Introduction

We hope this documentation will help you develop great plugins for the award winning CINEMA 4D. If you have further questions about MAXON Computer or our applications CINEMA 4D and BodyPaint 3D, please do not hesitate to contact MAXON at any of the following locations:

United States, Canada, The Americas:
info_us@maxon.net

United Kingdom & Ireland:
info_uk@maxon.net

Japan:
info_jp@maxon.net

Germany & all other countries:
info_de@maxon.net

Your MAXON SDK support and development team.

About C.O.F.F.E.E.

What is C.O.F.F.E.E.?

C.O.F.F.E.E.is a platform independent and object-oriented programming language that can be used to develop plugins and extensions for C4D. The language is similar to C++ and Java but is more simplified, which makes it easy to learn and use. (See The C.O.F.F.E.E. Language.)

Who can use C.O.F.F.E.E.?

This SDK documentation is written for users who have a basic knowledge in programming C++, Java or Pascal. For example, basic things like functions, variables and classes are not explained. If you have no previous programming experience at all, you might benefit from reading some general programming books before you start.

Why C.O.F.F.E.E.?

There is also a C++ API. This enables professional developers to make faster plugins and reuse existing C++ code. However, the C.O.F.F.E.E. SDK provides many other advantages for regular developers:

As C.O.F.F.E.E. is platform independent you don't have to compile separate versions for each hardware and software platform that C4D is available for.
The language syntax is easier and less complicated than C++.
You normally don't have to restart C4D each time you have made changes to your plugin.

About the documentation and support

Copyright

The MAXON C++ SDK Documentation is copyright © MAXON Computer GmbH, Friedrichsdorf, Germany. Any form of unauthorized use, publication, reproduction, copying or changes to this document is not permitted without the written consent of MAXON Computer GmbH.

Disclaimer

MAXON Computer cannot be held responsible for any damages to your code or project-schedule as a result of your study and use of this documentation or correspondence with our SDK-support team. MAXON Computer is not obliged to make any changes to the SDK at your request.

When using this reference or inquiring for support you do so at your own risk.

What you will find in this document

The MAXON C++ SDK is a publicly available reference. As such it is a growing document that is designed to help developers understand how to write plugins for CINEMA 4D. Further additions will be made in the future as the SDK itself evolves. If you would like to give feedback, please e-mail sdk_feedback@maxon.net.

How to get support and who will answer your questions

The only way to get support is via Plugin Cafe. Since older versions of our SDK behave differently, support can only be given for the latest version. Always use the latest version of CINEMA 4D (updates are available at http://www.maxon.net).

Registration to the plugin café developer forum is free of charge but will be required to post your queries.

When sending a query about the C++ SDK, or C.O.F.F.E.E., please ensure that your problem is described in as much detail as possible, thus avoiding additional questions from the support team.

Please also post the part of your source code in question. Without this it will be impossible for the support team to find the cause of your problem.

If your project is under NDA or you need to address the support team directly, please email sdk_support@maxon.net for assistance.

If you find a potential bug in the SDK or reference, please report it immediately to sdk_bugs@maxon.net.

What to expect (and what not to expect) from the support team

The support team will give support for the C++ SDK and C.O.F.F.E.E., free of charge.
The support team will try to give you precise answers, wherever possible.
Depending on the nature of your query, an answer can be made quickly or perhaps take several days.
The support team will assist you with information when it is not available through this reference.
The support team cannot help you learn C++ or C.O.F.F.E.E..
The support team cannot debug your plugins.
If a bug has been found, the support team will try to assist you to the best of their abilities but cannot be asked to make changes to the SDK.
The support team will not write code for you.
Depending on the complexity of your problem the support team is not obliged to help you.
The support team will not give support for non-public functions/variables/hooks.
The support team cannot be held responsible for any damages to your code or schedule.