Scripting languages in Maya allow you to:

• Automate repetitive or frequently performed tasks.

  You can write scripts to execute operations that would normally be selected from the user interface or performed using tools and user manipulation.

• Change Maya’s user interface.

  You can create windows and controls that affect objects in the scene.

• Establish development standards.

  You can enforce naming conventions, workflows and model scales.

• Create new tools and functions.

  You can extend Maya’s functionality in ways that help you do your work.

In this chapter, you learn some common scripting techniques and features that highlight the capabilities of scripting in Maya:

• Some basic concepts
• Lesson 1 Commands in MEL: Introduction
• Lesson 2 Saving scripts to the Shelf: Introduction
• Lesson 3 Using Variables with MEL: Introduction
• Lesson 4 Procedures and user interface creation: Introduction
• Lesson 5 Using Python in Maya: Introduction