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Discover
Lasers: Graphics
Laser graphics concern the art of creating
two-dimensional
images projected onto screens, walls, buildings, or even mountains.
This is not like watching
video or film--the intense color and contrast of lasers, combined with
the unique glittering qualities of the light, transport viewers to another
world.
Laser graphics begin with
a small dot of laser light. Using tiny scanning mirrors, that dot is
moved about so rapidly the human eye perceives a solid line of light.
Other times, a stationary beam and special optics create abstract
patterns. The basic types of laser graphics are:
• Representational
imagery: using computer-controlled scanning mirrors, laserist's can
project complex line artwork. The graphics come to life with a mix of
hand-animation and digital computer tools. Often, imagery is directly
imported from files created for computer graphics applications. Although
most imagery is vector-based, raster projection can be used
to create video-like images in laser light.
• Abstract
Imagery: Before computers, laserists used analog synthesizers to create
other-worldly shapes that were made to dance to music in live performances.
Abstracts are still alive and well, created now with both analog and
digital tools.
• Lumia:
When the laser beam is projected through specialized optics, cloud-like
wisps of light are created that can be made to float across ceilings
and domes. Called lumia, these effects can stand by themselves or may
be combined with representational and abstract imagery.
• Diffraction
Gratings: These specialized optics are used to project a wide variety
of patterns--from simple circles to complex galaxy-like star-fields.
All that is needed is a single beam of laser light and an optic no bigger
than a postage stamp.
Lean more about graphics
and other laser effects by visiting the Show
Basics sections of the The Laserist
on-line magazine.
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