Workflow Builder Overview for FMX for iPad

Updated Yesterday · 11 min readBeginner

The Workflow Builder is a visual, node-based editor in Foto Master Cloud that lets you design complete photo booth experiences for FMX for iPad.

With the Workflow Builder, you can control the full guest journey, from the welcome screen and photo capture to AI processing, printing, sharing, surveys, games, and more. Each workflow is built by connecting steps together on a canvas, allowing you to create simple or advanced experiences without coding.

What Is a Workflow?

A workflow is the full sequence of actions that happens during a photo booth session.

For example, a basic workflow may include:

Welcome screen
Live view
Countdown
Photo capture
Preview
Save final photo
Print or share
Return to welcome screen

More advanced workflows can include AI effects, surveys, disclaimers, selection screens, QR codes, email, SMS, games, hardware controls, and conditional branches.

Platform Note

This article focuses on the Workflow Builder for FMX for iPad. The same Workflow Builder also supports Windows workflows, but some steps, triggers, and hardware options are different between iPad and Windows.

Key Workflow Builder Concepts

Nodes

Nodes are the individual steps in the workflow. Each node represents an action, screen, capture, animation, AI process, sharing option, or hardware command. Examples include:

Single Animation
Live View
Take Photo
Preview
Save Final Photo
Print Copies
Email
SMS
QR Code
AI Headshot
AI Cartoon
Survey
Disclaimer
LED Ring
Selection Screen

Edges

Edges are the lines that connect one step to another. They tell the workflow what should happen next. For example, an edge can connect:

Welcome Animation → Live View
Countdown → Take Photo
Take Photo → Preview
Preview → Save Final Photo
Save Final Photo → Email / SMS / QR Code

Some edges are simple next-step connections. Others are branches, such as Retake, Skip, AI Error, Disagree, Back, or Next.

Triggers

Triggers decide when the workflow moves from one step to the next. Common iPad triggers include:

Touch

Moves to the next step when the guest taps the screen. Commonly used for “Touch to Start” screens.

Time

Moves to the next step after a set number of seconds. Commonly used for countdowns, transitions, and instruction screens.

Playback Ended

Moves to the next step when a video or animation finishes playing.

Media Saved

Moves to the next step after a captured photo or video has been finalized and saved.

AI Processed

Moves to the next step after a Cloud AI process is completed and the result is ready. This is very important when using AI features because it ensures the workflow does not continue before the processed result is downloaded and ready for preview, sharing, or printing.

Volume Changed

Moves to the next step when the iPad volume button is pressed. This can be used as a hardware shutter trigger, including with supported Bluetooth remotes.

Main Step Types

Workflow steps are generally divided into three main categories:

1. Animation Steps

Animation steps display visual content such as images, videos, slideshows, instructions, preloaders, countdowns, and branding screens. Common animation types include:

Single

Plays one animation, image, video, or slideshow.

Random

Randomly plays an animation from a selected list.

Timeless

Runs independently from the main workflow, usually as a looping background or foreground animation.

Animation steps are often used for:

Touch to start screens
Countdowns
Get ready screens
Preloaders
AI processing screens
Compliments
End screens
Print screens
Email / SMS / QR instructions

2. Feature Steps

Feature steps run directly on the iPad or connected hardware.

Common feature steps include:

Live View

Starts or stops the live camera preview. For most workflows, you should start Live View before capture and stop Live View after capture.

Take Photo

Captures a photo from the selected camera. On iPad, this can also support specific iPad features such as offline background removal and depth-based options, depending on the device and configuration.

Record Video

Starts or stops video recording.

Preview

Shows the captured photo, video, or GIF to the guest. The Preview step can also allow retakes, filters, beauty options, and approval before moving forward.

Save Final Photo

Composites the captured photo with the selected layout and saves the final result.

Print Copies

Allows the guest to select how many copies to print, or automatically prints a fixed number of copies. Printing can work with supported iPad printing methods, depending on the setup.

Selection Screen

Creates an interactive screen with tappable areas. Each area can lead to a different step, layout, prompt, video, or sub-workflow. Selection Screens are useful for:

Choosing an experience
Choosing a layout
Choosing an AI style
Choosing a sharing method
Building menus
Creating branching workflows

Sign & Draw

Allows the guest to draw, sign, or add creative touches to the photo.

Survey

Collects guest responses such as open-ended answers, single choice, multiple choice, ratings, or Likert-scale feedback.

Disclaimer

Displays terms, consent, or event rules that the guest must accept before continuing. A Disagree branch can be used to send guests who do not accept to a different path.

Games

Adds interactive game experiences such as Tic Tac Toe or 3 Shell Game.

LED Ring / LED Strip / V-Motion 180

Controls supported Foto Master hardware such as LED rings, LED strips, and V-Motion 180 motor movement. Availability depends on the connected hardware.

3. Cloud Steps

Cloud steps send media or data to Foto Master Cloud for processing, sharing, or delivery. Common Cloud steps include:

AI BG Removal
AI Cartoon
AI Combine
AI Draw Me
AI Face Cutout
AI Face Swap
AI Face Switch
AI Headshot
AI Image to Video
AI Line 2 Life
AI Modify
AI Oldify
AI Palm Reading
AI Sharpener
AI Style Pop
Email
SMS
QR Code

Cloud AI steps require an internet connection. If the iPad is offline, the AI process cannot complete at that moment. For important AI workflows, it is recommended to add an AI Error branch so the workflow can continue gracefully if the AI process fails or the internet connection is unavailable.

iPad-Specific Capabilities

FMX for iPad includes several workflow capabilities designed specifically for iPad-based photo booth experiences.

