMaterial]

Returns

The list of all materials.

BaseDocument.GetActiveObject(self)

Returns the active selected object.

Return type

c4d.BaseObject

Returns

The active object, or None.

BaseDocument.GetActiveRenderData(self)

Returns the active selected render data.

Return type

c4d.documents.RenderData

Returns

The active render data.

Note

Guaranteed to never be None.

BaseDocument.GetFirstRenderData(self)

Gets the first render data or options of the document.

Note

The other render settings in the document can be accessed by using the list functions GetNext(), GetPred(), GetDown() and GetUp().

Return type

c4d.documents.RenderData

Returns

The first render data of the document, or None if there are no render data associated with the document.

BaseDocument.InsertRenderData(self, rd, parent=None, pred=None)
Inserts the render data into the document’s render settings hierarchy.
Optionally the insertion position can either be specified by the parent parameter, inserting the render data as the first child of the specified parent, or by the pred parameter, inserting the render data below the specified pred render data.
If neither is given, the render data is inserted at the top of the hierarchy.
Parameters
BaseDocument.InsertRenderDataLast(self, rd)

Inserts the render data as last child into the document’s render data list.

Parameters

rd (c4d.documents.RenderData) – The render data to insert.

BaseDocument.GetActiveMaterial(self)

Returns the active selected material.

Return type

c4d.BaseMaterial

Returns

The active material, or None.

BaseDocument.GetDocumentData(self, type)

Get the BaseContainer settings of the specified type.

New in version R16.021.

Warning

Use GetSettingsInstance() to retrieve DOCUMENTSETTINGS_TOOLS.
GetDocumentData() does not return these settings.
Parameters

type (int) – The DOCUMENTSETTINGS type of the settings to get. See DOCUMENTSETTINGS.

Return type

c4d.BaseContainer

Returns

The settings for the document.

BaseDocument.SetDocumentData(self, type, bc)

Merges the BaseContainer for the settings of the specified type.

New in version R16.021.

Warning

Use GetSettingsInstance() to change DOCUMENTSETTINGS_TOOLS.
SetDocumentData() does not affect these settings.
Parameters
  • type (int) – The DOCUMENTSETTINGS type of the settings to merge for the document. See DOCUMENTSETTINGS.

  • bc (c4d.BaseContainer) – The container to take the new settings from.

BaseDocument.GetSettingsInstance(self, type)

Returns the internal settings object.

Note

Changes to the returned container are reflected in the document so it is not needed to call SetDocumentData() manually.

Warning

Use GetDocumentData()/SetDocumentData() to retrieve/change DOCUMENTSETTINGS_GENERAL.
GetSettingsInstance() does not return these settings.
Parameters

type (int) – The DOCUMENTSETTINGS type of the settings to get. See DOCUMENTSETTINGS.

Return type

c4d.BaseContainer

Returns

The settings for the document.

BaseDocument.GetFirstObject(self)

Returns the first object.

Return type

c4d.BaseObject

Returns

The first object, or None if no objects are contained in this document.

BaseDocument.GetFirstMaterial(self)

Returns the first material.

Return type

c4d.BaseMaterial

Returns

The active material, or None.

BaseDocument.GetActiveMaterials(self)

Returns the material selection.

Return type

List[c4d.BaseMaterial]

Returns

The selected materials in a list.

BaseDocument.GetActiveObjects(self, flags)

Returns the object selection.

Parameters

flags (int) –

Flags:

GETACTIVEOBJECTFLAGS_NONE

Only the topmost parent of each chain is added.

GETACTIVEOBJECTFLAGS_CHILDREN

Child objects are added to the selection too, provided they are selected.

GETACTIVEOBJECTFLAGS_SELECTIONORDER

The selection array is sorted in the selection order, e.g. the first selected object is the first element in the array.

Return type

List[c4d.BaseList2D]

Returns

The selected objects in a list.

BaseDocument.GetActiveTags(self)

Returns the tag selection.

Return type

List[c4d.BaseTag]

Returns

The selected tags in a list.

BaseDocument.GetSelection(self)

Returns the selection of materials, tags and objects in a list.

Return type

List[c4d.BaseList2D]

Returns

The selected objects in a list.

BaseDocument.GetActiveObjectsFilter(self, children, type, instanceof)

Returns the active object multi selection and removes objects that do not match the filter given by type and instanceof.

