Your first show

This example creates a simple project: a video fades in, holds its last frame, and fades out when stopped.

1. Create a project

Choose File → New Project, then immediately use File → Save As… and save it as first-show.imsn.

2. Add media

Choose Add → Resource… and select a video. Showmesh adds the resource and creates a cue. You can also drag an existing resource from the left panel into the cue list.

Select the cue and set:

• Number: 1;
• Name: Opening video;
• Play mode: Play once & hold;
• Layer: 0.

3. Add a fade-in

Open Actions and choose + Add Action → Fade In (1s). Verify:

• Property: Opacity;
• From: 0;
• To: 1;
• Duration: 1000 ms;
• Trigger: On Play;
• Curve: S Curve.

4. Add a fade-out

Choose + Add Action → Fade Out on stop (1s). Its trigger should be On Cue Stop and its final value 0.

The first STOP lets the finishing action complete. A second STOP ends the cue immediately. PANIC is always a hard stop.

5. Choose a test output

Select Output → Windowed → Display 1 — resizable window. The program window opens immediately.

6. Rehearse

1. Check that NEXT shows 1 Opening video.
2. Press Space or GO.
3. Check picture and audio.
4. Press STOP and watch the fade-out.
5. Save with Ctrl+S.

7. Add a second cue

Add an image, set it to Play once & hold, add a fade-in, and use a higher layer such as 1. It can now appear over the video.

Before using real outputs

A window test does not validate monitor colour, frame rate, NDI reception, or audio routing. Always rehearse the complete signal path.

Next, learn the cue lifecycle and actions and triggers.