FMX for iPad: External Screen and Slideshow

Updated 4 days ago · 3 min readIntermediate

FMX for iPadOS can drive an external display for slideshows, screen mirroring, and Draw Me Bot presentations. External screen settings are split across three tabs in Global Settings: External Screen, Slideshow, and Draw Me.

Connecting an External Display

Connect an external monitor or TV to your iPad using the appropriate adapter:

  • USB-C adapter -- For iPad Pro (2018 and later), iPad Air (4th generation and later), and iPad mini (6th generation)
  • Lightning adapter -- For older iPad models with Lightning ports

Use an HDMI or VGA adapter depending on your display's input. Once connected, FMX automatically detects the external display and activates the external screen settings.

Tip: Connect the external display before launching the booth experience. FMX configures the output when the experience starts, so a display connected mid-session may not be recognized until the experience is restarted.

Display Modes

The External Screen tab provides two primary display modes:

Mirroring Mode

  • Duplicates the iPad screen on the external display
  • The external monitor shows exactly what appears on the iPad, including the live camera preview, workflow screens, and guest interactions
  • Best for -- Venues where guests or audiences need to see the booth experience on a larger screen, or for operator monitoring from a distance

Slideshow Mode

  • Automated photo and video presentation on the external display while the iPad runs the booth experience independently
  • The external screen cycles through captured media while the main iPad interface continues to operate normally
  • Best for -- Event displays, lobby screens, or any setup where you want to showcase captured content alongside the live booth

Slideshow Settings

The Slideshow tab controls how the automated presentation behaves:

Presentation Mode

Choose how photos and videos are sequenced in the slideshow:

  • Ascending -- Oldest photos first, progressing to newest
  • Descending -- Newest photos first, progressing to oldest
  • Random -- Photos appear in a randomized order
  • Show Latest -- Always display the most recently captured photo. When a new session completes, the slideshow immediately updates to show the new photo, then continues cycling

Content Filtering

Control which media types appear in the slideshow:

  • Photos only -- Display only still images (JPG, PNG)
  • Videos only -- Display only video recordings (MP4) and animated media (GIF)
  • Photos and videos -- Display all captured media types

Timing and Display

  • Photo delay -- Set how long each photo is displayed before advancing to the next. Shorter delays create a faster-paced slideshow; longer delays give viewers more time to appreciate each image.
  • Monitor rotation -- Rotate the slideshow output by 0, 90, 180, or 270 degrees to match your external display's physical orientation. Useful for portrait-mounted TVs or rotated monitors.

Tip: For events where the slideshow is a focal point, use Show Latest order so the external screen always highlights the most recent guest's photo. This creates excitement and encourages other attendees to visit the booth.

Draw Me Bot External Screen

The Draw Me tab configures external display behavior specifically for the Draw Me AI feature:

  • Drawing progress -- Display the AI drawing process on the external screen in real time, allowing spectators to watch as the drawing is created stroke by stroke
  • Advertisement and branding -- Show custom images or branding content on the external screen between Draw Me sessions or during idle periods

The Draw Me external screen operates independently from the standard slideshow. When a Draw Me session is active, the external display shows the drawing progress. Between sessions, it can show advertising content or revert to the standard slideshow.

Tip: The Draw Me Bot's live drawing display is a strong crowd attractor at events. Position the external screen where passersby can see the drawing process in action to drive more booth traffic.

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