Product category:
Rendering, visualisation and styling software
News Release from: Autodesk | Subject: Maya 8
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 04 August 2006
Modelling, animation and rendering
upgraded
Autodesk Maya 8 is the latest version of the Academy Award-winning 3D modelling, animation and rendering software.
Autodesk Maya 8 is the latest version of the Academy Award-winning 3D modelling, animation and rendering software Maya has been used by a variety of clients, including BMW, CNN, Disney, Epic Games, Industrial Light and Magic, Midway Games and Weta Digital, to create breathtaking 3D imagery for feature films, interactive games, broadcast graphics and industrial design
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 14 Sep 2000 at 8.00am (UK)
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Autodesk Maya 8 meets the demands of next-generation productions by addressing the real-world production challenges 3D artists are currently facing.
Marc Petit, Autodesk's Media and Entertainment Vice President, said: "3D artists are tackling some overwhelming challenges right now, such as dealing with huge, increasingly complex data sets while moving to next-generation game development platforms and having to deliver even more photorealistic imagery".
"Teams are getting bigger and require sophisticated collaboration and data management tools".
"Autodesk Maya 8 addresses these production hurdles by combining a flexible platform with a highly optimised software core, boosting productivity and improving pipeline efficiency".
Maya 8 offers a combination of 64bit support, multithreading and algorithmic optimisations that enable artists to load massive datasets and interact with them more efficiently than ever before.
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"Autodesk Maya 8 software's 64bit support has opened up a world of possibilities by allowing our artists to manage very large scenes", said Jack Brooks, VP Technology, Walt Disney.
"Maya 8 is an integral element of our 64bit pipeline".
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"We used the beta in pre-production for an upcoming film".
"Being able to extend Maya's functionality through the API allowed us to customise it to meet our demanding requirements".
Maya 8 offers a host of productivity advancements, particularly for modelling and texturing.
The Transfer Polygon Attributes feature enables modellers to transfer UVs, colour per vertex (CPV), and vertex position information between surface meshes of differing topologies.
This is particularly useful when working with two different versions of an object or character, e.g one that is high-resolution and one that is low-resolution.
In addition, new and improved workflows and tools such as polygon bridge, multiple edge loop insertion and enhanced UV layout help maximise productivity for the most common tasks.
Maya 8 enables artists to better manage data when using multiple 2D and 3D packages within the production pipeline.
This is achieved through application programming interface (API) extensions, enhancements to Autodesk FBX file exchange technology, the addition of interchangeable geometry caching between Maya and Autodesk 3ds Max animation software, and new interoperability with Autodesk Toxik collaborative compositing software.
Emmanuel Valdez, Chief Creative Officer at High Moon Studios in California, said: "At High Moon Studios, we have artists from all types of disciplines - from animation to character modelling".
"They have to work together and share 3D data, regardless of the software they're using".
"That's why we've chosen to use Autodesk Maya, along with Autodesk 3ds Max and MotionBuilder".
"These products are open and offer the industry's best creative tools".
Autodesk helps 3D artists in game development, design visualisation, film, television, broadcast and graphic design focus on realising their ideas without being limited by production complexities.
Autodesk's media and entertainment 3D product portfolio is comprised of Autodesk Maya 8, 3ds Max 9 (announced separately) and VIZ 2007 animation, modelling and rendering software, as well as Autodesk MotionBuilder 7.5 character animation software.
Interoperability is achieved between these products via Autodesk FBX, a free 3D file exchange format.
With support from HP and Intel, a number of third-party developers in the Autodesk Developer Network (ADN) Sparks program have already produced 64bit versions of their plug-ins to support Maya 8, giving users immediate access to a pool of 64bit development tools.
Autodesk expects that Maya 8 will be available in English in August 2006, and in additional languages in the future.
The 64bit version of Maya 8 will be supported on Windows and Linux.
The 32bit version will be supported on Windows, Linux and Mac OS X.
Autodesk suggested retail pricing for Maya 8 is GBP 1449 (Eur 2099) for Maya Complete (stand-alone) and GBP 4899 (Eur 7349) for Maya Unlimited (stand-alone).
The upgrade price from Maya 7 Complete to Maya 8 Complete is GBP 599 Eur 869, and the upgrade price from Maya 7 Unlimited to Maya 8 Unlimited is GBP 849 (Eur 1199).
The Autodesk suggested retail price for Maya Platinum Membership starts at GBP 899 (Eur 1364) per year and is available for purchase simultaneously with the product purchase.
Platinum Membership customers qualify for access to the latest software updates, technical support case management, valuable product extensions and e-learning materials.
A variety of Learning Tools are available for Maya, ranging from introductory to advanced skill levels.
"Learning Autodesk Maya 8 foundation" is a new book that enables users to quickly familiarise themselves with Maya 8.
It offers a hands-on introduction to key Maya tools and techniques by enabling users to create and animate characters based on the Sony Pictures Animation feature film Open Season.
"Learning Autodesk Maya 8 foundation" is priced at GBP 49.99 (Eur 70).
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