Managing compositions

This chapter describes how to store the created compositions, edit the current compositions or delete the compositions.

Saving the composition

The composition can be saved 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 ( save ) in the tool-menu to save the composition on all available locations.

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 button save as ( saveas ) in the tool-menu to save the composition with a different filename (and reference):

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

Enter the new name for the composition
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 option 'Upload to device' ( md cloud upload ) to display the list of locally stored compositions.

Tap the option 'Select all' to select all the stored compositions
Tap a composition to (un-)select it for upload
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'.

Editing existing compositions

Do not use the option 'Save as' to store the composition using a different filename. This will create a local copy of the composition, and the linked kiosk or inactivity will not reflect the changes made to the composition.

Like the Save-option from before, the compositions can be opened from the following sources:

ZBOS Control (stored locally)
On the device (download from the device)
In the Cloud-account (if connected)

It is recommended to save the current composition before opening an existing composition.

Opening a composition

Tap the button 'List' ( openlocally ) in the tool-menu to open a modal showing the stored compositions.

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

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

The tab 'Local' will be selected by default.

Sharing compositions

Tap the button 'List' ( openlocally ) in the tool-menu to open the list of stored compositions:

Tap the button 'Share' ( ) next to a composition to display the options for sharing the composition:

Tap the 'Copy' button to share a composition with the blocks embedded in the link⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾.
Tap the 'Copy' button to share a composition stored on the device/user cloud using an id⁽³⁾.
Tap the button 'Generate public URL' to register the composition to be shared between users.

⁽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)

Share the copied link with (an)other user(s) so they can view the composition on their browser or in the app.

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 'Copy' to copy the link of the shared composition.
Tap the button 'Remove link' to stop sharing the composition publicly.
Tap the button 'Show QR code' to allow ZBOS devices to run the composition⁽¹⁾.

Share the copied link 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 ZBOS devices.

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

Deleting compositions

Tap the button List ( openlocally ) to open the list of compositions:

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

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

The tab 'Local' will be selected by default.

Backup and restore

The stored composition(s) can be stored on any device ZBOS Control (including Cloud Control) is connected to.

Exporting compositions

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

The composition will be saved as a .scp file in the default download folder. For Android and iOS, the default location will be Downloads/ZBOS/Compositions. When using Cloud Control, the download location can be specified.

If the option Download the media files is checked in the export modal, the download time may be significantly increased based on the file size of the used media files.
To import the media-files on a different device, see the Multimedia page in the manual for ZBOS Control.

Importing compositions

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

Tap the button 'Select file' to select the file(s) to be imported
Toggle the option 'Open imported composition' to open the selected composition after importing the composition
Tap the button 'Close' or the icon to close the modal

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

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

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

The imported composition(s) will now be shown in the 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.
The option 'Open imported composition' will only be available if a single composition is selected.