What is Showmesh?

Showmesh is a cue-based Windows media engine for live shows. An operator places video, audio, image, text, timecode, and control events in a cue list and fires them in a prepared sequence with GO.

Editor (Electron)  ← WebSocket →  Engine (C++)  →  display / NDI / Spout / audio
                                         ↑
                                  OSC / MIDI / timecode

• The Editor presents the project, cue list, inspector, preview, transport, outputs, and control status.
• The Engine owns the .show project, decodes media, schedules cues, mixes audio, composites layers, and sends outputs.
• The protocol connects the editor, engine, and external controllers. The editor is a client; the engine remains the source of truth.

The engine can run headless. In an installed build, closing the editor does not stop a persistent engine or the show it is running.

What is it for?

• theatre, concert, touring, and corporate AV playback;
• installations, exhibitions, and presentation graphics;
• combined audio, image, video, and text cue lists;
• fullscreen, windowed, NDI, and Spout output;
• OSC- and MIDI-controlled shows and external-device cues;
• LTC/MTC chase and timecode-armed cues.

Core concepts

ProjectOne .show file containing resources, outputs, connections, triggers, and cue lists.

CueOne fireable event, such as media, a wait, MIDI, or a transition.

ActionA command or parameter change tied to a cue lifecycle.

TriggerThe lifecycle moment, timecode, or external event that fires an action.

ResourceA media, text, LTC-generator, or live-input source referenced by a cue.

OutputA display, NDI/Spout sender, or audio destination.

Continue with Capabilities and limitations, or build your first show.