Multi-Camera Academy

Greetings everyone! My name is Peyton Vincent with CEG Interactive, an award-winning company that specializes in photo booth rental in San Diego as well as specialty photo activations nationwide. I first started using Breeze Systems software in 2007 with our very first portable photo booth. Back in those days, we were renting photo booths for weddings and parties but as we expanded our offerings, our clientbase grew to include concert tours, conventions, and sporting events nationwide.

While the majority of our jobs have relied on DSLR Remote Pro over the years, we found our niche by being photo booth technologists and innovators that wanted to constantly find new ways to re-invent the photo booth. We also regularly use Hotfolder Prints, Breeze Viewer, Webcam Photo Booth, Breeze Kiosk, and last but not least, Breeze Multi-Camera.

I have been invited by Chris and Sue to write some helpful features that are focused mostly around that last one which goes by a bunch of different names. See how many you recognize!

  • 3D Photo Booth
  • Bullet Time Photo Booth (inspired by the iconic scenes of “Neo” dodging bullets during the climax of “The Matrix” back in 1999.
  • Multi-Camera Array (or just “Array”)
  • 180 Photo Booth
  • 360 Photo Booth
  • And more I’m sure!
“Neo” dodging bullets in “The Matrix”

What is a Multi-Camera Photo Booth?

Other than the obvious, a multi-camera array photo booth consists of a system of interconnected cameras that are usually defined as follows:

  • Rigidly-attached to a curved structure that keeps them from shifting
  • Aimed at a central point or axis
  • Evenly-spaced so that the animation effect shifts between the cameras at a constant speed
  • DSLR cameras and lenses are of the same make/model/focal length. Breeze Multi-Camera is designed to tether exclusively with Canon DSLRs. However, with some custom work, it’s probably possible to use the animator program with image file sets captured by cameras of a different make.
  • Each camera is fired in either a “chase” where there’s a specified delay between each angle which creates a “virtual dolly” and/or slow motion bullet time effect OR they are all fired at the exact same instant to create a true “time freeze” effect.

I’m a visual guy (which is probably why I’m a photo booth nerd instead of a writer) so lets move on to the fun stuff…photo examples! I will end this first article with a multi-camera comparison guide that shows you how the number of cameras, type of backdrop, triggering method, etc can create a wide variety of different effects.

2 Camera “3D Photo Booth”

3D Photo Booth CEG Interactive
Event guests showing off their stylish 3D glasses and 3D photo prints!
Full color traditional photo prints as well as anaglyphic prints that can be viewed in 3D with the red/blue 3D glasses.

6 Camera Array Photo Booth

6 camera array with printed 10×10 tension fabric backdrop
6 camera photo booth with a 10×14 printed backdrop

7 Camera – Super Wide Angle

6 camera array using Canon EF-S 10-18mm Super Wide Angle Lenses.
This was a test shot and we ended up fine tuning calibration before the event began.

6 Camera – Green Screen Array

12 Camera Array – 3D Light Painting

12 Camera Array

We used two 9×9 black sequin backdrops for this shoot.

12 Camera Array – Green Screen

3D green screen confetti plus hand-tossed white confetti!

12 Camera Array – Creative Set

12 Camera Array – Green Screen with 3D artwork

12 Camera time slice effect with custom 3D graphics for concert photo activation

18 Camera Array – 180 Photo Booth

18 Camera Array – Time Delay Trigger “Virtual Dolly” Effect

Please stay tuned for our next feature were we cover more topics like hardware component selection, software settings, system design, and more! In the meantime, check out our website more information about the multi-camera photo booth services that we offer to our customers at CEG Interactive.

Extra Breeze iPad Master class at Photo Booth Expo 2019 – Monday at 3pm!

Latest: Additional iPad class on Monday 25th February at 3pm – book now!

Book your place at Introducing Breeze Booth for iPad on Monday at 3pm (The password is PBX)

I have reserved places for the folks on the iPad waiting list for this class – please drop me an email and confirm whether you would like to take them up.

