Python scripting in Maya is very similar to MEL scripting. Python scripting has the same access MEL does to Maya functionality with very few limitations (see Current limitations in the Maya User Guide). Python requires a different syntax than MEL, so commands in Python can look very different from their MEL equivalents.

This tutorial is for migrating your MEL scripting experience to a Python scripting environment in Maya. This lesson does not teach Python, only how to use Python scripting in Maya. Maya uses Python 2.5 on all supported platforms.

Python is a highly readable, easy to maintain, high level programming language. Python is widely used in industry due to its simplicity and standard libraries.

To learn Python, try a Getting Started tutorial in Python:

www.python.org/about/gettingstarted/

In this lesson, you learn how to:

• Enter Python commands in Maya
• Create geometry with Python scripting commands
• Return values from Python commands
• Use flags in Python with the move, scale and rotate commands
• Set the edit and query flags in Python
• Refer to named objects in Python
• Transfer values between Python and MEL
• Call MEL scripts from Python