UI Swapper (solved brilliantly by pid)

[kgmonarch]

I've always been fighting with ways to make the best use of whatever little space I can get out of the effects bar at the bottom of the screen. So I made a cyclic UI swapper thingy that lets you turn on and off the presentation flag (dynamically) for 3 objects.

This example uses multisliders.

It's probably not the cleanest code in the world, so if you manage to make it better, post it here. Let's help each other out.

Code: Select all

----------begin_max5_patcher----------
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-----------end_max5_patcher-----------

[pid]

avoid calling presentation mode and box positions dynamically - not a good idea.

<pre><code>
----------begin_max5_patcher----------
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-----------end_max5_patcher-----------
</code></pre>

[kgmonarch]

avoid calling presentation mode and box positions dynamically - not a good idea.

Yeah! The problem with my method is that the box positions have to be hardcoded which introduces chances for failure.

But this other method is much simpler! I never considered shifting the offset in a bpatcher. Very nice.

But now I'm curious -- I've been making bpatchers by creating new patches and then saving them, and then loading them into the bpatcher, and turning on the embed flag.

Is there a shortcut to make a bpatcher without having to create/save a new patch first?

[pid]

i must admit, i never use embed. i always create patches and use them as abstractions in bpatcher.

however, to do it more simply and treat the bpatcher as a subpatch, all you have to do is make a new bpatcher, go straight to the inspector and tick "Embed Patcher in Parent". then, when you right-click the actual bpatcher you can choose 'object' > new view of..., and it just opens up its empty subpatch.

the inspector is really the key to everything. i often have it permanently open to the side so it fills with each object i click, much like the old days of reaktor used to allow one to do.

by the way, it is hard to understate how useful helpfiles and reference files are. the max documentation method is one of the many reasons it is the best damn software on the planet. the bpatcher trick is something that has been sitting in the bpatcher helpfile since about 1998 / 1999 as far as i can recall. at least since max4 / 2002 anyway. everyone should read these things! but i am just mentioning as an aside. i apreciate your enthusiasm for the patch i sent very much, but nothing i have ever done in max can be considered remotely original!!! i am a copyer/hacker.

[kgmonarch]

however, to do it more simply and treat the bpatcher as a subpatch, all you have to do is make a new bpatcher, go straight to the inspector and tick "Embed Patcher in Parent". then, when you right-click the actual bpatcher you can choose 'object' > new view of..., and it just opens up its empty subpatch.

AH! This was the key I was looking for!

the inspector is really the key to everything. i often have it permanently open to the side so it fills with each object i click, much like the old days of reaktor used to allow one to do.

Yes, I've got it on a secondary monitor for just that purpose too! That, and the Clue Window. My problem is I didn't know that simply checking the box for the embed meant that you didn't have to create and save a patcher.

by the way, it is hard to understate how useful helpfiles and reference files are. the max documentation method is one of the many reasons it is the best damn software on the planet. the bpatcher trick is something that has been sitting in the bpatcher helpfile since about 1998 / 1999 as far as i can recall. at least since max4 / 2002 anyway. everyone should read these things! but i am just mentioning as an aside.

Oh man, I am going through the docs as fast as I can, and as often as possible, I have only just started using Max a couple of weeks ago. But I really really appreciate the help from someone who's got years of experience.

i apreciate your enthusiasm for the patch i sent very much, but nothing i have ever done in max can be considered remotely original!!! i am a copyer/hacker.

Same with me!

[kgmonarch]

Noticed a tiny 'gotcha/bug' with the bpatcher.

When you create a new bpatcher and set the "open in presentation" flag, it may not seem to take effect until you save, close and reopen the patch.