# FMVMachine User Guide
Welcome to FMVMachine! This application lets you create, edit, and export interactive video experiences with ease. Designed with a retro, neon-glow interface and optimized for fast, intuitive workflows, FMVMachine gives you full control over branching video stories, hotspots, quizzes, timed events, dialogues, variables, and more.
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## Table of Contents
1. Overview: What is FMVMachine?
2. Main Interface and Navigation
3. Importing and Managing Media
4. Drag-and-Drop Video Reordering
5. Creating and Editing Hotspots
6. Multi-Trigger Hotspots
7. Variables & Conditions
8. Quizzes
9. Quick Time Events (QTEs)
10. Dialogues (Visual Novel / RPG Style)
11. Story Editor (Branching/Flow Design)
12. Video Playback Options
13. Player Themes
14. Project Validation
15. Saving, Loading, and Exporting Projects
16. Playback Mode (Preview)
17. Keyboard Shortcuts and Tips
18. Update Notes
19. Language & Localization
20. License
21. Troubleshooting and Support
---
## 1. Overview: What is FMVMachine?
FMVMachine is a locally-running interactive video editor. It allows you to:
- Import and manage video, audio, and image files
- Add interactive hotspots (clickable areas) to videos or images
- Link hotspots to other media, pop-ups, external URLs, audio, dialogues, or variable actions
- Build conditional logic with variables and IF/ELSE branching
- Create quizzes, timed choice events (QTEs), and visual-novel-style dialogue sequences
- Design complex branching narratives visually in the Story Editor
- Customize player theme colors for popups and overlays
- Export your projects as interactive web packages (ZIP) or standalone desktop apps (Windows `.exe`, macOS `.dmg`)
- Enjoy a retro, neon-themed interface with modern drag-and-drop controls
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## 2. Main Interface and Navigation
Upon launching FMVMachine, you’ll see:
- **Top Menu Bar:** Icon-only buttons with custom tooltips for Import, Save, Load, Export, Create Hotspot, Add Quiz, Add QTE, Add Dialogue, Tools, Language, and Mode Switch. Hover to see labels.
- **Left Sidebar:** Large buttons that open modals for the **Videos** and **Audio** lists.
- **Central Area:** Video player and hotspot editing canvas.
- **Right Sidebar:** Large buttons that open modals for **Hotspots**, **Quizzes**, **QTEs**, **Dialogues**, **Variables**, and **Theme** for the selected media.
- **Retro Theme:** Dark background, purple buttons, neon glow, and consistent retro styling throughout.
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## 3. Importing and Managing Media
### Importing Videos
1. Click the **Import Video** button in the top menu.
2. Select one or more video files (MP4, WebM, OGG) from your computer.
3. Imported videos appear in the **Videos** modal (open from the left sidebar).
### Importing Audio
1. Open the **Audio** modal from the left sidebar.
2. Click **Import Audio**.
3. Select audio files (MP3, WAV, OGG, AAC, FLAC, M4A, WMA).
4. Use imported audio in hotspot triggers or as background audio for images.
### Importing Images
Images can be used as Story Editor scene thumbnails, dialogue avatars, or as standalone playable scenes with their own hotspots, quizzes, QTEs, and dialogues.
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## 4. Drag-and-Drop Video Reordering
- Open the **Videos** modal from the left sidebar.
- Click and hold a video entry.
- Drag it up or down to your desired position.
- Release to drop; the order updates instantly.
- This feature is highly optimized for smooth performance, even with large video lists.
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## 5. Creating and Editing Hotspots
Hotspots are interactive areas on videos or images.
**To create a hotspot:**
1. Select a video or image from the list.
2. Click **Create Hotspot** in the top menu.
3. Click and drag on the video player to define the hotspot area.
4. Fill out the hotspot properties:
- **Hotspot Name:** An internal name for the hotspot list.
- **Text:** Optional text displayed to the viewer.
- **Go to Media:** Play another video or image when clicked.
- **External Link:** Open a URL in the default browser.
- **Audio:** Play an imported audio file on click.
- **Variable Action:** Set, increment, decrement, or toggle a variable.
- **Show Dialogue:** Launch a dialogue sequence.
5. Click **Save Hotspot**.
**To edit a hotspot:**
1. Open the **Hotspots** modal from the right sidebar.
2. Click the hotspot you want to edit.
3. Modify properties and click **Save Hotspot**.
**To delete a hotspot:**
1. Open the **Hotspots** modal.
2. Select the hotspot and click **Delete**.
**Visibility Condition:**
Enable **Has Condition** to show or hide the hotspot during playback based on a variable value. Choose the variable, operator, and comparison value.
