About the Script Editor

The Script Editor is where you edit and execute MEL scripts. You can also use it to view the MEL commands that are generated and executed as you do various things in Maya.

The Script Editor is divided into two areas: the top pane, which displays a list of all executed commands, and the bottom pane, where you type in and execute your scripts.

To open the Script Editor:

• Click the Script Editor icon in the lower-right area of the Maya interface, or choose General Editors > Script Editor from the Window menu.
  
  The Script Editor opens.
  
  

To execute a MEL script in the Script Editor:

1.	In the bottom pane of the Script Editor, type in the MEL command or commands you want to execute. For example, type sphere; to create a NURBS sphere (Figure 17.3). Figure 17.3. The sphere command creates a NURBS sphere.
2.	Press , or on the numeric keypad. The MEL script you entered is executed and disappears from the bottom pane. It's displayed, along with its result, in the top pane (Figure 17.4). Figure 17.4. When executed, MEL commands appear in the top pane of the Script Editor, along with their result.
3.	Close or minimize the Script Editor to see the effect of the script on your scene (Figure 17.5). Figure 17.5. By minimizing the Script Editor, you can see that a sphere has appeared in the view.

To view a MEL command in the Script Editor:

• Use the Maya interface to perform a task. For example, select Create > Polygon Primitives > Sphere to make a sphere. The MEL command executed by Maya to perform the task appears in the top pane of the Script Editor.