Best 3ds Max to Cinema 4D Converters in 2026
Four ways to move a 3ds Max scene to Cinema 4D. Each has different trade-offs in price, material fidelity, and time.
Last updated: April 2026. We make MAX2C4D, so we're biased — but every claim is documented with specifics.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | MAX2C4D | MaxToC4D | FBX | Manual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corona material graph | Full | Approximate | None | By hand |
| V-Ray material graph | Full | Basic | None | By hand |
| Shader node count | 80+ | N/A | 0 | By hand |
| Render settings | Yes | No | No | Manual copy |
| V-Ray Decal/Clipper | Yes | No | No | By hand |
| ForestPack → Scatter | Yes | No | No | From scratch |
| V-Ray → Corona | Yes | No | No | By hand |
| Batch conversion | Yes | N/A | Manual | No |
| Price | $99 | $29 | Free | Free* |
| Time per scene | ~43 sec | Min + fixes | Hours | 4-8 hrs |
* Manual rebuild is free in tool cost, but at $50-150/hr, a single scene costs $300-1200 in labor.
Tool Profiles
MAX2C4D
$99 one-timeProduction archviz studios using Corona or V-Ray
Exact — node-by-node reconstruction
The most complete converter for Corona and V-Ray scenes. Zero manual work after conversion.
MaxToC4D (3DtoAll)
$29 one-timeSimple scenes, or Octane/Redshift users
Approximate — "similar" materials, manual adjustment needed
Affordable for basic conversions. Production Corona/V-Ray scenes will need manual fixing.
FBX Export
Free (built-in)Geometry-only transfer, no renderer-specific materials
None — all Corona/V-Ray materials stripped
Loses everything that matters. Only viable for untextured geometry.
Manual Rebuild
Free (your time)One-off scenes, no time pressure
Depends on the artist — prone to human error
A single 8-hour rebuild at $75/hr costs $600 — 6x the price of MAX2C4D.
Which Tool Should You Use?
FBX — geometry-only, no renderer-specific materials.
MaxToC4D — simple scenes, tight budget, willing to fix materials after.
Manual rebuild — one scene, a few materials, no time pressure.
MAX2C4D — production Corona/V-Ray with complex node graphs, render settings, ForestPack, V-Ray Decals, or cross-renderer conversion.
Try the converter built for Corona & V-Ray.
One-time purchase. 14-day money-back guarantee.
Get MAX2C4D — $99