if you're interested in getting one, too

you are awesome! we have Maya at my school, and it is a god send, i was looking for a version i could learn more on and not have to pay..

you can do ANYTHING with maya!!
the help menu will teach you anything.. my suggestion would be, grap a cup of coffee and spend all night playing with it, just have fun, once you learn it, it will allow you to create and render things you couldnt have done with anyother 3d program, or a combination of them!!
good luck!

Its not as comprehensive for "cartesian modeling" as Rhino or Form Z - But you can make really nice nurbs surfaces.

When you get into rendering and shaders, we'll continue this discussion.

Assuming the obvious, is the download only installable on a Mac OS platform?

Any links to a PC download out there?

option 2 - download for free at the bottom of the page.

learning to render in maya is the same as learning to render in softimage or 3d max, since they all use the mental ray engine.

Yes, But again, Maya is more difficult [then 3ds] to set up Lighting, unless you render with Turtle or a similiar plugin.

Yes, But again, Maya is more difficult [then 3ds] to set up Lighting, unless you render with Turtle or a similiar plugin.

I’ve had alot more success with Max. i find that Maya isn’t as user friendly as MAx.

i tried this learning version out.. its acctually more confusing then the prof version i have at my school, but whats important is to just keep with it.. it confuses the crap out of me, but everyone i know says once you know it (and it doesnt take that long, a few weeks maybe to learn the basics) its really easier then all the other programs, plus it does everything all in one.. rather then going from programs like 3d CAD to 3d Max then to photoshop.. and so on. just dont get to frustrated with it.... MAYA IS AWESOME!!! :)

btw that last post from oe, was acctually from me, just to clarify :)

How much is Alias paying you?

wouldnt you like to know ;)

hey, it's my thread, so I want a cut.