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Mastering
3D Studio MAX R3 |
PART VI
Using MaxScript
CHAPTER 13
MAXScript Basics
Featuring
- The MAXScript User Interface
- Performing Math Operations
- Using Strings
- Using Conditions
- Repeating Tasks
- Creating Functions
- Text File I/O: Reading and Writing
Data
MAXScript is the easiest way to start programming in
3D Studio MAX. You do not need previous programming experience, nor do
you need any extra software to work with it.
MAXScript was introduced in MAX R2. It gained momentum in MAX R2.5 but
still needed some extra features and support, especially from the developers,
who needed to add extra programming code to support MAXScript. It has
a very important role in MAX R3, since it is now part of the main program
and is used everywhere. The new functions and methods in MAX R3 enable
you to go deeper inside MAX, even creating plug-ins through scripts.
Youll see throughout this section examples and applications done
with MAXScript. Youll see that MAXScript is not hard to learn and
will save you a lot of time in future projects.
This chapter has more theory than practice, but its well worth
the time required to understand the foundations of MAXScript. Youll
be able to better grasp the basics and the way the language works. The
remaining chapters in this Part will provide more exercises to help you
learn.
The MAXScript User Interface
You can work with MAXScript through different parts of the interface,
as seen in Figure 13.1. You will use the Utility tab whenever you have
a MAXScript Utility. Most of your time will be spent on the Listener,
which is the command-line area.
FIGURE
13.1 MAXScript interface
Utility Tab and Menu Bar
You can work with MAXScript using the Utility tab, as in MAX R2. To access
it, open the Utility tab and click on the MAXScript button. You will see
some buttons and a drop-down list. The buttons are the same actions found
in the MAXScript menu:
| Button
| Action
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| Open Listener
| Opens the Listener window
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| New Script
| Starts an empty MAXScript Editor
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| Open Script
| Opens a script in the MAXScript Editor
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| Run Script
| Runs a script
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The drop-down list will display the Utility scripts you have loaded.
Macro Recorder
The Macro Recorder is a new feature in MAX R3 that allows you to record
every action in MAX, in the form of a script. This script can also be
dragged to a toolbar or Tab, which will automatically create a button
for the script.
The Macro Recorder can be turned on and off using MAXScriptØMacro
Recorder. When on, the Recorder is checked in this menu. Not all options
are recordable, but only a very few are not. (See Using the Macro
Recorder later in this chapter for more information about this feature.)
Listener
The Listener is probably the most important interface item in MAXScript.
Its where you type commands, see the output of functions, and view
the recorded items. Its divided into two areas, the Macro Recorder
pane (pink) and the output/command pane (white).
You can use the Listener as a floating window, as a viewport, or in the
Mini-Listener. Besides all the functions in the Listener, the Mini-Listener
shows you a list of the latest commands typed or recorded and allows you
to select any of them.
Sometimes, when you open the Listener, the Macro Recorder pane doesnt
show because its hidden in the top of the Listener window. All you
need to do is drag the separating bar and it will show, or use a menu
command to turn on the Macro Recorder.
MAXScript
Editor
When starting a new script or opening an existing one for editing, MAXScript
supplies you the MAXScript Editor. It is regular text-editing software
with extra features to help us write scripts:
- Using Ctrl+D, your scripts will be color-coded,
separating commands, comments, and strings.
- Ctrl+B highlights the parentheses in
your script.
- Ctrl+right-click brings up a shortcut
menu that will allow you to jump directly to commands, functions, and
UI items.
Plug-in Scripts
Plug-in scripts are scripts that act like regular plug-ins. They can
be objects, modifiers, render effects, helpers, etc. Plug-in scripts do
not require an interface, since they are incorporated into the interface,
as new plug-ins would be. See Chapter 18 for more information.
Working in MAXScript
Lets create a simple script, illustrating how you can work in MAXScript.
Youll start creating the bubble-like Nicle system shown in Figure
13.2. First youll record an action and save it using the Macro Recorder,
and then youll write a script that enables MAX to automatically
create this bubble Nicle.
FIGURE
13.2 Bubble particle system
Follow the steps below to record the creation of a bubble fountain:
- 1. Open the Listener in one of these ways:
- Select MAXScriptØMAXScript
Listener.
- In the Utility tab, open the MAXScript
rollout and select Open Listener.
- Right-click the Mini-Listener and select
Open Listener.
- Press F11.
- 2. In the Listener, select Macro RecorderØEnable.
- 3. Turn on 3D Snap.
- 4. In the top view, create a SuperSpray about 30
units large.
Now youll set the options that will make the bubbles rise.
- 5. Go to the Command PanelØModify
tab and specify the following values:
Location
| Parameter
| Setting
|
Next to objects name
| Color
| Cyan
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Basic Parameters rollout
| Off Axis Spread
| 20 degrees
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| Off Plane Spread
| 180 degrees
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| Percentage of particles
| 100
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| Viewport Display
| Mesh
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Particle Generation rollout
| Particle Quantity Rate
| 3
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| Particle Motion Speed
| 3
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| Emit Stop
| 100
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| Life
| 30
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| Particle Size
| 6
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| Particle Timing Variation
| 30
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Particle Type rollout
| Standard particles
| Sphere
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Bubble Motion rollout
| Amplitude
| 30
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| Period
| 60
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© 2000, Frol (selection,
edition, publication)
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