topper

Just getting started writing Max/MSP externals. I'm using Xcode and am 

following some docs I've gotten from Ich (Fujinaga). I guess my first 

question is, which SDK should I be using? I downloaded this one:

Max/MSP 4.5.5 Software Development Kit (SDK) 

and just copied stuff into an SDK folder w/i my Max/MSP 4.5 folder. But 

Max/MSP 4.6 Universal Binary Software Development Kit (SDK)

and follow the instructions there on installing it? Is there a huge 

The odd thing is, I'm able to compile the "buddy" project (from the 

first SDK) just fine with what I did ... using Xcode 2.0, gcc 4.0, 

The unfortunate thing is that I'm not able to get the attached code to 

work (a simple bang object). The object compiles, but has no inlets or 

Just looking for a little help getting started.

    setup((t_messlist**)&this_class, (method)bang_new, 0L, (short)sizeof(t_bang), 0L, 0);

Just getting started writing Max/MSP externals.  I'm using Xcode and am 
following some docs I've gotten from Ich (Fujinaga).  I guess my first 
question is, which SDK should I be using?  I downloaded this one:

Max/MSP 4.5.5 Software Development Kit (SDK) 
 (6.3 MB, 
updated 26 October 2005)

and just copied stuff into an SDK folder w/i my Max/MSP 4.5 folder.  But 
I'm beginning to think what I need is:

Max/MSP 4.6 Universal Binary Software Development Kit (SDK) 

and follow the instructions there on installing it?  Is there a huge 
difference between the two?

The odd thing is, I'm able to compile the "buddy" project (from the 
first SDK) just fine with what I did ... using Xcode 2.0, gcc 4.0, 
Max/MSP 4.5.6, etc...

The unfortunate thing is that I'm not able to get the attached code to 
work (a simple bang object).  The object compiles, but has no inlets or 
outlets.

typedef struct _bang
{
	t_object b_ob;
	void *b_out;
} t_bang;

void *bang_new(void);
void bang_bang(t_bang *bang);

int main(void)
{
	setup((t_messlist**)&this_class, (method)bang_new, 0L, (short)sizeof(t_bang), 0L, 0);
	addbang((method)bang_bang);
	return(0);
}

void bang_bang(t_bang *bang)
{
	outlet_bang(bang->b_out);
}


noob-external-writing-questions

I think the UB SDK is the one to use, based on the principle of wanting to be au courant. However probably either would work if you're compiling for PPC hardware (though UB externals only work with more recent versions of MaxMSP - worth keeping up to date on that one too!)

One thing I would recommend is not to make Max externs (like what you posted below) but rather go directly to building MaxMSP externs. The MSP side has a slightly different way of dealing with inlets and outlets that makes more sense, to me at least. It's also good to dive into the DSP side of things immediately. Finally, the c74 documentation on writing externals is excellent - I highly recommend it, and it's included in the SDK. I also wrote a bunch of chapters on MaxMSP coding for an upcoming book. If you still find yourself head scratching after a week or so with the c74 documentation, send me a holler and I can send you my stuff too.

> Just getting started writing Max/MSP externals. I'm using

> following some docs I've gotten from Ich (Fujinaga). I guess

> question is, which SDK should I be using? I downloaded this

> Max/MSP 4.5.5 Software Development Kit (SDK) 

> and just copied stuff into an SDK folder w/i my Max/MSP 4.5

> Max/MSP 4.6 Universal Binary Software Development Kit (SDK) 

> and follow the instructions there on installing it? Is there

> The odd thing is, I'm able to compile the "buddy" project (from

> first SDK) just fine with what I did ... using Xcode 2.0, gcc

> The unfortunate thing is that I'm not able to get the attached

> work (a simple bang object). The object compiles, but has no

> Just looking for a little help getting started.

I think the UB SDK is the one to use, based on the principle of wanting to be au courant. However probably either would work if you're compiling for PPC hardware (though UB externals only work with more recent versions of MaxMSP - worth keeping up to date on that one too!) 