Parameters
  • children (bool) – If True then children are also added to selection, provided that they are selected. Otherwise only the topmost parent in each chain is added.

  • type (int) – Checked against C4DAtom.GetType(). Pass NOTOK to ignore this test.

  • instanceof (int) – Checked against C4DAtom.IsInstanceOf(). Pass NOTOK to ignore this test.

Return type

List[c4d.BaseList2D]

Returns

The selected objects in a list.

BaseDocument.GetRealActiveObject(self, help)

Returns the active object or the dummy axis if multiple objects are selected.

New in version R19.

Parameters

help (Iterable[c4d.BaseObject]) – Can be set to None or for speedup purposes pass a list/tuple of active objects.

Return type

Tuple[c4d.BaseObject, bool]

Returns

A tuple with the real active object and a bool telling if multiple objects are selected. None if the method failed.

BaseDocument.GetObjects(self)

Returns the highest objects without children.

Return type

List[c4d.BaseObject]

Returns

The objects.

BaseDocument.SetSelection(self, bl, mode=SELECTION_NEW)
Sets the active selection.
This function deals with both objects, tags and materials.
Parameters
  • bl (c4d.BaseList2D) – The baselist object within this document that you want to make active. Must be in the document already.

  • mode (int) –

    The selection mode:

    SELECTION_NEW

    Starts a new selection.

    SELECTION_ADD

    Adds to the current selection

    SELECTION_SUB

    Subtracts from the current selection.

BaseDocument.SearchMaterial(self, name)

Search for a material with the same case sensitive name.

Parameters

name (str) – The name of the material to search for.

Return type

c4d.BaseMaterial

Returns

The material or None if nothing was found.

BaseDocument.SearchObject(self, name)

Search for an object with the same case sensitive name.

Parameters

name (str) – The name of the object to search for.

Return type

c4d.BaseObject

Returns

The object or None if nothing was found.

BaseDocument.GetHighest(self, type, editor)
The first object in object manager hierarchy of type type.
It searches objects that are not deactivated in the object manager (set to red).
Parameters
  • type (int) – the object type

  • editor (bool) – True will search using the ‘editor dot’ in the Object Manager, False will use the ‘render dot’.

Return type

c4d.BaseObject

Returns

The first requested object or None if nothing was found.

BaseDocument.InsertObject(self, op, parent=None, pred=None, checknames=False)
Inserts the object into the document’s object hierarchy.
The insertion position can either be specified by the parent parameter, inserting the object as the first child of the specified parent, or by the pred parameter, inserting the object below the specified prev object.
If neither is given, the object is inserted at the top of the hierarchy.

Note

If both pred and parent are provided then pred has precedence.

Raises

ReferenceError – If the passed objects (parent and pred) are not in the same document.

Parameters
  • op (Optional[c4d.BaseObject]) – Object to insert into the document.

  • parent (Optional[c4d.BaseObject]) – Optional parent to insert the object as a child of.

  • pred (Optional[c4d.BaseObject]) – Optional insertion point.

  • checknames (bool) – Check for duplicate names and append .1, .2 etc.

BaseDocument.InsertMaterial(self, op, pred=None, checknames=None)
Inserts the material into the document’s material list.
Optionally you can specify the insertion position with the pred parameter, giving the material before (just to the left of) the wanted position.
Otherwise the material is inserted at the first position in the list.
Parameters
  • op (c4d.BaseMaterial) – Material to insert into the document.

  • pred (Optional[c4d.BaseObject]) –

    Optional insertion point for the material.

    Note

    Require condition pred.GetDocument()==op.GetDocument()==op.
    That means, the object has to be in the same document.

  • checknames (bool) – Check for duplicate names and append .1, .2 etc.

BaseDocument.GetHelperAxis(self)

Get the helper axis for the current multi selection.

Return type

c4d.BaseObject

Returns

The axis object.

BaseDocument.GetChanged(self)

Checks if the document has been changed since it was last saved.

Return type

bool

Returns

True if the document has been changed.

BaseDocument.SetChanged(self)

Set the changed state of the document to reflect it has been modified.

BaseDocument.IsAxisEnabled(self)

Returns the state of the object axis modifier.

New in version R14.014.

Note

c4d.CallCommand(12102) toggles the tool.

Return type

bool

Returns

True if the object axis modifier is enabled, otherwise False.

