I agree with Justin. I think that is important to know mel, 'cause few functionality still in mel( but really few ) and some time you find some pipeline in mel so it's right to know it. But If I can choise my choise is python. youhave all the mel functs plus a good level of api and more a lot of third part library.
c++ is important, and if you are looking for performance the c++ is the answer. anyway when I develop a tool ( plugs ) a always prototype in python and after if I need performance I move it in c++. so a base knowledge is important but after that I think python is better. my2cents :) Teddy -------------------------------- Marco D'Ambros phone : (+61) (0) 435809628 web : www.marcodambros.com mail : [email protected] On Tue, Aug 7, 2012 at 2:04 PM, Panupat Chongstitwattana <[email protected] > wrote: > When starting out, more often than not you'll be looking at Maya's feed > back in the script editor which is always Mel. So it's good to know some > basic just so you understand those commands. After that you can always > look up how to execute the same command from Maya's Python command > reference. > > On a rare occasion where there's no Python equivalent, you can always call > mel module within Python to evaluate the mel command. > > > > On Tue, Aug 7, 2012 at 10:58 AM, Justin Israel <[email protected]>wrote: > >> You will probably get some varying responses on this depending on the >> background of the person. My personal opinion is that I never have a need >> to touch MEL anymore. The benefit you can from python is flexibility. The >> same commands that are available to mel are available to python, plus >> you have the entire python standard library and 3rd party libs. Where >> melmight excel is in core >> stuff like for loops. But usually if speed becomes an issue and the >> python api library still isnt sufficient, you probably need c++ anyways. >> Python is a very friendly language to new programers because it reads >> easily. You can also write maya plugins as scripted python plugins. >> A HUGE reason for me to use python is that you get to write your GUI apps >> using PyQT as opposed to that horrid legacy native ui. >> >> There may not be a large selection of python for maya books vs mel books >> but there are plenty of tutorials. You dont really need a python for >> mayabook, as much as just a standard python book. Once you know the language, >> the maya python commands are just another thing. >> Chad Vernon has a lot of tutorials online if you search. Also I can offer >> a shameless plug in recommending my two python maya video tutorials on >> cmivfx.com >> >> Thats just my two cents. I find mel pretty unnecessary now. >> >> >> >> On Aug 6, 2012, at 1:40 PM, Chuen Liang < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >> Hi all, >> I'm new to programming in Maya and was thinking of starting out >> learning MEL by getting the book "Complete Maya Programming: An Extensive >> Guide to MEL and C++ API" by David Gould. However, I hear the discussions >> that Python is better and more widely used and wondering if I should just >> skip MEL and go with Python instead. My problem is that I can't seem to >> find a book as thorough as the MEL book I mentioned for beginners. Can you >> all suggest one? Would it be wise to start out in MEL and transition to >> Python after I'm done and familiar with the book? Please remember, I'm a >> total noob when it comes to programming and haven't a clue how Maya >> actually works behind the visible screen. >> >> Thanks :) >> >> -- >> view archives: http://groups.google.com/group/python_inside_maya >> change your subscription settings: >> http://groups.google.com/group/python_inside_maya/subscribe >> >> -- >> view archives: http://groups.google.com/group/python_inside_maya >> change your subscription settings: >> http://groups.google.com/group/python_inside_maya/subscribe >> > > -- > view archives: http://groups.google.com/group/python_inside_maya > change your subscription settings: > http://groups.google.com/group/python_inside_maya/subscribe > -- view archives: http://groups.google.com/group/python_inside_maya change your subscription settings: http://groups.google.com/group/python_inside_maya/subscribe
