3ds Max 8 MAXScript Essentials

The 3ds Max Interface

Chapter 3

The 3ds Max user interface is very large and complicated. Without MAXScript, tasks can easily become monotonous and boring. Moreover, artists, technical directors, and studios that do not have any custom scripts in their production pipeline are less efficient, slower, and less able to compete with those that do.

Objectives

After completing this chapter, you should be able to:

• Copy, instance, and reference scene geometry, and learn how to copy arrays.
• Use 3ds Max ‘Max’ commands.
• Invoke command panels via MAXScript.
• Access the main toolbar via MAXScript.
• Pick scene objects via a script.
• Pick scene points via a script.
• Use the mouse tracking tool.
• Use the painter interface.

Introduction

3ds Max contains many user ...