Blender vs Maya: Which software is the perfect fit for you

Find out which software suits you the best!

Wed Mar 1, 2023

In the architecture and design fraternity, learning new softwares is an integral part of the journey of upskilling and upgrading. But, picking the right softwares that help you achieve the desired outcomes could be a difficult choice to make.
While these softwares facilitate a holistic approach towards the process of conceptualising and designing, it is essential to narrow it down to one to achieve a streamlined workflow. To help you make a smart choice considering these aspects, we have a comprehensive comparison that will take you through the various facets of Blender and Maya.

An Introduction to Blender and Maya

Blender and Maya are two of the most useful and pragmatic softwares among the sea of softwares that the market is inundated with. Blender is a 3D software that is available for free and can be put to use for purposes such as 3D modelling, rendering, and visualisation.
On the other hand, Maya is a 3D software that can be used for curating architectural designs through the processes of parametric modelling, rendering, animation, and visualisation among others.

Blender vs Maya

Blender and Maya are two of the most useful and pragmatic softwares among the sea of softwares that the market is inundated with. Blender is a 3D software that is available for free and can be put to use for purposes such as 3D modelling, rendering, and visualisation.
On the other hand, Maya is a 3D software that can be used for curating architectural designs through the processes of parametric modelling, rendering, animation, and visualisation among others.

1. User Interface

Blender: Blender inculcates a non-overlapping user interface where you can access multiple tools and settings without blocking other parts of the program. “Blender has some of the best mesh Booleans in the industry, which is also on the level of a modifier. In other words, all of the concepts, including floors can be generated within the same package, and lead to easy variations” quotes Dimitar Pouchnikov, UH Studio Academy, UK.

Maya: The user interface of Maya is an effective and simple system that entails a workflow based on options such as hard body and soft body settings, fabric simulations, modelling, and animation tools.

2. Rendering Engines

Introduction to Blender and Maya

Source: Techgage.com, Blender 3.3

Blender: Blender incorporates Cycles and Eevee as its primary rendering engines that can be used for creating efficient and intriguing animations. Unique to the material shaders is that both Cycles and Eevee use the exact same material system, so there is no need to export and remake materials to Unreal or other game engines.

Maya: Creating rendered animations in Maya can be somewhat challenging and tedious. However, the software entails Arnold and Solid Angle Mental Ray as its rendering engines to make the associated tasks more effective and seamless.

3. Availability

Blender: Blender is a software that is available in the market as an open-source product. This means it is free and open to use for everyone.
Maya: On the contrary, Maya isn’t a freely available software. It can be availed as a licensed product.

4. Purpose

Blender and Maya

Source: ArchDaily

Blender: Primarily, Blender can be used for a myriad of purposes in fields related to VFX, architecture, interior design, gaming studios, sculpting, texturing, startups, and academics. It is already one of the most used DCC apps in Europe and Asia in animation, VFX, and gaming studios.

Maya: Maya comes in handy for purposes pertaining to commercial animation videos, video games, 3D animation movies, and texturing.

Futurly Plus Membership | Maya Core

5. Licence

Blender: Blender incorporates a free-to-use General Public Licence.
Maya: Maya comes in multiple licensed versions such as trialware, student, and commercial licence.

6. Learning Curve

Blender: The learning curve for Blender is steeper as compared to Maya.
Maya: The simple and efficient user interface of Maya makes it easier to learn the software.

7. Language

Blender: Blender is based on Python 3 which enables access to write various add-ons.
Maya: Maya entails Python and Maya Embedded Language (MEL) as its languages that facilitate seamless access to a plethora of customisations. “Python scripts are very easy to make in Maya and many designers usually have a collection of scripts for common, multi-step operations. Architecture firms that use Maya also provide their users an extensive in-house collection of scripts” quotes Dimitar Pouchnikov, UH Studio Academy, UK.

8. Platforms

Blender: Blender is compatible with platforms such as Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows.
Maya: Maya can also be accessed on platforms like Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows.

9. Pricing

Blender: Blender is free and open-source software, therefore, it can be availed free of cost.
Maya: Maya is an Autodesk product that is available free of cost for students for a one year subscription. It comes at a hefty subscription for professionals in the industry. For a monthly basis, the subscription for Maya costs $215 per month while for a yearly subscription, the price is $1700 per year.

10. Integration

Blender: Since it is an open-source product, Blender can be integrated by anyone who wants to use it.
Maya: Owing to its impeccable applications, Maya is integrated by various firms and studios as a part of their systems.

