💪 For Beginners - MetaGrid Pro Tips & Tricks by Bumblebee

[MetaGrid_Admin]

Welcome to MetaGrid Pro Tips & Tricks by Bumblebee

All of the tips and tricks you’ll find in this series have been thoughtfully created by Bumblebee, a dedicated MetaGrid Pro user who is not affiliated with the MetaGrid team. We are deeply grateful for their generous contributions, which reflect both creativity and a passion for making MetaGrid Pro more accessible and powerful for everyone.

Why These Tips Matter:

For new users, MetaGrid Pro can feel like a vast ocean of possibilities. Bumblebee’s tips are here to guide you through that ocean, offering practical solutions, creative ideas, and time-saving tricks. Whether you’re a beginner finding your way or a seasoned user looking for that next productivity boost, you’re bound to discover something useful and inspiring.

A Huge Thank You:

To Bumblebee, we extend our heartfelt thanks for your contributions. Your insights and thoughtful explanations make MetaGrid Pro even better for all of us.

Let’s dive into these invaluable tips and tricks and get the most out of what MetaGrid Pro has to offer!

[MetaGrid_Admin]

Using Timers in Macros to Ensure Proper Execution

Tip: If your list of actions, key commands, or text entries isn’t working as expected, try adding timers. The default setting is a 1-second delay, but shorter intervals like 0.20 or 0.30 seconds often work better when strategically placed between actions.

Example: To create a sequence that makes text bold, adds specific content, turns off bold, and then inserts a space, adding timing pauses can ensure proper execution. Without these adjustments, scripts may run too quickly and fail to perform correctly. For long text strings, consider breaking them into smaller sections and using quick timers between text actions for better reliability.

Pro Tip: While it would be helpful to have a setting to define a default timer value for new entries, you can quickly duplicate existing timers by right-swiping on them.

[MetaGrid_Admin]

Setting Up a Latch Switch Button

A Latch Switch Button is a button with two states. When tapped, it “presses” down, typically triggering a macro action or another function. Tap it again, and it returns to its normal state (unlatches).

Example Use Case: You can create a Latch Switch Button for text formatting—tap to enable bold text and tap again to turn off bold. In this example, each state sends the same key command in the Macro section to toggle the Bold setting. As a latch button, it visually indicates whether text you enter will be bold, showing whether it is “on” or “off.”

Tip for Configuration: Although you can set up different parameters for each state of the latch switch, often the primary distinction is a change in appearance, such as color, border, background, or glow, while the rest of the settings remain consistent across states.

1. First, configure all settings for the unlatched state of the button.

2. Use the Copy button on the right to duplicate these settings to the latched state.

3. Make your changes to differentiate the latched state (e.g., altering the color or adding a glow).

Pro Tip: While editing, toggling between the latched and unlatched states will show the other buttons’ latched states, which can help ensure consistent styling across your buttons.

[MetaGrid_Admin]

Pasting a Button in a Grid

If you’re having trouble pasting a button into a grid and it isn’t working, it’s likely because there are cells without buttons. For a paste action to be successful, there must already be a button present at the target location.

Steps to Paste a Button:

1. In Layout Mode, tap the cell where you want to place the button (or select multiple grid cells and merge them to create a larger button area).

2. Tap +Add to create a button in the selected cell(s).

3. Once the button is in place, you can proceed to paste your desired button content.

Important Tips:

• The editor has two distinct modes: Layout Editing for adding objects, setting sizes, and positioning, and Object Editing for modifying object properties. Switching between these modes allows for a more structured approach to building your grid.

• If you attempt to paste a button over a text label, it will result in an error, as pasting one object type into another is not supported.

[MetaGrid_Admin]

What is a Scene?

A Scene in MetaGrid Pro allows you to toggle between different grids using Scene buttons, which are typically located on the left side of the interface. (Note: If you enable the workspace setting to display the grid in full screen, Scene buttons may be hidden.)

Key Benefits of Scenes:

• Quick Navigation: Tap a Scene button to switch from one grid to another. This is particularly useful when developing grids, such as copying/pasting buttons between grids, working with related layouts, or testing sizing and positioning in one grid before finalizing it in another.

