2018 is quickly becoming a whirlwind for Breeze, but one that we’re very excited about.
With new products in the pipeline and enhancements being made to existing products, we can’t wait to share our 2018 updates with you.
For now, we just wanted to mention that we’re currently going through a full visual rebrand with Dan, Glen & Spadge; the awesome team at Simple as Milk
What does this mean for our customers?
This rebrand means that you will soon start to see pieces of our new identity pop up here and there throughout our website, social media and at Photo Booth Expo.
Sneak preview of the new Breeze logo on our Photo Booth Expo backdrop – can’t wait to see it on the booth (923)
It will bring a much needed update to our visual brand, one which better reflects our identity as a company, our products, our technology and our future vision.
Check a single box in the Photobooth Setup Wizard to shoot and print square photos using Breeze DSLR Remote Pro 3.9.
Usually photo booth images are shot in ‘landscape’ mode; so that you can comfortably include several people in the shot. Sometimes we want to vary this.
Run the Photobooth Setup Wizard
Start DSLR Remote Pro and run the Photobooth Setup Wizard (1) to set up a basic booth, selecting a square live view (2) at Step 2. DSLR Remote Pro allows you to customize your booth setup without connecting the camera.
Selecting square live view using the Photobooth setup Wizard: DSLR Remote Pro 3.9.1
In this example I have chosen a single photo (3) at Step 3.
Photoboth Setup Wizard: selecting a single photo DSLR Remote Pro 3.9.1
Customize the print layout
Opening the Print Layout Editor DSLR Remote Pro 3.9.1
When you open the Print Layout Editor you will see that the print layout is square. Customize your print as usual.
Square Photo layout in Print Layout Editor DSLR Remote Pro 3.9.1
Start the photo booth
Select Start Photobooth to run the booth DSLR Remote Pro 3.9.1
The Photobooth Setup Wizard has cropped both the live view and print layout for you.
Default ready screen for square photo DSLR Remote Pro 391.jpg
Square photos can be combined with filters to give a pop art effect, or used singly for a ‘polaroid’ look.
Ready for more? You can also create round (or any other shape) photos using a live view overlay and print overlay. You will need to create these overlays in an image editor such as Photoshop. The DSLR Remote Pro help files explain how to customize screens and prints in more detail.
There are two main ways to import layouts into DSLR Remote Pro.
Drag and drop the template directly into DSLR Remote Pro (best for single templates).
Copy the templates into your template folder, then import each template into DSLR Remote Pro using the Print Layout Editor when you need it (more effective for collections of templates).
First set up your printer
If necessary, download and install the printer drivers to your computer.
This example will import a 6” x 4” (15cm x 10cm) print layout. Before you start you need to load the printer with 6” by 4“media and set it to 300dpi.
Put the print template(s) into an accessible folder
Whether you download print layouts from a third-party website or copy them from another computer they need to be kept in folder(s) accessible to your booth computer.
In this post I will copy the template into the template folder on my PC. You may prefer to store templates in Dropbox or another cloud-based system accessible to multiple booths.
Download the photo booth layout and open zipped files
In this example I am using a 6” x4” template with a 1 +3 layout.
Copy the zipped file to another folder to unzip it. I have copied the file to my templates folder Sue Photobooth Print Templates which is in the same directory as my PhotoboothImages Folder.
Start DSLR Remote Pro and run the Photobooth Setup Wizard
At Step 3
1. Check the printer is set correctly.
2. Choose the print layout closest to the template you are using
3. Click on <Finish>
If you look at the Print Layout Editor now you will see the default 1 + 3 print layout. (Cancel to leave the Layout Editor).
Drag and drop into DSLR Remote Pro
DSLR Remote Pro allows you to drag and drop a print layout into the main screen or into the Print Layout Editor
Drag and drop a print layout template into Breeze DSLR Remote Pro 3.9.1 main screenDrag and drop a print layout template into Breeze DSLR Remote Pro 3.9.1 Print Layout Editor (also works for Webcam Photbooth 2.4)
You will be asked to confirm whether you want to import the template:
Print Template import confirmation window DSLR Remote Pro 3.9.1
Select Yes and the Print Layout Editor will display the template you imported.
