Second Life Forums Archive - Help! Anyone Know Anything About Snapzpro?

clare Haiku

Registered User

Join date: 19 Jan 2009

Posts: 1

01-19-2009 06:46

Hi I am a newcomer to Machinima but have been asked to make one for a live event in SL in February. I'm using Snapzpro as my motion capture tool but everytime I select the area to capture the final captured image always shows the toolbar at the top of the Second Life screen. Its very frustrating as in the preview its showing that the tool-bar isn't there. How do I avoid the toolbar showing in future????

Also, whats the best frame rate and movie settings to capture the images/movie on? I feel like I've been thrown in the deep end here and though I have tried various frame rates I can still only capture a short bit of footage at any one time. Would someone be able to advise as its getting really frustrating!!!

Thanks

Clare

Pyewacket Bellman

Nitwacket

Join date: 14 Oct 2006

Posts: 49

01-19-2009 13:51

A good place to start is the SL machinima wiki at http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Machinima -which will lead you to Torley's site at http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Movie_help
Invaluable is Thinkerer's site at http://www.thinkerer.org/VideoTech/VidtechCamEd.htm.

You'll find instructions there for turning off the UI.

Happy homework!

_____________________

MacGhost

AWM Mars

Scarey Dude :¬)

Join date: 10 Apr 2004

Posts: 3,398

01-19-2009 17:46

Hi Clare, haven't used Snapzpro, seems a Mac only programme, that would be why.

Regarding frame rates, I would suggest you aim for 25fps. In some situations, less can work, but you may get limited output formats. If you capture at 15fps, it will not output well to TV formats, as it will involve either 'tweening' or speeded up motion.

Personaly, I use HyperCam for its dynamic screen zone capturing function (its a Windows only programme), at 25fps. If you suffer too many dropped frames, you may consider this could be due to the storage device used. I use a RAID SATA II setup for capturing, which is on different controllers to the IDE channels hosting the OS and SL. You could also explore using a ram disc. USB devices will be too slow to keep up. At the resolutions I capture at, I can be storing somewhere between 10-50mbps of raw uncompressed data.

If you use a codec at capture stage, you will degrade the raw data, but will allow a greater data storage rate, providing its not to heavy on CPU cycles to operate the codec.

You can reduce the toolbar by closing the chat toolbar and the lower toolbar in the Veiw menu. This will leave you with a slimmer client border to deal with at editing stage where you can crop it out. Set yourself to busy will reduce the text chat on screen. Ctrl+Alt+F1 removes all bar the window frame on my system, but ppls have said it doesn't always work for them, another reason I prefer the screen capture dynamic window in HyperCam so I can choose the format that I capture at.

Unfortunately there is no one answer to suit everyones needs, so you will have to research, what works best for you and your system.

_____________________

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Toxic Menges

Time Lady

Join date: 4 Jul 2007

Posts: 206

01-20-2009 16:12

clare IM me in inworld.. I use SnapZpro, and you ask a few q's that need a lengthyish explanation

_____________________

I'm bumping you to an 8.3. You obviously have a strong sense of self and you are very much in control of your sensual side. You're the kind of girl that guys are willing to beat each other senseless over, just hoping for a few moments of attention from you. Congratulations and shame on you. you are a slut in the very best possible meaning of the word!

Trout Re-Certified

Satvva Constantine

Registered User

Join date: 25 Jan 2009

Posts: 5

SnapzPro

01-25-2009 13:54

SnapzPro is pretty good Clare, just make sure you have the right size/aspect ratio chosen, depending on what you will output to.

I shot some minor footage and an interview using 24fps (you can choose any fps) and an aspect ratio of 1080 to 720 or approx.

You have to choose the area to record carefully with that square border and make sure it doesn't include the toolbar. I seem to be fine recording the area I have selected with it.
Make sure you have "fixed camera" selected, in the menu, or try changing those settings to do with the camera...Some experimentation is needed.

