If you own an edition of Cinema 4D other than Cinema 4D Lite, After Effects may default to launching it. Here's how to make sure Lite opens instead.

1. Download this blank .c4d file.

   cineware-helper.c4d

2. In After Effects, hit ⌘I / Ctrl + I and browse for cineware-helper.c4d. Check Create Composition, then import it.

   

3. The CINEWARE panel will be open in the new composition. Go to Options...

   

4. This will open the Choose Cinema 4D Installation dialog. Go to Defaults to reset it to the original the directory.

   

5. A dialog window will pop up asking if you really want to reset to default values. Choose Yes.

6. Go to OK in the Choose Cinema 4D Installation dialog.

7. A new dialog will open saying that you need to restart After Effects and purge all memory & disk cache. Go to OK... and close After Effects.

8. Restart After Effects. Go to Edit → Purge → All Memory and Disk Cache.