C4D File

.c4d files store 3D models and scene data created with Cinema 4D, a professional 3D modeling and rendering application developed by Maxon Computer GmbH. Cinema 4D offers many advanced tools for creating and animating 3D models and their environments, including lighting, texturing and simulation.

.c4d is a proprietary binary format with no published specification. Files saved in a newer Cinema 4D release cannot be opened by older versions of the software.

.c4d files store information about the full scene hierarchy and setup. Each .c4d file can contain the following elements:

• object geometry (meshes, splines and generators)
• position, rotation and pivot points
• materials and shaders
• cameras, lights and render settings
• animation tracks and keyframes

Textures are typically stored as external references rather than embedded inside the file. Sharing a .c4d without its tex folder results in missing materials; use File > Save Project with Assets to bundle everything together.

Additional tools and features for Cinema 4D are available as dedicated plugins. For example, the PyroCluster plugin adds a toolset for creating various smoke and fire effects. Alternative rendering engines - such as Redshift (Maxon's own renderer), Octane Render or Corona Renderer - store additional data inside .c4d files and require the matching renderer installed to display correctly.

Cinema 4D models saved in .c4d files can be imported into other rendering programs, or first exported to interchange formats such as .FBX or .OBJ. Some programs require the user to manually import the file from the menu - for example, Adobe After Effects uses the built-in Cineware plugin - while others automatically import data from .c4d files placed in a specific folder, as is the case with the Unity environment.