Andy Maskell

I know I've seen something about this before but I'm blowed if I can find from a search!

How can I test to see if another application I need to interface to is already running? I'm using Windows 10 and I need to find out if CuBase is already running or not when I launch my project.

Ideally, I'd also like to bring it's window into the forground.

I know I've seen something about this before but I'm blowed if I can find from a search!
How can I test to see if another application I need

is-a-specific-external-application-already-running

Thank you. It would be perfect I suspect but I'm running Windows and your external is only compiled for Mac.

I must be looking in the wrong place then as the zip that I've downloaded only has the Mac version.

Ok. You went here? Zip seem to be complete.

Yes,I've got a download with the mxe64 in now. So where do I put it? Haha!

I've put the folder in my Documents/Max 8/Packages folder and the Package Manager lists it as installed but when I load your patch the Console says the 11globalForegroundWindow object is unknown!

Create a folder where you put all 3rd party externals. Add that folder to Max searchpath (Options->File Preferences). 

Or save externals in a Folder which is in the searchpatch by default. for example: C:/Users/<name>/Documents/Max 8/Library/

Create a folder where you put all 3rd party externals. Add that folder to Max searchpath (Options->File Preferences). 
Or save externals in a Folder which is in the searchpatch by default. for example: C:/Users/<name>/Documents/Max 8/Library/

Cracked it! Brilliant! Thank you so much.

Just to let you know that I've used your 11globalForegroundWindow with an error trap as you suggested and it works absolutely brilliantly with Cubase and Mixing-Station, the two apps that I'm interfacing to. I can now switch between apps as I change the data feed for my console and my project now automatically clears the memory recall store and reloads the apps if they have been closed and/or crashed. Totally brilliant solution for my needs! Thank you.

image.png

White: initialisation routine (from loadbang)

Red objects: links to the memory bank for each app configuration

For clarity, the connector colours are:
White: initialisation routine (from loadbang)
Bright red: data switching routine
Dark red: Cubase
Green: Mixing-Station
Black: error handling
Red objects: links to the memory bank for each app configuration

I'm glad that it's useful. I think i will add a message to the object to check if an app is running. Seems more elegant than catching the error. Also error messages are not equal on Win and Mac versions. it's on my todo list.

Thank you. I'd be happy to test it for you if you do although I'm only Windows based, as much as I'd prefer to be running a Mac!!! I've credited you for use of the routine in my patch. Do you have an "official" copyright notice and a donations page?

I added a message "isrunning <appname>" to do the check. 

I have my tag in the console. No donations page atm but nice of you to ask ;)

I added a message "isrunning <appname>" to do the check. 
I have my tag in the console. No donations page atm but nice of you to ask ;)

Ok. I'll try the new version and report back. The tag in the console is what I had used to credit you thus far.

Hey! Yes, it works! I'll have to rework my logic a bit to use the 

Hey! Yes, it works! I'll have to rework my logic a bit to use the isrunning message though.

There's nothing wrong with the error catching way but it's good to have a separat message to do the check without setting the focus.

There's nothing wrong  with the error catching way but it's good to have a separat message to do the check without setting the focus.

The only problem with the error method is that it will be triggered by any error, albeit with the ability to filter out the ones that matter. I’ve rewritten my patch to use the isrunning method and it works a treat:

Hello, sorry to resume this old thread...

I would like to get the same behaviour but with NOT bringing the newly launched (or already running) app: any help?

As I'm using TouchOSC to control Ableton from a tablet, I would need to be sure that both TouchOSC Bridge and OSC Keypress are running or, if not, they are launched but stay in the background.

Is external application already running? And bring its window to front!