ILDA Conference, 5-7 June 2009
Technology Workshop

 
The information below is based on notes taken by Tim Walsh, to document the Technology Workshop at the 2009 ILDA Conference near Amsterdam.

Photos by Tim Walsh. Photo at right shows the tabletop tradeshow, held after the Technology Workshop on Sunday. Click on any photo to see a larger version.
 

Saturday, 6 June

Beam sizing: William Benner, Pangolin

Bill showed a video and still photos of laser graphics with variable sizing (beam brush). This is done via a moving lens arrangement which is fast enough to change size almost as quickly as color can be changed. The hardware module can fit in many existing projectors, and it can be controlled by any software which has beam brush-type capabilities. Pangolin's Lasershow Designer has had beam sizing built-in since 1994, but up until now there has been no practical hardware. The cost is expected to be in the same range as a scanner and scanner amp.
     There are two main uses for beam sizing. One is artistic -- to draw clouds, smoke and other soft-edged features. The other is to diverge beams that are in an audience area; this is similar to "projector zones" only for divergence instead of (or in addition to) intensity dimming.

"Quick Show": William Benner, Pangolin

Bill also showed new software called "Quick Show" which will be supplied to users of Pangolin's Flashback III projector controller card. It is comprehensive with timeline, live control, etc.

Laser diode shock protection: William Benner, Pangolin

Finally, Bill briefly introduced a small electronic component, about the size of a U.S. dime, to protect laser diodes from electrostatic shock. The cost is relatively low; about $5 to $10.

Embedded laser system: Dirk Apitz, CSoft

Dirk showed an embedded system mounted inside his projector, the Scan Master 3 control system. The digital output of this system can drive the Cambridge scanner digital inputs.

Laser intensity control: Robin Adams, Mueller Elektronik

Robin spoke about the EasyLase II USB show output board. It allows control of ILDA-compatible projectors via USB, using a variety of software: Mamba from MediaLas, Laser Design Studio LDS, and Phoenix from Bocatec. It also has an open API for custom software. Up to 16 cards can be simultaneously controlled from one PC.

Robin also described how the NetLase product now supports ArtNet.

Phoenix hardware and software: Boris Bollinger, Bocatec

Boris showed the "Light Jockey" MIDI-integrated touchscreen controller. It is used to control Phoenix Live software. Also, the Phoenix "DMX Matrix" can route 1 ILDA input to 8 ILDA outputs, addressed by DMX, for multiple projector effects.

OPS-based Lasers: Marco Stumpel, Lightline

Marco introduced Lightline Cohlibri lasers using Optically Pumped Semiconductors from Coherent. They have excellent beam quality, with divergence down to 0.5 mrad, so the beam can be used for fiber optic launching. They are available in 639nm red, yellow, green and 460/479nm blue. Cohlibri lasers are small, with 30 watts from a 50 kg package. The life is expected to be 10-20 years. The OPS red laser, at 2 watts (with more power coming) is pumped by 479 blue. The beam is round. Pricing is approximately 10,000 Euros for 3 watt green, about 15,000 Euros for other colors.

"Showserver": Patrick Dietzel, Laserlight Showdesign

This hardware device plays ILDA files. It runs up to four ILDA outputs, connects to a network, and works as a standalone show player. The internal clock will start and stop the laser show. It is slaveable for unlimited ILDA outputs. It has unlimited cues to map control inputs for live random access to cues. Up to 250 GB of storage, 2 channel audio, more features coming.

"Projector" platform: Patrick Dietzel, Laserlight Showdesign

Green and RGB lasers, 2.5 to 14 watts. Milled aluminum housing, modular and ready for Coherent OPS lasers. A purchaser can start with green, and can add red and blue later. Price for 2.5W RGB is 20,000 Euro, less 15% ILDA discount.

IRIS ColorSafe: Thomas Kamaras, Eyemagic

Developed to solve the inconsistent modulation of colors in RGB solid state lasers. It has an RGB sensor, providing realtime feedback to the system. Monitored in Safety Zone point by point. Dims in the projection zone according to the speed of the scanner. Buttons allow adjustment of safety zone. Upon key removal, safety settings are fixed. It also removes noise from noisy lasers. Uses a logarithmic palette. Ensures that the laser follows the computer color; for example, if 50% red is specified, 50% red is output by means of closed loop color control. It has an 80K bandwidth, with three adjustments for color delay correction. Works with 100mW to 5+W laser power. Cost is 550 Euros.

Sunday, 7 June

Assessment of laser shows: Malcolm Hignett, Thames Valley University

Malcolm teaches multimedia and lasers at TVU. They have come up with criteria to assess the aesthetics of students' shows -- a way to be objective.

"Communication": Thomas Kamaras, Eyemagic

Tom presented a video of "Communication", a 9.5 minute graphics laser show. It is a 2-scanner show with 2D hand-drawn animation inserted into a 3D world using Utopia software. The colors using IRIS ColorSafe were awesome and faded beautifully.

Products from Michael Pokluda, Showtacle

"Laser Show Jukebox" is a standalone ILDA player. It is DMX controllable.

"Laser Matrix" has 4 ILDA inputs and 8 DMX outputs. DMX programmable position, size and brightness -- expands a show to multiple projectors.

"Fiesta.net Software": Very flexible, uses Ethernet, DMX, ILDA.

"Lasers and Color": Greg Makhov, Lighting Systems Design Inc. (LSDI)

Greg gave a presentation on color balance and color theory, and how these apply to laser. For example, blue does not affect brightness. 532nm green is too "yellow" to make a good cyan; 515 is a better green. The goal is to achieve an ILDA color balance standard. Greg suggests these wavelengths as ideal: 440, 515-525, 630-640. There would be three color balances. 1) Simple Color: RGB each in equal power, 2) Photopic: balance to human-perceived brightness to look like equal power (e.g., for beam shows), 3) White balance: More complex, using 1.4X red, 1X green, and 1.33 blue.

Tabletop Tradeshow

After the Technology Workshop on Sunday, ILDA held a tabletop tradeshow so attendees could see some of the latest laser equipment and software. Many of the TW speakers exhibited; in addition here are some other exhibitor photos. Click on any image for a larger photo:

Lutz Bartl from HB Laser in Germany	HB Laser's table	Jian Chen from Smart Electronic Co. in China
Peter Broese from DMXLASER (and host of the ILDA Conference!)	Justin Perry and Hayden Hale of Pangolin Laser Systems. Hayden was elected to the ILDA Board at the Conference.	Virtual reality demo at Pangolin's table.