How to edit trigger object without screwing up connections
This is a pretty basic problem that I can't find how to fix. Let's say I have a trigger object that's something like [t b b i], and it's all connected. Then I realize that I want to add another bang at the end of the chain i.e. at the start of the [t *b* b b i] (Where * shows the new one). When I edit the trigger object it adds the new outlet to the end, i.e. all of my existing connections stay on outlets 1 2 3 instead of 2 3 4. So I have to rewire everything? Is it possible to address this somehow? So far I've either been constantly rewiring everything, or instead of editing the trigger object, adding more trigger objects underneath in a kind of hierarchy of trigger objects, which is even messier.
Every time I accidentally deselect the dozen or so patchcords I'm trying to move down one outlet, I feel like I've stubbed my toe.
I know this problem so well... I'm diving into c++ fairly well but I have yet to check out the max sdk or try my hand at much pure c. Anyone care to suggest whether this would be worth making as a first external? I'd be curious if the object can control & move the patchcords connected to it or whether that is part of the environment. Internal thispatcher calls? It would be nice to have a way of replacing them all with standard triggers before you're project is done to get rid of the extra code, like value's pop up menu or a growing thispatcher script.
main method for me is alt+dragging to select wires, and then simply shift them over.
Its funny how you miss the little things. That's a shortcut much appreciated, thanks wetterberg
HOLY !%$!"£!$ @wetterberg that's amazing!!! (yes three exclamation marks).
I had no idea you could do that - neither the alt+dragging to select multiple wires, OR the shifting connections. I've been deleting the wires one by one and reconnecting them. jeeeez.
Where in the documentation does one find these kinds of UI tips (And more)?
erhm, I kinda wish there was some... I think you should perhaps look up the "did you know" max tut videos on youtube, they're probably the closest you'll get.
Or just ask here, or ask me on FB. :) A lot of us are huge dweebs who just love to help out!!!
Andreas.
Sorry to butt in and be a pedant, but I sometimes find that Wetterberg's slick and easy method doesn't quite work.
To use memo akten's example: if you change [t b b i] to [t b b b i] the object that was receiving an integer is now receiving a bang. (Well, until you alt-drag to select and then shift all the cables, that is.) Sometimes an object can't accept the type of message that's temporarily been assigned to it, so Max deletes the connection.
In cases like this I duplicate the trigger object, modify it, THEN alt-drag to select the carefully positioned and segmented cables, drag 'em to the correct position on the new trigger object, delete the old trigger object, connect the correct cable to the input of the new one and, finally, drag it to the correct position. (Much simpler to do than to describe.)
I try to keep my patches tidy so my constantly befuddled brain has a fighting chance of making sense of them, which often entails a bit of work positioning everything and keeping the cable paths nice and tidy and obvious. So I really used to feel your pain, memo akten!
Cheers, Bill
PS: I found a few good tips in Peter Elsea's tutorials, especially the very beginner ones IIRC.
Bill, yes true there are minor annoyances still, but they are soo minor compared to what I was going through before I knew about the alt-click-drag trick, and also the green and red handles on the connections! That also solves another very annoying issue I had which is if I want to insert a new node before or after another node which has lots of connections coming. I'll check out those tutorials thanks.
Fun way to replace a trigger object inspired by reading this thread:
Encapsulate your trigger object making sure all the initial outlets are connected
Go into the resulting subpatcher and add the outlets in the order you want.
Return to the main patch, type trigger and the new arguments in to replace the sub-patcher name
Voila! Extra outlets with connections maintained. Could also be used to swap outlets around.
I dunno, it made me happy and wanted to share
Ahhhh, so an encapsulation can easily be turned into a normal object! Very cool - I'd never thought of that. Thanks, Charles.