--- Original Message ---
> Hi folks,
>
> Just getting started writing Max/MSP externals.  I'm using
> Xcode and am 
> following some docs I've gotten from Ich (Fujinaga).  I guess
> my first 
> question is, which SDK should I be using?  I downloaded this
> one:
>
> Max/MSP 4.5.5 Software Development Kit (SDK) 
>
> (6.3 MB, 
> updated 26 October 2005)
>
> and just copied stuff into an SDK folder w/i my Max/MSP 4.5
> folder.  But 
> I'm beginning to think what I need is:
>
> Max/MSP 4.6 Universal Binary Software Development Kit (SDK) 
>
>
> (1.6 MB, updated 23 June 2006)
>
> and follow the instructions there on installing it?  Is there
> a huge 
> difference between the two?
>
> The odd thing is, I'm able to compile the "buddy" project (from
> the 
> first SDK) just fine with what I did ... using Xcode 2.0, gcc
> 4.0, 
> Max/MSP 4.5.6, etc...
>
> The unfortunate thing is that I'm not able to get the attached
> code to 
> work (a simple bang object).  The object compiles, but has no
> inlets or 
> outlets.
>
> Just looking for a little help getting started.
>
> Thanks,
>
> DT
>
> --------#include "ext.h"
>
> void *this_class;
>
> typedef struct _bang
> {
> 	t_object b_ob;
> 	void *b_out;
> } t_bang;
>
> void *bang_new(void);
> void bang_bang(t_bang *bang);
>
> int main(void)
> {
> 	setup((t_messlist**)&this_class, (method)bang_new, 0L,
> (short)sizeof(t_bang), 0L, 0);
> 	addbang((method)bang_bang);
> 	return(0);
> }
>
> void *bang_new(void)
> {
> 	t_bang *bang;
>
> 	bang->b_out = bangout(bang);
>
> 	return(bang);
> }
>
> void bang_bang(t_bang *bang)
> {
> 	outlet_bang(bang->b_out);
> }
>


Thanks for pointing that out. I wasn't aware of the different methods 

for dealing with inlets and outlets. Regardless, I'd like to be able to 

make both types of objects, so I guess I'll need to figure out what's 

You know, my code compiled just the same regardless of which SDK I was 

The documentation, however, is not included with the UB SDK, rather a 

https://cycling74.com/twiki/bin/view/ProductDocumentation/MaxUBSDK

The other SDK (4.5.5 ... no UB) does have docs, but they state right at 

the outset that they are for CodeWarrior. ;-(

So if there's some other source of documentation or a PDF I'd love to 

Good for you working on a book. Reminds me of when the UCSB folks wrote 

the Supercollider book ... which was sorely needed at the time. Maybe 

Nice to see you at ICMC, however brief. Don't forget that tomorrow is 

Thanksgiving here, Eric. Go find some Turkey.

Thanks for pointing that out.  I wasn't aware of the different methods 
for dealing with inlets and outlets.  Regardless, I'd like to be able to 
make both types of objects, so I guess I'll need to figure out what's 
going wrong with my code.

You know, my code compiled just the same regardless of which SDK I was 
apparently using?  How odd is that?

The documentation, however, is not included with the UB SDK, rather a 
file with this link is:

    https://cycling74.com/twiki/bin/view/ProductDocumentation/MaxUBSDK

The other SDK (4.5.5 ... no UB) does have docs, but they state right at 
the outset that they are for CodeWarrior.  ;-(

So if there's some other source of documentation or a PDF I'd love to 
know about it.

Good for you working on a book.  Reminds me of when the UCSB folks wrote 
the Supercollider book ... which was sorely needed at the time.  Maybe 
they'll let you back into the US!  ;-)

Nice to see you at ICMC, however brief.  Don't forget that tomorrow is 
Thanksgiving here, Eric.  Go find some Turkey.

https://cycling74.com/twiki/bin/view/ProductDocumentation/GettingStarted

"Double-click on maximum.xcodeproj. You should see the project window 

Unfortunately, "maximum.xcodeproj" is a directory. Inside is a file 

called "project.pbxproj" which when clicked opens Xcode, but no 

I'm an old-school gcc/Makefile coder, so setting up the Xcode stuff is 

unfamiliar to me. Regardless, either the docs or the SDK is broken on 

this level. Can anyone help me figure out how to get this basic example 

    https://cycling74.com/twiki/bin/view/ProductDocumentation/GettingStarted

"Double-click on maximum.xcodeproj. You should see the project window 
appear in Xcode."

