Package Max

multislider

Display data as sliders or a scrolling display

Description

Displays data as either an array of sliders or a scrolling display. When configured as sliders, the values are set (and output) as numeric lists. When configured as a scrolling display, multislider receives numbers, plots them, and scrolls the display area.

Discussion

Slider values are set by sending lists to the multislider object, which automatically reconfigures itself to have the same the number of sliders as elements in the list. The number of sliders, their range, style and additional attributes can all be set from the object's Inspector. The drawing styles include bar or thin-line slider handles (when using it as a slider), or point-value or zero-to-point in scrolling mode.

Arguments

None.

Attributes

bgcolor[4 floats]

Specifies the background color of the multislider in RGBA format. object.

candicane2[4 floats]: 0.498 0.5561 0.7451 1.

Specifies the 2nd slider color in candycane mode in RGBA format.

candicane3[4 floats]: 0.29392 0.41441 0.71583 1.

Specifies the 3rd slider color in candycane mode in RGBA format.

candicane4[4 floats]: 0.44088 0.62161 0.07375 1.

Specifies the 4th slider color in candycane mode in RGBA format.

candicane5[4 floats]: 0.58784 0.82881 0.43166 1.

Specifies the 5th slider color in candycane mode in RGBA format.

candicane6[4 floats]: 0.7348 0.03601 0.78958 1.

Specifies the 6th slider color in candycane mode in RGBA format.

candicane7[4 floats]: 0.88176 0.24321 0.14749 1.

Specifies the 7th slider color in candycane mode in RGBA format.

candicane8[4 floats]: 0.02872 0.45042 0.50541 1.

Specifies the 8th slider color in candycane mode in RGBA format.

candycane[int]: 1

Enables the multislider object to use multiple colors for adjacent sliders, with the color pattern repeating (like the stripes in a candycane) every N sliders (indicated by the integer argument). The first eight colors can be set with the frgba and rgba4 - rgba10 messages, the next fifteen colors are taken from the Max application's color palette. The number of stripes in the candycane can also be set using the Inspector.

compatibility[int]: 0

Toggles the backwards-compatibility mode for the maximum , minimum and sum messages. If this mode is enabled, the multislider object will output the single-value results of these messages out the left outlet, otherwise the values will be output out the right (single slider value) outlet, just like the fetch message. Patches saved before Max 4.6 will automatically open with compatibility mode enabled.

contdata[int]: 0

Toggles continuous output mode for non-scrolling display styles. If this mode is enabled, the multislider object will output a list of its current slider values each time the mouse is clicked and dragged. If this mode is turned off, the multislider object will only output a list when the mouse button is pressed and when it is released. The continuous output mode can also be set using the Inspector.

drawpeaks[int]: 0

Toggles setting the multislider to draw peak-output lines when displaying slider values. When followed by a 0, the sliders will not show any peaks.

ghostbar[int]: 0

When followed by a percentage value from 1 to 100, enables the drawing of a "ghost" bar when mode the multislider object is in Thin Line mode. A percentage value of 1 will draw a very light bar behind the Thin Line line, a value of 50 will draw a half-dark bar, and a value of 100 will draw a bar the same color as the Thin Line slider. When the word ghostbar is followed by a zero, this drawing mode is disabled (which it is by default).

listresize[int]: 1

When enabled (default), the number of sliders will change in response to an incoming list, resizing to match the list length. When disabled, the number of sliders remains stable, without regard for the length of incoming lists.

orientation[int]: 1

The word orientation followed by a non-zero number will set the sliders to be drawn with a vertical orientation. When followed by a 0, multislider will be set to draw with a horizontal orientation. Possible values:

0 = 'Horizontal'
1 = 'Vertical'

param_connect[symbol]:

Establishes a two-way connection between the object and a parameter of a compatible object with parameters such as gen~ or jit.gl.slab. The object can be used to change the value of the parameter and will update if the parameter value changes. The easiest way to set param_connect is with the attribute's menu in the inspector or the Connect submenu of the Object Action menu. The menu displays all available parameters of compatible objects.

