Craft Live Control is a Windows Stream Deck plugin for direct commands, live values and supported dial controls in seven Craft applications. Craft shortcut profiles are ready-made layouts that send keyboard bindings through Stream Deck’s built-in actions. They solve different needs, and you can use shortcut profiles without the plugin.
Craft Live Control 1.0.0 is awaiting Elgato review and is not yet available to purchase. All fourteen Windows and Mac profile packs are published. Their shortcut profiles work now; the Enhanced live controls and plugin setup described below require the separate plugin once it is released.
If you want labelled commands for PhotoCraft, FilmCraft, LightCraft, EffectCraft, VectorCraft, FigCraft or PdfCraft, start by choosing the relevant Craft profile pack. If you also want supported live controls on Windows, compare the Enhanced edition with Craft Live Control.
Plugin and profiles: the difference at a glance
| Setup | What it does | Separate Craft plugin needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Shortcuts profile | Sends default Windows key bindings from labelled Stream Deck keys | No |
| Mac shortcut profile | Sends macOS key bindings from labelled Stream Deck keys | No |
| Windows Enhanced profile | Adds Live Control pages alongside the shortcut pages | Yes, for the Live Control features |
| Craft Live Control plugin | Lets you build direct command, live display and supported dial actions | This is the plugin; ready-made profiles are separate |
The Windows packs contain eight profiles each: Shortcuts and Enhanced for four device sizes. The Mac packs contain four shortcut profiles each. The corrected Windows ZIPs do not contain the Craft Live Control installer; install the plugin separately before using Enhanced pages.
When shortcut profiles are enough
Shortcut profiles suit commands that already have useful default key bindings. Import the layout, bring the Craft application to the foreground and use a labelled key for the command you need.
The icons are embedded, so a separate icon-pack installation is unnecessary. Layouts are supplied for Mini, the 15-key Stream Deck, XL and Stream Deck +.
Keyboard shortcuts follow application focus. A text field or dialog can receive the key press, and remapped bindings can change the result. Start with default application shortcuts and check the active panel before editing a profile action that appears to have stopped working.
What Craft Live Control adds on Windows
The plugin talks to an application’s supported local command interface. Actions can run direct commands and display available values. Stream Deck + dials adjust supported controls, with different capabilities in each app.
| Application | Examples of supported controls |
|---|---|
| PhotoCraft | Brush size, opacity and hardness with live readback |
| LightCraft | The active develop adjustment and its value |
| FilmCraft | Playback and timeline navigation |
| EffectCraft | Playback and timeline position; timeline seconds use the configured FPS |
| VectorCraft | Current-selection rotation with live readback |
| FigCraft | Direct commands and supported values on keys; supplied profiles do not use dials |
| PdfCraft | Key actions and current-page feedback; supplied profiles do not use dials |
An available control still needs the right editing context. A document, selection, photo or composition may be required. Live connection feedback does not mean every command can run in every state of the application.
Can you use Craft Live Control on a Mac?
Craft Live Control is Windows-only. Mac profile packs use macOS keyboard shortcuts and do not require the plugin. Their Stream Deck + layouts use keys only; the Windows plugin’s live readouts and dial features are not included.
For example, the PhotoCraft profile page compares both editions side by side. Choose the Mac pack for labelled macOS shortcuts, or Windows Enhanced with the separate plugin when you need its supported live controls.
Set up Windows Enhanced profiles
- Install the Craft application and Stream Deck software separately.
- Install Craft Live Control and import the Enhanced profile for your application and device.
- Open the profile’s Live Control menu and choose Connect.
- Check the selected application and executable path in its settings.
- Press Connect and test a supported action in an appropriate document.
Connect starts the app with local control enabled or connects to an already compatible instance. If an existing instance was opened without that interface, save your work, close it normally and connect again.
The plugin requires Windows 10 or later and Stream Deck 6.9 or later. Dial controls also require Stream Deck + and an application control that supports them. Shortcut profiles require Stream Deck 6.6 or later alongside the matching app and a supported operating system.
Building your own controls and command sequences
The standalone plugin is useful when you prefer arranging your own keys. Its icon selector includes 143 Craft Mono Creative icons. Changing an icon does not change the assigned command or its parameters.
Command sequences support up to 20 steps. A sequence stops at its first error, and earlier steps are not rolled back. Test on a disposable document when later commands depend on a selection or document state created by earlier steps.
Which products should you choose?
Choose a shortcut profile pack for an application-specific layout without live controls. Choose its Windows Enhanced edition plus Craft Live Control for supported direct commands and feedback. Choose the standalone plugin if you want to build your own arrangement; it does not include ready-made profile packs.
Start with the Craft Live Control product page or compare all seven profile packs. Each profile page keeps its Windows and Mac editions together and provides verified Elgato listing links when available. Granite Coast Studio makes these products independently and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ArtCraft or Elgato.