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How to convert CINEMA-4D (.c4d) to Maya (.ma,.mb)?

PolyTrans|CAD+DCC performs mathematically precise CAD, DCC/Animation, GIS and BIM 3D file conversions into all key downstream 3D packages and file formats. Okino software is used and trusted throughout the world by many tens of thousands of 3D professionals in mission & production critical environments, backed by respectable personal support directly from our core development team.

CINEMA-4D

CINEMA 4D (C4D) is a well known and respected 3D DCC/Animation software program by MAXON Computer of Germany. C4D came to take on a much larger market share in the 2010's decade (and beyond) once other animation packages waned or went out of business.

Okino has been MAXON's primary 3D conversion partner since 1998 and hence has very strong support for importing, exporting and converting C4D files without the need to have a local copy of C4D installed.

It should be noted that no software program can read or write 3ds Max (.max) or Maya (.ma) files, just as was the case with CINEMA 4D prior to release v12. Hence, as is little understood, the proper way to convert C4D files to/from 3ds Max is via the Okino PolyTrans-for-3dsMax system and to/from Maya via the Okino PolyTrans-for-3dsMaya system.

However, Okino's primary focus is to provide the main industry standard CAD file conversion support to C4D users.

Maya

Maya is a well known and respected DCC/Animation system which had originally been developed by Alias Research in Canada then purchased by Autodesk in 2006 after Alias went bankrupt.

As is very little understood, no program on this planet can read or write Maya ".ma" (ASCII) or ".mb" (binary) files because the full geometry modifier stack of the Maya software, and its various plugin modules, are needed in order to properly evaluate the file before it can be rendered. This is what forced Okino to write its well known PolyTrans-for-Maya system, which allows for all Okino 3D converters to run within Maya itself. For example, if you want to convert to/from CINEMA 4D (.c4d files) then you would do so entirely inside of Maya.

Due to multi-decades history, Maya users are notorious for using the OBJ file format to convert files to/from other software packages just as 3ds Max users wrongly use the 1985-era .3ds file format. OBJ is an "okay" file format but there are much better or more preferred methods to convert the data.

More Info: PolyTrans-for-CINEMA 4D

CINEMA-4D import converter's overview

Maya export converter's overview