Customize and save the revised template
First save a backup copy of the original layout using Export Layout, then customize the layout to meet your needs.This post does not explain how to use the Print Layout Editor; you can find detailed instructions here. In this example I will change the caption.
Editing a caption in the Print Layout Editor DSLR Remote Pro 3.9.1
The changes are shown immediately in the Print Layout Editor.
When you have finished customising the print layout, export the template to save it.
Alternative: Use the Print Layout Editor to import templates
There is an alternative to dragging and dropping templates into DSLR Remote Pro. You can copy templates into a folder accessible to your booth, then import the template you need using the Import Layout (1) button in the Print Layout Editor.
Importing a layout into the Print Layout Editor DSLR Remote Pro 3.9.1 (also works with Webcam Photobooth 2.4)
(2) Select the folder containing your layout(s), and then the layout you want to import. (3) Click on OK to import the layout into the Print Layout Editor. You can edit and save the customized template as before.
Notes
Webcam Photobooth users need to select the “DSLR template compatibility” option at Step 3 of the Photobooth Setup Wizard to use templates designed for DSLR Remote Pro.
Selecting DSLR template compatiblity mode using the Setup Wizard in Webcam Photobooth 2.4 S
Zipped files: many templates are downloaded or copied as zipped (compressed) files, which need to be unzipped before they can be used. The example here uses a zipped file downloaded from the Breeze website.
Printer drivers: you may need to download and install drivers for your printer to the computer you are using.
Using a second computer to edit print layouts. You do not need to create and edit print layouts on the booth computer. Keep a copy of DSLR Remote Pro on an office computer to design, customize and edit your print layouts; export them from the program and either store them somewhere accessible to your booths, or copy the complete layouts to each booth computer.
Do you want to learn how to run Multi-Camera activations or become a DSLR Remote Pro Ninja? Chris is running two premium workshops at Photo Booth Expo 2018 this year. These are small classes with lots of opportunities for interaction and questions.
Please note an additional charge is made for premium workshops.
Multi-Camera Arrays Tuesday March 13 (9:00 – 10:30am)
Chris has a unparalled worldwide reputation in multi-camera arrays. DSLR Remote Pro Multi-Camera has been used in block buster movies, the video games industry and high-profile activations for more than 10 years. Multi-camera activations are increasingly popular at events, and attract premium prices.
The multi-camera workshop has just 20 places. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to learn from Chris
What you can do with a camera array
Five, fifteen or ninety five cameras?
Choosing equipment and triggering the cameras
Time it right – syncing with flash
How to create animated GIFs and MP4 movies from your images
PBPI delegates last month enthused about a pre-release version of the program. One even exclaimed “I’ve fallen in love with Breeze again”. I am delighted to announce the release of DSLR Remote Pro 3.9 on Valentine’s Day.
What’s new?
Improvements to the Photobooth Setup Wizard
Animated GIFs with soundtrack
Extra branding/ logo overlay for animated GIFs
Faster, higher quality green screen processing
Fix for issue with complex HTML emails
DSLR Remote Pro 3.9 supports most Canon DSLR cameras and runs on Windows 10, 8 and 7. This release is a free upgrade for all registered users who purchased a license on or after 15th February 2017. Customers with an older DSLR Remote Pro license (and any NKRemote license holder) can buy an upgrade license to use this release.
Photobooth Setup Wizard – a piece of cake with Breeze DSLR Remote Pro 3.9
Chris has improved the flow of the Wizard, making it a piece of cake to build a system offering guests choices (such as Photos or GIF), and run the booth with square or full screen live view as an alternative to normal landscape images.
New dropdown list to give guests choices (Photos/Boomerang GIF, Photos only, Boomerang GIFs only, Photo or video, Video only)
This drop down list is a super-fast way to set up the booth to offer guests choice (DSLR Remote Pro 3.9 Photobooth Setup Wizard Step 2)
New dropdown list to adjust live view
Live view drop down list – choose from normal, square and full screen (DSLR Remote Pro 3.9 Photobooth Setup Wizard Step 2)
Use the setup wizard to customize the live view. Changing the live view in the Wizard will automatically adjust the animated GIFs and prints created by DSLR Remote Pro 3.9.
