Echo Fire Previewing with Photoshop CS2

Echo Fire Previewing with Photoshop CS2

Article Number
320103
Last Edited
7/3/06

Keywords
echo fire, photoshop cs2, preview

Platforms/Versions

Echo Fire 2.1 on Mac OS X and Windows XP when used with Adobe Photoshop CS2.

Problem #1

Echo Fire previews via FireWire/DV do not function properly under Photoshop CS2.

This problem exists because Photoshop always opens the FireWire/DV connection, denying Echo Fire access to it. Photoshop offers no option to turn off this feature. The Photoshop manual somewhat defensively states that Photoshop does not lock the FireWire connection, although it actually does lock it whenever Photoshop is the active application.

Note that this problem does not affect Echo Fire when it is outputting previews via devices other than FireWire such as a Blackmagic DeckLink card (Macintosh only).

Solution

The workaround to this problem is to remove Photoshop's video previewing plug-in so that Echo Fire can be used. To do this, drag the plug-in to a safe location in case you want to reinstall it at a later time.

On the Macintosh, the plug-in to be moved is called "FireWire Export.plugin" and is located at the following path:

/Applications/Adobe Photoshop CS2/Plug-ins/Adobe Photoshop Only/Import:Export/FireWire Export.plugin

On Windows, the plug-in to be moved is called "FireWire Export.8be" and is located at the following path:

Program Files\Adobe Photoshop CS2\Plug-Ins\Adobe Photoshop Only\Import-Export\FireWire Export.8be

After moving the plug-in file, if you have not already done so, install Echo Fire into Photoshop CS2. Start Photoshop and video previewing should now be under the control of Echo Fire.

If you ever want to use Photoshop's video previewing, you can move the plugin file you saved back to its original location.

Problem #2

Echo Fire FireWire previews do not function properly under Photoshop CS2 on Macintosh OS X, even after moving the FireWire Export plug-in as described above. This problem may occur intermittently or consistently.

This problem exists because of changes in Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) and QuickTime 7.

Solution

The workaround to this problem is to force Echo Fire to open its FireWire connection at a different time than it normally does. To do this, following these steps:

Start Photoshop CS 2 and open an RGB image. Verify that the File > Export > Echo Fire command is available.

Control-click the Echo Fire icon in the Dock to open the Echo Fire menu. Check the Video Source selection. If it is "Application" then this workaround does not apply. If it is "None" then proceed to the next step.

In the Echo Fire menu, choose Configuration and select Always Keep Display Active.

After step 3, you should see the Echo Fire splash screen on your broadcast monitor. Previews should now be functional in Photoshop CS2.

Related Documents
KB320102 - Echo Fire Preview Action in Photoshop CS/CS2 Displays Message "The Command Export is not currently available"

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This page was last updated Thursday, August 3, 2006.