Fast Frame is a camera movement tool that lets you quickly reframe your shot by selecting an area on the video preview. Instead of manually adjusting pan, tilt, and zoom one at a time, you draw a box around where you want the camera to look, and Iris moves it there automatically.
Fast Frame comes in two modes, both accessible from the same toolbar button:
Fast Frame — Moves the camera to the selected framing quickly and directly.
Cine Frame — Moves the camera with smooth, cinematic motion, coordinating pan, tilt, and zoom so they arrive together for a polished on-air look.
What You'll Need
A calibrated camera. Fast Frame requires calibration to be complete. If it hasn't been done, the tool will be grayed out in the toolbar.
A PTZ camera that supports pan, tilt, and zoom. If your camera is missing any of these capabilities, Fast Frame will be disabled.
Camera online and connected. The device needs to be online for the command to work.
How to Use Fast Frame
Activating the Tool
In the toolbar above the video preview, click the Fast Frame icon (it looks like a frame or rectangle). If you see a small dropdown arrow, click and hold to choose between Fast Frame and Cine Frame.
Or use keyboard shortcuts: press F for Fast Frame, or Shift + F for Cine Frame.
Selecting Your Frame
Move your cursor over the video preview. You'll see a green bounding box that follows your cursor. This box represents the area the camera will frame after the move.
Resize the box: Scroll your mouse wheel up or down. Scrolling makes the box smaller (more zoom) or larger (less zoom). It starts at about 50% of the preview size.
Place the box: Click once on the video. The view dims around the selected area (a semi-transparent overlay appears), and gridlines show inside the selection to help you compose your shot. The gridlines follow your current gridline preference (Rule of Thirds, Center Lines, or none).
Adjusting and Confirming
After placing the selection:
Drag the box to reposition it.
Scroll to resize it — you can still adjust zoom at this stage.
To confirm the shot:
Click inside the bounding box, or
Press Enter
To cancel:
Press Escape, or
Click outside the bounding box
If your cursor leaves the video preview area, the tool exits and any pending selection is canceled.
What Happens After Confirming
In Fast Frame mode, the camera moves quickly to match the selected framing.
In Cine Frame mode, the camera moves smoothly with all axes coordinated.
After confirming, the tool automatically returns to whatever tool you were using before (e.g., if you were on the Click to Center tool and scrolled into Fast Frame, it goes back to Click to Center).
Quick Access from Click to Center
Here's a handy shortcut: while using the Click to Center tool, just scroll your mouse wheel over the video. This seamlessly switches you into Fast Frame mode with the scroll position preserved, so you can define a zoom level and frame in one smooth motion. After you confirm or cancel, you're automatically returned to Click to Center.
Auto-Tracking and Fast Frame
If Auto-Tracking is actively following a subject and you try to use Fast Frame, a confirmation dialog appears asking if you want to override tracking. If you confirm, tracking stops and the camera moves to your selected framing. If you dismiss the dialog, nothing happens.
If the camera's own internal tracking system (separate from Iris Auto-Tracking) is active, the Fast Frame command won't execute — the camera's tracking takes priority.
Tips and Best Practices
Know your cursor colors. Green = Fast Frame. Amber/orange = Cine Frame. This makes it easy to tell which mode you're in at a glance.
Calibration matters. The accuracy of Fast Frame depends on how well your camera is calibrated. If movements are overshooting or landing off-target, try recalibrating from Advanced Settings.
Use the right mode for the situation. Fast Frame is great for quick cuts and monitoring adjustments. Cine Frame is better for on-air moves where smooth motion matters.
Max zoom is a real limit. Once the camera reaches its maximum zoom, the tool can't push further. Adjust your framing accordingly.
What Happens If…
…you press Escape while placing a selection? The selection is canceled and the tool resets. If you entered Fast Frame from another tool, you're returned to that tool.
…you click outside the bounding box during confirmation? The selection is canceled and the tool exits.
…your cursor leaves the video preview? The tool exits and returns to the previous tool. Any pending selection is canceled.
…Auto-Tracking is active? A confirmation dialog asks if you want to override tracking. Confirm to proceed, or dismiss to keep tracking active.
…the camera isn't calibrated? The Fast Frame tool is grayed out in the toolbar and can't be selected. Calibrate the camera first through Advanced Settings.
…the camera is currently being calibrated? All movement tools, including Fast Frame, are disabled during calibration. Wait for calibration to finish.
…the camera is disconnected? The command won't execute. The camera needs to be online and connected.
Troubleshooting
What's happening | Likely cause | What to do |
Fast Frame icon is grayed out | Camera not calibrated, currently calibrating, or lacks PTZ support | Calibrate via Advanced Settings. Confirm the camera supports pan/tilt/zoom. |
Camera doesn't move after confirming | Auto-Tracking or internal tracking is active | Stop tracking first, or confirm the override dialog when prompted |
Bounding box doesn't appear | Cursor is outside the video preview, or the tool isn't selected | Make sure Fast Frame is active in the toolbar and your cursor is over the video |
Movement is jerky or lands off-target | Camera may be using a generic driver or needs recalibration | Select the correct brand/model and recalibrate from Advanced Settings |
Cine Frame option isn't visible | Dropdown not expanded | Click and hold the Fast Frame toolbar icon to reveal both options |
Camera overshoots the target framing | Calibration may be off, or wrong camera model selected | Verify the correct model in Driver settings, then recalibrate |
FAQs
What's the difference between Fast Frame and Cine Frame? Fast Frame moves the camera quickly and directly. Cine Frame uses smooth, cinematic motion that coordinates pan, tilt, and zoom to arrive together — better for on-air use.
Can I use Fast Frame with any camera? It works with any PTZ camera that's been calibrated in Iris and supports pan, tilt, and zoom.
Is it available on the Free plan? Yes. Fast Frame is available on all Iris plans.
What are the keyboard shortcuts? F for Fast Frame, Shift + F for Cine Frame, Enter to confirm, Escape to cancel.
Can I adjust zoom after placing the selection? Yes — scroll your mouse wheel to resize the box between placement and confirmation. Once you confirm (second click or Enter), the camera moves and you'd need to start a new selection.
Can I drag the selection box after placing it? Yes. Click and drag inside the box to reposition before confirming.
Does Fast Frame work while Auto-Tracking is running? You'll see a confirmation dialog asking to override tracking. Confirm to proceed, or dismiss to keep tracking active.
Why does the screen dim when I click? The overlay helps you see exactly what the camera will frame. The selected area stays clear while the rest of the preview is darkened.
Can I use Fast Frame from the Click to Center tool? Yes. Scroll your mouse wheel while using Click to Center to seamlessly switch into Fast Frame. After confirming or canceling, you're returned to Click to Center.
Use Cases
Live events — Quickly capture key moments by framing up on speakers, performers, or action without fumbling with manual PTZ controls.
Broadcasting — Switch between wide shots and tight frames during live broadcasts for a dynamic viewing experience.
Remote production — Reframe cameras at a remote location quickly, without needing a dedicated operator on-site.
Worship services — Fast Frame from a wide congregation shot to a close-up of the speaker in one smooth action.
Studio production — Rapidly adjust between setups without breaking production flow.