Final Photo: When FMX Saves It and How It Works

The Final Photo is the single rendered output image that each session produces. It combines the guest's captured photos with the layout design (overlays, borders, backgrounds) into one composited image. Understanding when and how FMX creates the Final Photo helps operators troubleshoot saving issues and optimize their workflows.

One Final Photo Per Session

Every session produces exactly one Final Photo. This is by design. The Final Photo is the definitive output of the guest's experience -- the image that gets printed, shared, and uploaded to the cloud. Multiple captures during a session (e.g., a multi-photo collage) are composited into this single output.

When FMX Saves the Final Photo

The Final Photo is saved under two conditions:

• Dedicated Save Step -- A Save Final Photo step exists in the workflow. When the workflow reaches this step, FMX renders and saves the composited image.
• Auto-Save at Workflow End -- If no explicit Save Final Photo step is present, FMX automatically renders and saves the Final Photo when the workflow completes.

Smart Update Logic

FMX avoids unnecessary re-rendering. Before saving, it checks whether anything has changed since the last render:

• If the layout, captures, or AI results have been modified, FMX re-renders and saves the updated Final Photo
• If nothing has changed, the save step is skipped entirely

This optimization reduces processing time and disk writes, especially in workflows where multiple steps could trigger a save.

Preview Mode Does Not Save

The Final Photo is never saved during Preview mode. Preview steps display a temporary composite for the guest to review, retake, or approve. The rendered preview exists only in memory and is discarded when the guest moves to the next step.

The actual save only occurs when the workflow reaches a Save Final Photo step or completes.

Storage

Final Photos are saved to the FinalPhoto folder within the event's local directory:

• Path -- {BaseFolder}/Events/{EventDisplay}/FinalPhoto/
• Filename -- Session ID combined with a timestamp (e.g., session-abc123_20260416-143022.jpg)
• Format -- JPEG at the quality level specified in the workflow layout settings

Cloud Sync

When cloud sync is enabled in Global Settings, completed Final Photos are automatically queued for upload:

• The upload is added to the sync queue immediately after the file is saved
• Uploads proceed in the background without blocking the booth
• If the internet connection is unavailable, the file remains in the queue and uploads when connectivity is restored
• Upload status is visible in the Queue Management screen