New limited edition version of Maya is available for free download, with almost all of the functionality still in it. The only difference between this version and the 7,500 dollar version is a ever-present Watermark, a Maya logo in the corner, and the inability to exchange the saved files with the full version. http://www.aliaswavefront.com/freemaya
If you want to learn the Top of the line 3D animation program it’s a great opportunity.