BaseDocument.SendInfo(self, type, format, fn, bl, hooks_only)

Sends MSG_DOCUMENTINFO messages.

New in version R14.014.

Parameters
  • type (int) –

    The message type:

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_SETACTIVE

    Document was set as active.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_LOAD

    Document was loaded.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_MERGE

    Document was merged.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_BEFOREMERGE

    Document before merge. data is a MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_BEFOREMERGE_RESULT.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_SAVE_BEFORE

    Document is about to be written.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_SAVE_AFTER

    Document was saved.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_SAVEPROJECT_BEFORE

    Save Project with Assets is about to be executed.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_SAVEPROJECT_AFTER

    Save Project with Assets was executed.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_REMOVE

    The document is removed from the document list. All structures are still accessible.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_TOOL_CHANGED

    Tool changed.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_OBJECT_INSERT

    Objects got inserted into the document.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_TAG_INSERT

    Tags got inserted into the document.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_MATERIAL_INSERT

    Materials got inserted into the document.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_UNDO

    Undo was called.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_REDO

    Redo was called.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_PASTE

    Paste was called.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_COPY

    Copy was called. Private.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_LOAD_XREFS

    Private.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_MERGE_XREFS

    Private.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_XREFS_IMPORTED

    Private.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_MAKEPROJECT

    Sent around during “Save as Project” for each texture / asset it copies. The data contains the source and destination files. This message is only sent to scene hooks.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_SWAP_XREF

    Private.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_NODE_ASSETS_CHANGED

    New in version R20.000: Send around after node assets in a basedocument have been changed.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_MODE_CHANGED

    New in version R20.000: Mode changed.

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_FLUSHCACHES

    New in version R19.062: Document caches are flushed. This message is only sent to scene hooks.

  • format (int) –

    The file format: (Set for load, merge and before/after save only. Otherwise NOTOK.)

    FORMAT_PREF

    Preferences.

    FORMAT_WAV

    WAV sound.

    FORMAT_L4D

    Layout.

    FORMAT_P4D

    Layout.

    FORMAT_C4DIMPORT

    Cinema 4D import.

    FORMAT_C4DEXPORT

    Cinema 4D export.

    FORMAT_VRML1IMPORT

    VRML 1 import.

    FORMAT_VRML1EXPORT

    VRML 1 export.

    FORMAT_VRML2IMPORT

    VRML 2 import.

    FORMAT_VRML2EXPORT

    VRML 2 export.

    FORMAT_DXFIMPORT

    DXF import.

    FORMAT_DXFEXPORT

    DXF export.

    FORMAT_3DSIMPORT

    3DS import.

    FORMAT_3DSEXPORT

    3DS export.

    FORMAT_OBJIMPORT

    Old OBJ import (R16 and older).

    FORMAT_OBJEXPORT

    Old OBJ export (R16 and older).

    FORMAT_Q3DIMPORT

    QuickDraw 3D import.

    FORMAT_Q3DEXPORT

    QuickDraw 3D export.

    FORMAT_AIIMPORT

    AI import.

    FORMAT_DEMIMPORT

    DEM import.

    FORMAT_D3DEXPORT

    Direct3D export.

    FORMAT_OBJ2IMPORT

    New in version R17.048: New OBJ import (R17 and newer).

    FORMAT_OBJ2EXPORT

    New in version R17.048: New OBJ export (R17 and newer).

    FORMAT_SKPIMPORT

    New in version R17.048: SketchUp import.

    FORMAT_STEPIMPORT

    New in version R20.026: Step import.

    FORMAT_CATIAIMPORT

    New in version R20.026: Catia V5 import.

    FORMAT_IGESIMPORT

    New in version R20.026: Iges import.

    FORMAT_JTIMPORT

    New in version R20.026: Jt import.

    FORMAT_SOLIDWORKSIMPORT

    New in version R20.026: Solidworks import.

    FORMAT_ABCIMPORT

    New in version R20.041: Alembic import (R20.041 and newer).

    FORMAT_ABCEXPORT

    New in version R20.041: Alembic export (R20.041 and newer).

    FORMAT_DAE14IMPORT

    New in version R20.041: Collada 14 import (R20.041 and newer).

    FORMAT_DAE14EXPORT

    New in version R20.041: Collada 14 export (R20.041 and newer).

    FORMAT_DAE15IMPORT

    New in version R20.041: Collada 15 import (R20.041 and newer).

