https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/maya-programming-forum/cmds-vs-openmaya-api-real-performance-gains-or-just-myth/m-p/14123143#M18188 <P>Deep dag traversal and atomic control over Maya is where OpenMaya excels<BR /><BR />Just getting the code to work is where the Python Lib is preferable<BR /><BR />There are also numerous things you simply can't do with maya.cmds - making custom viewports, making your own deformeres etc</P> Sat, 09 May 2026 11:30:38 GMT forrest.brent 2026-05-09T11:30:38Z https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/maya-programming-forum/cmds-vs-openmaya-api-real-performance-gains-or-just-myth/m-p/13991590#M18127 <P>Hi everyone,</P><P>Maya Version:<BR />- Maya 2022 / 2024<BR />- Python 3</P><P>Context:<BR />I’m working on production-style tools that process large numbers of nodes<BR />(geometry queries, attribute reads/writes, and DAG traversal). These tools<BR />are executed frequently, sometimes via UI callbacks.</P><P>Common advice suggests replacing maya.cmds with OpenMaya for performance,<BR />but in real-world tools the results don’t always seem consistent.</P><P>What I’m Trying to Understand:<BR />- When OpenMaya actually provides measurable performance benefits<BR />- When maya.cmds is “good enough” and easier to maintain<BR />- How much overhead comes from Python vs Maya’s internal execution</P><P>Observations:<BR />- Some OpenMaya loops are faster, but setup and data conversion add overhead<BR />- In mixed pipelines, the gains sometimes feel marginal<BR />- UI-driven tools often hide the actual performance difference</P><P>What I’ve Tried:<BR />- Profiling cmds-based implementations vs OpenMaya equivalents<BR />- Using MFn* classes for direct node access<BR />- Reducing string-based lookups and repeated cmds calls</P><P>Questions:<BR />1. In which scenarios does OpenMaya truly outperform cmds in production?<BR />2. Are there internal costs (wrapping, data conversion) that reduce gains?<BR />3. What patterns do experienced TDs follow when deciding between the two?</P><P>Looking for real production experience and not just theoretical guidance.<BR />Thanks in advance.</P> Mon, 26 Jan 2026 21:23:55 GMT https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/maya-programming-forum/cmds-vs-openmaya-api-real-performance-gains-or-just-myth/m-p/13991590#M18127 animatewithabhay 2026-01-26T21:23:55Z https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/maya-programming-forum/cmds-vs-openmaya-api-real-performance-gains-or-just-myth/m-p/14123143#M18188 <P>Deep dag traversal and atomic control over Maya is where OpenMaya excels<BR /><BR />Just getting the code to work is where the Python Lib is preferable<BR /><BR />There are also numerous things you simply can't do with maya.cmds - making custom viewports, making your own deformeres etc</P> Sat, 09 May 2026 11:30:38 GMT https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/maya-programming-forum/cmds-vs-openmaya-api-real-performance-gains-or-just-myth/m-p/14123143#M18188 forrest.brent 2026-05-09T11:30:38Z