de
BETA
Back to HomeDocumentation

Everything you need to know

Complete guides for installing, configuring and using Boothy to create unforgettable events.

Introduction#

Boothy Desktop is a Windows photo booth application that runs in fullscreen kiosk mode. It controls the entire workflow from photo capture through editing to output -- perfect for weddings, corporate events, birthday parties and more.

Boothy Desktop

The main application: kiosk UI, camera capture, filters, stickers, printing, sharing.

Mirror / TV-Companion

Companion display: live photo gallery and leaderboard for a TV or second screen.

Boothy.Web

Marketing website and admin panel for managing your Boothy presence online.

You only need Boothy Desktop for a fully functional photo booth. The Mirror/TV-Companion is an optional second-screen display, and Boothy.Web is for your marketing website.

System Requirements#

Boothy Desktop

ComponentMinimumRecommended
Operating SystemWindows 10 64-bitWindows 11 64-bit
CPUDual-Core 2 GHzQuad-Core 3 GHz+
RAM4 GB8 GB
Storage2 GB10 GB+
Runtime.NET 9.0 Runtime.NET 9.0 Runtime
CameraWebcam (USB)Canon/Nikon DSLR (USB)
Display1280x7201920x1080 Touch

Supported Cameras

  • Canon DSLR (USB, native shutter control)
  • Nikon DSLR (USB, native shutter control)
  • Webcam / USB Camera (OpenCV/DirectShow)

Mirror / TV-Companion

The Mirror/TV-Companion runs as a web application served by Boothy Desktop. It can be displayed in any modern browser on the same local network.

ComponentRequirement
DeviceAny device with a browser (PC, Raspberry Pi, Smart TV, tablet)
BrowserChrome 90+, Firefox 88+, Safari 14+, Edge 90+
NetworkSame local network as Boothy Desktop
Display1920x1080 recommended

Installation#

1. Download Boothy

Download the latest version of Boothy from the download page. You can use the software completely free with limited features (Freemium) or test all premium features with a 10-capture limit (Trial).

Go to Downloads

2. Install on Windows

  1. 1Download the BoothyDesktop installer (.msi file).
  2. 2Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
  3. 3Start Boothy from your Desktop shortcut or Start Menu.
  4. 4Windows Defender SmartScreen may show a warning on first launch. Click "More info" then "Run anyway" to proceed.
  5. 5Boothy shows a splash screen (checking license, connecting camera, starting services) and then the setup wizard opens automatically.
The .NET 9.0 runtime is bundled with Boothy and does not need to be installed separately.

Getting Started#

When you start Boothy for the first time, the setup wizard guides you through the initial configuration in 5 steps. You can always change these settings later in the admin panel.

Setup Wizard (5 Steps)

Step 0: Language Selection

Choose your preferred language: German or English.

Step 1: Admin Password

Set an optional admin password (minimum 4 characters) to protect the admin panel from guests.

Step 2: Event Branding

Enter your event name and choose a font (9 options: Inter, Playfair Display, Bebas Neue, Dancing Script, Great Vibes, Parisienne, Alex Brush, Pacifico, Oswald). Select a title gradient and background gradient from presets: pink-purple, gold, fire, ocean, forest, sunset, cotton-candy, ice, white.

Step 3: Sharing & Hardware

Enable or disable sharing features: QR code download (Premium), printing, gallery saving, WhatsApp via Twilio, video & boomerangs, stickers, AI background removal. Optionally configure Wi-Fi name, password and IP address.

Step 4: Network & APIs

Configure network-related API settings. This step is automatically skipped if no network sharing methods were enabled in the previous step.

Step 5: Confirmation

Review your settings and choose to either start directly in kiosk mode or open the admin dashboard for further configuration.

The language can also be changed at any time by guests directly on the main screen -- not only during setup.

Start Screen#

The start screen is what guests see when the photo booth is idle. It displays your event branding and provides access to all main functions.

Start Screen Elements

  • Event name displayed large with your chosen font and color gradient
  • "TOUCH TO START" button to begin a capture session
  • Capture mode selector (PHOTO / VIDEO / BOOMERANG, when video is enabled)
  • Dimmed camera live preview in the background
  • Floating Gallery: animated photos floating in the background (disabled in Performance Mode)
  • QR code / share button
  • Gallery button
  • Language switcher (German/English) -- permanently changeable by guests
  • Optional background image replaces the animated gradient (text color adapts automatically)

Ending-Soon Timer

When a time window is configured, a circular timer appears on the start screen. Its color changes based on remaining time: green (more than 45 minutes), yellow (more than 30 minutes), orange (more than 15 minutes), red (less than 15 minutes). The timer blinks during the last 10 minutes.

Time Window Control

You can configure a usage time window in the admin panel. Before the start time, a WAITING mode shows a countdown (DD:HH:MM:SS or HH:MM:SS) with an optional logo and background image. After the end time, an ENDED mode prevents any further captures.

A license expiration warning can appear as an animated border on the start screen: orange when more than 30 minutes remain, red when less than 30 minutes remain, and blinking red when less than 10 minutes remain.

