Maya is around $3000 for the individual license, however you can get the personal learning edition for free if you don't mind watermarks everywhere. This is the full version with limited rendering options. The render screen size is limited to 640x480 or maybe 800x600 and will have watermarks. But, if you want to learn Maya and you don't want to pirate it and you don't have $3000 lying around, the personal learning edition is the way to go. I will warn you that the watermarks in the workspace do get annoying.. but hey what are you going to do. You'll have to search for tutorials online to help get you jump started but Maya is fun go for it you can pick it up.. the way I see it is if someone else can do it, why can't you? Just do a google search for the Maya personal learning edition or the Maya PLE.