Almost two and a half year we have a revolutionary new feature in the MAX – MCG.
I want to organize a pool with a topic above
I have to admit I do not use it in my workflow.
I still use maxscript \ SDK (been using 3dsmax daily the last 16 years).
I’ve never gotten used to the node-based workflow, I guess I’m too used to the ‘old’ way.
And I usually code anyways so it makes sense to me to ‘code’ my scripts \ tools, and
not sit there and use a GUI for creating the tools.
Not saying MCG is a bad thing – just that I personally still prefer the ‘old’ way of doing things.
Also our existing in-house tools are all maxscript \ c++ based, so that’s where
I work fastest, instead of spending time learning something new.
Also – I feel c++ \ Maxscript makes more sense if you work in other packages also,
you get better at coding in general, makes it easier to adapt to other packages that also have
scripting \ c++ access etc.
Node vs Code is the fundamental pro/cons of MCG.
For me, it has been very helpful since I’m not that good at code.
Also it allows me to focus on just core logic since all UI related connection is automatically generated.
Some cases it performs better than maxscript. I hope it gets better.
I think it will have place between maxscript and C++.
It is still young compare to other node based framework and need a lot more feedback from you guys.
I do not use MCG, but thanks to MCG we got at least two very useful MXS plug-ins: SimpleSpline and SimpleMeshMod. I just can not understand one thing, why we had to wait for this for ten years, if their implementation is not at all connected with MCG.
I am absolutely sure that in the bowels of MCG there is still a lot of useful things, and much more useful than MCG itself.
Well… things happen when there is a need.
The initial implementation of MCG requires MXS counter parts.
That triggered the implementation of MXS plug-ins.
If you want voice your need more, please join the beta!
Believe me, I’ve asked about these plugins more than ten years ago. Five years ago I was tired of waiting and wrote them myself
asking if MCG is ‘liked’ in a maxscript forum…I think Borat has more chance of winning fans over at the rodeo…
Ah … of course. I had to ask this question to the members of the MCG Fan Club. Then everyone there would say that this is the best tool … All three.
I think this forum and this branch of the forum is the best place to ask.
It’s not a place of MXS lovers. It’s a place where people are looking for solutions how to make in-MAX development more productive. MXS, Python, C#, C++, MCG… it doesn’t matter.
Here are tools developers, technical artists, generalists, and advanced modelers and animators, aren’t there?
So it’s exact target group to ask about a tool specially designed for these people. Am I wrong?
People might think I’m the biggest MCG fanboy out there…well, wrong…I’ve never liked Fanboys or Haters
A few points I’d like to make:
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would have been better to ask in the General Max forum…ie. one up, not in a Maxscript branch because
this maxscript forum would most likely be frequented by Scripters than non-Scripters…and MCG is non-scripting (yeah, what am I doing here ? ahh well, doesn’t hurt to broaden the horizon a bit) -
if you’re a decent Max scripter, why would you abandon mxs and say Hallelujah to MCG ? That’s heretic.
So naturally, a scripter who frequents this forum would say …pffft…MCG, why would I waste time learning it when I can mxs already. -
the respondents can ‘vote’…but seems to me the general replies so far is “I DON”T use MCG”…so I don’t think the votes carry much weight on MCG experience, it’s just an opinion.
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Active MCG forum ? Seriously ? The devs hardly bothered to answer questions let alone promote MCG itself. Go take out all my posts on the FB forum and see what you got left. This in no way demeans other contributors…but I know of very few that I would fondly call MCG contributors.
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DigitalTutors/Pluralsight, Lynda, FXPHD, cmiVFX…etc…etc…etc…show me ONE tutorial from these trainers…there’s none (after 2 yrs now). This to me speaks volumes about MCG userfriendliness.
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I can’t code, not one bit ashamed to admit this.
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due to distinct lack of involvement from the devs, I’ve switched to Houdini instead…Node based + Scripting…you think that would deter me ? Not a chance…
I had always these two questions like to ask somebody.
