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Show Laser Glossary, Definitions & Explanations This Glossary shall provide general definitions for terms used on this website as well as give some background information on terms and topics used in show laser and entertainment industry.
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Glossary - Terms and DefinitionsGlossary - Terms and Definitions

API

API ("Application Programming Interface") refers to an interface at source code level which allows two software applications or hardware systems to communicate in real time. Each API consists of predefined rules to standardize communication and data transfer.

Automatic Mode

The term "automatic mode" or "stand-alone mode" is a general term for various modes that allow lights and show lasers to output pre-programmed content without manual control ("stand alone"). Show lasers with ShowNET offer two stand-alone modes:

  1. Auto mode: In this mode, the ILDA files stored on the SD card are displayed in sequence. Once the end of the file list has been reached, playback starts again from the beginning.
  2. Demo mode: Also in demo mode, the ILDA files on the SD card are displayed one after another. In addition, the content will be animated using various effects.
  3. Single file playback mode: In this mode, only certain selected ILDA files are displayed in sequence.

Animation

A show laser generates animations by reproducing several individual images (frames) in sequence at a certain speed. Animations can be used for graphics, logos or texts. When it comes to lasers, the quality of an animation depends on the scanner speed, the beam divergence and the colour modulation of the individual laser system.

In addition to simply trigger factory-made animations via DMX, users can create and display custom animations. To do this, a laser software, and a show laser with an intelligent mainboard (e.g. ShowNET) or ILDA support (and an additional external interface) are required.

ArtNet

ArtNet is a network protocol for sending DMX512 and RDM data via Ethernet in an IP-based network. Compared to sending DMX via a XLR cable, with ArtNet users can transfer multiple DMX universes simultaneously via a single cable.

In combination with show lasers, ArtNet allows for convenient control via a lighting console or any other ArtNet-capable hardware controller. This also enables laser systems to be easily integrated into extended network environments. The ShowNET laser mainboard can be controlled directly via ArtNet. This means that most laser products from Laserworld fully support ArtNet.

AVB

AVB (also named TSN for industrial purposes) stands for “Audio Video Bridging” and describes a standard for real time, lip synchronous digital transmission of audio, video and similar signals. AVB uses a network/Ethernet infrastructure to transmit time critical signals from a sender (talker) to dedicated receivers (listeners) . In contrast to TCP/IP or UDP connections, AVB uses reserved bandwidths for this critical signal transmission, which means that even if a multitude of devices get connected to the network, the connection between the sender and the receivers always stays stable. AVB uses special managed network switches that allow for this kind of bandwidth management, however setup and operation of an AVB network is super easy since the management intelligence is already built into the switches.

Especially when used in the laser context, data signals require a high level of stability. If it comes to high professional applications, the laser data signal often need to be transmitted over longer distances, package drops or glitches are not acceptable. This is where AVB has an advantage over classic network transmission protocols, but AVB and legacy TCP/IP live happily on the same network hardware.

But there is even more to the AVB standard: As AVB transmits data as an audio signal, it is also possible to simply record the laser show signal, edit it with normal audio editing software and play it back again. For laser shows this means it is possible to simply record parts or an entire show as an multi-channel audio file and play it back with using any audio software over AVB. This also applies for other signals sent over AVB, like for video or lighting control.

Creative people familiar with software packages, like Touch Designer, Ableton live or Max MSP, can easily create their own laser performance and stream it through AVB.


Laser systems that are compatible with AVB e.g. are: LaserAnimation Sollinger PHAENON accurate

Accessible Radiation

The Accessible Radiation (AR) specifies the laser power that is emitted form a laser system directly at the unit. The Laser Class assignment refers to the accessible radiation of a laser.
The accessible radiation is different to the MPE, which specifieds the power in a certain viewing distance.

See this video for the explanation of the difference between AR and maximum permissible exposure (MPE):

Analog Modulation

What is Analog Modulation?

