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Synopsis

nodeType [-apiType] [-derived] [-inherited] [-isTypeName] string

nodeType is undoable, NOT queryable, and NOT editable.

This command returns a string which identifies the given node's type.

When no flags are used, the unique type name is returned. This can be useful for seeing if two nodes are of the same type.

When the api flag is used, the MFn::Type of the node is returned. This can be useful for seeing if a plug-in node belongs to a given class. The api flag cannot be used in conjunction with any other flags.

When the derived flag is used, the command returns a string array containing the names of all the currently known node types which derive from the node type of the given object.

When the inherited flag is used, the command returns a string array containing the names of all the base node types inherited by the the given node.

If the isTypeName flag is present then the argument provided to the command is taken to be the name of a node type rather than the name of a specific node. This makes it possible to query the hierarchy of node types without needing to have instances of each node type.

Return value

string
string[]

Related

addAttr, aliasAttr, attributeInfo, deleteAttr, getClassification, objExists, objectType, renameAttr

Flags

apiType, derived, inherited, isTypeName
Long name (short name) Argument types Properties
-apiType(-api) create
Return the MFn::Type value (as a string) corresponding to the given node. This is particularly useful when the given node is defined by a plug-in, since in this case, the MFn::Type value corresponds to the underlying proxy class.

This flag cannot be used in combination with any of the other flags.

-derived(-d) create
Return a string array containing the names of all the currently known node types which derive from the type of the specified node.
-inherited(-i) create
Return a string array containing the names of all the base node types inherited by the specified node.
-isTypeName(-itn) create
If this flag is present, then the argument provided to the command is the name of a node type rather than the name of a specific node.
Flag can appear in Create mode of command Flag can appear in Edit mode of command
Flag can appear in Query mode of command Flag can be used more than once in a command.

MEL examples

sphere -n balloon;
// Find the type of node created by the sphere command
nodeType balloon;
// Result: transform //

// What is the API type of the balloon node?
nodeType -api balloon;
// Result: kTransform //

// Which node types derive from the 'camera' node type?
nodeType -derived -isTypeName camera;
// Result: stereoRigCamera camera //