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Downstage SuperSource Builder support

Design the background behind your ATEM SuperSource boxes in your client's colors, and get Bitfocus Companion smart buttons that run the whole look.

Download for Mac About the app All app support

This is a beta, so test it on a switcher that isn't in a show first.

Build your first look

Set it up.

Before you start

  • A Mac with Apple Silicon, on macOS 11 or later
  • ATEM Software Control, to load the macros and stills with File > Restore
  • An ATEM Mini Extreme ISO, 2 M/E or 4 M/E
  • For smart buttons, Companion 5 with a Blackmagic ATEM connection already set up, on this Mac or on your network

You can design a background with no switcher connected. You need a switcher's setup before you can export a full show.

Steps

  1. Download SuperSource Builder, open the disk image, and drag it to Applications.
  2. Open it and press Open when macOS checks with you. The app is signed and notarized by Apple.
  3. Allow Documents access so your shows and exports save there. They go in the Downstage SuperSource Builder folder in your Documents.
  4. Allow Local Network access if macOS asks, so the app can reach your switcher and Companion.

Build your first look.

+ New show asks five quick questions: the show and its switcher, the boxes, a layout, the moves, and the client's files. You can change all of it later. After that, work through the tabs at the top left. Each one ticks green when it's done, and Guide in the header explains every step.

  1. Bring in your switcher. Type its IP address and press Read from ATEM. The app reads the source names and what's in use, then disconnects. It doesn't change anything on the switcher. To keep the other macros on your switcher, load an export instead: in ATEM Software Control choose File > Save As, then press Load export in the app.
  2. Content: drop the client's folder on Files, then press + Add on each logo.
  3. Background: press Sample a file under Brand colors to take the colors from a logo. Then choose a background and mix in patterns, overlays, bands and title bars, box frames and text. On a gradient, Balance gives you more of one color. Auto design gives you finished options to start from.
  4. Boxes: choose 1 to 4 under How many boxes, drag them on the stage, and click a box to choose its source.
  5. Moves: choose your Speed and your Camera box, which takes whatever camera is live. Press a move under the stage, or keys 1 to 4, to watch it.
  6. Export: check the list, then press Export show at the bottom right. The app writes the files into exports under your show's name, and the steps for your show appear in the Export panel. Nothing goes to the switcher yet.

Your work saves itself, and the app offers to continue where you left off. Save keeps a named show, and one show can hold several looks.

Load it with File > Restore.

Back up before you restore. In ATEM Software Control, choose File > Save As and keep that file. A restore can replace macros and stills already on the switcher.

  1. In ATEM Software Control, choose File > Restore and pick the SS ANIM.xml file from your export.
  2. Tick only Macros, SuperSource, Media Pool and Media Players.
  3. Keep the ATEM Media Pool folder next to the file. The stills load from it.

If you'd rather leave your SuperSource settings alone, skip SuperSource in the restore and run the SETUP macro instead.

Add the smart buttons.

  1. Under the export result in the Export panel, type Companion's address, such as 192.168.1.20:8000, and press Connect. On the same Mac, use 127.0.0.1:8000.
  2. Pick a new page at the end, or a page to replace. The app asks first if that page already has keys. If you have more than one ATEM connection, pick the one to use.
  3. Press Send to Companion.

Or import the SS LOOKS.companionconfig file from your export onto a page yourself, or place the keys in Show Builder, under ATEM > SuperSource > SuperSource looks.

You get a key for the boxed look, one for each box going full screen, and a SETUP key.

  • Press a key: it works out the move from wherever you are.
  • Colors: a key lights up when its look is on air and turns amber while a move runs. It ignores presses until the move lands.
  • With a camera live: the key is built to hand in. SuperSource takes that shot full screen, cuts to itself where nobody should see it, then moves, so you don't dissolve over a person. Try this on a switcher that isn't in a show first.

Questions.

No ATEM answered.
Check the IP address and that the Mac is on the switcher's network. Check that the Mac has Local Network access under System Settings > Privacy & Security.
Couldn't reach Companion.
Check that Companion is running, then check the address and port. The port is usually 8000.
Companion says it has no ATEM connection.
Add the Blackmagic ATEM connection in Companion, then send again.
I chose Don't Allow for Documents.
The app still works and keeps your files in Application Support/Downstage SuperSource Builder/Files in your Library. To change your mind, turn it on under System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files & Folders and reopen the app. Files already saved stay in the old folder, so move them across.
The other macros on my switcher are at risk.
A live read doesn't hold your other macros, so the app warns you after the export if ticking Macros may remove them. To keep them, load a File > Save As export and export again.
The background is missing after a restore.
The ATEM Media Pool folder has to sit next to the SS ANIM.xml file. Restore again with both in place.
A key does nothing.
If it's amber, a move is still running. If it never moves anything, the macros aren't on the switcher yet, so do the restore first.
I changed a look.
Export again, restore again, and send the keys again. The new macros replace the app's earlier ones. Your backup rule still applies.
Sending replaced my page.
Sending replaces the whole page you pick. Keep your own keys on a separate page, or send to a new page at the end.
Can I use rounded corners?
Yes. Choose Rounded + fly-in under Look style on the Moves tab. The boxes stay put, and fly keys slide a full source in on an upstream key. A Mini Extreme has 2 DVEs, so it can run 2 fly keys.
Some patterns have a padlock.
Those, and the complete look packs, unlock on this Mac when you enter your email in the app.
How do I update?
The app tells you when there's an update, and nothing installs until you press Update now.