Maya

Maya: Create complex characters, expansive worlds and dazzling effects

3D animation and visual effects tools

Image courtesy of Framestore

MODELING & ANIMATION

Get tools for incredible storytelling

Create heroes and worlds all in Maya, with modeling, layout, animation, FX, and rendering.
“The Fall Guy,” video courtesy of Cinesite

CUSTOMIZATION

Customize to your needs

Build tools for how you work with customization via APIs and scripting.
Video courtesy of Felipe Fierro – Film Director

AUTOMATION

Create with AI you control

Automate mundane tasks with directable and editable AI tools.
“Phantom Sky,” video courtesy of Griffin Animation Studios

PROCEDURALISM

Build 3D content procedurally

Create effects or even rig characters using Bifrost, Maya’s powerful visual programming environment.
Video courtesy of Hernan Santander

MODELING & ANIMATION

Get tools for incredible storytelling

Create heroes and worlds all in Maya, with modeling, layout, animation, FX, and rendering.
“The Fall Guy,” video courtesy of Cinesite

CUSTOMIZATION

Customize to your needs

Build tools for how you work with customization via APIs and scripting.
Video courtesy of Felipe Fierro – Film Director

AUTOMATION

Create with AI you control

Automate mundane tasks with directable and editable AI tools.
“Phantom Sky,” video courtesy of Griffin Animation Studios

PROCEDURALISM

Build 3D content procedurally

Create effects or even rig characters using Bifrost, Maya’s powerful visual programming environment.
Video courtesy of Hernan Santander

Features to support your storytelling

Artist-first workflows

Fewer headaches, more creativity
Video: A character runs and avoids an obstacle inside Maya

Produce character motion with AI

Skip tedious tasks like walk cycles. MotionMaker quickly generates pre-viz, hero, or background animation.

"Our biggest challenge was making believable flight sequences. With Maya at the center of our pipeline, we crafted hundreds of stunning animation shots.”

—François Lambert, VFX Supervisor, Framestore

Image courtesy of Framestore
"A major advantage is its ease of developing tools in MEL and Python, allowing customization for projects and teams.”

–Mr. Shugo Gouda, Lead Character Animator, SEGA

© SEGA
"Golaem allowed us to faithfully reproduce all animation intentions."

–Michael Etienne, Crowd Simulation Supervisor, Fortiche Production

Image courtesy of Netflix, Riot Games and Fortiche Production

Media & Entertainment Collection

Create better, smarter, faster with the M&E Collection

Significant savings over annual licenses

Get all the creative tools you need to build a powerful and scalable pipeline for less.

Image courtesy of Sylvain Marc & Annick Buhr

Media & Entertainment Collection

Create better, smarter, faster with the M&E Collection

Significant savings over annual licenses

Get all the creative tools you need to build a powerful and scalable pipeline for less.

Image courtesy of Sylvain Marc & Annick Buhr

Need help deciding?

Maya and 3ds Max are used by creative studios around the world for animation, modeling, visual effects, and rendering.

Animated boy and creature joyfully riding on a glowing blue surface.

Maya

Starting at {{PRICE}}/month

Known for animation, Maya’s award-winning 3D toolset is used by top film, TV, and game studios.
Image courtesy of © Disney/Pixar
Sneakers, water bottles, and basketballs on a court near empty seats.

3ds Max

Starting at {{PRICE}}/month

Known for modeling, 3ds Max’s complete 3D toolset is used by both entertainment and design visualization studios.
Image courtesy of ALT/SHIFT

Questions? We have answers

Autodesk Maya is a professional 3D modeling, layout, animation, FX, and rendering toolset, designed for creating realistic characters and blockbuster-worthy effects. From fantastic creatures to sweeping landscapes and explosive battle sequences, today’s top artists 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.

Autodesk Maya is used by different types of artists like modelers and animators across the film, TV, and games industries.

Maya and 3ds Max are used by creative studios around the world for animation, modeling, visual effects, and rendering. Learn when to choose Maya and when to choose 3ds Max.

View more FAQs