Cinema 4D Alternatives

Cinema 4D is described as 'CINEMA 4D is a commercial, cross-platform, high-end 3-D graphics application, produced by MAXON Computer GmbH of Friedrichsdorf, Germany. Noted for its flexible interface and ease of use, it is capable of procedural and polygonal/subd modelling, animating, lighting, texturing' and is a popular 3D Modeler in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Cinema 4D for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Web-based and Haiku apps. The best Cinema 4D alternative is Blender, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Cinema 4D are SketchUp, Autodesk Maya, ZBrush and Autodesk 3ds Max.

Cinema 4D alternatives are mainly 3D Modelers but may also be VFX Software or 3D Animators. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Cinema 4D.

Cinema 4D alternatives page was last updated

Cinema 4D

Paid • Proprietary
3D Modeler

CINEMA 4D is a commercial, cross-platform, high-end 3-D graphics application, produced by MAXON Computer GmbH of...

More about Cinema 4D

Blender
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
3D Modeler
VFX Software
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Flathub
PortableApps.com
Haiku
Steam
Flatpak
151 Blender alternatives
Blender is the free and open-source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, video editing, and motion tracking.
- - Blender is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Cinema 4D.
- - Blender is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Cinema 4D.
Suggest and vote on features
Blender Features
1. 3D SculptingBlender offers tools to push, pull, smooth, grab or pinch to manipulate a 3D model.
2. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Blender, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
3. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsBlender can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
4. Animation RiggingBlender supports bone structures to manipulate a 3D model like a puppet for animation.
5. Physically-Based RenderingPrecise rendering method for Blender to represent of how light interacts with material properties.
6. Ad-freeBlender doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
7. Motion CaptureYou can capture and modify/animate faces, gestures, movements or objects within the Blender.
8. Node BasedBlender supports node editing, a form of visual programming that gives you full control over the rendering.
9. LightweightBlender consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Real time rendering
Compositor
Community-based
Texturing
3D Renderer
Grease Pencil
Texture painting
2D and 3D physics
Rendering
Low memory usage
Comments about Blender as a Alternative to Cinema 4D
Most users think Blender is a great Cinema 4D alternative.
nabarun1011
Blender is complete 3D package that can do anything Cinema 4D can, plus more.
Positive comment•
1

Guest
Out of the box, Blender delivers quality right across the board from modelling to environment creation to audio integration, rigging and the list goes on. They listen to their users and are growing and evolving at a really good rate.
Positive comment•
3

