Mel Quick Reference I

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index print setting variables using arrays using vectors if-else for loops querrying using the eval command create a window using column layout assigning a command to a button switch - branch

Print print "hello world"; float $val = 1.5; print $val; Print the contents of a string literal. Print the value of a variable.

Setting Variables int $age = 54; float $pi = 3.142; string $hi = "good-day"; vector $xyz = <<1, 0, 0>>; float $coord[] = {0.6, 0.3}; age is assigned the integer 54 pi is assigned the fractional value 3.142 hi is assigned a string literal xyz is assigned a vector of 3 values coord is assigned an array of 2 values

Using Arrays int $ages[3]; // or $ages[] $ages = {25, 33, 45}; $ages[0] = 12; print $ages; print $ages[2]; string $names[] = `ls -cameras`; int $num = size($names); print("Num Cameras = " + $num); declare an integer array of three elements assign three values change the value of the first element print all three values print the last value get the names of the all the cameras size() counts the elements of an array print a confimation of the number of cameras

Using Vectors vector $p = <<1, 2, 3>>; sphere -pivot ($p.x) ($p.y) ($p.z); declare a vector - must have 3 components note the use of parentheses WRONG - cannot change an individual component RIGHT

if-else tests tring $name[] = `ls -selection`; if(size($name) >= 1) print("Selection 1 = " + $name[0]); else print("Nothing selected"); if(gmatch($name[0], "nurbs*")) print("Found a nurbs object"); get the names of the selected objects does the array of names have at least one item? if so, then output the name otherwise print a warning use gmatch() to see if the name begins with the word "nurbs" - notice the use of the wild card *

for loops sstring $names[] = `ls -selection`; for($i = 0; $i < size($names); $i++) print($names[$i] + "\n"); string $item; for($item in $names) print($item + "\n") get the names of the selected objects for each element in the array of names ...output the name a more convenient way of dealing with an array is to use the "for in" variation of a for loop

Querrying cone; float $rad = `cone -q -radius`; string $names[] = `ls -lights`; print $names; make a default nurbs cone querry its radius and assign its value to $rad use the ls command to list the lights in a scene print the array of light names

Using the eval Command string $cmd = "curve -p 0 0 0 -p 1 0 0 \ -p 1 4 0 -p -1 2 3"; string $pnt = "-p 3 3 3"; string $name = eval($cmd + $pnt); print $name; make a string variable containing text for a command (the backslash enables a string to go onto two lines) make another string containing some extra info use eval to execute the combined strings print the name returned from the "curve" command

Create a Window window -title "test" myWindow; showWindow myWindow; Create a window titled "test", to be identified as "myWindow" show the window.

Using Column Layout window -title "test" myWindow; columnLayout; button; showWindow myWindow; Create a window titled "test", to be identified as "myWindow" use the column layout manager add a button show the window.

Assigning a Command to a Button vector $pnts[]; string $ball = "curve "; for($i = 0; $i < 200; $i++) { $pnts[$i] = <<rand(-5,5), rand(-5,5), rand(-5,5)>>; $ball += " -p " + $pnts[$i]; } window -title "test"; columnLayout; button -label "make hairball" -command "eval($ball)"; showWindow; declare an array of vectors declare a string to command text create 200 CV's  Create a window titled "test" use the column layout manager add a button with a title and a command  show the window

switch int $x = 2; switch ($x) { case 0: print "zero"; break; case 1: print "one"; break; case 2: print "two"; break; default: print "no match"; } Assign x the value 2. Attempt to match the value of x to the following, 0 1  2 No match, then do this default action.

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© 2002- Malcolm Kesson. All rights reserved.