This is cool! As a CNC programmer at a machine shop, I'm starting to learn how to work with solids. Some pretty cool stuff!! I have been toying with modeling the star and making my own replacement hood stars. Could get them plated, anodized, or whatever.
Never heard of MAYA, but sounds great. I'm working with Solid Works and a CAM programming software called GibbsCam, which has some solids modeling capability. Seems much easier to work with then the older 3-D surfacing techniques were.
Keep at it. There's a lot of need for this type of training out there. Wish I could go back to school full time and catch up on the technology!
