Editing Autodesk Maya

{{Short description|3D computer graphics software}}
{{Infobox software
| name = Autodesk Maya
| logo = Autodesk Maya logo.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| screenshot = File:Autodesk Maya Screenshot.jpg
| collapsible = 
| author = [[Alias Systems Corporation]]
| developer = [[Autodesk, Inc.]]
| released = {{Start date and age|1998|02|01}}
| discontinued = 
| latest release version = 2026<ref>[https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAYAUL/2026/ENU/?guid=MAYA_RELEASENOTES_2026_RELEASE_NOTES_HTML Maya 2026 Release Notes]</ref>
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2025|03|26}}
| programming language = [[C++]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stroustrup.com/applications.html|title=C++ Applications|work=stroustrup.com|access-date=December 16, 2016}}</ref> [[Maya Embedded Language|MEL]], [[Python (programming language)|Python]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cgkit.sourceforge.net/maya_tutorials/intro/|title=Python/Maya: Introductory tutorial|first=Matthias|last=Baas|date=May 8, 2006|access-date=December 10, 2010|publisher=cgkit.sourceforge.net| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101115013603/http://cgkit.sourceforge.net/maya_tutorials/intro/| archive-date= November 15, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]]
| operating system = {{unbulleted list|[[RHEL]]/[[Rocky Linux]] 8.10|[[Windows 10]] or later|[[macOS Ventura]] or later<ref>[https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/System-Requirements-for-Autodesk-Maya-2026.html System Requirements for Autodesk Maya 2026]</ref>}}
| platform = [[x86-64]], [[Apple silicon]]
| size = 
| language = English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese
| genre = [[3D computer graphics]]
| license = [[Trialware]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.autodesk.com/products/maya/overview}}
}}
'''Autodesk Maya''', commonly shortened to just '''Maya''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|aɪ|ə}}; {{respell|MY|ə}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Maya 2017 Overview|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1M4t73L4EE| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/_1M4t73L4EE| archive-date=2021-11-17 | url-status=live|access-date=May 18, 2018|website=[[YouTube]]| date=26 July 2016 |publisher=Autodesk}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Maya LT 2018 – Overview|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF6LJUJ9fxk| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/DF6LJUJ9fxk| archive-date=2021-11-17 | url-status=live|access-date=May 18, 2018|website=[[YouTube]]| date=31 August 2017 |publisher=Autodesk}}{{cbignore}}</ref>), is a [[3D computer graphics software|3D computer graphics application]] that runs on [[Windows]], [[macOS]], and [[Linux]], originally developed by [[Alias Systems Corporation|Alias]] and currently owned and developed by [[Autodesk, Inc.|Autodesk]]. It is used to create [[Digital asset|assets]] for interactive 3D applications (including video games), animated films, TV series, and [[visual effect]]s.

==History==
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mayabooks.org/ |title=History |access-date=December 11, 2010 |publisher=Maya books |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125035450/http://www.mayabooks.org/ |archive-date=November 25, 2010 }}</ref> [[Walt Disney Feature Animation]] collaborated closely with Maya's development during its production of ''[[Dinosaur (2000 film)|Dinosaur]]''.<ref name="micro">{{cite journal|last=Muwanguzi|first=Michael J|date=July 1, 2010|title=Maya 2011|url=http://www.microfilmmaker.com/reviews/Issue56/Maya11_1.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720201920/http://www.microfilmmaker.com/reviews/Issue56/Maya11_1.html|archive-date=July 20, 2011|access-date=December 11, 2010|format=Software Review|journal=Microfilmmaker Magazine}}</ref> 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.]] had acquired both Alias and [[Wavefront Technologies]], Inc. in 1995, Wavefront's technology (then under development) was merged into Maya.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-08-fi-29352-story.html|title=THE CUTTING EDGE : A New Dimension : Silicon Graphics to Buy Two 3-D Software Firms|website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=8 February 1995 }}</ref> SGI's acquisition was a response to [[Microsoft Corporation]] acquiring [[Softimage 3D]] in 1994.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/15/business/company-news-an-acquisition-by-microsoft.html|title=COMPANY NEWS; An Acquisition By Microsoft|website=[[The New York Times]] }}</ref> The new wholly-owned [[subsidiary]] was named "Alias<math>|</math>Wavefront".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.design-engine.com/alias/history.html |work=Alias |title=Wavefront Discontinued Products and Brands |date=December 13, 2002 |first=Sam |last=Weisbard |access-date=December 10, 2010 |publisher=Design engine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822040628/http://www.design-engine.com/alias/history.html |archive-date=August 22, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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 (software)|Dynamation]], was chosen as the basis of MEL.<ref>{{citation | title = In silico: 3D animation and simulation of cell biology with Maya and MEL| last1 = Sharpe |first1 = Jason | first2 = Charles J | last2 = Lumsden | first3 = Nicholas | last3 = Woolridge | year= 2008| publisher= Morgan Kaufmann Martin | page= 263| isbn = 978-0-12-373655-0}}</ref>

