foolcontrol - power fool DSMC camera control

[Mikael Lubtchansky]

Hello all

NAB is over, so as promised, foolcontrol pre-release try out version is available for download.

Get it from the webpage : foolcolor.net/foolcontrol

It works with GIG-E cable or REDLINK bridge connection.

Demo version should let you try the app for 5 minutes or so then lock you out for 15 minutes, then you can try it again etc

I'll add more info on this page in the coming days but have to take my plane back from Vegas in few hours...

Feedback, bug report or feature request can either be sent to this thread or directly by email.

Have fun playing with it and thanks for those who already purchased a license during NAB.

It runs on Mac OS X 10.8 and up with a REDLINK bridge module or a lemo to CAT5E GIG-E cable (REDstore cable link)

You will need to set up the connection on camera and computer so they are on the same network before you can connect (Ad-Hoc or infrastructure for wifi. DHCP or manually + enabling External Control for gig-e).
(see bottom of webpage for detailed connection setups)

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This pre-release version lacks a few features that I will be quickly adding in the coming weeks.
If your computer is connected to the internet while launching the app (and not always directly to the REDlink ad-hoc network) check in the lower right if a new version is available for download.

Upcoming features :

- auto-update
- camera audio input and output levels
- zebra
- auto exposure tools
- save in / out points in playback mode
- more parameters logged into activity report
- proxy recording using video input in record and playback
- full and partial lock of the UI to avoid any accidental setting change
- integration of more USB devices support (tangent element 12 knobs panel,...)

and :
- some multi cam support
- whatever else you may suggest

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You will need a BlackMagic DeckLink or UltraStudio (like the TB mini recorder) to use the foolscreen features (video preview, snapshots, still image overlay). May add AJA support later.

Check the '?' at top right of main window for keyboard shortcuts.
No manual yet but everything should be easy do understand...
Do not hesitate to click on any text to reveal local menus or activate / reset buttons...

Get in touch if you have a USB controller like the Griffin PowerMate (basically you can map the rotation to left right arrow keys for focus, or up/down arrows for aperture, and assign press to Z for magnify or press and hold to R for record toggle)

The app hasn't been tested on too many OS X configurations so please contact me if you run into an issue with it or have any question.

Hope you'll like the app and send some feedback

 

[Phil Holland]

This was really a treat to see in person Mikael. I think everybody was really impressed by the features. That little USB focus knob you had setup was pretty cool too. I can see a lot of applications for something like this. I'm also seeing a lot of potential to where this and REDLINK can come in real handy for MOCO shoots.

 

[George Tsai]

Any chance in the near future for a windows version? pretty please?

 

[Dr. Sassi]

Hey Mikael, it looks great.

You mentioned "...- whatever else you may suggest": For iPad or Mac -- Is there an option to have parameters animated. Such as focus (e.g., EF lenses). I imagine it in the following way, one presses the record button and the parameters start to change (linear or ease/ease).

If there is an option to sync that to the actual frames, is there an option to write out a little list (001,parameter1; 002, parameter2; etc)? Or just a record of the change while sliding the finger over the iPad.

The list can be read into, e.g., Cinema 4D, and from there any animation could be in sync with the compositing later on. A rack focus is not simple to match manually (eyeballing), especially not while under a deadline, this would help a lot.

I certainly will consider such option, if given, to integrate into my training over at Cineversity.com

Anyway, good luck with the growing support of these great apps for us ;o)

 

[Mikael Lubtchansky]

App is Not for iPad yet it is mac only. And sorry I am not a windows guy and would have no clue making a PC app. I am just a camera person fooling around with Xcode...
Thanks Dr Sassi for all the suggestions, lots of things are possible but some may take more time to be production ready. On my way back to Paris now but will log those into my lists of potential stuff for future evolutions...

 

[Maz Mawlawi]

Mike,

Your demo at NAB was great. Many were impressed and excited by what you have accomplished. An iPad would be perfect especially if you had focus control for electronic lenses. Imagine having full camera control including focus and iris just by using an iPad mini...this would totally replace the redmote....

