Here's my issue...
So you can download the demo version for Cinema 4D right? And you DON'T need to download the full standalone in order to do so and have it run and function. So my question is:
Why are you forcing people to buy an extra $400 worth of unnecessary software and making it not only more difficult on yourselves as developers and content/software providers, but extremely difficult for entry level users to get in on the ground floor? I don't get it. Why alienate potential customers and users? I will never understand that business model.
In addition, there are software providers now utilizing a rent-to-own model that works amazingly well. You can keep the price point the same, but just let the user make monthly installments up to the given price point. If at any point they want to pay down the full remaining balance, they can. Don't add interest, just let people pay a monthly installment for full usage of the software. Even if it was $50-$75 per month, that would still convert many of your non-customers to customers, and get more entry level users utilizing your product for their various projects.
If you do not want people to obtain your software easily and efficiently, just say so. I'm thinking that's not the case, though.
Just as another though, piracy would become less likely for your software packages as well.
It's win-win; you get more happy customers that want your plugins, and they get full use of the software for minimal upfront cost (and you still get the full profit, just spread over more time).
Just my 2 cents. I would definitely purchase your plugin (and the seemingly unnecessary standalone) today if you offered something like this.