Snippets

A Snippet is a small group of objects, saved in a special format for easy reuse. You can create snippets from parts of a patcher that you find yourself using often, saving you the trouble of having to recreate the objects and connections from scratch.

Creating Snippets

Select the objects you'd like to include in a snippet. Click the Save Snippet button in the bottom toolbar.

Using Snippets

A dialog will appear, letting you name your snippet. Once you've saved your new snippet, you'll be able to add it to any patcher either using the contextual menu or using the left sidebar.

Adding Snippets to a Patcher

Via the contextual menu

Right- or control-click an unlocked patcher where you'd like to paste your snippet. A contextual menu will appear. Select Paste From > User Snippets then choose the desired snippet from the submenu.

Via the left sidebar

Click on the Snippets tab in the left sidebar to open the Snippets browser.

The Snippets Browser lets you browse snippets my name or by preview image. When viewing snippets by name, use the left column to filter by package. When viewing by preview image, use the pop-up menu to filter by package. To filter snippets by name, use the filter text entry field at the top of the browser.

To add a snippet to your patcher, just drag it from the browser and drop it into an unlocked patcher.

Snippet Location

Snippets are saved in the Snippets folder inside the Max 9 folder. Snippet files have the .maxsnip extension. They are .maxpat format files that include a preview image.

Using Snippets with Packages

Packages can include snippets as well. If you're authoring a package, either for your own use or for distribution through the Package Manager, you can add snippets to your package. Create a folder called Snippets inside your package folder, and put whatever .maxsnip and .maxpat files you like into that folder.