| Autodesk Maya | |
| Author: | Alias Systems Corporation |
| Developer: | Autodesk, Inc. |
| Latest Release Version: | 2025.2[1] |
| Programming Language: | C++,[2] MEL, Python,[3] C# |
| Platform: | x86-64, Apple silicon |
| Language: | English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese |
| Genre: | 3D computer graphics |
| License: | Trialware |
Autodesk Maya, commonly shortened to just Maya (; [4] [5]), is a 3D computer graphics application that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, originally developed by Alias and currently owned and developed by Autodesk. It is used to create assets for interactive 3D applications (including video games), animated films, TV series, and visual effects.
Maya was originally an animation product based on codebase from The Advanced Visualizer by Wavefront Technologies, Thomson Digital Image (TDI) Explore, PowerAnimator by Alias, and Alias Sketch!. The IRIX-based projects were combined and animation features were added; the project codename was Maya.[6] Walt Disney Feature Animation collaborated closely with Maya's development during its production of Dinosaur.[7] Disney requested that the user interface of the application be customizable to allow for a personalized workflow. This was a particular influence in the open architecture of Maya, and partly responsible for its popularity in the animation industry.
After Silicon Graphics Inc. acquired both Alias and Wavefront Technologies, Inc., Wavefront's technology (then under development) was merged into Maya. SGI's acquisition was a response to Microsoft Corporation acquiring Softimage 3D. The new wholly owned subsidiary was named "Alias
|
In the early days of development Maya started with Tcl as the scripting language, in order to leverage its similarity to a Unix shell script language, but after the merger with Wavefront it was replaced with Maya Embedded Language (MEL). Sophia, the scripting language in Wavefront's Dynamation, was chosen as the basis of MEL.
Maya 1.0 was released in February 1998. Following a series of acquisitions, Maya was bought by Autodesk in 2005.[9] [10] Under the name of the new parent company, Maya was renamed Autodesk Maya. However, the name "Maya" continues to be the dominant name used for the product.
| Major Version Name[11] [12] | Date | Sub-versions | Major change | Operating System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A|W Maya 1.0 | Feb 1998 | 1.0.1 (Jun 1998) | SGI IRIXWindows | |
| A|W Maya 1.5 | Oct 1998 | IRIX only | SGI IRIX | |
| A|W Maya 2.0 | Jun 1999 | SGI IRIXWindows | ||
| A|W Maya 2.5 | Nov 1999 | 2.5.2 (Mar 2000) | ||
| A|W Maya 3.0 | Feb 2000 | 3.0.1 (Jan 2001) | First Linux ver. | SGI IRIXWindows Linux |
| A|W Maya 3.5 | Oct 2001 | 3.5.1 (Sep 2002) | OSX only | OSX |
| A|W Maya 4.0 | Jun 2001 | 4.0.2 (May 2002) | No OSX ver. | SGI IRIXWindows Linux |
| A|W Maya 4.5 | Jul 2002 | SGI IRIXWindows Linux OSX | ||
| A|W Maya 5.0 | May 2003 | 5.0.1 (Oct 2003) | +Mental Ray | |
| Alias Maya 6.0 | May 2004 | 6.0.1 (Aug 2004) | ||
| Alias Maya 6.5 | Jan 2005 | 6.5.1 (Dec 2005) | final IRIX ver. | |
| Alias Maya 7.0 | Aug 2005 | 7.0.1 (Dec 2005) | WindowsLinux OSX | |
| Autodesk Maya 8.0 | Aug 2006 | First 64-bitFirst Autodesk Ver. | ||
| Autodesk Maya 8.5 | Jan 2007 | Service Pack 1 (Jun 2007) | +Intel-based OSX+Python API +Nucleus Solver | |
| Autodesk Maya 2008 ver. 9.0 | Sep 2007 | Extension 1, ver. 9 (Dec 2007)Extension 2, ver. 9.0.1 (Feb 2008) SP1, ver. 9.0.1 (Mar 2008) | Naming becomes year-based | |
| Autodesk Maya 2009 ver. 10 | Aug 2008 | Service Pack 1, ver. 10 (Apr-2009) | unified "Complete" and "Unlimited" editions | |
| Autodesk Maya 2010 | Aug 2009 | |||
| Autodesk Maya 2011 | April 2010 | Service Pack 1 (Sep 2010)Subscription Advantage Pack (Sep 2010) Hotfix 3 (Jul 2010) Hotfix 2 (Jun 2010) Hotfix 1 (May 2010) | +PyMel 1.0+Qt Interface | |
