How to Install Redshift for Cinema 4D (2026): Maxon App, License and First Check
Redshift is installed and licensed through the Maxon App. The short version:
- Installer: Use the Maxon App to install Cinema 4D and Redshift; the same app manages updates and licenses.
- License: Maxon support states Redshift GPU is included with current Cinema 4D subscriptions and does not appear as a separate license.
- Check the GPU first: Compare your GPU and driver with Maxon's Redshift requirements page before installing.
- Verify: After install, choose Redshift as the renderer and confirm your GPU is ticked under Preferences › Renderer › Redshift.
- On iRender: Cinema 4D and Redshift are pre-installed on multi-GPU servers; Prime members get activated licenses, so there is nothing to install.
Installing Redshift for Cinema 4D is mostly done for you by the Maxon App, but a wrong GPU, an old driver or a version mismatch can still leave Redshift missing or rendering on the CPU. This guide covers what to check, how to install, how licensing works and how to confirm Redshift is using your GPU.
Checked against the Cinema 4D and Redshift documentation, November 2026.
1. What do you need before installing Redshift?
Check your hardware against Maxon’s Redshift requirements first. Redshift runs on NVIDIA GPUs on Windows and Linux, and on Apple silicon or supported AMD GPUs on macOS.
What to check first
From Maxon's Redshift requirements and support articles.
| Item | Windows / Linux | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| GPU | NVIDIA GPU supported by Redshift (see Maxon requirements) | Apple silicon (M series) or a supported AMD GPU on Intel Macs |
| Driver | Recent NVIDIA driver | Current macOS version listed by Maxon |
| Installer | Maxon App (Linux: command-line tools, no GUI) | Maxon App |
| License | Redshift GPU is included with current Cinema 4D subscriptions on the activated machine | |
2. How to install Redshift for Cinema 4D (step by step)
Install checklist (follow line by line):
1 Download the Maxon App ........ maxon.net/downloads
2 Sign in ........................ your Maxon account
3 Install ........................ Cinema 4D, then Redshift
4 Restart ........................ Cinema 4D
5 Render Settings › Renderer ..... Redshift
6 Edit › Preferences › Renderer › Redshift
Compute Devices .............. your GPU(s) ticked
7 Test ........................... render one frame in the Redshift RenderView
Step 1: Install the Maxon App
Download it from Maxon downloads and sign in with your Maxon account.
Step 2: Install Cinema 4D and Redshift
In the Maxon App, install Cinema 4D, then Redshift. Keep both on matching current versions.
Step 3: Select Redshift as the renderer
Restart Cinema 4D, open Render Settings and set Renderer to Redshift.
Step 4: Confirm the GPU
Open Edit › Preferences › Renderer › Redshift and check your GPU is ticked under Compute Devices (Maxon).
Quick check: Redshift is listed in Render Settings and a test frame renders in the Redshift RenderView with your GPU ticked under Compute Devices.
Where Cinema 4D looks for the plugin
Paths from Maxon's Cinema 4D plugin configuration page (Cinema 4D 2026 as the example).
├──▸ Installed for this Cinema 4D version? ... check the Maxon App
├──▸ Plugin in a folder Cinema 4D loads?
│ Windows: C:\Program Files\Maxon Cinema 4D 2026\plugins
│ macOS: /Applications/Maxon Cinema 4D 2026/plugins
└──▸ Only one copy of the plugin? .............. remove duplicates
Sources: Maxon: Cinema 4D plugin configuration, Maxon: Redshift requirements
3. How does the Redshift license work?
According to Maxon support, Redshift GPU is included with all current Cinema 4D subscriptions and is tied to the machine where Cinema 4D is activated; it does not appear as a separate license. Standalone Redshift subscriptions are assigned in the Maxon App. Extra render nodes need their own Redshift license to render on the GPU (Maxon support).
4. What if Redshift is missing or renders on the CPU?
- Not in Render Settings: confirm Redshift is installed for the same Cinema 4D version in the Maxon App, then restart.
- CPU only: tick your GPU under Compute Devices; with no GPU enabled, Redshift renders on the CPU. See Redshift CPU rendering.
- GPU not listed: update the driver and check the GPU against Maxon’s requirements.
- On a Mac: see Redshift on macOS for Apple silicon notes.
5. Install locally or render on a farm: SaaS or IaaS?
A SaaS render farm handles the software for you and takes your scene as a job. An IaaS render farm such as iRender gives you a remote multi-GPU machine with Cinema 4D and Redshift already installed, so you work as on your own computer. See SaaS vs IaaS render farm.
Cinema 4D and Redshift running on iRender servers.
On iRender you rent a whole server with 2x, 4x or 8x RTX 5090 or RTX 4090 GPUs, with Cinema 4D and Redshift pre-installed; Prime members get activated Cinema 4D and Redshift licenses. Real render times are in our Redshift benchmark, and plans are on the Cinema 4D Redshift render farm page.
6. Install Redshift FAQ
How do I install Redshift for Cinema 4D?
Install the Maxon App, sign in with your Maxon account, then install Cinema 4D and Redshift from the app. Restart Cinema 4D and select Redshift in Render Settings.
Is Redshift free with Cinema 4D?
Redshift is included with current Cinema 4D subscriptions. According to Maxon support, Redshift GPU is licensed on the machine where Cinema 4D is activated and does not show as a separate license.
Why does Redshift not appear in Cinema 4D?
Check that Redshift is installed in the Maxon App for the same Cinema 4D version, restart Cinema 4D, then look for Redshift in Render Settings › Renderer.
Why does Redshift render on the CPU only?
Your GPU may be unticked or unsupported. Open Preferences › Renderer › Redshift › Compute Devices and compare your GPU and driver with Maxon’s requirements.
Can I install Redshift on render nodes?
Yes, but for GPU rendering each extra machine needs its own Redshift license, according to Maxon support. Redshift CPU is included for them.
Do I need to install Redshift on iRender?
No. Cinema 4D and Redshift are pre-installed on iRender servers. Prime members get activated licenses; you upload the project and render.
