Maxon and Tencent Cloud Partner to Integrate HY 3D AI Engine into Cinema 4D New integration gives artists the ability to accelerate early-stage 3D concepting with Tencent HY 3D Global AI engine.

Bad Homburg, Germany – March 6, 2026 – Maxon, maker of powerful, approachable software solutions for creators working in 2D and 3D design, motion graphics, visual effects, gaming, and more, has announced a strategic partnership with Tencent Cloud to integrate Tencent HY 3D Global AI engine into Cinema 4D.

The collaboration, unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, introduces an AI-assisted workflow within Cinema 4D that enables artists to generate base 3D and UV models from text prompts or image references, which can then be refined, sculpted, animated, and rendered using Maxon’s professional toolset. 

The HY 3D engine, developed by Tencent Cloud and trained on Tencent’s vast library of games, helps artists jumpstart their work, serving as a starting point for creative exploration. Once generated, assets are fully customizable in Cinema 4D and compatible with Maxon’s broader ecosystem, including ZBrush, Redshift, and Red Giant tools.

“At Maxon, our mission has always been to empower artists,” said David McGavran, CEO of Maxon. “This partnership is about giving creators additional tools to move faster when they choose to, especially in early-stage ideation and prototyping. The artist remains in complete control of the final result. AI can assist with iteration and experimentation, but authorship and creative direction stay firmly in the hands of the creative.”

The integration reflects Maxon’s longstanding philosophy of meeting artists where they are, while preserving creative freedom. Use of the HY 3D integration within Cinema 4D is entirely optional; artists who prefer traditional modeling workflows can continue working exactly as they do today.

“Artists care deeply about authorship and originality – and so do we,” said Philip Losch, Chief Technology and AI Officer at Maxon. “Our approach is focused on responsible integration of AI capabilities into our tools. We are not building an autonomous system that creates finished art. We are applying technology that accelerates certain steps in a broader creative process that remains artist-led.”

Cinema 4D is widely used across film, broadcast, motion graphics, advertising, product visualization, and game development. The addition of AI-assisted base model generation provides new flexibility for creators working under tight timelines or exploring multiple visual directions. Once generated, assets can be refined in ZBrush, textured and lit in Cinema 4D, and rendered using Redshift, enabling artists to transform their original concepts into fully realized, production-ready work with their unique signature look and feel.

The partnership builds on a long-standing relationship between Maxon and Tencent, including Tencent’s continuous use of Maxon technologies in game development pipelines. This marks the first time Maxon is integrating Tencent Cloud AI technology directly into its own toolset.

The HY 3D integration will be introduced in late 2026. Additional technical details and rollout timing will be shared closer to the release.

To schedule a press briefing and demo, contact [email protected].

Will Tencent HY 3D be built into Cinema 4D?

Yes. The HY 3D integration is a full-fledged feature in Cinema 4D on iPad and Desktop. However, artists who prefer firsthand modeling methods can continue working exactly as they do today.

Do artists have to use AI in Cinema 4D?

No. Use of the HY 3D integration is entirely at the artist's discretion. Cinema 4D remains a fully functional 3D application that does not require AI-assisted workflows. The integration simply provides an additional option for those who wish to accelerate early-stage concepting or experimentation.

What does the HY 3D feature do?

This feature allows artists to generate 3D base models from text prompts or image references using Tencent Cloud’s HY 3D AI creation engine. These generated assets can then be refined, sculpted, textured, animated, and rendered using Maxon’s professional toolset.

Does this replace 3D artists or modeling from scratch?

No. The purpose of this integration is to accelerate early stages of ideation and prototyping, not to replace skilled 3D modelling artists. Generated models typically require refinement, creative direction, and artistic decision-making. Final production-ready assets remain the creation of human expertise and creative vision.

Is Maxon developing its own generative AI model?

No. The AI model used in this integration is developed and operated by Tencent Cloud. Maxon’s role is to integrate this capability into Cinema 4D as an optional workflow enhancement.

Does Maxon train AI models using customer artwork or data?

No. Maxon does not train proprietary generative AI models for this integration, nor does it use customer content to train AI systems. The AI functionality is provided by Tencent Cloud under its own infrastructure.

Does this change Cinema 4D’s core functionality?

No. Cinema 4D’s core modeling, animation, simulation, and rendering tools remain unchanged. Artists can continue working exactly as they always have. The HY 3D integration is an additional capability that can be applied based on personal workflow preferences.

How does Maxon address concerns about AI in creative industries?

We are seeing a range of workflows emerge across creative industries. Some artists want tools that help accelerate repetitive or early-stage tasks, while others prefer entirely firsthand approaches. Our goal is to provide flexibility and choice – not to dictate how artists create. The integration reflects that philosophy.

We understand that AI is a nuanced and evolving topic within artistic communities. Our approach is grounded in three principles:

1. The artist remains in control.

2. AI tools are optional.

3. Artists will be able to use content, created though AI assist functionality, no different than Capsules from the Maxon Capsules library.

We are committed to introducing new capabilities transparently and responsibly, while continuing to listen to our community.

Will the cost of Cinema 4D increase?

No, however AI enabled tools may have its own pricing, given that they require cloud computing and with that the use of Tencent Cloud infrastructure. Pricing structure will be announced with the launch of the feature in late 2026.

Is this new AI-powered feature immediately available to all Cinema 4D users?

No. This feature will be first released on Cinema 4D for iPad in late 2026 and subsequently will be made available in the desktop application.