Package Max

scale

Map values to an output range

Description

The scale object maps an input range of float or integer values to an output range. The output range can be larger or smaller than the input range, can be inverted and can change numeric type. If specified, the mapping can also be exponential. Please note that unanticipated results can occur when using integer arguments, as output values are truncated rather than rounded. For precise output values, use float arguments.

Arguments

input-low[number]
optional

Sets the low end of the expected input range. Incoming values are not clipped to this range; rather, the input range is used to determine the value mapping formula.

input-high[number]
optional

Sets the high end of the expected input range. Incoming values are not clipped to this range; rather, the input range is used to determine the value mapping formula.

output-low[number]
optional

This sets the low end of the output range, and will be the lowest output value if the input value stays with its expected range.

output-high[number]
optional

This sets the high end of the output range, and will be the highest output value if the input value stays with its expected range.

exponential[float]
optional

This optional fifth argument specifies the nature of the scaling curve. This argument must be a floating-point number greater than 1., with larger values leading to steeper exponential curves.

In classic mode a typical value for this argument is 1.06. The object does its actual scaling after the exponential calculation, and the number is converted according to the following expression:
(out_high-out_low >= 0) ? (out_low + (out_high-out_low) * ( (out_high - out_low) * exp(-1*(in_high-in_low)*log(power)) * exp(x*log(power)) )) : (-1) * ( out_low + (out_high-out_low) * ( (out_high - out_low) * exp(-1*(in_high-in_low)*log(power)) * exp(x*log(power)) ) )

In non- classic (modern) mode the value for the scaling curve must be higher than 0. and is converted according to the following expression:

((x-in_low)/(in_high-in_low) == 0) ? out_low : (((x-in_low)/(in_high-in_low)) > 0) ? (out_low + (out_high-out_low) * ((x-in_low)/(in_high-in_low))^exp) : ( out_low + (out_high-out_low) * -((((-x+in_low)/(in_high-in_low)))^(exp)))

Note that prior to Max 6.0.4 the exponent was inverted. Thus, if you gave it an exponent of 2 the object behaved like it had an exponent of 0.5, and if you gave it an exponent of 0.5 it behaved like it had an exponent of 2. Patches from versions prior to 6.0.4 may require updating to work properly.

Attributes

classic[int]

Classic mode uses exponential function that is backward compatible with old IRCAM patchers. Possible values:

0 = 'Off'
When classic is 0, scale~ applies an exponential (power) function after scaling the input to be between 0 and 1, then scales the resulting output.

1 = 'On'
When classic is 1, scale~ is compatible with legacy IRCAM "linedrive" scaling. This mode is not recommended for new work.

2 = 'Off + Inverse'
When classic is 2, scale~ operates similarly to classic 0, except that when the output range inverts the value -- in other words, when the first output value is greater than the second output value -- the exponential is also inverted so that the scaling curve retains the shape produced by the non-inverted output range.

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.

Messages

bang

Perform the scaling operation on the most recently received input value. If the range values have been changed, the scaling will be based on the new range.

int

The scaling function is performed on the incoming value. If any of the range types are floating point, the value is converted into a float for the calculation.

Arguments:
  • input [int]

float

In left inlet: The scaling function is performed on the incoming value. If the input range type is integer, the value is converted into an int for the calculation.

In second inlet: Sets the low end of the input range.

In third inlet: Sets the high end of the input range.

In fourth inlet: Sets the low end of the output range.

In fifth inlet: Sets the high end of the output range.

In sixth inlet: Sets the scaling curve value as described in the object arguments section.

Arguments:
  • input [float]

list

A list of numbers sent to the left inlet will trigger the output of a list with the results of scaling operation perforned on each item.

Arguments:
  • input [list]

Output

float

When scale receives a value in its leftmost inlet, that value is scaled to the indicated output range of values.

int

If only four arguments are provided and all four are of type int , scale will output scaled values as integers. Otherwise output is floating-point.

See Also

Name Description
expr Evaluate a mathematical expression
linedrive Scale numbers exponentially
zmap Maps input range of values to output range
scale~ Map an input range of signal values to an output range
clip Limit numbers to a certain range
clip~ Limit signal amplitude