A comprehensive Camera Array plugin for Cinema 4D that creates multiple camera perspectives for 3D visualization, photogrammetry, and Gaussian Splatting workflows.
- Vertex Array: Create cameras at polygon vertices
- Spherical Array: Golden spiral distribution for optimal coverage
- Cylindrical Array: Cameras arranged in cylindrical formation
- Grid Array: Rectangular grid camera placement
- Direction Options: Inward, outward, tangential, or custom camera orientations
- Target Tracking: Point cameras at specific objects
- Focal Length Sync: Synchronize focal length across all cameras
- Take System Integration: Automatic camera take creation
- COLMAP Export: Generate camera.txt and images.txt for photogrammetry
- Camera Metadata: Complete camera parameter export (JSON)
- 4D Sequences: Animated camera data for temporal reconstruction
- 4D Gaussian Splatting: Optimized camera sequences for 4DGS training
- Temporal Animation: Automated camera movement for time-based capture
- Orbital Motion: Smart camera path generation
- Smart Distribution: Fibonacci sphere, Halton sequence, Poisson disk sampling
- Occlusion Culling: Remove cameras with poor visibility
- Overlap Prevention: Maintain minimum camera distances
- Real-time Preview: Visualize camera placement before creation
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Copy the entire
C4DCameraArrayfolder to your Cinema 4D plugins directory:- Windows:
C:\Program Files\Maxon Cinema 4D [Version]\plugins\ - Mac:
/Applications/Maxon Cinema 4D [Version]/plugins/
- Windows:
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Register the plugin by getting an official Plugin ID from Plugin Cafe
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Restart Cinema 4D
The repository includes:
Splat.mp4: Example Gaussian Splatting result showcasing the quality achievable with this camera array tool
- Create or select a polygon object in your scene
- Add the Camera Array Tool object from the plugins menu
- Configure your desired array pattern and settings
- Click Create Array to generate cameras
- Use Export COLMAP for photogrammetry workflows
See Splat.mp4 for an example of Gaussian Splatting results created using this camera array tool. The video demonstrates the quality achievable with properly positioned camera arrays for 3D reconstruction workflows.
- Use Case: 360° object capture, optimal coverage
- Parameters: Camera count, radius
- Best For: Product visualization, object scanning
- Use Case: Tall objects, architectural elements
- Parameters: Camera count, radius, height
- Best For: Building facades, sculptures
- Use Case: Planar capture, facade photography
- Parameters: Grid size X/Y, spacing
- Best For: Flat surfaces, texture capture
- Use Case: Custom placement based on geometry
- Parameters: Uses selected polygon object vertices
- Best For: Irregular shapes, artistic arrangements
- Inward: Cameras point toward target (default: world origin)
- Outward: Cameras point away from target
- Tangential: Cameras oriented tangent to sphere
- Custom: Manual direction control
- Set array pattern to Spherical with 50-100 cameras
- Set direction to Inward targeting your object
- Enable Sync Focal Length (35mm recommended)
- Click Export COLMAP to generate training data
- Use exported files with Gaussian Splatting training pipelines
Result Example: See Splat.mp4 for a demonstration of the quality achievable with proper camera array positioning using this tool.
- Use the animation system to create temporal camera sequences
- Export 4D sequence data for training
- Supports object animation and camera movement
- Create spherical array around your object
- Ensure good coverage (50+ cameras recommended)
- Export COLMAP data
- Import into photogrammetry software (Meshroom, Reality Capture, etc.)
- Array Pattern: Choose distribution method
- Camera Count: Number of cameras (1-1000)
- Radius: Distance from center/spacing
- Height: Cylinder height parameter
- Grid Size X/Y: Grid dimensions
- Direction: Camera orientation method
- Target Object: Object to point cameras toward
- Focal Length: Camera focal length (mm)
- Sync Focal Length: Apply same focal length to all cameras
- Create Takes: Automatically create take for each camera
- Show Preview: Display camera position preview
cameras.txt: Camera intrinsic parametersimages.txt: Camera poses and orientations- Compatible with SfM pipelines
- Complete camera parameters
- Position, rotation matrices
- Intrinsic calibration data
- Render settings
- Start Small: Test with fewer cameras first
- Use Preview: Enable preview to verify placement
- Optimize Distribution: Tool automatically prevents overlaps
- Memory Management: Clear unused cameras regularly
- Cinema 4D R20+
- Windows 10/11, macOS 10.14+
- Python 3.x support
- Take System integration
- "No cameras created": Ensure valid polygon object is selected for vertex mode
- Cameras overlapping: Increase radius or use optimization features
- Export failed: Check file permissions and disk space
- Take creation failed: Ensure Take System is available in document
- Reduce camera count for complex scenes
- Use preview mode to test settings
- Clear preview objects when not needed
- Golden Spiral: Even angular distribution
- Fibonacci Sphere: Optimal sphere packing
- Halton Sequence: Low-discrepancy sampling
- Poisson Disk: Uniform spatial distribution
- Cinema 4D standard coordinate system
- COLMAP format conversion included
- Quaternion rotation support
This plugin is designed for defensive security and 3D visualization purposes only. Contributions welcome for:
- Additional array patterns
- Export format support
- Performance improvements
- Documentation enhancements
Open Source
- Complete rewrite with advanced features
- Multiple array patterns
- COLMAP export support
- 4D animation workflows
- Performance optimizations
- Preview system
- Basic vertex-based camera creation
- Take system integration