Category Archives: Quick Tips

Quick tips : Error copying to C:\Program Files\(x86)\…

Several people have asked why they can’t copy their backgrounds, logos, print layouts etc into their PhotoboothImages folder recently – they see an error similar to this:

Error copying to C:|Program Files (x86)\Breezesys…

This error happens because Windows 10, 8 and 7 all protect the Program Files (x86) folders from accidental or malicious damage to applications.

Please do not try to use C:\Program Files (x86)\Breezesys\DSLR Remote Pro\PhotoboothImages\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Breezesys\Webcam Photobooth\PhotoboothImages\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Breezesys\Hotfolder Prints\PhotoboothImages\ for your PhotoBoothImages folder.


Instead place your PhotoboothImages folder in your Documents folder  C:\Users\yourname\Documents\PhotoboothImages

Setting the locations of your PhotoBoothImages folder

DSLR Remote Pro

Location of PhotoBoothImages folder DSLR Remote Pro 3.13

Webcam Photobooth

Location of PhotoBoothImages folder Webcam Photobooth 2.4

Hotfolder Prints

Te equivalent to a PhotoBoothImages folder where you place print layouts and backgrounds etc in Hotfolder Prints is here:

Location of folder containing print layouts etc Hotfolder Prints 1.7

Thanks for taking the time to read this post.

Breeze Systems 2019

Creating events from scratch: Breeze Booth Event Editor 1.2

Breeze Booth features the most flexible and powerful interface designer of any iPad software on the market. Use the unique drag and drop Event Editor to create totally custom experiences, complex multi menu systems and engaging data surveys.

Note: Event Editor 1.3 was released on 17th July, and can be downloaded here

Sounds fantastic! Where do I start?

Start by running the new Event Creator in Event Editor 1.2. You can create custom working designs in just three simple steps.

This post runs through

  • downloading and installing Event Editor 1.2
  • creating events from scratch with the Creator
  • cloning existing events
  • transferring events to iOS 12 devices (iPads and iPhones)

Downloading and installing Event Editor 1.2

Create and edit events using Breeze Booth’s powerful Event Editor on any Windows PC running Windows 10, 8, or 7

Download Breeze Booth’s new Event Editor here

Already designed your own events?

When you download Event Editor 1.2, you will also download the latest release of Breeze Hub and the five sample events provided with Breeze Booth. That’s great for beginners.

If you already have event designs you want to keep, we suggest unchecking the box Copy sample events to your Documents folder so that no changes are made to your events folder.

Uncheck Copy sample events … if you don’t want your existing events folder changed

Create your first event

Open the Event Editor and select Create event..

Three step Event creator creates working events for any iPad or iPhone *  using the new Chameleon theme designed by Wilkes Booth Co:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Once the Creator has built a new event you can transfer it to your devices or use the Event Editor to make further changes.

Cloning existing events

You don’t need to build all your events from scratch. Save yourself time and effort by right clicking on an existing event to clone it:

You can also import complete Breeze Booth events created elsewhere using the Import Event… button.

Right click on any event to clone it (Breeze Booth Event Editor 1.2)

Cloning the sample events

You are welcome to use the sample events we provide with Breeze Booth at live events. To make these events your own, clone them and edit the cloned copy of the event. (You will then have an easy way to start again from the original event.)

Transferring your new event to your iPads and iPhones

Once your design is complete you need to transfer it to your iPads and iPhones.

The simplest way to transfer events to your devices uses Dropbox .  Advanced users may prefer to transfer events via your own website

Take it further

This post scratches the surface of what you can achieve with Breeze Booth. Take a look at the Props and Filters and Surveys sample events for more ideas.

Go ahead – make it yours, make it your clients. Breeze Booth can be re-skinned to make it look like your very own photo booth software. Deploy remote and unattended iPads without fear of clients knowing what software you use. Learn more in the Breeze Booth help files

Summary

We have learned how to use the Creator to build events from scratch, and how to clone these and other events. I have linked to a separate post Syncing Events with Dropbox which demonstrates the simplest way to transfer your events to iPads or iPhones.

Is there a free trial?

You don’t need to buy a license to create events for Breeze Booth . Just download and install Breeze Booth Event Editor 1.2 onto a Windows PC. You can try out Breeze Booth and companion Apps Event Editor and Breeze Hub free of charge.

