u can try dxf or iges file..
iges retains the nurb proporties if u used nurbs in your model

when i can to export models it only gives a couple of obsure maya files that i can export...

not Iges, or anything like that.
im not sure if this is because i am using the free-learning software...

go under windows, settings/preferences, then plugin manager,
check off iges export.. then you should be able to export the file as iges, with the pull down menu.

You arent going to be able to do anything from Maya to Max with the Personal Learning edition...thats why its free..because they ensure you cant use the software for anything other than learning how to use Maya.

gotcha...

atleast it's a full version and it's free for learning... a lot of other software makers can learn a thing or two from Alias.

thanks for your help all.

spiderdad, if you check the it department of your uni they might have student licenses available to give away, it's a little know fact but they do have a number of licences of the most used softwares available for students, they usualy have a time limit of a year, at leat at both uni's i was at they had them.
otherwise...ya'meeen?