Moves by Maxon
Moves by Maxon: A free iOS capture app for bringing facial and body motion into Cinema 4D. Ranked #11 of 64 in Motion Capture Software by our editors (7.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for cinema 4D users needing free body and face capture.
At a glance
- Editor score7.9 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forCinema 4D users needing free body and face capture
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Character retargetingYes
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Captures facial expressions with an iPhone or iPad TrueDepth camera
- Records markerless full-body motion with an animated skeleton preview
- Transfers captures to Cinema 4D and supports character retargeting
Where it doesn't
- Requires Cinema 4D to use captured movement in a 3D scene
- Available on iOS only, requiring iOS 15 or later
- Body capture depends on ARKit and the device's rear camera
Our verdict on Moves by Maxon
Moves by Maxon is a free iPhone and iPad app for capturing facial expressions, full-body movement and real-world objects. It is aimed at Cinema 4D users who want to bring phone-recorded motion into a 3D character workflow, rather than at teams looking for a standalone desktop capture system. Face Capture uses the device’s TrueDepth camera, while Body Capture uses ARKit and a rear camera to record markerless movement. A live animated skeleton gives a preview during body recordings, and face capture can include synchronized voice recording.
The workflow is centered on Cinema 4D: captures transfer over a local network, and body motion can be retargeted onto rigged characters there. The app also captures face textures and 3D face meshes, and it can create 3D objects from photographs using photogrammetry. That range makes it more than a body-and-face recorder for users already in Maxon’s ecosystem, though the direct transfer and retargeting value depends on having Cinema 4D in the workflow. Moves by Maxon is free; Cinema 4D is required to use captured movement in a 3D scene, so the app’s free price does not make the complete workflow free.
The platform requirement is specific: the app supports iOS 15 or later on iPhone and iPad, with facial capture depending on TrueDepth hardware and body capture on ARKit and the rear camera. That makes it a natural fit for Cinema 4D artists who can capture on compatible Apple devices and want a direct route from recording to character animation. It is less suitable for users who need a Windows or Android capture app, or who need to use motion in a 3D scene without Cinema 4D. Buyers evaluating the overall cost should consider Cinema 4D separately from the free app.
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Moves by Maxon pricing
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Moves by Maxon fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Body tracking | Yes |
| Face and hand tracking | Yes |
| Character retargeting | Yes |
| Cleanup tools | Yes |
| Export formats | Not verified |
| Real-time output | Yes |
| Supported platforms | iOS 15 or later (iPhone and iPad) |
| Deployment | Mobile |
| Platforms | iOS |
| Support | Tickets, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 1 integrations: Cinema 4D |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | maxon.net |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Moves by Maxon integrations
Moves by Maxon lists 1 integrations on its own site.
- Cinema 4D
Alternatives to Moves by Maxon
- Vicon ShogunA mature Windows suite for detailed optical, markerless, and finger motion capture.8.9
- Xsens AnimateA mature inertial capture suite for live production, offline export, and complex scenes.8.8
- Autodesk MotionBuilderA character-animation workspace with mocap retargeting, control rigs and FBX exchange.8.7
See all Moves by Maxon alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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