Maya 1.0 was released in February 1998. Following a series of acquisitions, Maya was bought by Autodesk in October 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/autodesk-buys-alias/1030610.article|title=Autodesk buys Alias}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=5983502&linkID=14271593 |title = Autodesk Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Alias |access-date = October 23, 2015 |date = October 4, 2005 |author = Autodesk |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160110190511/http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?linkID=14271593&id=5983502&siteID=123112 |archive-date = January 10, 2016 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>[[Wikinews:Autodesk to buy Alias]]</ref> 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.

== Release history ==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|+
! scope="col" |Major Version Name<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.toxik.sk |title=www.toxik.sk {{!}} CG Blog » Maya HISTORY |url=https://www.toxik.sk/maya-startup-window-history/ |access-date=2024-07-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shing |first=Pooja |date=2010-12-10 |title=MAYA EXTREME: Release history |url=http://extrememaya.blogspot.com/2010/12/release-history.html |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=MAYA EXTREME}}</ref>
! scope="col" |Date
! scope="col" |Sub-versions
!Major change
! scope="col" |Operating System
|-
! scope="row" |<nowiki>A|W Maya 1.0</nowiki>
|Feb 1998
|1.0.1 (Jun 1998)
|
|SGI IRIX<br/>Windows
|-
! scope="row" |<nowiki>A|W Maya 1.5</nowiki>
|Oct 1998
|
|IRIX only
|SGI IRIX
|-
! scope="row" |<nowiki>A|W Maya 2.0</nowiki>
|Jun 1999
|
|
| rowspan="2" |SGI IRIX<br/>Windows
|-
! scope="row" |<nowiki>A|W Maya 2.5</nowiki>
|Nov 1999
|2.5.2 (Mar 2000)
|
|-
! scope="row" |<nowiki>A|W Maya 3.0</nowiki>
|Feb 2000
|3.0.1 (Jan 2001)
|First Linux version
|SGI IRIX<br/>Windows<br/>Linux
|-
! scope="row" |<nowiki>A|W Maya 3.5</nowiki>
|Oct 2001
|3.5.1 (Sep 2002)
|macOS only
|macOS
|-
! scope="row" |<nowiki>A|W Maya 4.0</nowiki>
|Jun 2001
|4.0.2 (May 2002)
|No macOS version
|SGI IRIX<br/>Windows<br/>Linux
|-
! scope="row" |<nowiki>A|W Maya 4.5</nowiki>
|Jul 2002
|
|
| rowspan="4" |SGI IRIX<br/>Windows<br/>Linux<br/>macOS
|-
! scope="row" |<nowiki>A|W Maya 5.0</nowiki>
|May 2003
|5.0.1 (Oct 2003)
|[[Mental Ray]]
|-
! scope="row" |Alias Maya 6.0
|May 2004
|6.0.1 (Aug 2004)
|
|-
! scope="row" |Alias Maya 6.5
|Jan 2005
|6.5.1 (Dec 2005)
|Final IRIX version
|-
! scope="row" |Alias Maya 7.0
|Aug 2005
|7.0.1 (Dec 2005)
|
| rowspan="21" |Windows<br/>Linux<br/>macOS
|-
! scope="row" |Autodesk Maya 8.0
|Aug 2006
|
|First 64-bit<br/>First Autodesk version
|-
! scope="row" |Autodesk Maya 8.5
|Jan 2007
|Service Pack 1 (Jun 2007)
|[[Intel]]-based macOS<br/>[[Python (programming language)|Python]] [[Application Programming Interface|API]]<br/>Nucleus Solver