 

[Mikael Lubtchansky]

Thanks Maz

Let me finish the mac release and I'll start looking into iOS... Was thinking of some mini apps for the script girl, the director or the AC. Apps that would simply run on an iPhone and possibly get some non tactile control using for example griffin's upcoming bluetooth control wheel :
http://store.griffintechnology.com/powermate-bluetooth

Foolcontrol itself runs on OS X only for now but offers more than what an iOS based app could support like SDI video preview etc. I designed the main window so it could be run from an 11' mac book air... Not iPad mini sized but quite a small machine to have on set (As a DIT or single camera shooter I always have a mac with me if only to copy footage on set)

 

[Paul J Steinberg]

iOS seems a better fit, especially for the AC's. Many folk (myself included) find the Redmote totally worthless. Giving the AC's the control the Redmote promised but on their iOS or Android would be a huge help.

 

[Terry VerHaar]

Mikael - I am downloading the trial version to check it out. I have ordered the RED Bridge and am excited about the potential. Small question - if we start with the Scarlet version, is there an upgrade path when we move to Epic or Dragon?

Thanks.

 

[Mikael Lubtchansky]

Of course, just contact me by email.

If your camera gets upgraded from SCARLET to EPIC = pay the difference and get a locked license for your new camera.
If your camera gets repaired or if your EPIC gets DRAGONized and the PIN number changed = free new license regenerated.
If you started with a cam locked license and wish to move to the unlimited one = we will also find a way to upgrade your license.

 

[Mikael Lubtchansky]

version 0.952 released : first update to foolcontrol with full Motion Mount support (mode setting, ND value setting in stops, ND density or fraction, and also displaying relative ISO value)

And here is a first video of foolcontrol in action for those who missed the live demos in RED booth at NAB 2014….

http://vimeo.com/foolcolor/foolcontrol01

- showing new motion mount control (on some old PL glass so no focus/iris control in this video).
- also showing some generic stuff like enable magnify, recording, updating slate metadata and shutting down.

I will post more videos soon showing more features like lens control, playback control and new features I’m still working on.

You can try out the app for free if you already have the ethernet/lemo cable or REDLINK bridge module.

 

[dino g]

Mikael:

You are just an amazing technologist. We are very lucky to have you as part of our community. Thank you for killing it 24/7. It was a real pleasure meeting you in person and I am very glad that things are working out. We have Joe Steel to thank from London who hooked us up in the first place...thanks Joe. Safe Travels Mikael. Hope to see you again soon and thanks again for the unreal app.

 

[Terry VerHaar]

Of course, just contact me by email.

If your camera gets upgraded from SCARLET to EPIC = pay the difference and get a locked license for your new camera.
If your camera gets repaired or if your EPIC gets DRAGONized and the PIN number changed = free new license regenerated.
If you started with a cam locked license and wish to move to the unlimited one = we will also find a way to upgrade your license.

Thanks very much for the info.

And I realize I can't really work with the demo until I get my REDlink Bridge. Duh. :smiley:

 

[Jeff Garton]

Looks great Mikael. I'm on board for sure. Quick question. Can you reprogram the user keys from this interface or just activate what is currently mapped?

 

[Mikael Lubtchansky]

Hello

At the moment we cannot remap keys thru the protocol yet... But as soon as we can you can be certain I'll roll out a foolcontrol update...

Most of the usual actions are accessible directly in the interface tho...

And you can still use RED key mapper app to set key presets today in a quick way.

 

[Jeff Garton]

Thanks Mikael. I was not even aware that Key Mapper existed. That beats using the Camera interface for sure. It's a good start. My REDlink should be here monday, looking forward to using your program - thanks!

 

[Mikael Lubtchansky]

advanced preset store / recall ...

advanced preset store / recall ...

foolcontrol version 0.953 is live

new advanced preset store/recall feature : quickly save and apply any camera parameter or set of parameters (including project settings, look, color space, HDR, MM, metadata, fan modes, and many more)

check this screencast for a quick overview of the new preset panel in action (+ a few other features) :

[video=vimeo; 92693275]http://vimeo.com/92693275[/video]

http://vimeo.com/foolcolor/foolcontrol02

Thanks to the early adopters who bought the app already and stay tuned for more cool stuff coming soon…

 

[Jonas Rejman]

Genius is an understatement on this.
Thank you.

 

[Mikael Lubtchansky]

Genius is an understatement on this.
Thank you.

Thanks Jonas, but no one is a genius (or at least not me)... just a LOT of work and passion blended into this app.

 

[Marcos Montenegro]

Mikael:

Are you planning to have a WIN version anytime soon?