• Grid Loading: Once your grids are set up, Scene buttons can be used for loading different grids during actual MetaGrid Pro usage. Unlike regular buttons placed within a grid, Scene buttons exist outside the grid layout.

Tips for Scene Management:

• You can create a button within a grid to load another grid by using the Secondary Action setting, but this approach utilizes a grid button, while Scene buttons offer a more external navigation method.

• The Back Button on the left side can also take you back to the previous grid.

Editing and Creating Scenes:

• To manage Scenes, tap the top-left corner and select Content Manager. At the top of the screen, you will see the Scenes option. This action flow may feel unconventional in version 1.5.7, but it provides full control over Scene management.

• You can also access the Scene Editor from the sidebar by tapping Edit when in Edit Mode.

[MetaGrid_Admin]

Button: Alternative Text Options for Chords

When creating chord labels, you may want to use different variations based on preference or band requirements. For example, sometimes you might prefer “maj,” while other times you may need “MAJ,” “Maj,” “△” (triangle), or “△7” for major chords.

Solution: Use the Menu Button Dynamic feature to offer quick, flexible text variations.

Steps to Set Up:

1. In Menu Items, create each of your macro text variations that you want available for selection (e.g., “maj,” “MAJ,” “△7,” etc.).

2. To Use the Menu Button:

• Long-press the button the first time you want to enter a “major” chord text variation.

• Tap your preferred text option for your chart from the menu of available input options.

• For subsequent uses, a single tap will input your previously selected preference until you change it again.

Menu Button Dynamic Options Display:

[MetaGrid_Admin]

Where’s My Icon?

Sometimes, after selecting an icon for a button, you may not see it appear. This is due to the Layout setting, which controls what is displayed on the button—text, icon, or both, with different positioning options available.

Key Point:

• If the layout is set to display text only (which is the default setting), choosing an icon will not automatically make it visible. You need to open the Layout settings and select an option that includes icons. There are two options dedicated to displaying just the icon, while others offer combinations of text and icon.

Note: For latching buttons, any selected Layout option will apply to both the latched and unlatched states, ensuring consistent visual behavior.

[MetaGrid_Admin]

Pair Sequence - Toggle Between Paired Symbols

If you want a button for both “PED. down” (piano sustain pedal) and “PED. up,” you can combine them into a single button that toggles between the two states, as they are usually added as a pair. This setup can be achieved using a Latch Switch Button, which maintains two states—one for each action.

Setup Steps:

1. Latch Off State:

• Action: “PED. down” with its corresponding macro action.

• Layout: Set to display just the icon.

• Icon: Select the PED down icon.

(Optional): Use the Copy button on the right to duplicate various settings for consistency between states.

2. Latch On State:

• Action: “PED. up” with its corresponding macro action.

• Layout: Set to display its icon.

• Icon: Select the PED up icon.

Visual Feedback Option:

By setting up the button as a latch, you can utilize visual feedback—for example, changing the background color of the Latch On state—to help you remember when to release the pedal (PED up) as you progress through a piano piece. This can be particularly useful when inputting PED and * indicators after the main notation is complete, providing a streamlined, single-button approach without additional focus shifts.

For other pedal symbols, such as sostenuto or half-pedal, you can use a Menu Button to access multiple options. Pair Sequence - Toggle Between Paired Symbols

If you want a button for both “PED. down” (piano sustain pedal) and “PED. up,” you can combine them into a single button that toggles between the two states, as they are usually added as a pair. This setup can be achieved using a Latch Switch Button, which maintains two states—one for each action.

Setup Steps:

1. Latch Off State:

• Action: “PED. down” with its corresponding macro action.

• Layout: Set to display just the icon.

• Icon: Select the PED down icon.

(Optional): Use the Copy button on the right to duplicate various settings for consistency between states.

2. Latch On State:

• Action: “PED. up” with its corresponding macro action.

• Layout: Set to display its icon.

• Icon: Select the PED up icon.