New improved ready screen to choose from Photos or Animated GIFs
Check box for single ready screen (DSLR Remote Pro 3.9 Photobooth Setup Wizard Step 2)
Choose Photos or Boomerang GIFs and check Single ready screen so that guests start the booth and choose between still photos and boomerang GIFs from a single screen as here:
Ready screen generated by Photobooth Setup Wizard: choice of still photos or animated GIF, and full screen live view (DSLR Remote Pro 3.9 using simulated camera)
Shoot and share without printing
Running a ‘shoot and share’ booth with animated GIFs and no printing is increasingly popular. The DSLR Remote Pro 3.9 Wizard no longer asks you to select a printer when you offer only Boomerang GIFs or Video.
New animated GIFs with audio
You can now add an optional soundtrack to the MP4 copy of your animated GIFs. Learn more
Enhanced animated GIF branding with additional overlay
New: add a second overlay to animated GIFs with branding & logo. The additional overlay is an easy way to brand animated GIFs you have created yourself or sourced from third parties. Learn more
Greenscreen processing – higher quality and faster
Print higher quality green screened images more quickly. DSLR Remote Pro 3.9 green screen algorithms have been rewritten to be bothfaster and produce higher quality results. Greenscreen photobooth
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 ….
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).
DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1 main screen with camera settings highlighted
To hide these settings select View then uncheck Show Camera Controls:
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:
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.
Default Photobooth Shortcut buttons DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
To hide or reveal these buttons select View then check or uncheck Photobooth Shortcuts
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)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
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)
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.
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.
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..
Setting Lockdown mode in DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
Enter a password and press OK to save it.
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
PBPI starts this Sunday! Our bags are (almost) packed; Chris and I can’t wait for this amazing opportunity to learn more about the industry, and spend time with as many of you as possible.
Here’s a sneak preview of the breakout sessions Chris will be running at PBPI this year.
Monday 3:30pm – Breeze Systems Photo Booth Software
The first session will focus getting the most from DSLR Remote Pro; including
Chris has a unparalled worldwide reputation in multi-camera arrays. DSLR Remote Pro Multi-Camera has been used in block buster movies, the video games industry and high profile activations for more than 10 years. Learn from the man himself:
What you can do with a camera array
Five, fifteen or ninety five cameras?
Choosing equipment and triggering the cameras
Time it right – syncing with flash
How to create animated GIFs and MP4 movies from your images
Wednesday 2:45pm – Open Session
On the final afternoon Chris will run an Open Session covering topics raised by delegates at PBPI. Likely subjects include
Panoramic photo booth photos
Green screen
Sharing for camera arrays
Hashtag Monitoring
Worked examples
Automation and startup scripts
Find us at the Breeze table in Tech Alley & around the Academy.
The content of sessions may vary to meet the needs of those attending.
PS Just heard from Lisa that there is still time to join in – Enroll here!
Profiles Part 2 explains how to add interest with random profiles
Profiles Part 3 includes a troubleshooting guide and creating a ‘Choose or Surprise me menu
Happy New Year! This first post for 2018 explains how to use profiles to create a touchscreen menu of print layouts.
Breeze photo booth profiles are powerful building blocks you can use to customize your booths to offer guests choices such as print layouts and green screen backgrounds; or add an element of surprise such as random comments in a magic mirror booth.
This blog post has been written for DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1.
At Step 1 choose ‘1 large photo with 3 smaller ones below’
At Step 2 name the folder your images will be stored 1+3
At Step 3 make any other changes you need before selecting Finish
To customise the print or load predesigned layouts choose Print Layout. As you leave this screen you will be prompted to Save print settings to the default profile. Choose No.
Select the large ‘Advanced Settings’ button then, Save.