Camera Capture#

Capture Modes

Photo

3-2-1 countdown, then a still image. With multi-slot templates: one capture sequence per slot.

Video

3-2-1 countdown, 5-second recording at approx. 30 fps, saved as MP4.

Boomerang

3-2-1 countdown, 2-second recording at approx. 15 fps, forward+backward loop, saved as MP4.

Countdown

The countdown uses animated numbers with distinct colors: 3 = red, 2 = teal, 1 = yellow. After the countdown, "SMILE!" is displayed briefly before capture. By default, auto-start is enabled, but a manual trigger mode is also available.

Technical Details

  • Images are horizontally mirrored (selfie mode)
  • JPEG quality: 95%
  • Raw data saved in a "Rohdaten" subfolder
  • Template images rendered on a 1800x1200px canvas (3:2 aspect ratio)

Review & Editing#

After each capture, the review screen lets guests enhance their photo before saving. Videos play in an endless loop without filter or background options.

Filters

8 filters are displayed as a horizontal bar with preview thumbnails: Original, Grayscale, Sepia, Warm, Cool, Vignette, Soft, Bright.

Background Replacement (Premium)

When AI background removal is enabled, the admin can configure background replacement modes: Original, Blur, Color (hex value set by admin), or Image (uploaded by admin). The guest selects the mode during review. Segmentation is performed using OpenCV GrabCut.

Background replacement options are configured exclusively by the admin. Guests can only choose which mode to apply, not configure the color or image.

Stickers / Props (Premium)

PNG files from the Sticker folder can be placed on photos using touch gestures: move, scale, rotate, and remove. Custom stickers can be added by placing PNG files in the sticker directory.

Review Actions

  • Done: saves all edits permanently
  • Discard: edits are discarded, raw image is kept
  • Print (if enabled)
  • QR code (Premium)
  • Send email (Premium, if enabled)
  • Open file

Templates & Design#

Templates define how captured photos are composited and rendered. The default template uses a single photo, but you can create custom multi-slot templates using the built-in visual editor.

Template Editor

Template Editor Features

  • Canvas size: 1800x1200 px (3:2 aspect ratio)
  • Background color (hex) or background image (Premium)
  • Add, position, and remove photo slots via drag & drop
  • Slot positioning in percentage for responsive layout
  • Number of countdown sequences equals number of slots

Template Manager

The template manager in the admin panel lets you edit, duplicate, and delete templates. The active template for the current session can be selected under the "Session" tab in the admin panel.

Sharing Photos#

Boothy offers multiple ways for guests to receive their photos. All sharing options can be enabled or disabled individually in the admin panel.

QR Code Download (Premium)

A QR code is displayed that links to the Boothy Mirror web server. Guests scan it with their smartphone to download the photo. The QR code points to http://{IP}:3000.

WhatsApp (Twilio)

Send photos directly via WhatsApp using Twilio integration. Configured in the setup wizard or admin panel. This feature is available as a legacy sharing option.

Print

Print photos directly to any Windows-compatible printer. Supports auto-print after each capture and configurable print limits.

Email (via n8n Webhook)

Send photos via email using an n8n webhook (not SMTP). The admin configures the webhook URL, caption, and optional Basic Auth credentials.

Gallery

All photos are saved locally and can be viewed in the built-in gallery at any time.

Gallery#

The built-in gallery provides an overview of all captured media during the event.

Gallery Features

  • Filter by type: All / Photos / Boomerangs / Videos
  • Grid view with thumbnails, fullscreen lightbox on tap
  • Sorted by date (newest first)
  • Actions: Print, QR code (Premium), Email (Premium)
  • Storage location: My Pictures\BoothyPhotos\{EventName}\

Cloud Synchronisation#

Boothy can automatically upload photos to cloud storage after each capture (Premium). If the device is offline, uploads are queued and sent when the connection is restored. Multiple cloud services can be used simultaneously. Files are organized in folders named {EventName}-{Date}.

Google Drive

Requires a Service Account JSON key. Optional parent folder ID for organizing uploads.

Dropbox

Requires a Dropbox Access Token from the Dropbox Developer Console.

Nextcloud

Requires server URL, username, and password. Connects via WebDAV.

A manual sync button is available in the admin panel to trigger an immediate upload of all pending files.

Gamification & Leaderboard#

Boothy's gamification system (Premium) makes your event interactive and competitive. Guests register, complete photo challenges and compete on a live leaderboard.

Guest Registration (3 Steps)

  • Step 1: Name (required)
  • Step 2: Email (optional)
  • Step 3: Profile picture (3-second countdown, 300x300px)

Challenges

Each challenge consists of a name, description, icon, and a point value (1-9999). Challenges can be individually activated or deactivated. A multi-challenge mode allows assigning multiple challenges per photo. After each capture, a challenge overlay is shown.

Leaderboard

The leaderboard shows the top 3 with gold, silver and bronze highlighting, and up to 10 entries total. It is displayed on both the start screen and the Mirror/TV-Companion. A configurable time window controls when gamification is active.

GDPR compliance: Profile pictures are automatically deleted after a configurable number of days (default: 30 days, 0 = never).