Visual Feedback Option:

By setting up the button as a latch, you can utilize visual feedback—for example, changing the background color of the Latch On state—to help you remember when to release the pedal (PED up) as you progress through a piano piece. This can be particularly useful when inputting PED and * indicators after the main notation is complete, providing a streamlined, single-button approach without additional focus shifts.

For other pedal symbols, such as sostenuto or half-pedal, you can use a Menu Button to access multiple options.

[MetaGrid_Admin]

Profile, Workspace, Grid

In the Content Manager, you’ll find three key areas: Profile, Workspace, and Grid. As a beginner, understanding their relationship can be confusing, but here’s a quick breakdown:

• Grid: This is the area where you create buttons, faders, pads, etc., using a Layout. Each element can send specific data, key commands, or text as a Macro to an application on your computer when you tap, swipe, or interact with it. This functionality is a core reason for using MetaGrid Pro.

• Profile: Create a Profile for each application you want to use with MetaGrid Pro (MGP).

• Hierarchy Overview:

A Profile can contain one or more Workspaces, and each Workspace can include one or more Grids.

Getting Started:

For beginners, it’s recommended to start with just one Workspace unless you have a specific need for multiple. This approach helps you focus on creating grids tailored for your application without unnecessary complexity. Refer to the User Guide for more information about Workspaces.

Tip to Ensure Correct Profile and Grid Loading:

1. Connect your iPad/MGP to your computer and ensure the desired application is open and in the foreground.

2. In MGP’s Content Manager, tap to create a new Profile.

3. The currently active application on your computer should appear as “currently in focus.” Tap it. This creates an MGP Profile linked to that application so that when it becomes the front program on your computer, the corresponding Profile and its default grid will automatically load.

Summary:

Create a Profile for a computer application. The Profile contains one or more Workspaces, and each Workspace holds your grid(s). You can see this relationship in the Content Manager.

Pre-Built Grids for Popular Applications:

Some grids are already available for use with applications such as Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma, Ableton Live, Dorico, Logic, Studio One, FMOD, ForkLift, and more. These grids can all be user-modified, making them a great starting point for customization. For beginners, exploring these grids helps illustrate potential functions within an application, showcases button macro scripts, and reveals various options and capabilities available for integration.

This version provides a clear and structured explanation of the Profile, Workspace, and Grid hierarchy, while also offering practical tips for setup and usage.

[MetaGrid_Admin]

No Key Command in a Menu? Don’t Panic…

MetaGrid Pro (MGP) makes it easy to create a button for menu commands in applications that don’t have an existing key command, specifically on Mac.

Example Scenario:

Safari does not have a key command for “Export as PDF…” in its File menu. Here’s how you can create a button to execute this command:

1. Set Up the Button:

• Open Safari so that it is the front application.

• Create a button in the layout if one does not already exist. Tap the button in the editor to begin setup, then tap to create a Macro.

• Add the action “Menu Command.”

2. Load the Program Menus:

• You may see no data initially. Tap the action to load the application’s menus (in this case, Safari).

3. Select the Appropriate Menu Command:

• The menus should now be listed. Tap the relevant main menu (in this example, the File menu) to display its commands.

4. Test the Command:

• After selecting your desired command, it should now appear as the action. Tap Try Macro to test its functionality.

Addendum:

This method can also be used for testing macros in other applications, such as Affinity Designer. Be aware that some applications, like Designer, append specific details to menu commands based on the last action performed (e.g., “Undo Add Rectangle”), which may cause the macro to fail. In such cases, using a standard keyboard shortcut (e.g., cmd-Z for Undo) is preferable. Similarly, for toggle commands, using a keyboard shortcut may yield more consistent results.

[MetaGrid_Admin]

Icons for Your Buttons

In MetaGrid Pro, you can customize buttons with Text, an Icon, or both, based on your Layout settings.

Setting Up an Icon:

• In Button Settings, tap Icon to access icon customization options, including color, tint, and transparency. By default, a circle icon will appear.

• Tap “Icon” to select a different icon from the provided library or import your own custom icon.

Note: To import a custom icon, it must be added to the designated folder specified in MetaServer for custom icons. Refer to the User Guide for more details.

