Normal Display in toggle mel script

[Anonymous]

Hello !

I'm a newbie in scripting 😄

For displaying the normal i'm using this :

// Normal type
polyOptions -displayNormal true -global;
polyOptions -f;     // on facets
// normal size
polyOptions -sn 0.3;
// Increase normal size
// polyOptions -r -sn 1.5;

and to switch off this :

polyOptions -displayNormal false -global;

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It's doing the job 😄

But when i try to regroup it in a simple script to use with a hotkey for example

global proc togglenormal()
{
int $tmp[] = polyOptions -displayNormal -global;

if ($tmp[0]) polyOptions {polyOptions -displayNormal false -global;}
else {// Normal type
polyOptions -displayNormal true -global;
polyOptions -f; // on facets
// normal size
polyOptions -sn 0.3;}
}

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I'm having  this :

// Error:     int $tmp[] = polyOptions -displayNormal -global; //
// Error: Line 3.30: Invalid use of Maya object "polyOptions". //
// Error:     int $tmp[] = polyOptions -displayNormal -global; //
// Error: Line 3.45: Invalid use of Maya object "displayNormal". //
// Error:     if ($tmp[0]) polyOptions {polyOptions -displayNormal false -global;} //
// Error: Line 5.43: Invalid use of Maya object "polyOptions". //
// Error:     if ($tmp[0]) polyOptions {polyOptions -displayNormal false -global;} //
// Error: Line 5.62: Invalid use of Maya object "displayNormal". //

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It's certainly nothing but it's my first "script"

Thanks

[Roland.Reyer · Accepted solution]

Hi,

in MEL if you want to assign the return values of a command you need to enclose the command in single quotes:

   int $tmp[] = 'polyOptions -q -displayNormal ....';

But you could also use the toggle commands:

   ToggleFaceNormalDisplay;

   ToggleVertexNormalDisplay;

   ToggleTangentDisplay;

You can find these command by:

- turn on "Echo all Commands" in the script editor (then choose the desired function from the menu)

  OR

- put the desired function on the shelf (hold SHIFT+CTRL and click the menu) then analyse the shelf button

[mspeer · Accepted solution]

Hi!

@Roland.Reyer

To correct this, you need backquotes:

$var = `mel_command`;

[Anonymous]

Thanks a lot !

it was a detail, but an important one !

 I've found the mel reference guide on autodesk web site and other sites, but have you good books reference for mel scripting ?

Thanks