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About MAXScript xvii
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About MAXScript
MAXScript is the built-in s cripting language for
3dsMax.Itprovidesuserswiththeabilityto:
•Scriptallaspectsof3dsMaxuse,suchas
modeling,animation,materials,rendering,and
so on.
• Control 3ds Max interactively through a
command-line shell window.
•Packagescriptswithincustomutilitypanel
rollouts or modeless windows, giving them a
standard 3ds Max user interface.
• Build custom import/export tools using the
built-in file I/O.
• Write procedural controllers that can access the
entire state of the scene. Build batch-processing
tools, such as batch-rendering scripts.
• Set up live interfaces to external system using
OLE A utomation.
The MAXScript language is specifically designed
tocomplement3dsMax. Itisobject-oriented,
and has several special features and constructs
that mir ror high-level concepts in the 3ds Max
user interface. These include coordinate-system
contexts, an animation mode with automatic
keyframing, and access to scene objects using
hierarchical path names that match the 3ds Max
object hierarchy.
Thesyntaxissimpleenoughfornon-programmers
to use, with minimal punctuation and formatting
rules.
Visual MAXScript
Visual MAXScript is a powerful addition to
MAXScript, maki ng the MAXScript feature easier
to learn and use. W ith V isual MAXScript, you
can quickly create UI elements and layouts for
scripting.
For detailed information about V isual MAXScript,
open the MAXScript Reference, available from
Help menu > MAXScript Reference.
See also
MAXScript Interface (page 3–780)