maxon

Maxon is a German software company best known for its 3D graphics applications, particularly Cinema 4D, a comprehensive package for modeling, animation, and rendering. The company also markets tools for texture painting, motion graphics, and rendering pipelines, including BodyPaint 3D and the Redshift renderer.

Maxon Computer GmbH was founded in 1986 in Friedrichsdorf, Germany, to develop 3D graphics software. Cinema 4D emerged from its early product line and gained recognition for its intuitive workflow, integrated motion graphics capabilities, and cross-platform support. Over the years, Maxon expanded its ecosystem with additional tools and updates designed to streamline production pipelines.

Corporate structure and availability: Maxon operates as part of the Nemetschek Group, a German software company serving architecture, engineering, construction, and media markets. The company maintains a global presence with offices and partners worldwide and offers its products through multiple licensing options, including subscriptions and perpetual licenses, to fit different production needs.

Product ecosystem and pipeline integration: Cinema 4D is the centerpiece of Maxon’s offerings, used across film, television, broadcasting, design, and architecture for 3D modeling, animation, and rendering. The company has expanded its capabilities with GPU-accelerated rendering through Redshift and maintains interoperability with other industry software via standard formats and plugins, facilitating integration into existing production pipelines.