If MCG is built for advanced maxscript or programmer user So the question is why should they use MCg i mean mcg must have and show something that bring the scripter and programmer toward itself (I hope Swordlayer leave some reply because he use both of them and he is advanced scripter).
If it is for a beginner sciptter like me who has no much more chance in scriptting the question is with what resource should i learn MCg (i mean like Maxscript Help) and if i have lots of question where should i ask my question (Like this Forume).
There are afew people who can work with MCG.
Thanks Vu to share all his tools for those who want to learn MCG if there was no Vu with waht resource should learn MCG and whose Mcg should i open to follow and learn?
I really don’t unrestand Autodesk policy about MCG.
Resource-wise, there are already a lot of materials. I don’t even have time to check all of them.
Aiutodesk has several good MCG tutorials on the blog.
As of now, FB forum is most active for MCG.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1611269852441897/
Now I would like to clarify my position.
First, I am not a MCG Hater. I had high hopes for this tool … Yes, I was unusually skeptical, and now I’m just disappointed. (I will explain my position later).
Secondly, I want to express my respect and admiration for VUSTA for his contribution to the promotion and support of MCG. Without his efforts, there would simply be nothing to talk about.
Now let’s talk about everything in order …
cool Doc, no I’m not having a go at you or implying you’re an MCG hater (if you misread it, then I apologise)…I just honestly think that vast majority of scripters would naturally (and rightly?) be biased in saying…nahhhh, I don’t see a point in using this MCG thing (coz I’m a scripter already)
If anything, I’m suggesting if this post was in the General section…you’d get a lot more non-scripters ‘trying’ to use MCG…then replied…“it’s too damn hard, unfriendly…so I gave up”…so I think you’d get a more accurate picture there.
And as stated, there’s not one tutorial from a 3rd party trainer…eg. Pluralsight yet…says it all, doesn’t it ?
We do have things in common, I’m disappointed too !!! Look at Houdini, just about every day/week, there’s new advanced tutorials being posted…either by 3rd party or devs…while for MCG…the devs throw out a few samples and I APPRECIATE them…but then it’s crickets from then on…hardly any further involvement/participation…I do my best to help out but seems the small flame has finally died out…shame really.
I’m sure that MCG is a tool for advanced modelers in the first place, and for tools developers that are looking for shortcuts in the second …
I’m from the second category.
There is some anecdote … The eagle says the ostrich: “You need to learn how to fly. You need only a day of practice, and you’ll be able to fly to that point in fifteen minutes.”
The ostrich answers him: “Why, if I can run there in five minutes?”
So I ask myself, why should I go through this jungle without map (documentation), without examples, rummage in a black box, believe in absolutely hidden for me algorithms?
exactly…even now…help/docu are cryptic at best (tho it has improved).
So I guess the ‘advantage’ for me is I couldn’t script so I had no choice but to learn MCG the hard way. I repeatedly asked for a basic example of how to hook up the BinaryRecursion node…nada…had to stab stab stab things in the dark myself to come up with one and have yet to see one other example from anyone.
Yeah ppl might say hang on…looks like Vu is an MCG hater…well…no…I’m just saying things like it is…
I was going to vote in your poll but there was no option: – Gone to Houdini
I’ll update your little anecdote…
Vu, a handicapped dude, has no legs (ie. can’t code)…has just discovered…the wheelchair.
Vu says to his mate, Doc, an Olympic runner (can code like the wind)…Hey Doc, you should use this thing I’ve just discovered…a wheelchair…it’s fantastic if you want to get from A to B
Doc says, no thanks, need I remind you I’m a bloody Olympic runner, I’ll just use my legs…
So a wheelchair is heavensent to some…but just deadweight to others.
For me in general it is not interesting to create graphs in MCG, but create new nodes or optimize existing ones would be interesting …
But there is practically nothing that could help me in this.
Hey Autodesk! Open the sources!
(This is a joke. This will never happen, apparently)