I have a object I made in cinema 4d. I want to take that object and put it into houdini and create effects on it, and then exported in to after effects and put it into my final shot. How do I do that?

Just use the File menu in both programs.
Export as FBX from C4D.
Import FBX into Houdini.
Create Effect in Houdini.
Render Effect in Houdini.
Import rendered footage into After Effects.

Enivob
Just use the File menu in both programs.
Export as FBX from C4D.
Import FBX into Houdini.
Create Effect in Houdini.
Render Effect in Houdini.
Import rendered footage into After Effects.

Is there a way where I can import the geo selection tags from Cinema to Houdini?
I am currently finding that I need to separate the geo within Cinema, into separate objects, where ideally I can use the selection tags for materials.

Export to USD in C4D, geo selection tags will appear as group

- you can export it as alembic (make sure Polygon Selections is checked)

- in Houdini import using Alembis SOP (or Alembic Archive, whichever you prefer)

- then when you unpack desired object you will see your selection on the geo as a group