How do I launch Cinema 4D Lite for the first time and claim my free C4D Lite license?

Adobe After Effects includes a free installation of Cinema 4D Lite: 
A limited but feature-rich version of Maxon’s award-winning 3D software package. 

To use Cinema 4D Lite, please load Adobe After Effects, and go through File > New > Maxon Cinema 4D. 
Only by going through Adobe After Effects will you be granted a Lite License if you attempt to run Cinema 4D.

Step 1:
Open After Effect, and go to File > New, and then click Maxon Cinema 4D File...

Step 1a: You must click "Save" when the File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window opens to create the .c4d file.
This process should automatically open Cinema 4D

Step 2:
When the Cinema 4D license manager opens click the "Open Maxon App" link to open the Maxon App and Claim your free Cinema 4D Lite license:

Step 3:

When the Maxon App Opens, sign in (if you've not already done so) and claim your free Cinema 4D Lite license by clicking the "Claim License" button at the top of the Maxon App:
Maxon App 2025.3.0 (and newer)

Maxon App 2025.2.1 (and older)

Important Notes:

• For users running macOS 13 Ventura, we recommend updating to at least macOS 13.3 or newer. We've received reports of After Effects freezing during the process described above on versions 13.0 to 13.2.1. Updating to macOS 13.3 should resolve these issues. 
• Subsequent launches of Cinema 4D Lite, after going through the above-shown process can be done through After Effect or by launching Cinema 4D itself.
  Cinema 4D app location:
  Windows: Program Files > Maxon Cinema 4D 20** > Cinema 4D.exe
  Mac: Applications > Maxon Cinema 4D 20** > Cinema 4D.app
  
  
• If you already have a commercial version of Cinema 4D installed, it will open that instead.
  You can switch to the Lite license again if you wish to do this by checking the FAQ below:
  How do I switch TO and FROM my Trial, Cinema 4D Lite, or Subscription license?