Cheers

Help! Anyone Know Anything About Snapzpro?
clare Haiku Registered User Join date: 19 Jan 2009 Posts: 1	01-19-2009 06:46 Hi I am a newcomer to Machinima but have been asked to make one for a live event in SL in February. I'm using Snapzpro as my motion capture tool but everytime I select the area to capture the final captured image always shows the toolbar at the top of the Second Life screen. Its very frustrating as in the preview its showing that the tool-bar isn't there. How do I avoid the toolbar showing in future???? Also, whats the best frame rate and movie settings to capture the images/movie on? I feel like I've been thrown in the deep end here and though I have tried various frame rates I can still only capture a short bit of footage at any one time. Would someone be able to advise as its getting really frustrating!!! Thanks Clare
Pyewacket Bellman Nitwacket Join date: 14 Oct 2006 Posts: 49	01-19-2009 13:51 A good place to start is the SL machinima wiki at http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Machinima -which will lead you to Torley's site at http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Movie_help Invaluable is Thinkerer's site at http://www.thinkerer.org/VideoTech/VidtechCamEd.htm. You'll find instructions there for turning off the UI. Happy homework! _____________________ MacGhost
AWM Mars Scarey Dude :¬) Join date: 10 Apr 2004 Posts: 3,398	01-19-2009 17:46 Hi Clare, haven't used Snapzpro, seems a Mac only programme, that would be why. Regarding frame rates, I would suggest you aim for 25fps. In some situations, less can work, but you may get limited output formats. If you capture at 15fps, it will not output well to TV formats, as it will involve either 'tweening' or speeded up motion. Personaly, I use HyperCam for its dynamic screen zone capturing function (its a Windows only programme), at 25fps. If you suffer too many dropped frames, you may consider this could be due to the storage device used. I use a RAID SATA II setup for capturing, which is on different controllers to the IDE channels hosting the OS and SL. You could also explore using a ram disc. USB devices will be too slow to keep up. At the resolutions I capture at, I can be storing somewhere between 10-50mbps of raw uncompressed data. If you use a codec at capture stage, you will degrade the raw data, but will allow a greater data storage rate, providing its not to heavy on CPU cycles to operate the codec. You can reduce the toolbar by closing the chat toolbar and the lower toolbar in the Veiw menu. This will leave you with a slimmer client border to deal with at editing stage where you can crop it out. Set yourself to busy will reduce the text chat on screen. Ctrl+Alt+F1 removes all bar the window frame on my system, but ppls have said it doesn't always work for them, another reason I prefer the screen capture dynamic window in HyperCam so I can choose the format that I capture at. Unfortunately there is no one answer to suit everyones needs, so you will have to research, what works best for you and your system. _____________________ * Politeness is priceless when received, cost nothing to own or give, yet many cannot afford - Why do you only see typo's AFTER you have clicked submit? http://www.wba-advertising.com http://www.nex-core-mm.com http://www.eml-entertainments.com http://www.v-innovate.com
Toxic Menges Time Lady Join date: 4 Jul 2007 Posts: 206	01-20-2009 16:12 clare IM me in inworld.. I use SnapZpro, and you ask a few q's that need a lengthyish explanation _____________________ I'm bumping you to an 8.3. You obviously have a strong sense of self and you are very much in control of your sensual side. You're the kind of girl that guys are willing to beat each other senseless over, just hoping for a few moments of attention from you. Congratulations and shame on you. you are a slut in the very best possible meaning of the word! Trout Re-Certified
Satvva Constantine Registered User Join date: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 5	SnapzPro 01-25-2009 13:54 SnapzPro is pretty good Clare, just make sure you have the right size/aspect ratio chosen, depending on what you will output to. I shot some minor footage and an interview using 24fps (you can choose any fps) and an aspect ratio of 1080 to 720 or approx. You have to choose the area to record carefully with that square border and make sure it doesn't include the toolbar. I seem to be fine recording the area I have selected with it. Make sure you have "fixed camera" selected, in the menu, or try changing those settings to do with the camera...Some experimentation is needed. Cheers

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Help! Anyone Know Anything About Snapzpro?