Please use the links above to jump directly to a category or scroll through.

If we should add one or the other questions to any of the categories, please reach out to us or use the chat widget at the bottom-left corner.

🔮 Server Status

Machinations Server Status

Machinations is currently up and running. If you encounter any issues, please reach out to us or use the chat widget in the bottom-left corner.

🐞 Hot bugs

Nothing to see here…

💡 General

Is there a support email I can contact?

You can contact us at the following email address: support@machinations.io.

How can I report a bug?

If you have found a bug, please get in touch with us or use the chat widget at the bottom-left corner of the screen.

Where can I find the latest changes you introduced to Machinations?

The easiest way is to check our official Change log page, which is updated with every release.

What is the ETA for the Unreal plugin?

As of now, we do not have a confirmed ETA for the Unreal plugin. Please stay tuned for updates.

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Ⓜ️ Diagram

I’m trying to set up a ranking points system in Machinations and need help. What should I do?

If you need help while creating a new Machinations model, you can contact us using the integrated chat, check the documentation, view the guides posted on the Youtube channel, or join our community on Discord.

Why do my components push 2 resources in one step?

The exact behavior would depend on the specifics of the model’s configuration. Please double-check your connections and settings. The most common cause is the double trigger: when both the origin and target nodes of a connection have an active trigger, both triggers will activate the resource transfer.

What is the maximum number of inputs to a gate?

The maximum number of inputs to a gate would depend on the specifics of your machination or model.

How can I build a specific game model in Machinations?

To build your desired game model, you can get inspiration from our numerous community diagrams. You also might want to check out our detailed tutorials from the documentation: Easy Level Progression and Loot and Craft.

How can I get a specific percentage out of a node’s resources?

You can use a Register to calculate a specific percentage of a node’s resources. Check out our Registers article and the Math.js Functions to learn more.

I’m trying to create some simple if/else logic. Can I use registers or JavaScript for this?

Currently, Machinations does not support JavaScript. However, registers and custom variables are great for generating if conditions. The easiest way to accomplish this is by following this formula:
(condition1)*result1+(condition2)*result2
Example: (gold>=100)*1 + (gold<100)*0
This formula is equivalent to: if gold>=100 then result => 1 else result => 0Currently, Machinations does not support JavaScript. However, registers and custom variables are great for generating if conditions.

The easiest way to accomplish this is by following this formula:
(condition1)*result1+(condition2)*result2

Example: (gold>=100)*1 + (gold<100)*0
This formula is equivalent to: if gold>=100 then result => 1 else result => 0

You may also define Conditional expressions with Math.JS operators.
The basic syntax for this is as follows: x ? y : z.

Example: gold > 100 ? 1 : -1
This formula reads: if gold is > 100 then the result is 1 else the result is -1.Currently, Machinations does not support JavaScript. However, registers and custom variables are great for generating if conditions. The easiest way to accomplish this is by following this formula:
(condition1)*result1+(condition2)*result2
Example: (gold>=100)*1 + (gold<100)*0
This formula is equivalent to: if gold>=100 then result => 1 else result => 0

Is it possible to make a trader with 3 inputs and 3 outputs?

Unfortunately, traders with three input/output connections are currently not supported. Traders require exactly two pairs of color coded resource connections. Depending on the complexity of your system, you may need to incorporate additional nodes or components to manage multiple inputs and outputs.

What is the difference between ‘single’ and ‘multiple’ conversions?

The single conversion will only convert 1 set of resources marked on the connections during a step, even if the origin pool has more resources available.
The multiple conversion will convert all available resources during a single step, if the origin pool contains the required resources.
You can learn more about this from the Converters & Traders article.

Is it possible to get randomness for every asset in one step when I use a Random gate?

Yes, a Random gate will generate a random output for each unit that passes through it within a single step. Check out the documentation for Gates to learn more.

Why do I get outlier results when I play multiple predictions, but not when I play a single prediction multiple times?

This could be due to the randomness inherent in the simulations. Running multiple predictions at once could yield more varied results.

From what value are the values in machinations approximated? How many decimal places are taken into account?

The precision of calculations in Machinations depends on the specifics of the software and model configuration.