|-
! scope="row" |Autodesk Maya 2008<br/>ver. 9.0
|Sep 2007
|SP1, ver. 9.0.1 (Mar 2008)<br/>Extension 2, ver. 9.0.1 (Feb 2008)<br/>Extension 1, ver. 9 (Dec 2007)
|[[Software versioning]] numbering scheme becomes year-based
|-
! scope="row" |Autodesk Maya 2009<br/>ver. 10
|Aug 2008
|Service Pack 1, ver. 10 (Apr-2009)
|Unified "Complete" and "Unlimited" editions
|-
! scope="row" |Autodesk Maya 2010
|Aug 2009
|
|
|-
! scope="row" |Autodesk Maya 2011
|April 2010
|Service Pack 1 (Sep 2010)<br/>Subscription Advantage Pack (Sep 2010)<br/>Hotfix 3 (Jul 2010)<br/>Hotfix 2 (Jun 2010)<br/>Hotfix 1 (May 2010)
|PyMel 1.0
[[Qt (software)|Qt]]-based user interface
|-
! scope="row" |Autodesk Maya 2012
|March 2011
|Service Pack 2 (25. Jan 2012)<br/>Service Pack 1 (Oct 2011)<br/>Hotfix1,2,3,4 (Apr-Aug 2011)
|[[Nvidia]] [[PhysX]]<br/>Viewport 2.0<br/>Python API 2.0
|-
! scope="row" |Autodesk Maya 2013
|Mar 2012
|Service Pack 2 (Oct 2012)<br/>Service Path 1 Refix (Jul 2012)<br/>Service Pack 1 (Jun 2012)
|NHair<br/>[[Bullet (software)|Bullet Physics Library]]<br/>[[Alembic (computer graphics)|Alembic]]<br/>Node Editor
|-
! scope="row" |Autodesk Maya 2014
|Mar 2013
|SP1 Extension (Oct 2013)
Service Pack 1 (Jun 2013)
|
|-
! scope="row" |Autodesk Maya 2015
|Aug. 2014
|SP2 (May 2014)
|Python 2.7.x
|-
! scope="row" |Autodesk Maya 2016
|Mar 2015
|Extension 1 SP7 (May 2019)<br/>Service Pack 7 (May 2019)<br/>Extension 2 SP2 (Sep 2016)<br/>Extension 2 (Apr 2016)<br/>Extension 1 (Apr 2016)<br/>Service Pack 6 (Apr 2016)<br/>Service Pack 5 (Dec 2015)<br/>Service Pack 4 (Oct 2015)<br/>Service Pack 3 (Sep 2015)<br/>Service Pack 2 (Aug 2015)<br/>Service Pack 1 (Jun 2015)
|XGen<br/>Bifrost
|-
! scope="row" |Autodesk Maya 2017
|Jul 2016
|Update 5 (Nov 2017)<br/>Update 4 (Jun 2017)<br/>Update 3 (Feb 2017)<br/>Update 2 (Nov 2016)<br/>Update 1 (Sep 2016)
|
|-
! scope="row" |Autodesk Maya 2018
|Jul 2017
|2018.7 (Apr 2020)<br/>2018.6 (Apr 2019)<br/>2018.5 (Nov 2018)<br/>2018.4 (Jul 2018)<br/>2018.3 (May 2018)<br/>2018.2 (Dec 2017)<br/>2018.1 (Sep 2017)
|MASH 
|-
!Autodesk Maya 2019
|Jan 2019
|2019.3.1 (Apr 2020)<br/>2019.3 (Apr 2020)<br/>2019.2 (Jul 2019)<br/>2019.1 (May 2019)
|
|-
!Autodesk Maya 2020
|Dec 2019
|2020.4 (Dec 2020)<br/>2020.3 (Oct 2020)<br/>2020.2 (May 2020)<br/>2020.1 (Mar 2020)
|
|-
!Autodesk Maya 2022
|Mar 2021
|2022.5.1<br/>2022.5<br/>2022.4<br/>2022.3<br/>2022.2<br/>2022.1
|[[Universal Scene Description|USD]] support<br/>OpenColorIO<br/>Python 3.7.x
|-
!Autodesk Maya 2023
|Sep 2022
|2023.3.1<br/>2023.3<br/>2023.2<br/>2023.1<br/>
|Boolean overhaul<br/>Sweep mesh
|-
!Autodesk Maya 2024
|Mar 2023
|2024.2<br/>2024.1<br/>2024.0.1
|LookdevX<br/>Substance 2.3.2<br/>Native [[Apple silicon]] support
|-
!Autodesk Maya 2025
|Aug 2024
|2025.2<br/>2025.1
|-
!Autodesk Maya 2026
|Mar 2025
|
|OpenPBR material by default
|}

