Try Maya free for 30 days
Autodesk provides download and install instructions for individuals and administrators. Your available downloads appear in Autodesk Account or education site. Find your product, select a version, platform, language, and download method. For more information, visit the Autodesk Knowledge Network.
How long is the Maya free trial?
Trial versions of Autodesk software offer the chance to explore the full capabilities of the latest versions for a limited term (typically 30 days). To cancel a free trial, turn off automatic renewal before the trial period ends. If you were not required to enter a payment method at the start of the trial, it will expire automatically.
How do I extend the Maya free trial?
If your trial expires, you cannot extend the trial period. For short-term needs, you can purchase a monthly subscription and turn off automatic renewal (to limit the length of the paid subscription to one month only) or purchase Flex tokens for a flexible pay-as-you-go plan.
How do I troubleshoot Maya download issues?
If your installation or product download fails, try using the Browser Download method instead (not available in macOS). We recommend disabling pop-up blockers and trying a different browser, such as Chrome or Explorer. For more solutions, check out our guide to troubleshooting Autodesk product download issues.
Where do I download free Maya software for students?
Students and educators can get free one-year educational access to Autodesk products and services, renewable as long as you remain eligible. If you are a student or educator, you can access free Maya software with an Autodesk Education plan.
How do I convert my Maya free trial to a paid subscription?
Launch your trial software and click Subscribe Now on the trial screen or visit the Maya product center. When buying your subscription, enter the same email address and password combination you used to sign in to your trial. Learn more about converting a trial to a paid subscription.
Maya 3D Animation
Maya 3d graphics designing software was developed by Autodesk and named as Autodesk Maya. It is used for 3d graphics designing such as 3d modeling, 3d animation, the rigging of character, and many other 3d graphics work. 3d Animation is the best part of Maya software in which you can animate 3d objects by using some parameters of animation features of Maya software. 3d animation is not very tough work in Maya software. We can do 3d animation in a few simple steps. Here we will teach you 3d animation by a simple example in this software to easily understand this topic.
How to do 3D Animation in Maya software?
We can do 3d animation in Maya software by using some tools and features of this software. But before starting our learning, let us have a quick look at the working screen of this software so that you can understand this article without any problem.
ADVERTISEMENT
Popular Course in this category
MAYA 3D Character Modeling Course Bundle — 4 Courses in 1
3D animation, modelling, simulation, game development & others
Step 1: At the top of the working screen of this software, we have a Menu bar which will change with the changing the method of working; these methods are Modeling, Rigging, Animation, Dynamics, etc. below this, we have a status line which has some short cut command for making our work easy, below this, we have shelf bar in which you can set most frequently used tools according to you, below these bars there are three sections that are Manipulating bar at the left side which have Move tool, Scale tool, Rotate tool and some others, at the center we have perspective viewport (you can have all viewport at a time by pressing space bar of the keyboard), at the right side we have Channels and other tabs which show you properties of the selected object and allows you to make a change in them, at the upper right corner we can choose Workspace theme, at the bottom end we have Timeline section for animating our objects.
Step 2: Now, let us create a box for our 3d animation. For the box, go to the Poly Modeling option above the Shelf bar and click on the Polygon Cube command option.
Step 3: Now, draw a cube and adjust this cube according to you. For adjusting, the press R button from the keyboard for scale command or click on the scale icon of the Manipulating bar on the left side of the viewport. Now increase scale by holding and dragging the scale handle buttons.
Step 4: Now move this cube above the gird line by using the move command. For the move command, press the W button for the keyboard or click on the Move command icon of Manipulating bar. Now move this cube by holding Y-axis handle and drag it in the Y direction.
Step 5: Now, let us animate this 3d object. Go to the keyframe slider area at the bottom of the perspective viewport and click on a keyframe in the keyframe area from where you want to start your animation. I will click on the starting frame of the keyframe slider area.
Step 6: Now press the S button from the keyboard for setting the key at this keyframe.
Step 7: You can see the key with the red sign at the properties of this cube in the channel box of this software.
