Frequently Asked Questions
The answers to the following Frequently Asked Questions should help you locate relevant information regarding some often used areas of MAXScript. It also provides direct links to some general programming topics of interest, and solutions to problems prompted by user questions on the online support forums.
MAXScript Syntax and Terminology
How do I understand the function definitions in this document?
What Are Mapped Operations in MAXScript?
When do I use If...Then and when If...Do?
When do I use () after a function?
What is the difference between 'undefined' and 'unsupplied' values?
What is the difference between '=' and '==' operators?
What is the differences between Arrays and BitArrays?
General Advanced Topics
How do texture coordinates work?
How are Transformations calculated in 3ds Max and MAXScript?
Practical Questions
Working With Vectors
How do I make a vector from a vertex position?
How do I find the angle between two vectors?
Working with MAXScript Values
Why does Execute return 'undefined' when accessing a loop variable?
How do I create a multi-dimensional array?
How do I calculate the Volume of an Object?
How do I check if a string contains only numbers?
Accessing Object Properties
How do I change a property in multiple objects at once?
How do I change the Shadow type of a Light?
How do I get the object by object name?
How do I access the Alpha values shown in the viewport?
Working with Scripted UI
How do I access UI elements to change their properties?
How do I display a value in a Rollout?
How do I update the items in a dropdownList or listBox?
How do I call the dropdownList Selected handler as a function?
Working with Scene Nodes
How do I create a line between two points?
How Do I instance Modifiers and Controllers inside the same object?
How do I get a Space Warp by Binding?
How do I delete randomly a specified percentage of geometry objects?
How do I Create a Button to Show the Next Object?
How do I batch-process multiple .MAX files?
Can I use data from external files to control my scene or animation?
Working with Editable Meshes
How Do I Get the Local Rotation of a Face?
How do I Split a Mesh by UV Elements?
How do I align the UVW_Modifier's Gizmo to a selected face?
Working with Editable Polys
How do I build Unconnected Edges Selections from EPoly Edge Selection?
Writing Better and Faster Scripts
Disable Viewport Redraws when making changes to scene objects
Disable Undo system when possible
Modify Panel can be slow -change to Create Panel when possible
Use the 'flagForeground' node viewport state method
Never get a single pixel when you can get a whole line
Only calculate once if possible
Cache freqeuntly used functions and objects
Dice your data into smaller pieces
Use bitArrays instead of Arrays when possible
Pre-initialize arrays when final size is known
Recursive functions can be faster
matchPattern is faster than findString
Do not use return, break, exit or continue
Use StringStream to build large strings
Use name values instead of strings when possible
Try not to use Execute function if there is an alternative
For Loop By Index Vs For Loop Through Collection Performance
For Loop Collect Vs For Loop Do Performance
Optimizing Particle Flow Script Operator For Loops For Speed
See Also
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