If you've just started designing in Maya, it’s an exciting time to experiment and explore the software, but don't spend hordes of cash on Maya 3D models. You need free and affordable options so you can start testing styles, environments, and scenes on the platform without a significant budget commitment. That’s what we’re here for. In this article, we’ll share the best Maya 3D models, free and paid, for beginners looking to get started on the platform at a low cost.
Short on time? Here’s the list of the best Maya 3d models right now.
Free:
1. Mission to Minerva Laboratory
2. Automotive Garage Workshop Interior
3. Old House
4. Campfire
Paid:
5. Snow Mountain Terrain
6. Living Room
7. Church
8. Asteroid Pack
9. Ocean Brig
10. Dog Rigged and Animated
11. Zombie Rigged Animated
Best Maya 3D Models (Free)
Check out these free Maya 3D models that won’t cost you a thing to get started.
1. Mission to Minerva Laboratory
From KitBash3D (that’s us), Mission to Minerva includes sleek, free Maya 3D models for a space adventure. The Laboratory is a multi-wing research facility concealed from the elements of a hostile atmosphere, including plant biomes and scientific equipment to research a new world. Download this model as the focal point of your space-themed design, or add it to the background of a dystopian landscape.
License: Non-commercial only
Tech Specs:
Poly Count: 19.7m
Model Count: 60 Models
Material Count: 63 PBR Materials
2. Automotive Garage Workshop Interior
Another environment that is set up and ready to explore is the Automotive Garage Workshop Interior. This free Maya 3D model designed by mu4467 through TurboSquid is a ready-to-render scene that includes props and one high-poly car model. The Automotive Garage Workshop Interior could be a simple model to play around in or the backdrop of your street racing or detective storyline.
License: Standard
Tech Specs
Polygons: 19,766
Vertices: 26,446
UV Mapped
Overlapping Unwrapped UVs
3. Old House
If you want to build an animation for a post-apocalyptic, dystopian, or horror story, then Old House is the perfect free Maya 3D model to house your scene. There are eight rooms in the house that a character can enter, and the model can be reproduced to real sizes. Fill it with your own props and environment design, or keep it sparse and spooky.
License: Standard
Tech Specs:
Polygons: 2,200 Polygons
Vertices: 1,492
Overlapping Unwrapped UVs
4. Campfire
Everyone loves a good campfire story, and with Campfire by Zelad on CGTrader, you can start a story with an easy free Maya 3D model. The best part about a campfire is that it works for almost any time period or scenario since all of human history relies on the warmth of a fire. So whether you’re setting up a summer camp horror scene or fantasy warriors taking a rest on a journey, the Campfire model is ready to ignite.
License: Royalty free
Tech Specs:
Polygons: 1,578
Vertices: 1,662
UV Mapped
Best Maya 3D Models (Paid)
Sometimes, it’s worth spending a little cash to get more from your Maya 3D models. Check out the models below, but don’t worry—they’re all less than $50.
1. Snow Mountain Terrain
Mountains are one of the best ways to create scale and awe in an animation project. With Snow Mountain Terrain by Radju through Sketchfab, you’ll have snowy peaks ready for your landscape scene or animation.
Cost: $8
License: Standard
Tech Specs:
Polygons: 16,384
Vertices: 16,641
UV Mapped
172MB
2. Living Room
Do you know what every sitcom and soap opera have in common? A scene set in a living room. The Living Room Maya 3D model sets the stage for your character interactions and drama to ensue. Or simply use this as an experimental scale design or mock-up. This model, designed by Kraffing Studio, comes with three color variations.
Cost: $3.99
License: Standard
Tech Specs:
Polygons: 7,279
Vertices: 7,406
Total triangles: 14,400
563MB
3. Church
The inside of a church might not be your favorite space, but it’s an easy way to start a storyline for your project. That’s because churches remain timeless and are easy places to build intrigue, whether it’s a wedding, hiding place, or home base for a crusade. Church by Studio-Lab on CGTrader is generic enough to customize while providing a realistic and sacred aura.
Cost: $27.30
License: Royalty free
Tech Specs:
Polygons: 788,446
Vertices: 829,291
UV Mapped
Mixed Unwrapped UVs
71.4 MB
4. Asteroid Pack
Space may be the final frontier, but it’s also full of dangerous obstacles that sci-fi adventurers must face. The Asteroid Pack, designed by Random Polygons through Sketchfab, allows you to drag and drop asteroid models into your space animation. This pack has five unique asteroid models with detailed textures your spaceship or astronaut won’t want to get too close to notice.
Cost: $16.49
License: Editorial
Tech Specs:
Total Triangle: 104,000
Vertices: 52,100
264MB
5. Ocean Brig
It’s no wonder the most popular physical model made our list of the best Maya 3D Models. Ocean Brig sets your imagination to sail with 10 different sail textures, including pirate, British, Spanish, Dutch, Templar, and damaged. This 3D model, designed by Bbabilkutuphanesi through CGTrader, is an affordable way to get your ocean-bound project afloat.
Cost: $8.94
License: Royalty free
Tech Specs:
Polygons: 30,000
Vertices: 1
UV Mapped
Mixed Unwrapped UVs
1.2 MB
6. Dog Rigged and Animated
Man’s best friend gets even better with this rigged and animated pup model, which will bring the cute to your next project. Dog Rigged and Animated, designed by maverickmdgmdg through TurboSquid, is a simple drag-and-drop Maya 3D model that saves you the hassle of animation and can get your dog barking, running, and walking on command.
Cost: $30
License: Standard
Tech Specs:
Polygons: 10,934
Vertices: 11,039
UV Mapped
Unwrapped UVs
7. Zombie Rigged Animated
One of the most iconic monsters in entertainment is yours to animate from the dead with Zombie Rigged Animated by Yar Abramovich through TurboSquid. This zombie is game-ready and comes with animations to walk, attack, stumble, and die (and rise again). If you want to build a zombie project, this model is an easy way to get started or model after to make your own custom zombies.
Cost: $49
License: Standard
Tech Specs:
Polygons: 5,300
Vertices: 3,300
UV Mapped
Unwrapped UVs
Start modeling with Maya 3D.
Now that you have some free and affordable Maya 3D models, it’s time to get to work. We suggest exploring more free models from our Mission to Minerva Kit. These are some of the best Maya 3D models, and will give you everything a spacefaring explorer needs to build your world in Minerva, from cargo ships, terrain rovers, and terraformers to community centers and endless modular habitats. Happy KitBashing!
