How to optimise your workstation for Maxon Cinema 4D 2023

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The CAD program Cinema 4D is a 3D graphics software and was specially developed for complex visualisations and professional animations. The software impresses with its reliability and easy-to-use user interface. Cinema 4D is the perfect programme for 3D artists, graphic designers and professionals from film and television. Do you want to work on larger and very complex projects with appealing geometry more easily and quickly? We configure the optimum business workstation for your individual Cinema 4D applications and offer you the opportunity to put the system to the test with a test licence for Cinema 4D via remote access. Contact us and arrange a free remote test. Below is our hardware recommendation for Cinema 4D. The current version is Cinema 4D 2024. At the bottom of this page you will find our video on the topic of calculating Cinema DNG in Adobe Premiere.

How to optimize your workstation for Cinema 4D

Maxon Cinema 4D 2024: The ideal processor choice for every project

Maxon Cinema 4D 2024 is a powerful software for 3D modelling, animation, simulation and rendering, which places different demands on the hardware depending on the size and complexity of the project. Choosing the right processor is particularly important to ensure optimum performance. Below is an overview of which Intel Core and Intel Xeon processors are recommended for small, medium and complex projects.


Small Cinema 4D projects: Intel Core i5 and Intel Xeon W3

For smaller projects, such as simple modelling or basic animations, an Intel Core i5 processor is a good choice. These processors offer balanced performance that is sufficient for less computationally intensive tasks without breaking the budget. Processors such as the Intel Core i5-13600K are particularly recommended. With a total of 14 cores and 20 threads as well as a high turbo clock frequency of 5.10 GHz, it forms a solid basis for entry-level projects.

Alternatively, Intel Xeon E3 processors offer a professional solution for small studios or users who want to rely on server hardware. The Intel Xeon E3-1245 v6, for example, is a cost-effective processor with 4 cores and 8 threads, which is well suited for small to medium-sized tasks and also offers high reliability and stability.



Medium Cinema 4D projects: Intel Core i7 and Intel Xeon W5

For medium-sized projects that involve more complex animations, more detailed models or more extensive simulations, a more powerful processor is required. This is where the Intel Core i7 comes into play, which is characterised by a higher number of cores and better multithreading performance. The Intel Core i7-13700K with 16 cores and 24 threads offers an excellent balance between performance and cost and is ideal for more demanding tasks in Cinema 4D.

For professional users who rely on workstation hardware, the Intel Xeon W-2200 series is an excellent choice. The Intel Xeon W-2265 with 12 cores and 24 threads offers a stable and powerful platform for medium to complex projects and is particularly suitable for multitasking and use in multi-GPU setups.


Complex Cinema 4D projects: Intel Core i9 and Intel Xeon W7 / W9

For highly complex projects, such as photorealistic renderings, elaborate simulations or very large 3D scenes, maximum computing power is required. Here, the Intel Core i9 is the first choice for demanding users. The Intel Core i9-14900K with 24 cores and 32 threads delivers extreme performance that enables even the most demanding tasks in Cinema 4D to be completed efficiently.

For those who require even greater scalability and reliability, Intel Xeon W7 and W9 series processors offer superior performance. The Intel Xeon W7-2495 with 24 cores and 48 threads is ideal for compute-intensive workloads and offers outstanding multitasking capability. These processors are predestined for use in high-end workstations and server environments that require maximum stability and performance.


When does an enterprise workstation with a dual CPU system make sense for Maxon Cinema 4D 2024?

An enterprise workstation with a dual-CPU configuration can be useful for Maxon Cinema 4D 2024 if you are working on very demanding projects that require considerable computing power. Especially if you regularly render large, complex scenes that include many high-resolution textures, complex lighting, particle systems or elaborate simulations (such as liquids, hair or smoke). Here are some scenarios where a dual CPU workstation could be useful:


  1. Rendering complex scenes: Cinema 4D supports CPU-based rendering (for example, using the Standard Renderer or Physical Renderer). If you frequently render scenes that require a lot of detail or complex calculations, a dual-CPU configuration can significantly reduce rendering times.

  2. Using multi-threading: If you use Cinema 4D functions that benefit greatly from multi-threading (such as rendering or calculating simulations), a dual CPU configuration that offers more cores can significantly improve performance.

  3. Working with other demanding software solutions simultaneously: If you are using Cinema 4D in parallel with other computationally intensive programmes (for example Adobe After Effects, Houdini or other 3D or video editing software), a dual CPU workstation can ensure that enough computing power is available for all applications.

  4. Very large projects and collaboration: In a professional environment where you are working on very large projects or with several people working on a project at the same time, a powerful workstation may be necessary to work efficiently.

  5. Future-proofing: If you are buying a workstation with the intention of using it for many years to come, a dual CPU configuration might make sense to ensure that the hardware will be able to cope with future demands.


