.. badge:: Quick Start
   :color: green
.. badge:: Full Course
   :color: blue

Introduction: What Is Extended Matrix?
======================================

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   <!-- Replace VIDEO_ID with the actual YouTube video ID for 01_em_overview -->
   <div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;max-width:100%;">
   <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIDEO_ID_01_em_overview"
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   <p><em>▶ Introduction: What Is Extended Matrix? (~~4 min)</em></p>

| **Clip:** 01  |  **Duration:** ~4 min  |  **Recording segment:** 4:01 → 8:14

----

Prerequisites
-------------

None — this is the starting point.

Overview
--------

Extended Matrix (EM) is a formal language and Blender add-on for archaeological and paleontological documentation. This tutorial introduces EM's dual audience (end-users and technical experts), its role in the Extended Matrix ecosystem, and the desktop↔online integration pipeline.

.. figure:: /_static/screenshots/clip_01/0001_opening_slide.jpg
   :alt: The Extended Matrix 1.5 RC workshop title slide.
   :width: 90%

   The Extended Matrix 1.5 RC workshop title slide.

Key Concepts
------------

- EM is a formal language, not just a diagram tool.
- The dual audience: archaeologists/palaeontologists *and* developers/ontologists.
- Desktop tools (Blender, yEd) connect to online services via structured file formats.
- EM version 1.5 RC introduces the full knowledge-graph architecture.

Screenshots
-----------

.. figure:: /_static/screenshots/clip_01/0002_dual_audience.jpg
   :alt: EM serves two audiences: end-users and technical experts.
   :width: 90%

   EM serves two audiences: end-users and technical experts.

.. figure:: /_static/screenshots/clip_01/0003_ecosystem_diagram.jpg
   :alt: The Extended Matrix ecosystem: desktop tools connected to online services.
   :width: 90%

   The Extended Matrix ecosystem: desktop tools connected to online services.

.. figure:: /_static/screenshots/clip_01/0004_agenda_roadmap.jpg
   :alt: Roadmap for the full tutorial series: four workflow phases.
   :width: 90%

   Roadmap for the full tutorial series: four workflow phases.

Try It Yourself
---------------

Open the ExtendedMatrix homepage at https://extendedmatrix.org and identify the three main tool components.

.. note::

   A video walkthrough for this tutorial will be available on the Extended Matrix YouTube channel.

.. seealso::

   :doc:`Installing EM Tools <em-blender-tools-doc:tutorials/12-install-yed-blender>`