I want to create a modified version of the demo flow but I can’t seem to get the crafting to start. What could be the issue?

First, you’ll need to ensure that all nodes are properly connected and that the trigger modes of components are set as intended. If you need any additional help, please get in touch with us or use the dedicated chat.

How can I set up a graph where crafting gives me two different resulting items instead of just one?

To generate multiple resources or types of resources, you can change the formula field’s value from resource connections that perform the transfers and conversions. Additionally, you can create additional pools to store different resulting items from a crafting system.

I’m looking for someone to create our web3 game diagrams. Do you have any reliable contacts?

Machinations’ service includes having our team of experts create your diagrams in Machinations. If you are looking for someone to design your web3 economy, we have external partners who can help you. Please get in touch with us.

Can I reference a pool value in a custom variable in Machinations?

Unfortunately custom variables are predefined as of right now.

How can I make my Machinations diagram look as good as the ones in the example links?

To ensure that your Diagrams are aesthetic, you can use the following suggestions:
1.) Use different layers and groups to categorize components into functional units.
2.) For large-scale diagrams, use the option “Hide layer” to declutter the canvas.
3.) Align the components on the canvas using the grid feature.
You may also check out our Best Practices article to learn more.

How do I add an extra step in Machinations to ensure all the remaining resources end up in the end pool?

You can make the connection instant, or you can add an extra step before the end condition triggers so you make sure all your resources are transferred.

I’m new to Machinations and I can’t add nodes to a board. What am I doing wrong?

Adding nodes to a board is relatively straightforward; press the icon on the toolbar or use one of the dedicated keyboard shortcuts. If you are having issues, it could be a temporary glitch. Please try refreshing your browser, or contact our customer support for more help.

Can I use an if function on a resource connection to compare the value of 2 pools?

Yes, you can use conditions on resource connections to compare the values of pools.

Is there support for two-dimensional arrays in Machinations formulas and expressions?

Yes, Machinations supports formulas and expressions for 2-dimensional arrays. In order to access a specific value from a 2D array you should use the following syntax: array[line, column] You can find detailed examples about array formulas on our Math Expressions documentation page.

Is it possible to change a pool’s limit at runtime?

Unfortunately, the Capacity is a static property that can not be changed dynamically during simulations.

I am working on a web3 project. Does Machinations only verify games or can it also be used for gamified Apps?

Anything that can be abstracted can be modeled and analyzed in Machinations.

How do I handle a situation where a pool is turning negative?

State connections commonly trigger the issue since resource connections cannot initiate a transfer if the origin pool has 0 or less than 0 resources. We suggest using state connections with pools as targets, according to the use cases presented in the documentation.

I’m getting different results between interactive mode and predictions in simulation, why is this happening?

The different values between interactive and Predictions can be generated by random calculations performed by random gates, connections, or registers. If the difference is not intended in the diagram, you possibly encountered a bug. To report this issue, please use the integreated chat or get in touch with us.

The documentation states that “All automatic Nodes fire simultaneously” but I have two automatic sources that are firing sequentially, resulting in a Register block immediately resolving mid-way through a step. How do I fix this?

A potential solution for this issue can be the Register’s propriety – “Force update value each step”. Checking this option helps evaluate the Register during simulations, updating its value for each step. If the issue still persists, please reach out to us.

How do I create a working loop in my machinations?

To generate specific gameplay/ economy / balancing loops in Machinations, you can check the templates, tutorials, and community diagrams. We suggest starting with the Easy Level Progression tutorial to begin your journey.

I am trying to convert all resources stored in Pool 1 into one single resource that will be added to a Pool 2. How can I do that?

To convert all resources from a pool, into a single resource in another pool you can use the following model:

Are there ways to have more than 5 different resources in Machinations?

Currently, Machinations supports only five types of colored resources. We are planning to add more types of resources in future updates.

Is it possible to count the sum of resources used in a converter through all the steps?

You can count the sum of the resources transferred in a gate by implementing the following model:

Can a gate be used to have a random chance to send ALL of its resources to a Pool?

You can send all resources between pools with a random chance by following this model:

Why is my custom variable display NaN?

