Isn't that only for 13 months, though? Personally, I think Blender is the way to go, especially 2.5, which may not be out of beta yet but is a heck of a lot better than 2.49.

For a limited time. I'm sure it's 13 months, but the Autodesk site seems to say they've extended it to three years. I'd still personally go after Blender, though. It's free forever, and it's constantly being updated with awesome new features.

Okay, seriously, as much as I love Blender (and having used it for several years, I totally disagree with your statement that being free is the only thing it's got against Maya), I don't think this discussion is really about which is better. Honestly, you shouldn't spend all that money on a program until you're absolutely sure it's what you need, and I don't think that's going to happen to anyone on this site for quite some time. Blender is perfectly suitable for the needs of most people here. 

And even if students can get Maya free for three years (including updates), I'm pretty sure there are still limitations on it. Not in the actual software, but what you're allowed to do with it. I doubt they're going to let you make money (including a YouTube partnership) from a program designed for learning the software. Finally, I'm pretty sure the student program is for college students only.

Why invest all that time in Maya?

This is what you can do with Blender.  Essentially it can do a majority of what Maya can do at zero cost.

That is why you invest in Blender.

And if there is someone in the film industry, they would not be visiting this site as often given their demanding profession so you can quit your song and dance right there.

You want to promote a free-for-a-limited-time expensive and powerful program, go right ahead, but don't be belittling one that was made by an international community for an international community for free.

And you don't get all high and mighty over a product that only a small percentage can afford to utilize while the rest can only educate themselves over.  Nothing wrong with learning from Blender or any animation tool for that matter.  And if your POV on Blender is pre-2.5, you might want to see its changes since then.  Personally, it feels like a Maya-clone (ease-in focus, for example).

We're on the same page here and yet your tone in this discussion is "Maya, or Bust".  Creativity comes from adversity.  Just because a certain software can't do what Maya can do doesn't mean you can't develop simple tricks to get the same result.

And just because Maya is the Ultimate-Power-Tool-Set-CGI of Hollywood doesn't mean you can't start off with discount toolbox.

Last edited by Lechnology (March 15, 2011 (06:25pm))

"Then what's with the bid deal about "Blender's bad, Maya's way better"?"

Blender isn't bad, but Maya is better, it's a fact. But just because I use Maya doesn't make me better at 3D.

Learning Maya will be much more beneficial than learning blender if that's the industry you want to be in.
For those who just do 3D for fun, i understand why you don't want to pay for a program with many features that you may never need.

Obviously cost is a big issue here. The 30 day trial is free, the 3 year version for college students is free, and the unlimited student version for all school/uni kids is $399, which includes matchmover and composite, absolute bargain.

It's like paying $399 for boujou, after effects and maya student versions.

Yep, there's nothing wrong with starting small with blender. I myself started in anim8or, then went to blender. But everyone seems to think Maya is so expensive ($5k, which it is) but almost all of us have access to an insanely discounted version (or free) which makes it really quite affordable, and we should take advantage of it.

Last edited by budgetstudios (March 15, 2011 (10:05pm))

Everyone seems to think, that i think blender is bad. I do not think blender is bad. What i know is that maya is more versatile. Does that make sense?

Last edited by budgetstudios (March 16, 2011 (05:33am))