Company Name

Maxon Computer

Address

566 Saint Charles Drive, Suite 2, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Telephone

805-494-0718

Fax

805-494-0719

Year Founded

U.S. Office - 1998
German Head Office - 1986

Senior Management

• Paul Babb - President/CEO
  

Employees

15

Product

Cinema 4D XL

Product Overview

Cinema 4D XL is a multi-threaded, multi-processing and multi-platform animation tool . In the second half of the 1999, Maxon Computer will release Version 6.0 of the high-end 3D modeling and animation software Cinema 4D XL.
This version will encompass new feature enhancements such as:

• A new light system which offers more than 50 new light and illumination modes, radiosity-like area shadows, volumetric noise and enhanced preview possibilities.
• Enhanced modeling capabilities. In addition to fascinating functions such as metaballs, meta-splines, new deformations and HyperNURBS, an entire palette of new surface tools will simplify the creative process within Cinema 4D's integrated environment.
• A completely revamped time line offering enhanced performance. Multiple selection, motion sequencing / motion synthesizing, a layering concept and 3D sound rendering are but a few of the new features.
• New explosion generator enables any object to be in pulverized into their component parts using diverse methods, forms and motion paths
  

Key Features

• CINEMA 4D gives users an upgrade path from an entry-level product to a professional product.
• All projects and resources are seamlessly and completely cross-platform. Even plug-ins developed in CINEMA's COFFEE programming language are completely cross platform.
• The raytracer has been independently benchmarked in Amsterdam and is proven to be the fastest raytracer on any platform. Also offers tremendous multi-processing performance (180% on a dual. 370% on a quad).
• CINEMA 4D provides a completely customizable interface. You can save many interface configurations and call them up at any time while working.
• CINEMA 4D produces photorealistic imagery with real reflections/refractions, depth of field motion blur and more.
• The program runs well on consumer-level hardware (i.e. no need for an expensive workstation to create dazzling imagery). The editor window or working environment features real-time playback of animation in shaded mode and real-time texture previewing. All this without the need for additional 3D hardware acceleration.

Pricing

$1,995

Platforms

Windows, Mac, Alpha NT and BeOS is scheduled

Product Strengths

Since the product has its roots based internationally, it has a strong installed base in Europe. Additionally, it has localized versions for German, Italian, French and Japanese.

• From GO to SE to XL, users can upgrade to the professional versions any time. All skills learned and projects created are completely transferable, the interface and tools are the same.
• All projects and resources are cross-platform. Users of different platforms can share projects, models, textures, etc. without conversion.
• Cinema 4D allows a user to have unlimited objects, unlimited materials and textures, unlimited lights, unlimited cameras, unlimited animation tracks per object, and up to 1 billion points per object. Cinema 4D handles projects with millions of polygons, hundreds of shadow casting lights, countless texture maps, particles and complex animation.
• It can run real-time functions such as texture mapping and particles without the need of any 3D hardware acceleration.

Company Positioning

Maxon Computer GmbH has been a well known animation software in European software for some time. Now, with the new facilities in the U.S., the company is making strong inroads at elevating awareness and adding to its user base outside of Europe.

Product Positioning

CINEMA 4D gives everyone the ability to do production-level special effects and animation without having to spend tens of thousands. It runs on consumer-level hardware well, produces quality imagery and is easy to use. The entry-level product allows anyone to explore 3D animation.

Key Partnerships

Apple, IBM, BE Inc., Siemens, Dosch

Competitive Position

CINEMA 4D XL currently competes directly with other mid-range 3D applications. Although CINEMA 4D has some major performance advantages, Maxon is still working to gain mindshare in the American market. This is improving with the entry-level products, aggressive support for the educational market and some upcoming bundling agreements.

Low-end animation

Cinema 4D GO, Cinema 4D SE

Web Graphics/Rendering

Cinema 4D NET

Visual Effects

Marvin - code name of yet to be released 3D painting product