Setting the param_connect attribute with a message requires the target parameter's path, which is the host object's scriping name followed by two colons and the parameter name. For example, for a gen~ object with scripting name gen~_AB , the path of the freq parameter would be gen~_AB::freq . You can set a value for the param_connect before the host object or parameter exists, and the object will connect to the parameter once it exists. Refer to the user guide entry for param_connect for more details.

parameter_enable[int]

Enables use of this object with Max for Live Parameters and setting initial parameter values in Max.

parameter_mappable[int]: 1

When parameter_mappable is enabled, the object will be available for mapping to keyboard or MIDI input using the Mappings feature.

peakcolor[4 floats]

Specifies the peak indicators when Peak-Hold display is turned on (see peakhold and peakreset messages). The default value is grey ( rgb2 127 127 127 ).

setminmax[2 floats]: -1. 1.

Sets the low and high range values for the multislider object. The default values are -1.0 and 1.0 for floating point sliders and 0 and 127 for integer sliders.

setstyle[int]: 0

Sets the display style of the multislider object. The default value is Thin Line ( setstyle 0 ). Possible values:

0 = 'Thin Line'
1 = 'Bar' ( Display slider values as bars )
2 = 'Point Scroll'
3 = 'Line Scroll'
4 = 'Reverse Point Scroll'
5 = 'Reverse Line Scroll'

settype[int]: 1

Sets the multislider object for integer (0) or floating point (1) operation. The Inspector can also be used to set the multislider object's type. The default is integer ( settype 0 ). Possible values:

0 = 'Integer' ( Use integer values for operation )
1 = 'Floating-point' ( Use integer values for operation )

shadowalpha[float]: 0.

Shadow Alpha

shadowblend[float]: 0.

Shadow Blend

shadoworientation[int]: 0

Shadow Orientation Possible values:

0 = 'Same'
1 = 'Opposite'
2 = 'Orthogonal'
3 = 'Orthogonal Opposite'
4 = 'Diagonal from Top Left'
5 = 'Diagonal from Bottom Left'
6 = 'Diagonal from Top Right'
7 = 'Diagonal from Bottom Right'

shadowperbar[int]: 1

Individual Bar Shadows

shadowproportion[float]: 0.5

Shadow Proportion

signed[int]: 0

Sets the signed or unsigned display mode for bar sliders. The default is 0 (off), and bar sliders are drawn from the minimum value. When this mode is set to 1 (on) sliders are drawn from zero to either a positive or negative slider value.

size[atom_long]: 1

Sets the number of sliders the multislider object has. The default is 1, and the maximum number of sliders is 4096.

slidercolor[4 floats]

Specifies the slider color of the multislider object. The default value is black ( frgb 0 0 0 ).

spacing[int]: 0

Sets the amount of space (in pixels) between sliders. The default is 0 (all sliders touching one another).

style[symbol]:
7.0.0

Sets the style to be applied to the object. Styles can be set using the Format Palette.

thickness[int]: 2

Sets the pen thickness of "thin line"style sliders. The default thickness is 2 pixels.

Common Box Attributes

Below is a list of attributes shared by all objects. If you want to change one of these attributes for an object based on the object box, you need to place the word sendbox in front of the attribute name, or use the object's Inspector.

annotation[symbol]

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

background[int]: 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]: 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]: 0

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

jspainterfile[symbol]

JS Painter File

patching_rect[4 floats]: 0. 0. 100. 0.

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

position[2 floats]
write-only

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]: 0

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

presentation_rect[4 floats]: 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]
write-only

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]
write-only

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.

Parameter Attributes

Orderint

Sets the order of recall of this parameter. Lower numbers are recalled first. The order of recall of parameters with the same order number is undefined.

Parameter Mode Enableint

Parameter Mode Enable (not available from Parameters window)

Link to Scripting Nameint

When checked, the Scripting Name is linked to the Long Name attribute.

