Step Types Quick Reference

Step Types Overview

FMX workflow steps are divided into three main categories:

Feature Steps

Feature steps run locally on the iPad or connected hardware. These include actions such as taking a photo, showing live view, previewing the result, printing, recording video, collecting a signature, or controlling supported hardware.

Common Feature steps include:

• Take Photo - Captures a photo using the selected camera, such as the iPad camera or a supported Canon DSLR connected by USB.
• Live View - Starts or stops the camera preview. It is recommended to always use Live View Start and Live View Stop together to avoid camera resource conflicts.
• Preview - Shows the captured media to the guest. You can allow guests to accept, retake, or apply photo filters before continuing.
• Save Final Photo - Renders and saves the final composed photo, including the layout, overlays, drawings, signatures, and other visual elements. This step is required before printing or sharing a final photo.
• Print Copies - Allows the guest to select how many copies to print, or automatically prints one copy. Printing works with AirPrint or FMPrint, depending on your setup.
• Sign & Draw - Lets guests sign, draw, or decorate their photo using the iPad touch screen. Drawings on the final photo are saved into the final image.
• Selection Screen - Displays a tappable menu that lets guests choose between different options, workflows, layouts, video templates, or prompts.
• Disclaimer - Shows a consent or terms screen before the guest continues. You can include required acknowledgment and optional marketing consent.
• Survey - Collects guest feedback using open-ended questions, multiple choice, ratings, or Likert scale questions.
• Access Code - Requires guests to enter a valid code before continuing. This is useful for private events, VIP access, or controlled experiences.
• Games - Adds a mini-game experience, such as Tic Tac Toe or 3-Shell Game, to entertain guests during the workflow.

Animation Steps

Animation steps display images or videos during the workflow. They are commonly used for attract screens, countdowns, instructions, transitions, waiting screens, and AI processing moments.

FMX supports three main animation types:

Single Animation

A Single animation plays one specific image or video. Use this when you want full control over what appears at a specific point in the workflow, such as:

• A welcome screen
• A countdown video
• An instruction screen
• A branded transition
• A thank-you screen

Single animations can advance based on triggers such as time, touch, playback ended, AI processed, media saved, volume button press, and more.

Random Animation

A Random animation plays one animation from a selected set.

Use this when you want to add variety to the experience, such as rotating compliments, branded screens, funny prompts, or different waiting animations.

Random animations can be configured to:

• Play one random animation
• Play animations sequentially
• Use animations from a specific category
• Mute audio
• Spread playback evenly

Timeless Animation

A Timeless animation is a looping foreground or background layer that continues running until a matching Timeless Stop step is reached.

Use Timeless animations when you want a visual layer to stay active across multiple workflow steps, such as:

• Animated background
• Foreground overlay
• Branding layer
• Decorative frame
• Looping event theme animation

A Timeless Start step begins the animation, and a Timeless Stop step ends it.

Cloud Steps

Cloud steps send media to Foto Master Cloud for AI processing, sharing, or online delivery. These steps require an internet connection. AI-related Cloud steps may also consume AI credits.

Common Cloud steps include:

• AI Background Removal - Removes the photo background using AI.
• AI Cartoon - Turns the photo into a cartoon or stylized image using styles such as Magic, Comic, K-Pop, Pixar, Pixelated, or Pinky.
• AI Draw Me - Creates artistic renderings using painter-inspired models such as Monet, Donatello, Raphael, da Vinci, Picasso, and Michelangelo.
• AI Face Swap - Swaps a guest’s face onto a selected template image.
• AI Face Switch - Switches faces between people in a group photo.
• AI Headshot - Generates professional AI headshots. It supports single-person and group modes, with different quality and style options.
• AI Image to Video - Creates a short AI-generated video from a still image using a selected model and prompt.
• AI Line 2 Life - Turns a guest’s drawing or sketch into a stylized image. Styles include Classic, Graffiti Wall Style, Watercolor Dream, 3D Clay Style, Cyberpunk Neon, Pixel Art Retro, and Fantasy Storybook.
• AI Modify - Uses a custom text prompt to modify the guest’s photo using the best models in the market.
• AI Combine - Combines a guest photo with a prompt and one or more reference images using the best models in the market..
• AI Oldify - Ages or de-ages faces in the photo.
• AI Sharpener - Enhances image sharpness and detail.
• AI Style Pop - Applies stylized transformations such as collectible figures, marble sculptures, origami, claymation, glass figures, and more.
• Email - Sends selected media to the guest by email.
• SMS - Sends selected media to the guest by text message.
• QR Code - Displays a QR code that can link to the event gallery, a media landing page, or a custom URL.

Common AI Workflow Pattern

A typical AI workflow follows this structure:

1. Touch to Start Animation
2. Countdown Animation
3. Capture the photo.
4. Send the media to the AI Cloud step.
5. Show an animation while the AI is processing.
6. Use the AI Processed trigger to move forward only after the result is ready.
7. Preview Photo
8. Save the final photo.
9. Print, email, SMS, or display the final result.

Using an animation with the AI Processed trigger is important because it keeps the guest on a waiting screen until the AI result has been downloaded and is ready to use.

Important Workflow Tips

Use Print Copies only after a final photo has been saved.

Always pair Live View Start with Live View Stop to keep the camera session stable.

Use Preview when you want guests to approve or retake their photo before continuing.

Use Timeless animations when you want a background or overlay to stay visible across several workflow steps.

Use error routing on AI steps when possible, so failed AI processing can lead to a custom error screen instead of stopping the workflow.

Use Survey steps when you want to collect guest feedback or event data.

Use QR Code steps when you want guests to quickly access their gallery or media from their own phone.