This document provides an overview of Maya Python and compares MEL and Python scripting languages for Autodesk Maya. It introduces the Maya Application Programming Interface (API) for both C++ and Python, noting that Python can manipulate Maya API objects and call both MEL scripts and the C++ API. A table compares key aspects of Python and MEL, such as Python handling complex data more gracefully as an object-oriented language, while MEL is limited to Maya developers. Sections also introduce PyMEL, an optional Python module that provides objects to interact with Maya scenes and commands similarly to MEL.

1. Maya Python
meltobis@gmail.com
http://meltobis.weebly.com/
-Melanie Torres Bisbal-

2. Contents

3. Introduction
●
●
●
●
●
[1]

4. What is MEL? [2]

5. Maya Api - Python
C++ Application Programming Interface
- The most flexible way to add features to Maya
- Execute substantially faster than MEL
- Must be compiled for new versions of Maya and for each different
platform
Python API
- Wrappers for many classes in the Maya C++ API
- Manipulate Maya API objects in ordinary scripts

6. Python v.s. MEL
Python MEL
Python is used by all kinds of software
developers and with many types of
applications
More advanced scripting language and it
can communicate with both Maya
Command Engine and the C++ API
Python can call MEL scripts
Python handles complex data more
gracefully (object-oriented)
Can access files and system data much
faster
MEL has a very small userbase compared
to Python because almost only Maya
developers use MEL
If you have tools done in MEL there is no
reason to convert them into Python
MEL can call Python scripts
Try to imitate complex data structures

7. Interaction with Maya
[2]

8. Why PyMEL?

9. Why PyMEL?

10. An Intro to PyMEL Objects in Maya

11. An Intro to PyMEL Objects in Maya
MEL PyMEL

12. Help

13. References