ScriptSpot

Script

mzp builder

By grabjacket · 2012-11-29

Version
2
Date updated
2012-12-04
Votes
2
Homepage
http://www.klaasnienhuis.nl/WordPress/2012/11/building-mzp-scripts-for-3dsmax/
External download
External download
Description

When working with large scripts in 3dsMax it's very practical to split the project up in multiple files. When done correctly this loosely resembles an object-oriented approach. Something that maxscript doesn't really support. While working with multiple files is easier than with a single large one, publishing them is more work. This script helps with that.

I like to publish my scripts as an mzp-file. This is a self-extracting zip-file built for 3dsMax. Within an mzp-file you can bundle scriptfiles, art,presets or other files and link special actions which are executed upon installation. Building such a file needs some manual work however. It's also very error-prone. I always have to check three times if everything is in place and have to edit my mzp-file after each try. This takes a lot of time and is frustrating. The mzpBuilder creates an mzp-file based on an ini-file you can fill in yourself. It also creates the run-file based on the data in the ini-file.Read more about the mzp-file in the maxscript documentation.

Using the ini-file makes the building process more consistent and a lot quicker. My script covers a small portion of the features of the mzp-files, but it's enough for me at the moment. I might expand upon this if needed.

Check out the project on github or download it directly.

You can also check out the blog for more info.

Additional Info

Version 2

Added readme which tells you which scripts are being installed where. Besides that, the developer can give you a small message, license, support and contact information.

Comments (6)

NiK684 · 2018-01-05

Replace string 57

From:
local theIniFile = @"N:\GitHub\mzpBuilder\mzpbuilder_list_demo.ini"

To:
local theIniFile = getFilenamePath (getThisScriptFilename()) + "mzpbuilder_list_demo.ini"

asymptote · 2016-01-11

Puleeez make this work in later versions.

:(

I want to make little installers for all my scripts, setting up Max on a new machine is a right pain in the proverbial.

asymptote · 2014-03-18

Hi Klass, I'm getting the same Booleanclass error, is there a fix ?

thanks

Max 2014 sp1

error

artrender.info · 2013-02-11

unable to convert: ** to type: BooleanClass
in line encryptscripts = GetINISetting theIniFile "Encrypt" "encryptscripts" as booleanclass

asymptote · 2012-11-29

This looks cool.

I'm someone who doesn't code, but even I can follow an .ini :)

Now all script authors have no excuse for not providing an installer , but your explanation probably explains why so few do. ;)

This will be very useful to combine a good number of my most used fiddly "installerless" scripts in one convenient package.

I'm sure script authors will appreciate this more than a nub like me :)