Installing Snapshot is easy .

1. Plug in the special keyboard with the foot pedal into the keyboard port of your computer . The connector is a PS2 style and should work with most computers.  If you have one of older style AT keyboard connectors you will need an adapter . Any AT to PS2 type adapter will work . If you can't find one locally give us a call we keep them in stock.
2. Install the software by simply inserting the Snapshot program  floppy disk in your disk drive and then copy the Snapshot program to the hard drive where you want it that's all there is to it. If you like you can drag a shortcut out on to  your desktop area. Now you are ready to set up Snapshot. If you like you can copy this folder with the documentation as well.

Setting Up Snapshot

First start Snapshot by double clicking on it icon.

SNAPSHOT MAIN WINDOW

Once Snapshot is running you want to click on the setting button.

SNAPSHOT SETTINGS WINDOW

1.  First you want to assign the Video and Audio directories. If you know the directory path simply type it into the assigned field . Remember to assign the Video directory to you Videodrive array . The do the same with the audio directory.  If you click on the three periods next to the directory field you can select the directories using the mouse.
2. Next select the Audio Device you are using to capture audio for the Toaster.
3. Select the Audio Format  I recommend 44.1 kHz, 16 bit, stereo
4. Now select the Video Standard. NTSC or PAL
Finally you can select the capture mode . For now select Record Audio and Video for the next step of calibrating the Audio to  Video recording . Now close the settings window.

Audio to Video Calibration

Calibration Window

1. Open the Calibrate window.
2. Make sure the Calibration Factor is 0
3. Close the calibration window.
4. Enter Calibrate  in the file name window .
5. Now hit the record pedal . The software should start recording. You want to record between 5 and 20 minutes of reference video and audio,  The longer the clip the better the calibration. For the best results record someone clapping hands or tapping a pencil on a table toward the end of the clip. Hit the pedal agin to stop recording .
6. Close out Snapshot and load up Speed Razor. 
7. Now load the clip you just recorded and place it in the time line.
8. Set up Speed Razor timeline preferences to show Frames .
6. Scrub the timeline till you come to the place with the clapping or tapping . Zoom in on the timeline down to one frame and move the timeline cursor to the frame of video with the tap or clap.
7.Write the Frame number as Frames Captured .
8.Now locate the frame where sound for the tap or clap is located. Write the frame number down as Audio peak.
9. Subtract the Frams captured from the audio peak and  write it down the as frames adjusted . You might find it easier to turn on the waveform for the audio clip and look for the peak.
10. Once you get the calibration numbers Close Speed Razor and reload Snapshot
11. Reopen the calibrate window . Enter the total number of frames recorded in the frames captured window and the Frames adjusted  in the Frames adjusted  window and  hit the calculate buttom. This gives you the calibration factor . After this you should be able to record audio and video in sync. If you find that that this is not working with your audio card  let us know .

Pedal & Keyboard Functions

The main function of the pedal is to keep your hands free to operate the camera , copy stand or clay model . Each time you hit the pedal you trigger a function depending on which mode your working in. The F12 Key on the Keyboard preforms the same function.
If you have the 2 pedal version the second pedal  is the undo's pedal  . You can also undo by hitting the F11 key
The F10 Key is to stop recording . It would be used to signal the end of recording a series of frames to one RTV file . This would be how you'd tell the program your done doing a stop motion sequence. Hitting  the stop button on the snapshot screen preforms the same function.

Using Snapshot

Snapshot  will automatically increment the filenames of the clips as you capture them . This is very useful for capturing large numbers of clips. Look at the Snapshot interface . In the file name field you enter the base name of the series. Then enter a starting frame number . If you have auto sequence selected everytime you press the pedal a new clip is captured and the sequence # is incremented . It is recommended that you start with 100 or 1000 . This way  clips will load in alphanurmic order into Speed Razor. This can be handy if you capture you pictures in the order you will use them.
There are 5 modes of capture in Snapshot
You  select the recording mode in the settings window . 
1. Record Video - This Mode records moving video without audio. This mode is a great way to record moving video shots. For instance if you want to pan or zoom across a picture you would use this mode. In this mode the pedal toggles record on/off . Hit the pedal and recording starts Hit it again and recording stops . The next time you hit the pedal the file name is incremented and the process is repeated
2. Record Audio and Video - This mode works the same as Record Video  except it records  video with audio using the the calibrated audio function. This is a great way to record AV Clips without sync problems. The Pedal functions the same as in mode 1 .
3. Record Frame capture to one RTV File. In this mode the frames are recorded to a single RTV file. This mode would be used to do stop motion animation . In this mode each time you hit the  pedal  a new frame is added to the current file. This Process continues until you hit the stop button or hit the F10 Key after which the file name is incremented and a new RTV file is created.
4. Record frame capture to RTV Series . In this mode each frame is saves as an individual RTV file. This mode is used to capture a series still pictures for use in a photo montage. Each time you hit the pedal a frame is captured and the file name is incremented
5. Time Lapse mode . This mode records a series of frames to a single RTV file over time. It also allow you to vary the frame rate from beginning to the end of the  capture. You enter the recording rate in frames per hour. Notice the calculate button. This opens up a second window that will convert frames / minute or frames /second to frames /hour.  Let us know sone of the intersteing uses you find for this one.

Step by Step Capture Picture Turtorial

Before you start you will need a camera connected to the input of teh Toaster . Make sure all input setting are correct. These setting are configured in VT Director . you can also open a toaster vision input window if you like.
Now you can start.
1. Goto to the Snapshot settings windows and Select -  Record frame capture to RTV Series
2. Enter the correct path to the directory where you want the pictures stored.
3. Close the settings Panel
4. Enter A Base Name in the File Name Field
5. Enter the  starting number of the series . I would recommend 100 or 1000 . This way you pictures will stay in the correct order as they are grabbed.
6. Now set the picture up on the Copy stand . Frame and focus the camera . When you statified with the shot press the foot pedal then release. Yoir pciture is digitized.
7. Now repeat step 6 for as many pictures as you want to grab.

Step by Step Stop Motion Animation Turtorial

Stop Motion works allot like grabbing pictures except you would use the - Record Frame capture to one RTV File  mode instead
1. Goto to the Snapshot settings windows and Select -  Record frame capture to RTV file
2. Enter the correct path to the directory where you want the animation stored.
3. Close the settings Panel
4. Enter A Base Name in the File Name Field
5. Enter the  starting number of the series .
6. Frame and focus the camera
7. Now position the model  . When your ready to record a frame hit the pedal . One frame of your animation has just been recorded. 
8. Now repeat step 7 for as many frames of the animation as you want to grab.
10 . When your done hit the F10 key to close the animation File and your done.

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