The Best Cinema 4D AlternativesTop 3D Modelers and other similar apps like Cinema 4D

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 25 alternatives to Cinema 4D for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Web-based and iPad 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, Autodesk 3ds Max and Spline.

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

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Cinema 4D alternatives page was last updated Mar 30, 2023
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  1. Blender icon
     1693 likes
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    A comprehensive open-source 3D software suite for modeling, UV unwrapping, texturing, rigging, and animating. It supports renderings, simulations including fluid and cloth dynamics, complex compositing, video editing, and Python scripting, running across all major operating systems.

    140 Blender alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Steam
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  3D Animation
    2.  3D Sculpting
    3.  Real time rendering
    4.  Community-based
    5.  Compositor
    6.  Keyframe Animation
    7.  Texturing
    8.  Animation Rigging
    9.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    10.  3D Renderer
    11.  Texture painting
    12.  Ad-free

    Blender VS Cinema 4D

     
    Comments about Blender as an Alternative to Cinema 4D
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Dec 9, 2018
    3

    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.

    maxemolianous
    Positive Nov 10, 2017
    4

    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

    nabarun1011
    Positive Apr 10, 2019
    1

    Blender is complete 3D package that can do anything Cinema 4D can, plus more.

    Cinema 4D Icon
    Blender icon
    • Most users think Blender is a great Cinema 4D alternative.

    • Blender is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Cinema 4D.

    • Blender is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Cinema 4D.

    • Blender is Free and Open SourceCinema 4D is Paid and Proprietary
  2. SketchUp icon
     553 likes
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    Comprehensive 3D modeling software ideal for architecture, engineering, film, and gaming. It includes features like easy-to-use interface, sun and shadow analysis, color experimenting, and mock-up creation. Available in freeware and professional versions for diverse needs.

    165 SketchUp alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online

    SketchUp Features

    1.  3D Animation
    2.  3d sketching
    3.  Built-in 3D model viewer
    4.  Pencil
    5.  3d Drawing
    6.  Cabinet design
    7.  Image to 3D
    8.  Mechanical Design
    9.  Browser-based

    SketchUp VS Cinema 4D

     
    • SketchUp is the most popular Web-based alternative to Cinema 4D.

    • SketchUp is the most popular commercial alternative to Cinema 4D.

    • SketchUp is Paid and ProprietaryCinema 4D is also Paid and Proprietary
  3. Autodesk Maya icon
     147 likes
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    Professional-grade 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and visual FX software used in films, TV, and games, featuring advanced tools, Bifrost effects, and a visual programming environment for intricate simulations.

    62 Autodesk Maya alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Autodesk Maya Features

    1.  3D Sculpting
    2.  Keyframe Animation
    3.  Texturing
    4.  Cross-Platform

    Autodesk Maya VS Cinema 4D

     
  4. Autodesk 3ds Max icon
     147 likes
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    Professional-grade software designed for 3D modeling, rendering, and animation, equipped with comprehensive tools for creating detailed worlds. Widely used across film, TV, games, and design projects, it includes the powerful Arnold renderer, offering artistic control over scenes and characters.

    84 Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Autodesk 3ds Max Features

    1.  Splines
    2.  Keyframe Animation
    3.  Parametric Modeling
    4.  Bones

    Autodesk 3ds Max VS Cinema 4D

     
  5. Spline icon
     24 likes
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    Create 3D objects, edit materials, add interactivity, and export. Control the outcome of your 3d design work.

    19 Spline alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  No Coding Required
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Create UI Components
    5.  3D Sculpting
    6.  Parametric Modeling
    7.  Non Destructive Editing
    8.  Real time collaboration
    9.  Live Preview
    10.  Design handoff
    11.  3D design
    12.  Web-Based

    Spline VS Cinema 4D

     
    • Spline is the most popular SaaS alternative to Cinema 4D.

    • Spline is Freemium and ProprietaryCinema 4D is Paid and Proprietary
    • Spline is LightweightCinema 4D is not according to our users
  6. ZBrush icon
     82 likes
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    Comprehensive digital sculpting tool offering advanced features like sculpting up to a billion polygons, customizable brushes, real-time painting, and powerful rendering system. Ideal for professionals in film, gaming, and more. Integrates with Redshift and supports Apple Pencil.

    55 ZBrush alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPad

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  3D Sculpting
    2.  Support for scripting
    3.  Texturing
    4.  Handwriting recognition

    ZBrush VS Cinema 4D

     
    • ZBrush is the most popular iPad alternative to Cinema 4D.

    • ZBrush is Paid and ProprietaryCinema 4D is also Paid and Proprietary
    • ZBrush is LightweightCinema 4D is not according to our users
  7. Bforartists icon
     33 likes
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    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.

    74 Bforartists alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • MorphOS

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Rendering
    2.  3D Sculpting
    3.  Texturing
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Keyframe Animation
    7.  Motion Capture
    8.  Live Preview
    9.  Parametric Modeling
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  No registration required
    12.  Support for Layers

    Bforartists VS Cinema 4D

     
  8. Houdini icon
     39 likes
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    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.
    50 Houdini alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CA flagCanada

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Houdini Features

    1.  Procedural Modeling
    2.  Node Based
    3.  Motion Capture
    4.  3D Sculpting
    5.  3D Renderer

    Houdini VS Cinema 4D

     
  9. Rhinoceros icon
     31 likes
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    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.

    62 Rhinoceros alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Nurb Surfacing
    2.  Parametric Modeling
    3.  Support for scripting
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Procedural Modeling
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  3D Sculpting
    8.  Portable
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)

    Rhinoceros VS Cinema 4D

     
  10. Autodesk Mudbox icon
     20 likes
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    Autodesk Mudbox offers tools for creating detailed organic and inorganic 3D assets. It features an efficient layer workflow that allows blending, masking, and more, and has a familiar interface for sculpting and texture painting. Ideal for professional 3D modeling tasks.

    52 Autodesk Mudbox alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Autodesk Mudbox Features

    1.  3D Sculpting
    2.  Drawing Tablet Support
    3.  Texturing

    Autodesk Mudbox VS Cinema 4D

     
    Comments about Autodesk Mudbox as an Alternative to Cinema 4D
    Guest
    Negative May 23, 2019
    0

    MudBoxx is primarily used for texturing, not motion graphics or heavy sims

    Cinema 4D Icon
    Autodesk Mudbox icon
    • Autodesk Mudbox is Paid and ProprietaryCinema 4D is also Paid and Proprietary
  11. Sketchfab icon
     33 likes
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    Sketchfab is the first web service to publish interactive 3D content online in real-time without plugins.

    79 Sketchfab alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online

    Sketchfab Features

    1.  Built-in viewer
    2.  Built-in 3D model viewer
    3.  WebGL
    4.  Embeddable
    5.  API Integration
    6.  Online Sharing

    Sketchfab VS Cinema 4D

     
  12. Vue icon
     29 likes
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    Create vast expanses of terrains, add trees, select the best point of view and render hyper-realistic images of your landscapes in moody atmospheres... in a few mouse clicks.

    62 Vue alternatives

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Discontinued

    No longer under active development, but you can still download it and use it for free.

    Vue Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Keyframe Animation
    5.  Procedurally generated

    Vue VS Cinema 4D

     
12 of 48 Cinema 4D alternatives