When a register is initialized, it will have its operands set to the value of the input poolsat the beginning of a step; in this case, the inputs will be set to 0 on initialization.As such, when the first division is performed, the register will compute 0/0, which, mathematically, is an undefined case, resulting in Not a Number.
Moreover, when NaN is used for any value in a diagram, any operation performed to NaN will also output to NaN. Currently, this is a limitation of Machinations and we are looking to improve this behavior.As a workaround, check if the divisor of the register is equal to 0. To achieve this, we used the following syntax:
a+b+c==0 ? 0 : d/(a+b+c)

You can learn more about Conditional expressions and available operators in the Operators section in our Math.js Functions arcticle.

How to simulate a Shuffle-bag random distribution?

The best method to simulate a Shuffle-bag random distribution in Machinations is to use Random Trigger gates with numeric formulas. Each step, the gate will update its probabilities of branch selection based on the branches selected prior. Read more about Trigger Gates.

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💻 Technical

Can I use machinations offline?

No. Machinations is a web-based tool that requires an active internet connection.

Is it possible to change the default settings of pools, specifically the display property of the capacity?

Currently, it is not possible to change the default settings of pools. However, you can use the multiple-select function to change the desired properties shared by components.

How can I zoom in or zoom out inside my machinations?

You can use the zoom buttons from the View controller. Alternatively, you may use CTRL+ Mouse wheel (Windows) or CMD + Mouse wheel (Mac) to zoom in or out.

Is there an easy way to move around the workspace with the mouse, like using a hand/drag tool?

You can navigate the workspace/canvas by using one of the following key combinations:
– Windows: Hold right click/ hold Middle mouse button / hold Ctrl + Mouse move
– Mac: hold Middle mouse button / hold Ctrl + Mouse move

Is it possible to do some simulation with decimals, like 0.02, for example?

The y-axis on a Machinations chart is limited to single decimal point values (y = 0.0/ 0.2/ 0.4/ 0.6/ 0.8/ 1.0). We suggest multiplying the value by 10^x before displaying it in the chart.

Can I publish my diagrams globally on my profile?

Yes, you can publish a diagram on your community profile. To achieve this, press the “Share” button located next to the global settings and select “Public on Community” from the “Share with link” dropdown.

How can I fix issues with my Machinations page not loading?

In case my.machinations.io is not loading we suggest checking your internet connection first. Clearing cache and cookies of your browser and refreshing the page often helps. If the issue still persists, please contact support.

How can I change my Machinations profile URL link?

The URL cannot be changed, as it is automatically generated from the user name in your profile when you have created your account.

How can I access my JSON file in Machinations and use its values in Custom Variables?

Please contact support and provide us with the details of your domain and subdomain names, so we can whitelist the file. This will then allow you to access the data in Machinations.

I need to use external JSON in my model and it’s giving me an error.

Please contact our customer support and provide them with the domain name. Whitelisting might take up to 24 hours. Once complete, you may use your JSON file in custom variables. Alternatively, you may use https://jsonbin.io/ to host your JSON file.

Why does saving my data to a .CSV formats my registers as “title/component number”? Is there a way to turn this off?

The formatting of data during a .CSV export depends on the software you’re using. Refer to the software’s settings or documentation to adjust how the data is formatted upon export.

I’m having an issue with initializing Predictions on a specific Machinations link. What can I do?

Please get in touch with our support team to assist you with any issues relating incorrect functionalities for specific diagrams.

I’m building a huge system and Machinations is working very slow.

Performance can be affected by the complexity of the model, your internet connection, or your computer’s resources. Try simplifying your model or improving your internet connection.

I’d like to hire someone to model my game using Machinations. Is there a place I can post a job?

You can check the section “Designers for hire” in our community. Additionally, we have a dedicated jobs channel on our discord server.

Is there a way to make the connection transparent in Machinations?

Machinations does not allow changes to the transparency level of components and connections. However, you can hide connections by moving them to a dedicated layer and using the option “Hide layer”.

Sometimes machinations block features using to zoom in and zoom out using touchpad on my MacBook.

