LaserCam: A brand new live webcam to laser projection application

[Alex_kld]

Andrew, please tell me about differences of the version PRO about from the version BASIC

[drlava]

The pro version includes a technique for brightness shading based on image contrast that the Basic version doesn't. Also the Pro package comes with two computer licenses in stead of one, and support for LD2000 and Fiesta.

[dar303]

Last night I put on a party with among other legendary electro/techno producers AUX88 from Detroit and Sleeparchive from Berlin and I used LaserCam for an "installation".

I placed a DV-cam and a small flourecent light over a table where people could write on white paper with black marking pens and I then projected it on a wall in the club, about
6x5 meters big. It was spectacular and people got really inventive, used the lag on fast settings (I had a bit to slow computer) to make animation with several frames, made semi 3D shapes and wrote very funny messages and such.

I try to get some pictures up, it was great fun!

Thank you Drlava, this program is wonderful! Big thanks for your fast support when I was short on time and didn't get it to work with my USB-dac.

[DJ DoubleBass]

THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR....Impressive drlava!

As soon as I have a worthy projector, this will be purchased immediately!

[Lazerjock]

Last night I put on a party with among other legendary electro/techno producers AUX88 from Detroit and Sleeparchive from Berlin and I used LaserCam for an "installation".

I placed a DV-cam and a small flourecent light over a table where people could write on white paper with black marking pens and I then projected it on a wall in the club, about 5
6x5 meters big. It was spectacular and people got really inventive, used the lag on fast settings (I had a bit to slow computer) to make animation with several frames, made semi 3D shapes and wrote very funny messages and such.

I try to get some pictures up, it was great fun!

Thank you Drlava, this program is wonderful! Big thanks for your fast support when I was short on time and didn't get it to work with my USB-dac.

That's a great idea. We really need to see pics.

Lazerjock

[dar303]

I was booker and technical producer for the party so I didn't have much time to photograph stuff but here is a couple of pics:

30209_107043492675557_100001097203972_52366_6491728_n.jpg

30209_107043579342215_100001097203972_52376_7097832_n.jpg

30209_107043616008878_100001097203972_52380_8381820_n.jpg

[dar303]

One more:

28734_428771676097_582371097_5559870_364745_n.jpg

[dzodzo]

Hello, i see in the specs that it's compatible with Moncha, does it mean, it's compatible with Moncha ILDA/USB box?
And is it possible to do a later upgrade from Basic to Pro version? Because i still have only TTL projector so i won't use the shading effect, but later when i get to buy a REAL projector, i would go for an upgrade with the shading.
Thanks for answers.

[dzodzo]

when i use the "Spiral" mode of drawing in Lasercam, the picture seems to be rotated by about 45 degrees clockwise, can this be tuned somehow so it's the same as in preview?

[drlava]

Yes, you should be able to fix this up using the shift control in the color enhance box. Be sure to try it with the DAC speed set to the max your DAC is capable of, and try using 10000 as scan speed. This will increase the spiral point density and make a nice image.

[dzodzo]

is it possible to switch between various webcam sources? i mean i have one integrated webcam and one usb removable webcam and one virtual webcam from manycam and i'd like to switch the inputs so once i'm showing the image from webcamera and then i switch to manycam source displaying some image?

[drlava]

Hi everyone, I have sent an email containing a free update to LaserCam 1.1.5. If you have not received this and are a user please check your spam folder then email me. This is an important update that includes the following changes:

Added camera selection dialog allows you to select and switch between cameras
Added low CPU processing mode for single core machines and older laptops
Added colorization sampling option that colors the output based on image colors
Changed settings storage so that unique settings are remembered specific to processing mode
Added 1394 firewire camera capability (DCAM/IIDC standard)
Other changes I forgot already..

Licensing for new users can be tied to your RIYA or QM2000 cards instead of your computer

Enjoy and please email me with your feedback/suggestions!

[Geetone]

Hi everyone, I have sent an email containing a free update to LaserCam 1.1.5. If you have not received this and are a user please check your spam folder then email me. This is an important update that includes the following changes:

Added camera selection dialog allows you to select and switch between cameras
Added low CPU processing mode for single core machines and older laptops
Added colorization sampling option that colors the output based on image colors
Changed settings storage so that unique settings are remembered specific to processing mode
Added 1394 firewire camera capability (DCAM/IIDC standard)
Other changes I forgot already..

Licensing for new users can be tied to your RIYA or QM2000 cards instead of your computer

Enjoy and please email me with your feedback/suggestions!

