Getting Started with Just Macros

Step one is to install the Standard Blackmagic Design ATEM Package suite of software. Just Macros uses the official SDK/API, and therefore requires users to install the official software suite. Please follow instructions from Black Magic Design. Once this is done, or if you are not planning on using a Blackmagic Design ATEM mixer you can now download the latest Just Macros full package from: Full Downloads Page

Downloads are either a ZIP file or a Self installing EXE file. In the case of ZIP Files, you should expand the ZIP file into a directory that you have read/write access to. JustMacros uses a subdirectory named Macros to store all your scripts, so if you do not have Local Administration Rights on your computer, you should ask your IT department for help deciding where to install.

Once you have created the JustMacros base directories, you need to create a shortcut to the JustMacrosXXXXXX.exe of your choice. If you are using a Blackmagic Design ATEM mixer, it is important to know the Firmware you have installed. The easiest way to discover this is to use the Blackmagic Design ATEM software, and go to the Help About window.

Identify the JustMacros EXE file that most appropriately matches your ATEM Firmware version. So if using ATEM firmware 3.4, you would require JustMacros33Plus.exe, if on 4.1.2, you will require JustMacros41Plus.exe. Now create a shortcut to the EXE on your desktop so that you can launch JustMacros.

If you want the very latest BETA version, also visit the patches page and download just the EXE file without the supporting DLLs and basic sample scripts, then copy the Patch EXE file into your JustMacros directory. The latest patch will only ever contain an EXE for the latest Blackmagic Design firmware release. This is because the patches are intended for users to test the latest features. Patches Page

When you first run JustMacros you will see the main graphical user interface used to configure your system.

The screen is divided into 5 sections. The left side has a panel which shows all the scripts loaded into the system. Users can right mouse click this area, to access popup menu options that allows for the creation of new directories, scripts and other files. The right side of the screen contains a list of commands. The general principle is that to execute one task, you should have to execute one command. To help users find the command required, at the top of the list is a search box. Type some words that describe the task you need. For example: If the input source for a key needs to be changed, a user might enter… set key source

The words are used together in an AND query, so each word entered will further limit the search results. As soon as the command required can be identified in the list, the user can double click the command to obtain HELP information in the 3rd section of this screen, the Log Window at the bottom. Additionally the command will be placed into the Single Line Command box, and the cursor positioned so that the user can type just the parameters, separated with commas, and press the ENTER key to execute the command.

The centre part of the screen is the main script editor. After you create new scripts, either with the popup menu or by using keyboard shortcut Ctrl-N. You can edit scripts in the main window. Changes to scripts will be indicated with a red mark to the left of the line of script which has been changed. Scripts can contain variable assignments, loops & conditional expressions. Lua is a widely used scripting language and many resources exist online to aid further with the learning of this scripting syntax.
JustMacros adds to the Lua language more than 1000 JustMacros specific commands that users can call from within the scripts. In the example below the CLS() – Clear the Log, VSLog – Add a line to the Log, and various ATEM commands can be seen, this short script lists the ATEM Mixer inputs in a table of values inside the Log. It is included in the Information Scripts included in the full package downloads. Most of the JustMacros specific commands are illustrated in one of the 1000 or so example scripts published to demonstrate various broadcast tasks. Please see the Sample Script downloads section of the website for more details.

The fifth part of the screen is the menu bar along the top. The first 4 buttons are fixed, MACROS, DEVICES, TASKMAN, and X-KEYS. There are 10 more slots for users to add their own buttons, and these can be accessed using commands starting GUI Button.