How to modify/wrap existing Maya window?

# 1 24-12-2014 , 08:57 PM

Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006

Posts: 4

I am building a script to create 3d text from a file containing list of words. I have no problems to read in text file and parse it with MEL. Now what I wan't to do is to create a gui but I don't want to recreate all the work that is already done within Maya. Instead of building my own text options gui, I would like to wrap Mayas existing dialog (Options box) for createing text and just to extend it with my own option to open a text file. Maya's text dialog is created with MEL command "CreateTextOptions" which is declared as default runtime command. I don't see any script file where they declrate this piece of gui, so I am not sure if it is done with C++ or MEL. I wonder is somebody can point me to what script it is declared/defined in or give me any tip how to wrap TextOptions gui into my own window if it is possible. Recreating all options for creating text, with bevels and all the other options seems just like a bit too much work for something that simple I wish to do.

Merry x-mass and thank in advance.

ps. Yeah, I am new to MEL scripting, but I am quite experience C++/C/Java programmer.

Quote

# 2 25-12-2014 , 12:37 AM

Super Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2006

Location: South FL

Posts: 3,522

After turning on "Echo all commands" in the script editor I noticed a line with

Code:

performtextCurves 1

I was able to run a

Code:

whatIs performtextCurves

on and was told its found in the Maya installation's "/scripts/others" folder.

- Genny
__________________
::|| My CG Blog ||::
::|| My Maya FAQ ||::

Quote

# 3 25-12-2014 , 02:23 AM

Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006

Posts: 4

That's the way :-). Thanks for tips, it was exactly what I was looking for.

I am not used to Maya at all, I just have to make some scripts for a project I am involved with, and I have to figure out MEL on the way. I have already cooked together part of the gui to choose fonts and files, but I will now see if I can source this file you are pointing me too and just add an extra button and text field to it.

Thanks.

Last edited by memory_leak; 25-12-2014 at 02:25 AM.

Quote

# 4 31-12-2014 , 01:10 AM

Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006

Posts: 4

Just as curiosa, your tip was very helpful. Still some functionality left to implement before the script is done, but GUI part is mostly implemented:

user added image

Edit:

I am finally done with my first sketch and my very first MEL script! user added image

It is not final yet, but it can be used to creat large bulk of text in a go. Here are few shots:

user added image

If somebody would like to gve it a try I would appreciate some feedback.

To give a hint it can be usefull if you are into this kind of things:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlk_japqbs4

Last edited by memory_leak; 03-01-2015 at 06:24 AM.

Quote

How to modify/wrap existing Maya window?

Posting Rules Forum Rules

Similar Threads

Topics

Free Courses

Full Courses

VFX News