Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


Autodesk Animation Academy Comes to Mac

##AUTHORSPLIT##<--->

Software developer Autodesk this week rolled out the 2008 versions of Animation Academy for both 3ds Max and Maya. For the first time, the 3D visualization and animation curriculum for Maya is available for Mac users. The 3ds Max curriculum remains Windows-only as the application itself is Windows-only (despite my years of "subtle" suggestions that Autodesk come out with a Mac version). Both versions of Animation Academy are designed for high school use, focusing on meeting standards in various STEM fields.

Both 3ds Max and Maya, which Autodesk acquired from Alias a couple years back, are 3D modeling, animation, and rendering tools used widely in professional circles--3ds Max largely in gaming and broadcasting, Maya deeply in high-end film work. The new version of Autodesk Animation Academy adopts the latest releases of these two applications. In addition to the software updates, the Animation Academy curriculum adds several new lessons, including Planetary Mechanics, Archaeological Reconstruction of the Parthenon, Digestive System, Weather Systems and Tornadoes, Forensics, and Facial Reconstruction.

It also adds a new capstone project feature, which is designed for an "independent study class that simulates the experience of a real-world 3D design job," according to Autodesk.

According to the company, the curriculum aligns with the National Science Foundation's Visualization in Science and Technology Education project materials. And it meets the standards of the National Council for Science Education Standards Assessment, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and International Technology Education Association, among others.

Read More:

READ MORE DAILY NEWS

About the author: David Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's online education technology publications, including THE Journal and Campus Technology. He can be reached at [email protected].

Proposals for articles and tips for news stories, as well as questions and comments about this publication, should be submitted to David Nagel, executive editor, at [email protected].

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • Man offers stem word sign on virtual screen

    Immersive Workforce Development Initiative Connects Students with Real-World STEM Careers

    The Center of Science and Industry, a science museum and research center in Central Ohio, has launched The HIVE, a workforce development initiative designed to help students across the country explore real-world career pathways in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, engineering, and emerging technologies.

  • digital lock

    CoSN: Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Remain Top AI Concerns in Education

    A leading concern for education technology leaders across the United States is the potential for AI to enable new forms of cyber attacks, according to the latest State of Ed Tech report from CoSN.

  • broken digital lock and glowing chain

    Check Point Researchers: AI Has Crossed into the Live Attack Chain

    AI is moving beyond assisting cybercriminals and beginning to operate within live attacks, according to a recent report from Check Point Research. The technology is making sophisticated capabilities faster and more accessible while creating new security risks for businesses deploying their own AI systems.

  • circuit patterns

    Anthropic Intros Lower-Cost Claude Sonnet 5

    Anthropic has launched Claude Sonnet 5, positioning the model as its most autonomous mid-tier offering to date and a lower-cost alternative to its flagship Opus 4.8 system. The company said the model can plan multi-step tasks, operate tools such as browsers and terminals, and complete agentic work at a level that previously required larger and more expensive models.