Python for Maya Artists – Volume 2

[jdisrael]

Python For Maya Vol 02

If you watched the first video, you now have a good grasp on Python. Sweet. Let's plow through some more involved concepts like python juggernauts!

With a working knowledge of the python scripting language, and the Maya Python commands API, we can continue to learn new ways to solve more challenging problems, create complete scripts, and build user interfaces around our tools. We also introduce the Maya Python API; a lower-level interface into Maya.

This video focuses more on breaking down full scripts, as opposed to typing out syntax. Its jam packaged with information and moves fast to deliver you as much brain food as possible. The first segment of the video transitions from beginning to intermediate level, with the majority of the video being intermediate, and finishing out by touching on advanced concepts. The included project files are abundant, complete, and full of helpful documentation so that you can take your time and learn about each piece of the tools.


Classes and Inheritance
This video has a focus on learning how to design class structures with your code, and why the concept of inheritance is important as you begin to develop larger tools. We take a visual look at what a class is, and how it plays such a vital role as you start working with the API later.

Check it out here: http://www.justinfx.com/2011/11/15/p...ists-volume-2/

Asset Importer
A fully functional concept for a basic asset importer tool. More examples of class and inheritance, and working with the filesystem in addition to the python commands module.

Maya UI
We take our Asset Importer and learn how to wrap a user interface around it using the maya commands module.

Qt Designer
A feature that is new to the Maya 2011 suite. Since the entire interface has been rewritten using Qt, Autodesk has made the feature available for designing user interfaces in Qt Designer, and loading them directly into your maya script. We redo our Asset Importer to use a UI that was build in Qt Designer

Maya Python API Introduction
This is where we cross the line into the advanced waters. The python API is lower level and powerful. We learn how to set up our environment for developing scripted plugins, how to access and read the documentation, and even do a comparison between the commands module, the python API and PyMel!

Dependency Graph Plugin
Let's learn how we can create new nodes in maya, by building a very simple dependency graph plugin that can drive other objects.

BONUS: PyQt4 in Maya - Even better UI
This bonus chapter shows you how PyQt4 (python library for writing Qt interfaces), can be integrated into Maya and give you a ton of control over what your UI is can really do, and the feedback you can get from it. We again take our Asset Importer and redo it using PyQt4