Improv Collection > Instant Message

This feature let's you post text messages onto the Display Window. This can be used for nursery call numbers, or to send a message to the team on the platform through a stage display. (Note: Instant Message does not overlay video onto external players used for media types like PowerPoint, web pages, and DVD playback.)

Message text can be displayed as static, blinking, or scrolling. You an also specify a backdrop be used behind the message text.

Message text can include date and time macros useful for countdown or time to start timers.

Display Text

To display text through the SongShow Plus Presenter Window using Instant Message:

1.	Ensure the Improv Collection Panel is visible by selecting the menu command View > Improv Collection Panel.

2.	Ensure the Instant Message panel is selected by clicking the Instant Message tab within the Improv Collection Panel.

3.	Type the text you wish to display in the Message box.

4.	Click [Enter] or Show. This will present the text as an overlay onto the current slide. The text will remain even when you change slides.

5.	To remove the message, click Hide.

Text Box Position

To change the position of Instant Message text box:

1.	Within the Instant Message Panel, open the settings panel by clicking the Settings button on the right side of the panel.

2.	Click the Placement tab. This provides access to the position settings for the text box.

Text Location and Style

To change the location of the Instant Message text within the text box, text alignment, font, color, shadow, and scroll/blink options:

1.	Within the Instant Message Panel, open the settings panel by clicking the Settings button on the right side of the panel.

2.	Click the Text tab. This provides access to the text location and style settings.

3.	Uses these controls to make the changes you want.

Note: The Scroll and Blink feature is only available if the Video Effects Collection is enabled.

Text Backdrop (Image, Video, etc.)

By default, Instant Message text has no backdrop, so it is rendered directly onto the underlying slide. To add a backdrop such as an image, video, or color:

1.	Within the Instant Message Panel, open the settings panel by clicking the Settings button on the right side of the panel.

2.	Click the Container tab. This provides access to the backdrop settings.

3.	Select an image, video, color backdrop. You can also select to use a transparent backdrop, which is the default backdrop.

Date, Time, and Countdown Macros

To insert date, time, or countdown text:

1.	Within the Instant Message Panel, click the Insert button. This will open a drop-down menu with options.

2.	Select the date, time, or countdown text and format you want to use. This will insert the macro into the Message control.

Multiple Displays

If you have configured SongShow Plus to use multiple displays, you will see the Display Window selector buttons at the left side of the Instant Message panel. Use the selectors to switch between on Display Window to another. Each Display Window has it's own independent Instant Message settings.

Improv Collection - Instant Message

Improv Collection - Instant Message