Introduction to Plugins & Profiles - MX Creative Console

Introduction

Options+ software enables seamless integration with your favorite applications through Plugins and Profiles. Depending on the application, you may find both plugins and profiles available, only one of them, or neither. For applications without pre built integrations, Options+ allows you to create Custom Profiles for enhanced functionality with your MX Creative Console.

But what exactly are Plugins and Profiles, how do they differ, and how can you use them effectively? Let's explore.

What are Plugins?

Plugins are software add-ons that create a bridge between the target application and your MX Creative Console via the application's API (Application Programming Interface). This enables a deeper, more reliable level of integration with supported software.

Application Plugins: 

• Options+ provides native plugins for specific tools like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom Classic.
•  These plugins allow to communicate directly with the application's features, ensuring seamless operation. Each plugin includes a default profile for your device, that will be automatically installed and will allow you to use the most common and useful features in the app.
• with applications plugins you’ll automatically get the correct profile activated for that specific app whenever the application comes into focus.

Universal Plugins:  

• (Examples: Spotify and Twitch)
• The actions of these plugins are versatile and can be used at any point and across various profiles as they do not require the application to be in focus in order to work. For example, you can add a Spotify playback action in your Photoshop profile.
• Universal plugins might contain a default profile for your device already, but not in all cases.

What are Profiles?

A Profile is basically your configuration (or mapping) for your DEVICE  for a specific application where each button is mapped to an action.  Profiles store all the action SETTINGS for the buttons and dials, along with additional data like custom actions, icons, and sounds.

• Profiles for applications that have a plugin: Certain applications, like Photoshop, rely on profiles tied to native plugins. These profiles leverage plugin-specific actions (functions built into the plugin) for streamlined control.

• Profiles for applications that do not have a plugin: If your application isn’t natively supported (i.e., no plugin exists), you can still create a profile by mapping keyboard shortcuts or mouse commands to your device’s buttons and dials. This approach works for almost any software that supports shortcuts, even if it doesn't have a ready-made plugin. Note that this profile will also be automatically activated when the app comes into focus (ie: adapt-to-app).

• General profile is the main profile that your device will use when using the desktop and OS general  functionality, or for all apps that do not have any specified profile. At first installation Your device will be pre-configured with this default general profile, that you can modify and personalize to your liking. 

In Summary

Here’s a quick breakdown of the main two components: 

• PLUGIN = package that contains a list of AVAILABLE ACTIONS for an app as well as DEFAULT PROFILE (pre-mapped) for your device.
• PROFILE = a mapping of actions for the buttons of a DEVICE for a specific APP.