RenderHelper - Maya Mental Ray render utilities

Download RenderHelper.zip

This is a collection of Mental Ray for Maya utilities.  I found myself repeating the same Mental Ray setup steps or building the same node graphs so many times I made small convenience shelf buttons.  The number of buttons grew so I collected them all into a single UI.

This should work in Maya2012+, at least it does for me...

How I write a MEL script - Example Script

We are ready to write the actual script.  Using the template, we add inputs, error check and do the work.  You can download the MEL script and view it while I break it down section by section.

Reminder: We are making a script that will create a matte render suitable for use in Photoshop.  As an extra, I've modified the code so we can also make RGB mattes.

How I write a MEL script - Idea to Scriptlet

The Idea and Scriptlet phase is quick.  I see them as a sketch or thumbnail; something that can be quickly roughed out, changed and erased.

Reminder: The example will be to help lighters make a matte render.

How I write a MEL script - Identify the need

Here we will identify the need for the proc.  This not only helps us clarify our vision but could potentially stop us from writing code that has no clear purpose.

In order to illustrate my script writing process, I'll identify a need, come up with an idea, make a scriptlet, then write the proc.  The example will be to help lighters make a matte render to use in Photoshop.

How I write a MEL script - Template

Most scripts that I write, except the tiny scriptlets, all follow a template.

How I write a MEL script - Overview and Guidelines

Before we get into the code writing process, let's take a look at some simple rules I follow.