Long Namesymbol

The long name of the parameter. This name must be unique per patcher hierarchy.

Short Namesymbol

Sets the short name for the object's visual display. The maximum length varies according to letter width, but is generally in a range of 5 to 7 characters.

Typeint

Specifies the data type. The data types used in Max for Live are:

Float
Int
Enum (enumerated list)
Blob

Note: By convention, the Live application uses floating point numbers for its calculations; the native integer representation is limited to 256 values, with a default range of 0-255 (similar to the char data type used in Jitter). When working with Live UI objects whose integer values will exceed this range, the Type attribute should be set to Float, and the Unit Style attribute should be set to Int.

Range/Enumlist

When used with an integer or floating point data type, this field is used to specify the minimum and maximum values of the parameter.
When used with an enumerated list (Enum) data type, this field contains a space-delimited list of the enumerated values (if list items contain a space or special characters, the name should be enclosed in double quotes).

Clip Modulation Modeint

Sets the Clip Modulation Mode used by the Live application. The modulation modes are:

None
Unipolar
Bipolar
Additive
Absolute

Clip Modulation Rangelist

This parameter is only used with the Absolute modulation mode. It specifies defines the range of values used.

Initial Enableint

When checked (set to 1), the UI object can store an initialization value. The value is set using the Initial attribute (see below).

Initiallist

Sets the initial value to be stored and used when the Initial Enable attribute is checked.

Unit Styleint

Sets the unit style to be used when displaying values. The unit style values are: Int: displays integer values
Float: displays floating point values
Time: displays time values in milliseconds (ms)
Hertz: displays frequency values (Hz/kHz).
deciBel: displays loudness (dB)
%: Percentage
Pan: displays Left and Right values
Semitones: displays steps (st)
MIDI: displays pitch corresponding to the MIDI note number
Custom: displays custom data type
Native: defaults to floating point values

Custom Unitssymbol

Sets the units to be used with the 'Custom' unit style (see "Unit Style", above). Custom unit strings may be simple symbols (e.g. "Harmonic(s)"), in which case the parameter's value will be displayed in its 'Native' display mode, followed by the symbol (e.g. "12 Harmonic(s)" for an Int-typed parameter or "12.54 Harmonic(s)" for a Float-typed parameter). For additional control over the numerical component displayed, a sprintf-style string may be used (e.g. "%0.2f Bogon(s)", which would display a value such as ".87 Bogons").

Exponentfloat

When set to a value other than 1., the parameter's input and output values will be exponentially scaled according to the factor entered in this column.

Stepsint

The number of steps available between the minimum and maximum values of a parameter. For instance, if the parameter has a range from 0.-64., with Steps set to 4, the user can only set the parameter to 0, 21.33, 42.66 and 64.

Parameter Visibilityint

For automatable parameters (Int, Float, Enum), 'Stored Only' disables automation, although parameter values are stored in presets. 'Hidden' causes the parameter's value to be ignored when storing and recalling data. Non-automatable parameters (Blob) are 'Stored Only' by default, and can be set to 'Hidden', if desired.

Update Limit (ms)int

Speed limits values triggered by automation.

Defer Automation Outputint

Defers values triggered by automation.

Messages

bang

Outputs the current slider values as a list.

int

Sets all slider values and positions to the number received and outputs a list reflecting the current values. If the multislider data type is set to float, the values in the incoming list are converted to floats.

Arguments:
  • input [int]

float

Sets all slider values and positions to the number received and outputs a list reflecting the current values. If the multislider data type is set to int, the values in the incoming list are truncated and converted to ints.

Arguments:
  • input [float]

list

Sets each slider to a corresponding value in the list from left to right, with the first value in the list setting the first slider. If the multislider has a different number of sliders than is present in the list, the number of sliders is changed to the number of items in the list. In such a case, the outside dimensions of the multislider will not change, only the width or height of the sliders.

Arguments:
  • input [list]

anything

anything is used to offer backwards compatibility in conjunction with the compatibility message.

