Scripting Listener

The Scripting Listener window is primarily an interactive interpreter for the MAXScript language. It is similar to a DOS command-prompt window.

• Default menu: Scripting menu > Scripting Listener
• Alt menu: Script menu > Script > Scripting Listener
• Mini Listener > Right-click menu > Open Listener Window
• Utilities panel > Utilities rollout > MAXScript button > MAXScript rollout > Open Listener button
• Keyboard > F11

When you enter a MAXScript command in the lower (white) pane of this window, the command is executed immediately.

The Listener window is appropriate for performing interactive work and developing small code fragments. Each command you execute in the Listener is actually an expression with a result that the Listener prints out after each execution. You can enter any MAXScript expression or sub-expression in the Listener for evaluation, and the Listener prints out its result.

The Listener is divided into two panes. The top (pink) pane is the Macro Recorder pane, and the bottom (white) pane is the output pane. When the Macro Recorder is enabled, everything it records, such as actions you perform in a viewport, is displayed in the Macro Recorder pane. The results from scripts are displayed in the output pane. The output of code executed in the Macro Recorder pane is always directed to the output pane so as not to clutter the recordings. Both panes allow you to cut-and-paste, drag-and-drop, edit, select, and execute code. You can resize the panes by dragging the split bar between them.

The left-end of the status bar contains a resizable Mini Listener. If the Mini Listener is not visible, drag the vertical split bar at the left end of the status bar rightward to reveal the Mini Listener. The Mini Listener panes act as single-line windows for the current line in the corresponding Listener panes. The Mini Listener panes always show what you are typing or where the edit cursor is placed in the Listener panes. Conversely, anything you type into a Mini Listener pane is entered into the corresponding Listener pane at the current edit cursor position.

The Scripting Mini Listener on the Status Bar

You can display the Listener in a viewport by clicking or right-clicking the POV viewport label, then choose Extended Viewports Scripting Listener from the menu.

When you open the Scripting Listener in this way, and then change the viewport POV, 3ds Max opens the Listener in a window of its own.

For detailed information about the MAXScript utility, open the MAXScript Help, available from Help menu MAXScript Help.