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## 6. Multi-Trigger Hotspots
A single hotspot can contain multiple independent triggers. This lets one hotspot offer several choices — for example, “Examine” (text), “Open Door” (go to media), and “Listen” (audio).
1. In the hotspot editor, expand the **Trigger Menu** section.
2. Click **Add Trigger**.
3. Choose a trigger type: Audio, Text, Go to Media, External Link, Variable Action, Show Dialogue, or Dialogue Flow.
4. Configure each trigger’s data and optional visibility condition.
5. During playback, hovering over the hotspot reveals a menu with all triggers; click the one you want.
Single-action hotspots remain fully backward-compatible.
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## 7. Variables & Conditions
Variables add game-like logic to your project.
**Creating variables:**
1. Open the **Variables** modal from the right sidebar.
2. Enter a name, choose a type (string, number, boolean), and set a default value.
3. Click **Add Variable**.
**Using variables:**
- Show/hide hotspots based on conditions.
- Branch quiz outcomes.
- Hide dialogue choices unless conditions are met.
- Execute actions that set, increment, decrement, or toggle variables.
**Condition operators:**
equals, notEquals, greaterThan, lessThan, greaterThanOrEqual, lessThanOrEqual, isTrue, isFalse.
---
## 8. Quizzes
Quizzes ask the viewer a question and branch the story based on the answer.
**To create a quiz:**
1. Click **Add Quiz** in the top menu (or open the **Quizzes** modal).
2. Enter the question text.
3. Add multiple choice answers and mark which are correct.
4. Configure:
- **Trigger Time:** When the quiz appears during playback.
- **Correct Branch:** Media to play on a correct answer.
- **Incorrect Branch:** Media to play on an incorrect answer.
- **Visibility Condition:** Only show the quiz if a condition is met.
- **Outcome Conditions:** Additional IF/ELSE branching for correct/incorrect paths.
5. Click **Save Quiz**.
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## 9. Quick Time Events (QTEs)
QTEs are timed choice events that appear during playback.
**To create a QTE:**
1. Click **Add QTE** in the top menu (or open the **QTEs** modal).
2. Enter a prompt (e.g., “Quick! Hide or run?”).
3. Set the start time and duration.
4. Add choices and assign outcomes: play a video/image, show text, or modify a variable.
5. Set a timeout action for when the timer runs out.
6. Click **Save QTE**.
During playback, the video pauses, a countdown bar appears, and the viewer must choose before time expires.
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## 10. Dialogues (Visual Novel / RPG Style)
Dialogues create narrative sequences with speaker names, multi-page text, optional avatar images, and player choices.
**To create a dialogue:**
1. Open the **Dialogues** modal from the right sidebar and click **Add Dialogue**.
2. Name the dialogue and choose a screen position (bottom, top, center, bottom-left, etc.).
3. Add pages with speaker name, text, and optional avatar.
4. Add choices (optional):
- Each choice can close the dialogue, play media, show text, execute a variable action, or show another dialogue.
- **Return to Choices:** After executing the result, return to the same choice page.
- **Has Condition:** Hide choices based on a variable condition.
5. Set the **On Complete** action for after the last page.
6. Click **Save Dialogue**.
**Triggering dialogues:**
Assign a **Show Dialogue** trigger to a hotspot, or use a **Dialogue Flow** hotspot trigger for an immediate text popup with choices (optionally after an audio file finishes).
---
## 11. Story Editor (Branching/Flow Design)
The Story Editor is a visual canvas for designing branching narratives.
**To open the Story Editor:**
- Click the **Story Editor** button in the top menu.
**Story Editor Features:**
- **Scene Nodes:** Cyan-bordered cards representing videos (with auto-generated thumbnails) or images.
- **Choice Nodes:** Magenta pill-shaped nodes representing decision points.
- **Connectors:** Orthogonal elbow lines show the flow between scenes and choices.
- **Default Next Scene:** Yellow dashed connectors for direct scene-to-scene transitions.
- **Auto Layout:** One-click horizontal tree arrangement.
- **Toolbar:** Add new scenes, zoom controls, and more.
- **Retro Look:** Dark canvas, neon connectors, glowing controls.
**Navigation:**
- **Zoom:** Mouse wheel or the + and - buttons in the corner.
