CGTALK MAXSCRIPT CHALLENGE - Topics and Suggestions

Really good ideas Georg! Instead of locking it, I may just add to the rules not to submit until the deadline. That way people can discuss the topic during the challenge.

Yeah,

and as soon as maxscripting becomes real popular you can announce:
THE SPEED SCRIPTING HARCORE CHALLENGE
where only scripts containing inline assembler submitted within 1 hours after registration are accepted.

Georg

- A week is fine, if the challenge is easy. I believe that more people would participate with simpler .. not so restricted/bound scriptiong challenges. Then its up to the individual how much to put in it. Skip the "intermediate" / "advanced" distinction .. just make the challenges as simple as possible (Even simpler than that latest posted imo)

- Yes, as soon as someone posts a usefull solution the motivation tends to dissapear (this is also what happens to me), so I agree that it is a good idea to announce a "do not post before" date in the challenge.

- Please use some more of the given ideas for challenges .. especially then ones that may sound too simple ;-)

- Motivating factor? I dont think you need to make it into a competition or similar with prices etc. The motivation will come automatically with discussions, ideas etc. of many more people in the challange thread.



I think this might get more people participating, especially for artists who only scripts once in a while and have to dig into the documentation to refresh the basics when it happens.

Generally what I tend to do is crop up the occasional "Back to Basics" challenge, which is a fairly simple set up for those just starting out. The whole idea behind the challenges is for people to look into the HOW. If I make it too simple for people it wouldn't be a challenge, it would be more like a workshop. I have the levels of difficutly for those that would find the simple challenges a little too simple... again a motivation thing.

But I hear what you're saying.

Would people perhaps like to see a seperate workshopping thread where basics are covered more thoroughly for beginners?

I guess that would not be a bad idea. The thing is I would love to be able to participate in all challenges but they are sometimes just way over my head and I have no idea where to start.

-Baker

why not focusing on certain aspect of the software?
For instance

• A script that display info on script.( use of the gw (if i'm correct))
• new procedural material.
• Something related to animation etc etc etc.

one thing i finhard is to find THE idea. i mean for the past challenge you had to with a way to display info.... info of what. and wich way? rollout on screen etc.
So maybe giving a secondairy pointer for the less knowledgeful (?) of us. like me and give just the first info for the most advanced.
But i'm sure intermediate/advanced user will find fun to relearn some stuff. maybe it could become a giant laboratory of scripting. oOoOoohh!

I think the concept of a challenge is great, and that last one where it was more or less up to the individual to decide the difficulty level (and a litte reminder that a little thinking could make it even more interesting ) .. and the new rule about not posting before a certain date made it just great. Actually there would be no need to call it "Back to basics" since that would depend on the imagination and qualification of the individual scripter.

A workshop sort of thing might also be good or maybe someone teaching a simple subject every week and giving some examples and hints?

so whats the next challenge??
Can't wait!
hehe i'm starting to love this

Sorry guys, the new challenge should be up today sometime... I'm flat out at the moment!

The new challenge is up. I'll actually try and participate this time.

Ideas:

Compare Render: kinda like maya or the RAM player but enabling more than 2 images.

Take a look at HaywoodTools at scriptspot.com.
It has a script called renderview that has this feature. Could probably be enhanced though.

Inference locking and snapping á la SketchUp

Here's some info:
http://www.pixero.com/bilder/pics/inference1.gif
http://www.pixero.com/bilder/pics/inference2.gif
http://www.pixero.com/bilder/pics/inference3.gif

Video tutorials:
http://download.sketchup.com/downloads/training/tutorials50/Sketchup%20Video%20Tutorials.html
Chapters:
Drawing while using inferences from other geometry
Inference locking
Basic Geometry in SketchUp

You can also download the free SketchUp Google version and try it for yourself.

I just updated that script on my site with a couple bug fixes and a slight enhancement if you're using Max 9. I don't think it's on scriptspot though. If you have any suggestions for enhancements I'd love to hear about them.

Ok, I thought they were availible at scriptspot. My fault.

Would it be possible to "replace" the Max standard "render window"?
What I mean is, could your script show the actual render taking place?
I've tried a script called: Mechnology-Viewrender.mcr that works that way in "real time".

Also I've tried a free renderer called Kerkythea that had a great feature in that you could do tone mapping and color corrections directly in the renderview. Would that be possible to add?
You can download Kerkythea and see how it works. http://www.softlab.ntua.gr/~jpanta/Graphics/Kerkythea/

If you have and further questions maybe we should take them with PM or in a new thread.
By the way, thanks for your scripts!