mxj~

Description

The mxj~ object (and its Max equivalent mxj) instantiate specially-written Java classes and acts as a Max-level peer object, passing data that originates in Max to the Java object and vice versa.

Examples

Discussion

The form that an mxj~ object takes -- the number of inlets, outlets and the messages it understands -- is determined by the Java class that it instantiates. Unlike the Max mxj object, the mxj~ object is able to perform operations on signal vectors in an MSP processing chain. Using mxj~ requires that the host computer have a recent version of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) installed. Macintosh users can ensure that they have the most up-to-date version of the JVM by running Software Update from the System Preferences.

By default, neither Mac M1 machines nor Windows XP have a version of the JVM installed. As of the writing of this document the most recent version of the JVM can be downloaded from this link.

Max includes a directory called "java-doc", which can be found on Windows machines at

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Cycling '74\java-doc

and on Macintosh machines at

/Applications/Max*/java-doc

The following important subdirectories are in the java-doc directory:

"classes" - contains the source code and class files of the example Java classes that are included with Max.

"help" - contains the help files that are associated with the example Java classes. Exploring these patches is a good, quick way to see how mxj~ has extended and will extend the Max universe.

"doc/tutorial" - contains a step-by-step tutorial that leads you through the process of creating your first Java class to the application of advanced mxj~ programming techniques. The tutorial is in HTML format.

"doc/api" - contains html files that specify mxj~ 's Application Programming Interface (API). These pages will serve as an invaluable resource when you are coding your own Java classes.

"doc/ide" - contains example projects for some of the Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) we think you may want to use to create Java classes.

"doc/mxj~ examples" - contains example classes for signal processing

"lib" - contains the code libraries that the mxj~ object uses to bridge the worlds of Max and Java.

In addition, a file named "max.java.config.txt" is also located in the java directory. This file allows you to specify which diretories should be in Java's classpath - a concept roughly analogous to the Max search path.

Arguments

Java-class [symbol]

The mxj~ object must be given the name of a valid Java class as the first argument. The Java class file must exist somewhere within the classpath, and it must be a class that was designed for use with the mxj~ object (the class must subclass com.cycling74.max.MaxObject). The number of inlets that an instance of mxj~ creates and the messages that it will respond to are determined by declarations made in the peer Java class.

attributes [list]

The mxj~ object supports the definition of attributes within the Java code for a peer class. The attributes that are settable at the time of instantiation using the @ paradigm. For instance, if a particular class Foo defined an integer attribute called intBar, one could create an instance of the class with the attribute set to the value 74 by typing mxj~ Foo @intBar 74 in an object box.

Attributes

Common Box Attributes

annotation [symbol]

Sets the text that will be displayed in the Clue window when the user moves the mouse over the object.

background [int] (default: 0)

Adds or removes the object from the patcher's background layer. background 1 adds the object to the background layer, background 0 removes it. Objects in the background layer are shown behind all objects in the default foreground layer.

color [4 floats]

Sets the color for the object box outline.

fontface [int]

Sets the type style used by the object. The options are:

plain
bold
italic
bold italic Possible values:

0 = 'regular'
1 = 'bold'
2 = 'italic'
3 = 'bold italic'

fontname [symbol]

Sets the object's font.

fontsize [float]

Sets the object's font size (in points). Possible values:

'8'
'9'
'10'
'11'
'12'
'13'
'14'
'16'
'18'
'20'
'24'
'30'
'36'
'48'
'64'
'72'

hidden [int] (default: 0)

Toggles whether an object is hidden when the patcher is locked.

hint [symbol]

Sets the text that will be displayed in as a pop-up hint when the user moves the mouse over the object in a locked patcher.

ignoreclick [int] (default: 0)

Toggles whether an object ignores mouse clicks in a locked patcher.

jspainterfile [symbol]

JS Painter File

patching_rect [4 floats] (default: 0. 0. 100. 0.)

Sets the position and size of the object in the patcher window.

position [2 floats]

g/s(set)

Sets the object's x and y position in both patching and presentation modes (if the object belongs to its patcher's presentation), leaving its size unchanged.

presentation [int] (default: 0)

Sets whether an object belongs to the patcher's presentation.

presentation_rect [4 floats] (default: 0. 0. 0. 0.)

Sets the x and y position and width and height of the object in the patcher's presentation, leaving its patching position unchanged.

rect [4 floats]

g/s(set)

Sets the x and y position and width and height of the object in both patching and presentation modes (if the object belongs to its patcher's presentation).

size [2 floats]

g/s(set)

Sets the object's width and height in both patching and presentation modes (if the object belongs to its patcher's presentation), leaving its position unchanged.

textcolor [4 floats]

Sets the color for the object's text in RGBA format.

textjustification [int]

Sets the justification for the object's text. Possible values:

0 = 'left'
1 = 'center'
2 = 'right'

varname [symbol]

Sets the patcher's scripting name, which can be used to address the object by name in pattr, scripting messages to thispatcher, and the js object.