==Overview==
Maya is an application used to generate 3D assets for use in the [[film]], [[television]], [[video game]], and [[advertising]] industries. The software was initially released for the [[IRIX]] operating system. However, this support was discontinued in August 2005 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Autodesk Maya Features – Compare|url=http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/compare/index?siteID=123112&id=13583751|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006081157/http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/compare/index?siteID=123112&id=13583751|archive-date=2010-10-06|access-date=2010-10-02|website=Autodesk}}</ref>

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 Binary). Maya exposes a [[node graph architecture]]. Scene elements are [[Node (computer science)|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 graph|dependency]] and a [[directed acyclic graph]].

Assets created with Maya can be imported to game engines such as [[Unreal Engine]] and [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]].{{cn|date=January 2024}}

==Industry usage==
The widespread use of Maya in the film industry is usually associated with its development on the film ''[[Dinosaur (2000 film)|Dinosaur]]'', released by Disney and The Secret Lab on May 19, 2000.<ref>{{cite book|last=Warren|first=Scott|title=Learning Games: The Science and Art of Development|date=16 June 2017|publisher=Springer|page=77}}</ref> In 2003, when Alias|Wavefront received an [[Academy Award for Technical Achievement]], it was noted to be used in films such as ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'', ''[[Spider-Man (2002 film)|Spider-Man]]'', ''[[Ice Age (2002 film)|Ice Age]]'', and ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]'', all of which were released in 2002.<ref name="Macworld">{{cite journal|last=Sellers|first=Dennis|date=14 January 2003|title=Maya gets Oscar for Technical Achievement|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/1008800/oscar.html|journal=Macworld|access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref> 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."<ref name="VENTURE">{{cite web|last=Terdiman|first=Daniel|date=15 January 2015|title=And the Oscar for Best Visual Effects Goes to… Autodesk's Maya|url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/01/15/hollywood-fx-pros-i-want-to-be-an-oscars-maya-winner/|work=media|publisher=[[VentureBeat]]}}</ref> The film studio [[Illumination Studios Paris]] uses Autodesk Maya for their animated films. [[Walt Disney Animation Studios]] also utilizes Maya in films such as ''[[Frozen (2013 film)|Frozen]]'' and ''[[Frozen II]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/disneyanimation/status/1260328901403762688|title=A character rig, setup by Character Technical Directors, can have thousands of articulation controls. This allows Animators to pose a character and craft a believable performance. #TechTuesday|access-date=2020-09-04|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref>

==Awards==
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.<ref name="Macworld"/>

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.<ref>{{cite web|title=PIXAR Awards|url=http://www.pixar.com/companyinfo/press_box/awards.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927043045/http://www.pixar.com/companyinfo/press_box/awards.htm|archive-date=September 27, 2011|access-date=November 15, 2011}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|date=January 6, 2003|title=Scientific & Technical Awards Winners|url=http://www.oscars.org/awards/scitech/winners/2007.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216053528/http://www.oscars.org/awards/scitech/winners/2007.html|archive-date=February 16, 2009|access-date=December 10, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=January 6, 2003|title=Technical Achievement Award|url=http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/about/awards/technical.html|access-date=December 10, 2010}}</ref>

==See also==
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
* [[List of Maya plugins]]
* [[Comparison of 3D computer graphics software]]
* [[PowerAnimator]]
* [[Autodesk 3ds Max]]
* [[Autodesk Softimage]]
* [[Blender (software)]]
* [[Cinema 4D]]
* [[Lightwave 3D]]
* [[Houdini (software)|Houdini]]
* [[Computer animation]]
* [[Autodesk Arnold]]
}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
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