Syntax for moving an object in JS

On 11 janv. 09, at 00:00, joshua cook wrote:

> Anyone know the syntax for moving a created object?
>
> I am looking to replace a thispatcher move along the lines of:
>
> script move var1 300 300

something like:

this.patcher.message("script", "move", "var1", 300, 300);

should do it. You can also use the rect property of a Maxobj, after
getting the Maxobj with this.patcher.getnamed("var1").

HTH,
ej

I guess I was originally looking for some sort of built in move function as existed in scripting via thispatcher.

I think that the way to do it is to update the @patching_rect atrribute.

EJ - thanks for your quick reply. I also looked at an earlier post of yours for a few pointers and it was very helpful.

So I am trying this:

function move(var1)
{
var obj = this.patcher.getnamed(var1);
obj.message("@patching_rect", 300, 300, 100, 20);
}

I get the message:

patcher: doesn't understand "@patching_rect"

Any suggestions?

On 11 janv. 09, at 00:37, joshua cook wrote:

> So I am trying this:
>
> function move(var1)
> {
> var obj = this.patcher.getnamed(var1);
> obj.message("@patching_rect", 300, 300, 100, 20);
> }
>
>
> I get the message:
>
> patcher: doesn't understand "@patching_rect"

@patching_rect is when you need to generate the object via scripting,
or write the name in an object box. The name of the attribute is in
fact "patching_rect". so:

function move(var1)
{
    var obj = this.patcher.getnamed(var1);
    obj.message("patching_rect", 300, 300, 100, 20);
}

Although if you only want to change the position you can use the
"patching_position" attribute instead so you don't have to know the
size of the object (there's also a "patching_size"):

function move(var1)
{
    var obj = this.patcher.getnamed(var1);
    obj.message("patching_position", 300, 300);
}

The same thing also apply to presentation if you use the
"presentation_rect", "presentation_position" or "presentation_size".

HTH,
ej

Again, EJ, thanks for your quick responses. You are very helpful, especially since JS is not very well documented.

So I have modified your suggested function slightly as below. The object I am moving is a metro.

function move(var1)
{
var obj = this.patcher.getnamed(var1);
obj.message("patching_position", 300, 300);
obj.message("interval", 700);
post("voila");
}

I have modified the function slightly as above. Upon completion, the interval is updated to "700 and "voila" is posted to the max window, but the metro remains in the same place.

Incidentally, I have also been trying to use the rect function and can not get a handle on the syntax. Might you be able to shed some light on how to use this built-in function.

Much obliged,

joshua

On 11 janv. 09, at 01:10, joshua cook wrote:

> function move(var1)
> {
> var obj = this.patcher.getnamed(var1);
> obj.message("patching_position", 300, 300);
> obj.message("interval", 700);
> post("voila");
> }
>
> I have modified the function slightly as above. Upon completion, the
> interval is updated to "700 and "voila" is posted to the max window,
> but the metro remains in the same place.
>
> Incidentally, I have also been trying to use the rect function and
> can not get a handle on the syntax. Might you be able to shed some
> light on how to use this built-in function.

Right. Sorry I forgot to mention that it sending patching_rect and co
only works directly for UI objects. For non-UI object such as metro,
you need to use the "sendbox" message to send the attributes directly
to the box (the UI representation of the object) and not the object
(the thing which "does the real work").

function move(var1)
{
    var obj = this.patcher.getnamed(var1);
    obj.message("sendbox", "patching_position", 300, 300);
    obj.message("interval", 700);
    post("voila");
}

ej

Hi ej

Hope I'm not bugging you.

I guess I should stop being coy. What I am really trying to do is move a bpatcher. Everything you have suggested so far has worked perfectly. Using the function you suggested, I am able to move a metro around. I am even able to move a bpatcher around ... if that bpatcher does not have an assigned patcher file.

Once I assign a bpatcher a patcher file, when I attempt to move it, I get the message:

patcher: "doesn't understand sendbox"

Do you know what is happening? Should I be using rect?

Many thanks,

joshua

On 11 janv. 09, at 01:42, joshua cook wrote:

> I guess I should stop being coy. What I am really trying to do is
> move a bpatcher. Everything you have suggested so far has worked
> perfectly. Using the function you suggested, I am able to move a
> metro around. I am even able to move a bpatcher around ... if that
> bpatcher does not have an assigned patcher file.
>
> Once I assign a bpatcher a patcher file, when I attempt to move it,
> I get the message:
>
> patcher: "doesn't understand sendbox"
>
> Do you know what is happening? Should I be using rect?

You're out of luck ;-) Bpatcher is the special case. The only current
way to send a message to the bpatcher itself is to use the "sendbox"
message via thispatcher:

    this.patcher.message("script", "sendbox", var1, "patching_position",
Math.random()*200, Math.random()*200);

No more special cases. You should be fine now.

ej

bingo. thanks for the lesson.