Why is the AEC import for After Effects not working?

Problem

The AEC Importer plug-in is included with Cinema 4D but is not automatically installed in the Adobe After Effects plug-ins folder.

Solution

Copy the C4DImporter plug-in into the After Effects Plug-ins directory, then restart After Effects.

Step 1 — Locate the After Effects Plug-ins folder

• Windows: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe After Effects 20xx\Support Files\Plug-ins
• macOS: /Applications/Adobe After Effects 20xx/Plug-ins

Step 2 — Locate the C4DImporter file in the Cinema 4D installation

Cinema 4D R21 and newer

• Windows: C:\Program Files\Maxon Cinema 4D Rxx or 20xx\Exchange Plugins\aftereffects\Importer\[operating system]\[After Effects package]
• macOS: /Applications/Maxon Cinema 4D Rxx or 20xx/Exchange Plugins/aftereffects/Importer/[operating system]/[After Effects package]

Cinema 4D R20 and older

• Windows: C:\Program Files\MAXON\Cinema 4D Rxx\Exchange Plugins\aftereffects\Importer\[operating system]\[After Effects package]
• macOS: /Applications/MAXON/Cinema 4D Rxx/Exchange Plugins/aftereffects/Importer/[operating system]/[After Effects package]

Step 3 — Copy the plug-in

• Windows: copy C4DImporter.aex into the After Effects Plug-ins folder from Step 1.
• macOS: copy C4DImporter.plugin into the After Effects Plug-ins folder from Step 1.

Step 4 — Restart and verify

• Restart After Effects.
• Use File > Import to import an .aec file to confirm the plug-in is loaded.

Notes

• Make sure you pick the correct folder inside Importer/[operating system]/[After Effects package] for your After Effects version.
• On Windows, you may need administrator privileges to write to Program Files.