Autodesk Maya 2025 released

Autodesk has announced the release of Maya 2025 with several new features that improve its modeling, rigging, and animation capabilities. Among the key updates in modeling are the introduction of Smart Extrude, Bevel Filtering Attributes, and Boolean intersections as a bevel input. Smart Extrude, a notable feature previously exclusive to 3ds Max users, facilitates interactive face extrusion in the viewport, automatically removing double faces and welding results.

Smart Extrude is easily accessible from the Poly Modeling shelf or through specific marking menus, aiming to streamline the modeling workflow. Users can now effortlessly align extrusions with their component selections or opt for alternate orientations, enhancing the versatility of modeling processes. Additionally, the Bevel node has been updated to allow input edge filtering, empowering users to apply bevels selectively based on edge characteristics such as hardness or angle, thereby offering more control over the finishing of models.

Boolean intersections now serve as inputs for bevel operations, simplifying the application of bevels on complex geometries resulting from Boolean operations. This feature ensures that bevels adaptively update based on Boolean modifications, providing a seamless integration of these two powerful modeling tools.

In rigging and character animation, Maya 2025 introduces a range of customer-requested updates designed to optimize workflow efficiency. The new Attribute Editor Deformer widget, Bake Deformer enhancements, and visibility adjustments for joint labels are among the updates aimed at streamlining the rigging process. Furthermore, the introduction of the proximityWrap deformer as a proxNet deformer introduces a new approach to applying deformations based on relative geometries, enhancing the flexibility and accuracy of deformation applications.

Animation improvements in Maya 2025 focus on refining the user experience across various tools. The Motion Trail system has been overhauled for increased efficacy and flexibility, enabling a more unified and bug-resistant workflow. The Dope Sheet Editor has seen significant reworks to facilitate large-scale animation adjustments, complemented by intuitive hotkeys and a customizable color palette. Additionally, the Graph Editor has been updated with new hotkeys for Curve Sculpting tools, aiming to improve the precision and ease of animation curve adjustments.

Maya 2025 also ships with Arnold for Maya 5.4.0, incorporating the Arnold 7.3.0.0 core. This update heralds substantial improvements in GPU rendering, including a complete overhaul using NVIDIA OptiX 8, enhanced performance, and support for global light sampling in volumes. The inclusion of new tools such as the Overlay imager further extends Arnold’s capabilities in rendering customization and quality.

Additionally, the 2025 update enhances support for USD and MaterialX integration, with USD for Maya 0.27 and LookdevX for Maya 1.3.0 introducing advanced features for handling USD and MaterialX shading graphs. These updates facilitate a more seamless workflow between Maya and these widely-used standards.

Bifrost 2.9.0.0, included in Maya 2025, introduces new nodes for ocean wave simulation and improvements in liquid meshing, offering users powerful tools for creating realistic water effects. Alongside these features, the integration of Maya Bonus Tools directly into the Maya installer simplifies access to a wide range of additional functionalities that were previously offered as a separate download

For more information on Autodesk Maya 2025 and its features, please visit Maya’s What’s New page.