Essential C4D & AE Plugins

This is a working list, and I'll update it as I discover new plugins I use regularly.

Cinema 4D

Free

• CV-ArtSmart: Create 3D extrusions from Adobe Illustrator files.
• MatteMagic: Automatically add object buffers to your render.
• SwIm: Import adobe swatches.
• Thrausi: Destroy objects.
• Drop to Floor: Easily move an object so that it sits on the floor. [direct download]

Paid

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After Effects

Free

• DuIK Tools: Inverse Kinematics for After Effects

Paid

• Reel Smart Motion Blur: Quickly add motion blur to your 3D animations in post. Yes, there are free workarounds, but the quality (and mostly the speed) of this plugin make it a must-buy.

New C4D Plugin Programming Blog

Some of the Cinema 4D programmers are now writing a Cinema 4D plugin programming blog in their personal time. It looks  like a great resource for any aspiring (and current) plugin programmers.



C4D Programming is written by Frank Willeke, Yannick Puech, and Francesco Guazzi.

Thanks guys!

AdjustToWav v0.2 Download

A python script for C4D that adjusts the project length to match that of a .wav file.
http://code.google.com/p/adjust-project-to-wav/downloads/list

Sweep Splines 0.2 - An Open Source C4D Plugin

I'd like to announce that Sweep Splines v 0.2 is available for immediate download. It's a tool that allows you to quickly and easily sweep all selected splines with a square spline.

You can watch a video introduction here:


I initially wrote in response to a post on C4D Cafe. I'm releasing it to the world so that aspiring C4D python developers can take a look at how to create a simple plugin.

Disclaimer:
At this point, I have no plans to update this plugin, so please use at your own risk.

Plugin Development Guidelines for a Seamless User Experience

I've been evaluating a lot of utility plugins for Cinema 4D, based on my experiences, here are a few suggestions on creating a better user-experience. In no particular order:

• As much as possible, make your tool fit seamlessly into your user's existing workflow.
• Follow the visual conventions of the application:
• Make your icons looks as much like native icons as possible. No-one likes the bolt-on appearance of most plugin icons.
• Gray out your icon if your tool isn't appropriate to a given mode.
• Ensure that your plugin is undo friendly.
• Choose a simple descriptive name, it should feel like just another command.
• Write a mouse-over help string, include any useful key-commands
• It's better to make simpler discreet tools that don't require user-interaction than one giant tool with a million options.
• Fully document your tool: written docs, video tutorials, and multiple example files.