cinema 4d …. Cinema 4d …. CINEMA 4D……
like all other 3d apps, c4d lets you model objects, animate cameras and lights, and render out an image sequence.
from c4d, you can export an after effects project file. in that, all of your c4d camera and light moves are translated to AE cameras and lights that move in the same way. this would allow you to add 3d layers in AE that would move in a way correspondent to c4d’s objects moved in relation to the c4d camera.
plus, c4d is cheaper than maya and way easier to learn than maya.
if you want to use a 3d app to make motion graphics, c4d comes with a module called mograph that allows for making complex clones of objects that can be animated/arranged along splines, and can animate in response to audio.