Maxscript / Python command list

Question

I wanted to continue from this topic - but it already has been closed.

I am not a programmer - I'm more of a basic technical artist who needs simple automatable (is that even a word?) tasks scripted down for the purpose of convenience.

Back when I was still using Maya, Learning MEL commands for maya and their Python counterparts was very intuitive thanks a lot this command list site from Autodesk.

**

Can someone point me to where the Maxscript / python version of this is? My searches have been fruitless.

**

I mean I found this, but it isnt excactly what im looking for. I just need a command list like in the above MEL/PYTHON link with some good examples.

The problem I have as someone who wasn't educated in programming / coding is very nicely expressed in 2:50 and (further demonstrated in)21:33 of this video.

Today for example, I am just trying to figure out how to write maxscript's (delete $) or (delete objects) in python - and here I am posting on stackoverflow for a guide to some good documentation instead of directly asking how the syntax should look - out of fear of being branded as lazy and as someone who doesnt know how to do a google search.

Thanks

(sorry about the angst. been having a bad day going in circles)

Edit(1) - about that other thread:

I did mention the Python scripting in 3dsmax post at the very top of my post. But I am pretty reluctant to believe that the provided link in that topic is the ONLY place, the ONLY online resource for maxscript to python topics. That's why I worded my question here very differently.

Edit (2) - to elaborate even more:

Is there any online source (other than what was mentioned in the other thread) that can show simple examples of how maxscript would look like if it were to be written in python. See my blockquote example below.

in MaxScript:

Box height:25 length:25 lengthsegs:1 width:25 widthsegs:1 mapcoords:off heightsegs:1 name:("tae")

... would look like this in Python:

import MaxPlus as mp

from pymxs import runtime as rt

rt.box (height = 25, length = 25, lengthsegs = 1, width = 25, widthsegs = 1, mapcoords=off, heightsegs=1, name= ("tae"))

Again, before any veteran passes judgement thinking that I am some self entitled prick who is too lazy to do due research - I, as a non-programmer was able to find exactly this kind of documentation for MEL in Maya located here. And because that sort of document exists, I would assume that such a well organized command reference that has good examples is the norm.

Keep in mind that not everyone trying to learn has the luxury of time, circumstances like employment, deadlines and such can sometimes corner laymen into trying to seek out fast solutions instead of signing up for a degree in programming / coding.

Answer 1

Some helpful resources for learning MaxScript -

• First, the MacroRecorder. From the MaxScript listener, toggle MacroRecorder menu->Enable, and watch the output in the upper (red) window area while performing scene operations through the UI, for an equivalent script. The output can be a little chatty, but it should give some useful hints. If you delete an object, for example, you'll see one call to actionMan.executeAction which indicates hitting a hotkey, then another call to delete $, which is what you're interested in. The $ symbol is a way of referring to the selected object (or set of objects) in the scene.

• Second, the help command in MaxScript. Add quotes around whatever you want to search for. To search commands for the "delete" keyword, use help "delete". It lists out every command containing that term. In this case, the term is very common, and the results are a bit overwhelming. But for more specific cases it's a useful way of exploring the language.

• Third, the F1 key. Maybe obvious. But selecting anything in the MaxScript listener and hitting F1 opens the MaxScript help website with a search for that term.

Finally, I agree the search tools on the MaxScript help website are somewhat broken. The site never seems to return results in a helpful order of relevance. Which impedes learning, even if individual topics are quite helpful when you find them. Keep in mind the Autodesk forums are monitored by staff, so raising your voice there will help to raise the priority for fixing these issues.