Maxon ships Cinema 4D R15
Originally posted on 23 July 2013. Scroll down for updates.
Maxon has announced released Cinema 4D R15, the next update to its flagship 3D software, featuring a range of improvements to its rendering and sculpting toolsets.
Something for most users
As with previous releases of the software, the new features reflect the breadth of Cinema 4D’s user base.
The improvements to rendering performance, which include a new irradiance caching algorithm for faster GI and ambient occlusion, should be welcomed by almost every user.
But the new Team Render network-rendering options, which include the option to let a job commandeer every available node on a network automatically, are probably of more interest to larger studios.
You get an unlimited number of render nodes with the top-of-the-range Studio edition of the software; three with the Visualize and Broadcast editions.
And the new typographic tools, which include improved kerning and tracking options, reflect Cinema 4D’s grip on the motion graphics market: further cemented by its recent partnership with Adobe.
Sculpting improvements and smaller additions
The sculpting toolset introduced in Cinema 4D R14 also gets an update, including a new dynamic subdivision system, similar to those in ZBrush, 3D-Coat and Blender; and a new Amplify brush.
The other features, which include a new Grass material for use with the Hair and Fur engine and an improved Texture Manager, are largely smaller.
Updated 3 September: Cinema 4D R15 is now shipping. You can find more details on the Maxon website, or download a 15-day demo of the software (registration required).
PRESS RELEASE (Excerpts)
MAXON today introduced CINEMA 4D Release 15 (R15) that redefines the 3D motion graphics, visual effects, painting and rendering software workflow. The next generation release of the widely-used 3D software platform reinforces the leadership MAXON has earned over the past 25 years by elevating the creative experience from project planning to content delivery, and is marked by powerful enhancements to modeling, text creation, rendering and sculpting.
Packed with improved capabilities and added features such as all-new beveling for modeling efficiency, interactive kerning for advanced 3D typographic control and Team Render allowing for convenient rendering across networks directly within the CINEMA 4D interface, R15 delivers to 3D professionals the ultimate toolset for creating compelling creative content and collaborating more effectively to take on the most demanding projects.
Key Highlights of CINEMA 4D Release 15
The new and enhanced 3D modeling, animation and rendering workflow features and performance enhancements in CINEMA 4D Release 15, available for both Mac OS X and Windows, include:
Rendering Enhancements
R15 is packed with rendering improvements to achieve faster, higher quality imagery. The new Team Render delivers quick control over an entire network to take advantage of all surplus processing power – either manually or automatically via Bonjour. Utilize an unlimited number of render nodes with CINEMA 4D Studio and 3 nodes with CINEMA 4D Visualize or Broadcast. Users can distribute the rendering of a single frame or complete animation directly within the CINEMA 4D interface and view the results in real time within CINEMA 4D’s Picture Viewer for a streamlined workflow.
On the quality side, a new irradiance caching algorithm for faster approximation of Global Illumination and improved ambient occlusion, physical rendering and multi-threading features in R15 has been added offering artists unprecedented rendering performance.
Modeling Enhancements
MAXON has enhanced modeling productivity in CINEMA 4D, introducing all-new interactive beveling for improved manipulation and control over object edges and curves for adding depth and dimension to designs and ensure that resulting meshes are clean and flow correctly.
Improved Typographic Tools
CINEMA 4D R15 continues to elevate the design experience delivering significant typographic, text editing and control capabilities over MoText and Text Splines directly in the 3D view. New kerning, and tracking tools can be applied with MoGraph effectors or used in Xpresso and edited at any time to create complex typographic elements and animation.
Dynamic Sculpting
Improved dynamic sculpting tools in CINEMA 4D Studio Release 15 ensure artists can sculpt with finesse and optimize with ease. In cases where there is adequate subdivision, sculpting tools can be used directly on any polygonal model. Advanced masking, mirroring and duplication options, as well as the new Amplify brush that gives control to interactively inflate and use new draw modes to sculpt lines and areas defined by lasso, polygonal drawing or a rectangle, gives artists complete control and flexibility for adding and preserving desired sculpted details.
Miscellaneous Workflow, Modeling and Animation Improvements
Renowned for outstanding ease of use, CINEMA 4D R15 also includes many new productivity-boosting features including:
- Texture Manager
Provides artists with powerful new texture management tools to fix broken texture links and wrangle bitmaps with ease to control even the most complex scenes. - Architectural Grass
Based on the powerful Hair and Fur engine in CINEMA 4D Studio, the new Grass Material features lets users quickly and easily simulate and add grass to any object within CINEMA 4D Release 15 Visualize and Studio. - Camera Crane
A new Camera Crane rig offers customers a dependable, production-friendly solution to easily simulate real-life Jib crane shots by adjusting the angle and length of the base, arm, head and the camera itself.
Pricing, Availability and Upgrade Path
CINEMA 4D Release 15 is scheduled to ship September, 2013. Additional pricing and distribution information: www.maxon.net. Available for both Mac OS X and Windows.