Hey, Andrew. ;-)

I've got an update this morning, thanks)

I wonder if you plan to make lasercam work with mamba DAC and Norm's FSX 2.0?

[smogthemog]

BILL (Pangolin) Please release the API for your FB3 controller so that all the users of this software can use it with your DAC's - please

[neutrino]

Got the update, thank you.

Cheers
Rich

[stanwax]

Got me a copy of this yesterday - not had time to play much but first impressions are very good.
Top job Andrew plus tip top support with the minor issue I had - snappy response and quick soloution is the best!
Many thanks

ROb

[Lazerjock]

Got mine thanks.

[norty303]

BILL (Pangolin) Please release the API for your FB3 controller so that all the users of this software can use it with your DAC's - please

Sounds like we'll probably just have to wait a bit and we'll get something similar in QS natively - shame because I'd love to be getting Asteroids for my FB3 too.

I'm seriously considering another DAC just because of this which is a bummer, because I'd also love a second FB3 and can't afford both...

[michelrietveld]

just bought the pro version

First:
strangely it does not work correctly on my notebook with windows 7, sometimes it starts up so i got to sent the license request but now it terminates every time i start it up. Windows 7 reports it is not responding and ends the program. Rebooted, disabled uac and so, tried compatibility mode, reinstalled with repair option but no luck, asked andrew to take a look, perhpas there is some logging to see where it goes wrong.

second:
installed it on my windows 7 netbook and here it runs fine, waiting for the activation key.

third:
installed my old webcams but none of them seem to work with windows 7 anymore, can you please post your results (satisfied or not) and type of brand/products that you are using so i can buy me a good one tomorrow

[drlava]

Thank you for your report michelrietveld. For future reference, the fastest way to register reports with me is via PM or email where they go directly into my inbox.
1) You are testing a new easylase 2 dll with lasercam, a setup that hasn't been tested before. Although claims are that the new dll should drop in and work, life isn't always so perfect. Try renaming the extension of the vendor-supplied DAC driver dlls RiyaNetServer.dll, StclDevices.dll, and easylase.dll to .dlo in the drivers folder of lasercam one by one and note at which one if any the problem goes away. If none of these fix it, go to your graphics card vendor website and download and install the latest graphics drivers for your system.
2) Because it works on your netbook also with windows 7, this makes me think the issue may be graphics driver related on your other machine. LaserCam uses openGL graphics acceleration and while on XP driver developers have had time to make this work close to perfectly, they may have not had enough time yet to iron out the bugs in windows 7.
3) Here you are running into one of the many reasons why XP is still so popular. Things just work on it, while Vista and 7 have been a mixed bag with driver compatibility. Finding a new win-7 webcam shouldn't be too difficult, just be sure its drivers are still directShow compatible (they should be).

[michelrietveld]

Thank you for your report michelrietveld. For future reference, the fastest way to register reports with me is via PM or email where they go directly into my inbox.
1) You are testing a new easylase 2 dll with lasercam, a setup that hasn't been tested before. Although claims are that the new dll should drop in and work, life isn't always so perfect. Try renaming the extension of the vendor-supplied DAC driver dlls RiyaNetServer.dll, StclDevices.dll, and easylase.dll to .dlo in the drivers folder of lasercam one by one and note at which one if any the problem goes away. If none of these fix it, go to your graphics card vendor website and download and install the latest graphics drivers for your system.

I put the easylase.dll that would make the easylase II compatible with Easylase I software in the driver folder of lasercam.

2) Because it works on your netbook also with windows 7, this makes me think the issue may be graphics driver related on your other machine. LaserCam uses openGL graphics acceleration and while on XP driver developers have had time to make this work close to perfectly, they may have not had enough time yet to iron out the bugs in windows 7.

My HP Compaq nc6400 notebook uses an Intel (R) 945 Express Chipset and the drivers are up to date.

3) Here you are running into one of the many reasons why XP is still so popular. Things just work on it, while Vista and 7 have been a mixed bag with driver compatibility. Finding a new win-7 webcam shouldn't be too difficult, just be sure its drivers are still directShow compatible (they should be).

When i have no dac connected lasercam fails to start
With the dac connected it starts correctly

I just connected a Logitech HD Webcam C510 and was able to put my face in laser on the wall.

Then i renamed the drivers that i did not need,
RiyaNetServer.dll, StclDevices.dll, and easylase.dll to .dlo
Lasercam stil won't start without the easylase connected but does run with it.
renaming the files made no difference.

