C4D Localized Soften Normals

Endcar

As the title implies I'm working on figuring out some work arounds to localize softened normals with witch you've selected. I know in Maya you can edit the normal angles with what you've selected whether it be face, edge, or vertex. In C4D you have to go through phongs but, this is an overall change to the mesh and not local area. A friend gave an idea on using vertex maps but, that seems a bit clumsy. Any idea's would greatly be appreciated.