Package Max

pictctrl

Picture-based control

Description

Creating buttons, switches, knobs, and other controls using images from a picture file for its appearance.

Discussion

Note: The pictctrl object object customarily uses images saved in Portable Network Graphics (.png) format. If you are using Max on Windows, we recommend that you install QuickTime and choose a complete install of all optional components to work with images other than PNG or PICT files.

Arguments

None.

Attributes

active[int]: 1

Toggles mouse control of the pictctrl object. The default is 1 (enabled). If a separate set of inactive images is present in the pictctrl object's picture file and if the inactive images attribute is set, the active message will also change the appearance of the control.

clickedimage[int]: 0

Toggles the use of an alternate set of image frames in your picture file to give the dial a different appearance when the user clicks on it and drags the mouse pointer. clickedimage 0 disables this feature.

clickincrement[int]: 0

Sets the output value to increment by 1 each time the object is clicked (Click to Increment mode). Any movement of the mouse after clicking is ignored. When the uppermost value is reached, the value returns to zero with the next click. All other mouse tracking modes are disabled. clickincrement 0 disables Click to Increment mode.

clip[int]: 1

Causes pictctrl, while in dial-mode, to clip mouse-movement within the range of the dial. When followed by a 0, pictctrl will wrap around to the minimum when it surpasses the maximum value (within the range of the dial) and vice versa to the maximum when it surpasses the minimum value.

degrees[int]: 270

Specifies the degree-of-rotation pictctrl has while in dial-mode.

frames[int]: 10

Specifies the number of images (columns) in the picture file. The number of frames does not have to be the same as the range of the control; the pictctrl object will use the nearest image for any given value.

imagemask[int]: 0

When non-zero, indicates that your picture file has an image mask. The default is 0 (no image mask). This attribute is present for legacy support - it has been superseded by the use of alpha channels in images.

inactiveimage[int]: 0

When non-zero, indicates that your picture file has an additional row of images for its inactive state. The default is 0 (no inactive state).

mode[int]: 0

Selects mode of operation for the pictctrl object.
Button (the default)
Toggle
Dial mode Possible values:

0 = 'Button'
1 = 'Toggle'
2 = 'Dial'

multiplier[int]: 0

Sets a multiplier value. When pictctrl is in dial mode, the object's value is multiplied by this number before being sent out the outlet. The multiplication happens before the addition of the Offset value. The default multiplier value is 1.

name[symbol]: <default>

Designates the graphics file that the pictctrl object will use will use for the control's button or dial file. By convention, the pictslider object uses images saved in Portable Network Graphics (.png) format. If you are using Max on Windows and want to to work with images other than PNG or PICT files, we recommend that you install QuickTime and choose a complete install of all optional components. The symbol used as a filename must either be the name of a file in Max's current search path, or an absolute pathname for the file (e.g. " MyDisk:/Documents/UI Pictures/CoolButton.png ").

offset[atom_long]: 0

Sets an offset value. When pictctrl is in dial mode, the offset value is added to the object's value before being sent out the outlet. The default offset value is 0.

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 values of parameters 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.

range[int]: 128

Sets the range of the pictctrl object when it is in dial mode. The default value is 128.

ratio[int]: 2

Specifies how many pixels the mouse pointer must move before the value of the dial changes by one increment. If the pictctrl object is using Circular Tracking, the ratio message specifies how many degrees the cursor must move, relative to the center of the object, to increase the value by one.

snap[int]: 0

Sets pictctrl to snap to the image's original size. When followed by a 0, pictctrl will not snap to the image's original size.

threshold[float]: 0.

