Key Concepts: Workflows, Steps, Edges, and TriggersUpdated 4 days ago
This article covers the four core elements of every FMX workflow: Workflows, Steps, Edges, and Triggers. Understanding these concepts makes it easy to read, build, and troubleshoot any flow in FMX and the Cloud.
Workflow
A workflow is the complete experience the user goes through from beginning to end.
What It Represents
The entire path: from the initial screen to the final action.
All steps, transitions, and conditions that define the experience.
Examples
Standard Photo Booth: Welcome → Disclaimer → Capture → AI → Preview → Print → Email
Survey Flow: Welcome → Survey → Thank You → Email Receipt
In the Builder
Displayed as the full canvas containing steps and edges.
You can maintain multiple workflows for different events or use cases.
Step
A step is a single action, screen, or operation inside the workflow.
What It Represents
One stage in the user journey: displaying content, capturing media, collecting data, applying AI, or sending outputs.
Typical Step Categories
Capture & Media
Capture Photo, Record Video, Live View, Screen Capture, Screen Recording
AI & Effects
AI Headshot, AI Cartoon, AI Oldify, AI Modify, AI StylePop, AI Line2Life, AI Background Removal
User Interaction
Selection Screen, Games, Draw Me Offline, Survey
Information & Compliance
Disclaimer, Instruction Screens, Branding Screens
Output & Sharing
Print, Save Final Photo, Email, SMS, QR Code
In the Builder
Each step appears as a box (node) on the canvas.
Selecting a step opens its configuration panel (text, options, limits, styling).
Steps usually have one or more incoming and outgoing connections.
Edge (Connection)
An edge is a connection line that defines what happens after a step completes.
What It Represents
The transition from one step to the next.
The logic or condition that determines which path the flow follows.
Common Edge Types
Navigation Edge (NavEdge)
Standard “continue to the next step.”
Skip Edge / Skip on 0 Prints
Skip a step based on specific conditions (e.g., no prints requested).
Retake Edge
Return to a capture step for another attempt.
Disagree Edge
Alternative path when a user declines a disclaimer or similar prompt.
AI Error Edge
Fallback path if an AI request fails (timeout, cloud error, invalid data).
In the Builder
Displayed as lines or arrows connecting two steps.
Different edge types may appear with distinct colors or labels.
A step can have multiple outgoing edges (e.g., Continue vs Retake vs Error).
Trigger
A trigger is an event or condition that starts a workflow or redirects it.
What It Represents
When the workflow begins.
In advanced setups: when to jump to another part of the flow based on an event.
Examples
Workflow Start Triggers
The booth starts a new session.
A user taps “Start” on the welcome screen.
Branching Triggers
AI operation fails → follow the AI Error Edge.
A specific selection is made on a Selection Screen.
No prints requested → follow the Skip on 0 Prints Edge.
In the Builder
The start trigger appears as a start node or entry point.
Additional triggers are configured through step settings or specialized edges.
How These Concepts Work Together
Workflow = the full map
Steps = the locations on the map
Edges = the roads connecting those locations
Triggers = what starts the journey or moves you to a different route
Example Flow
Trigger
User starts a session → enter the workflow.
Step 1: Disclaimer
If user agrees → Continue edge → Capture Photo
If user declines → Disagree Edge → “Cannot continue” screen
Step 2: Capture Photo
If user wants a retake → Retake Edge → Capture Photo
If user approves → Continue → AI Headshot
Step 3: AI Headshot
On success → Continue → Preview
On error → AI Error Edge → Fallback screen