When might a single CPU configuration be sufficient?

  • Smaller or less complex projects: If mainly rendering simple scenes or working on smaller projects, a powerful single CPU workstation is sufficient.

  • GPU-based rendering: If you primarily use GPU-based rendering (e.g. Redshift, OctaneRender), then the CPU is less critical and you could invest in more powerful GPUs instead.

  • Cost-benefit ratio: Dual CPU systems are more expensive and consume more power. If you're not fully utilising the extra cores and threads, a single CPU workstation could offer better value for money.

RAM plays a crucial role in the performance of Cinema 4D, especially when it comes to handling large amounts of data and complex scenes. In this context, the question arises as to how much RAM is required and whether DDR4 or DDR5 is the better choice, depending on the size of the project.


1. Small Cinema 4D projects

Small projects include simple models, animations with few objects and lower polygon counts as well as basic textures. Such scenarios usually require less memory and are often less demanding on the system.

  • Minimum RAM (DDR4): 16 GB

  • Recommended RAM (DDR5): 32 GB

Justification: DDR4 with 16 GB is often sufficient for small projects, as the memory requirements are not high. DDR5 can also be used here, but the speed advantage will hardly be noticeable in these cases.

2. Medium Cinema 4D projects

Medium projects contain more complex models, more detailed textures and more objects. This is where memory requirements start to increase, especially when working with multiple layers, effects and higher-resolution textures.

  • Minimum RAM (DDR4): 32 GB

  • Recommended memory (DDR5): 64 GB

Justification: Switching to DDR5 can be advantageous for medium-sized projects, as the higher bandwidth of DDR5 can lead to better performance, especially when parallel processes such as rendering and modelling are running simultaneously. However, even with DDR4, 32 GB is sufficient to process such projects smoothly.

3. Complex Cinema 4D projects

Complex projects include highly detailed models, scenes with a large number of objects, photorealistic renderings and the use of advanced features such as simulations and dynamic effects. These projects require considerably more memory.

  • Recommended memory (DDR4): 64 GB or more

  • Recommended memory (DDR5): 128 GB or more

Reason: The use of DDR5 is particularly useful for very complex projects, as the higher bandwidth and efficiency of DDR5 enable large amounts of data to be processed more quickly. The performance gain here can be significant, especially when it comes to rendering highly detailed scenes. 64 GB is often the minimum, but 128 GB or more may be required for very demanding projects.


Summary

  • For small projects, 16 GB RAM is sufficient, regardless of whether DDR4 or DDR5 is used.

  • For medium-sized projects, 32 GB is optimal, although DDR5 may offer a slight advantage.

  • Complex projects benefit greatly from 64 GB or more, whereby DDR5 has a clear advantage.

The choice between DDR4 and DDR5 therefore depends heavily on the complexity of the projects and the budget. While DDR4 is often sufficient for small and medium-sized projects, DDR5 offers significant advantages in terms of speed and efficiency, especially for complex projects.

When it comes to getting the best out of Maxon Cinema 4D 2024, choosing the right NVIDIA graphics card plays a crucial role. Depending on the complexity and size of your projects, the hardware requirements vary considerably. Here is an overview of the optimal NVIDIA graphics cards for small, medium and complex projects.


1. Small Cinema 4D projects

For smaller projects that mainly involve simple modelling, basic animation and basic rendering requirements, a graphics card from the NVIDIA GeForce RTX series is more than sufficient. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060Ti is an excellent choice. It offers a good balance between price and performance and has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory, which is ideal for smaller projects and beginners in the 3D world. This card supports Cinema 4D's real-time ray tracing capabilities, so you'll be able to render high quality previews.

2. Medium Cinema 4D projects

For medium-sized projects that require more complex models, more detailed textures and animations, you should consider a more powerful graphics card.The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti is the optimal choice here. With 12 GB of GDDR6X memory and an improved number of CUDA cores, it offers enough power to render even the most demanding scenes smoothly. This card is particularly suitable for users who frequently work with scenes that require a higher rendering speed and better real-time previews.

3. Complex Cinema 4D projects

For very complex projects that require high-resolution textures, many polygons, complex simulations and rendering in 4K or higher, a high-end graphics card is essential.The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is currently the ultimate in Cinema 4D 2024, with an impressive 24GB of GDDR6X memory and over 16,000 CUDA cores, this card offers unrivalled performance.

It is perfect for large studios or professional users who regularly work with extremely complex scenes and simulations. The RTX 4090 ensures that you can work on even the most demanding projects with maximum efficiency and speed.


When does it make sense to use an enterprise workstation with two graphics cards for Maxon Cinema 4D 2024?

The use of an enterprise workstation for Maxon Cinema 4D 2024 with two graphics cards can make sense in various scenarios, especially if certain requirements are placed on performance, efficiency and workflows.