[michelrietveld]

Hi, could you give some additional explanation for all the options in the tool?
Perhaps a pop-up if you hoover over settings that explain what they do.
This will shorten the time to get familiar with all the settings.
Michel

[Lassie]

Well i just ordered it...cant wait to try it out!

[Nagilo]

Hey there.

I'm completely new to laser projection but I need that kind of a scenario (record by webcam and project by laser) for a project. Can anyone tell me whats a good starting laser product to test LaserCam software? and how your really use ILDA for programming it? Is there any good introduction or book to that?

Thanks

Matthias

[buffo]

I'm completely new to laser projection but I need that kind of a scenario (record by webcam and project by laser) for a project.

Welcome to PhotonLexicon. You've come to the right place for your answers. Unfortunately, the project you have mentioned is not going to be easy, or cheap. Are we talking about a school project, or is this something for a business? Also, where are you located (it makes a difference because the laws for lasers vary from one country to the next). Finally, how much money and how much time do you have for this project?

Can anyone tell me whats a good starting laser product to test LaserCam software?

Let's slow down a bit. In order to use LaserCam, you need an ILDA-compliant laser projector and a laser show controller that is supported by the LaserCam software. Assuming you don't need the projector to be compliant with any laws that might apply in your location, you could purchase an off-the-shelf full-color laser projector for around $1000. A low-end laser show controller will cost another $250 or so.

However, since you mentioned that this is a project, you may want to consider building the laser projector yourself. This is not something you will complete in a weekend, mind you, but it will be a rewarding experience that will teach you a lot about how laser projection systems work. It will also save you a good 40% on the cost of the projector (possibly more than that if you are very creative). Likewise, you can build your own laser show controller by modifying a USB sound card. Both of these tasks are well documented here on PhotonLexicon, and there are many members here who can advise you throughout the build process. (Indeed, building home-made laser projectors is one of the primary reasons behind this website's existence.)

how do you your really use ILDA for programming it?

You've got a bit of a conceptual error here. ILDA refers to the International Laser Display Association. They have developed a number of standards that most laser show hardware and software use. One standard is the ILDA file format. This is a computer file format that specifies how to store vector artwork in a way that all laser show software can read. Another ILDA standard is the projector / controller cable standard. This is a 25-pin cable that has specific signals assigned to different pins on a standard DB-25 connector.

The basic parts that come together to create a laser show are as follows: The computer, the controller, and the projector. The computer runs software (which usually supports the ILDA file standard for laser artwork, among other formats) that allows you to string together frames and animations with effects to create a show. The computer then sends these digital signals to the controller. The controller is a digital-to-analog conversion device that generates the separate signals needed by the projector. Almost all laser show controllers conform to the ILDA standard for their output connections. Finally, the analog signals from the controller are received by the laser projector (which again almost always uses the ILDA standard for the cable connection). Those analog signals are then passed internally to the scanners and the laser driver modules to move the mirrors and switch the lasers on and off in order to re-create the original vector artwork as a drawing with light on the wall.

To "program" a show can mean many things. Most of the time, this involves working with the software that came with whatever laser show controller you purchased. Most laser show editing software uses a timeline interface similar to audio or video editing software. The user drops frames, animations, and effects onto the timeline and adjusts the duration of each item to match the needs of the show. Many times there is an audio track that plays with the show, and the effects are timed to coincide with the music.

However, if you are keen on writing your own software, you can certainly do that. It's much more difficult, but the results can be very rewarding. The "LaserCam" software you mentioned is a project that DrLava (Andrew Kibbler) started on his own. It's actually very nice software, and it replicates features that are also found on a few of the higher-end commercial laser show software packages. Likewise, there are other "home-grown" software packages out there that allow you to create your own abstract patterns (such as rose-curves or lissajous patterns), as well as "plug-in" software that can be used with music players (like Winamp) to generate real-time, beat-synchronized laser beam effects to whatever music you are playing. Finally, a few people have written their own laser show editors from scratch. Spaghetti software from Harper Ingenuities is one such example.

Is there any good introduction or book to that?

I'm not aware of a book that explains how to write your own laser show software, but there are several programmers here on PhotonLexicon who would be able to give you some direction, if that's really what you are interested in doing.

However, there is a great deal of information available here on PhotonLexicon, concerning a wide range of topics surrounding laser shows, laser show projectors, and laser show software. I suggest you spend some time browsing around and familiarize yourself a bit with the topics. Then you will be in a better position to ask more detailed questions about your project.

Another website you might find helpful is the laserfx.com site. Although it is not being updated anymore, it does have some good information in it's archives that should help you flesh out your basic knowledge.

Adam