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Laser
F/X On-line Newsletter - Digest
Third quarter 1999 to Fourth quarter 2000
Due to a disk crash, we have lost much of the material that was posted during this time period. This page covers what we were able to recover.
NOTE: Links on
destination sites are often changed. We provide the
digest pages for archival purposes and the links to external
sites were working when the material was originally published
but may no longer be working.
What's New
New products and services of interest to laserists. Submit your new product information and images in
.gif or .jpg format to our E-mail or contact us.
MediaLas
announces award winning VST
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VST is the new hot tool for Pangolinīs
Lasershow-Designer. For the first time in the history of laser
entertainment, VST offers real-time video tracing at an affordable
price. Up to 30 times per second, VST is able to vectorize any
existing bitmap stream, coming from a camera, a movie file, a
TV-tuner or a video recorder into laser frames and display it at the
same time in lasers over the QM32 or QM2000.
The delay between object and laser animation is less than a 10th of
a second! Tracing parameters can be changed via sliders, also size
and speed of the output. Even in bad light conditions, there are
acceptable tracing results.
The optimum configuration for using VST is a single colour, dark
background and a bright object, or inverse. The better the contrast,
the better the results. But VST can do more for you. Due to the
adjustable separation, there can be even parts traced inside the
picture. Use every existing source as a video stream. Video camera,
movie files, MPEG, AVI, TV-tuner or video recorder.
Info: info@medialas.com
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TomCat
LD differential and opto isolator board from SpectraScan
Our new TomCat board is an important low cost addition to
all Pangolin LD systems. TomCat provides strong clean differential signals
to insure sharp noise-free scanned graphics. Differential signals are the
only way to survive noisy electrical environments as found in corporate
promotion stage settings and club lighting systems. Drive signals can be
used on long signal feeds -- tested in systems at over 100 feet! TomCat
saves your QuadMod32 board from blown components that nearly always result
from accessing the TTL signals without opto-isolation.
Interfacing between your QuadMod32 board (or other signal source) and your
projector or scanhead, this board provides differential signals: X, Y, 6
Colours, and blanking, from the standard single-ended +-5V and 0-5V signals
of the QuadMod32.
It also provides the vitally necessary opto-isolation outputs for the 16 TTL
signals on the QuadMod32. You can access them as isolated TTL or amplified
0-10V signals for direct use on projectors. The board accepts standard
DB25's so it is easy to interface to the two QuadMod32 output connectors.
TomCat has two outputs: ILDA standard DB25 scan signals and DB25 isolated
TTL lines.
INFO: info@lasershs.com
CT-
MicroAmp from MediaLas
MediaLas is proud to announce their latest product, a
sub-miniature driver for CTI-galvos. The driver is extremely small and can
drive all 6800 and 6210s. In combination with the 6210, you are able build
the smallest laser projector in the world !
Very fast single channel driver (two MicroAmps are required
for an X-Y pair)for CTīs 6800HP or the new 6210. New design with extremely
small dimensions and great reliability. Speed up to 60.000pps (45.000pps
with 6800 at 8°, approx. 60.000pps with 6210 at 4°). Power requirements: 2
x 20-30V DC at < 2A. Adjustments for image size, invert etc. Fully
symmetrical inputs work with the ILDA db25 balanced line standard, isolated
from heatsink. Highly integrated SMT-Electronics. All inputs and outputs are
on one connector. Dimensions: Single driver only 50 x 63 x 30mm.
INFO: info@medialas.com
- WEB: http://www.showlaser.com/english/index_english.html
New
software - graphic editor for laser shows "ANARCHY"
Anarchy Editor opens a new branch of laser software. This is
a hardware-independent, easy-to-use, true 3D editor for creating
high-quality laser images.
Since this editor is hardware-independent, you can use it with any laser
system not only on a computer with laser hardware installed, but, for
example, on notebook of at home, or in your client's office to discuss
details of the client's logo with a live example on the screen of your
notebook.
Creation of 3D images become a game with Anarchy Editor. You have all 3
views (Top, Front and Side) of your creation, and additional 3D view to see
how it looks like in reality from different views by rotating objects in
real time with your mouse. You can draw on all 3 views at the same time,
like in professional CAD systems.
The True Type fonts support allows user to create drawings with ANY text in
ANY language, from Arabic to Hebrew. This feature breaks the monopoly of
English on laser screens. Now you just switch your keyboard to your native
layout and type words in the drawing window as you do it in a word
processor. All the richness of True Type fonts are available to you.
There is no problem with localisation of Anarchy Editor. You have a file
with all the texts for buttons, if you want to have a local version of
Anarchy Editor - just translate the button texts in this file and Anarchy
Editor will begin to speak in your native language.
