berserk

Hello everyone. I'm interested in generative art and I would like to use Max to do it.

Anyway, I would need some way to export these kind of media files from Max to other programs, for further process them and/or convert.

-Vector graphics (like svg, eps, pdf, ps)

With special care for midi and html file types, while the other media formats could be whatever format (I would convert them with external software)

And I don't know if this is possible and how to do so.

Please link any library/patch/whatever if you want to reference it.

Hello everyone. I'm interested in generative art and I would like to use Max to do it.
Anyway, I would need some way to export these kind of media files from Max to other programs, for further process them and/or convert.
-Raster graphics (like png, bmp, jpg)
-Vector graphics (like svg, eps, pdf, ps)
-3D graphics (like 3ds, obj, ase)
-Audio (like wav, mp3, ogg, midi)
-Video (like avi, mpg, mkv)
-Text (like txt, html)
With special care for midi and html file types, while the other media formats could be whatever format (I would convert them with external software)
And I don't know if this is possible and how to do so.
Please link any library/patch/whatever if you want to reference it.


i-would-buy-maxmspjitter-if-only

Up. I also forgot to ask if I can import such file types as well.

you sure you wouldn't be better served with Processing? 

you sure you wouldn't be better served with Processing? http://processing.org/

or OpenFrameworks http://www.openframeworks.cc/


Yes, I tried processing, but I have almost the same issues. Max is best suited for the tasks I think about, which are:

for the media types I want to work with, which are:

I also tought about LabView which have similar functionality (even if it's better suited for scientific tasks) but AFAIK, Max is the best choice.

Anyway, thanks for your answer (at least it's an attempt).

I also wrote the cycling74 support asking the same thing and I were suggested to ask in the forums.

What's already supported so far by the way? What could be supported with an external or a patch (and such is already done by someone)? What's really impossible atm?

Yes, I tried processing, but I have almost the same issues. Max is best suited for the tasks I think about, which are:
- Synthesis
- Manipulation
- Import
- Export
- Acquire
- Automate

for the media types I want to work with, which are:
- Raster graphics
- Vector graphics
- 3D graphics
- Audio (Wave and MIDI)
- Video

I also wrote the cycling74 support asking the same thing and I were suggested to ask in the forums.
What's already supported so far by the way? What could be supported with an external or a patch (and such is already done by someone)? What's really impossible atm?

@berserk, it is a bizarre thing to ask really.

the short answer is: yes, you can do all that with Max.

the long answer would point out how some of this is native and easy, some of this is native and hard, some of this there are workable workarounds, some of this there are third party things to help, some of this is expected natively in the future.

why don't you just download the free 30 day trial and find out for yourself? Max's focus is creativity - it is not a real programming language, although many others would disagree. it can do a hell of a lot regardless.

Well, I checked out OpenFrameworks as big_pause suggested. It's exactly what I were looking for, if you consider using some addons.

Well, I checked out OpenFrameworks as big_pause suggested. It's exactly what I were looking for, if you consider using some addons.
I think I'll go with it.


note that Max is essentially code-less, unless you want to use Javascript, Java, or writing your own externals in C within your patches. 99% of things I've done in Max (and there is quite a variety of type and complexity) have never needed any text-based code at all. It's graphical and flow-chart-style instead, which is an entirely different way to think. For getting things up and running quickly, it's amazing...but like anything else, you can then get into endless details, if you want to.

I would definitely recommend trying it, regardless of what environment you eventually choose. Making your UI, working with file I/O, generative processing, interfacing with hardware, and debugging is second to none in my experience. Most of the things you mentioned being interested in are very well-suited for Max and have rich libraries of objects specifically for them. The only exception I can see would be vector graphics (unless I missed something). Also only .obj models are supported for 3D as of now, but you can readily convert them anyways. The rest---like automation, synthesis, MIDI, audio, video...well, any seasoned user will tell you that there's nothing like Max for those. You can literally build a basic synthesizer in about three minutes once you know how things work...then you add all the automation, generation, and preset goodies which make it really interesting and useful.

And simply learning a new way to put things together---creating logic by the flowchart, rather than code---can be a real eye-opener, and can inform you of other ways to do things in other environments as well.

Free 30-day demo...c'mon, you know you want to try it!

