OK, I’ve decided to bite the bullet and start to learn maxscript. So many times I have hit a wall with something I want to do only to be told that I could do it with a script. Where would be the best place to start? I’ve been using 3ds since dos days so I know my way around max and I did a bit of pascal way back when I was at school, so I understand a little programming. I just don’t know what to do to start learning maxscript.
Basically I think only way is to check scripts of other people and read a lot of maxscript help. This is how I got into as there wasn’t any decent books about this subject. Anyway, Maxscript is pretty straightforward and anyone with or without coding experience can get into it.
The best starting point is right in front of you.
The help button… Maxscript Reference… it’ll become you new best friend. I’ve a shortcut to it in three spots on my system.
Start with the contents tab. As you learn alittle more, you’ll find yourself constantly using the index tab to get sytax of the commands you know and the search tab to find things you don’t.
Scriptspot.com. Great resource for things already written. Get scripts that perform on function, like changing pivots, and look at those first. If you look at a big script, it’ll be intimidating.
finally, watch your Listener window. Right click on the bottom, lefthand box where the text appears and select “open listener”. This shows you about %50 of what commands max is using to perform these functions. Also in your preferences/ maxscript make sure the “Enable maxscript recorder” is checked…
Good luck, and welcome to maxscripting…
Keith Morrison