electrolyte

Hello, sorry if this is an ultranoob question but I'm having trouble finding an answer, probably because I'm not using the right vocabulary.

I have a patch with 12 subpatchers that do basically the same thing but with different values and each outputs unique signals. The problem: every time I want to make a change I have to make it 12 times to all 12 patchers.

I would rather take an object-oriented approach here and only make the change once, to a master patch, and then all instances of this patch would also change accordingly.

I have no idea what this is called in Max or how to do it, but I'm assuming it's possible? Thanks for points in the right direction! :)

I have a patch with 12 subpatchers that do basically the same thing but with different values and each outputs unique signals. The problem: every time I want to make a change I have to make it 12 times to all 12 patchers. 

I have no idea what this is called in Max or how to do it, but I'm assuming it's possible? Thanks for points in the right direction! :)


how-do-you-make-a-custom-object

In Max terminology, you're referring to an abstraction.

In order to create the abstraction, just take one of your sub-patches and save it as a file. Deleter you subpatchers, then type in the name of the file and it'll appear again as an object which you can copy. However, this time, each time you change the file, the others will be updated accordingly..

Like Lee says, see also "Max Basic Tutorial 15: Abstraction"

ABSTRACTION! I knew the problem was that I didn't know the word for what I was after. Thanks so much Lee and MrMaarten!

...and take extra care to give your abstraction a unique name, for example yourInitials.patchname. This will ensure Max doesn't replace native objects with your new one.

How do you make a custom object?