Thanks, I already did. I also tried PureData and other node based software, but I really need to overcome file format support limits. Max will always be a choice for me, provided such limits will be surpassed.

well, importing and exporting audio, midi and text files is no problem at all, there are dozens of standard objects which can do this.

when it comes to bitmaps and vector graphics it is getting more difficult ... there are file ypes and formats which are available within max, and others which you can forget.

especially when it comes to jitter/video work in max/msp i think one can say max´s strength is rather realtime work than beeing one of a handful coexisting editors.

for very simple structured file types which are not supported directly by max objects, the max objects filein and fileout (working bitwise) can be of help, or if you are into java, you can do that using java in max/msp.

last but not least, asking for 3ds export and such is probably asked too much. even specific vecotr graphics or 3d apps can not export all formats of other programs.

when it comes  to bitmaps and vector graphics it is getting more difficult ... there are file ypes and formats which are available within max, and others which you can forget.

last but not least, asking for 3ds export and such  is probably asked too much. even specific vecotr graphics or 3d apps can not export all formats of other programs.

Why didn't anyone mention mgraphics? It can import and export SVG, Jitter can import and export raster graphics and video and import 3D, MSP can import and export wave and MIDI audio...

I also found a JavaScript plugin to export OBJ files, why no one mentioned all of this?

Why didn't anyone mention mgraphics? It can import and export SVG, Jitter can import and export raster graphics and video and import 3D, MSP can import and export wave and MIDI audio...
It's really possible to do that all.
I also found a JavaScript plugin to export OBJ files, why no one mentioned all of this?
I will buy MAX!!!


Maybe because people have other things to do than tell you things that you can easily have the internet hive mind - google - tell you?

i asked for help and disn't had, is the forum actually useless?

if so what are the forums for?
i asked for help and disn't had, is the forum actually useless?


The forum is filled with years and years of discussions, knowledge, tips and techniques. If you have a question you're first task is to search that enormous archive. If it can't be found then you can go ahead and ask for it.

So yes, if you think the forum is for solving any question that pops into your mind instantly, it could very well be useless to you. It 'll be highly dependent on the other forum member's willingness to help out people that don't do their own research. On the other hand, if you plan to use the forum as the enormous resources archive that it is, it can be extremely useful to you.

I don't mean to be harsh to you but I'm getting a bit tired of the recent wave of questions being posted about stuff that can easily be found by searching a tiny little bit, or that are even covered in the tutorials included with max. When I started out with Max the first couple of years I could find all the answers to my issues already posted in the forums or elsewhere. It's only when i got to a more advanced stage that I needed to start posting questions and support requests.

The forum is filled with years and years of discussions, knowledge, tips and techniques. If you have a question you're first task is to search that enormous archive. If it can't be found then you can go ahead and ask for it. 

I don't mean to be harsh to you but I'm getting a bit tired of the recent wave of questions being posted about stuff that can easily be found by searching a tiny little bit, or that are even covered in the tutorials included with max. When I started out with Max the first couple of years I could find all the answers to my issues already posted in the forums or elsewhere. It's only when i got to a more advanced stage that I needed to start posting questions and support requests.


Then I shouldn't had an answer at all, not an half one

never expect a forum post to contain the one and only, exhaustive Truth ;)

I see you can't live without having the last word, so here you are: you're right

what does that mean? i'm not a native rnglish, i don' know that phrase

If Google translate were entrustable I would have been used it in the first place...

it hsould be enough when one of the programs you are ussing can create a format the

maxmspjitter does not need to be able to open electric image file formats, because such

programs allow exporting to a more generic format anyway.

the same is probably true for truetype fonts and these things, you might want

to work in another pgroam with them anyway, then why not export to something

it hsould be enough when one of the programs you are ussing can create a format  the
other one understands.

maxmspjitter does not need to be able to open electric image file formats, because such
programs allow exporting to a more generic format anyway. 

the same is probably true for truetype fonts and these things, you might want
to work in another pgroam with them anyway, then why not export to something
max understands?


As an alternative to openFrameworks, you could also check Cinder 

As an alternative to openFrameworks, you could also check Cinder http://libcinder.org/


thanks, i'll have a look. btw i think i'll stick with max

I would buy Max/MSP+Jitter, if only...