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3DS Max offers a Python API, but that API is built on top of SWiG/CPython. I'm curious, is it possible to script 3DS MAX using C++ or C#, given that SWiG is simply a wrapper for (predumably) C/C++ API?

Dmitri Nesteruk
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    I use to program plugins using C++ for 3ds Max, and I remember there was a SDK for C# some years ago (I think). With that said, it's not the same as scripting. You can do more, but the learning curve is steeper. – Reactgular Jun 07 '19 at 18:01
  • @Reactgular what I like with scripting is you can just run it without having to go through some complicated process. then again I don't mind compiling stuff if I get the same result. Python implementation of 3ds is *awful*, there's no typing, I get no code completion in PyCharm (because it's SWiG generated), it's an unusable mess – Dmitri Nesteruk Jun 07 '19 at 18:22
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    Back when I did scripting we used MaxScript. That was an unusable mess..... lol – Reactgular Jun 07 '19 at 18:23
  • @Reactgular yes, that's even worse. – Dmitri Nesteruk Jun 07 '19 at 20:58

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If you want to program in C++, why not use the SDK? There is also .NET exposure described here. But note the SDK samples are written in C++ generally, so you'll find more support and information there.

The SDK is a separate option, when installing 3ds Max, click "Install Tools & Utilities" instead of the regular install button. Documentation is here.

MichaelsonBritt
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