digitalSlate

A Windows desktop digital clapperboard for film and video production, built with VB.NET and WinForms.

digitalSlate provides an on-set slate workflow with timecode display, countdown/sync beeps, optional LTC generation, marker logging, and profile save/load.

Features

• Full-screen slate UI with responsive scaling
• Scene / take / roll / production metadata editing
• Lock mode to prevent accidental edits during takes
• Configurable countdown and sync beep workflow
• Timecode display and reset controls
• LTC output (left channel) with selectable FPS and output device
• LTC calibration tone (right-channel reference tone)
• Resolve-compatible marker CSV logging/export
• Session metadata support (session ID, unit, operator)
• Custom logo support
• Save/load slate profiles

Requirements

• Windows
• .NET Framework 4.8
• Audio output device for LTC/sync audio workflows

Build and Run

1. Open the solution in Visual Studio.
2. Restore NuGet packages (if prompted).
3. Build the Debug or Release configuration.
4. Run the app.

Basic Usage

1. Open Settings and configure:
   • LTC enable/device/FPS/mute
   • Countdown + sync beeps
   • Marker logging folder/output options
2. Edit slate metadata from Edit Slate.
3. Click the clapper to run preroll and start/stop take timing.
4. Optionally lock the slate with LOCK SLATE during active operation.
5. Export markers or save/load slate profiles as needed.

Audio / LTC Notes

• Intended routing:
  • Left channel: LTC
  • Right channel: sync/reference tones
• Countdown and sync beeps are designed to run before timecode starts.

Marker CSV

The app can write Resolve-compatible CSV marker rows with:

• Marker name
• Description
• In/Out timecode
• Duration
• Marker color/type

Project Structure (high level)

• frmDigitalSlate.vb — main slate UI and runtime behavior
• frmSettings.vb — application settings
• frmEdit.vb — slate metadata editor
• Functions.vb — shared app logic/helpers
• Timecode/ — LTC encoding/output components

Status

Active project in production-focused iteration. Looking for bugs, but I consider this project more or less completed.