| Autodesk Maya 2012 | March 2011 | Service Pack 2 (25. Jan 2012)Service Pack 1 (Oct 2011) Hotfix1,2,3,4 (Apr-Aug 2011) | +Nvidia PhysX+Viewport 2.0+Python API 2.0 | |
| Autodesk Maya 2013 | Mar 2012 | Service Pack 2 (Oct 2012)Service Path 1 Refix (Jul 2012) Service Pack 1 (Jun 2012) | +NHair+Bullet Physics+Alembic+Node Editor | |
| Autodesk Maya 2014 | Mar 2013 | SP1 Extension (Oct 2013)Service Pack 1 (Jun 2013) | ||
| Autodesk Maya 2015 | Aug. 2014 | SP2 (May 2014) | +Python 2.7.x | |
| Autodesk Maya 2016 | Mar 2015 | Extension 1 SP7 (May 2019)Service Pack 7 (May 2019) Extension 2 SP2 (Sep 2016) Extension 2 (Apr 2016) Extension 1 (Apr 2016) Service Pack 6 (Apr 2016) Service Pack 5 (Dec 2015) Service Pack 4 (Oct 2015) Service Pack 3 (Sep 2015) Service Pack 2 (Aug 2015) Service Pack 1 (Jun 2015) | +XGen+Bifrost | |
| Autodesk Maya 2017 | Jul 2016 | Update 5 (Nov 2017)Update 4 (Jun 2017) Update 3 (Feb 2017) Update 2 (Nov 2016) Update 1 (Sep 2016) | ||
| Autodesk Maya 2018 | Jul 2017 | 2018.7 (Apr 2020)2018.6 (Apr 2019) 2018.5 (Nov 2018) 2018.4 (Jul 2018) 2018.3 (May 2018) 2018.2 (Dec 2017) 2018.1 (Sep 2017) | +MASH | |
| Autodesk Maya 2019 | Jan 2019 | 2019.3.1 (Apr 2020)2019.3 (Apr 2020) 2019.2 (Jul 2019) 2019.1 (May 2019) | ||
| Autodesk Maya 2020 | Dec 2019 | 2020.4 (Dec 2020)2020.3 (Oct 2020) 2020.2 (May 2020) 2020.1 (Mar 2020) | ||
| Autodesk Maya 2022 | Mar 2021 | 2022.12022.2 2022.3 2022.4 2022.5 2022.5.1 | +USD support+OpenColorIO +Python 3.7.x | |
| Autodesk Maya 2023 | Sep 2022 | 2023.12023.2 2023.3 2023.3.1 | +Boolean overhaul+Sweep mesh | |
| Autodesk Maya 2024 | Mar 2023 | 2024.0.12024.12024.2 | +LookdevX+Substance 2.3.2 +Native Apple silicon Support | |
| Autodesk Maya 2025 | Aug 2024 | 2025.12025.2 |
Maya is an application used to generate 3D assets for use in film, television, games, and commercials. The software was initially released for the IRIX operating system. However, this support was discontinued in August 2006 after the release of version 6.5. Maya was available in both "Complete" and "Unlimited" editions until August 2008, when it was turned into a single suite.[13]
Users define a virtual workspace (scene) to implement and edit media of a particular project. Scenes can be saved in a variety of formats, the default being .mb (Maya D). Maya exposes a node graph architecture. Scene elements are node-based, each node having its own attributes and customization. As a result, the visual representation of a scene is based entirely on a network of interconnecting nodes, depending on each other's information. For the convenience of viewing these networks, there is a dependency and a directed acyclic graph.
Nowadays, the 3D models can be imported to game engines such as Unreal Engine and Unity.
The widespread use of Maya in the film industry is usually associated with its development on the film Dinosaur, released by Disney and The Secret Lab on May 19, 2000.[14] In 2003, when the company received an Academy Award for Technical Achievement, it was noted to be used in films such as , Spider-Man (2002), Ice Age, and .[15] By 2015, VentureBeat Magazine stated that all ten films in consideration for the Best Visual Effects Academy Award had used Autodesk Maya and that it had been "used on every winning film since 1997."[16] The film studio Illumination Studios Paris uses Autodesk for their animated films.
On March 1, 2003, Alias was given an Academy Award for Technical Achievement by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for scientific and technical achievement for their development of Maya software.[15]
In 2005, while working for Alias|Wavefront, Jos Stam shared an Academy Award for Technical Achievement with Edwin Catmull and Tony DeRose for their invention and application of subdivision surfaces.[17]
On February 8, 2008, Duncan Brinsmead, Jos Stam, Julia Pakalns and Martin Werner received an Academy Award for Technical Achievement for the design and implementation of the Maya Fluid Effects system.[18] [19]