Connor Gette

I'm trying to figure out how to create my own Max objects, so that I can understand programming better. I cloned the Min Devkit from Github into my Max "Packages" directory, and ran "C++ Object Development Kit.maxpat". This opens, but none of the Min objects load. I assume this is because they're stored as .cpp files, which apparently have to be manually compiled to be recognized as Max objects, or something? I then tried to follow the instructions on the Github page, which instruct you to download something called Cmake and Visual Studio. I have virtually no programming experience and have no idea how to use these. I followed the directions, starting with "opening a compiler of your choice" (what do you mean "of your choice"? Didn't you just tell me to download Cmake and Visual Studio? Are these both compilers??), so I opened Visual Studio, the compiler it had previously told me to download. I tried creating a C++ project (there were like 20 different versions, including a Cmake version. I tried multiple), setting the directory, and entering the commands "mkdir build" and "cd build". I got errors, so I tried different project versions, and continued getting them. I would like to learn how to do this, but at this point I'm too frustrated to continue.

I understand that these instructions are intended for someone with a lot more knowledge of programming, but I wish they were more comprehensive. Do I need to compile the .cpp objects in order for them to be recognized by Max? Why aren't they already in a readable format? Why is there no video walkthrough for setting this up?

I'm trying to figure out how to create my own Max objects, so that I can understand programming better. I cloned the Min Devkit from Github into my Max "Packages" directory, and ran "C++ Object Development Kit.maxpat". This opens, but none of the Min objects load. I assume this is because they're stored as .cpp files, which apparently have to be manually compiled to be recognized as Max objects, or something? I then tried to follow the instructions on the Github page, which instruct you to download something called Cmake and Visual Studio. I have virtually no programming experience and have no idea how to use these. I followed the directions, starting with "opening a compiler of your choice" (what do you mean "of your choice"? Didn't you just tell me to download Cmake and Visual Studio? Are these both compilers??), so I opened Visual Studio, the compiler it had previously told me to download. I tried creating a C++ project (there were like 20 different versions, including a Cmake version. I tried multiple), setting the directory, and entering the commands "mkdir build" and "cd build". I got errors, so I tried different project versions, and continued getting them. I would like to learn how to do this, but at this point I'm too frustrated to continue.
I understand that these instructions are intended for someone with a lot more knowledge of programming, but I wish they were more comprehensive. Do I need to compile the .cpp objects in order for them to be recognized by Max? Why aren't they already in a readable format? Why is there no video walkthrough for setting this up?

I'm trying to figure out how to create my own Max objects, so that I can understand programming better. I cloned the Min Devkit from Github 

help-loading-min-devkit-objects

It's true that you're jumping in to a deeper subject.

C++ needs to be compiled, which is the process of creating a binary executable that runs on your particular architecture. I'm assuming Windows, yes? There are some pre-compiled objects that come with min-devkit: in /min-devkit/externals. But, you're looking to compile your own.

There are a couple of ways to compile things. "C++ Object Development Kit.maxpat" should help generate a Visual Studio project for an object, or many objects. From there, you can edit and build an external. It relies on CMake to create this project. CMake is a generator of build files -- instructions to compilers. It can also generate files for "Make" which let you use a compiler directly from the command line. So, there are a couple of ways to build these objects.

I just went through this recently. CMake 3.20, the current version, is not compatible with the version of max-api that comes bundled with min-devkit. That might be the source of your errors? Does this look like your errors:

https://github.com/Cycling74/min-devkit/issues/185

There are a couple of ways to compile things. "C++ Object Development Kit.maxpat" should help generate a Visual Studio project for an object, or many objects.  From there, you can edit and build an external. It relies on CMake to create this project.  CMake is a generator of build files -- instructions to compilers.  It can also generate files for "Make" which let you use a compiler directly from the command line.  So, there are a couple of ways to build these objects.

I just went through this recently. CMake 3.20, the current version, is not compatible with the version of max-api that comes bundled with min-devkit.  That might be the source of your errors?  Does this look like your errors:
https://github.com/Cycling74/min-devkit/issues/185 

You could also consider trying out gen and gen~ to see how you like it. It isn't really the creation of a new object, but it can go a bit lower-level than the regular Max environment.

Help Loading Min Devkit Objects