Chris and Steve are running two Breeze Master Classes at Photo Booth Expo this year –  Introducing Breeze Booth for iPad, and Interface design for DSLR Remote Pro and Multi-Camera. Tickets are free to PBX Key Pass holders. The original classes have been fully booked for some time.

Both will also give  Keynote presentations at PBX. Steve will open on Sunday at 12 with What I’ve Learned From Doing 1000 Events A Year.  Chris will cover Choosing the Right Camera for your Booth on Tuesday  at 9am. You don’t need to book for Keynote presentations, which  are open to all PBX Key Pass holders.

Introducing Breeze Booth for iPad

Monday 25th February 11-12.30 & 3-4.30 Steve Bliesner & Chris Breeze

Get the low down on the latest Breeze App from Steve Bliesner (Breeze Brand Ambassador and Photo Booth Guys) and Chris Breeze (Breeze founder and developer).

Book your place at Introducing Breeze Booth for iPad (The password is PBX)

If you can no longer use your ticket, please email sales@breezesys.com so that I can give it to someone else. Thank you.

As most of you know, Chris is founder and developer in chief at Breeze. Steve Bliesner is our Breeze Brand Ambassador as well as running the Photo Booth Guys and Wilkes Photobooth. Steve’s Breeze class at BoothCon 2019 was standing room only; we expect both the PBX classes to be packed.

This is the fifth Year of Photo Booth Expo, the world’s largest Photo Booth Show. It’s a great chance to catch up with you all as well as showing the latest Breeze offerings at our booth. See you soon.

Sue & Chris

© Breeze Systems 2019

Syncing events with Dropbox – Breeze Booth for iPad

How to use Dropbox to transfer new and updated events from the Event Editor 1.2 (on a Windows PC) to your iPads. This post includes a trouble shooting section.

June 2020: This post has been replaced by a website tutorial here

June 2019: Post updated to clarify that events can be saved straight to Dropbox

May 2019: Some images and text in this post have been updated to reflect the latest releases of the Breeze Booth App and Event Editor 1.2

Introduction

When you download Breeze Booth from the App Store, you are prompted to sync (ie download) sample events from Breeze servers at https://bb4ipad/com/sync 

When you create your own events you also need to transfer them to your devices. The simplest way to do this is to use Dropbox. This post explains how to set up Dropbox on each iPad (or iPhone) and download events using Dropbox.

Note: Breeze Booth now supports both iPads and iPhones running iOS12. References to iPads in this post also refer to iPhones.

Setting up Dropbox on your iPad

  • Install the official Dropbox app on your iPad (this can be downloaded from the Apple App Store).
  • Select Sign in to Dropbox in Breeze Booth for iPad’s app settings and authorize the app. This will create a “Breeze Booth for iPad” folder in your Dropbox “Apps” folder.

Copy the events on your PC to your Dropbox folder

Once you have set up Dropbox for Breeze Booth you need to copy your folder of events into the correct Dropbox folder to transfer them to the iPad.

Copy the events folder from C:\Users\yourname\Documents\Breeze Booth for iPad

Copying the whole events folder

to C:\Users\yourname\Dropbox\Apps\Breeze Booth for iPad

Dropbox folder structure for events

Note: When you sync the events using Dropbox on your iPad, the program will look for this folder. You must name it correctly, or the App will not find your events.

Note to advanced users: You can use tokens including {eventName} in your Dropbox folder naming. This post does not cover this.

Saving events straight to Dropbox

Once the initial set of events have been copied to Dropbox, you can either save new and updated events directly into Dropbox, or continue using an intermediate folder and manually copy them. Saving events straight to Dropbox is simpler and faster.