* Devices must run iOS 12. At time of writing (May 2019) Breeze Booth supports iPad Pro 11 and iPhone X series and well as iPads with 4:3 screens and iPhones with 16:9 screens

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Please share it with others who may find it useful.

Sue

Breeze Systems 2019

Mirror and Pop Art filters in DSLR Remote Pro

Pop Art and mirror effects are a doddle in DSLR Remote Pro. Set up  your booth as usual, copy PhotoboothcreativeFilter.dll into your PhotoboothImages folder, then select the filter you want to use. That’s it!

DSLR Remote Pro 3.13 ships with ten creative filters and six Instagram style filters as standard. This post explains how to use mirror, Pop Art and other filters in still photos, slideshow and boomerang (burst) GIFs.

This post was updated on 2 September 2021 to add a link to the profile tutorial which explains how to build a menu. Use menus to offer guests a choice of filters.

Set up a basic booth

I ran the Photo Booth Setup wizard to create a working booth, and shared slideshow GIFs instead of the print layout.

Copy PhotoboothcreativeFilter.dll into your PhotoboothImages folder

Copy PhotoboothcreativeFilter.dll from your installation folder (usually C:\Program Files (x86)\BreezeSys\DSLR Remote Pro) into your PhotoboothImages folder

Copying PhotoboothcreativeFilter.dll from C:\Program Files (x86)\BreezeSys\DSLR Remote Pro

 

Just paste PhotoboothcreativeFilter.dll into your PhotoboothImages folder

Connect your camera and choose a filter

Start the booth and DSLR Remote Pro will display the default filter (color negative).

Color negative filter (Breeze DSLR Remote Pro 3.13)

Type Ctrl+Shift+C to display the setup page and choose one of the mirror filters:

Drop down list of creative filters. DSLR Remote Pro 3.13 introduces mirroring and an ‘off’ setting.

 

Selecting one of the creative filters in DSLR Remote Pro

You are away! Here are a few examples of mirroring, Pop Art and Posterized effects:

Left/right mirroring

Left/right mirroring GIF in DSLR Remote Pro (new in Breeze DSLR Remote Pro 3.13)

Top/bottom mirroring

Square images on a square print with top/bottom mirroring (new in Breeze DSLR Remote Pro 3.13)

Two by two mosaic

Create multiple reflections with the two by two mosaic filter (DSLR Remote Pro 3.13)

Pop Art

Breeze gives total control over Pop Art effect colors. This print layout fills a square 6 x 6 print with 4 square images

 

Pop art effect slideshow GIF (Breeze DSLR Remote Pro 3.13)

Posterize

Posterize effect in slideshow GIF (Breeze DSLR Remote Pro)

Switch between filters or turn them off

Type Ctrl+Shift+C on the Ready screen to switch to a different filter or turn them off completely.

Advanced users can offer guests a menu of filters using profiles. This is beyond the scope of this post.

Boomerang (aka burst) GIFs

Set up filters for boomerang GIFs in exactly the same way as for still photos/slideshow GIFs. Guests see the effect of each filter as they pose, not just on their prints and GIFs:

Creative filters work with both photos and boomerang GIFs

Save the current filter for future use

The current filter is automatically saved* for the Photobooth Images folder you are using. When you next load this Photobooth Images folder into DSLR Remote Pro, it will automatically run the same filter.

*Filter settings are saved in the program registry for each Photobooth Images folder.

Where the outputs are stored

Screenshot of subfolders containing outputs from the booth

DSLR Remote Pro gives you a lot of control over where your images are stored. This can be really useful when you want to use a watch folder to share, display or upload images from the booth.   This post explains where DSLR Remote Pro usually places different types of images.

Mirroring filters in portrait

If you shoot in portrait the top/bottom and left/right filters are swapped. The two by two mosaic works but ‘swap top halves’ is not designed for portrait orientation.

Want to know more?

For more details see the DSLR Remote Pro help files.

Add “Instagram style” and custom filters to Webcam Photobooth

Use mirrors and other filters in Breeze Booth (for iPads and iPhones)

Try DSLR Remote Pro 3.13 for yourself

DSLR Remote Pro 3.13 is a free upgrade for all registered users who purchased DSLR Remote Pro after 14th April 2018. Customers with older licenses need to buy an upgrade license to use this release.

