Max objects are connected together using patch cords. There are three different types
of patch cords — those used for Max objects, audio patch cords used for MSP objects,
and Jitter patch cords. Each type of patch cord has a unique look.
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Click on the outlet of an object and drag from the outlet of one object to the inlet of
another. When you release the mouse, the patch cord connection will be created.
Max connections are always made from the outlet of one object to the inlet of another.
If an object does not accept the kind of connection you are trying to make,
the object’s inlet will not expand when you mouse over it.
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Shift-click on an inlet of an object when completing a connection. When the patch
cord you’re connecting appears, another patch cord will be created immediately for
the next connection.
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Option-click (Macintosh) or Alt-click (Windows) and drag over an area
to select a patch cord or cords. They will be highlighted.
You may find it useful to use different colored patch cords to identify
different parts of your patch.
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Click on a patchcord to select it. To select multiple patch cords,
option-click and drag (Macintosh) or control-click and drag (Windows).
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Choose Colors... from the Options menu to show the
Color Palette.
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Select the color you wish to use or enter the color values. The
color of the patchcord(s) will change to match your selection.
By default, you can draw a straight-line patch cord between the outlet of one Max object
and the inlet of another. The type of patch cord depends on the kind of Max objects being
connected (Max, MSP, or Jitter).
Max lets you draw segmented patch cords — connections that
have joints or corners. You can have both kinds of patch cords in the same patch, and
convert one kind of patch cord to another. Macintosh or Control-clicking anywhere on Windows.
Although segmented patch cords redraw a little more slowly when selected or deselected,
a segmented patch cord functions exactly like a straight one—it doesn’t take up any additional
memory when a patch is loaded, or have any effect on the order in which messages are sent
from and received by objects in a patch.
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Choose Segmented Patch Cords from the Options menu. The menu item will be checked. Click
on the outlet of an object, click at each point where you want the patch cord to bend, and then
click on the inlet of the other object. The adjust the shape of a segmented patch cord, click
on a segment so select it and click and drag the segment with the mouse.
You can make your patch look neater by
aligning patch cord connections,
too
If you find that you like using segmented patch cords, you can have them as the
default when you load Max.
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Choose Segmented Patch Cords from the Options menu (Macintosh) or the Edit menu (Windows) to
show the
Preferences Window,
and click on the Patcher tab to show the
Patcher window preferences
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Click the checkbox in the Value column for the Segmented Patch Cords setting. The menu
item will be checked, and segmented patch cords will automatically be enabled the
next time you launch Max.
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Option-click (Macintosh) or Alt-click (Windows) to erase the most recent patch cord line
segment. To remove a patch cord completely, command-click (Macintosh) or control-click (Windows)
anywhere in the Patcher window.
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If the Segmented Patch Cords option is not checked in the Options menu,
hold the Shift key down when clicking on an outlet. The next patch cord you draw
will be segmented.
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If the Segmented Patch Cords option is checked in the Options menu, hold the
Shift key down when clicking on an outlet. The next patch cord you draw will be straight.
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Shift-click on an outlet before you begin drawing your patch cord. The next connection
you make from this outlet will use an unsegmented patch cord.
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Hold down the control key if you are making a segmented patch cord and want to
make a corner over an object. The normal auto-connection feature will be disabled.
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Command-click (Macintosh) or Control-click (Windows) while making a segmented patch cord.
The patch cord you are working with will be removed.
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Option-click (Macintosh) or Alt-click (Windows) while making a segmented patch cord. The
last segment will be removed
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Control-click (Macintosh) or right-click (Windows) on any patch cord in an unlocked
Patcher window in Patcher or Presentation mode. When the patch cord contextual menu appears,
choose Align from the menu. If the patch cord is straight, it will be replaced by a segmented
patch cord. Max will also try to align patch cord connections so that patch cords don't
overlap Max objects.
While the
Presentation Mode
of Max is ideal for creating user
interfaces for your patch, it’s sometimes simpler to merely hide certain
objects and patch cords in your patch whenever the patch is locked mode.
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Option-click (Macintosh) or Alt-click (Macintosh) and drag to select
the patch cords you want to hide or reveal and choose Hide on Lock from the Object menu.
Any selected patch cords or objects will be invisible when the Patcher window is locked.
To reveal patch cords that are currently hidden on lock, select the patch cords and choose
Show on Lock from the Object menu. Any selected patch
cords will once again be visible when the Patcher window is locked.