Mirror / TV Companion#

Boothy includes a built-in local web server that serves a companion display. It cycles between a live photo gallery and the gamification leaderboard, with automatic rotation between views.

Setup

  1. 1Enable the Mirror feature in the admin panel under "Features".
  2. 2The port is configurable (default: 5050).
  3. 3Open a browser on a second display and navigate to: http://{IP}:{Port}/companion
  4. 4New photos are pushed in real time via SignalR/WebSocket.

Mirror Features

Live Gallery

New photos appear in real time via WebSocket push.

Leaderboard

Shows the top players with rank, avatar, name and score.

Auto Rotation

Automatically cycles between gallery and leaderboard views.

Bilingual

Supports German and English, synced with Boothy Desktop language.

Admin Panel#

The admin panel is the central configuration hub for Boothy. It is organized into tabs and provides sidebar actions for common operations.

Admin Tabs

TabDescription
OverviewSoftware status, version, camera API, GPU, license information.
SessionEvent name, active template, font, color gradients, usage time window, background images.
Hardware & PerformanceCamera preview, printer settings, auto-print, on-screen keyboard (integrated vs. Windows TabTip), performance mode.
Network & SharingWi-Fi settings, IP, sharing options (QR, printing with limit, gallery, email with webhook), cloud sync.
FeaturesAuto-start, video/boomerang, AI background removal (Premium), stickers (Premium), Mirror, debug mode, admin password.
TemplatesTemplate manager and visual editor.
LicenseLicense status, activation, trial info, deactivation.
GamificationEnable/disable, multi-challenge mode, profile picture TTL, time window, challenge management.

Sidebar Actions

  • Back to kiosk: returns to the main photo booth screen
  • Quit app: exits Boothy (with confirmation dialog)
  • Delete photos: removes all photos but keeps settings
  • Factory reset: requires typing "yes" to confirm, restarts the setup wizard
  • Cloud sync now: triggers immediate sync (if configured)
  • Check for updates / Update now: checks for and installs new versions

Licensing#

Boothy uses a freemium licensing model validated against the Lemon Squeezy server. License validation occurs at startup and once per minute during operation.

Freemium

Free
  • Unlimited captures
  • Maximum 50 prints
  • Premium features locked
  • Full functionality otherwise

Premium

Paid
  • Unlimited captures
  • Configurable print limit
  • All Premium features unlocked
  • QR code, stickers, AI background, cloud sync

Trial

Trial
  • Up to 10 captures
  • All features for testing
  • Factory reset enforced after limit

Activating Your License

  1. 1Open the admin panel in Boothy Desktop.
  2. 2Navigate to the "License" tab.
  3. 3Enter your license key (received by email after purchase).
  4. 4Click "Activate" -- Boothy will verify the key online against the Lemon Squeezy server.
  5. 5Activation is confirmed and all Premium limits are removed.

Data Storage#

Boothy stores data in the following locations on your system:

DataLocation
Photos / VideosMy Pictures\BoothyPhotos\{EventName}\
Raw data...\Rohdaten\
Configuration%AppData%\BoothyDesktop\config.json
Templates%AppData%\BoothyDesktop\templates.json
Gamification%AppData%\BoothyDesktop\gamification_state.json
Profile pictures%AppData%\BoothyDesktop\profile_images\
License%AppData%\Boothy\license.lic
Freemium State%AppData%\BoothyDesktop\freemium_state.json
Cloud Queue%AppData%\BoothyDesktop\sync_queue.json

Help & Troubleshooting#

The camera is not detected.
Make sure the camera is connected and not used by another application. Boothy shows an error overlay with a hint to check the Windows privacy settings. The overlay auto-hides after 10 seconds. In the admin panel, go to Hardware and check the camera preview.
Mirror/Companion shows "Connecting...".
Make sure Boothy Desktop is running and the Mirror feature is enabled. Check that both devices are on the same network. Verify that the configured port (default: 5050) is not blocked by a firewall.
Photos are blurry or low quality.
Check the camera settings in the admin panel. Ensure sufficient lighting at the event. For best results, use a Canon or Nikon DSLR via USB for native shutter control.
Printing does not work.
Ensure the printer is connected and installed in Windows. In the admin panel, go to Hardware & Performance and select the correct printer. Check if the print limit has been reached (configurable in admin).
Cloud sync is not working.
Use the manual sync button in the admin panel to diagnose. For Google Drive, make sure the service account JSON is valid and has write access. For Nextcloud, verify the WebDAV URL and credentials. Pending uploads are queued automatically when offline.
Background removal is not accurate.
Background removal uses OpenCV GrabCut segmentation. It works best with good, even lighting on the subject and a clearly contrasting background. Uneven lighting or complex backgrounds reduce accuracy.

Touchscreen Operation

Boothy is fully optimized for touch operation with large buttons and touch gestures for sticker placement. A configurable on-screen keyboard is available (integrated or Windows TabTip). Automatic portrait orientation detection is supported.

Support

If you cannot find the answer to your problem here, please reach out to our support team:

Email SupportBack to Homepage