Download DSLR Remote Pro Buy DSLR Remote Pro

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Do share the post with others who may find it useful.

Breeze Systems 2019

Magic mirrors: shooting boomerang (burst) GIFs without live view

Mirror booths usually do not display the camera’s live view because guests see themselves pose in the mirror.

Breeze DSLR Remote Pro’s support for bespoke interfaces and custom menus makes it a great choice for magic mirrors and photo booths. You can hide the live view whether you are offering still photos, GIFs, slow mo or video booth:

Fusion Booth running DSLR Remote Pro with choice of boomerang GIF, slow motion or photos (Image courtesy of Incredible Booth)

To capture still photos without displaying the live view simply switch it off in Advanced Settings.

Live view unchecked to hide the live view when capturing still images (Breeze DSLR Remote Pro 3.12)

This is great when you want to make slideshow GIFs from a set of still photos.

Breeze boomerang GIFs are captured from the camera’s live view, so when live view is switched off you cannot shoot boomerang GIFs.

Hide the live view

Mirror booth users and others who want to shoot boomerang GIFs without showing the live view need to hide it. There is a simple trick to this – move the live view so that it is no longer displayed on screen. If your screen is 1080 x 1920 pixels, offset the live view by more than this  (In this example I have offset by 2000 pixels in both directions):

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Guests will still see the countdown but not the live view. Magic!

More tips for mirror booths

Breeze DSLR Remote Pro software

Breeze DSLR Remote Pro powers photo booths and mirror booths worldwide. Licenses cost just US $275* each and include one year’s free upgrades. This post shows screenshots from Breeze DSLR Remote Pro 3.12

This Windows based App runs as a fully functional trial for up to 14 days supporting most Canon DSLR cameras and Canon’s mirrorless M50.

Download DSLR Remote Pro and try for yourself

Breeze Systems have no responsibility for the content of external sites

*Price valid for 30 days from 8th April 2019, and exclude any tax due

© Breeze Systems 2019

Why won’t it work?#*! I’m sure the filename is right …

You will often need to add or edit the files in your PhotoboothImages folder when you customize the screens in your booth or mirror. Most of you know that you must name the files you add correctly so that DSLR Remote Pro and other Breeze programs can find them.
If you are sure the filename is right but the program doesn’t seem to see it, check the filename extension.

It is very easy to name a file 1.jpg.jpg by mistake, and Windows makes this hard to spot, because Windows File explorer doesn’t show the extension (.jpg or .avi etc) unless you tell it to.

In this post I will show you how to spot errors more easily:

Always display file name extensions

The first example shows an Icons view of the images for a basic booth set up with the Wizard. I find this visual overview very helpful. If you look at the filenames (highlighted in red) you will see that the .jpg file name extensions are missing:

Typical icon view of PhotoboothImages folder. Windows has hidden the file extensions

The View tab shows you that the File name extensions box is not checked:

Checking this box will reveal the .jpg extensions:

When File name extensions is checked, the .jpg etc extensions are shown

Fascinating – but why does this matter?

If you accidentally name the a file 1.jpg.jpg instead of just 1.jpg it will be very clear when you look at this window:

Here the first image has accidentally been named 1.jpg.jpg

If you cannot see these file extensions this is much easier to miss:

1.jpg.jpg is labelled 1.jpg – very easy to miss!

If you look at the Details view of the same folder this is what you will see:

Again 1.jpg.jpg is labelled 1.jpg
When you force Windows to show the file extension my mistake jumps out

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Do share the post with others who may find it useful.

© Breeze Systems 2019

Getting started – Customizing Breeze print layouts

This video introduces the Breeze Print Layout Editor, and shows simple ways to customize your prints without Photoshop or other image editors.

DSLR Remote Pro, Webcam Photobooth and Hotfolder Prints all include a simple but powerful drag and drop print editor which you can use to customize your prints.

Note: This post was updated in September 2019 for the latest releases of Hotfolder Prints 1.8, and Webcam Photobooth 1.5.

