Nub Question on Getting Started

[gilv_58]

Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this question but I see no better place to do this.

What exactly do I need to get started with personal laser shows?

I wish to do simple beams and waves. I have a 100mw Green laser and a set of 30kpps laser scanners (x and y) and a breakout card to receive ILDA and connect to galvo scanner boards. Sorry if I get the techno lingo wrong, like I said I am new at this.

I plan to upgrade to a 400-500mw Green laser and maybe add a red laser (need advice on wale length). But I like to learn the basics with the 100mw unit.

I wish to control everything with DMX to be compatible with my light control system. I have a Enttec DXM USB Pro and wish to control the laser beams through this.

Gil V.

[soforene]

Hi Gill and welcome to PL.

Your most immediate issue will be in using DMX to control your lasers.
This method will only allow you to select the preprogrammed patterns in your projector.
Therefore if the manufacturer didn't build any waves or beams into your unit then you won't be able to display them.

DMX is fine as a first step and to build up your desire to get greater control and creativity with your lasers though.
But it won't be long before you'll be wanting to buy something that will allow you to create your own patterns/shows via ILDA control.

And then we start spending some serious dosh.

[Jem]

Hi Gil, and welcome to the forum.

Is there any chance you could give us an idea as to where in the world you are located? Doing so will allow our answers to be more specific.

As Soferene says DMX will only allow you very basic control of built in functions. What you really need is some software to control your laser and a DAC (Digital to Analogue Convertor), so that your projector can interpret the software signals into meaningful projections.

Have a search for the Pangolin FB3, that is an excellent starting point and will allow you to do professional looking displays. It comes with bundled software and is pretty much a ready to go solution. There are many other systems available, but few come up to the standard or functionality of Pangolin.

Oh, and incidentally, I hope you have a deep wallet and a very understanding partner

Cheers

Jem

[White-Light]

Is there any chance you could give us an idea as to where in the world you are located? Doing so will allow our answers to be more specific.

This is really important because it may help us to understand what you might want to do with your laser. eg do you want to audience scan (bathe your audience in the beams) or are you happy to project entirely overhead?

There are serious safety issues to be considered (in all venues but especially in a home venue - due to its likely size), if you want to audience scan unless you want to risk sending your party guests home with burnt retinas and or loss of vision.

This in turn throws up control issues if you want to scan overhead only - ie you need to have full control of the Y axis to prevent the beams going down into the audience although you should always block that possibility physically as well.

[gilv_58]

I am in San Antonio TX.

I have no desire to scan the audince.

I do wish to "start right" so my equipment is compliant with safety requirements

[buffo]

Welcome to PhotonLexicon, Gilv_58. You've come to the right place if you want to learn about how do put on a laser show safely!

San Antonio, eh? We've got a few members in Texas, but I don't think any of them are in San Antonio. I do know that one of our senior members (Clandestiny) travels to San Antonio from time to time... Sure would be good to get you in touch with some of the locals down there though. Tim Walsh (who is the current president of ILDA, and goes by "LaserWizard" here on PL) would be a great guy to hook up with, if you two can get together. He can show you a lot.

Apart from that, is there any chance of you traveling to attend a Laser Enthusiast's Meeting? We're having one near Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 5th. We also hold a larger 2-day event every August in North Carolina, but that one is almost a year away. These events are a great way for you to soak up knowledge...

As for using DMX to control your projector, that can be done, but to really unlock the potential of your projector you're going to want a dedicated controller and some software. There are lots of choices on the market, and the best way to decide which solution is right for you is to attend one of these Laser Enthusiast's Meetings (LEMs) and play with the hardware that people bring.

I also like your idea about starting small with the 100 mw green unit to "learn the ropes", before you upgrade to something more powerful. Not to say that a 100 mw laser can't be dangerous (because it certainly can be), but it's still safer than a 1 watt unit! For the record, I started with low power HeNe's and a 30 mw single-line Argon, then moved up to a 100 mw green projector. It's only been in the last 4 or 5 years that I've jumped into full color and multi-watt lasers.

Adam

[drlava]

Hi, and welcome.

I wish to do simple beams and waves.

Do you have any electronic experience? You can whet your whistle with a solution that costs next to nothing: DIY audio card DAC + LFI player.. this combo is $20-$50 (software is free) and can do beams, waves, and abstracts via button presses.

If you want to do a lot more than simple beams and waves, and want a lot of high quality pre-loaded content, think $500+ for FB3

I wish to control everything with DMX to be compatible with my light control system

the first solution isn't controlled via DMX, but by software. the second solution also I dont' think is controlled by DMX, but check with an owner if there is a work-around.

[buffo]

Actually, the FlashBack3 from Pangolin *is* designed to be controlled via DMX, but it can also operate as a stand-alone controller, or as one that is connected to a computer and controlled via software.

The FB3 has a memory card slot. You program all the cues you want to use onto the card and stick it in the controller. Then you can select those cues via a DMX console.

But even so, DMX control is limited. The real power of a laser projector is apparent when you have the controller connected to a computer.

To get started on the cheap, you could use Dr Lava's suggestion of a DIY controller based on a sound card, and then pick up some inexpensive software to run it. Total cost is probably under $100, and it's enough to get your feet wet...

Adam

[gottaluvlasers]

Hey Gil-

Welcome, welcome, welcome!!

It seems like you are already starting out the right way. asking questions, and wanting to do things right! A+ so far! the requirements here in the U.S. for doing laser shows are daunting, but not impossible. They are time consuming but worth it.

Why dont you download THIS FILE. In this file is pretty much everything you would need to get legal and to do shows.

Keep in mind, these are for public displays. While you are "messin around" in your own house, you do not variances. Obviously you should still be safe! but actual show certifications and laser variances are not necessary.

We encourage members to ask as many questions as they can think of. everyone here has been a "noob" at some point or another. So we know how confusing and intimidating alot of this can be at first.

This is a non-stop learning hobby/profession. The minute you think you know it all or seen it all, something newer and better comes up and decides to confuse you more.

100mW green is an excellent laser to start with. its enough power to be visible. but its not enough power to really hurt yourself or someone else if you have an accident.

obviously if you're careless or outright deliberately acting in a dangerous manner...well, they CAN cause harm. But i dont think you fit into that category.

sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. oh...and hide your credit card statements and come up with a secret shipping address! LOL...

-Marc

[gilv_58]

Thanks for all the good advice. It looks like the FB3 is my best option.

So here is the complete rundown on my plans. If you read my profile I am a Christmas lights fanatic. I choreograph Christmas lights to music and laser lights are just the next level.

If I can use the FB3 as a DMX device and make specific effects to start when it receives a given value on a given channel then it all may come together for me.

I control my Christmas lights using a proprietary system. One of the controlling elements is a DMX controller. So I figure I can use the FB3 as a bridge between my current system and the laser projector.

So now for my next question were is the best place to get an FB3?

Gil V.