Available Icon Categories:

• Default Options: Various application icons, music symbols, arrows, etc.

• Local Apps: Pre-installed icons relevant to your system.

• SF Symbols: Categories such as Camera and Photos, Communication, Fitness, Keyboard, etc.

• Custom: Import your own icons.

Quick Tips for Icon Selection:

• Tap S (top right) to display more icons for quick browsing, or use M and L for larger icon previews.

• Use the Search feature (magnifying glass) to quickly find specific icons by typing keywords like:

• “left arrow”

• “segno”

• “minim”

• “8th”

• “clock”

• “css”

• “undo”

Layout Options for Icons:

• There are two layout options for displaying the icon alone, without text. Unfortunately, there are no specific controls for sizing as of version 1.5.7.

• Other layout options allow you to position the icon in relation to your text label or display only text.

Additional Tip:

Even if your button has no text, you can still choose a Layout option to position your icon exactly where you want it.

Reference Note:

If your icon does not appear after selection, ensure you have chosen a Layout setting that displays icons.

[MetaGrid_Admin]

Save Time: Copy and Paste Related Buttons

To quickly create multiple buttons with similar appearance and functionality, you can copy and paste an existing button multiple times. This allows you to set up related buttons efficiently, making minor adjustments for differences like macro actions or text labels afterward.

Example Scenario:

When creating buttons in Affinity Designer for various Paste options (e.g., Paste, Paste Style, Paste FX), you can start with one button and then replicate it:

1. Create the Initial Button:

• Set up the button with its key command.

• Choose an icon to be used across all related buttons.

• Enter “Paste” as the text label and select a Layout option that displays both the icon and text.

2. Copy and Paste the Button:

• Tap Copy and then Paste the button four times, positioning them underneath each other (refer to the User Guide for detailed instructions).

• Edit each duplicated button to update its Macro name and text label. Since these buttons are related, you may only need to adjust the modifier keys for the keyboard shortcut in each macro action.

Advanced Tip:

You can also copy settings from one button and paste specific settings to other buttons for consistency. For example, you might change the color border of one button, then copy and paste just that setting to other related buttons, leaving their other properties unchanged (see the User Guide for details).

[MetaGrid_Admin]

Underlay Shape

Underlay Shapes can add a fun and creative touch to your buttons!

Getting Started:

To display an Underlay Shape, ensure you’ve selected one of the two available Layout shape options:

• One option displays text inside the shape.

• The other option displays your selected icon within the shape.

Note:

Underlay Shapes tend to reduce the text and icon size, making them more suitable for larger buttons for better visibility and balance.

[MetaGrid_Admin]

Crashes, Logs, and Data Files

(Based on v1.5.7)

Occasionally, an app may crash, fail to open, or not function correctly. Both MetaGrid (MG) and MetaGrid Pro (MGP) log problems in a log file, which can be helpful for troubleshooting.

Tip: If you experience an issue, try rebooting your device to see if it resolves the problem.

Accessing Logs

Refer to the User Guide for instructions on locating the logs. As of the latest version, this information is provided on the last few pages of the guide.

Exporting Data via Content Manager

In addition to log files, you can also export Profiles, Workspaces, and Grids from within the app. This is useful if there is an issue with any of these elements and you need to share them with Support. The sharing process can also serve as a backup or for transferring content.

Screenshot Example (v1.5.7)

The red arrows indicate the relevant share button.

Retrieving Files If the App Does Not Open

If MGP fails to open, you can still access relevant files by connecting your iOS device to your computer (Mac or Windows).

Connecting Your Device to a Mac (Example):

1. Use a USB cable to connect your iOS device to your Mac.

2. If prompted on your iOS device to Trust This Device, tap to accept.

3. If your Mac displays a message to install a File Sharing app or an update, complete the installation.

4. If prompted by your Mac to allow an accessory to connect, select Allow.

Accessing Files on Your Mac:

5. You should be able to find the files within MG or MGP by navigating to Locations in the left column (your iPad should be listed). Click on the Files tab as indicated. If your device does not appear, refer to Apple support pages for guidance.

