Which is Better for Your Project: Blender vs Maya

Many 3D designers and game developers find themselves asking the same question: “Blender or Maya?” Both programs enjoy widespread popularity in the world of 3D graphics and modeling, and each software has its own pros and cons. The main difference is that Blender is free to access, whereas Maya comes with a price tag. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the  Blender vs Maya debate in order to help you choose which is the better option for you.

Blender, a simple and readily-available 3D graphics tool

Blender is a free piece of 3D modeling software, and it’s preferred by many game developers—whether they’re new on the scene or seasoned veterans.

Blender’s interface. Source

Blender includes a complete set of tools for creating 3D content, from modeling and animation to rendering and post-processing. 

This is often the software of choice for small teams, startups, and indie developers who need a strong all-rounder.

Modifier tools in Blender

In Blender, modifiers are tools that automatically change objects without destructing them. They make working with 3D models in this software simpler and faster.

Blender has 3 types of modifiers:

• Generate. These modifiers are for changing objects’ appearance or adding new geometry. Take the Mirror modifier, for example, which creates symmetry by reflecting objects on other planes.

• Deform. Modifiers of this category are for changing the shape of objects. They work with meshes, texts, curves, and surfaces. For instance, the Hook modifier “glues” the vertices of one object to those of another, allowing you to deform them together.

• Simulate. The software adds these modifiers automatically when particle systems or physics simulations are enabled. They help create realistic effects, such as the movement of particles or interaction between objects.

Here are a few more of the modifiers featured in Blender:

• Mask. For hiding parts of an object.
• Decimate. Reduces the amount of polygons in an object.

Updates to Blender in 2024 

The year 2024 saw the launch of Blender 3.5, which came with a whole host of useful updates to the software:

• Increased capabilities for hair. Built-in assets with 26 operations for creating hairstyles.
• New nodes. For extracting information from images, accessing files, smoothing attribute values, and interpolating curves.
• Support for VDM brushes. Sculptural modeling allows for the creation of complex shapes with a single stroke.
• Realtime Compositor. A new compositing backend for working in real time with GPU acceleration.
• The Light Tree system. This speeds up the rendering of scenes with multiple light sources in Cycles.
• New animation options. Optimized keyboard shortcuts and expanded pose library features.
• Grease Pencil. Blender improved their 2D drawing and animation system with Natural Drawing Speed mode for realistically replicating strokes.

Blender: Pros and Cons 

Advantages:

• Free to use and open-source software. Blender can be freely used and modified.
• A powerful tool. Blender has numerous functions for completing a variety of 3D modeling tasks, frequent updates, and additions. 
• Active community. Blender users have a wealth of online forums and communities at their disposal, allowing them to help and learn from one another.

Drawbacks:

• Reliability issues. Blender is subject to periodic glitches, and some functions don’t always work as intended.
• Complicated interface. Even though the software is recommended for beginners and those with an interest in 3D modeling, it’s not always immediately clear where to find particular tools. 

Examples of games created with Blender 

Blender is widely used among indie developers. Here are a few examples of projects created using this software:

• Juice Galaxy. An open-world, third-person RPG adventure. This game combines action and indie elements to offer exciting gameplay.

The game’s interface. Source 

• Slipstream. A racing game inspired by the OutRun series and ’90s aesthetics as well as vaporwave and synthwave. Slipstream gives players the chance to immerse themselves in the vibe of SEGA arcade racing games.

The game’s interface. Source 

• Nightmare Below Disney. A horror game with survival elements and point-and-click gameplay. Players find themselves immersed in its tense, scary atmosphere from a first-person perspective.

The game’s interface. Source 

Maya, the gaming industry’s professional standard

Created by Autodesk, Maya is a commercial software for creating 3D graphics. It provides a set of tools for creating animations, environments, motion graphics, virtual reality, and characters.

Maya’s interface. Source

Maya enjoys popularity among major game development studios. It’s the software used by Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Insomniac Games, CD Projekt RED, and many others.

