Managing compositions

Saving the composition

The composition can be stored in several locations, specifically:

  • In ZBOS Control (least safe, re-installing the app will cause the data to be lost)

  • On the connected device (necessary to start the compositions from the kiosk)

  • In the cloud-based storage (if logged in)

To use the composition in a kiosk-dataset (or scheduler), the composition must be uploaded to the device from ZBOS Control.

Saving the composition

Tap the save button in the tool menu to save the composition on all available locations.

tapsave

  • If the composition is saved for the first time, a valid name must be entered.

  • The composition will be saved to the cloud automatically if logged in to the cloud platform

  • The composition will be saved to the device automatically if connected to a compatible device.

Saving a copy of the composition

Tap the saveas button in the tool menu to save the composition with a different filename:

tapsaveas

A modal will be shown asking for the new name for the composition:

savemodal

  1. Enter the new name for the composition

  2. Tap the button 'Accept' to save the new file

After saving the file with the new name, the new composition will be used for editing.

Saving multiple compositions to a device

A special case can be made when connecting to a new device, and multiple compositions need to be stored on the device.

Tap the savetorobot button to display the list of locally stored compositions.

tapupload
multiuploadoverview

  1. Tap the option 'Select all' to select all the stored compositions

  2. Tap a composition to (un-)select it for upload

  3. Tap the button 'Save selected compositions' to upload the selected compositions to the device.

  • Uploading compositions will overwrite the currently stored composition(s).

  • At least one composition needs to be selected before the button 'Save selected compositions' will be enabled.

  • If all compositions have been selected, the option 'Select all' will change to 'Unselect all'. Tap this new option to unselect all devices from the list and change the option back to 'Select all'.

Opening a composition

Tap the openlocally button in the tool menu to open a modal showing the stored compositions.

tapopen

Tap the tab for the location of the composition to show the list of stored compositions:

taplisttablocal

Tap the composition to open and tap the button 'Open composition' to load the selected composition:

openlocalcomposition
The tab 'Local' will be selected by default.

Deleting compositions

Tap the openlocally button to open the list of compositions:

tapopen
comp list

Tap the tab for the location of the composition to show the list of stored compositions:

taplisttablocal

Tap the button md trash button to remove the composition from ZBOS Control.

tapdeletecomposition

Confirm the composition can be removed in the following pop-up by tapping 'Yes' to remove the composition from the selected source:

deletion confirmation modal
The tab 'Local' will be selected by default.

Sharing compositions

Tap the openlocally button in the tool menu to open the list of stored compositions:

tapopen

Tap the md share button next to a composition to display the options for sharing the composition:

taplistshare
sharemodal

  1. Tap the 'Copy' button next to the 'Embedded URL' option to share a composition with the blocks embedded in the link(1)(2).

    This option is available in all tabs (i.e. 'Local'/'Device' and 'Cloud') and can be used to share small compositions between users both online and offline.

    Tap the option 'Copy' to copy the link to the device’s clipboard and send to other users.

  2. Tap the 'Copy' button next to the 'ID URL' to share a composition stored on the device/user’s cloud using an id(3).

    This option is available for the 'Device' and 'Cloud' tab and can be used to share compositions stored on zbos devices and/or user’s cloud storage.

  3. Tap the button 'Generate public URL' to create a link to that can be used by multiple users.

    This option is only available for compositions stored in the cloud.

    This link can be shared using a QR code (see Sharing composition publicly for more inforamtion).

(1): This option can only be used for short compositions due to technical limitations of links used in browsers
(2): This shared version can be used online and offline
(3): This option requires users to have access to the same device (when sharing a 'device' composition) or cloud account (when sharing a 'cloud' based composition)

The user needs to be logged in before opening the link.

Sharing composition publicly

Only the original owner of the composition can make changes to the public composition. Other users need to create a new public link to share their version of the composition.

Tap the button 'Generate public URL' to create a link for the composition to be shared with multiple users:

tapgeneratepublicshare
share public

  1. Tap the button 'Copy' to copy the link of the shared composition to the device’s clipboard

  2. Tap the button 'Remove link' to stop sharing the composition publicly

  3. Tap the button 'Show QR code' to display a QR code containing the link to the composition for easier sharing with other devices(1).

share qr code

Share the copied link and/or the generated QR code with (an)other user(s) so they can view the composition on their browser or share the qr code so the other user(s) can run the same composition on their devices.

(1): The ZBOS device needs to be connected to the internet to access the composition

Backup and restore

The composition(s) can be stored on any external device running Control (including Cloud Control). For example, a Windows computer running the Control website can be used to store (backups of) compositions.

Exporting compositions

Tap the export button in the tool menu to download a composition and optionally the images to the connected device (e.g. Android-tablet or iPhone).

tapexport
exportmodal
The option to download the media files is only available when connected to a device locally.

  1. Toggle the option to download the media files used in the composition.

    The used files will be exported as a ZIP file in the (default) download location (e.g. Downloads/ZBOS/Media). When using Cloud Control, the download location can be specified.

  2. Tap the export button to export the composition

    The composition will be saved as a .scp file in the default download folder (e.g. Downloads/ZBOS/Compositions). When using Cloud Control, the download location can be specified.

  3. Tap the close button to close the modal and return to the composer page.

Example:

Importing compositions

Tap the import button to display a modal asking for the composition(s) to be imported.

tapimport
importmodalblank

  1. Toggle the option 'Open imported composition' to open the selected composition after importing óne composition

  2. Tap the button 'Select file' to select the file(s) to be imported

  3. Tap the button 'Import' to import the composition into Control

This modal will be skipped when importing the file(s) on Android or iOS devices. Instead, the file selection will be shown immediately.

Tap the button 'Select file' to open a file explorer to navigate to the stored .scp file(s):

importfileexplorerblank

Select the .scp file(s) to be imported and tap the button 'Open' to upload the file(s) to ZBOS Control:

importfileexplorermultiselected
If multiple files are selected for import, the option to open the composition will be disabled.

Tap the button 'Import' to import the compositions to ZBOS Control:

importmodalmultiupload

The imported composition(s) will now be shown in the Local tab in the composition list.

  • Exported media-files need to be uploaded using the Multimedia-page.

  • The imported compositions will only be stored locally in ZBOS Control. To store the compositions on the device, either open and save the composition, or use the option 'Upload to device' if multiple compositions need to be uploaded.