If you are new to DSLR Remote Pro or Webcam Photobooth, first run the Photo booth Setup Wizard.  This creates all the screens for a basic working system. It also creates print layouts with a plain white background. The video demonstrates

  • How to change the background color of your prints
  • How to add logos and other graphic icons to your prints (DSLR Remote Pro 3.12, Hotfolder Prints 1.8 and Webcam Photobooth 1.5)
  • How to add simple captions
  • how to use Breeze tokens to show the correct date on prints
  • How to use Breeze tokens to automatically add the event name to prints (DSLR Remote Pro 3.12 andHotfolder Prints 1.8 only)
  • How to import pre-designed layouts
  • How to add a QR code

Notes

The video is intended to give you a taste of the Print Layout Editor. See the program help files for more details

Using tokens

Find a great video introduction to using tokens with Breeze here

There are minor differences in the way tokens work in these three programs:

  • {eventName} and {dateLess8h} are new in Hotfolder Prints 1.8
  • {eventName} is not yet supported in Webcam Photobooth
  • DSLR Remote Pro Print Layout Editor displays the current value of tokens
  • Hotfolder Prints and Webcam Photobooth Print Layout Editors display the token names in the print layout editor

Importing pre-designed layouts into Breeze

Learn more about using layouts I used in the video here .These free templates were kindly provided by SMOVE for use by Breeze customers.

NB: Logos are not saved in the Photobooth Print Layout (pblt file) in this release. To use both predesigned layout and logos, you need to import the layout before adding the logos to your design.

Try for yourself

Download copies of DSLR Remote Pro, Hotfolder Prints and Webcam Photobooth from our website

If you found this post useful please share it with others.

© Breeze Systems 2018

Aargh! My booth has forgotten it’s settings

It’s great to hear that many more of you are using profiles. One common problem we come across runs something like this

I have been using profiles to do [… wonderful things I could never offer before]. Today I am running a different event, but whenever I start the program/each group of guests finish their session it goes back to the old settings. What is wrong?

When you use profiles you may have checked the boxes to load default profiles at start up/ after each session / when the program starts. You need to uncheck these boxes when you no longer want to use these proflies.

When you don’t want to use profiles for an event follow these steps:

DSLR Remote Pro

1. Start DSLR Remote Pro and select Advanced Settings

2.Go to the Profiles setting screen

3.Default loaded at startup and after each shooting sequence should be set to None

4. Load default profile when launching DSLR Remote Pro should be unchecked.

5&6.Remember to save your changes in both the Profiles screen and Advanced Settings

Webcam Photobooth

Click on File then Profiles settings to access the Profiles screen (Breeze Webcam Photobooth 2.4)

1.Start Webcam Photobooth and select Profile Settings…

Controlling whether profiles are loaded automatically in Breeze Webcam Photobooth 2.4

2.Set Default profile loaded at startup and after each shooting sequence to None

3.Click on OK to save your changes

Learn more about profiles

Getting started with profiles blog post

Using profiles with tokens

More on using profiles in DSLR Remote Pro

More on using profiles in Webcam Photobooth

 

7 Steps to Simple Booth Operation

How to make life easier for your booth attendants, and protect the  settings you don’t want changed in 7 simple steps.

  1. Start the booth as soon as DSLR Remote Pro is started
  2. Hide the camera controls on the main screen
  3. Hide or reveal the large Photobooth Shortcut buttons
  4. Choose which Photobooth Shortcut buttons are shown on the main screen
  5. Change the wording of the Photobooth shortcut buttons
  6. Password protect or lockdown the Advanced Settings and Photobooth Setup Wizard
  7. Create your own shortcut buttons to run specific profiles

This post has been written for DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1.

Start the booth when DSLR Remote Pro is started and the camera connected

To start the Photobooth running as soon as DSLR Remote Pro is started and the camera connected and switched on, select Advanced Settings then check the box Start full screen photobooth automatically ….

Advanced settings screen showing how to start the booth automatically DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
Starting the photobooth when the camera is connected DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1

Hide the camera controls on the main screen

DSLR Remote Pro allows you to control the camera from your PC. You can find these settings on the left of the main screen (highlighted in green below).

Shows DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1 main screen with camera settings highlighted
DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1 main screen with camera settings highlighted

To hide these settings select View then uncheck Show Camera Controls:

How to hide the camera controls in DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
To hide the camera controls at the left of the screen select View then uncheck Show Camera Controls (DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1)

The main screen will no longer show the camera settings:

Shows main screen of DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1 with camera controls hidden
Main screen DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1 with camera controls hidden

Hide or reveal the large Photobooth Shortcut buttons

The large buttons at the top of the main screen (highlighted in green below) are called Photobooth Shortcut buttons. They are quick ways to control your booth.

