Cinema 4D R10 is not your typical upgrade release. Instead of just fixing a few bugs and adding the expected novel tools, Maxon has completely overhauled the Cinema 4D core, putting Cinema 4D on the same level as applications such as Softimage|XSI.

Maxon has given the Cinema 4D R10 interface a much needed makeover with new icons, buttons and skins giving the application more of a contemporary look (the classic interface is still available for diehard Cinema 4D users). However, the new appearance is more than skin deep as the interface has been retooled with time-saving improvements such as a comprehensive, but much overdue, layers system. Layers are indispensable when working with large datasets or complex animations and Maxon’s color-coded layers implementation is fast and easy to use. The Objects Manager also features great filters and search functions that make managing projects a breeze. Overall, the new interface works nicely to speed up the 3D workflow.

Cinema 4D’s animation systems have been completely redesigned providing animators with an arsenal of comprehensive innovative tools. Notably, the new PowerSlider provides a quick and intuitive way to rough in animations, and the reworked timeline and the F-Curve Manager greatly improve animation management. Also worth attention is the new VAMP feature that allows that transfer of UVs, Vertex Maps, Bone Weights and selections between disparate meshes. The most significant animation update, however, comes in the form of a completely re-written MOCCA module. It now features a joint-based rigging system, a welcome move away from the old bone-based rigging system, which lifts Cinema 4D up to par with applications like Maya.

The improved MOCCA module, along with new features such as Auto-weighting and the intuitive IK tools, greatly reduce the amount of time needed to set up a character rig. If you throw in the rest of the new tools, the complex business of character animation becomes much less of a chore.

Cinema 4D R10 is shipping with the latest release of BodyPaint 3D- arguably the favorite feature of this upgrade. One of the best, if not the best UV Editing and 3D Painting application available, BodyPaint 3D offers advanced UV editing tools such as LSCM mapping (pelt-mapping) and sophisticated 32-bit 3D painting. The only competition comes from modo 202, which features similar functionality. In my opinion, BodyPaint 3D’s ease of use leaves modo in the dust. Powerful and simple to use, there’s nothing that can’t be easily textured with BodyPaint 3D.