Hey there,

Looking for ideas for the cheapest options for hardware that can be an external trigger for cues in Isadora.

For more context, this project functions like a haunted house with lots of projectors in lots of spaces. I've been asked to explore solutions where actors can trigger some cues themselves from hardware inside the rooms. This probably means that something wireless is best (while the computers are far away, the network is strong). 

I don't know if something like those wireless page turners are best? Anyone have experience with something like this before?

Best,

Rory

I put an enterscene + timer + comparator + Jump++ on my first scene and I guess I made a settings error because it skips to scene 2 immediately whenever I go to the scene, and i can't get into scene 1 to fix it. I tried reloading the program and everything but it zips to scene 2.  Then I paused the engine Output->Pause Engine, but in that mode you can't change scenes so I can't get to scene 1.

How do I fix this?  Need to run a show tonight hopefully someone can give me a quick fix out of this trap.

We didn't make any changes to this as far as I am aware that would affect the ability to copy and paste between two patches that are open in the same version of Isadora. The closest thing I can find to a change is from the release notes of Isadora 4.0.0 that says:

"NEW: Run Multiple Instances of Isadora on Windows
You can now run multiple instances of Isadora on Windows! (This was already possible on macOS.)"

@gaspar said:

On Isadora 3 I could open two instances and copy parts of older patches into my new ones, or even copy whole scenes. At least in my case I'm unable to do so on Isadora 4. I'm running Isadora on two different systems: One on windows 10 and the other on windows 11. None of them allow copying between patches.

Try opening two files within the same instance.

Also, to copy between two instances of Isadora, they'd have to be the same version of Isadora. (So if one instance is Isadora 4.0.0 and one instance is 4.1.3 that won't work, but both being Isadora 4.0.0 or both being 4.1.3 would work.)

@aikia

I am not familiar with the Sony, but I use the Canon equivalent as a live camera in my work.

The little HDMI connections are a pain! I have a cheap Smallrig Cage on my camera. Attached to the cage are a cable clamp and a Smallrig converter which converts the microHDMI on my Canon into full size HDMI. The cable clamp makes sure the microHDMI cable doesn't get pulled out, and also protects the fragile socket. So I don't need to worry about the cable loosening or getting inadvertently pulled out, and I can attach a full size HDMI cable to the camera.


Like @bonemap I use a DJI Ronin Gimbal which allows me to fine tune the position of the camera remotely using the phone app. There has been lots of work done on other ways of remotely controlling the gimbal, using wired Ethernet connections or a Gamepad. I often mount my cameras above the stage, so it's great to be able to have this control and to be able to finesse camera positions from down on the ground, not up a ladder :-)

@gaspar

I am able to copy and paste between open patches in Isadora 4 in both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

I can copy and paste a selection of actors, or complete scenes, between two open Isadora files.

I wonder why I can and why you can't... I am using Isadora 4.1.3 

Hi there,

I guess I'm not alone in the "recycling patch bits" when creating new ones.

On Isadora 3 I could open two instances and copy parts of older patches into my new ones, or even copy whole scenes. At least in my case I'm unable to do so on Isadora 4. I'm running Isadora on two different systems: One on windows 10 and the other on windows 11. None of them allow copying between patches.

I would love to have this feature back.

Thanks

[STAFF NOTE: For future readers, we wanted to clarify that this feature was never removed. On Windows you can open two files within the same instance and copy and paste Actors and Controls between them. To copy between two instances of Isadora, they have to be the same version of Isadora. (So if one instance is Isadora 4.0.0 and one instance is 4.1.3 that won't work, but both being Isadora 4.0.0 or both being 4.1.3 would work.)]

@bonemap

thanks

@aikia

The cable lock is worth using if you can get the cables to fit. I use power zoom lenses with my Sony A7 for video work. You can also use APS-C lenses when shooting video with Sony full frame A7 cameras - there are some great value wide angle lenses. Otherwise the the full frame G Master lenses can be very expensive.

I used my Sony with a DJI Ronin gimbal - this allowed a whole range of camera motion options when hand held or with the gimbal mounted on a tripod.

Best wishes

Russell 

@bonemap

Thanks!

True about cable length. also I don’t trust too much the HDMI mini camera plug (I have somewhere the removable part that kind of secures all cables getting into camera, could be wise to use it).  I guess I’ll keep it close to my setup as much as possible.

What lens were you using/how did you place it, if I may ask…? 

I’m sure nowadays there is better options for on-stage live feed camera, and easier to operate. And to tour with!

 But I already own the sony and I’m trying to avoid buying new gear each time :/

@aikia

Hi,

 Have used a setup similar to yours - with a Sony 7RII and BM mini recorder. However, it was a few years ago now. The limitations I remember are having only short cable lengths and using a very specific setting in BM desktop video. I didn’t have a dummy battery and charged the camera through its usb port which worked to extend battery time a bit longer. The dummy battery is a good option. I don’t recall being able to stop the camera going into standby mode. It was also a camera model limited to 29 minutes of continuous recording. 

Best wishes

Russell