yvan vander sanden

I've just started work on a C external for Max. I did create some PD externals years ago, so I'm familiar with the general idea. But I do have trouble getting the dll to load in time.

I've created a dll called maxtest.mxe64 wich registers two classes. Let's call them class1 and class2. When I create a patcher and try to add a class1 or class2 object, it won't load. I have to create a `maxtest' object first. After that, I can add objects of both classes.

The trouble starts when I reopen the patch later on. Some objects will fail, because they are loaded before the 'maxtest' object. Once the latter object is loaded, the remaining objects of class1 and class2 are ok.

I remember that in PD I could load externals on program startup. This would clearly be a solution, but I cannot find a way to do that in Max. So what is the prefered way to handle this?

I've just started work on a C external for Max. I did create some PD externals years ago, so I'm familiar with the general idea. But I do have trouble getting the dll to load in time. 

I've created a dll called maxtest.mxe64 wich registers two classes. Let's call them class1 and class2. When I create a patcher and try to add a class1 or class2 object, it won't load. I have to create a `maxtest' object first.  After that, I can add objects of both classes. 

best-way-to-load-externals

You can load an external at startup by using /Applications/Max.app/Contents/Resources/C74/max-startup

However, you might want to always create an instance of maxtest in your external. Tim Place has an excellent breakdown of 'nobox' classes here:

https://74objects.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/custom-data-types-2/

You can load an external at startup by using /Applications/Max.app/Contents/Resources/C74/max-startup 

However,  you might want to always create an instance of maxtest in your external. Tim Place has an excellent breakdown of 'nobox' classes here:

Thanks. That blog seems like an excellent resource!

About the startup location though: I should've mentioned I'm working on Windows. I cannot find any 'max-startup' folder or file on my system. Searched in Program files, AppData and Documents/Max7. Any ideas?

You can put your external in the extensions folder.

This works indeed. I did put it in packages before, as suggested by the tutorials. But this loads my external when Max starts.

Best way to load externals?