 To direct the Event Editor to load and save events in Dropbox, select File then Open, navigate to C:\Users\…\Dropbox\Apps\Breeze Booth for iPad\events  and open events.xml

To point the Event Editor to your Dropbox events folder, click on File then Open, navigate to C:\Users\…\Dropbox\Apps\Breeze Booth for iPad\events  and open events.xml

When you return to the main Event Editor screen note that the folder name at the top has changed:

 

Event Editor 1.2 main screen with folder highlighted

You will be prompted to save your changes before closing the Event Editor

Breeze Booth EventEditor prompts you to save any changes before closing the program

Tell Breeze Booth for iPad to sync events using Dropbox

As there are several ways to sync events, you need to tell your iPad which to choose. In Breeze Booth for iPad go to Settings and select the Sync via Dropbox.

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Import the latest version of your events into Breeze Booth for iPad from Dropbox

You can choose whether to update (‘sync’) all your events at the same time, or update a single event. Updating all events is the best way to check everything on the iPad is up to date, but may be slower than updating a single event (especially if you have a poor Internet connection).

You can also update the event list before updating individual events.

Get an updated list of events

Update list of events button (Breeze Booth Events screen)

Get the latest version of all your events

Update all events button (Breeze Booth Events screen)

Get the latest version of a single event

Once the event(s) have been updated, you are ready to run them

Concerned about guests getting access to your Dropbox files from the iPad?

Advanced users: Signing into the Dropbox App on an iPad and signing Breeze Booth for iPad into your Dropbox account are not the same. Once your events are set up correctly, you can secure your Dropbox account by:

either signing out from the Dropbox App and keeping Breeze Booth for iPad signed into Dropbox

or Deleting the Dropbox App from the iPad

Only delete the Dropbox App from the iPad when Breeze Booth for iPad is signed in to DropBox. If you sign Breeze Booth for iPad out from Dropbox, you  will need to reinstall the official Dropbox app before signing back in again.

You can also set an exit password to keep guests from accessing the Breeze Booth for iPad settings page

 Using an exit password to keep sticky fingered guests from  the Breeze Booth for iPad settings page

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Keep life simple when syncing with Dropbox

  • Do name your folders correctly
  • Do not uninstall Breeze Booth for iPad from your iPads
  • Do not delete the Breeze Booth for iPad folder in Dropbox

Stuck? Getting out of trouble

 

iPad App can’t find my new/updated events

Path not found errors occur when the App cannot find the event files. Causes:

  • Dropbox has not finished syncing the files to the iPad
  • Dropbox folders or files are not named correctly
Path not found: Event cannot be synced because of a folder or file naming error

Motr

Error: not logged into Dropbox occurs if Breeze Booth for iPad is not signed into Dropbox

Unable to sync event because not logged into Dropbox

Check the iPad settings screen:

More places to find help

Breeze Booth for iPad has detailed help files online

If you can’t find an answer in the help files, feel free to email support@breezesys.com or post in the Breeze User group on Facebook

Summary

This post explained how to transfer new and updated events from a PC to Breeze Booth for iPad using Dropbox. You will need a Dropbox account and an Internet connection for this to work.

 

 

© Breeze Systems 2019

Build your own iPad events with Event Editor 1.1

Update June 2020: This post is out of date. Please see Getting started with Breeze Booth for iPad

This post explains how to create and edit your own  events for Breeze Booth for iPad using the Breeze Booth Event Editor 1.1 on a Windows PC, and covers

  • what’s new in this release
  • first steps : how to download, install and run the Event Editor on your PC
  • loading events into the event editor
  • cloning an event as a start point for a custom design
  • portrait and landscape events
  • editing an event
  • transferring events to your iPad(s)

Breeze Booth Event Editor v1.1 works with Breeze Booth for iPad beta build 25, and was released on February 16th, 2019

Introduction

The Breeze Booth Event Editor is a powerful Windows based program which can be used to create and edit events for Breeze Booth for iPad.

Do join the beta program and explore Breeze Booth for iPad before using the editor. Play with ‘Designer‘ (the first event) to get a feel for what you can achieve with Breeze Booth for iPad.

New in this release…

Easier editing – you will find it much simpler to load events into the Editor, copy them and save your work.

