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Alias|Wavefront Releases Free Version of Maya
Gribflex writes "There's good news today for those of us who are heavy into 3D modelling and animation. Alias|Wavefront has released a free version of their popular software Maya. That's right, free." Maya Personal Learning Edition, for Windows and Mac OS X, offers unrestricted access to the features of Maya, but displays a watermark on images, uses a special non-commercial file format, and plug-ins are not supported.
can I now recreate Final Fantasy on my I book?
Final Fantasy: Bill Gates hunted by the mutant, bloodsucking hounds of the Justice Department....
Dirk
Leaves a watermark... doesn't use plugins... non-commercial format...
Ok, so is this a demo? I'm confused as to what seperates this from, say, CoolEdit Pro Demo or Paint Shop Pro, or any of the other semi-crippled products available for test use.
Anybody know?
Gee, I dunno, I kind of expected source code, or full version only for non-commercial, or available on something other than just 'doze and muck, or output files that weren't proprietary - you know, the usual THINGS WE THINK OF WHEN USING THE WORD FREE. This is some tacky, crippled, handout. No thanks.
It looks like all the cable modem rangers have already destroyed our chances of downloading it any time within the next 3 months.
There are so many limitations in this version. Like huge watermarking on the renders AND inside the program, total incompatibility with all other file formats... That it's just a demo not a free maya.
If you want to get started on on 3D graphics you should rather use one of the really free (as in beer or as in speech) programs or a low-cost one. It will be much more better than this Maya demo.
The only use I can see for this version is if you're already a competent 3D artist and you want to add some Maya experience to your resume.
True warriors use the Klingon Google
What a lot of bitching going on in here. Get some coffee, eat a twinkie and lets break this down.
A full version can cost over $6,000. How many of us are going to legally purchase a full copy of Maya for home use? Only those who are serious about getting into the field of 3D would consider that. Now, how many of us are interested in production quality 3D and would like to play with the toys the pros use? I certainly am, and I bet there are a lot of others.
So Alias|Wavefront makes a killer move and covers a lot of ground by making this free version available. First, it makes available to us a close-to-the-original free copy of Maya for home/non-commercial use. More people than ever will be able to see what Maya is all about and perhaps become interested in a career in 3D. Second, they keep it far enough away from their full version to keep their customers happy. If you were a paying customer who just bought Maya for >$6,000 and suddenly it was free, wouldn't you be a bit upset? Third, they kill any legit reason for Maya to hit the warez circuit. The usual excuse is "If it wasn't so expensive we wouldn't have to pirate it!" and now it no longer works. If you're that serious about 3D you either have an employer who uses Maya or you will get it yourself. If you're just a home hobbyist now you've got your version too.
Yes, it's cripled, and no, there's no Linux version (WTF are you thinking A|W?). But before now it was either the full version or nothing. Just because they didn't release it under the GPL (yeah, right), or they left out some features doesn't give anyone here much right to bitch-n-moan.
I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it.
.... how sad.
omnia tua castra sunt nobis
Can someone post a coherent version of the instructions on how to implement the Maya krack? The damn readme that comes with that krack are so poorly drafted. I mean, where the hell do I put that silly "AW.DAT" file?
/me awaits visit from BSA. (I'm only kidding, sorta).
Just like so many things in life, you get what you pay for. When you shell out $6k for Maya, you get a pretty bitchen application. I don't think anyone would dispute this. Sure, there are some bugs and shortcomings, but there are plenty of good reasons to spend that kind of money if it is really worth it to you.
When you don't have to shell out any money for something, it is only because of the good graces of those allowing whatever it is to be free. The folks at A|W have no obligation whatsoever to provide any of this to anyone for free. They are doing it because they want to, and they really don't have to answer to anyone for it. Anyone who reads the documentation for this program knows what is different between the free version of Maya and the commercial version.
Frankly, I think A|W put a lot of work into this freebie app that they didn't need to. People who know their stuff would probably go ahead and buy the program for whatever they need it for.
As for someone's comment that since it is free, it should include source code or be a fully functional app but for noncommercial use, you are really a moron. One thing that the open source and free software communities have a negative effect on is hard work making a profit. I have no problems with dedicating time to open source and free software development, but every person and every company has a right to charge for their hard work. Why would they include source to a $6k program and disclose a lot of proprietary intellectual property? That doesn't make sense at all...
Lastly, nobody is making anyone use this software. There is nothing that says "If you want to do 3D, you have to use this demo version of Maya." If you don't like it, go elsewhere. The beauty of having a free will is not being constrained by having only one choice. It seems, though, that many are constrained by having too many choices.
When I click on MayaPLE351.img, DiskCopy says "Could not mount"
Anyone else have that problem?
Due to an overwhelming demand for the Maya Personal Learning Edition, we are experiencing a temporary slow-down in our server. As we don't want our users to experience long delays, please come back again shortly and try again. Thank you for your interest in the Maya Personal Learning Edition!
I will simply have to try it out. I enjoy 3D modeling and have had a blast with Blender. Perhaps if they get enough downloads they will consider changing the crippled features or offer a middle ground product that is under $500.00. I would buy it if it was reasonably priced. I don't mind not having professional features geared for a motion picture production house. I just want to make awesome 3D stills and some small animations. I don't have a renderfarm nor would I need one. I don't have 12 hours to render a production quality frame on my wimpy PC.
If you simply don't want to pay, look at Blender it is truly amazing. Maya is technically better but you can do quite a bit with Blender and there is a huge community for help and support.
Blender
http://www.dvgarage.com For US$200, you get a full copy of Electric Image 2.9 (no time limits, no dumb file formats, no BS) Modeler and Animator. While that's worth the price of admission for most people, DV Garage's coolest trick are the few hours of video walkthroughs, tutorials, training and other goodies. DVG will soon be offering Electric Image Universe 3 with full OS X compatability. While Electric Image isn't exactly Maya (though EI does have plenty of big time movie credits to it's name), the DV Garage package's training is nothing short of excellent. Maya's 'Learning' edition comes with NO training.
EI is so cheap because is sucks fucking cock.