As of 2024, a monthly subscription to Maya costs $235, or you can pay $1,875 for an annual plan.

Maya’s built-in language

Maya has a built-in scripting language—MEL (Maya Embedded Language). It is designed to automate and expand the functionality of the software.

Let’s take a look at what MEL can do:

• Create user interfaces: windows, sliders, buttons—anything you need to make working with this software as convenient as possible
• Automate complicated tasks such as creating a script to automatically place objects in a scene
• Adjust Maya to your needs—add new menu options and create your own tools

MEL is similar to C and C++, so being familiar with them would be a big help in the learning process. MEL’s main advantage is that it reduces time spent on repetitive tasks and allows users to share their best practices with their colleagues.

Updates to Maya in 2024 

This year, Maya saw a few useful updates:

• New animation brushes. Making animation curves is now simpler. New brushes allow users to select, smooth, or blur keyframes.

• Smart keyframe management. A smart system for deleting keyframes has been added to the software.

• Weight visualization improvements. The updated Paint Skin Weights tool allows you to alter how weight is displayed. You can even change the color. This is especially useful when working on complex modeling projects.

• Fast retopology. The retopology system has been made 30% faster, and the new symmetry options help preserve important details in models.

• LookdevX: powerful shaders. A new toolkit for creating complex USD shaders has been implemented. It’s now possible to work with separate nodes and easily transfer settings between projects.

• Handy timeline. Working with time has been made easier: keys can now be color-coded, and the viewport is updated instantly when dragging keys while holding Alt or Shift.

Aside from that, popular plugins for the software were updated as well: Arnold for rendering, Bifrost for simulation, Substance for texturing, and USD for data exchange between programs.

Maya: Pros and Cons

Advantages:

• Wide variety of tools. As well as animation tools, the program also boasts many functions for modeling 3D objects.
• High-quality rendering. Arnold, Maya’s embedded rendering system, is used in film production and animation.
• Flexibility and scalability. The program supports a large number of plugins and allows users to create their own extensions, making it a breeze to integrate Maya with other software.

Drawbacks:

• High price. For independent projects and start-ups, purchasing a software license may not be financially viable.
• Steep learning curve. Maya’s interface may prove too complicated for newcomers—understanding its features and performing certain operations may not be an easy feat.

Examples of games created with Maya

Maya was also used for creating multiple famous games:

• In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Maya helped create the movements of Geralt, the protagonist. This is known as rigging—making a virtual skeleton of a character in order to animate them.

The game’s interface. Source 

• In The Last of Us (both parts) Maya was used for the 3D modeling of the main characters, Joel and Ellie. Their appearances were crafted in this program.

The game’s interface. Source

• Halo is a popular first-person shooter. Maya was used to develop its detailed weapon models and lifelike characters, environment, and animations.

The game’s interface. Source 

Frequently asked questions

Which software is best for professionals?

Both Maya and Blender are used by pros. Maya features more frequently in major studios, but Blender is gaining popularity thanks to the software’s capabilities and lack of licensing costs.

Can newbies use Blender?

Yes, Blender is a great software option for newcomers. It’s free, offers a wide range of functions for experimentation, and there’s a huge amount of instructional materials online.

Which has more customization options?

Blender is well-known for the flexibility of its interface and workflow settings. Maya is modifiable too, but to a lesser extent.

What’s the better overall choice for your project, Blender or Maya?

Development studios can use both programs for different projects. It’s worth testing out both Blender and Maya in order to make the best choice.

We’ve put together a table to compare the two software options: 

For indie developers and smaller studios, Blender may be a great option. Blender has a lot to offer, and there’s no need to shell out on a subscription fee. 

For major projects and studios, Maya is a good fit. Maya can be integrated with production processes and used in a standard workflow.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that, due to its variety of tools, Maya may be better for creating more complex animations. Equally, Blender is better for visualizing 3D resources in real time.