Exporting in Cinema 4D Format (3D only)

3D objects can be exported in the unified view or active layer to the .c4d format, for use in Cinema 4D. A “scene” is created within the Cinema 4D project; you can choose whether to organize the exported scene the same way the Vectorworks file is organized or to sort it by texture, class, fill color, or line color to facilitate your Cinema 4D workflow. It is also possible to choose which objects to export and how to handle symbol definitions and instances. Layer names, object names, and object types are preserved.

Exporting a File to Cinema 4D

Sending a File Directly to Cinema 4D

An additional command allows you to send a file to Cinema 4D directly, when Cinema 4D is installed. This command allows you to merge changes made separately to files in Vectorworks and Cinema 4D.

Once the file has been sent to Cinema 4D, select the Save Project with Assets command in Cinema 4D. This keeps the texture assets with the .c4d file, and prevents them from becoming disconnected in Cinema 4D.

Export Cinema 4D Options

When exporting to send files to Cinema 4D, you can specify which objects to include, the scene organization, and the export resolution.

Parameter	Description
Render Mode	Select which render mode to export; for Custom Renderworks, Artistic Renderworks, and Renderworks Styles, click Options to open the appropriate options dialog box and select the settings
Export
All Visible Objects on All Layers	Exports all visible 3D objects from all layers in the Vectorworks file (including objects in design layer viewports). Exclude or include specific types of objects using the check boxes; for example, export geometry but not lights.
All Visible Objects on Active Layer	Exports all visible 3D objects from the current layer (including objects in design layer viewports). Exclude or include specific types of objects using the check boxes; for example, export geometry but not lights.
Selected Objects on Active Layer	Exports only selected 3D objects from the current layer; if no objects are selected, all 3D objects from the active layer are exported
Scene Organization	Select how to organize the scene in the exported model. Native Vectorworks Organization maintains the scene organization as it exists in Vectorworks file; sorting by texture, class, fill color, or line color facilitates different Cinema 4D workflows. If the scene is not sorted by class, Vectorworks classes become Cinema 4D layers, allowing visibility to be controlled across the scene.
Export Symbols as Render Instances	When selected, symbol definitions in Vectorworks are exported as symbols and grouped under a symbols tab; they are not visible in the Cinema 4D scene. Instances of each symbol reside on the layer where created and are linked to the definitions. When deselected, turns off Cinema 4D’s render instancing feature and all symbols and instances are treated as regular objects. When this option is selected and the Scene Organization is sorted by texture, Cinema 4D’s render instances are grouped under an “Instances” tab because render instances do not have texture information.
Include	Select which kinds of objects to include in the export

Command	Path
Export Cinema 4D (3D only)	File > Export

Command	Path
Send to Cinema 4D (3D only)	File