Complete Maya Programming

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Learning Maya, the leading 3D animation and effects package, poses challenges, especially for those aiming to master its versatile programming features alongside built-in tools. This practical, step-by-step guide helps users harness Maya's full potential, starting with the basics. Readers will first gain a comprehensive understanding of Maya's inner workings, then learn to customize and extend it with scripts and plugins that enhance control and productivity. New programmers can utilize Maya's easy scripting language, MEL (Maya Embedded Language), while advanced users can leverage the C++ API (Application Programming Interface). This resource serves as both a fundamental tutorial for beginners and a solid reference for experienced developers. It includes real-world examples that illustrate applications of Maya programming, demonstrates how to use MEL for controlling Maya, customizing interfaces, and automating procedures, and details how to modify functionality using the C++ API. Additionally, it clarifies when to use MEL versus the C++ API and how to integrate both. Ideal for technical directors and developers, it offers a wealth of MEL scripts, C++ source code, a glossary, and resource lists available online.