Volume Button as Shutter

The Volume Changed trigger can be used to start a capture or move the workflow forward. This is useful when using the iPad volume buttons or a supported Bluetooth remote as a shutter button.

iPad LED Light

The iPad screen can be used as a fill light with different visual effects, brightness levels, and patterns.

Offline Background Removal

On supported iPads, depth-based background removal can be used locally without internet. This is useful when running events in locations with poor connectivity.

Chroma Key Live View

Live View can support real-time green screen or blue screen background removal, depending on the workflow setup.

Preview Filters and Beauty Options

The Preview step can allow guests to interact with filters, hair color effects, and beauty enhancements before approving the final result.

Canon DSLR over USB

FMX for iPad can work with supported Canon DSLR cameras through Foto Master’s USB-PTP bridge. This allows higher-quality capture, live view, photo mode, video mode, and camera setting controls.

Draw Me Offline

The Draw Me Offline step allows guests to create a drawing or sketch on the iPad and queue it for AI Draw Me processing later through the cloud. This is useful for offline events or locations with unstable internet.

Common Workflow Branches

The Workflow Builder supports different types of branches to create flexible experiences. Common branches include:

Retake

Allows the guest to return from Preview back to Take Photo.

Skip

Allows the guest to skip optional steps such as Email, SMS, or Print Copies.

AI Error

Routes the workflow to a backup step if a Cloud AI process fails.

Disagree

Routes the workflow to a different step if the guest does not accept a disclaimer.

Selection Branch

Routes the guest based on the area they tapped on a Selection Screen.

Back / Next

Allows navigation between Selection Screens or menu pages.

Selection Screen and Layout Builder

The Selection Screen is one of the most powerful workflow tools. It allows you to create a visual menu with clickable areas. Each area can send the guest to a different step or apply a specific option. A Selection Screen area can link to:

A workflow step
An AI prompt
A layout
A video template
A sub-workflow

When a guest selects a layout, that layout becomes active for the session and is used when the final photo is saved.

Layouts are created separately in the Layout Builder, where you design the final photo composition, including captured photo placement, overlays, branding, backgrounds, logos, and other graphic elements.

Creating a Basic Workflow

Here is a simple recommended structure for a standard FMX for iPad photo workflow:

Add a Single Animation as the welcome screen.
Set the trigger to Touch so the guest can start the session.
Add Live View and set it to Start.
Add a countdown animation using a Time trigger.
Add Take Photo.
Add Live View and set it to Stop.
Add Preview so the guest can review the photo.
Add a Retake branch if you want guests to be able to retake the photo.
Add Save Final Photo.
Add sharing options such as Email, SMS, QR Code, or Print Copies.
Connect the final step back to the welcome screen so the booth is ready for the next guest.
Save and test the workflow on the actual iPad before the event.

Using AI in a Workflow

When using AI steps, it is important to control when the workflow moves forward.

For example, if you add an AI Headshot step or AI Cartoon step, the workflow should wait until the AI result is processed and downloaded before moving to preview, sharing, or printing.

Use the AI Processed trigger for this.

A common AI workflow may look like this:

Take Photo
Save Final Photo
AI Headshot
AI Processing Animation
AI Processed trigger
Preview AI Result
Email / SMS / QR Code / Print
Return to Start

You can also place an animation during AI processing, such as a preloader or branded waiting screen. The edge from that animation can use the AI Processed trigger, so the guest only moves forward once the AI result is ready.

AI Workflow Generator

Foto Master Cloud also includes an AI Workflow Generator. This tool allows you to describe the experience you want in plain language, and the system generates a workflow with steps, edges, triggers, and basic settings.

Example prompt:

“Create a workflow with a touch to start screen, live view, countdown, photo capture, AI headshot, preview, email, QR code, and one print copy.”

The generated workflow should always be reviewed and tested before being used at a live event.

Each AI workflow generation costs $0.10 and is available inside the Foto Master Cloud dashboard.

Best Practices

Start Simple

Build a basic workflow first, test it, and only then add more advanced features like AI, surveys, games, and branching.

Always Use Save Final Photo

If you plan to print, email, SMS, show a QR code, or use a designed final image, include Save Final Photo before those steps.

Pair Live View Start and Stop

Always stop Live View after capture to release the camera properly and avoid issues with preview, filters, video mode, or DSLR behavior.

Use AI Processed for AI Workflows

When using Cloud AI, use the AI Processed trigger so the workflow continues only after the result is ready.

Add AI Error Branches

Cloud AI depends on internet connectivity and server processing.

Use AI Error branches to create a backup path if something fails.

For example, you can show a message such as:

“Your photo was saved. The AI result will be available when processing is complete.”

Plan for Offline Events

If the venue has poor internet, make sure the photo is saved locally before any cloud step.

For AI-heavy workflows, test the connection in advance and prepare a fallback path.

Use Volume Button for Hands-Free Capture

For certain setups, using the iPad volume button or a supported remote can create a smoother experience than tapping the screen.

Loop Back to the Start

Always connect the final step back to the welcome screen so the booth is ready for the next guest.

Test on the Actual iPad

The cloud preview is useful for setup, but the real test should always be done on the actual iPad with the actual camera, printer, internet connection, and hardware you plan to use at the event.

Summary

The Workflow Builder gives you full control over the FMX for iPad guest experience.

You can create anything from a simple photo capture flow to a complex interactive experience with AI, surveys, games, sharing, printing, selection screens, and hardware control.

For the best results, start with a clean basic workflow, test every step, then add advanced features gradually. Always include Save Final Photo before sharing or printing, use AI Processed triggers for AI workflows, and test the complete setup on the actual iPad before going live.

Was this helpful?