- **Pan:** Left-click and drag on empty canvas, or middle-click drag.
- **Edit Nodes:** Double-click a node to open its editor.
**Tips:**
- The canvas is highly responsive, even with many nodes and connectors.
- All changes are reflected in your project’s branching logic and are saved with the project.
---
## 12. Video Playback Options
- Select a video or image.
- Click **Video Options** (in the right sidebar or UI).
- Set the next media to play after the current one.
- Toggle looping.
- For images, set a background audio file and duration.
- Save to apply changes.
---
## 13. Player Themes
Customize the colors of player overlays for a consistent look across exported projects.
1. Click the **Theme** button in the right sidebar.
2. Adjust colors for quiz popups, QTE overlays, text popups, and dialogue windows.
3. Click **Save Theme**.
4. Save your project file to persist the theme.
Themes are included in both ZIP/web exports and standalone EXE/DMG exports.
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## 14. Project Validation
Use **Validate Project** (top menu or Tools dropdown) before exporting to catch common mistakes:
- Dead ends in the story graph
- Missing choice targets
- Orphaned or unreachable scenes
- Hotspots, quizzes, or playNext links pointing to non-existent media
Errors block export; warnings ask for confirmation.
---
## 15. Saving, Loading, and Exporting Projects
**To save your project:**
1. Click **Save Project** in the top menu.
2. Choose a location and file name (`.fmvp` format).
**To load a project:**
1. Click **Load Project**.
2. Select a previously saved `.fmvp` file.
**To export your project:**
1. Click **Export Project**.
2. Choose an export type:
- **ZIP / Web:** A `.zip` package for browser playback. Unzip and upload to any static web host.
- **Standalone Desktop App:** A Windows `.exe` installer or macOS `.dmg` disk image.
3. For standalone exports, choose the platform and optionally select a custom app icon (512x512 or larger recommended).
4. Choose the output location and wait for packaging to complete.
Auto-save runs every 5 minutes when the project has unsaved changes.
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## 16. Playback Mode (Preview)
- Click **Switch to Playback Mode** in the top menu to preview your interactive experience.
- Interact with the video/image, click hotspots, answer quizzes, respond to QTEs, and make dialogue choices.
- Click **Switch to Edit Mode** to return to editing.
---
## 17. Keyboard Shortcuts and Tips
- **Spacebar:** Play/Pause video
- **Ctrl+S / Cmd+S:** Save project
- **Ctrl+O / Cmd+O:** Open project
- **Delete:** Remove selected hotspot or node
- **Ctrl+Z / Cmd+Z:** Undo (where available)
- **Ctrl+Y / Cmd+Y:** Redo (where available)
- **Arrow keys:** Navigate lists or move nodes (in Story Editor)
**UI Tips:**
- All main buttons have a purple neon glow for quick recognition.
- Drag-and-drop is supported for video reordering and node movement.
- The UI is optimized for both mouse and keyboard users.
---
## 18. Update Notes
Click **Update Notes** in the Tools dropdown for a summary of recent features, including Variables & Conditions, Conditional Logic, Quizzes, QTEs, Dialogues, Player Themes, UI/UX improvements, and Standalone Export.
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## 19. Language & Localization
FMVMachine's interface is fully localized in 9 languages:
- English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Hindi.
Change the language from the dropdown in the top menu. The interface, including Story Editor content and dynamically generated names, updates dynamically.
---
## 20. License
FMVMachine is commercial software governed by an End-User License Agreement (EULA). By installing and using the software, you agree to its terms.
- A copy of the EULA is included in the application's installation directory (`LICENSE` file).
- The EULA prohibits unauthorized copying, modification, and redistribution of the software.
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## 21. Troubleshooting and Support
- If you encounter issues:
1. Make sure you’re using the latest version (Steam auto-updates).
2. Try restarting FMVMachine.
3. Use **Validate Project** to check for broken links or missing targets.
4. Verify you are building standalone exports on the correct platform (Windows builds on Windows, macOS builds on macOS).
5. For persistent problems, use the contact information on the Steam store page, the in-app help menu, or reach out to [email protected].
- For feature requests or feedback, please use the official channels listed on the Steam forums or reach out to [email protected].
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## Enjoy Creating with FMVMachine!
If you have any questions or need further help, check the in-app help menu or contact support. Happy editing!
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**Note:** This guide intentionally omits installation steps, as FMVMachine is delivered and updated via Steam.
USER GUIDE
Source: Steam Community (opens in a new tab)