<aside> ⚠️ These instructions are for After Effects 2020. If you're on After Effects 2021, see Open Cinema 4D Lite with After Effects CC (After Effects 2021).

</aside>

Cinema 4D Lite comes packaged with every installation of After Effects CC. To prevent licensing and installation issues, here is the method we recommend of first-time setup:

[From Intro to Cinema 4D for Designers, Getting Started, Lesson 1. ](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/b83d6c2a-0e32-415f-961d-0f5d673be53b/getting-started-1-shorter.mp4)

From Intro to Cinema 4D for Designers, Getting Started, Lesson 1.

1. Download and install the latest version of After Effects CC.

2. Go to File → New → MAXON Cinema 4D File...

3. Choose a save location.

   <aside> 💡 If you're on After Effects 2019, that's it! Cinema 4D Lite will start from here.

   </aside>

4. In the Cinema 4D Preference dialog asking if you want to install a trial of Cinema 4D, choose No.

   

   <aside> ⚠️ Choosing "Yes" will start a trial of Cinema 4D override the default installation of Cinema 4D Lite. See I can't open Cinema 4D Lite because it needs a license (After Effects 2020) for help troubleshooting.

   </aside>

5. In the License Manager dialog, register for a MyMAXON account and log in.

6. Next to Cinema 4D - Lite, go to Activate. Click OK.