The interaction with the software might vary based on the device and browser. If you’re experiencing difficulties, try using a different browser or reaching out to our support team for assistance.

How do I restore a copy of my work if the save is corrupted?

If you have saved a corrupted machination, please contact our support team for assistance with recovery.

How can I simulate specific reward mechanics in Machinations?

To simulate reward systems, the easiest method is to use predictions and interactive plays and charts. After a chart is generated, you can ensure that the progression/ evolution of the reward systems returns a desired outcome based on specific metrics and targets.

Can I download the files locally for backup?

You can not download the files locally, however, you can export the diagram to Google Drive.

How do I resolve the issue of diagrams not loading and data appearing to be lost on my Machinations account?

If your diagram is not loading or you encounter similar issues, please get in touch with our support team to get this investigated and resolved.

I received a message that something went wrong with the orchestrator flow. How can I find what went wrong?

The error can have a lot of triggers; it is usually displayed when the execution encounters an issue during the execution. You should contact our support team to help with this.

Can I display my machinations directly in Google Sheets?

Machinations does not have a feature to be displayed directly in Google Sheets. However, you can export your diagram to Google Drive, representing your design as a Google Sheets document. Additional details can be found in our Google Sheets article.

How do I change Google Drive from one destination to another?

Changing your Google Drive destination can typically be done through your Google account or drive settings.

I’m experiencing issues with Machinations, such as disconnection or overflow errors. How can I resolve this?

Please clear cache & cookies and re-log into Machinations. If the problem still persists, please contact customer support via email or the dedicated chat.

I found a bug in Machinations. Who should I contact?

You can contact our support team via the integrated chat or send us an email.

I am trying to save an array as a global math variable but keep getting the message “Cannot save into global variables”. How can I resolve this?

This message is usually related to the length of the input array. The formula field only supports a maximum of 1024 characters as of now, we are looking into improving that.

I’m having trouble connecting to the Machinations server. Any advice?

First, you should check your internet connection and refresh the browser page. Deleting your browser cache and cookies and relogging into your account might also help. If the issue persists, please get in touch with us via the integrated chat or via email.

Is it possible to incorporate agent-based behavior?

As of now, Machinations.io does not support agent-based modeling. However, suggestions from users like you help us to decide which features to add next. We appreciate your feedback.

I’ve lost 300 Predictions by mistake. Is there any way to restore them?

Unfortunately, once Predictions are lost, they cannot be restored.

I have a problem loading my data into the chart. Can I get a csv file without loading the whole Predictions in the chart?

Yes, you can export your data to a CSV file without loading all the Predictions in the chart.

I can’t get my machination diagrams to work. What could be the issue?

There could be several reasons why your diagrams are not working. It might be due to incorrect connections or faulty logic in the model. If you need help troubleshooting, feel free to contact our customer support.

What should I do if my Predictions are not working?

Predictions might appear as unavailable due to the following reasons:
– The diagram and simulations are particularly complex, and a delay might be experienced until the simulation appears to start;
– The monthly Prediction limit determined by your plan might be exceeded. To view your Prediction limit, click on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the Machinations screen. You can find your current subscription plan, the number of components, monthly Predictions, Library items, and more.

My work is not autosaving at times and everything is slow. What could be the issue?

The issue could be related to server load or other technical glitches. If the problem continues, please reach out to our technical support team.

Can I handle 200 or more Unity 3D clients with Machinations?

Yes, Machinations supports handling multiple clients, including Unity 3D clients.

Is there a way to turn Machinations into text code?

Currently, Machinations doesn’t support this feature. However, based on user feedback, we’re always looking to improve and add new features.

Where can I find a link to all the public machinations diagrams stored on this site?

You can find all public diagrams in our dedicated community. Also, you can find the public diagrams you created by looking over your community profile page.

I can’t open my XML file in my Google Drive. How can I solve this problem?

Machinations needs access to your google drive to read a diagram file. Please also ensure your file has the correct format and can be opened/imported.

We changed the owner name in Google Drive, after which the diagram stopped working properly when imported back to Machinations. Is this issue caused by our changes in the spreadsheet?