11. Target Market

Blender: Blender comes in handy for artists and architects in the aspects of creative design, artwork, and object creation for 3D printing.
Maya: Maya is a dynamic application that can cater to architects and artists who are looking forward to taking their skills a notch higher in the 3D modelling and animation fraternity.

12. Support Modules

Blender: There are a myriad of online tutorials, community support systems, and discussion forums that act as support modules for Blender. Dimitar Pouchnikov, UH Studio Academy, UK, on the presence of support modules pirouetting around Blender, “A large community also means that there are many, many addons, paid and free, that can enhance architectural design modelling. The most popular platforms are blendermarket.com, gumroad.com, and plenty hosted on GitHub.”
Maya: The market has a variety of online courses on platforms such as Futurly, textbooks, and dedicated support systems that can help you learn the software easily.

Top 5 Industries you can get into with software skills of Blender and Maya

1. VFX Industry

Blender VS Maya

Source: Cartoon Brew

The VFX Industry encompasses the creation of 3D animations and models through power-packed visual effects. It is one of the fastest-growing fraternities in the aspect of architecture and design.
Due to its comprehensive toolset, Blender is being adopted by more and more artists and designers globally, including at leading animation, VFX, and gaming studios. It will likely overtake the other DCC apps combined to become the most widely used tool for 3d.

2. Animation

Animation is the process of articulating creative outcomes through the manipulation of intriguing and cohesive images. The industry that pirouettes around this art is used in various fields such as education, entertainment, design, and more.
Learning Maya and Blender can help you create design marvels in the form of animated movies, cartoons, doodles, and videos.

3. Lighting Design

Blender VS Maya 2

Source: Architizer, Lumen Awards, Lighting Workshop

Lighting Design is an integral facet of architectural design. It entails the designing of lighting systems within different types of built fabrics. Moreover, it also requires the consideration of aspects such as warmth, fixture typology, and style.

Thus, all this and more can be achieved with a thorough knowledge of 3D softwares like Maya and Blender.

4. Game Development

Game Development is a field that is growing exponentially every day due to its increasing popularity. The fraternity inculcates the creation of intriguing video games through the process of design, development, and execution.

Using Maya and Blender, you can develop amazing games, thereby, making a mark for yourself in this augmenting industry.

5. 3D Visualisation

Blender or Maya

Source: UH Studio, Golden Ratio House

3D Visualisation is the process of articulating graphics and creative content through the use of 3D softwares. This is an essential part of the world of architecture and design since it is used for creating realistic designs and conveying the associated ideologies.
Upgrading to softwares such as Maya or Blender and using those skills in the process of 3D visualisation can help considerably in gaining access to impeccable work opportunities.

Choose your software buddy wisely

For the process of parametric modelling and VFX, Maya can be a better companion. On the other hand, Blender can prove to be more useful in the processes of texturing, shading, sculpting, rendering and animation.
To get started, you need to first familiarise yourself with the know-how of this software. Platforms such as Futurly connect you with the best minds in the fraternity to facilitate the best learning facilities for those who want to sharpen their software skills and avail of the finest work opportunities. 

 
The blog has been a collaboration with Dimitar Pouchnikov, UH Studio Academy, UK.

Blender for Architects | Procedural Pavilion | Dimitar Pouchnikov

FAQs: Blender vs Maya

1. What is Blender?

Blender is a 3D software that is available for free and can be put to use for purposes such as 3D modelling, rendering, and visualisation.


2. What is Maya?

Maya is a 3D software that can be used for curating architectural designs through the processes of modelling, rendering, animation, and visualisation among others. 


3. What are the uses of Blender?

3D Modelling, Texturing, Shading, Animation, Rendering, etc. 


4. What are the uses of Maya?

3D Modelling, Animation, Rendering, Simulation, Visualisation, etc. 


5. What are the disadvantages of using Blender?

Complex to use, Difficult to memorise the hotkeys and a Steep learning curve


Ar. Saili Sawantt_Architectural Journalist

Saili Sawantt
An Architect + Writer, Saili has worked as an Architectural writer & brand storyteller where she has collaborated with firms, studios, organizations, luxury brands, events & educational institutions to communicate in the real estate & travel industry. Her recent initiatives include curating an online workshop on communication and networking within the AEC industry. She is a commentator on the design industry’s upkeep through her social handles while also being an avid reader and traveler.