Maya (software)

Maya is a high-end 3D computer graphics software package used in the film and TV industry, as well as for computer and video games.

Maya comes in two main versions, Maya Complete (confusingly, this is a cut-down version) and Maya Unlimited. Maya Unlimited used to be considered too expensive for home users but is now priced similar to other 3D programs. There is also Maya Personal Learning Edition (PLE) for non-commercial use, which is completely free, but each rendered picture or frame contains a large notice saying that it cannot be used for commercial things.

Maya is written by Alias wavefront, and is released for the Microsoft Windows, Linux, Irix and Mac-OS-X operating systems. The latest version of Maya, version 5.0, was released in early 2003.

Some of the features of Maya include:

• Simulation of particle effects (good for smoke, water droplets etc)
• A realistic fluid simulator (good for water, explosions, added in Maya 4.5)
• Inverse kinematics (to realistically simulate human limb movement, for example)
• Cloth simulation (simulate clothing and fabrics moving realistically)
• Fur (good for simulating fur and hair).
• Physical effects (simulate colliding objects, object deforming under pressure etc).

Maya is used extensively by Hollywood studios to create CG effects.

See also:

• Level design