Showing Photobooth Shortcut buttons DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1 main screen
Default Photobooth Shortcut buttons DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1

To hide or reveal these buttons select View then check or uncheck Photobooth Shortcuts

Shows how to hide or reveal Photobooth Shortcut buttons DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
To hide or show the Photobooth Shortcut buttons at the top of the screen select View then (un)check Photobooth Shortcuts (DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1)

Shows DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1 main screen with Photobooth Shortcut buttons and camera controls hidden
Main screen with both Photobooth Shortcut buttons and camera controls hidden DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1

Choose which Photobooth Shortcut buttons are shown on the main screen

If necessary show the Photobooth Shortcut buttons as above.

Select View then Photobooth Shortcuts Settings to see the Photobooth Shortcut Setp Screen

Shows the Photobooth Shortcut Setting window DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
Photobooth Shortcut Setting window DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1

The standard buttons are highlighted in green above. Check or uncheck any of these buttons to change the Shortcut buttons on the main screen. In this example the operator will only see buttons to start the booth and access the Print Layout Editor (which lets them make changes to the Print Layout)

Shows DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1 main screen with 2 Photobooth Shortcut buttons
Photobooth Shortcut buttons limited to 2 choices DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1

You can display any combination of the following standard Shortcut buttons in DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1

  • Printer Setup
  • Edit QR code
  • Photobooth Setup Wizard
  • Print Layout
  • Advanced Settings
  • Event Info
  • Videobooth Settings
  • Reprint Photobooth Photo
  • Start Photobooth
  • Take Test Photo
  • Camera Settings

The default set of five buttons are shown in red in this list.

Change the wording of the Photobooth Shortcut buttons (great for localization)

Select View then Photobooth Shortcuts Settings to see the Photobooth Shortcut Setp Screen.

Shows the DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1 Photobooth Shortcut Buttons scree
Photobooth Shortcut Buttons screen DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1. Shows where to change the text and size of buttons.

1. Edit the text of any button; here Start Photobooth has been changed to Go!

2. You can also change the size of the buttons

3. Press OK to save the new settings before leaving this screen.

DLSR Remote Pro 3.8.1 main screen with customized Shortcut Buttons.
Main screen with customized Shortcut Buttons. Start Photobooth has been changed to Go! DLSR Remote Pro 3.8.1

Password protect or lockdown the settings

You can prevent unauthorized access to the Advanced Settings and Photobooth Setup Wizard using Lockdown.

Select view then Lockdown mode..

Shows how to access Lockdown mode in DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
Setting Lockdown mode in DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1

Enter a password and press OK to save it.

Entering password to protect Lockdown mode DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
Lockdown mode is protected with a password

Lockdown prevents unauthorised access to the Advanced Settings and Photobooth Setup Wizard. Operators will still be able to alter the print layout if necessary during an event.

Note: The lockdown password can be reset if necessary. Contact support@breezesys.com for details.

Create your own Shortcut buttons to run specific profiles

Profiles are a powerful tool in Breeze software; they are often used to offer guests choices. You can also use profiles to give the operator a menu of common ways to set the booth up, which are tailored to your business model. Profile 1 might be a basic booth with simple prints; Profile 2 a choice of prints or animated GIFs, Profile 3 prints and GIFs with social sharing. See this post for an introduction to profiles

This section explains how to link profiles you have already created to Shortcut buttons. It does not explain how to create profiles.

Select View then Photobooth Shortcuts Settings to return to the Photobooth Shortcut Setup Screen

Shows DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1 Photobooth Shortcut Buttons Setup screen showing profiles with profiles highlighted
Photobooth Shortcut Buttons Setup screen showing profiles. DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1

Check the buttons for each profile you want to use (1), and customise the text for each button (2).

When you have finished, press OK (3) to return to the main screen.

The new buttons for each profile are shown highlighted in green.

Download DSLR Remote Pro to try for yourself.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you found it helpful; please share the post with others.

Copyright Breeze Systems Ltd 2018.