Frequently Asked Questions
This article answers questions Foto Master operators ask about the platform, its features, billing, and technical setup. If your question is not covered here, check the other articles in this knowledge base or contact Foto Master support.
General
Do I need internet for FMX?
Basic features work offline. FMX can capture photos, apply locally synced overlays and layouts, and print to a connected printer without an internet connection. However, all AI features, Cloud event syncing, online galleries, and email/SMS sharing require an active internet connection. For the best experience, always operate with a stable internet connection. See Network & Connectivity Troubleshooting for minimum requirements.
How many booths can I connect to one Cloud account?
Unlimited. Your Foto Master Cloud subscription is per company, not per device. You can link as many booth devices to your account as you need -- whether that is one booth or fifty. All devices share the same event library, assets, analytics, and AI credit balance. See Choosing Your Cloud Plan for plan details.
Can I use FMX on multiple computers?
Yes. Each device running FMX needs its own FMX license, but all devices connect to the same Foto Master Cloud account. This means every booth in your fleet accesses the same events, presets, assets, and galleries. Licenses are managed in the Cloud dashboard under Licenses. See Creating Your Account for details on linking devices.
AI
Do AI credits expire?
No. AI credits never expire once purchased. They remain in your account until you use them, regardless of how long that takes. This means you can stock up during promotions or quiet periods without worrying about losing unused credits. See Choosing Your Cloud Plan for credit pricing by plan.
Can I try AI features before buying credits?
If you're an existing lifetime license holder (pre-January 2025), you can try select AI features in Version 14 software by purchasing credits on a pay-as-you-go basis without subscribing. For new customers, the Basic plan at $39/month is the recommended starting point -- it includes AI credit discounts that quickly pay for themselves. See Choosing Your Cloud Plan for details.
How long does AI processing take?
Processing times vary by feature. Here are typical ranges:
| AI Feature | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Face Swap | ~7 seconds |
| AI Backgrounds | ~10 seconds |
| AI Enhancements | ~8 seconds |
| AI Avatars | ~15 seconds |
| Style Pop | ~32 seconds |
Actual times depend on your internet speed, current Cloud load, and image complexity. Faster internet connections reduce upload and download time, which shortens the overall wait. See Network & Connectivity Troubleshooting for recommended speeds.
Billing
Can I switch plans mid-billing cycle?
Yes. You can change your Foto Master Cloud plan at any time from Settings > Billing in the Cloud dashboard.
- Upgrades are prorated. You pay the difference between your current plan and the new plan for the remaining days in your billing cycle, and the new plan features activate immediately.
- Downgrades take effect at the end of your current billing cycle. You retain access to your current plan's features until the cycle ends, then the lower plan takes over.
What happens if I run out of AI credits?
AI features pause until credits are added. When your credit balance reaches zero, any AI operation will return an insufficient-credits error instead of processing. Your booth continues to function for non-AI features -- photo capture, overlays, printing, and sharing all work without credits. To restore AI functionality, purchase more credits from AI > Purchase Credits in the Cloud dashboard. Credits are available instantly after purchase.
Tip: Set up low-credit notifications in Settings > Notifications so you receive an alert before your balance runs out. This is especially important for pay-per-use booths offering AI experiences.
Technical
What cameras does FMX support?
FMX Windows supports Canon, Nikon, and Sony cameras, plus standard UVC USB webcams. The camera components FMX needs ship with the application, so troubleshooting should focus on the cable, camera mode, Windows device drivers, conflicting apps, and updating or reinstalling FMX.
For best results, use a supported DSLR or mirrorless camera with a fast autofocus lens. USB webcams work for basic setups but do not match the image quality of a dedicated camera. See Camera Troubleshooting for setup tips.
Can I use FMX on iPad?
Yes. FMX for iPadOS is available as a separate application with its own license. It provides the same core guest experience -- photo capture, overlays, AI features, and sharing -- optimized for iPad hardware. FMX for iPadOS connects to the same Foto Master Cloud account as FMX for Windows, so all your events, presets, and assets are available on both platforms.
Each iPad running FMX requires its own FMX license. iPad licenses are managed alongside your Windows licenses in the Cloud dashboard under Licenses.
Tip: FMX for iPadOS is a great option for portable setups and smaller events where you do not want to transport a full booth. Pair it with an iPad stand and a ring light for a compact but professional setup.
Pay-Per-Use
What payment methods does Foto Master support for pay-per-use?
FMX payment providers are None, Nayax, Pulse, Shopify, and Stripe. Coin or token acceptors and venue payment controllers that output a standard pulse signal can be used by configuring FMX's payment provider as Pulse. See Setting Up Payment Devices for setup instructions.
Can I set different prices for different experiences?
Yes. FMX lets you assign individual prices to each workflow configured on the booth. For example, you can offer a standard photo session at $3.00 and an AI avatar experience at $5.00. Guests choose their experience on the idle screen and pay accordingly. See Pricing Your Booth Experiences for pricing strategies.
How do I track revenue from my pay-per-use booths?
Use Foto Master Cloud Activity and event Analytics for event/session behavior, and use the payment provider dashboard for charges, settlement, refunds, deposits, and accounting exports. See Revenue Tracking for a full walkthrough.
Galleries
Who can see my online galleries?
Gallery visibility depends on your settings. You can configure each gallery as:
- Public -- Anyone with the link can view the gallery
- Private -- Only guests with a unique access link or code can view their photos
Gallery settings are configured per event in the Cloud dashboard. See Cloud Dashboard Overview for navigation details.
Do galleries count against my storage?
Gallery storage is included with your Basic and Pro plans. There are no per-photo storage fees. Your plan includes a generous storage allocation, and most operators never come close to the limit. If you have concerns about storage for very high-volume operations, contact Foto Master support.
Next Steps
- Common Issues & Solutions -- Troubleshooting for common problems
- Cloud & AI Troubleshooting -- AI and Cloud-specific troubleshooting
- Choosing Your Cloud Plan -- Compare subscription plans
- Pay-Per-Use Overview -- Learn about unattended booth operation
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