    FORMAT_DAE15EXPORT

    New in version R20.041: Collada 15 export (R20.041 and newer).

    FORMAT_AI_EXPORT

    New in version S22: Adobe Illustrator AI export.

    FORMAT_ALLPLAN_EXPORT

    New in version S22: Allplan XML export.

    FORMAT_BVH_IMPORT

    New in version S22: BVH import.

    FORMAT_FBX_EXPORT

    New in version S22: FBX export.

    FORMAT_FBX_IMPORT

    New in version S22: FBX import.

    FORMAT_GLTFEXPORT

    New in version S22: glTF export.

    FORMAT_DWG_IMPORT

    New in version S22: AutoCAD DWG import.

    FORMAT_STL_EXPORT

    New in version S22: STL export.

    FORMAT_STL_IMPORT

    New in version S22: STL import.

    FORMAT_VDB_EXPORT

    New in version S22: Volume VDB export.

    FORMAT_VDB_IMPORT

    New in version S22: Volume VDB import.

  • fn (str) –

    The document filename.

    Note

    This is not always the same as GetDocumentPath(). E.g. for MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_SAVE_BEFORE GetDocumentPath() still contains the old path whereas fn designates the real file.

  • bl (c4d.BaseList2D) –

    The object/tag/material that got inserted. It is used if type is of one of the following types:

    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_OBJECT_INSERT
    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_TAG_INSERT
    MSG_DOCUMENTINFO_TYPE_MATERIAL_INSERT

  • hooks_only (bool) – If True send only to scene hooks.

BaseDocument.GetDocPreviewBitmap(self)

Get the preview bitmap of the document.

New in version R15.037.

Return type

c4d.bitmaps.BaseBitmap

Returns

The preview bitmap of the document, or None if it could not be retrieved.

BaseDocument.GetTakeData(self)

Gets the take data for the document.

New in version R17.032.

Return type

c4d.modules.takesystem.TakeData

Returns

The take data.

BaseDocument.GetTargetObject(self)

Gets the target object within a multi-selection.

New in version R17.048.

Note

This is the last object selected and is used by commands such as Spline Boolean in order to allow the user to control which object will be used as the target for the command.
The target object displays in the Object Manager as highlighted.
Return type

c4d.BaseObject

Returns

The target object, or None if it fails or there is no selection.

BaseDocument.SetTargetObject(self, op)

Sets the target object within a multi-selection.

New in version R17.048.

Note

This is the last object selected and is used by commands such as Spline Boolean in order to allow the user to control which object will be used as the target for the command.
The target object displays in the Object Manager as highlighted.
Parameters

op (c4d.BaseObject) – The object to set as the target.

BaseDocument.GetDefaultKey(self)

Retrieves the document’s default keying settings.

New in version R19.

Return type

Tuple[c4d.CKey, bool]

Returns

A tuple containing a key with the document’s default settings and a bool giving the document’s default overdub state.
None if the function failed.

BaseDocument.SetDefaultKey(self, key, overdub)

Sets the document’s default keying settings.

New in version R19.

Parameters
  • key (c4d.CKey) – The key to set the new default document’s settings.

  • overdub (bool) –

    The new document’s default overdub.
    If a keyframe already exists, the existing keyframe’s interpolation type will be maintained when a new keyframe is recorded (only the value key will be overwritten).

BaseDocument.GetPickSession(self)

Returns information about the current pick session.

New in version R19.

Return type

Tuple[List[c4d.C4DAtom], bool]

Returns

A tuple with the list of picked objects and the multi-pick state.
None if there is no active pick session.

BaseDocument.StartPickSession(self, callback, multi)

Starts a pick session.

New in version R19.

Parameters
  • callback (function(active, multi)) –

    The pick session callback. The function does not need to return a value. The passed arguments are:

    active: list of c4d.BaseObject: The list of picked objects.
    multi: bool: The multi-pick state.

  • multi (bool) – Pass True for multi-pick sessions. Usually a pick session ends when something is selected. With a multi-pick session it ends when the user terminates it (ESC key or double-click).

BaseDocument.StopPickSession(self, cancel)
Ends the pick session.
For instance after filling the pick session array.

New in version R19.

Parameters

cancel (bool) – Pass True to cancel a pick session, for instance if an error occurred. Pass False if the pick session is ended regularly.