How do I get started with posting to the forum?
• Before posting a question, it is advised that you search the forum archives and product documentation first. This will help you to avoid asking a question that has been answered before.
• Try to be as clear and detailed as possible. Usually, including an example patch that demonstrates the question is very helpful. By taking the time to formulate your question, you will greatly increase your chances of getting it answered.
• Be courteous and respectful of the community. As with any online forum, it is advisable to spend some time “lurking” before jumping into discussions.
• To add an icon to your username, go to http://en.gravatar.com/ .

If I have a problem, what information should I post?
• Post your patch. Without your patch people will just be guessing. (A picture of your patch is not nearly as useful as your actual patch.)
• Try and edit your patch so that it just includes the problem area.
• Place comments in your patch to illustrate what should happen and what does happen.
• Include instructions on how to operate your patch to get the errant behavior.
• If using Max 5 or 6, use Copy Compressed to copy your patch into your forum post.

How do I open those condensed patches I see people posting?
Watch this video for instructions: http://youtu.be/34cxCjPU_Ts

First, copy all the text including these lines:
———- begin_max5_patcher———-
———– end_max5_patcher———–

(Max 5 and 6 patches are forward and usually backwards compatible.)

Next, in Max, select New From Clipboard.
• If you want to create a new patcher window with the patcher data you’ve received, choose New From Clipboard from the File menu. A new patcher window will appear with the objects from the forum post.
• If you want to paste the objects in the forum post into an existing unlocked patcher, choose Paste from the Edit menu.

How do I post Max 5 or 6 patches in the condensed format?
Watch this video for instructions: http://youtu.be/34cxCjPU_Ts

• Select the part of the patch you wish to copy
• Choose Copy Compressed from the Edit menu to copy the selected objects to the clipboard.
• Switch to your browser and paste the contents of the clipboard into your post window.

Please note: With Max 4, there is no Copy Compressed option, so choose Edit -> Copy. The rest of the instructions are the same.

How do I share a finished project or tool made with Max?

There are a few options:

• Name your forum post [share] and then include the info in the post.
• Reach a wider audience by adding it to the Projects or Toolbox on this website http://cycling74.com/community/ . After it’s published, you can then share a link on the forum and it will appear under your username.

Projects and Tools are fed into the Cycling ’74 Facebook page and are eventually featured on the cycling74.com homepage.