CgTalk Maxscript Challenge 017: “Project Management”
DESCRIPTION: It’s a term that most artists hate: Project Management. But hate it or love it, keeping your projects in order can be a nightmare without a little help.
This challenge will be a broad one: What I want to see from you is a script that does something to aid the general day-to-day tasks you encounter in your workflow. This could be:
[ul]
[li]A save script that keeps a log of changes[/li][li]A simple version control system that backs up files[/li][li]A project folder tracker[/li][li]Something as simple as setting up folders the way you like them.[/li][li]A script that keeps track of how many hours you’ve been working on a file[/li][li]A filename convention assistant[/li][li]A tool that creates a document with all the models and textures used in the scene.[/li][li]A thumnailer[/li][li]All of the above and more![/li][/ul]The key is to think of something that you think would help either yourself or a team in their pipeline.
[color=Yellow]WARNING: Make sure you are working in a safe environment when using external file, DOSCommand and any sort of system methods! Don’t go losing files you’ve been working on for months. Back up! [/color]
[b]DEADLINE: 29/06/2007 -UPDATED[/b]
RULES:
[ul]
[li]Do NOT post your code until the deadline![/li][li]Code from scratch. Try not to use pre-exisitng functions or plugins.[/li][li]Show your script references, if any (eg. Looking at another script to assist you).[/li][li]You are encouraged to ask for help where needed, but try to do it on your own. The maxscript reference is an invaluable resource.[/li][li]Post your final script inside [/li]“`
tags (located on your posting toolbar).
[li]Post all code into THIS thread.[/li][li]Post the max version you coded in, plus any maxscript extensions you used. (Thanks galagast!)[/li][li]Try to finish the challenge in a week. There is no definite time limit.[/li][/ul]NOTES: Go nuts! Check out Martin Breidt’s scripts for some awesome examples.
I’m going to assume one of the rules is you have to start today not a month ago.
Hi, erilaz,
I love the challenge as its one that TD’s face on a day to day basis…
Does this have to be limted to a maxscript? could I incorporate some python scripts or standalone exe’s that I have written???
Cheers
Dave
Technically it’s maxscript only (it is a maxscript challenge after all), but heck, if you’ve got some awesome scripts and binaries that help out max then we’d be glad to see them incorporated!
I’m learning python right now, so i’m a little biased towards it.
cool… my python scripts would only be helping good ol maxscript out… You will not regret learning python at all… I have written an entire workflow/pipe with it and it never misses a beat…
Cheers
Dave
I know we’re digressing slightly, but do you have any good resources for python, especially in relation to our field? Apart from the python.org site of course.
I would be very interrested in incorporating python in my workflow too!
-Johan
Hi, erilaz, JHN,
I use python for all manor of things we have written full feature project management apps, asset browsers and a host of other bits and pieces. In terms of resources I must admit my first port of call is python.org, however I do like the oreily books “Programing Python” comes to mind. I would also recommend the Python help file that comes with the Active State distribution of python (I also think there IDE is the best, Komodo, wich is now free).
There also so some modules that I like and use all the time, I found these ones come in handy all the time:
[ul]
[li]PIL, this imaging lib is awesome I have written some really cool asset browsers that have utilised PIL, http://www.pythonware.com/products/pil/ [/li][li]Pyro, or Python Remote Object, I love this module for simple networking tasks, RPC and distrusted process’s, http://pyro.sourceforge.net/ [/li][li]Twisted, is another networking module, its a bit big (theres an entire book on it), but it has some useful parts…[/li][li]WxPython, this is the BEST gui lib for python, its wrapped around the C lib so its not so ‘pythonic’ but once your used to it or wrapped it you can build very feature rich apps very quickly and its very well documented… http://www.wxpython.org/ [/li][li]PyWin lib is awesome it provides access to just about everything in windows, including com/ole so working with max becomes very easy. You can do some very cool stuff with it. I don’t have a link as I have no idea were i downloaded it, I know Mark Hammond wrote it (most of it??) I do believe its built into the Active State distribution that I mentioned above. (If anyone wants it just pm me)[/li][/ul] Hope that helps, I think allot of people (maxers at least) tend to skip over python, but it is very easy to work with python in max and have python work with max (Pyro = back burner replacement)…
Cheers
Dave
Sorry i sought started ranting there, didn’t mean to move off topic…
Dave, much thanx for the pointers!
-Johan
sorry to make rthe hijack complete but Dave please explain more about how you incorporate python into your max workflow, I learnt a bit when i was playing with blender and i’d love to be able to supplement my MXS.
and TeaMonkey, where did you get that shiny red portfolio button! !
Josh.
For the sake of coherence, I think it would be best to move this conversation into a new thread!
But yes Dave, any demonstrations of python integration would be welcome to the maxscripting community! If you have time of course.
and TeaMonkey, where did you get that shiny red portfolio button! !
That occurs when you make a new blog entry.
Hi, Guys,
Most of the direct interaction from python in max is done through COM… You can also do ALLOT with 3dsmaxcmd.exe and creating subprocces. Unfortunatley I cannot post my most interesting code as its a attached to NDA’s etc. I will however post some demo code that can get you started.
Ill post in a new thread to
Cheers
Dave