Maya PLE provides an integrated learning path that orients new users and guides them through a series of documentation and tutorials. Beginners are also directed to books, DVDs, classroom training options, and events and seminars that can assist in their learning. Tutorials, as well as free shaders, models and sample scene files are available on Area (www.the-area.com), the Autodesk Media & Entertainment community portal.

Most of the features found in the commercial version of Maya Complete 8.5 also exist in Maya PLE, including modeling capabilities, character rigging and animation technology, the Trax nonlinear animation editor, a dynamics system, a particle system, and Maya Paint Effects.

Four renderers are included (Maya software, hardware, vector and Mental Ray for Maya), as is comprehensive documentation. Maya PLE offers Adobe Photoshop integration as well as Adobe Illustrator connectivity. User can also import and export FBX files to and from Autodesk MotionBuilder 7 PLE. 

The 32-bit application is available for the Microsoft Windows XP Professional and Apple Mac OS X operating systems.