Edit Tools: Autodesk

Download available for Windows XP Professional and Mac OS X. Price: Free

If you're interested in learning professional animation software but wary of the investment, a new version of Autodesk Maya Personal Learning Edition (PLE) provides free access to the popular Maya 3D animation, modeling, and rendering software. Available for non-commercial use, Maya PLE 8.5 guides new users through the features of Maya Complete via a series of documentation and tutorials. Software features include character rigging and animation technology (including full-body inverse kinematics), Advanced Maya Trax nonlinear animation editor, Maya Paint Effects, and several renderers: Maya software, hardware, vector, and Mental Ray for Maya.

San Rafael, Calif.

(415) 507-5000

www.autodesk.com