Simple Spyder Preset Recall App for Windows 7 and 8

Back at NAB this year, Vista used a Microsoft Surface PRO device as a free-standing touch screen running a custom application to recall Spyder command keys.  A number of people asked about obtaining a copy of this interface during the show, citing it’s ease of use and simple functionality as a common use case that can be found across several environments.  I worked on this application in my free time leading up to the show, and as it stands this isn’t something that will be formally productized.  It’s a great application for what it does, and as such, I’m making this application available here for those who want it.

Quick screenshot of the preset recall app in action

Quick screenshot of the preset recall app in action

Now for the quick description:  this is a full-screen desktop application which leverages the Windows 8 Metro design philosophy for a modern look.  The app auto-discovers Spyder servers on the network and allows them to be selected in a drop-down (top-right of the screen).  Upon selecting a server, it’s command key pages and associated command keys are displayed.  The command key buttons are greatly oversized, optimizing them for touch-screen scenarios.  A single press of these buttons will recall the program cue of it’s associated command key, and active command key buttons will be displayed in red (take a look at the screenshot above).

If you have any questions or issues getting running, feel free to post a message on the blog here.  It takes zero configuration to get running (other than getting your client PC on the same subnet as a Spyder), and as of this writing has no known issues.  Give it a spin, enjoy, and let me know what you think!

Download the Spyder Preset Recall Application Now

Note:  This application requires the installation of the Microsoft .Net 4.5 Framework

4 thoughts on “Simple Spyder Preset Recall App for Windows 7 and 8

    1. dsmithson Post author

      You know, I had played with a couple variants of using those buttons to allow preview recall as well. Couldn’t quite get it dialed in, but I liked an approach where the button had a subtle split and pressing the bottom half would recall preview. I think there certainly is enough size in the buttons for it to work. Also was trying to get a pair of cue forward / back buttons worked into the bottom of the screen, but it ended up looking too cluttered and so I bagged it as well. Time permitting, I might take another whack at these items though if the app proves to be useful to people.

      Reply
  1. David Brooks

    I’m trying to download the Spyder Preset Recall Application but it just takes me to the image of the 3 shapes and titles overlays.

    Reply
    1. dsmithson Post author

      Hi David, some of the links were apparently scrambled when I moved the site hosting over to Windows Azure a while back. I’ve updated the link on the site, and you should be able to download it now. Thanks for the interest!

      Reply

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