ALL DESIGN TOOLS
It's no secret that I primarily use 3D Max for animation and I think it is a great tool, but the main reason I use it is because I know how to and I haven't worked on a job that required me to change.
Over the years 3D Max has progressed but it seems the push towards only using their compositing solutions has alienated many After Effects compositors and lacked new features that might encourage better integration as 3D becomes more important.
Cinema 4D:
Now the folks at Maxon and creators of Cinema 4D are continually developing a 3D product that encourages and provides better integration (especially for AE users) with the new 11.5 release. Early on, Cinema 4D was a 3D solution that was easy-to-use but perhaps lacked hard-core 3D features but that was years ago. Now they have all the special rendering , particle generation, AE integration, physics/dynamics, character animation tools, keyboard customization and great motion graphics components.
I've got a bit more to say so be sure to click on the read story link below.
I had a chance to Meet the president Paul a couple years ago at AENY and he really seemed dedicated to listening to customers and innovating where others won't.
Conclusions:
This isn't to say Maya or 3D Max isn't a good choice, in fact I think these programs and other popular 3D apps are powerful and used by many studios and it's exciting to see Cinema 4D showing up more and more. The real truth is that if you understand the world of 3D animation, you can likely transition to whatever program you need to if required.
I encourage everyone to investigate the various 3D programs and even download a demo to find the right app for you. I'm certainly not trying to start a mac VS pc debate on 3D programs so please keep the comments intelligent there is no need for bashing of any program. Besides I'm mainly an After Effects guy anyway.
I just wanted to tip my hat to a company that keeps us in mind on the innovation pathway.
PS, this is not a sponsored advertisement obviously but if anyone at Maxon wants to sent me a gift-card or a TV. Just let me know :)
!! Im talking as a 3D user who started exactly with cinema 4D back in the day of version 9. At the time, all the people I knew was using 3ds Max but I had a MAC and I couldnt get Max for Mac so I decided to go with cinema 4D... It was amazingly easy to use and very intuitive but it still lacked many of the tool the big guys like Maya and 3ds Max had so I ended up moving from C4D to Maya after a good year of use. After using Maya for a good while I have recently put hands on a great great program called MODO 401. Andrew was talking about the progress C4D has had along the years, which has been great, but pay attention to MODO. Its evolution has been huge and not only in terms of content or in possibilities but specialy in the way you work with 3D. Im sure that we will hear a lot from MODO in the future. Maybe it still lacks some features to be a high-end animation tool or even lacks of integration with other programs, but it is becoming close to perfection. It is definitely worth having a look.
. As you can see by looking at the Nab reel, you will agreeâ???¦ but I think that many VC users justâ???¦ leave comments, other then just reading the post.
I have it but its really hard to get started... 
