What's new in Maya 2025.2?
Autodesk has released Maya 2025.2, a new version of its 3D software for visual effects, animation, and game development, and Maya Creative 2025.2, a cut-down edition of its Maya 3D animation software designed to make it easier for artists at smaller facilities to get started, available on a pay-as-you-go basis.
This version includes similar new features, including ML Deformer, a new machine learning-based update for creating fast, interactive approximations of the output of complex character sets. There are also updates to the LookdevX, Arnold for Maya, and USD for Maya plugins, including the option to import USD blend shapes into Maya.
In this article, let’s check out iRender the new ML Deformer features in the Maya 2025.2
The difference between Maya Creative and Maya
Maya Complete and Maya Ultimate are two versions of the software that Autodesk offered in the early 2000s.
Like Maya Complete before it, Maya Creative is a stripped-down version aimed at 3D modeling and animation and lacks the simulation capabilities of the full version of the software. It can load effects created with the Bifrost simulation framework, but cannot render them, and lacks Maya’s soft and rigid body, cloth, and hair dynamics toolset, including XGen.
It also cannot load third-party plugins, including Substance in Maya and Unreal Engine Live Link, and lacks SDK support for creating custom plugins.
It is only available for Windows and macOS – unlike the full version of Maya, there is no Linux version. Additionally, third-party plugins, including Substance in Maya and Unreal Engine Live Link, and lack of SDK support for creating custom plugins, cannot be loaded.
However, aside from a few smaller features like Paint Effects and animated shaders, it has all of Maya’s core modeling, rendering, animation, rendering, and motion graphics tools, along with USD support and Python programming.
See more: Explore new ML Deformer in Maya 2025.2 with iRender
Check out the new ML Deformer in Maya 2025.2
The update adds a new machine learning-based ML Deformer to create fast, interactive approximations of the output of complex character sets. There are also updates to the LookdevX, Arnold for Maya, and USD for Maya plugins, including the option to import USD blend shapes into Maya.
1. ML Deformer Generates Interactive Approximations of Complex Rigs
As its name suggests in Unreal Engine, Maya 2025.2’s new ML Deformer uses machine learning to generate fast approximations of complex deformations. It allows users to take complex, slow-processing characters and train the deformer to represent the deformations they create in the character mesh. Animators can then work more interactively with the machine-learned approximation before reverting to the original at render time.
2. For background and crowd characters
ML Deformer learns from an animation sequence that provides the range of motion of the target geometry, which can include motion capture data, keyframe animations, or random motion generated by the deformer’s built-in Pose Generator.
Multiple models can be trained and switched between them, with the Training Results window helping to evaluate the performance of the trained AI models. You can read more about the workflow and current limitations of the deformer in the online documentation: Autodesk recommends it for “non-precision” characters such as extras and background actors.
3. Updates to LookdevX, Arnold for Maya, and USD for Maya
ML Deformer is the only new feature in the core application listed in the release notes, but Maya 2025.2 also includes updates to several of its included plugins.
The LookdevX material editor and interface development toolkit for Maya 1.5.0 gets a new Ramp button (shown above) and improved Arnold material viewport rendering.
The built-in plugin for Arnold has also been updated, with Arnold for Maya 5.4.2.1 supporting new features from Arnold 7.3.2, including animated tone mapping.
USD for Maya 0.29, the latest version of Maya’s USD workflow plugin, now supports importing USD blendshapes.
There are also a number of workflow improvements, including the ability to copy and paste USD prototypes in Maya’s Outliner and new options for exporting USD.
Pricing and System Requirements
Maya is available for Windows 10+, RHEL and Rocky Linux 8.7/9/3, and macOS 12.0+. The software is for rent only. The subscription fee is $235/month or $1,875/year.
In many countries, artists earning less than $100,000/year and working on projects valued at less than $100,000/year are eligible for the Maya Indie subscription for $305/year.
Maya Creative has a pay-as-you-go service, with prices starting at $3/day and a minimum spend of $300/year.
iRender - Best Cloud Rendering Service for Maya
If you are looking for a cloud rendering service or a render farm for your custom Maya workflow, iRender is the best choice. At iRender, we provide remote workstation(s) you can use as your computer. Under the IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) model, you will have full control over the rendering process and use it as your personal machine. Therefore, you can install any software and plug-ins you want, add your license, and render or modify your project yourself. In particular, if you use Maya with Redshift, you can connect to our remote server and use a free Redshift license. For Maya, install and use your license.
Maya often uses third-party rendering engines such as Redshift, V-Ray, or the default Arnold renderer. Whether you use these render engines or not, you can still find a suitable rendering package at iRender. You can find a lot of server packages with extremely high-end configurations that are suitable for complex projects.
Below is information about iRender’s service packages:
Not only powerful configurations, iRender also provides you with many more services. Free and convenient transfer tool iRender drive for macOS and Linux users. For Windows users, we recommend the iRender GPU application, you will not need to access our website anymore. The price at iRender is also very flexible with hourly rental (pay as you use), daily/weekly/monthly rental with a 10-20% discount.
We’re always happy to help you with any questions. If you have any problems or questions, don’t hesitate to contact our 24/7 support team. Or via Whatsapp: 0912 785 500 for free advice and support.
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Thank you & Happy Rendering!
Source and image: cgchannel.com
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