OK Everyone. There have been important changes to the way in which we are going to use Maya on Computer Animation Arts... As you are all aware, we (as a course) have stayed with Maya 2016 extension 2 this year instead of updating to Maya 2017. The reason for that is due to the change in ‘bundled renderer’ and licensing. However we are going to move a new system as of September. To explain why and what it means for you please read the following. The Change: Mental Ray has been replaced by Arnold (by Solidangle) as Maya's ‘bundled render’ in version 2017. That change has come after 17 years of Maya and Mental being connected. Rendered using Arnold It has been unclear until recently if Mental Ray would continue to be supported beyond the change and what using Arnold would mean for students learning Maya. Hence our 'hold off' period sticking with 2016 ext2. We didn't want to rob you of knowledge due to a abrupt software change. ...
BA Hons Computer Animation Arts is a 3 year degree course at the University for the Creative Arts, Rochester, UK.