+ Chapter - 01 - MEL - An Introduction to Maya Embedded Language +
Instructor - Pradeep Mamgain
+ Overview +
This chapter introduces Maya's Embedded Scripting Language, popularly known as MEL. You must have heard that Maya is very powerful. What makes it so powerful; it is MEL. Many artists working with Maya, ignores MEL. Either they have fear of programming or out of shear ignorance, they ignore the most powerful feature of Maya. Don't treat MEL is just another feature of Maya, in fact whole Maya runs on scripts. When you launch the Maya application, loads of scripts are executed in the background and even you can use Maya without any interface, that is true. You can ran Maya from the windows command prompt, you just have to type Maya -prompt and Maya console will start. In next chapter we will look at this feature and make a file using Maya's Prompt.
+ Mistrust of Programming +
As we said earlier, most the artist ignore MEL just because of the fear of the programming. You don't have to be a Programming Pro to learn MEL. Don't get afraid by the words like Loops, Variables, Syntax, Conditional Statements, Vectors. Don't think like, "This is not my cup of tea, I am a Dynamics Expert, I can do it from interface".
There are plenty of things, you can't execute from the interface, whether it is customizing of the interface, modifying the existing tools or creating your own new tools. You can create Windows with sliders, check boxes, input text boxes buttons and much more. Fasten your seat belts now, you are ready to fully exploit the true power of Maya.
+ What is Scripting Language ?+
One thing you should always remember is that MEL is a scripting language, it is not a complete programming language as Java, C++ or Python. A general definition of the Scripting Language is, "It is a language that resides inside another program". Like in this case MEL resides inside Maya application.
If you are familiar with languages like C, C++ or Java, you have got a big bonus. MEL shares most of the C, C++ syntax. If you know someone who is a C, C++ programmer, just take a basic training from him about the C, C++ grammar or just pick a dummies series book and study that. However it is not necessary, we will provide in-depth information on MEL grammar.
+ Next Step +
In next chapter we will have a look at the Maya's Script Editor and Command Line interface.
+ Download Project +
Dear guest, Only registered members can download projects/footages/scripts and Video files.Kindly get registered to download the files. It will also help us in informing you that when new tutorial/article/resource or cg news is available. Once you get registered downlaod link will appear here. - Downloaded times.
+ Other Info +
# Discuss in Forums