Alias Emphasizes Usability in Maya 4.(Product Announcement)

For perhaps the first time in the history of the product, ease of use is' the principal new feature touted for Maya 4, the latest version of Alias|Wavefront's flagship modeling and animation tool. Though Maya, the tool of choice for numerous professional-level content creators, is well-known for its power, the software's learning curve has been Somewhat steep. Now, in an effort to reach a broader range of content creators, Alias has streamlined Maya operations including rendering, character animation, brush and paint tools, and game-development-related features.

User interface improvements include one-click access to workspace management tools, faster object placement with a new lasso select tool, quick access to Paint Effects brushes, and a new shader library. Maya 4 also features context-sensitive help and Instant Maya "books" with examples for new and intermediate-level users. The new Maya also features faster rendering, with an average performance gain of 5 to 10 percent on Pentium III platforms, and 15 to 20 percent ...