Maya 2015 Bugs - Problems and Solutions

Last year Autodesk released Maya 2015, free for students and universities, and another leap forward in what has become the leading software for the animation industry around the world.  However, like many new releases, it is not without its bugs and glitches. Here are some of the main bugs, and some possible solutions.


Problem: Software crash
Maya 2015 seems to crash more often, and more unexpectedly, than older releases. 

Solution: Save your work often. The new incremental save button helps here - Maya will automatically save a new version of your shot, saving you the time of re-naming your latest version.

Also, don't forget to install the latest Autodesk service pack, which will fix known bugs. Every new software release contains bugs - and these will need fixing by the experts.

Missing viewcubes

Problem: Viewport weirdness
Sometimes the viewport goes weird - tilting in the x axis so the your feels off-centre, as if it is permanently tilted and won't right itself.  Or, the viewcube just disappears altogether.

Solution: Go to Render in the viewport, and select Legacy Default Viewport. This will turn on the viewcube. Now click on the viewcube and the viewport axis should be restored.


Problem: Textures look weird, completely black - or don't show up properly.

Solution: Under the lighting tab, make sure that 2 sided Lighting is turned off.


To find out more about Animation Apprentice, click here for a link to Frequently Asked Questions. To sign up for our next classroom at Animation Apprentice, follow this link. For more information on finding work and surviving in the animation and visual effects business, read our post on how to find a job in the animation industry, and check out our post about what not to do at a job interview. Also see our post on starting your own small animation business, learn how to create an invoice, and see how we are helping our students find work through our film co-operative Nano Films.  Download the free Escape Studios Careers in VFX Handbook. Take a look at how awn.com can help you find a job, and read our piece about how to survive as a freelance animator. Also, find out what Cinesite look for in a student's demo reel, and read our post on setting up your own animation business. Also see our post about freelancers and taxes.