In the show laser industry 'analog modulation' defines the ability of a laser source to "dim" the output power of the laser beam, which means that the output power can be adjusted without stepping. Thus, it is possible to display up to 16,7 million different shades of color with multi color laser systems (systems with more than one laser source color). Depending on the technology of the laser source, brightness can be controlled linearly to a great extent. Thereby mixed colors can be created specificly.
For professional laser shows, only laser systems with full analog color modulation are used.

What is TTL Modulation?

Counterpart of analog modulation is TTL-modulation (abbreviation for: Transistor-Transistor Logic -> this means: on/off only).

Can I use TTL Modulation with an analog system?

It does not damage an analog laser device, if it is triggered with a TTL signal (or the other way round).
A TTL RGB laser can only display 7 colors and no fading effects via analog signal are possible.

See this video for the differences between TTL and analog modulation

AOM

AOM is the abbreviation of "Acousto-optic Modulator". In the show laser industry this term defines a component which makes a static, non-modulating laser beam an analog modulated laser system. This way of creating an analog modulation was used for gas laser systems, whereas it mostly isn't any more for contemporary show laser systems, because the single laser sources themselves normally can modulate very much more efficiently.
An AOM is a glass or crystal with a Piezo-transductor (of sound waves) on one side and an (sound waves) absorber on its other side. Incident light is deflected from its actual direction by the (moving phase) diffraction grating, generated by the sound waves, traversing the glass/crystal. The itensity depends on the frequency.
An AOM is also called 'Bragg cell'.

See PCAOM as well.

Audience Scanning

"Audience scanning" means a volitional, momentary projection of visible laser light into the crowd of spectators. It is used for special effects like laser tunnels and the like - in order to visually integrate the spectator into the show.
Dependent on the respective country, audience scanning is handled very differently. Because of security concerns, this form of beam show is considered critically in the USA.
Nevertheless, audience scanning laser shows are safe for the spectator - if safety precautions and physical law are observed.

The following applies generally for all audience scanning laser shows worldwide:
- Only use continuous wave lasers (cw), never use pulsed lasers
- Do not exceed the MPE value (maximum permissible exposure)
- Always observe the minimum height and distance to the spectators

Factors deciding on the safety of an audience scanning laser show:
- Distance to the audience
- Rotational speed of the laser beam, in combination with the point rate
- "Hot Points", where several points are matching in one point
- Beam widening (divergence)
- Safety zones

Other terms for audience scanning are "public scanning" and "crowd scanning".

Animation Laser

What is an Animation Laser?

The term "animation laser" denotes a show laser system which is able to create animated effects, graphics and texts. To create non-flickering, vivid animations it is important to have a fast scanner systems width good angle stability. Besides that it is helpful to have analog modulated laser sources to create a wide variety of colors. Good beam specifications help to create crisp projections and reduced blur around the beam.
The very software used is the essential core factor for creating nice shows with an animation laser: Depending on the resolution and the capabilities of the hardware output interface, the animation laser projection can look nice - or not. There are some software solutions in the market, that are not that suitable for animation laser projections.

Laserworld_CS-1000RGB_MKII_Graphics-03.jpg
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Laserworld_EL-500RGB_KeyTEX-0003.jpg
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#Animation Laser

ILDA or DMX for Animation Lasers?

The best control option for an animation laser is via software. The ILDA protocol is used for such control and is possible to create own animations and logos for laser light shows.
For beam shows nice, for animation laser projections not that suitable is integrated DMX: Some animation lasers come with several pre-programmed animated effects, which may be selected through DMX. The display options are very limited in terms of animation projections.

More information on Animation Lasers

More Articles ...

  1. Beam Show
  2. Blanking
  3. Beam Attenuation Map
  4. Brightness Map
  5. Colour Correction
  6. CW Laser
  7. Corneal Reflex
  8. Continuous Wave Laser
  9. Club Laser
  10. Color Balance
  11. Digital-to-Analog Converter
  12. DPSS
  13. Daisy Chain
  14. DMX512
  15. DMX
  16. DJ Laser
  17. Disco Laser
  18. DAC
  19. Divergence
  20. Event Laser

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