Step 8: You can set this keyframe at any one of the properties of any object. To set key at only one property, select that property by click on that and make right-click with the mouse button. A drop-down list will be open; choose the ‘Key Selected’ option from this list.
Step 9: Your key will be selected like this.
Step 10: You can add the key to all properties from here also. Just select all properties by holding the shift key like this.
Step 11: Now, make right-click here and select and select the ‘Key Selected’ option from here.
Step 12: Now, all the properties will be selected like this.
Step 13: Now, place the keyframe head at 20 frames or you can place it according to you and then move the object according to you in which direction you want to animate your object by using the move command. For the move command, press the W button from the keyboard and drag the arrows button of the X Y Z axis, respectively, for moving it.
Step 14: Now press the S button from the keyboard for the setting key at this frame.
Step 15: Now press this Play Forward button for playing this animation, or you can press Ctrl + V button for the keyboard. You can press the Esc button for stopping the animation.
Step 16: You can adjust the frame rate of animation. For setting frame rate, go to the Menu bar and click on the Windows menu. A drop-down list will be open, go to the Settings/Preferences option, and then click on Preferences of the new drop-down list.
Step 17: Now, a Preferences dialog box will be open. Click on the Time Slider option; the Time Slider tab will be open like this. Now choose the 24 fps option in the Playback speed option of this tab. Now when you play your animation, your animation will be at a controlled frame rate.
Step 18: Here is some button also in the timeline section for setting animation. With the show button, you can go to the starting of the keyframe slider.
Step 19: By pressing the shown button, you can go to the end of the keyframe slider section.
Step 20: By pressing the shown button, you can go one frame back in the keyframe slider section.
Step 21: By pressing the shown button, you can go one frame forward in the keyframe slider section.
Step 22: If you want to go back one key backwards in the keyframe slider section, then press this button.
Step 23: If you want to go forward one key in the keyframe slider section, then press this button.
Conclusion
Now, after going through this article, you can understand ‘what is 3d animation in Maya software’ and ‘how you can handle its parameters’ for making effective 3d animation for your project work in Maya software. You can increase your working skill of 3d graphics designing by practicing on this type of feature of Maya software.
Recommended Articles
This is a guide to Maya 3D Animation. Here we discuss the introduction and how to create animation in 3d Maya in step by step manner. You can also go through our other related articles to learn more –
- Logo in Maya
- Maya Render Settings
- New Features In Maya 2019
- Maya Bonus Tools
Maya For 3D Animation
PEGI-3
Details Reviews Versions Info
Description of Maya For 3D Animation
Maya For 3D Animation Manual for Beginner
this app show you how it is used to create 3D animated projects,
along with the roles that are played by other applications in the larger 3D workflow. It
might be best to read it quickly if you are just beginning to use this app, and then come
back and look at this overview more carefully as you move through the app and work
with the various tools inside .
There are times when an animator might prefer to perform tasks in other applications,even when these tasks can be done with Maya stand alone. One of the most common complaints
about Maya is that it is too complicated because it offers so much. Some artists have been moving much of their preliminary modeling to other applications that might be simpler to use or that offer different ways of creating models. Then, they import their models into Maya to continue crafting them, putting materials on them, and animating and rendering them.Other Applications Commonly Used by Animators
Maya For 3D Animation Manual for Beginner
this app show you how it is used to create 3D animated projects,
along with the roles that are played by other applications in the larger 3D workflow. It
might be best to read it quickly if you are just beginning to use this app, and then come
back and look at this overview more carefully as you move through the app and work
with the various tools inside .
There are times when an animator might prefer to perform tasks in other applications,even when these tasks can be done with Maya stand alone. One of the most common complaints
about Maya is that it is too complicated because it offers so much. Some artists have been moving much of their preliminary modeling to other applications that might be simpler to use or that offer different ways of creating models. Then, they import their models into Maya to continue crafting them, putting materials on them, and animating and rendering them.Other Applications Commonly Used by Animators
Maya For 3D Animation — Version 3.0
What’s new Reference Manual for Autodesk Maya commonly shortened to Maya, is a 3D computer graphics software that runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, originally developed by Alias Systems Corporation (formerly Alias|Wavefront) and currently owned and developed by Autodesk, Inc. It is used to create interactive 3D applications, including video games, animated film, TV series, or visual effects.
