Setting Interface preferences

The Interface category of the Max Preferences window lets you set a number of preferences that affect how you work with Max.

All Windows Active (Windows systems only)

By default, only Max objects in the frontmost window can respond to mouse clicks, and any other windows must be clicked on to bring them to the foreground. When the All Windows Active checkbox in the Interface pane is checked, Max objects in background windows will respond to the mouse, but you'll need to either click on the title bar or choose the window's name from the Max Console menu to bring it to the foreground.
You can only type numbers into one of the Max number box objects if the window in which the number box is located is in the foreground. However, keystrokes on your computer keyboard will be sent out the outlets of any key, keyup, or modifiers object in any loaded patch or subpatch regardless of the All Windows Active setting.

External Text Editor settings

The external editor settings are used to integrate an external text editor into objects (such as coll, js or text) that normally use the built-in text editor.

The Check for Updates preference

Setting the Check for updates automatically will cause Max to check for available updates whenever the application is started. Unset this to avoid checking for updates (such as when your computer is being used without and internet connection).

Color Theme preference

Select the application-wide colors of patcher toolbars, sidebar, and other interface elements (as well as default patcher colors).

Project folder preferences

When working with Max projects, It is important that the Max application knows where the Project folders for regular projects and the projects you create when working with Max for Live are found. You can use the Preferences Windows to set default locations for these folders.

Setting image resolution preferences

Several Max objects (jit.qt.grab, jit.dx.grab, jit.qt.movie) allow you to save loaded image files or individual frames of a Jitter matrix. You can set a preference for the default resolution for any image files you save.

Space Bar Accepts Autocompletion

Setting the Space Bar Accepts Autocompletion setting will use a space bar to accept the currently highlighted autocompletion value. If unset, the space bar will insert a space into an object box without choosing the autocompletion text.