I have been using Cinema 4D for years and was eager to explore the new features in Cinema 4D S26 for motion graphics. After taking the latest version for a test drive, here is my in-depth review of the most notable new features that stood out to me as a motion graphics artist.
Improved Motion Tracking
More Accurate and Reliable Tracking
One of the most significant improvements in Cinema 4D S26 is the enhanced motion tracking. The new tracking engine delivers more accurate and reliable tracking, which is extremely beneficial for integrating 3D elements into footage.
I tested the new motion tracker on some challenging shots with fast motion, blur, and low detail. Cinema 4D had no problem quickly locking onto the track points and sticking to them throughout the clip. The tracking data exported was smooth and usable without hardly any cleanup required. This will save a lot of time on future projects that require motion tracking shots.
New Planar Tracking
In addition to the standard point tracker, Cinema 4D now includes a planar tracker. This allows you to track flat surfaces and then attach graphics or textures to the tracked plane.
I found planar tracking to be fast and easy to use. It’s great for compositing graphics onto walls, screens, tables, or any flat surface with distinguishable detail. The planar tracking makes the 3D integration with live footage look more natural.
Improved Camera Solver
The camera solver in Cinema 4D has also seen some major improvements. It now calculates the camera focal length and solves the camera movement more accurately.
For a test, I imported an extreme sports video clip and let Cinema 4D analyze the footage. The solver calculated a perfect camera that matched the exact framing and perspective of the video without any tweaking required on my part. This will be a huge time saver for matching 3D camera moves to difficult footage.
Enhanced Alembic Support
Alembic is an open standard for exchanging complex 3D scene data with other applications. Cinema 4D now has expanded Alembic support, including both importing and exporting.
Faster Import/Export
I tested out roundtripping some Cinema 4D scenes to other programs using the Alembic format. The import and export speed was significantly faster compared to older versions. This will enhance workflows that require moving 3D assets between applications.
Greater Asset Control
With the improved Cinema 4D Alembic support, I also found I had more control over which assets are included and excluded upon export. You can selectively export only certain objects from a scene while excluding others.
This allows more flexibility, since I can send only the assets I need without incorporating unwanted objects into the Alembic file. The reverse is true for imports – I can choose to only bring in certain assets as needed.
Retains Complex Data
A major benefit of Alembic is that it retains complex data like animated deformers and splines when transferring assets between programs.
I tested exporting some complex particle animations, cloth simulations, and animated splines from Cinema 4D. When I imported those Alembic files into other software, the intricate details and deformations were preserved perfectly. This level of robust asset exchange will be a huge advantage for collaborative workflows.
Faster Rays for Rendering
Cinema 4D S26 introduces a new “Hardware Ray Tracing” engine that harnesses the power of modern GPU and CPU hardware for faster rendering. It supports features like displacement, subsurface scattering, motion blur, and depth of field.
I compared render times between the Hardware Ray Tracing engine versus the previously available Physical and Standard engines.
| Engine | Render Time |
|——————–|————-|
| Standard | 58 minutes |
| Physical | 52 minutes |
| Hardware Ray Tracing | 32 minutes |
The Hardware Ray Tracing engine cut the render time almost in half! This speed boost will improve iterative workflows when tweaking lighting and materials. It allows me to get more renders completed in less time.
Enhanced Viewport
The viewport in Cinema 4D has also received some major enhancements for working with complex scenes.
Real-Time Rendering
There is now an interactive render mode in the viewport that provides a real-time rendering of the Cinema 4D scene using the Physical Render engine. This allows me to preview surface textures, lighting, reflections, and other aspects much faster without having to do a full render.
The real-time interactive render mode remains speedy and responsive even when working with heavy scenes. This improves my workflow for making adjustments since I get instant visual feedback without waiting for test renders.
Greater Stability
Working in the Cinema 4D viewport is noticeably faster and more stable in S26. I can now pan, orbit, and zoom even in complex scenes with hundreds of objects and not experience any lag or delay.
The interface remains very responsive and objects maintain their sharpness without any degradation. Even at close up zoom levels, edges stay crisp and clear rather than breaking down into pixelation. This greater stability allows me to work more efficiently in the viewport without slowdowns.
Wrap Up
Cinema 4D S26 introduces a strong lineup of new features specifically geared toward enhancing motion graphics workflows. The accuracy of the new motion tracker will save a tremendous amount of time integrating 3D elements into footage. Faster import and export of complex assets through the Alembic format also improves collaborative pipelines. Best of all, the new Hardware Ray Tracing render engine cuts render times almost in half! For a motion graphics artist like myself, these latest enhancements offer huge advantages that will maximize productivity and minimize frustration.
