Christian Haines

Max console clearing via keyboard shortcut has come up often as a feature request. Some solutions have been offered via a series of shortcuts, Apple Script, snippets etc. Below is my take on it (haven't seen this on the forums.. correct me if I'm wrong!). Tested on MacOS (12.6) only.

In short, I created a patcher called "Max Console Clear". Added a loadbang, ";max clearmaxwindow", and some window commands to hide / close the patcher window, placed it in the "Extras" folder and then use the OS to create a custom shortcut to the patcher. The shortcut launches the patcher, clears the Max window and then closes. Hopefully all that can be seen is a brief loss of window focus.

To open the patcher loadbang needs to defeated using File then Open while holding Cmd + Shift. When the patcher has been opened (with loadbang defeated) a short cut (Alt/Opt + H) can be used to assist viewing and editing the contents.

Max Console Clear.maxpat

Extras Menu.png

In short, I created a patcher called "Max Console Clear". Added a loadbang, ";max clearmaxwindow",  and some window commands to hide / close the patcher window, placed it in the "Extras" folder and then use the OS to create a custom shortcut to the patcher. The shortcut launches the patcher, clears the Max window and then closes. Hopefully all that can be seen is a brief loss of window focus.

To open the patcher loadbang needs to defeated using File then Open while holding Cmd + Shift. When the patcher has been opened (with loadbang defeated)  a short cut (Alt/Opt + H) can be used to assist viewing and editing the contents.

Hi Folks.
Max console clearing via keyboard shortcut has come up often as a feature request. 

max-console-clear

Why don't you add entry in maxinterface.json file

Why don't you add entry in maxinterface.json file
to clear max console using a shortcut ?


, that sounds brilliant! I did not know that file at all ;) 

Where did you put it exactly? I tried adding a shortcut, restarted Max, nothing happens though. Could not find any reference in documentation.

Wow, Source Audio, that sounds brilliant! I did not know that file at all ;) 
Where did you put it exactly? I tried adding a shortcut, restarted Max, nothing happens though. Could not find any reference in documentation.
{
            "message" : "maxclearall",
            "label" : "Clear All",
            "shortcut" : "F4",
            "target" : "owner",
            "icon" : "revert.svg",
            "caption" : "Clear All"
        },

I am not sure if that can work, because command maxclearall

is bound to max concole window itself - that toggle at bottom left.

I don't think one can add shortcut for that.

I used new menu item for that if I remember correctly (was in max 5)

That had to be referenced in max menubar by adding id for it.

I am not sure if that can work, because command maxclearall
is bound to max concole window itself - that toggle at bottom left.
I don't think one can add shortcut for that.


I used new menu item for that if I remember correctly (was in max 5)
and used clearmaxwindow message.
something like 
{
            "message" : "clearmaxwindow",
            "label" : "clear",
            "target" : "max",
            "shortcut" : "<"
        },

That had to be referenced in max menubar by adding id for it.

Now I only must find out what exactly means:

- max: extra arguments for message "clearmaxwindow" -

because that is what gets posted every time after the console is cleared when I use the shortcut. 

That is the block now, I see no extra arguments...

mxcnsl.png

Perfect, that works. Thanks a lot! 
Now I only must find out what exactly means:
 - max: extra arguments for message "clearmaxwindow" -
because that is what gets posted every time  after the console is cleared when I use the shortcut. 
I did not figure it out yet.
That is the block now, I see no extra arguments...
{
            "message" : "clearmaxwindow",
            "label" : "clear",
            "target" : "max",
            "shortcut" : "F4"
        } 

Anyway thanks a lot!


i don't remember getting that errors, but at that time I used that

on standalone app, and at the end wiped maxwinow completely,

it could be some internal max error as it does not expect to receive control messages from the menubar.

i don't remember getting that errors, but at that time I used that
on standalone app, and at the end wiped maxwinow completely,
and reduced json file to bare minimum.

That would be awesome to have some proper reference what messages can be send that way etc. 

For now, at least until I find out more, either I live with that one error and working global shortcut - or use the shortcut added to the "maxclearall" message. The max window must be in focus though in that case:

That would be awesome to have some proper reference what messages can be send that way etc.  
For now, at least until I find out more, either I live with that one error and working global shortcut - or use the shortcut added to the "maxclearall" message.  The max window must be in focus though in that case:
{
            "message" : "maxclearall",
            "label" : "Clear All",
            "shortcut" : "F4",
            "target" : "owner",
            "icon" : "revert.svg",
            "caption" : "Clear All"
        }, 
Both ways are an improvement anyway :)


 works, could you also add same F4 shortcut to

bring maxwindow to front and wipe it at same time ?

If maxclearall works, could you also add same F4 shortcut to
 bring maxwindow to front and wipe it at same time ?




Wow. Thanks for that suggestion SourceAudio. I've followed the suggestion / conversation you and BD have had, and got it working. Same issue with "max: extra arguments for message "clearmaxwindow" and couldn't find a solution. Obviously when the message is executed an argument is being bound to it that it doesn't need and there doesn't appear a way to remove it.

- a few messages from the maxinterface.json work directly with the message box using ";max <message>". e.g. ;max showclue - like you said BD, it would nice to have a reference on what works.

- when using the maxinterface.json all shortcuts for MacOS (except F keys) appear to be bound with the command prefix (⌘) e.g. Shift + H becomes Shift + ⌘ + H. Also meaning that shortcuts without the command prefix (e.g. shift+option+C) don't appear possible unless using a system level shortcut setting.

Wow. Thanks for that suggestion SourceAudio. I've followed the suggestion / conversation  you and BD have had, and got it working. Same issue with "max: extra arguments for message "clearmaxwindow" and couldn't find a solution.  Obviously when the message is executed an argument is being bound to it that it doesn't need and there doesn't appear a way to remove it. 

I've noted a few other points:
- a few messages from the maxinterface.json work directly with the message box using ";max <message>". e.g. ;max showclue - like you said BD, it would nice to have a reference on what works.
- when using the maxinterface.json all shortcuts for MacOS (except F keys) appear to be bound with the command prefix (⌘)  e.g. Shift + H becomes Shift + ⌘ + H. Also meaning that shortcuts without the command prefix (e.g. shift+option+C) don't appear possible unless using a system level shortcut setting.

If you really get so disturbed by that error message

image.png

If you really get so disturbed by that error message
