Maya and Python Tools

Thinking of learning python for use with MAYA?
There are two good tools out there if you want to code in python and getting it run with Maya. One of them is PYMEL developed by Chad Dombrova of Luma Pictures. ymel makes python within Maya the way it should be-- readable, concise, and object-oriented. Pymel builds on the maya.cmds module by organizing many of its commands into a class hierarchy, and by customizing them to operate in a more succinct and intuitive way. The other is Farsheed Ashouri's mapy 1.2.1 an external commander for Maya. It has the following features:

• Use maya powerful programming language without using it's native script editor.
• Support for MEL and Python.
• Send your scripts with single hotkey.

Mapy looks at the script and based on the extension of the file, sends python or MEL commands to maya. The mapy website has tutorials on how to install and getting it to run with your favorite text editor.
Direct Download Links:
PYMEL
mapy 1.2.1