Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Maya now Free for Personal Use

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the get-your-movies-on dept.

TeknoBilim writes "Alias announced today that their leading software, Maya has become a free download for non-commercial applications. Thanks a lot, Alias. Now I can record the video for my next game. :)" This makes me wish I had talent. At least now I (and many like me) won't have to pay any money just to dabble with Maya.

5 of 411 comments (clear)

  1. Finally! by Max+Romantschuk · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I've always wondered why high end software shouldn't be free for personal use. It's a win-win situation: Free advertising for the provider, free education for the user.

    The truth is that companies who use pirated software for commercial use will do so in any case. Software which is used for content creation should be free to learn for all.

    Now then... when will the music software industry start catching on?

    --
    .: Max Romantschuk :: http://max.romantschuk.fi/
    1. Re:Finally! by Max+Romantschuk · · Score: 2, Insightful

      So because there's always some people who will steal software, companies might as well just give away free copies of their software? Also knowing full well that if they do offer a free version, people are just going to use that instead of a version that requires payment?

      Let's say I'm a student. I wish to learn to use software X. With a limited budget I could never afford high end content creation software. If I can get it for free for non-commercial personal use I can learn the software.

      Say I later start a company to do the stuff I've learned for profit. Would I risk committing a crime by using my personal use version? I think not.

      Would I be inclined to buy the software I know and love? I think so.

      --
      .: Max Romantschuk :: http://max.romantschuk.fi/
  2. Same idea... by Delphinios · · Score: 3, Insightful

    This is only a bit more open version of what many companies have done for years.

    Ever notice how Dreamweaver and Photoshop never really came with much anti-piracy measures beyond the basic serial-number?

    The idea is self-training specialization. A million people pirate Photoshop, and train themselves in it's use. They then get hired by companies for those skills. the company is then obligated to go with Photoshop because "Everyone knows how to use it". Ka-ching. Instant secured licenses.

    Sure, you're not gonna make Cash off of the end-users who can't afford the triple-digit licensing fee, but you have companies who will order a seperate license for Each user on the Graphic Arts team, their laptops, their desktop computers, and a few extra in case they want to hire a few more people.

    It's a beautiful business plan that involves the users, sets a standard and guarentees a secured market for -years-, and in the end, makes everyone happy!

  3. Useless? no, TRY PRICLESS. My industry perspective by MrCaseyB · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Useless? Its called PERSONAL LEARNING EDITION, Not the personal profit edition. There is absoltely nothing preventing an interested user from learning the basics and beyond of Maya. It's not like a nag box pops up EVERY time you want to open hypershade or outliner.
    Watermarking is annoying of course but if this product is intended to give users a free method to LEARN, a watermark isnt going to interfere with that. You will still see accurate results of your render.

    If you claim it is useless I really need to ask what it is you are trying to do with it? If you want to use it for billable hours, yes it is uselss and this product is not for you.
    On the other hand, If you are trying to put together some work for a demo reel to get a real job in the business this PLE will do just fine.
    As someone who receives and views artist reels every week, the watermark does NOT bother us. We are judging the quality of your work which will shine even through a watermark. In fact If I saw a reel come through that was watermarked to shit, it would tell me that this artist chooses to use legal software rather than cracked copies like everyone else. I would admire that kind of integrity in a prospective employee.

    When I was teaching myself 3d animation it was with an educational edition of 3dsmax which I actually had to pay for from the University bookstore. When I later got into the business and I expanded our CG dept, we stuck with 3dsmax because it was what I knew. Had Maya Personal Learning Edition been around during my self teaching days, I would have given it a shot. If that were the case perhaps I would have a shelf full of Alias software now where all our Discreet boxes are.

    Alias knows that the future 3d artists of tomorrow are young kids with no money. They choose to embrace them and provide free software and tutorials and learning resources. They are expecting a return on that investment and will probably get it. It also stregthens the community, now many more people can write "maya for beginners" books or publish online tutorials because maya is available to everyone, the audience grows.

    Brilliant scheme that is so simple. Try before you buy, get em hooked while they're young. Win their loyalty now and they will come back as paying customers in the future.

    Everyone wins in this situation.

  4. Re:Nothing new here by Jellybob · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This sort of thing always amazes me... companies give away products which cost them huge ammounts to produce, with minor limitations, and as thanks some script kiddie decides they didn't give away enough of the program.

    Don't like them not giving away the whole thing... go find something that *is* free, or get a job with Alias, and change their policy.