Unfortunately, "maximum.xcodeproj" is a directory.  Inside is a file 
called "project.pbxproj" which when clicked opens Xcode, but no 
project.  Something isn't right.

I'm an old-school gcc/Makefile coder, so setting up the Xcode stuff is 
unfamiliar to me.  Regardless, either the docs or the SDK is broken on 
this level.  Can anyone help me figure out how to get this basic example 
working?

> So I'm following the instructions here:

> "Double-click on maximum.xcodeproj. You should see the project window 

> Unfortunately, "maximum.xcodeproj" is a directory. Inside is a file 

> called "project.pbxproj" which when clicked opens Xcode, but no 

> I'm an old-school gcc/Makefile coder, so setting up the Xcode stuff is 

> unfamiliar to me. Regardless, either the docs or the SDK is broken on 

> this level. Can anyone help me figure out how to get this basic example 

Did you install the correct Xcode version? The one that comes with OS X 

10.4 is not enough, you have to update manually if you want to build UB 

> Hi folks,
>
> So I'm following the instructions here:
>
>    https://cycling74.com/twiki/bin/view/ProductDocumentation/GettingStarted
>
> Specifically ...
>
> "Double-click on maximum.xcodeproj. You should see the project window 
> appear in Xcode."
>
> Unfortunately, "maximum.xcodeproj" is a directory.  Inside is a file 
> called "project.pbxproj" which when clicked opens Xcode, but no 
> project.  Something isn't right.
>
> I'm an old-school gcc/Makefile coder, so setting up the Xcode stuff is 
> unfamiliar to me.  Regardless, either the docs or the SDK is broken on 
> this level.  Can anyone help me figure out how to get this basic example 
> working?

Did you install the correct Xcode version? The one that comes with OS X 
10.4 is not enough, you have to update manually if you want to build UB 
externals for use with Max 4.6.

On Nov 22, 2006, at 9:00 AM, David Topper wrote:

> "Double-click on maximum.xcodeproj. You should see the project 

> Unfortunately, "maximum.xcodeproj" is a directory. Inside is a 

> file called "project.pbxproj" which when clicked opens Xcode, but 

Sounds like somehow the bundle bit is not set for the folder (A 

bundle is just a special kind of folder). Try dragging the folder 

onto XCode(which should be able to open it) and resaving.

As for the SDK documentation, you'll want to use the Writing Max 

Externals documentation from the traditional Max SDK in conjunction 

with the UB SDK for the time being until there's a unified SDK. Sorry 

And as for your initial problem. You need to allocate your object in 

your constructor. The following won't work since the bang variable 

has not allocated memory for the object. Check the Writing Max 

Externals docs and same projects for more info.

> "Double-click on maximum.xcodeproj. You should see the project  
> window appear in Xcode."
>
> Unfortunately, "maximum.xcodeproj" is a directory.  Inside is a  
> file called "project.pbxproj" which when clicked opens Xcode, but  
> no project.  Something isn't right.

Sounds like somehow the bundle bit is not set for the folder (A  
bundle is just a special kind of folder). Try dragging the folder  
onto XCode(which should be able to open it) and resaving.

As for the SDK documentation, you'll want to use the Writing Max  
Externals documentation from the traditional Max SDK in conjunction  
with the UB SDK for the time being until there's a unified SDK. Sorry  
for the inconvenience.

And as for your initial problem. You need to allocate your object in  
your constructor. The following won't work since the bang variable  
has not allocated memory for the object. Check the Writing Max  
Externals docs and same projects for more info.

