this doesn't go into much technical detail, but perhaps it will help: http://autodesk.com/us/maya/2011help/PyMel/pynodes.html#api-underpinnings
in brief, pymel converts the string name to a MPlug, MObject, MDagPath, and/or MFn* as needed and uses these to query the current string name or call out to api methods. -chad -- view archives: http://groups.google.com/group/python_inside_maya change your subscription settings: http://groups.google.com/group/python_inside_maya/subscribe
