Maya Creative review: cheap and accessible but lacks features

Autodesk releases Maya Creative, a new low-cost edition of its leading 3D software. Is it right for you?

Maya Creative review; a cottage in a forest
(Image: © Rafael Chies)

Our Verdict

This is an accessible option for artists who want to save a little bit of money or those undecided on using Maya. The token-based access provides a way to dip your toes in and give it a go, but won’t be universally popular.

For

  • Lots of features for most artists
  • Token-based pricing is flexible
  • Good for multiple studio users

Against

  • No simulation, cloth or hair tools
  • No third-party plugins

Why you can trust Creative Bloq Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Maya Creative is a paired-down, more accessible and cheaper version of the leading 3D modelling, animation rendering software, Maya. The question is not what you get, but what you don't get, and how much will it cost you.

In fact, Maya Creative is a bold move from Autodesk that looks very much like a repositioning of its Maya LT option although, at the time of writing, that remains on the market too. Maya Creative is pitched as a budget version of Maya and could be invaluable for small game development teams and indie studios. (You can find out what Maya can do in our round-up of the best Maya tutorials.)

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

The Verdict
6

out of 10

Maya Creative review: cheap and accessible but lacks features

This is an accessible option for artists who want to save a little bit of money or those undecided on using Maya. The token-based access provides a way to dip your toes in and give it a go, but won’t be universally popular.

Paul Hatton
Writer

Paul is a digital expert. In the 20 years since he graduated with a first-class honours degree in Computer Science, Paul has been actively involved in a variety of different tech and creative industries that make him the go-to guy for reviews, opinion pieces, and featured articles. With a particular love of all things visual, including photography, videography, and 3D visualisation Paul is never far from a camera or other piece of tech that gets his creative juices going. You'll also find his writing in other places, including Creative Bloq, Digital Camera World, and 3D World Magazine. 

With contributions from
TOPICS