The issue might be caused by changes performed in the diagram’s Spreadsheet on Drive. We suggest performing the required changes in My Machinations and using the Google Drive predominantly for storage and backup. If you encounter additional issues when importing diagrams from Drive, please reach out to us or use the dedicated chat.

When the data is exported into a spreadsheet, the first few steps show the value as zero since the result wouldn’t have been calculated yet. Is there a way to fix this?

The zeroes in the initial steps of the CSV export represent the time before calculations have occurred in your simulation. You could manually delete these rows after exporting, but there is no current setting within Machinations to prevent this from happening.

How can I optimize my Machinations diagram with 30+ elements, as it is extremely laggy and crashes all the time?

Check out our Best Practices article to better manage and optimize large-scale diagrams. If you still encounter performance issues, please contact us or use the dedicated chat widget. Please keep in mind that performance and optimization depend on your system specifications.

How can I configure my team members via SSO connected to Office365?

Machinations only supports Google SSO. There is no way to use API to add team members; however inviting a list of members is pretty easy using our dedicated invite interface.

How can I change my diagrams from being public to private?

To change a public diagram to private, the diagram owner should open it and press the Share button from the header bar. In the Share prompt, you can change the diagram sharing by selecting the option “Team or invited users” from the dropdown.

What can I do if Machinations isn’t saving my updates?

Machinations should perform an autosave for any change performed on the canvas and the components’ properties. If you encounter any issue with autosaving, please get in touch with us or use the integrated chat.

Can I embed my diagram in PowerPoint to present to stakeholders?

Yes, you can! Microsoft has an Add-in for PowerPoint that allows you to embed websites. You can download the Web Viewer Add-in from the Microsoft Store and follow the instructions. Please be aware that this might only work with some versions of PowerPoint.

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🔐 Account

My account has been temporarily blocked because of too many login attempts. How long do I have to wait to regain access?

When an account is temporarily blocked, the wait time is 1 hour. However, you can contact us or use the integrated chat. We can reset the countdown and you will be able to log in again.

Is there a way to move diagrams from one account to another?

Yes, you can move diagrams between accounts using one of the following methods:
1.) Export and import the diagram via Google Drive (more details here).
2.) Invite the second account to your team and share the diagram with the team via the dedicated button.
3.) Post the diagram on the community (the diagram will become public).

My company has paid for my subscriptions but my account is still locked like the Free Version. Can I get help?

First, you must check if your account was correctly added to your company’s team. If the issue still persists, please get in touch with our support team to assist you with any issues relating to your subscription and account status.

I requested an email confirmation link from Machinations but haven’t received any emails. What should I do?

Please contact our support team to assist you with any issues relating to accounts and connectivity. You can also use the dedicated chat.

Can I share a Machinations diagram privately on a Free plan?

If you are on a free plan then the diagram is public by default, there are no live editing privileges for free plans so you cannot share the model with edit permission.

I made a typo in my email. How can I correct this?

Please reach out to our customer support via email or the integrated chat.

My account shows nearly at capacity (2,500/3,000) even though there’s only one diagram included. Why is that?

The number of components for all team members determines the component count. Please check if your team has additional diagrams. Moreover, a diagram can have hidden layers that can add to the total number of used components.

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👯 Team Members

How do I change account ownership in Machinations?

We can change the owner of a team after you provide us with the following details:
1.) The email address of the current owner;
2.) The email address of the new owner. Please make sure that the user has a valid machinations account.
3.) The desired team status of the old owner.
If you want to remove the old owner from the team, please let us know if you’d like to keep the diagrams created by the old owner inside the team folder.

I’m having trouble adding new team members with the updated bulk-add method in Machinations. What’s the correct way?

To properly send an invite, make sure that the email has been confirmed in the list by using either a comma, a space or the Enter button on the email text box.

Does “Unlimited Editors” mean that we will only need one subscription and all of the other designers will get those benefits?

One subscription allows one team, and one team can be composed of a custom number of members. Plan limitations are, however, shared between all members of the team.

Higher-tier plans have more components, Predictions, library items, and diagram tags.

We are trying to add new team members to our academia account on Machinations but are not receiving any confirmations. How can we fix this?

