A newer version of Max is available. Click here to access the latest version of the Max documentation

Organizing Your Patch

One thing is certain in Max: patches can get complicated fast. There are several techniques available to help you tame your unruly patches. Abstractions, subpatchers and bpatchers let you bundle up functionality into small, self-contained units. In addition, with aligning and segmenting patch cords can help your complex patch stay readable. Finally, by hiding certain objects on lock and configuring your presentation view, you can perfect your performance interface so you don’t have to expose more than what you need.

See Also

Name Description
Align Objects Align Objects
Align Patch Cords Align Patch Cords
Annotations Annotations
Arranging and aligning objects Arranging and aligning objects
Assistance for Inlets and Outlets Assistance for Inlets and Outlets
Creating Subpatchers Creating Subpatchers
Distribute Objects Distribute Objects
Documenting Your Own Patches Documenting Your Own Patches
Encapsulate and De-encapsulate Encapsulate and De-encapsulate
Encapsulating and Reusing Your Work Encapsulating and Reusing Your Work
Finding Objects in a Patcher Finding Objects in a Patcher
Foreground and Background Layers Foreground and Background Layers
Hints Hints
In-place editing In-place editing
Object Ordering Object Ordering
Patch Cords Patch Cords
Presentation Mode Presentation Mode
Prototypes Prototypes
Subpatcher Inlets and Outlets Subpatcher Inlets and Outlets
Subpatchers Subpatchers
Max Interface Tutorial 1: bpatchers Max Interface Tutorial 1: bpatchers
patcher Create a subpatch within a patch
patcherargs Retrieve patcher arguments
bpatcher Embed a subpatch with a visible UI
patcher Create a subpatch within a patch
inlet Receive messages from outside a patcher
outlet Send messages out of a patcher
pvar Connect to a named object in a patcher
pv Share data within a patch hierarchy
send Send messages without patch cords
send~ Send signals without patch cords
receive Receive messages without patch cords
receive~ Signals can be received from any loaded patcher, without patch cords