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Alias|Wavefront today announced it is developing the Maya Personal Learning Edition which will provide users of Mac OS X with unlimited, free access to Maya. Maya Personal Learning Edition will give 3D graphics and animation students, current industry professionals, and those interested in breaking into the world of computer graphics an opportunity to explore the award-winning Maya Complete software in a non-commercial capacity. Maya Personal Learning Edition will be available in February of 2002.

"For the first time in history, 3D computer graphics will become truly accessible to everyone," stated Alias|Wavefront President, Doug Walker. "Mac OS X is ready for use as a primary platform, and with Maya Personal Learning Edition, CG professionals, students and aspiring 3D animators will be able to realize creative aspirations that might otherwise lie dormant. As the leaders in 3D graphics technology, we are excited about engaging a whole new 3D community and equipping them with the tools, skills and support necessary to move ahead in the age of digital communication."

Maya Personal Learning Edition grants anyone with the desire to learn more about Maya, or 3D computer graphics in general, a free seat of Maya for non-commercial use--registration renewable yearly. Those using the Personal Learning Edition will have full access to the toolsets of Maya Complete, including NURBS modeling, animation, inverse kinematics, Maya Artisan, Maya Paint Effects, particles, dynamics and Maya's advanced rendering capabilities. The Maya Personal Learning Edition restricts users to non-commercial applications through the display of a watermark on images as well as through the use of a special non-commercial file format. Moreover, Maya Personal Learning Edition cannot be used with industry-standard plug-ins.

Alias|Wavefront has also committed to supporting the Maya Personal Learning Edition community with a web-based user center. This center will provide access to learning materials, discussion forums, content exchanges where users can share work and galleries in which Maya Personal Learning Edition users may exhibit their projects.

Alias|Wavefront is demonstrating Maya 3.5.1 for Mac OS X at Macworld in San Francisco in booth 917. Along with technology demonstrations, the company will be featuring customer presenters from such renowned production houses as Lucasfilm and The Orphanage (both of whom will be speaking on their latest Maya projects). Maya Personal Learning Edition will be available for free download beginning in February 2002. CD copies may also be ordered from this site at a cost of USD $5 plus shipping and handling.

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