Autodesk has introduced 3DS Max and Maya Indie, a new licensing option designed for users with annual earnings below $100,000. This program is currently limited to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US, and is described on the website as a temporary initiative.
Comments from Chip Weatherman suggest the limited-time aspect is due to the pilot nature of the program, which will help determine “how & where we expand it. Much like when the telecom companies offer a new channel in select areas to see how to roll it out, this is similar.”
The Indie versions of Max and Maya are fully featured, with no restrictions on render size, file format, or plugins. However, the license is limited to one per business, in addition to the income cap. Users should also note that the license will automatically renew at the full price, but this can be avoided by disabling automatic renewal and then resubscribing to the Indie license when it expires.
The approximate cost for Mac and Maya Indie is $250 USD per year, but this may vary in different regions. You can find more information on the official product pages.
