How to Start and Configure Maya

Autodesk Maya is an animation and 2D and 3D modeling software used by professional game developers, filmmakers and television producers. Autodesk Maya creates both cartoon-like and photo realistic rendered images and animations. It's used for environmental modeling and character rendering. Autodesk Maya demands a lot from a computer and its graphics capabilities. A successful installation configuration and start-up of Autodesk Maya depends on having the correct PC platform.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Choose the version of Autodesk Maya that's right for your intended usage. There are three versions of Autodesk Maya: Complete, Unlimited, and the Personal Learning Edition (PLE). Maya PLE is available for free download from the Autodesk site. It's intended for students and those who want to try the program before they buy. Demonstrations of Maya are also available for download from the Autodesk site.

2. Determine if your PC operating system can handle Autodesk Maya. The 32-bit version of Autodesk Maya 2008 software works with Microsoft Windows XP Professional if it's at least SP2, Windows Vista Business and Linux 4.0 WS (U5). Both the Intel and Power PC versions of Maya work with Mac OS X 10.4.9. There is also a 64-bit version of Maya 2008 software that works with Microsoft Windows XP x64 Edition if it's SP1 or higher, Windows Vista Business and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 WS (U5).

3. Check Maya's requirements against your PC hardware to verify they are compatible. At a minimum, to successfully run the 32-bit version of Maya 2008 in a Windows or Linux based system you need a Pentium 4 or higher or an AMD Athlon 64 or Opteron processor. For Mac, you need a Power Mac G5 or a Mac that's Intel-based. You also need 2 GB of RAM and at least 2 GB of free hard disk space.

4. Interface Maya with the web using Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher, Netscape 7 or higher, or Apple Safari.

5. Load Autodesk Maya onto your system following the installation prompts provided by the software.

6. Answer "Yes" when the installation prompt asks if you want a start-up shortcut icon placed on the desktop.

7. Start Autodesk Maya. Double-click the Maya icon on your desktop and wait for the program to load.