3ds Max vs. Cinema 4D

3ds Max and Cinema 4D have a lot in common, but lets see what the differences are.

3ds Max vs. Cinema 4D. 3ds Max is a standard part of all of the current Autodesk Collections.

3ds Max and Cinema 4D seem so similar to the untrained eye. In reality the two applications are quite different even though they are used for pretty much the same thing. The features, the learning curve, and the performance separate the two.

Some designers are going to favor one over the other. This is simply because there’s no reason to own a license for both. Unlike certain graphic design tools, these two don’t complement each other.

So how are you supposed to choose the right one for your project?

Here are some things you should know about both 3ds Max and Cinema 4D. Have a look at the features, performance, system requirements, pricing, and everything else that might determine which software package is better suited for your line of work, or hobby.

OS Support

Both 3ds Max and Cinema 4D are compatible with Windows and Mac. This allows users of various backgrounds to pursue a career in graphic design. It also allows the users to use their favorite devices, as long as they meet the necessary hardware specs.

3ds Max does have a slight edge over Cinema 4D in this area. Apart from Windows and Mac compatibility, it also allows web-based devices. But neither software package can be used on a Linux-based system.

Who are they for?

At a first glance either software can be used by any graphic designer with basic knowledge of motion animation. However, due to their pricing and different complexities things aren’t so cut and dried.

Autodesk 3ds Max has better availability. Both businesses and freelancers can use the software. The language support is extensive and the pricing model is flexible enough. There’s a monthly payment or an annual subscription to pick from.

Cinema 4D works a bit differently. To get an actual price on the software you have to ask for a quote. Not everyone ends up paying the same amount for its features. This, of course, can be a hindrance to freelancers.

Unlike 3ds Max, Cinema 4D is generally only sought out by businesses. It’s quite possible that unless you’re a very successful freelancer, you might not afford to buy the software. At the very least, it can take a long time to recoup your investment.

3ds Max Main Features

3D Animation & Dynamics
Motion Paths
Simple Simulation Data Import
3D Rendering
Arnold
Rendering in A360
Character Animation and Rigging Tools
Autodesk Raytracer Renderer
Scene Converter
Asset Library
Customizable Workspaces
High DPI Display Support
3D Modeling, Effects, Texturing
Spline Workflow
Mesh Modeling
Hair and Fur Modifier

Cinema 4D Main Features

Graph View for Motion Tracker
Lens Distortion Support
Take System
3D Sculpting
Animation Workflow
Spline Tools
SketchUp Integration
MoGraph
ProRender (GPU based engine)
Spherical Camera
Scene Reconstruction
Polygon Reduction Generator

Ease of Use

Although you can achieve much of the same results with 3ds Max or Cinema 4D, the ease of use is very different. Cinema 4D is overall faster than 3ds Max. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that the rendering times are off for the Autodesk software.

Cinema 4D is easier to use regardless of your skill level. The user interface is easy to follow. The software also lets you transition with ease from a background in After Effects.

3ds Max can be a bit overwhelming at first. The sheer amount of features and tools you have at your disposal is not for the faint-hearted. Sure, you can achieve more complex motion graphics but what if you don’t need or care to?

If you just need 3D text and simple animations then Cinema 4D is better in terms of productivity. Does that give either software an edge over the other? Perhaps. But realistically speaking it just means each software is a better fit for certain companies and projects.

Hardware Requirements

Both 3ds Max and Cinema 4D require a 64-bit Intel or AMD processor. Given the general complexity of motion animation work, it’s understandable that you will need access to good multi-threading technology. 3ds Max’s minimum requirement is 4 GB of RAM, with 8 GB recommended, while Cinema 4D’s memory requirement is 8 GB and up.
Cinema 4D may also have some stricter GPU requirements. Because its rendering engine is GPU-based, you will need a more well-rounded system in order to have a smooth experience. 3ds Max doesn’t have high requirements when it comes to GPU specs.

Integration

Cinema 4D, although simple enough to use, only has extensions for After Effects and SketchUp. 3ds Max, on the other hand, supports more popular pipeline tools such as Unity, Unreal, Stingray, Fusion 360, and Revit.

Modeling

The staggering amount of tools in 3ds Max means that in terms of modeling, this software rises above Cinema 4D. All the extra features pretty much guarantee that the animations can be as complex as you want it to be.

Although Cinema 4D is very capable, you might want 3ds Max if your future projects could include AAA games or movies.

Animation

Cinema 4D uses MoGraph to handle more complex animations. The tool is very responsive and allows designers to finish the job faster. It also makes it super easy to deal with simple tasks such as animated logos, text, and spinning elements.

3ds Max has a plethora of tools that designers can use to customize animations. It also has a top-notch F-Curve editor which can handle complex splines and other special functions. That’s not to say that Cinema 4D doesn’t have decent F-curve tools.

So which is better for animation?

Once again, the answer may differ from one project to another. Both software packages can be used to create vivid animations. 3ds Max does this better but Cinema 4D is faster. You can pick your favorite depending on what you need.

