MEL^TM is a scripting language at the heart of Maya. Maya’s user interface is created using MEL, and MEL provides an easy way to extend the functionality of Maya. Everything you can do using Maya’s graphical interface can be automated and extended using MEL. Familiarity with MEL can deepen your understanding of and expertise with Maya.

You can take advantage of MEL without learning programming. For example, it’s easy in Maya to perform some actions with the graphical interface, then drag the commands that resulted from the Script Editor to the shelf to create a button. However, learning MEL will open up new worlds to you, allowing you produce effects and save time in ways impossible using the graphical interface.

Here are some examples of things you can do with MEL:

• Bypass Maya’s user interface, quickly create shortcuts, and access advanced features.
• Customize Maya’s interface and change defaults on a scene-by-scene basis.
• Create procedures and scripts for custom modeling, animation, dynamics, and rendering tasks.