maxemolianous
1- It's Free 2- It's Open-Source 3-It's Cross-Platform 4-It has a lot of features 5-It has a great community
Positive comment•
4
SketchUp
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
3D Modeler
Interior Design App
Mac
Windows
Online
167 SketchUp alternatives
SketchUp (formerly Google Sketchup) is a 3D modeling computer program for a wide range of drawing applications such as architectural, interior design, civil and mechanical engineering, film, and video game design—and available in a freeware version, SketchUp Make, and a paid...
- - SketchUp is the most popular Web-based alternative to Cinema 4D.
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SketchUp Features
3d sketching
Built-in 3D model viewer
Pencil
3d Drawing
Cabinet design
Image to 3D
Mechanical Design
Browser-based
Autodesk Maya
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
3D Modeler
3D Animator
VFX Software
Mac
Windows
Linux
71 Autodesk Maya alternatives
Autodesk Maya software is a powerful, integrated 3D modeling, animation, visual effects, and rendering solution.
- - Autodesk Maya is the most popular commercial alternative to Cinema 4D.
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Autodesk Maya Features
1. 3D SculptingAutodesk Maya offers tools to push, pull, smooth, grab or pinch to manipulate a 3D model.
2. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Autodesk Maya, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
Texturing
Cross-Platform
Opinions about Autodesk Maya as a Alternative to Cinema 4D
Almost everyone thinks Autodesk Maya is a great Cinema 4D alternative.
ZBrush
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
3D Modeler
3D Painting App
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
66 ZBrush alternatives
The all-in-one-digital sculpting solution.
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ZBrush Features
1. 3D SculptingZBrush offers tools to push, pull, smooth, grab or pinch to manipulate a 3D model.
2. Support for scriptingZBrush supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
Texturing
Handwriting recognition
Autodesk 3ds Max
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
3D Modeler
Windows
90 Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives
3D modeling and rendering software for design visualization, games, and animations.
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Autodesk 3ds Max Features
1. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Autodesk 3ds Max, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
2. Parametric ModelingAutodesk 3ds Max can change the shape of model geometry as soon as the dimension value is modified.
Splines
Bones
Opinions about Autodesk 3ds Max as a Alternative to Cinema 4D
Almost everyone thinks Autodesk 3ds Max is a great Cinema 4D alternative.
Bforartists
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Windows
Linux
Haiku
AmigaOS
MorphOS
79 Bforartists alternatives
Bforartists is a complete 3D suite to create 3D content. It offers you the full 3D art pipeline to create game graphics, prerendered movies and stills.
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Bforartists Features
1. Motion CaptureYou can capture and modify/animate faces, gestures, movements or objects within the Bforartists.
2. 3D SculptingBforartists offers tools to push, pull, smooth, grab or pinch to manipulate a 3D model.
3. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Bforartists, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
4. Ad-freeBforartists doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. Dark ModeBforartists supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. LightweightBforartists consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Rendering
Texturing
Non linear editor
Customizable
HD-Rendering
Rendering with graphics card
Compositor
Texture painting
Opinions about Bforartists as a Alternative to Cinema 4D
Almost everyone thinks Bforartists is a great Cinema 4D alternative.
Houdini
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
3D Modeler
VFX Software
Mac
Windows
Linux
49 Houdini alternatives
Houdini covers all the major areas of 3D production, including:
- Modeling - All standard geometry entities including Polygons, (Hierarchical) NURBs/Bezier Curves/Patches & Trims, Metaballs
- Animation - Keyframed animation and raw channel manipulation (CHOPs), motion captur.
Suggest and vote on features
Houdini Features
1. Procedural ModelingHoudini can create or modify 3D models and textures based on a sequence of rules.
2. Node BasedHoudini supports node editing, a form of visual programming that gives you full control over the rendering.
3. Motion CaptureYou can capture and modify/animate faces, gestures, movements or objects within the Houdini.
4. 3D SculptingHoudini offers tools to push, pull, smooth, grab or pinch to manipulate a 3D model.
3D Renderer
Opinions about Houdini as a Alternative to Cinema 4D
Most users think Houdini is a great Cinema 4D alternative.
MODO
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
3D Modeler
3D Painting App
Mac
Windows
Linux
106 MODO alternatives
MODO is a fully featured 3D content creation application, famous primarily for it's modelling capabilities, MODO also offers a fast renderer, sculpting, painting, dynamics and animation tools.
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MODO Features
1. 3D SculptingMODO offers tools to push, pull, smooth, grab or pinch to manipulate a 3D model.
2. Support for scriptingMODO supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
3. Physically-Based RenderingPrecise rendering method for MODO to represent of how light interacts with material properties.
4. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in MODO, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
Texturing
Rendering
Sketchfab
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
3D Modeler
Online
83 Sketchfab alternatives
Sketchfab is the first web service to publish interactive 3D content online in real-time without plugins.
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Sketchfab Features
1. 3D SculptingSketchfab offers tools to push, pull, smooth, grab or pinch to manipulate a 3D model.
2. Built-in viewerSketchfab shows you a quick preview of an image, page or file in supported formats.
Embeddable
WebGL
API Integration
Online Sharing
Built-in 3D model viewer
Rhinoceros
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
3D Modeler
CAD Software
Mac
Windows
62 Rhinoceros alternatives
Rhino can create, edit, analyze, document, render, animate, and translate NURBS* curves, surfaces, and solids, point clouds, and polygon meshes. There are no limits on complexity, degree, or size beyond those of your hardware.
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Rhinoceros Features
1. Parametric ModelingRhinoceros can change the shape of model geometry as soon as the dimension value is modified.
2. Procedural ModelingRhinoceros can create or modify 3D models and textures based on a sequence of rules.
Nurb Surfacing
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
Autodesk Mudbox
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
3D Modeler
3D Painting App
Mac
Windows
Linux
62 Autodesk Mudbox alternatives
Autodesk Mudbox digital sculpting and texture painting software offers 3D modeling professionals the ability to quickly and easily create highly detailed organic and inorganic 3D assets.
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Autodesk Mudbox Features
1. 3D SculptingAutodesk Mudbox offers tools to push, pull, smooth, grab or pinch to manipulate a 3D model.
2. Drawing Tablet SupportAutodesk Mudbox supports the use of external drawing tablets as input devices.
Texturing
Comments about Autodesk Mudbox as a Alternative to Cinema 4D
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
MudBoxx is primarily used for texturing, not motion graphics or heavy sims
Negative comment•
0
Fragmentarium
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
3D Modeler
Mac
Windows
Linux
73 Fragmentarium alternatives
Fragmentarium is an open source, cross-platform IDE for exploring pixel based graphics on the GPU.
Suggest and vote on features
Fragmentarium Features
1. Procedural ModelingFragmentarium can create or modify 3D models and textures based on a sequence of rules.
GLSL
Procedurally generated