When talking about computer animation, one thing that we cannot avoid talking about is Maya; the high-end 3D computer graphics and 3D modeling software package developed by Alias Systems Corporation. It is perhaps the most popular and prestigious one of its kind and is widely used in films, TV, advertising, computer and video games, and architecture visualization and design as well. It is so influential that it won an Academy Award "for scientific and technical achievement" in 2003, citing use "on nearly every feature using 3-D computer-generated images”.
Maya is launched with a total of two commercial versions: Maya Complete and Maya Unlimited. Maya Complete includes most of Maya’s features whereas Maya Unlimited contains all the features in Maya. At the time when Maya Complete was first launched, it was so expensive that it deterred normal family users from buying it. But now its price is about the same as the price of other 3D computer graphics software which more people can afford. Besides these two, it still has a version for noncommercial purpose called Maya Personal Learning Edition (PLE), which is totally free of charge. But when using some of its key functions, huge notice will be prompted continuously telling you that this version is strictly for noncommercial purpose and improper usage is prohibited. Eventually the end product will come together with watermarks.
The release of Maya has dramatically reduced the cost of producing 3D animations. Before then, commercial 3D animation production was basically monopolized by Softimage which is required to operate on SGI workstations. But Maya lower the hardware requirement. It can work on PCs based on Windows NT operating system, therefore popularized the 3D animation. Because if its existence, Softimage was then modified to be used on PCs.
Maya has quite a number of plug-ins available for different specific needs. The one used in the bridge collapse animation shown during the visual computing seminar is called Blast Code. It is a high-level animation engine which helps to produce simulation of destructions and computer animated demolition. It can simulate real blasting, missiles attack, damage of constructions due to natural disasters etc. Its features are being improved during the production of films. One of these films is the Oscar winner King Kong.
Maya is launched with a total of two commercial versions: Maya Complete and Maya Unlimited. Maya Complete includes most of Maya’s features whereas Maya Unlimited contains all the features in Maya. At the time when Maya Complete was first launched, it was so expensive that it deterred normal family users from buying it. But now its price is about the same as the price of other 3D computer graphics software which more people can afford. Besides these two, it still has a version for noncommercial purpose called Maya Personal Learning Edition (PLE), which is totally free of charge. But when using some of its key functions, huge notice will be prompted continuously telling you that this version is strictly for noncommercial purpose and improper usage is prohibited. Eventually the end product will come together with watermarks.
The release of Maya has dramatically reduced the cost of producing 3D animations. Before then, commercial 3D animation production was basically monopolized by Softimage which is required to operate on SGI workstations. But Maya lower the hardware requirement. It can work on PCs based on Windows NT operating system, therefore popularized the 3D animation. Because if its existence, Softimage was then modified to be used on PCs.
Maya has quite a number of plug-ins available for different specific needs. The one used in the bridge collapse animation shown during the visual computing seminar is called Blast Code. It is a high-level animation engine which helps to produce simulation of destructions and computer animated demolition. It can simulate real blasting, missiles attack, damage of constructions due to natural disasters etc. Its features are being improved during the production of films. One of these films is the Oscar winner King Kong.
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