Maxon releases Cinema 4D 2024.2
Maxon’s marketing image for its December 2024 product updates, created by Zachary Corzine.
Maxon has released Cinema 4D 2024.2, the new version of its 3D design and animation software.
The update extends Cinema 4D’s simulation toolsets, making it possible to emit Pyro smoke and fire from deforming surfaces, and introducing new options for controlling rigid body simulations.
Other changes include a Key Reducer for processing mocap data, new nodes for procedural modeling, and the option to drag .sbsar files directly into Cinema 4D to create Redshift materials.
Cinema 4D 2024.2 makes it possible to use deforming surfaces like this curtain as emission sources for Pyro smoke and fire simulations.
Simulation: new options for controlling rigid body and Pyro simulations
Cinema 4D 2024.2 makes a number of updates to the software’s Unified Simulation Framework.
Rigid bodies, support for which was added to the framework in Cinema 4D 2024.0, can now be scaled when animated by effectors, making it possible to create more realistic simulations.
There are also new deactivation parameters for rigid bodies in idle states, and the option to override global damping settings for rigid bodies, soft bodies, cloth and ropes.
Pyro, the gaseous fluid simulation software toolset added in Cinema 4D 2023.1, gets a new Dynamic Surface option, making it possible to emit directly from deforming meshes.
It is also now possible to set Time Scale for key simulation parameters, and to post process simulation volumes with noise patterns, and simulation upresing has been extended.
Animation: new Key Reducer streamlines dense mocap data
Animators get a new Key Reducer for reducing the number of keyframes in an animation while preserving the overall shape of the animation curve.
The feature is particularly intended for processing raw motion-capture data.
Nodes: workflow improvements and new nodes for modifying geometry and splines
For procedural modeling, Cinema 4D’s node graph gets new Symmetry and Thicken nodes, plus a new Resample Spline node for simplifying splines.
Workflow improvements include support for Asset Version Pinning, making it possible for artists to continue working on an older version of an asset, even where a newer version exists.
Better import of SBSAR and glTF files, plus updates to the Project Asset Inspector
Users can also now drag Substance materials into Cinema 4D to create new Redshift materials.
The new Substance Material Node makes it possible to import .sbsar files into Cinema 4D, and use them directly within the native materials for Maxon’s Redshift renderer.
In addition, animation is now supported when importing files in glTF format.
The Project Asset Inspector now displays missing fonts and Node Assets, making it easier to relink external resources when importing a scene.
Now being promoted as part of subscription bundles
Another change since the release of Cinema 4D 2024.1 in October is that Maxon has stopped listing single-product subscriptions for Cinema 4D on the front page of its online store.
Instead, the front page of the store lists Maxon One subscriptions, which include Maxon’s entire product range, and joint subscriptions for Cinema 4D and Redshift.
Updated: We’ve contacted Maxon, and single-product subscriptions are still available, but they’re now much less obvious on the site than the subscription bundles.
To subscribe to Cinema 4D alone, you have to click the Buy Now button for the ‘C4D + Redshift’ subscription, then select Cinema 4D from the alternative options in the popup that appears.
Price and system requirements
Cinema 4D 2024.2 is available for Windows 10+ and macOS 11.7.7+. The update is available rental-only, with single-product subscriptions costing $94/month or $719/year.
Read a full list of new features in Cinema 4D 2024.2 in the online release notes
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