You will be asked whether to save the printer settings as well as the photo booth settings:
Saving photo booth settings (1) DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
Take care to save the settings in the correct folder; here …\PhotoboothImages\1+3\settings.xml . You are updating the settings saved by the Photobooth Wizard; so choose Yes when asked whether to replace settings.xml :
Saving photo booth settings (2). Overwriting the settings saved by the Photobooth Setup Wizard DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
Press OK to leave the Photobooth settings screen. Before moving on select Start Photobooth and check this layout works as you expect.
Run the photobooth setup wizard for a single photo layout
Now repeat the process for the second option on your menu, the single photo. Run the Photobooth Setup Wizard again.
At Step 1 choose ‘Single Photo’
At Step 2 name the folder your images will be stored single
At Step 3 make any other changes you need before selecting Finish
Customise the print using the Print Layout Editor and make any other changes you need.
Select the large ‘Advanced Settings’ button then Save. Take care to save the settings in the correct folder; here …\PhotoboothImages\single\settings.xml
When you have saved your settings Press OK to leave the Photobooth settings screen. Before moving on select Start Photobooth and check this layout works as you expect.
Tip: During this process you need to keep saving your updated settings. Take care to check you are saving them in the correct folder each time.
Run the photo booth setup wizard to create the menu
At Step 1 choose ‘Single Photo’ or any other option
At Step 2 name the folder Menu
Remove the live view from your menu screen
1. Select the large ‘Advanced Settings’ button and remove the live view by uncheckingEnable live view.
2. Select Save and update …\PhotoboothImages\Menu\settings.xml
Removing live view from menu and saving the settings: Photobooth Settings Screen DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
Create profiles for the menu and each option
Next create three profiles: one each for the menu, 1+3 print layout, and single print layout. The menu profile needs to be loaded each time the photo booth is started; and after each guest session finishes:
3. Stay in the Photobooth Settings screen and select the Profiles… button. This takes you to the Photobooth Profiles screen.
Defining profiles for the menu and each option: DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
4. Set Profile 1 to C:\Users\sue\Documents\PhotoboothImages\menu\settings.xml
5. Set Profile 2 to C:\Users\sue\Documents\PhotoboothImages\1+3\ settings.xml
6. Set Profile 3 to C:\Users\sue\Documents\PhotoboothImages\single\settings.xml
7. Set Default profile loaded at startup and after each shooting sequence to Profile 1. This will display your menu each time the photo booth is started; and after each guest session finishes.
8. Click on OK to leave the profiles screen
9. If you want to be able to use this set of profiles again; save them using the Save Profiles button. I have called the profiles xml file demoprofiles.xml and saved this in my menu folder : …\PhotoboothImages\menu\demoprofiles.xml
Create a new menu screen
Use an image editor to create a new jpg image containing icons for the 2 print layouts. This should be the same size as the screens generated by the wizard. Replace the original ready.jpg screen in PhotoboothImages\Menu with this image.
Photobooth ready.jpg screen: menu offers choice of print layouts. DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
Link the menu screen to each menu option using profiles
If necessary start DSLR Remote Pro and select Advanced Settings to Load your menu (…\PhotoboothImages\menu\settings.xml).
Start the booth to check that your new menu screen is displayed; then <Esc> to return to the main DSLR Remote Pro screen.
10. Select Advanced Settings; and select the Settings button for the touchscreen
Touchscreen Settings Screen DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
Tip: Touchscreen actions. The Touchscreen settings screen allows you to choose what action the program takes when a guest touches different parts of the screen. These are called touchscreen actions.
11. Select Show/edit touchscreen areas to display a copy of the screen layout showing the ‘Touchscreen actions’ currently enabled. Each action and the part of the screen affected is shown like this
Touchscreen Actions for menu screen before changes DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
First remove the actions you no longer need
Remove each action you no longer need from the screen (here Photo Start, Photo Select Color mode, Photo Select B&W mode) by right clicking on the action and choosing Delete Action..
Deleting the Photo Start Touchscreen action from the new menu screen. DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
Then add the new actions
Move the mouse over your 1+3 icon and right click; then choose Add Action.
Right click to add a new touchscreen action to the screen DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
Choose Profile 2 from the drop-down list.
Selecting the required action from the drop down list. DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
Click on OK. Move and resize the red dotted action box to cover your icon.
