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Matthew Sorrels
Participating Frequently
June 12, 2014
Question

Does Cinema 4D Lite support importing FBX files?

  • June 12, 2014
  • 12 replies
  • 30325 views

I've tried every FBX file I could, I've exported FBX files using every version of FBX available to me (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014) but every time I try to import an FBX file into Cinema 4D Lite (launched from AE CC, everything updated and current) I get a dialog with some options, then a second dialog with information about the available takes and animation length (which is must get from the file) and then I get an error message "Unable to read file <filename>".  Doesn't seem to matter what FBX I choose.  Every FBX file is readable by Autodesk's FBX Review app so I don't think it's the file(s).  Maxon's website seems to indicate that importing FBX was supported by the Lite version of Cinema 4D included with AE CC, but near as I can tell that's not true.  Am I missing something?  Is there some option I need to check or a specific way I should create an FBX file?  I'm running on Windows 7 64bit with current drivers and everything is updated.  I get the feeling this just doesn't work at all by design.

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    12 replies

    R
    russellk68680847
    Participating Frequently
    May 10, 2021

    There is a work-around for this issue. 

     

    1. Import your FBX animation file into Blender (free)

     

    2. Once the FBX file has been imported into Blender , Trim the frame range to what you need.

     

    3. Play back animation.

     

    4. Now we must export it as an "OBJ sequence" from Blender

     

    5. Go to , File, - export , - wavefront (obj)

     

    6. Select the folder you want the sequence to be in, and make sure you check the "Objects as OBJ objects", AND       "Animation" box 

     

    7.  Hit the export OBJ button , and your sequence should export out to the specified folder. 

     

    8. Open cinema 4d lite

     

    9. Drag and drop the first obj from your sequence into the main viewport of cinema 4d lite.

     

    10. An OBJ import dialogue box should now open.

     

    11. From this box , from the top menu options. navigate to where it says "Animation" and click it. 

     

    12. Check the box for " Sequence" , hit ok.  Now your animation sequnce should load into Cinema 4d lite. 

     

     

      N
      Nirmani
      Known Participant
      September 24, 2019

      I just found this. bu it's not an answer but sill at the moment that's the only option I got to do my work. I made a small video using cinema 4d light version. everything went well until fbx problem happen. I download a character and use Adobe Maximo and export it as an fbx file. but Cinema 4d didn't except the fbx file. it shows a message like this.

      So what I did is. I open the file in 3ds Max. and then it works. I add a background a camera and a light in max and export my video from max. next I open the video file in After Effects. this is the only way I found. but I still wish I can open it in Cinema 4d.

      N
      Nirmani
      Known Participant
      September 16, 2019

      Same problem and

      now 2019 and

      still no answer. 

      P
      pixelmonk1
      Participant
      September 19, 2018

      This isn't Adobe's fault.  It's Maxon's.   C4D Lite is so crippled it's pretty much useless.   They have raised their prices on their apps and released "Lite" as more of a way for people to bring in C4D files from their overpriced apps into AE.   It's not really meant to be used for any real 3D work as they have removed most of the functionality.  Again.. this is Maxon, and not Adobe at fault here.

        E
        eddies54959597
        Participant
        June 21, 2018

        How has this not been solved yet?? Im sitting here downloading a fully animated fbx file and when I open in c4d lite the character isn't even rigged. What is going on?

        D
        ddburton
        Participating Frequently
        August 18, 2017

        Same problem here. Was all ready to use my Mixamo characters yet can't without buying a different program or plug in...GRRR

        peterh43864254
        peterh43864254
        Participant
        May 13, 2019

        Hi ddburton,

        the problem is caused by the limitations of Cinema 4D LITE. This version doesn't support joints/bones. Mixamo delivers a fully rigged character mesh with backed keyframe animation for bones/joints. That's why you get this error message.
        The plugin from AEscripts isn't a solution, because it only translates camera, light and null-object coords to the After Effects 3D world. This is something which already works fine with the Cineware plugin. But a mesh deformation is not possible with this.

          ToolfarmJP
          Community Expert
          ToolfarmJPCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          August 2, 2017

          Hi,

          This utility may help you. It is a paid product. Trial version is available before purchase..

          FBX to AE Pro - aescripts + aeplugins - aescripts.com

          D
          ddburton
          Participating Frequently
          August 18, 2017

          Sadly this is not free. Why should we pay for a plug in to get the two Adobe programs to talk to each other?

            S
            sebyrollins-YsvlGH
            Participant
            February 11, 2016

            Hello,

            I have the same problem, i can not import an animation from Mixamo (Adobe Fuse) to Cinema 4D Lite to use it in an After Effect project ! Is there an new issue ? Is Adobe working on this compatibility ?

            A
            Anonymous
            June 7, 2016

            Cinema 4D lite doesn't support character animations with bones...You'd need to upgrade to a higher version of Cinema 4D for that.

            A
            Arider56107
            Participant
            August 2, 2017

            I would love if Adobe would fix this please. It sucks that Cinema 4D Lite can't do the one thing I'd potentially need it for most

              ARB design
              ARB design
              Participating Frequently
              December 2, 2015

              Same problem here this is so dumb, you release Adobe fuse cc and partner with Mixamo, when we done with our animations on Mixamo we export using the format FBX, now we try to implement the animation in cinema 4d lite together with after effects

              and it doesnt work and theres no fix around this?

              like really can you get any more stupid?it should be tried and tested with all relating software BECAUSE ITS APART OF ADOBE SERVICES...

              yawn i'll wait for a fix

                M
                michaelmatos666
                Participant
                December 11, 2015

                yeah...weird that they roll this in, but it only works with studio.

                B
                bustb2437003
                Participant
                August 17, 2015

                Hi,

                I struggled with trying to import FBX to Cinema 4D Lite that comes with After Effects CC. I tried export settings from both Ipisoft and Brekel, and I just couldn't get C4D Lite to open it, with the same error message described here.

                I downloaded and activated the Cinema 4D Studio demo (42 day trial) and it accepted and imported my fbx without any problem.

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