Arguments:
  • list [list]

copy

The copy message copies the values of a multislider, including the settype, setstyle, and setminmax attributes.

drawbars

The word drawbars followed by a non-zero number will set the multislider to draw bars when displaying slider values. When followed by a 0, the sliders' values will not be drawn in bars.

Arguments:
  • flag [int]

drawlines

The word drawlines followed by a non-zero number will set the multislider to draw lines when displaying slider values. When followed by a 0, the sliders' values will not be drawn in lines.

Arguments:
  • flag [int]

echo

Toggles echo mode on and off. When echo mode is on, the multislider object will output any list received in its inlet. The default is on (1).

Arguments:
  • flag [int]

fetch

The word fetch , followed by a number, sends the value of the numbered slider out the right (single slider value) outlet. Slider numbering starts at 1. Any number less than 1 will report the first slider's value.

Arguments:
  • slider [int]

interp

Sending the word interp , followed by a one or zero, enables or disables interpolation mode. When interpolation mode is on (the default), the multislider object will output interpolated values when a slider is moved. In most cases you probably will not want to disable interpolation mode.

Arguments:
  • mode [int]

max

Sets all sliders to their maximum values.

maximum

The word maximum causes the value of the slider with the largest value to be sent out the right outlet.

min

Sets all sliders to their minimum values.

minimum

The word minimum causes the value of the slider with the smallest value to be sent out the right outlet.

normalize

The word normalize , followed by a float, will scale the sample values in the multislider so that the highest number matches the value given by the argument. Every value is scaled, and this activity cannot be undone. Although the normalize message calculates a normalized list based on the value passed as its argument, the message does not update the values in the multislider object itself or display them.

Arguments:
  • number [float]

paste

The paste message pastes multislider values that were previously copied if the settype, setstyle, and setminmax attributes are the same. Pasting will fail if the multislider that you paste into does not have the same settype, setstyle, and setminmax attributes.

pastereplace

The pastereplace message pastes multislider values that were previously copied and sets the settype, setstyle, and setminmax attributes so that they are the same as what was copied.

peakreset

Reset peak values to current slider values

quantiles

In left inlet: The word quantiles , followed by a list of floats between 0 and 1.0, multiplies each list element by the sum of all the values in the multislider. This result is then divided by 215 (32,768). Then, multislider sends out the address at which the sum of all values up to that address is greater than or equal to the result for each list element.

Arguments:
  • numbers [list]

range

The word range followed by a minimum number and a maximum number will set all sliders to operate within that range.

Arguments:
  • minimum [number]
  • maximum [number]

scrollclear

Clear the multislider object in scrolling mode.

select

Selectively sets slider values. For example, select 1 30 2 4 5 50 sets the first slider to 30, the second to 4, and the fifth slider to 50 (the top or leftmost slider is always number 1).

Arguments:
  • value-pairs [list]

set

The word set , followed by a slider number and a value, sets the numbered slider to that value without triggering any output.

Arguments:
  • slider [number]
  • value [number]

setlist

The word setlist , followed by a list of slider values, sets the sliders to the listed values without triggering any output.

Arguments:
  • values [list]

setmax

The word setmax , followed by a number, sets the high values for the multislider object.

Arguments:
  • value [float]

setmin

The word setmin , followed by a number, sets the low values for the multislider object.

Arguments:
  • value [float]

sum

Outputs a sum of all current slider values as a float.

Output

float

Out right outlet: The value of a numbered slider specified by the fetch message. The output reflects the current data type settings (see the settype message).

int

Out right outlet: The value of a numbered slider specified by the fetch message. The output reflects the current data type settings (see the settype message).

list

Out left outlet: When a multislider receives a list, int, or float in its inlet, it outputs a list of its current values. The list is also sent out when the sliders are changed with the mouse.

See Also

Name Description
itable Data table editor
kslider Output numbers from an onscreen keyboard
matrixctrl Matrix switch control
pictslider Picture-based slider control
rslider Display or change a range of numbers
slider Move a slider to output values