Hrvoje

Folks, just to keep you informed regarding forum I think you should know that currently there is just handful of themes available and that this forum version is a bit..err..buggy:) Also, we are in contact with respectable theme designer and are looking into creating couple of unique themes exclusively for C4DCafe. This will become actual once the Logo challenge is done and we can combine both the theme and logo. After that we will be looking into some new challenges which will include nice prizes. It is worth mentioning that if you have any ideas on how the Cafe can be improved and what you would like to see in future, don't hesitate to contact Igor and Me (same PM conversation). Cheers

Once again, I am not MAXON spokesman nor I can speak in company name on formal official level. I simply don't make any decisions and can't change company policy since it is not up to me. I have already said what I could and I simply can't add anything to it without breaking NDA. I tried to pass the fact that you are being listened too, with putting my personal and professional credibility behind it but nobody seems to care even with me walking the thin line around NDA. So, even with all my reputation, being freelancer and training vendor for so long, being cafe member and admin for years and even working for MAXON lately I was unable to directly transfer that information to a point where it could get accepted. By using common sense, every issue mentioned in this topic can be streamlined to completely insane conclusion and that is that: MAXON doesn't care, doesn't hear, doesn't act and everyone there is delusional and stupid and is looking forward to lose his job. And MAXON hires more and more talented and capable people for fun only. Do you really think that is true? Well, simply because there is no direct official response from MAXON it must be, right? Cheers

And how cool is that To all folks that feel that there is no response from MAXON at all and that we are unaware of users request and concerns: I will do my best to to propose some changes in this area regarding communication directly to people in charge. I am sure, given that I know them and know how responsible and dedicated they are, that they will take this into serious consideration. Maybe in close future we will have some new members which could answer some of the questions you have now ;) I am sure Nigel will stay around and will never actually leave his 3d passion ;) Cheers

Only thing here that would satisfy people seem to be is to say out bluntly yes, "feature A and B are coming for R17", "feature D, E and F for R18", but that is simply something that is not allowed to be communicated right now, but could be subject to change in future,I simply don't know or make such decisions. What is interesting is that if you watch various MAXON workshops, presentations, user meetings things are often hinted by product managers themselves so it is not a difficult task to get a good idea of future feature set

Again I am taking the hit for trying to transfer the facts that users are in fact being listened too but due to company policy I am unable to say anything more. So, while I am trying to balance between NDA and the fact that I know exactly what you guys feel about MAXON not being more open, and all that as a person who is not authorized as MAXON public speaker, my position is simply not something you would envy. Please have in mind that I also had the similar opinion about before I started to work at MAXON, but then I finally got the insight into things I was completely unaware before. That being said, I honestly believe, as a long term Cinema user, that last few releases were very good and that direction that is being taken is the right one. Would I like to see things move faster and with more volume? Who wouldn't ? At this point I think I can say that I do actively participate at development and have provided input for many things already from "pro user" perspective, which will be visible in future releases. Walking on thin line here already, but personally, I am very happy with what future brings. One of the reasons I was hired was also the fact that I was very active in community and had extensive knowledge of both the app and had really good idea of what people think, want and need. Trust me, I have been freelancing for many years, I know Cinema inside out and am fully aware of it's strong and weak points. I spent numerous hours on research on cafe and other forums to filter information into quality material for examination. We all here, all users, hobby and pro, including complete MAXON team, want C4D to grow in best possible way.

And this topic is not going to be locked as long as we have civilized discussion. Heated conversation is appreciated, but as long as we are polite it is fine. Man it is really difficult to participate in topics such as this one and know what I know and not being able to say anything I believe we should all thank Nigel for incredible effort over the years for running the cafe, it is a lot of work to administer, organize challenges, reply to topics, build scene files, record tutorials and generally achieve that Cafe is one of the most polite and friendly forums out there. I also saw him as personal inspiration many times and he has given me support and later on his trust and confidence that I help him run this fabulous place Cheers

​Who says they don't care? Simple fact that there is no direct response doesn't automatically qualify as not caring or not knowing You really think that forum is not being browsed, suggestion forms are for show, people aren't being heard? The only thing that is missing here is direct response and it is making people irritated. I can understand that but, in same manner I respect company policy (of any company) at same time. For example, should I post on, let's say, AUDI forum and say, hey guys, why aren't you more open, what's the future car you are working on? That other XYZ company told is it is working on ABC car. Please, bear in mind that at this point in time, company policy is that it simply does not reveal its development plans. Doesn't mean it won't change in future. As far as other applications are concerned I can't comment on that due to fact I don't use them and am not familiar at all with their community and user wishes, but I presume they too are bashed by users on their forums for not providing A exactly in timespan B with features C. Take a step back and think about it a little bit. Who knows C4D best if it isn't people who made it and work around it everyday? People who design it? People who test it? You are asking if there is any chance to be excited about R17? Of course, but that will be up to you because I don't know what either Maya or Modo bring nor I am familiar with their development or feature sets at all. ​I can assure you that wasn't my intention. I just wanted to point out that his decision is not based solely on the fact of being unhappy with communication policy or upcoming features. Sorry, ​I don't read Modo forums and I talk to Nigel privately, but of course I can't discuss personal conversations here. Now about R17. I simply can't talk about feature set. What I can say in hope that I don't break any rules is following. If you take the time and check few past releases with user demands you will find most of them being fulfilled. Some aren't for only, and only 3 possible reasons and I leave that up to you to conclude because everything else would be breaking NDA. R17 is a really nice release that follows the same logic described few sentences back and I am personally very happy with it since some of the areas that I didn't think would get attention - did @Dave Cafe will continue, it is a special place where many of us made first steps and built careers. Cheers

I believe you misinterpreted Nigels decision? As far as I understood it his focus is now shifting from 3D in general and more toward biking and other personal interests. Running a forum for such a long period of time is very demanding and exhausting, I can guarantee you that although I just help administering it is a position which demands constant care. Also, I am sure that Nigel will stay active on forum even if he decides to stop running the show. Regarding R17, will reply later once I am home. My fingers and smartphones dont really work nice

browsing from phone so am a bit short in replies, but be sure that everyone in Maxon knows for and often checks out cafe. Many developers and other Maxon staff have accounts but prefer to keep low profile.

Folks, cafe wont close down even if Nigel decides to stop running the show and if so, the cafe will stay as it is with same positive friendly atmosphere