  • Simpler cloning of events
  • Ability to import events from elsewhere
  • Improved event format
  • Simpler manifest regeneration

Chris has also added the ability to set up both initial and default profiles for an event, & load profiles from menu 1 or menu 2

Download and install Breeze Booth Event Editor & sample events

Event Editor runs on a Windows 10, 8 or 7 computer. Download it from here.

You will also automatically download Breeze Hub and the designs  for nine  sample events. When you install the event  editor, these events will automatically be saved in your Documents folder C:\Users\…\Documents\Breeze Booth for iPad\events

The Breeze Booth Event Editor installer has created this folder of sample events. C:\Users\sue\Documents\Breeze Booth for iPad\events

There is a sub-folder for each sample  event, and a file called events.xml which you need to open in the Event Editor:

Run Breeze Booth Event Editor

Start the Event Editor, and select Open.

Starting Breeze Booth Event Editor 1.1 for the first time

Load the list of existing events by selecting events.xml in C:\Users\…\Documents\Breeze Booth for iPad\events

Select events.xml to load the list of events into Breeze Booth Event Editor

Initial list of sample events displayed in BBEE

List of sample events loaded into Breeze Booth Event Editor 1.1(This list was created from the events.xml file we opened)

The first event is called Designer and showcases many of the features included with Breeze Booth for iPad.  You are welcome to use this design (or parts of it) with Breeze Booth for iPad at your own events.

The remaining 8 events are much simpler. They are intended to help you create your own designs.

This post will show you how to copy one of these simple events (Photos with virtual props) and edit it for your own use.

Photos with virtual props takes one photo and shares it on a custom background. Guests choose between 3 virtual props. They can also choose whether to shoot in color, B&W, sepia, comic effect or using a filter. The photo can be shared by email .

Cloning ‘Photos with virtual props’

Right click on Photos with virtual props and select Clone Event…

Right click on an event to clone it

You can change the name, description and folder name of the new event:

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Editing an event

Portrait, landscape or both?

Breeze Booth for iPad lets guests switch between portrait and landscape orientation on the fly (great for roaming booths like the Ring Roamer).  My virtual props event can  be used in both portrait and landscape orientation, so has designs for both.

If you will always run an event in the same orientation, you don’t need to create both designs.

Open My virtual props

Select My virtual props… and check Edit event…

We will just edit the portrait version of My virtual props event today. Click on the portrait  Edit button:

This brings us to the Photo Booth Settings screen, where you can start to customize your design

Tabs on Photo Booth Settings screen (Breeze Both for iPad build 20)

The original Photos with virtual props takes one photo and shares it on a colored background with a custom logo. Guests choose between 3 virtual props. They can also choose whether to shoot in color, B&W, sepia, comic effect or using a filter. The photo can be shared by email .

We are going to change My virtual props event to

  • take 2 square photos
  • remove the branded background print layout
  • add a new background color, 2 logos* and a caption to the print layout
  • create a slideshow GIF from the 2 photos
  • customize the wording of the email
  • share the slideshow GIF instead of the print layout

*You can add up to 5 different png or jpg logos to each print layout in addition to the background and overlay. This is a simple way of branding a design for a particular event, and can also be used as a quick way to add an image of the bride and groom (taken earlier in the day) to wedding photo booths.

Photo Booth Settings Screen

The Photo Booth Settings Screen is displayed for the profile you selected.  It has 5 tabs : General, Photos, Slideshow GIFs, Burst GIFs, and Share. You can access powerful editors  to design your screens, prints and GIFs from these settings.