INFO: laseraction@glasnet.ru
WEB: http://www.glasnet.ru/~laseraction/Anarchy.html
Spectronika
introduces low cost, high power CV laser
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Spectronika (Bulgaria) manufactures low cost,
air-cooled, rugged copper vapour lasers ideal for clubs and outdoor
events. The pulsed Copper Vapour laser features single unit
construction with tube and power supply in one unit and has a MSRP
of $7,000 US$ (ex-works).
The laser runs for 800 hours before a simple low cost tube
replacement is required. Replacement tubes cost $1,650 US$
(ex-works) and it is takes only 4-5 hours for tube replacement.
The air cooled laser produces emerald green at 510 nm and golden
yellow at 578 nm from a single phase, 220 volt, 7.5 amp power source
- the laser can be run from a 16 Amp 110 VAC outlet with a suitable
auto-transformer.
Copper vapour lasers have a brightness factor of 2 which means that
the 5 watt laser appears as bright to the eye as a 10 watt Argon
laser. The picture at the left, taken at 6 am when the sky was light
and using no smoke, shows just how bright the laser appears! |
Spectronika CVL 5W Laser
Specifications:
- Laser output power - 5 watts
- Laser wavelength - 510/578 nm
- Pulse frequency - 20 kHz
- Green/yellow(gold) ratio - 1.4/1
- Beam diameter - 14 mm
- Divergence - 1.8 mrad
- Readiness time to full power
output - 10 min
- Cooling - air
- Power supply - (220V/ 50Hz ,+/-5%)
1.2 kW
- Weight - 45 Kg
- Integrated laser head and power
supply dimensions - 220 x 370 x 1080 mm
- Laser tube minimum life time - 800
hours
|
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CAUTION: Due to the pulsed nature of this laser, it is NOT
suitable for audience scanning
World
Scan
Laser display happenings from around the world. If you would like your
show, event or installation information published here, please E-mail or contact us
Laser
Power Sells Microlaser to Melles Griot
December 1999: Laser Power Corp. (San
Diego), manufacturers of the popular small YAG lasers has sold its
microlaser business to Melles Griot Inc. The business will be folded in to
the Melles Griot Laser Group Division (Carlsbad, CA) at the Carlsbad
facility.
Laser Power technology's Dean Hodges will be making the move to Melles Griot,
as director of business development. The company has also carried over about
17 employees from engineering, operations, and manufacturing. Melles Griot
says it is going to target the display, medical, semiconductor, and
entertainment markets.
1999
Pangolin Prize Winners
The 1999 Pangolin Prize competition was held at the
Contemporary Hotel, Walt Disney World, Orlando Florida, on November 20 1999.
Twelve entries were judged by attendees of the Pangolin Meeting nine
graphics shows and three beam shows. The competition was very strong, with
nine entries being from large companies and three from smaller organisations
or individuals.
Congratulations to the following winners
FIRST PLACE ($1000) - "Purple People Eater"
graphics show, Brevard Community College Planetarium. Programmer, Mark
Howard; animation, Joe Tucciarone.
SECOND PLACE ($500) - "1999" graphics show,
Laser Fantasy International. Programmer, Linda Fullerton; animators, Lou
Patnode and Che Lopez.
THIRD PLACE ($250) - "Paradise" beam show, DTL
Lasertechnology. Show and music programmer, Harry deBoer.
HONORABLE MENTION - "Striptease" graphics show,
MediaLas Germany. Programmer, Dirk Baur; technical assistance, Thomas
Korbowski; models, Heike and Angie.
Laserists
Wed
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In Stockholm Sweden, November 13, was a wonderful
sunny day for the wedding of Adela Lopez-Bago and Jan Kriland
in a private ceremony.
Adela, formerly of Diseno Laser in Mexico City, and Jan Kriland of
AB Obscura Magica Productions in Stockholm, first met at the Laser
F/X '99 conference in Burlington in May of this year and romance
bloomed!
Adela and Jan Kriland will now be living and working together in
Stockholm |
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tarm's
Martin Weiffen Dead
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Martin Weiffen studied electrical engineering and first
visited tarm as a student doing a practical work assignment.
He was so attracted to lasers that he became an employee at
tarm SLL Technik GmbH in 1988.
He brought new ideas and new engineering techniques to the
company and was responsible for the co-invention of the
"Vario", "Vision" and "Jester"
system lines.
He was always fascinated by exploring new
technologies and ideas and helped to build co-operative
relationships with leading firms and suppliers. |
He was a good friend to everybody in the tarm company and he was
respected for his wide knowledge and his innovative ideas. His
sudden and unexpected death has created a big gap in tarm which is
very hard fill. He will be missed by his co-workers and family.