To properly send an invite, make sure that the email has been confirmed in the list by using either a comma, a space or the Enter button on the email text box. If you encounter additional issues, please contact our support team to assist you.

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💳 Usage & Billing

Can I use Machinations for free?

The Machinations Community Plan is absolutely free to use, forever! This plan gives you access to a bunch of cool features, so you can explore the platform and its core functionalities at no cost. Additionally, the Community Plan comes with a public profile that provides opportunities to showcase your work, receive feedback, and collaborate on projects with like-minded professionals.

What’s included in my trial?

The free trial provides you with a full version of the Power Plan for 14 days, so you can test all the features Machinations has to offer. No credit card required!

What happens after my free trial ends?

Unless you have subscribed to the Power Plan during the active trial period, your account will automatically be downgraded to our Community plan.
Your diagrams will still be available and remain private, however, you might not be able to create new diagrams or edit existing ones if you have exceeded the Community plan limits during the active trial period.
Private diagrams created during the trial can not be edited after the trial period. To unlock editing rights for the diagrams, you must upgrade your plan or change the sharing options of the diagram to public.

Is my data secure with Machinations?

Absolutely. Machinations takes user data privacy and security seriously. When users choose to set their diagrams as private, only they have access to view, edit, or share the diagrams. This means that the Machinations team and any unauthorized individuals do not have access to private diagrams, ensuring the confidentiality of your sensitive information.

Also, Machinations is ISO 27001 certified, ensuring that stringent security measures are in place to safeguard your data. This certification underscores our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of information security, guaranteeing the protection and confidentiality of your data.

What are the limitations of the free Community Plan in terms of privacy settings?

Users on the Community Plan have public profiles and public diagrams. This means that any diagrams you create and your profile information will be visible to other community members. If you are working on sensitive projects or prefer to keep your work private, we recommend upgrading to one of our premium plans. Please note that it is essential to understand that the responsibility of safeguarding sensitive information lies with the user when it comes to the free Community Plan.

How can I cancel a plan? The account owner has left the company.

You can manage your subscription and cancel your plan via your account settings.

Can we get invoices from you? We need it for proper documentation flow.

Yes, invoices can typically be accessed via your account or billing settings.

We’ve been billed separately for the same months. Can you explain why?

Please contact our customer support team via the integrated chat or email so we can help you with any issues related to billing and accounts.

I signed up for an annual subscription when I meant to choose monthly. Can this be fixed?

Please contact our customer support team via the integrated chat or email so we can help you with any issues related to plans and billing.

Can I purchase additional Predictions without upgrading my plan?

Unfortunately, there is no way to add any extra Predictions unless you upgrade your plan to a higher tier. Your Prediction count will reset on the 1st of every Month. Please use our contact form to discuss alternative options.

I’m having trouble upgrading my plan on Machinations due to an issue with the TAX ID. How can I resolve this?

Please contact our customer support team via the integrated chat or email so we can help you with any issues related to plans and billing.

How can I remove redundant debit cards from my payment options?

You can manage your payment options from your account settings.

How can we increase our step count in plays? Do we need to change our plan to Custom? What is the pricing for the Custom plan with increased step count?

You can increase the number of steps by upgrading your plan to a Power Plan. There is no option to implement only the increased number of steps otherwise.

Why am I asked to fill in Billing Details for the Academia Plan if it’s a free plan?

This issue can usually be solved by providing us the backlink from your site to our website. (Proof that your academia site has a link for Machinations). By providing us this link, we will fill it in our database and the “fill in billing details” notification will disappear.

Is the current plan charged per team member or for the full team?

The payment is made for the full team. After purchasing any plan, all team members will have access to all benefits of the selected plan.

Can I freeze my Subscription for 2 weeks?

The subscription is paid monthly or annually, and it can not be frozen or suspended for any period of time.

I’ve been removed from a team and now have no access to my Machinations account. How can I change to a paid plan?

You can choose to subscribe to Machinations. In order to upgrade to a paid plan, click on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the Machinations screen -> select Usage & Billing -> upgrade my plan.

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Daniel Paz de Araujo

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