2. Technical Art Director, Volition, Inc. / THQ
python TM
for technical artists
Adam Pletcher
Technical Art Director, Volition, Inc. / THQ

3. Background Myself Python @ Volition MaxScript Tech Art Council
Programming Classes
Future Engine Toolset

4. Key Features Dynamic Typing >>> spam = 32.38
>>> print spam
32.38
>>> spam = "Three, sir."
Three, sir.

5. Key Features Clear Syntax C#: Python: No braces?!
for (int i = 0; i < 6; i++) {
avgColor += colorArray[i]; }
Python:
No braces?!
for c in colorArray:
avgColor += c

6. Key Features Introspection etc… >>> val = 32.38
>>> help(val)
Help on float object:
class float(object)
| float(x) -> floating point number |
| Convert a string or number to a
| floating point number, if possible.
| Methods defined here:
etc…

7. Key Features Real Exception/Error-Handling System try:
myList.append(val)
except AttributeError:
print 'Oops, "myList" needs to be list type!'
print 'It was type', type(myList), 'instead.'
except:
raise

8. Key Features Classes, Inheritance Extendable Embeddable
No more structs-as-classes (MaxScript)
Extendable
Add functionality with C, C++, Python packages
Embeddable
Python scripting in your application

9. Key Features Ginormous Standard Library
Manipulate text, binary, XML, HTML, ZIP files
Send & receive
Dates & times
GUI toolkit
Data Persistence/Serialization
Internet access, networking
Multi-threading
Unit testing framework (two, actually)

10. Key Features Third-Party Extensions Windows win32 API
COM, app. automation (MS Excel, etc.)
Image manipulation
More GUI toolkits, RAD designers
Source control
Databases
Reports & graph generation

11. Key Features Python is FUN Feel more productive Fits your brain
Huge community

12. Demonstrations Scripts for Tech Artists Data mining Screen scraping
Data persistence (serialization)
Using GUIs
Texture validation, comparison
Databases
COM integration with 3ds Max

14. Python Resources
Web
Official Python Site – (try the tutorials)
Dive Into Python –
ActiveState Cookbook –
Guide to Python Introspection –
Large collection of Python Tutorials –

15. Python Resources Books Learning Python, 3rd Ed., Mark Lutz
Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, Michael Dawson
Python Programming in Win32, Mark Hammond, Andy Robinson
Programming Python, 3rd Ed., Mark Lutz
Beginning Python: From Novice to Professional, Magnus Lie Hetland

16. Python Resources Useful Extensions wxPython - http://www.wxpython.org/
Python Win32 -
Python Imaging Library -
MySQLdb -
PyExcelerator -
Pygame -
Py2exe -
Pyro (Python Remote Objects) -

17. www.volition-inc.com/gdc All code examples Powerpoint slides
Extra goodies
Questions?