As much as I hate to disagree with Eric, I would recommend the 

following approach for a beginner learning to program Max externals

- Build a simple one-inlet one-outlet Max object

something like: bang sends out the integer 42

or: bang prints 'Hello Max' to the Max winow

- Build a multiple inlet Max object using intin()/floatin() calls

- Build a multiple inlet Max object using proxies

say, a multi-inlet add object that handles lists

in any inlet, distributing list elements across

the inlets to the right of the receiving inlet

MSP objects always use proxies, but now you get

to enjoy the fun of writing a perform method.

There are *lots* of idiosyncracies here, and it's

a big help if you have the fundamentals of Max

objects under your belt before you do this.

Something like: the mean value of the left & right inlets

- Finally, do an MSP object that distinguishes

between signal and constant (float) inputs and optimizes

depending on which kind of connection you have.

From there you can go on to Jitter, attributes, UI objects, and 

But if you like diving in at the deep end, then by all means start 

with a 5-pole filter generating Jitter matrices from audio input, 

controlling each parameter with a slider drawn by your UI object %-}

Peter Castine +--> Litter Power & Litter Bundle for Jitter

Interface Building for |home | chez nous|

Max/MSP Extremely cool |bei uns | i nostri|

As much as I hate to disagree with Eric, I would recommend the  
following approach for a beginner learning to program Max externals

   - Build a simple one-inlet one-outlet Max object
     something like: bang sends out the integer 42
     or: bang prints 'Hello Max' to the Max winow

   - Build a multiple inlet Max object using intin()/floatin() calls
     say, a 3-inlet add object

   - Build a multiple inlet Max object using proxies
     say, a multi-inlet add object that handles lists
     in any inlet, distributing list elements across
     the inlets to the right of the receiving inlet
     (This sounds increasingly like lp.sigma)

   - NOW build a simple MSP object
     MSP objects always use proxies, but now you get
     to enjoy the fun of writing a perform method.
     There are *lots* of idiosyncracies here, and it's
     a big help if you have the fundamentals of Max
     objects under your belt before you do this.
     Something like: the mean value of the left & right inlets

   - Finally, do an MSP object that distinguishes
     between signal and constant (float) inputs and optimizes
     depending on which kind of connection you have.

 From there you can go on to Jitter, attributes, UI objects, and  
other cool stuff.

But if you like diving in at the deep end, then by all means start  
with a 5-pole filter generating Jitter matrices from audio input,  
controlling each parameter with a slider drawn by your UI object %-}

Whichever approach you take, good luck!
-- Peter

--------------    http://www.bek.no/~pcastine/Litter/    -------------
Peter Castine             +--> Litter Power & Litter Bundle for Jitter
                                Universal Binaries on the way
iCE:  Sequencing,  Recording &
       Interface  Building  for                   |home    | chez nous|
       Max/MSP   Extremely cool                   |bei uns |  i nostri|
       http://www.dspaudio.com/                   http://www.castine.de

You might want to get the latest Xcode from Apple's website. It 

sounds like you may be trying to open a newer project version than 

your current Xcode is capable of. Could you give us some details on 

https://cycling74.com/twiki/bin/view/ProductDocumentation/

> I'm an old-school gcc/Makefile coder, so setting up the Xcode stuff 

> is unfamiliar to me. Regardless, either the docs or the SDK is 

> broken on this level. Can anyone help me figure out how to get 

You might want to get the latest Xcode from Apple's website.  It  
sounds like you may be trying to open a newer project version than  
your current Xcode is capable of.  Could you give us some details on  
your OS Version and Xcode version?

> Hi folks,
>
> So I'm following the instructions here:
>
>    https://cycling74.com/twiki/bin/view/ProductDocumentation/ 
> GettingStarted
>
> Specifically ...
>
> "Double-click on maximum.xcodeproj. You should see the project  
> window appear in Xcode."
>
> Unfortunately, "maximum.xcodeproj" is a directory.  Inside is a  
> file called "project.pbxproj" which when clicked opens Xcode, but  
> no project.  Something isn't right.
>
> I'm an old-school gcc/Makefile coder, so setting up the Xcode stuff  
> is unfamiliar to me.  Regardless, either the docs or the SDK is  
> broken on this level.  Can anyone help me figure out how to get  
> this basic example working?
>
> Thanks,
>
> DT


Noob external writing questions