Maya: Create expansive worlds, complex characters and dazzling effects

3D animation and visual effects software

Avengers: Endgame — Marvel Studios, Image courtesy of Framestore

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What is Maya?

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 modelling tools.

Create realistic effects – from explosions to cloth simulation.

See system requirements

Overview of Maya features (video: 8.40 min.)

Characters from Avengers: Endgame — Marvel Studios, Image courtesy of Framestore

3D animation shot of a mouse standing on the outstretched tongue of a surprised-looking cat

3D animation shot of a warrior crouching next to a beast

From the Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths game by Axis Studios, Image courtesy of Axis Studios

Person examining a growing plant, with a spacecraft visible in the background

Space traveller modelled by Amaru Zeas, Image courtesy of Amaru Zeas

Why use Maya?

Accelerate workflows

Maya’s powerful tools help you to 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

Gomez Addams greeting a small, hairy creature on a beach. 3D animation shot from The Addams Family 2

Breathe life into 3D models with powerful animation tools

Whether you’re animating life-like digi doubles or lovable cartoon characters, Maya has the animation toolset to bring your 3D assets to life.

Image courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc

See all Maya features

Solutions for creating 3D animated content

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.

See all Maya features

Workflows and use cases

Realistic rhino character modelled in Maya

Harnessing the power of rigging in Maya

Rodeo FX’s lead rigger, Mathias Røyrvik, puts Maya’s latest rigging tools to the test on his Peaky Rhino character.

Watch now (video: 20.14 min.)

3D illustration of desks with computer monitors, with labels like concept, modelling and colour key

Creating a 3D animated sequence remotely

See how the tools in the Media & Entertainment Collection are being used for animated short, Mkali’s Mission.

Read the blog

Spreading awareness on climate change

The team behind award-winning short film Migrants used Maya to tell a beautiful story about climate change.

Read the story

“When you’re met with the challenge of a tiger that’s got wings or a giant centipede with a toothy maw, you need to start looking at things outside the box.”

-Will Pryor, Head of Rigging & Creature FX, Axis Studios

Read story
“We had to create complex visual effects in such a limited period… [Using Bifrost for Maya], we were able to make scenes more realistic than reality itself.”

-Jeon Byeong-geun, Lead Character TD, Westworld

Read story
“We were one of the first studios to greenlight a project after the COVID shutdown. We’re going faster than we ever have."

-Russ Smith, VFX Supervisor, Bron Animation

Read story
“We don’t need to reinvent the wheel for each new project. We can use our skills to get the most out of the models, to deliver the best possible digital humans.”

-Mao Lin Liao, founder and CEO of REBLIKA

Read story

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.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is Maya used for?

Maya is a professional 3D animation, modelling, 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, modellers 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.

Who uses Maya?

Maya is used by 3D modellers, animators, lighting artists and FX artists across the film, TV and games industries.

Which versions of Maya can I use if I subscribe to the current version?

Your Maya subscription gives you access to install and use the 3 previous versions. Available downloads are listed in your Autodesk Account after subscribing. See also previous releases available for subscribers.

Can I install Maya on multiple computers?

With a subscription to Maya software, you can install it on up to 3 computers or other devices. However, only the named user can sign in and use that software on a single computer at any given time. Please refer to the Software Licence Agreement for more information.

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 buy Maya here. 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.

How much does a Maya subscription cost?

The price of an annual Maya subscription is  and the price of a monthly Maya subscription is . The price of a 3-year Maya subscription is . If you have infrequent users and are interested in a pay-as-you-go option, please visit www.autodesk.com/flex to learn more.

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Buy from Autodesk

When you buy directly from us, you get the best value and terms we have to offer. Our hotline team is happy to help. You can also place a purchase order by phone: +44 203 318 4259

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Maya: Create expansive worlds, complex characters and dazzling effects

What is Maya?

Why use Maya?

Accelerate workflows

Deliver stunning visuals

Scale for complexity

What you can do with Maya

Breathe life into 3D models with powerful animation tools

Create detailed simulations with Bifrost for Maya

Workflows and use cases

Harnessing the power of rigging in Maya

Creating a 3D animated sequence remotely

Spreading awareness on climate change

“When you’re met with the challenge of a tiger that’s got wings or a giant centipede with a toothy maw, you need to start looking at things outside the box.”

“We had to create complex visual effects in such a limited period… [Using Bifrost for Maya], we were able to make scenes more realistic than reality itself.”

“We were one of the first studios to greenlight a project after the COVID shutdown. We’re going faster than we ever have."

“We don’t need to reinvent the wheel for each new project. We can use our skills to get the most out of the models, to deliver the best possible digital humans.”

USD in Production at Animal Logic

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is Maya used for?

Who uses Maya?

Which versions of Maya can I use if I subscribe to the current version?

Can I install Maya on multiple computers?

How do I convert my Maya free trial to a paid subscription?

How much does a Maya subscription cost?

Buy from Autodesk

Lock in your savings for three years

Get expert advice before and after you subscribe

Purchase with Autodesk financing

Enjoy a 30-day money-back guarantee

Buy with flexibility and security