Resizing the touchscreen action box to cover the icon. DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1
Repeat for your single photo icon; choosing Profile 3.
Optional: Add a hidden button to the main menu to exit Full screen photobooth mode
Adding a hidden action
You may also wish to add a secret or hidden button to exit the full screen photo booth.
Position the mouse roughly where you want the hidden button (usually a corner of the screen so the operator can find it easily). Right click, choose Add action and then Exit Fullscreen photobooth from the drop down list. Resize and position the red dotted action box as before.
Adding a touchscreen action for a hidden button
Right click the mouse on an unused part of the screen and choose Exit from the list. You will be prompted to save your edited settings – select Yes to return to the touchscreen settings screen.
Saving the new tocuhscreen actions for the menu screen. DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1.
Add a password to stop guests using the hidden button. Save the changes you have made by choosing OK on the touchscreen Settings Screen:
Adding a password to the hidden option to exit the photo booth. DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1.
When you leave this screen you will return to the Photobooth Settings screen. Press Save and save the changes you have made to …\PhotoboothImages\Menu\settings.xml as before.
You now have a menu offering a choice of print layouts. The final stage is to add a mechanism for guests to return to the menu from each option screen. You need to add an exit button to each option.
Add an exit button to each option so that guests can return to the main menu
Tip: if you are using the predesigned sets of buttons (such as those provided with DSLR Remote Pro 3.8 and later releases) you may want to use one of these as your back button. They are usually kept in sub-directories at C:>Program Files(x86)>Breezesys>DSLR Remote Pro>wizard as shown here
Tradewind Blue button set used in this example ( kindly provided by Wilkes Photobooth Co http://wilkesbooth.co/breeze-themes). Included with DLSR Remote Pro 3.8.
Use an image editor to edit the ready.jpg image containing icons for the 2 print layouts. These should be the same size as the screens generated by the wizard.
Add a back button to the 1+3 ready.jpg screen
Use an image editor to edit the …\PhotoboothImages\1+3 \ready.jpg image. The final image should be the same size as the screens generated by the wizard. Replace the original ready.jpg screen in …\PhotoboothImages\1+3 with this image.
Updated ready.jpg for 1+3 print layout includes a back button. DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1. (This screen was created using an image editor outside DSLR Remote Pro.)
Start DSLR Remote Pro, choose Advanced Settings and select Load. To load the settings for your 1+3 layout; select …\PhotoboothImages\1+3\settings.xml
Stay on the Photobooth Settings screen, select the Touchscreen Settings button and then Show/Edit touchscreen areas to display the Touchscreen Actions for the 1+3 ready screen:
Move the mouse to your new back icon and right click to add an action for this icon. Select Add Action as before, then Select Profile 1 from the drop down list. (Profile 1 is the menu profile we set up earlier.)
Adding a touchscreen action to go back to the main menu using Profile 1. DSLR Remote Pro 3.8.1.
Exit and save your updated settings to …\PhotoboothImages\1+3\settings.xml. Click OK to leave the touchscreen settings screen and return to Photobooth Settings. Press Save and update …\PhotoboothImages\1+3\settings.xml before hitting OK to return to the main screen.
Add a back button to the single photo ready.jpg screen
Repeat the steps above for the second print layout. To load the settings for your single print layout; select …\PhotoboothImages\single\settings.xml and save them to the same directory and file when you finish.
Start the photo booth and check everything works correctly
Check that the booth operates as you expect for both options, returning to the main menu ready for the next guests.
Find yourself a drink and take a well earned break
Congratulations – you have learnt how to use one of the most important features of DSLR Remote Pro. You can use the same method to create other menus (and sub menus if you wish).
Want to know more?
Note: This section was updated on February 17th and July 11th 2018.
PBPI starts one month today in Dallas. Have you booked your place yet?
The Academy focuses on business and technical education for Photo Booth Industry professionals. It is also a lot of fun!
Chris will give presentations on both photo booth shooting and multi-camera rigs; there will be plenty of opportunities to learn more about Breeze software and to talk in more detail than is practical at a trade show.
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