Rendering

Cinema 4D seems to have the edge in rendering. Its rendering engine is a lot faster than the Mental Ray engine in 3ds Max. This gives designers of different skill levels a chance to quickly create animations and export them into something like After Effects.

Cinema 4D has good compatibility with 3rd party software. The rendering engine is also GPU-based as opposed to CPU-based in 3ds Max. Because of this the entire rendering loop is finished faster.
3ds Max is a different story. While the Mental Ray rendering engine is very advanced and your finished product generally looks much nicer than using Cinema 4D, the downside is that it takes way too long to get right.

Even for an experienced designer, tweaking and customizing the rendering settings can be a daunting task. Although the results are superior, 3ds Max might just be too slow for most projects.

3ds Max Pros

The popularity of Autodesk 3ds Max was never in question. The software is well-known and widely used in games, movies, TV, and VR. Motion design can be a tricky business as no two projects may share similarities.

Because of this, 3ds Max is well equipped with a wide range of tools. This variety is what allows graphic designers to tackle the simplest of animations as well as very complex motion graphics and simulations.

The rendering engine is one of the best in the field. The combination of plug-ins and assets integration is superior to most competitor software. There’s also FUME FX integration which makes creating effects and simulations faster.

Cinema 4D Pros

Cinema 4D has plenty of benefits to its credit. First of all it’s just super easy to use. The user interface is easy to follow and the tools are for the most part not as complex as what you might find in other programs.

Cinema 4D is capable of handling complex projects but shines on the best when it’s used for simple animations. Because the program requires less tweaking before you get started on the actual work, the job gets done faster.

Banners, spinning elements, animated text, and logos are generally easier to understand and create in Cinema 4D, as opposed to 3ds Max. The program also has good pipeline compatibility with the popular After Effects.

3ds Max Cons

The biggest drawback of 3ds Max is only one from a specific point of view. Most beginner designers have difficulty with the complex UI and varied toolset. Others may very well view this as an advantage as it allows room for progression.

Cinema 4D Cons

As is the case with 3ds Max, Cinema 4D’s flaw is also a subjective matter. Its simplicity and ease of use can turn some designers off, while for others it may be the main draw. If you find yourself hungry for complex problem-solving and in-depth sculpting and motion animation work, Cinema 4D may feel underwhelming without more pipeline software integration.

Pricing

As previously stated, information regarding Cinema 4D pricing is only available upon request. The quote-based, one-time payment is not very attractive to most freelancers. This is why the software usually finds its way into companies and not on personal computers.

3ds Max is a lot more flexible with the payment plans. Autodesk offers users the opportunity to choose between a monthly plan, an annual plan, or a triennial plan. Of course, the license can also be purchased as part of a pack.

The packs usually include other graphic design products from Autodesk. The same three payment plans are available regardless of the type of license you choose to get.

The bottom line is that 3ds Max’s subscription schemes can be cheap on a periodic basis. On top of that, the subscription also entitles you to technical support, updates, administrative tools, and more. It also lets you use the software from anywhere as it doesn’t have geographical restrictions or device restrictions.

You probably didn’t think they have anything in common in terms of pricing and licensing, but as a matter of fact they do. Both Cinema 4D and 3ds Max offer free licenses for students and educators.
An 18-month license is offered by Cinema 4D for educational purposes. Autodesk is quite a bit more generous with its offer of 3-year licenses to students and educators.

That being said, although Cinema 4D is easier to use, 3ds Max comes out on top with a better training program. The transparent on payment plans and licenses are also a plus for Autodesk’s 3ds Max.

Language Support

Cinema 4D supports: English, Chinese, German, Spanish, French, Russian, Italian, and Japanese. The selection is decent enough considering that most designers use the English interface anyway.

However, 3ds Max comes out on top in language support. Apart from the languages supported by Cinema 4D, 3ds Max also offers full support for: Hindu, Dutch, Turkish, Polish, Swedish, and Portuguese.

This is one of the reasons why 3ds Max is quite popular in India and the go-to app for Tata Interactive Systems.

Online Community

These days it’s not hard to find online tutorials that go far beyond the parent websites of 3ds Max and Cinema 4D. In terms of which community is more active, it’s hard to say. Both apps have plenty of tutorials and guides online, written or compiled by experienced designers.

Perhaps because of the extended language support, 3ds Max may have a wider community. There are plenty of guides in other languages which may help bolster the career of a foreign designer with language barrier.

Final Verdict

Both 3ds Max and Cinema 4D are high-quality apps for graphic design and motion graphics.

Cinema 4D has the advantage of being easier to use and quicker at rendering. It’s compatibility with After Effects is also a strong selling point.

There’s a learning curve to Autodesk’s 3ds Max. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. While Cinema 4D is easy to use, it doesn’t offer as many opportunities to expand your knowledge and hone your design skills as 3ds Max.

The pricing and licensing policy also give 3ds Max a slight edge and higher popularity, especially among freelance artists and designers.

All in all, 3ds Max with all its complexity does look like the better software on paper. Still, if motion graphics is just a small part of your project, Cinema 4D will also suffice, as not everyone is doing movie work and motion capture for AAA games.

3ds Max vs. Cinema 4D Comparison