Here are some key reasons why such a configuration might make sense:


  1. Complex 3D scenes and high-resolution renderings

    If you regularly work on very complex 3D scenes that involve a high polygon count, elaborate textures and sophisticated lighting, a second graphics card can significantly improve performance. Two GPUs allow you to work on demanding scenes more smoothly and significantly reduce render times. This is especially important for projects that require fast iteration and real-time previews.

  2. GPU rendering

    Cinema 4D 2024 supports GPU rendering, for example via the Redshift renderer, which can utilise multiple graphics cards to increase rendering speed. If you frequently use GPU rendering in your work, two GPUs can drastically reduce render times, increasing productivity and giving you more time for creative tasks.

  3. Multitasking and parallel working

    In a production environment where multitasking is crucial, a second graphics card can be useful to efficiently handle parallel tasks. For example, you could be rendering on one GPU while continuing to work on the other GPU at the same time, without any loss of performance. This is particularly useful in scenarios where multiple projects need to be processed simultaneously.

  4. Virtual reality (VR) and real-time visualisation

    If your work involves VR content or real-time visualisations, these often require extremely high computing power. Two powerful GPUs can make a significant difference here by keeping the frame rate stable and minimising delays, which is particularly important for interactive presentations or VR applications.

  5. Future-proofing and scalability

    Using an enterprise workstation with two graphics cards also offers a certain degree of future-proofing and scalability. As projects often become more complex over time, you can ensure that your workstation can handle future requirements without the need for an immediate upgrade.

  6. Extended rendering pipeline

    In larger studios or production environments where Cinema 4D is integrated into a wider rendering pipeline, two GPUs can help to avoid bottlenecks and optimise the overall workflow. This can be particularly beneficial when working with multiple software solutions that require GPU resources simultaneously.

Maxon Cinema 4D 2024 is a powerful 3D software known for its ability to create and render highly detailed and complex projects. To get the best possible performance out of Cinema 4D, it is crucial to choose the right hard drive configuration. Samsung M.2 SSDs are an excellent choice. This text compares the performance of Samsung M.2 SSDs with PCIe 3.0 and PCIe 4.0 for different project sizes and gives recommendations for the optimal hard drive configuration.


1. Small Cinema 4D projects (less than 1 GB of data)

For small projects that contain less than 1 GB of data, such as simple 3D models or short animations, the choice between a Samsung M.2 SSD with PCIe 3.0 or PCIe 4.0 is less critical. Both interfaces offer sufficient speed to easily fulfil the typical requirements of such projects.

  • Samsung M.2 PCIe 3.0 SSD: This SSD offers solid read and write speeds that are more than sufficient for small projects. The slightly lower cost makes it a cost-effective choice.

  • Samsung M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD: While the PCIe 4.0 SSD offers significantly faster speeds, the difference will hardly be noticeable for small projects. Nevertheless, it is a good choice if you want to make a future-proof investment.

Recommendation: A Samsung M.2 PCIe 3.0 SSD is usually sufficient for small projects. However, a PCIe 4.0 SSD can be useful if you frequently work with larger amounts of data or are focussing on future requirements.

2. Medium-sized Cinema 4D projects (1 GB to 10 GB of data)

The performance of the hard drive begins to play a greater role in medium-sized projects, which include more extensive 3D models, more complex animations or scenes with a higher texture resolution, for example.

  • Samsung M.2 PCIe 3.0 SSD: The PCIe 3.0 SSD will still perform well for medium projects, but longer load times and delayed caching operations could occur when many files need to be processed simultaneously.

  • Samsung M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD: The higher bandwidth of the PCIe 4.0 SSD provides significantly faster read and write speeds, which noticeably speeds up work with medium-sized projects. This leads to faster render times and an overall smoother working environment.

Recommendation: For medium-sized projects, the Samsung M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD is the better choice as it offers noticeable performance improvements. This is especially true when working on projects with many assets or textures.

3. Complex Cinema 4D projects (more than 10 GB of data)

Complex projects that include extensive 3D scenes, large animations or work with many high-resolution textures place the highest demands on storage performance. This is where choosing the right SSD is crucial.

  • Samsung M.2 PCIe 3.0 SSD: For very large projects, the PCIe 3.0 SSD can reach its limits. Longer loading times, delays when accessing large amounts of data and slower rendering times can have a significant impact on work.

  • Samsung M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD: The PCIe 4.0 SSD, on the other hand, offers the necessary speeds to work smoothly even with large amounts of data. The high read and write speeds help to ensure that large files can be loaded and processed quickly, which speeds up the entire workflow.

Recommendation: For complex projects, a Samsung M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD is essential to achieve the best possible performance. It enables significantly faster processing and considerably reduces waiting times.

Calculation of Cinema DNG FOOTAGE

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