Retro Photo Booth: Software Setup

Retro Photo Booth runs on FMX for Windows — Foto Master's photo booth software. This guide covers everything from installation to running your first test session, so you have one place to start.

Step 1: Get FMX for Windows on Your Computer

Turn-Key package: FMX for Windows is pre-installed on the computer provided with your booth. Skip to Step 2 — you are ready to log in.

Bring Your Own (BYO): Download and install FMX on your own computer:

1. Log in to cloud.fotomaster.com
2. Go to Account → Licenses
3. Click FMX for Windows to download the installer (a ZIP file)
4. Extract the ZIP, run FMX-Setup.exe, and follow the on-screen steps
5. Launch FMX from the Start Menu once installation completes

Step 2: Set Up Your Event in Foto Master Cloud

Before opening FMX, create and configure your event in Foto Master Cloud. FMX pulls everything — workflow, layout, assets, and sharing settings — from the cloud.

1. Log in at cloud.fotomaster.com
2. Go to Events → New Event and fill in the event name, date, and duration
3. Assign a Preset to the event. A preset bundle:
   • Workflow — the step-by-step guest experience (countdown, capture, selection, share)
   • Layout — the final photo or video output design (frames, overlays, branding)
4. Configure sharing settings: email, SMS, online gallery, and any AI features you want active
5. Save the event

Step 3: Log In to FMX

1. Launch FMX on the booth PC (double-click the desktop shortcut or find it in the Start Menu)
2. On the login screen, enter your Foto Master Cloud email and password and click Sign In
3. Your FMX license activates automatically. If you have multiple licenses, choose an available one from the list

Step 4: Select, Sync, and Play

FMX connects to your Cloud event in three steps:

Select — From the FMX main dashboard, click Choose Cloud Event. Your list of Cloud events loads automatically. Select the event you configured in Step 2.

Sync — Click Sync. FMX downloads the full event package:

• Workflow and layout configuration
• All assets: overlays, backgrounds, animations, and sounds
• Sharing settings and AI feature configuration

Wait until the sync completes — this may take a minute on the first run. Once synced, the booth can run even without an active internet connection.

Play — Click Play (or Start Photo Booth) to enter Experience View. The booth is now live.

Step 5: Configure Device Settings

Before going live, review the key settings in Global Settings (the gear icon on the FMX dashboard). See FMX Global Settings Overview for all available options.

Camera Tab

Confirm your camera is detected. Click Start Live View to verify it captures the seated or standing guest position correctly inside the enclosed booth space. Adjust zoom if needed.

Devices Tab

Select your printer from the dropdown. For a classic photo strip look, use a 2×6 or 4×6 layout in Foto Master Cloud's Layout Builder. Run a test print to confirm.

Step 6: Run a Test Session

Before guests arrive, always run at least one complete test:

1. Click Play to enter Experience View
2. Go through the full workflow as a guest would — capture, selection screen, sharing
3. Confirm the photo output (layout, overlays, branding) looks correct
4. If printing is enabled, verify that the print comes out correctly
5. Check that the photo appears in your event's online gallery in Foto Master Cloud

Press ESC to return to the FMX dashboard when the test is done. Your booth is ready for the event.