Photo Booth Settings – General tab

11) Change the aspect ratio of the photos to square

Breeze booth Event Editor Phoot Booth Settings General tab
Changing the photo aspect ratio to square (Breeze booth Event Editor)

You can find a full list of Breeze Booth for iPad screens here

Photo Booth Settings – Photos tab

12) Change the number of photos to 2

13) Change the countdown text color to black

14) Open the Print Layout Editor

Breeze Booth Event Editor Photo Booth Settings Photos tab
Changing the number of photos, color of countdown text and opening the Print Layout editor in Breeze Booth Event Editor

Print Layout Editor

Use the Print layout editor to customize your prints. In the slideshow below I will:

15) Remove the branded background

16) Add a new background color to the print

17) Change the printed photo to a square

18) Right click on the background to add the second photo

19) Resize and reposition the two photos

20) Add the two logos

21) Right click on the background to add a caption, then right click again to edit it

22) Save my changes

Note: You can add up to 5 different JPG or PNG logos to a print

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Photo Booth Settings – Slideshow GIFs tab

Check Create animated GIF,... to create an animated GIF from the two photos

Breeze Booth Event Editor Photo Booth Settings Slideshow GIFs tab
Creating a slideshow GIF from the photos

Photo Booth Settings – Share tab

23) Check Share slideshow first to share the GIF instead of a print layout

24) Open the slideshow email editor to customize the message

Breeze Botoh for iPad Photo Booth Settings Share tab
Telling Breeze Booth for iPad to share the slideshow GIF

 

Breeze Booth Event Editor altering email content
Breeze Booth Event Editor email editor for slideshow GIFs

Change the subject and email text. You can use Breeze tokens (25) in emails

Before you leave the event editor….

When you have finished editing the event, check OK to save all your changes.

Add an extra countdown GIF and sharing screen to the asset folder

The new event includes has two photos instead of one so we need a second countdown GIF 2.gif . We also need a screen called share_slideshow.jpg to share the new slideshow GIF.

I have copied the existing 1.gif and share.jpg screens to 2.gif and share_slideshow.jpg in C:\Users\sue\Documents\Breeze Booth for iPad\events\My virtual props event\portrait

Content of C:\Users\sue\Documents\Breeze Booth for iPad\events\My virtual props event\portrait
C:\Users\sue\Documents\Breeze Booth for iPad\events\My virtual props event\portrait showing 2.gif and share_slideshow.jpg

When you make any changes to this folder you must also go back to the Breeze Booth Event Editor, open the event and regenerate the manifests

Closing the Event Editor

If you make any changes to your events, the Event Editor will prompt you to save changes to your events.xml folder. It is important that you select Yes to save the changes you have made and update the manifest.

Copying events from a PC to your iPads

There are currently 3 ways to copy events from your PC to an iPad:

Method 1: Sync via Dropbox

This is covered in a separate post Syncing events with Dropbox

Method 2: Sync via a secure https web server

Upload the events folder to a folder on a web server, then go the to the settings screen in Breeze Booth for Ipad and edit the URL for the sync server to point to this folder. Then use the events screen in Breeze Booth for iPad to sync the events.
Important: This method can only be used with secure servers that have https e.g. https://breezesys.com. It will not work with http URLs.
Sample events are available by setting the sync server to https://bb4ipad.com/sync in the iPad’s app settings.

Method 3: Copy the files via iCloud

Copy the event folder to a folder on iCloud that is visible on the iPad. Then use the Files app to copy the files to Breeze Booth for iPad’s assets folder.

Printing your photos

You can print using AirPrint or Breeze Hub

Breeze Booth for iPad Settings screen
Using AirPrint to print directly from Breeze Booth for iPad

25) To print directly from the iPad connect up your printer ( which must support AirPrint) and choose Print using Airprint on the Breeze Booth for iPad Settings screen

26) To print using a Windows PC you need Breeze Hub.  Choose Connect to Breeze Hub on the Breeze Booth or iPad Settings screen

Summary

This post has taken you through downloading and installing both the Breeze Booth Event Editor and a set of sample events onto a Windows PC.  I have also shown how to create your own event based on one of the samples provided by Breeze, and outlined ways to transfer new and updated events to your iPads. Finally there are short notes about printing using Airprint and a Windows PC.

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

Thanks,

Sue

© Breeze Systems 2019