Maya® 7 software builds upon the architecture and performance enhancements in Maya 6.5 to deliver a feature-packed release offering new and improved tools for fast, realistic character animation, streamlined modeling and texturing, ground-breaking visual effects, and increased productivity. With the powerful new product features and the enhanced benefits of Maya Platinum Membership, including extended hotline access and improved response times, 3D professionals working in film, games, broadcast, digital publishing and design visualization are set to achieve more with the latest edition of this award-winning software.

Innovative Learning
Offering self-paced learning for 3D professionals, students and enthusiasts, Learning Maya 7 Foundation is accompanied with a DVD-ROM containing resources such as tutorial files and three hours of instructor-led overviews guiding each project. These resources provide readers with a feel for the entire production process as they work with the robot "Blue" from the award-winning short film Blue by Christopher Mullins. Every Foundation project is based on the theme and artwork of the film.

"With project-based lessons, readers will learn to model, animate, render, and add dynamic effects to their creations," says Danielle Lamothe, product manager, learning tools and training at Alias. "With Learning Maya 7 Foundation, we retired all of our old projects and tutorials and started afresh. The combination of compelling artwork from an award-winning film, clear hands-on learning, and Alias technology is truly unique and valuable - something only Alias could provide."

The easy-to-follow step-by-step lessons in Foundation teach readers about storyboarding and planning while they explore modelling with NURBs and polygons, animation, texture maps, visual effects and scene rendering.

A featured bonus of Foundation is the inclusion of a free, permanent version of Alias Sketchbook" Pro software (valued at US $179*) to help further develop digital art skills. Learning Maya 7 Foundation will be priced from US $69.99*.

* International pricing may vary

More to Come
Other books to follow over the next couple of months and completing the Learning Maya 7 series include: The Modeling and Animation Handbook, The Special Effects Handbook and Maya Unlimited Features - an excellent resource package for beginner to intermediate users.

About Alias
As the world's leading innovator of 3D graphics technology, Alias develops award-winning software, custom development and training solutions for the film and video, games, web, interactive media, automotive, industrial design, education and visualization markets. On March 1, 2003, for the awards year 2002, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded Alias|Wavefront" an Oscar® for scientific and technical achievement for the development of Maya software, the professional 3D animation and effects package. Alias also offers a powerful range of services for new to advanced users in the most demanding environments. Learning Tools and training, support, and professional services help meet rigorous production deadlines.