Archive notice: This article was originally published on August 3, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
At SIGGRAPH 2009, Autodesk announced the release of Autodesk Maya 2010. The new software combines the functionality of Maya Complete 2009 and Maya Unlimited 2009 with matchmoving, compositing and rendering capabilities in a unique, cost-effective product. Maya 2010 makes it easier for artists, designers and 3D enthusiasts to create compelling entertainment experiences, stylish designs and moving digital images—from photorealistic visual effects to lifelike characters. Maya 2010 is available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS.
“Artists today need more creative possibilities than ever before to capture viewers’ attention and engage their emotions in today’s fast-paced, production-intensive world of digital entertainment and design,” explains Marc Petit, Senior Vice President at Autodesk Media & Entertainment. “Maya 2010 was purposefully developed to create these creative possibilities, make it easier for artists to build a closed graphics pipeline encompassing 2D and 3D, simulation and animation, as well as rendering and compositing, and make the entire process more affordable. This makes the process of creating innovative entertainment more efficient.”
Paal Anand, Digital Post Supervisor at Bling Imaging and a Maya 2010 beta tester, explains: “Producers today simply take a more sophisticated approach to computer graphics. They expect more extensive, more complex work in less time—and on a larger scale than ever before. With Maya 2010, we are equipped for every challenge, whether tricky tasks in tracking, modelling, animation, rendering or compositing. Maya 2010 simplifies workflow by integrating all useful tools into an always-ready pipeline, allowing the entire work process to be handled smoothly from start to finish.” Hollywood-based Bling Imaging creates photorealistic visual effects, motion graphics and animation for film and television.
Features of Autodesk Maya 2010
Maya 2010 includes all the functions of Maya Unlimited 2009 and Maya Complete 2009, including the advanced simulation tools Maya Nucleus Unified Simulation Framework, Maya nCloth, Maya nParticles, Maya Fluid Effects, Maya Hair and Maya Fur. The software also offers comprehensive modelling, texturing and animation tools, brush-based 3D technology, an integrated stereoscopic workflow, toon shading, rendering, a comprehensive API/software development kit, and the Python and MEL scripting languages.
New Maya 2010 functions include Maya Composite, a powerful high-dynamic-range compositing system based on Autodesk’s Toxik software, which is no longer available as a separate solution; the expanded Autodesk MatchMover 3D tracking and matchmoving system; five nodes for batch rendering using mental ray; and the Autodesk Backburner network render-queue manager.
“I use Maya Complete for my daily work and had actually always had my eye on Maya Unlimited,” reports Ivan Turgeon, Maya Visual Effects Artist at Prairie Fire VE and a Maya 2010 beta tester. “Because Maya Complete Autodesk Subscription customers now receive the Maya 2010 software version, which includes not only all the functions of Maya Unlimited 2009 but also mental ray batch-rendering capabilities and Maya Composite, smaller companies such as mine once again have substantially better chances of survival.”
Autodesk Digital Entertainment Creation Suites
Autodesk has also announced its Maya 2010 Real-Time Animation Suite with Autodesk MotionBuilder 2010 and the Maya 2010 Entertainment Creation Suite with MotionBuilder 2010 and Autodesk Mudbox 2010. These suites give artists and production facilities the opportunity to use several creative tools at once. “The suites offer our most popular 3D tools at a reduced price, providing greater creative possibilities and a closed, more efficient pipeline that our customers can use to meet the challenges of this economically uncertain situation,” explained Marc Petit.
Prices and availability
Sales of Maya 2010 are scheduled to begin in August 2009. Maya 2010 will also be supplied as part of Autodesk’s new Digital Entertainment Creation Suites. Pricing information is available from Autodesk resellers: http://www.autodesk.de/partner
Supported operating systems
• The 32-bit version of Maya 2010 is supported by Windows Vista Business (SP1), Windows XP Professional (SP2) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5.7.
• The 64-bit version of Maya 2010 is supported by Windows Vista Business (SP1), Windows XP x64 Edition (SP2), Red Hat Enterprise Linux (5.3 WS) and Fedora 8.
Further links:
- Video from the press conference