hello,guys!
I am going to learn 3D software scripting.But I am confuesd about the difference between MAXscript in 3ds max and MAYA MEL.Some of my friends say they are using MEL because MAYA is better for digital architecture(with NURBS surfaces).And,it is also because they think MAXscript is not as functional as MAYA MEL(because MAYA has fluid dynamics etc…).
I am waiting for some suggestions,many thanks!!
hello,guys!
I am going to learn 3D software scripting.But I am confuesd about the difference between MAXscript in 3ds max and MAYA MEL.Some of my friends say they are using MEL because MAYA is better for digital architecture(with NURBS surfaces).And,it is also because they think MAXscript is not as functional as MAYA MEL(because MAYA has fluid dynamics etc…).
I am waiting for some suggestions,many thanks!!
My Max has fluid dynamics (due to the place I work), but this does not change anything about how MEL and MAXScript compare.
If you want a basic level language comparison (as unbiased as humanly possible), you could try this:
http://www.scriptspot.com/bobo/mel2mxs/mel2mxs.htm
My personal and biased opinion: Maya was built on top of MEL. MAXScript was built on top of Max. This means that MEL has generally more access to the deeper core of Maya because Maya depends on it, but the syntax of the language was chosen to be more machine-centric for the same reason. MAXScript was implemented using the Max SDK as an afterthought so it lacks in some areas when it comes to accessing legacy features from Max 1.0 days, but it had the freedom to be designed with the artist in mind, so it is much more elegant as a language and much more similar to a native language (English).
So if you are a hard-core TD, living and breathing UNIX and eating C++ for lunch, you might prefer MEL.
If you are a technically-savvy artist who is trying to get his job done faster, MAXScript might feel more intuitive.
If you are neither, both will appear like gibberish
Your friends don’t sound lke they know what they are talking about. What has MEL got ot do with digital architecture? Do you mean arch viz type work? If so max is the number one app in that area and I don’t think any of them are using NURBS. As far as NURBS in other areas I think there are few companies still using NURBS as most every thing is done in polys these days. Again, what has this got to do with Max script or MEL. As for which is the better language you can argue this till your blue in the face as people will usualy know one or the other. One problem that I see with the comparison is that it is very in MEL to cut and paste code. This doesn’t make you a coder at all and always creates sloppy code that is error prone and slow. This is because MEL will record just about every thing that Maya is doing. As far as a language goes how ever Max script goes much further then MEL, allowing for extending the package in ways that is not possible with MEL. You have to learn the language how ever and know how to code so that you are not making sloppy error prone code. Max script has a recorder but it doesn’t record much of what you can do in Max. As some one that only knows MEL all this and they will tell you the oposite. I do know both, Max is my preference. But asking your friends that have only heard hear say about Max from other Maya users is like asking a Leafs fan if the Canadians are going to win. (Good Canadian sports reference there;)
Hi there,
I have used both packages for years, and there really is not much of a difference, they are both amazing. I think the core of Maya might be a little neater, but I also find it less intuitive to learn for beginners.
People like to take sides because their personal preference makes one package appear better than the other to them. Once you have learned them both for ages then there is very little difference between what is actually achievable.
Some of the advanced aspects of Maya are perhaps better integrated into MEL, and the python integration is also very exciting, but often you will only realise these advantages at a quite advanced stage.
On the other hand, I find render passes and layers massively easier to setup/script etc in 3DSmax, which has resulted in me doing most of my rendering through Max. For me, this has enabled me to have much more render control, and thus better images from 3DSMax, but I must stress, this is only personal preference, others will argue the same points for Maya.
If you have the opportunity explore both and make your own decision. But definitely fire questions at forums like this, cause there are loads of people that will help you!
Good luck!
Rich
Dont ask the same question in multiple forums.
Hi guys,
I merged the threads, but something went wonky, which means it looks like Paul’s reply in the other forum got lost. Apologies Paul!
Myarchitect, please refrain from multiple posts of the same question in future.
I am definitely a Max hater, but if you are doing Arch Viz, you’ll want to be using Max, without a doubt. This question seems to hide a more important question, though- do you know either of these softwares already? If so, learn how to script for that one.
I’ve only done a little scripting in MEL, and I will tell you I prefer MAXScript (but Maya’s Python integration is awesome, and if I can be writing Python in Maya, which is very similar to MAXScript, I’ll be using Maya). But I also prefer the logic and using of Maya to Max. So I like MXS (usually), I just hate Max.
But anyway, you should be seeing which program you like more and then learning how to script with that program. But for arch viz, you’ll probably want to use Max (even though Maya is a better NURBs modeler, I don’t know how much that has to do with arch viz though), the same way as if you wanted to go into cinematic rigging you should probably learn Maya (sorry Paul). Most other disciplines in between you can learn one or the other and find work or change apps pretty easily.
yeah, that’s how i feel at every attempt on maxscript
the same way as if you wanted to go into cinematic rigging you should probably learn Maya (sorry Paul).
I agree as Maya is used more in the film industry.
many thanks!guys!very helpful replies:)!!
digital architecture look like this: http://aadrl.net/
some of my friends there say MEL can use deeper functions while MAXscript can not.
And,as I know,there are very few ppl and students using MAXscript to do digital architecture(60% are using Rhino script,30% are using MAYA) while I prefer 3ds max(because I have been using it for poly modelling for years).That’s why I am a little bit confused wether I should stop 3ds max and start to use MAYA.
I don’t know what students are using for digital architecture, but Max is what architects are usually using for architectural design visualization. One should use whatever does the job, not what the herd of sheep does. If it is Max or Maya, who cares, Autodesk will get your money anyway