Sets the button Alpha hit threshold.

trackcircular[int]: 0

Sets the pictctrl object to respond when you click on it and drag the mouse in a circular arc relative to the control's center (Circular Tracking mode). Moving the mouse clockwise increases the control's value, and moving it counterclockwise decreases its value. Enabling circular tracking disables all other tracking modes. trackcircular 0 disables circular tracking.

trackhorizontal[int]: 0

Sets the pictctrl object to respond when you click on it and drag the mouse horizontally; moving the mouse to the right increases the object's value, and moving it to the left decreases the value. Enabling this mode of operation disables the Circular Tracking and Click to Increment modes (see the clickincrement and trackcircular messages).

tracking[int]: 0

Toggles live tracking. If live tracking is on, the pictctrl object will change its state if the mouse moves in and out of the rectangular border of the object with the mouse button held down. tracking 0 disables live tracking

trackvertical[int]: 0

Sets the pictctrl object to respond when you click on it and drag the mouse vertically; moving the mouse up increases the object's value, and moving it down decreases the value. Enabling this mode of operation disables the Circular Tracking and Click to Increment modes (see the clickincrement and trackcircular messages).

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

Sends the current value of the pictctrl to the outlet.

int

Sets the value of the button or knob set by the control, and sends the current value out the outlet. In button and toggle mode, the value must be either 0 or 1. In dial mode, the range of values is determined by pictctrl object's Range attribute.

Arguments:
  • input [int]

float

Converted to int .

Arguments:
  • input [float]

(drag)

When a image file is dragged from the Max File Browser to a pictctrl object, the image will be loaded.

(mouse)

Clicking on the pictctrl object and dragging sends the current value out the outlet. Additional behaviors depend on how the object is configured using messages or setting attributes using the Inspector.

picture

The word picture followed by the name of an image file will read that file into the pictctrl object. The word with no name following opens a standard file dialog for choosing an image file.

Arguments:
  • imagefile-name [list]

read

The word read followed by the name of an image file will read that file into the pictctrl object. The word with no name following opens a standard file dialog for choosing an image file.

Arguments:
  • filename [list]

readany

The word readany followed by the name of a file will read any type of file into the pictctrl object and attempt to interpret it as a picture.

Arguments:
  • filename [list]

set

The word set , followed by a number, sets the value of the button or knob to that number, without triggering output.

Arguments:
  • input [int]

Picture File Format

Specifications

When you create a new pictctrl object in a patcher window, it has no associated picture file. Use the Open button in the Inspector to choose a picture file for the control. By convention, the pictctrl object uses images saved in Portable Network Graphics (.png) format. If you are using Max on Windows and want to to work with images other than PNG or PICT files, we recommend that you install QuickTime and choose a complete install of all optional components. The layout of the picture in the file varies depending on which mode of operation the pictctrl uses. All three modes require that the pictures be made up of a grid of images, in which all images have the same width and height.

Button mode has the simplest layout:



The first row of images is mandatory: these two images are used for the idle and clicked states (values zero and one, respectively) of the button. The next row of images, if present, is used for the control when it is in its inactive state. The next rows contain the masks for the top row of images, and the inactive images if present.

Toggle mode has a similar layout:



In this mode, the top two rows are mandatory. The first row of images are used when the control's value is zero, the next row when its value is one. The third row is optional; it is used for the control when it is in its inactive state. (Note that there are no "clicked" images for the inactive state, since when inactive, the control ignores mouse clicks.) The next rows contain masks for the images.

The Dial mode layout varies in size depending on how many image frames it has, which must be the same as the Image Frames parameter as set in the inspector:



The first row of images is mandatory: one image for each visually distinct state of the control. Dials need as many picts as you wish them to have visible states. Note that dials can receive and send a larger range of values than are represented by picts (e.g. your dial can have a range of 128 even if you only use eight pict frames to represent the range of the dial). The next row of images is optional, and is used when the user is clicking and dragging on the object to change its value. The next row is also optional; (Note that there are no "clicked" images for the inactive state, since when inactive, the control ignores mouse clicks.) The following rows contain masks for the images.

Output

int

The current value of the pictctrl object. In toggle and button modes this will be a 0 or a 1. In dial mode, this value is specified by the range, offset, and multiplier that you set in the Inspector window.

See Also

Name Description
dial Output numbers using an onscreen dial
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
tab Tab control
textbutton Button with text
ubutton Transparent button