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Once you are ready go to Scene > Cache and press "Cache Simulation". The meshes will be created and saved to the location specified under "Cache Folder (Mac OS X | Windows)".
Modifying the Mesh
Cinema 4D's defomers ("Bend", "Bulge", "Twist", "Taper", etc.) can be applied to a "Mesher". To use them, the meshes do not have to made editable.