Fast Ref

Ep.11 — Fast-Ref API (V2 · Markdown · Build a Simple Tool with AI)

Download Markdown

One-liner: Download the Fast-Ref API V2 docs as Markdown, feed them to an AI, and call Fast-Ref from a script (or a tiny tool) without opening the Fast-Ref UI.

Docs: API Reference — Fast-Ref

1. What is an API?

Term Meaning In Fast-Ref
UI (User Interface) Buttons and windows Open the Fast-Ref window and click
API (Application Programming Interface) Call the same features from a script MAXScript Editor, language set to Python

Riggers and TAs already know this. For animators and beginners: you drive Fast-Ref with code instead of the window.

In 3ds Max MAXScript Editor, switch the language to Python. The command list is the API page above.

There was a V1; this update is V2.

2. How to get the docs

  1. OtakuSolutions site → API Reference → Fast-Ref.
  2. Each page has Download Markdown.
  3. Use Download All at the top to get every .md at once.

.md (Markdown) is a developer doc format — same job as Word, but easier for AI to read.
Open it in Typora, or just Notepad.

3. Briefing with AI

Gemini / ChatGPT / Claude all work.

  1. Attach the *.md files from the zip.
  2. Gemini may cap how many files you can attach. In that case, upload only the combined Fast-Ref API document.
  3. Example prompt: Brief me on this API. (any language is fine.)

The AI explains the layout and how to use it. That is why the download buttons exist.

4. Example — add Mable without the Fast-Ref window

You do not need to know Python. Ask the AI.

  1. Example: Make a simple tool that adds the Mable character without going through the Fast-Ref UI.
  2. Also tell it your 3ds Max version (the video uses 2025).
  3. The first script may run with no UI.
       → Change it to a UI with a button I can click.
  4. Run it in Max. If it errors, copy the error text as-is back to the AI.
  5. Simple tools rarely work on the first try. Go back and forth until it does.
  6. Click the button and confirm the reference loads without opening Fast-Ref.
  7. In Fast-Ref, Refresh / check the slot. If New File and then API-load still works, you are done.
       It does not depend on the Fast-Ref UI being open.

5. Why this matters

Every studio has a different taste and pipeline.
If you mix the Fast-Ref API into your own tools, you keep Fast-Ref features under your buttons and your flow.

Download All API docs
    → Attach *.md to an AI
    → Ask for a briefing / a tiny tool (include Max version)
    → Paste errors back until it runs
    → Wire it into your pipeline tool

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