3D Modelling & Animation

UFCEKT-20-33D Modelling and Animation

3D Modelling & Animation

Picture...

Programming Maya Picture...


Agenda

MEL Expressions and Scripting Referencing MEL Scripts Python Scripting The Maya C++ API


MEL Expressions

Create MEL Expressions using the expression editor Windows - Animation Editors - Expression Editor

Set animation times on objects transformations/ rotations/ scaling

Expression Editor


Maya Embedded Language

Syntax very similar to the C language syntax Supports usual types, conditional statements and control structures Variables declared before use prefixed with the $ symbol

string $message = “Hello World”; print ($message + “ from Maya”)

Supports arrays string $names[] // an array of names

Does not support structured types or arrays of arrays (tables)

string $name[]

string $meshPosition[]

$meshPostion[2] = $name not supported



Has many functions to manipulate strings which can overcome limitations having no support for structured types or tables - see Maya MEL API from Help

Suppotrs procedures to encapsulate functionality for resuse

global proc makeSphere()

{

sphere;

move 0 0 1;

};



Procedures can take arguments and return values

global proc string[] generatePopulation(int $popSize, int $length){

/*

generates and returns an initial population of binary string values

of length $length and population size $popSize */



Maya has a script editor for entering MEL statements Very basic scripting support - Maya 8.5 introduced script line numbering! No syntax highlighting or auto indent etc.

MEL Script Editor



1. Define Expression 2. Evaluate Expression

(Press Enter on Numeric Keypad)

output


MEL output result here and here

Access Script editor here or here

Enter MEL commands here


Cutter - MEL (Java) Based Editor

Java based editor called Cutter Provides enhanced editing environment syntax highlighting indent etc. Easier access to MEL command reference from Maya Also support for Renderman (Pixar) see www.fundza.com


MEL Editor (Cutter) GUI

see www.fundza.com

UFCEKT-20-33D Modelling and Animationsee www.fundza.com


Accessing MEL Scripts

Maya must access procedures via the usersetup.mel filefound here:

C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\maya\8.5\scripts\userSetup.mel

UFCEKT-20-33D Modelling and Animationprocedures listed in userSetup.mel


Use MEL to Customize the Maya GUIand Create new Interface Components


Python Scripting

Python open-source

object oriented language

Interfaces with development

frameworks such as .NET

Enter Python expressions

using the text interface

choose the Python tab


Maya C++ API

Maya supports the development of plug-ins written in C++ Creates dynamic link libraries for extending Maya via additional plug-ins

for various utilities and tools May also has a MIDI API Versions of Maya come with a Visual Studio Project Wizard that can be

installed in Visual Studio to facilitate the creation of Maya dynamic link library plug-ins (.mll) e.g the 3D Studio mesh import plug-in is 3ds.mll (Maya Link Library) (see the readme in the zip file)

Maya 8.5 has a project wizard for Visual Studio 8 (Visual Studio 2005) Reminder:These products are free to CEMS students via the Microsoft

Software Alliance


Further Reading

David Gould has written two books onMAYA programming

see www.davidgould.com

Some excellent MEL tutorials and other resources at www.robthebloke.org