[MetaGrid_Admin]

*Searching for Special Characters (^, &, $, @, , %, #) and How to Input Them

On a computer keyboard, special characters are typically accessed by holding the Shift key while pressing a number key (not on the numpad). In MetaGrid Pro (MGP), you can achieve this equivalent action by tapping (turning on) Shift, followed by tapping the appropriate number key.

Example Steps:

1. Tap the Shift key in MGP to enable it.

2. Tap the number key corresponding to the special character you want to input.

Screenshots for Reference:

• Keyboard Keys Window: When the default letter (e.g., “A”) is selected on the right, tap it to open the Keyboard Keys window.

• Numeric Keys: From here, you can tap the appropriate number to generate the desired special character. For example, Shift + 6 might produce ^.

Note:

Keyboard layouts vary by country and region, meaning that pressing Shift and a specific number may generate different characters depending on your computer’s language settings.

Example of Keyboard Localizations:

[MetaGrid_Admin]

Tip: Quick Navigation - Part 1

To quickly access Settings, Content Manager, or other grids within the same Workspace, you are just a tap or two away.

(This information is particularly useful for beginners and assumes that you have not altered any Appearance settings that may affect these steps. Ensure Settings > Appearance is set to Grid / Top Bar / Sidebar , etc.)

Navigating to Settings:

1. Tap the top left corner (on the Profile icon) to access Settings.

2. This action will open the Settings window.

Accessing Workspace Grids:

1. Tap the Profile/Grid name to open the list of grids for the current Workspace.

2. You will see all grids within this Workspace as well as any Common grids available.

Note:

The Profile name typically corresponds to the application you are using.

[MetaGrid_Admin]

Tip: Quick Navigation - Part 2

Accessing the Content Manager

To quickly access the Content Manager and see the grid you are currently using within its Workspace:

1. Double-tap the Profile/Grid name. This action will open the Content Manager, highlighting the grid you came from within its corresponding Workspace.

2. The Content Manager will display the grid you were using and its related Workspace.

Note:

The Profile name typically reflects the name of the application you are using.

[MetaGrid_Admin]

Appearance Option for Text/Icon Buttons

(New in v1.6)

This feature works with two Layout options that display both text and an icon on the button.

Note: It may not function with the layout where text is on the left and the icon is on the right.

Steps to Use:

1. Choose a Layout:

• Select one of the layouts that support both text and an icon display. Once chosen, additional text background options will appear (these options are hidden otherwise).

2. Set Up Your Button:

• Select and customize your icon.

3. Configure Text Settings:

• In the Text settings, add your desired text and set the background text options accordingly.

Example:

You can also use the first layout option, where the icon appears on top and text is displayed underneath.

[MetaGrid_Admin]

Small Buttons and Layout Options

When working with very small buttons, the available Layout options are reduced. This is to ensure that the limited space is effectively used and that text and icons remain legible and functional within the smaller button size.

[MetaGrid_Admin]

Content Manager: My Grid Does Not Appear When Selected – A Different One Loads!

When working on a grid, you might find that selecting it in the Content Manager within a Workspace/Grid does not load it as expected after tapping Done. Instead, a different grid appears. Here’s what might be happening and how to resolve it:

Example Scenario:

1. I have selected:

• Custom Profile

• Test Workspace

• Created a New Grid

2. After tapping Done to edit the New Grid, a different grid loads instead:

Explanation:

• Only one Workspace can be active at any given time within a Profile. This is indicated by a green check (tick) mark:

• In this case, the Final Cut grid was loaded because the Final Cut Workspace was active.

Solution: Changing the Active Workspace

1. To activate a different Workspace, swipe right (or on Mac, drag to the right) on the Workspace you want to make active.

2. Tap Activate.

Note: The word “Active” will not appear in the currently active workspace, nor will an option to deactivate.

Important Note for Mac Users:

On the Mac version (v1.6.1), right-clicking on a Workspace does not bring up a menu with options as you might expect.

3. Once the desired Workspace is active, select your grid and tap Done. Your grid should now appear correctly.