Max scripts: extended ASCII characters break max script on non western PCs! (we then always have to change the windows system locale – annoying). Stay away from the degree sign, the copyright sign, etc. In max script stick to the characters printed on your US/western european keyboard. If you don’t see the character there, then don’t use it in the script.

If you talk to some server in your script (P4, database, whatever) please re-check if the connection is still there before doing something. Programs not handling dropped connections is something we encounter often.

Machine setup: Please avoid intrusive setups which totally re-configure Max/Maya/the-entire-PC and make it impossible to run tools from another client afterwards. (my favorite annoyance: MAYA_APP_DIR. Use a batch file to set it and to launch Maya afterwards, don’t just change system environment variables with your tool’s installer). Uninstallers are also welcome, but if your tool isn’t intrusive, then this isn’t so high on our “want to have” list.

Interestingly enough, Localization isn’t a very big topic for us. I think the artists are used to working with English tools. We do however summarize and translate parts of the client supplied docs and also have hands-on training sessions. Translating the tools themselves would probably take more time than we can fit into our busy schedule.

Thanks Rob for putting the spotlight on this topic!