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Safety
of Laser Outdoors course - NEW DATE
For many years, Rockwell Laser Industries has been pleased
to offer a safety course specifically for the outdoor laser community.
This years course, scheduled for October 20-22 in Orlando, has been
rescheduled for April 10-12, 2000, also in Orlando. We are sorry for
any inconvenience this may cause.
We look forward to providing another quality course in April. Greg
Makhov, a member of ILDA, is the primary instructor for the course.
There are several other contributors to the course, many of whom are members
of the SAE G-10 committee.
If you have any questions about the particulars of the course, please feel
free to contact me, Michele Garvey, Training Co-ordinator, Rockwell Laser
Industries.
INFO: rlimeg@aol.com
TEL: 1-800-945-2737 or (513) 271-1568
CALL
FOR PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS
1999
ILDA ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP (ATW)
You are invited to present a new product or interesting
technology at the upcoming Advanced Technology Workshop of the International
Laser Display Association (ILDA).
This invitation is extended to manufacturers of laser or lightshow related
products, research labs with innovative ideas for laser or lightshow related
technologies and other individuals who wish to assess the applicability of
non-laser related technologies to the field of laser display.
The Advanced Technology Workshop, now in its eighth year, is a forum for
technology development as well as a showcase of new products. Vital laser
display products are developed and commercialised at the ATW, where
technology and product manufacturers come together with laser display
industry developers. Manufacturers can perform market-wide research and
determine key direction and parameters, and ILDA members can learn about the
latest technology developments.
Paper presentations are typically 10 to 30 minutes in length. New product
and interesting technology presentations are typically 5 to 15 minutes in
length. There is an additional 3 to 5 minutes given for questions.
INFO: William_Benner@email.msn.com
10,000
years in 10 minutes
LOBO
prepares for the millennium with the mega spectacle "Chronology"
At this yearsīs Pro Light & Sound fair in Frankfurt,
the German laser specialists LOBO, from Aalen, created a sensation by
presenting a mega-spectacle for the millennium. Due to the enormous run on
the usual hourly show the presentation frequency had to be doubled. This
shows that LOBO once again met with content and style the pulse of times.
Minutes before, a countdown announced in large bright letters the beginning
of the show named "Chronology". Suddenly the spectator starts
their speedy journey through space and time.
 |
Beginning with the caves of Lascaux
via Bronze and Megalith Age, the Old Egypt, Babylon and China the
spectator finally arrives within the time of Christ Anno Domini as
the starting point of our calendar. We keep passing through the
Vicking Age, knight revolutions, the time of conquerors and
inventors up to the present.
Parallel to the central laser projection, a wheel of time turns on a
separate projection surface. |
The wheel presents any epoch by an appropriate symbol and
a continuously changing representing the corresponding time. The story
within the story is hosted by a person symbolically reflecting the change of
generations with his journey through time accompanied from birth until death
passing his knowledge on to the next generation. Besides divers impressive
effects, this show is captivating as the laser production has uncommon
emotional depth.
Creator of the Millennium Show is LOBO's Art-Director Alex Hennig "At
the millenniumīs turn many of our clients are planning to purchase a new
laser system and divers interesting rental jobs lie ahead. Due to this, we
decided quite some time ago to create a custom made spectacle especially for
our international clientele, not only corresponding to the theme but meeting
with the sophistication of the occasion. The show is laid-out in such a way,
that it is possible to individualize it to the very specific requirements of
each customer without spending a fortune. Furthermore, the subject matter of
the show is structured in a way that it basically can not lose its relevance
to the present."
"Chronology" mainly consists
of classical cell animations, which means, that 4.800 distinct
drawings merged into each other. Just as an example for the nearly 3
minute long non-stop-animation of the time wheel 1.600 single
cells had to be drawn.
The production of this show had to be a logistical master piece and
had to be organized similar to a movie production. To ensure the
historical integrity of the show, a historian consulted with the
team during the design process.
As there was only 3 months time from working out the
storyboard up to accomplishing the show, an international team of ten
German, English and Hungarian cell animators, composers and show
designers had been working in three production studios practically non-stop
up to the inauguration of the music fair. |
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Info: hennig@lobo.de
Web: http://www.Lobo.de
DISCLAIMER:
Some of the information in the Backstage area is provided by the
persons or companies named on the relevant page(s). Laser F/X does
NOT endorse or recommend any products/services and is NOT
responsible for the technical accuracy of the information
provided. We provide this information as a service to
laserists using the Backstage area.
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