Autodesk has launched its new Maya Creative software-on-demand service. Announced 14th September 2022, the idea is to make content creation more accessible by lowering the cost barrier for the software needed by artists working in smaller creative studios.
Maya Creative
This more affordable and flexible version of Maya is a good option for those looking to scale capacity whilst still accessing professional quality VFX (visual effects) and 3D tools.
Screen capture showing Maya Creative in action.
For example, VFX studios are often under considerable pressure to create high-quality content, quickly. Streaming services always need new material in order to satisfy their subscribers. This new product offers artists just the creative tools they need, as they need them, on-demand.
Autodesk. SVP of Media and Entertainment, Diana Colella explains:-
“Although they’re increasing, production budgets are not keeping pace with consumer demand, which puts pressure on companies to do more for less. As larger facilities enlist freelance artists and boutique VFX houses to scale workload capacity, there is more demand for affordable industry-standard tools. For studios to compete, creativity and efficiency are paramount.”
Maya Creative features powerful animation, modeling, rendering, and rigging tools for film, television, and game development. This includes Maya’s full industry-standard creative toolset:
- Animation deformation.
- Camera sequencing.
- Data and scene assembly.
- High-end 3D modeling.
- Motion graphics.
- Rendering and imaging.
- UV, look-development, and texturing.
Maya Creative also includes Arnold renderer, designed to meet the demands of complex photorealistic VFX and animation workflows.
Creativity on demand
Autodesk’s goal was to introduce a cost-efficient option for freelancers, boutique facilities, or small business creative teams, who don’t need the same API access or extensibility required for larger production workflows. Maya Creative is available on both Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS. Artists can use it as it is needed for their work. It is available through Flex, Autodesk’s token-based pay-as-you-go option for daily product use.
According to one independent creator, Clifford Paul, the best thing about Autodesk’s new product is its flexibility. As a freelancer working on a wide range of different creative projects, he needs to use a wide variety of programs for his client work. Maya Creative allows him to use and pay for Maya just for the time when he actually needs to use it.