MAXScript Online Reference

MAXScript is the built-in scripting language for 3ds maxÖ and related products, such as 3D Studio VIZ«, character studio«, and gmaxÖ.

MAXScript provides users of these products with the ability to:

Script most aspects of the program's use, such as modeling, animation, materials, rendering, and so on.
Control the program interactively through the command-line Listener window.
Package scripts within custom Utility panel rollouts or modeless windows, to give them a standard user interface.
Package scripts as a macro, and install these macro scripts as buttons in the product's toolbars.
Extend or replace the user interface for objects, modifiers, materials, textures, render effects, and atmospheric effects.
Build scripted plug-ins for custom mesh objects, modifiers, and render effects.
Build custom import/export tools using the built-in file I/O.
Write procedural controllers that can access the entire state of the scene.
Build batch-processing tools, such as batch-rendering scripts.
Set up live interfaces to external systems through OLE Automation.
Record your actions in the product as MAXScript commands.
Store in scene files the scripts to run for each of the supported notification events, such as pre- and post-scene file open, new, reset, scene file save, pre- and post-render, selection change, and so on.

Note: Because the functionality of MAXScript is almost identical for 3ds max and the related products mentioned above, this reference refers to "3ds max" to avoid using product names redundantly. Where applicable, it also notes specific differences between MAXScript for 3ds max and 3DS VIZ. You must have a licensed copy of the other software product in order for the MAXScript functionality specific to that product to run as designed.

For extensions specific to 3D Studio VIZ, see topics under "MAXScript Extensions for 3D Studio VIZ" on the Contents tab.
For extensions specific to character studio 3, see topics under "MAXScript Extensions for character studio 3" on the Contents tab.
For a listing of MAXScript functionality included and excluded in the gmax software, see topics under "MAXScript and gmax" on the Contents tab. There are several non-game related globals, classes, methods, interfaces that are not supported in gmax. There are also additions that have been made to support the more game intensive features. Additionally, you will find several restrictions that have been placed on various aspects of MAXScript.