There are no reviews or ratings yet! To leave the first one please
Autodesk Maya: Create expansive worlds, complex characters, and dazzling effects
Maya is professional 3D software for creating realistic characters and blockbuster-worthy effects.
Bring believable characters to life with engaging animation tools.
Shape 3D objects and scenes with intuitive modeling tools.
Create realistic effects—from explosions to cloth simulation.
Maya overview (video: 7:18 min.)
Still from “ANDY,” a short film created with Maya
VFX breakdown from the creation of the Halo TV series (video: 8 sec.) Courtesy of Pixomondo
Environment created in Maya by Henry Yamin
Smoke and fire simulation created using Bifrost by Filippo Nicea Bovolini
Animal character art created by Rufat Melikov
Why use Maya?
Accelerated workflows
Maya’s powerful tools help you iterate faster so you can focus on creativity and meet deadlines.
Deliver stunning visuals
Add fine details to characters and scenes, and deliver quality work that keeps clients coming back.
Scale for complexity
Top artists in the industry rely on Maya to create the most complex shots, characters, and worlds.
What you can do with Maya
Still from the film Avengers: Endgame
Breathe life into 3D models with powerful animation tools
Whether you’re animating lifelike digi doubles or lovable cartoon characters, Maya has the animation toolset to bring your 3D assets to life.
Grass scatter using Bifrost Graph by Vipin A
Create detailed simulations with Bifrost for Maya
From blazing explosions to complex snowstorms, Bifrost makes it possible to create physically accurate simulations in a single visual programming environment.
Video courtesy of Adrian Bobb
“[Maya] was very cohesive. I understood precisely how to build everything and where everything was.”
—Adrian Bobb, Film Director
Video courtesy of Phil Radford
“Bifrost’s flexible functionality allows for experimentation, which is invaluable as an artist.”
—Phil Radford, VFX Generalist, Freelancer, and Founder of Strangebox
“[Maya] offers ample flexibility and versatility so that artists and studios can […] achieve incredible results.”
—Amy Ash, Head of Characters, Axis Studios
Image courtesy of Crafty Apes
“[With Bifrost for Maya], we were able to get results that were photorealistic and that worked for our show.”
—Sean Willis, Senior Technical Artist and Pipeline TD at Crafty Apes
Workflows and use cases
Experimenting with USD in Game Pipelines
Eidos Montreal and NetEase Games discuss the challenges USD can solve and share their journey of adopting it.
CG Spectrum Summons Sandworms in New Commercial
Check out a Dune-inspired commercial from CG Spectrum created entirely in-house using Maya.
An Inside Look at the Hogwarts Legacy Game
Discover how the team at Warner Bros. Games Avalanche created and refined characters, animations, and cinematics for the highly anticipated fantasy game using Maya.
Maya Resources
Free Maya courses
Improve your skillset with courses presented by industry professionals for Maya.
Maya Learning Channel
Find modeling, rigging, animation, FX, and rendering tutorials to get you producing digital content.
ARTICLES AND BLOGS
AREA by Autodesk
Get inspired with articles featuring artist interviews, career advice, industry news, and more.
When to choose Maya or 3ds Max
Maya and 3ds Max are used by creative studios around the world for animation, modeling, visual effects, and rendering.
USD in Production at Animal Logic
Animal Logic shares their journey of how they integrated Universal Scene Description (USD) in Maya into their production pipeline.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is Maya used for?
Maya is a professional 3D animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering toolset, designed for creating realistic characters and blockbuster-worthy effects.
From fantastic creatures to sweeping landscapes and explosive battle sequences, top artists, modelers, and animators rely on Maya’s award-winning toolset to bring today’s most-loved animated and live-action films, TV shows, and video games to life.