Traceit Tips

Since Bill was kind enough to share this utility (thanks!), I thought I would start a thread regarding its use. I chose the Laser Display Files section because I for one definitely plan on sharing some of what I create with it here. As a new user of the Traceit utility, I have found it to be mostly self-explanitory, but I have seen some areas for discussion- such as optimization settings, etc...
Where I am going with this, is an open invitation for anyone who has used this utility to share some of the tips or tricks they have come up with while using it.
Let me start- Last night, I was messing around with the video converter. To find a source for input video files on the web (in AVI format) turned into a bit of a hassle. I then stumbled across a utility that allows you to paste the URL of a youtube video, which it then converts from flash & saves to your local machine as an AVI or MPEG file.
Here it is:
I read some reviews on it and I do not believe it has any spyware/adware, but as with all things like this, it is an “at your own risk” type deal.
http://www.save2pc.com/
Anyway, I had some interesting results from some of my samples.
I found that video with a plain background and clear edged objects was most useful.
I made 3 short clips that looked pretty cool on the projector-
1) an atomic bomb blast
2) dancing figures from an ipod-like commercial
3) some footage of Jimi Hendrix live at Monterey (The Wind Cries Mary)

I tried to export to ilda without much success, but the lpc file type seemed to work OK. Has anyone else had any experience doing something similar?
Also, playing with the smoothing filter changed the "displayability" somewhat. I think I need to play with it some more to get it down to a science, but the results are looking very promising!

If anyone has anything they would like to share on this topic, that would be great.
Thanks, Mike

Great thread idea -

I have TraceIt and am brand-new to trying to convert and create my own laser graphics. Any and all tips would be appreciated!

I don't have trace it so I don't know what you are talking about. Is this a pangolin only thing?

I think it is one Pangolin acquired from a 3rd party - they offer it to owners of Pangolin products.

Yeah, I think it was created by the authors of LA Studio, which I believe was bought out by Pangolin.
Here is a link that shows a little about it:
LINK
It is offered to Pangolin customers only, but you can get your foot in the door for 500 bucks with an FB3.
Since this is the case, I am half tempted to start threads for DRAW3D and ShowRider as well, but I am not sure if this would be the ideal location.
I spent quite a while last night working on a show for The Wind Cries Mary, and I found one more tip to pass on-
DRAW3D allows input of WMF files, which are stored in vector format.
I found that microsoft has a huge archive of FREE clipart in WMF format that may be downloaded from HERE. You can filter your results to return WMF clipart. Many of the images are cliche or corny, as most clipart is, but there are some decent ones in there if you weed thru the junk.
I started really getting into using the ShowRider program after figuring out how to sync the timeline to an mp3. Timing frames and transitions to match changes in a song is killer if you take the time to get it just right.
The morphing and other effects also take it to another level, as long as you don't abuse them by getting carried away. It's kind of like when people create an MS Powerpoint presentation and have their slides flying around all over the place just to prove to the world that they can do it- less is more.
I'm about 2/3 done with the show, so hopefully I can get it wrapped up tonight. Then I can park it out on an ftp site for FB3 folks to check out.
Later, Mike

Oh, I almost forgot-
This part is KILLING me about the fact that I don't have a BLUE laser yet!
"The traffic lights they turn of blue tomorrow
And shine their emptiness down on my bed
The tiny island sails downstream cause the life that lived is is dead
And the wind screams mary"
Aw heck, its only a grand or so!
-Mike

The Laser Freak website has different forums for different software packages. That might be useful.

Hey Mikkojay;

Re: your need for a blue laser... I just found out that Lasever has dropped their prices. They're now selling a 100 mw blue DPSS laser (473 nm) for just $750. That's a pretty decent price!

I spoke with David Wu (Lasever here on the forums) about the problems they had with the DPSS blue lasers in the past, and he assured me that they've all been fixed. Of course, time will tell, but they are still offering the standard 1 year warranty. (More tellingly, they are now *repairing* the problematic MR and ML series heads for free rather than forcing customers to wait until they fail and then replacing them with different models.)

Anyway, it's not the same as a CNI, but if you want blue and you're on a budget, a Lasever is something to think about...

Adam

Hey Adam, Thats cool- I just bit the bullet and went with a Dave/Aijii CNI. From what I have read, those things are solid and the service is excellent. This is a big investment for me, so I figured I'd do it right the first time.
My first show is going pretty good- I just have about 50 seconds left to edit. What is everyone's opinion on metaphors during a show that coincide with key lyrics? I have seen it done with both amazing and corny results- kind of like tattoos!
Later, Mike

Well, Jimi is out on the ilda swap site, in the shows/pangolin folder.
I put the mp3 in there too, if anyone has any issues with that, go ahead and delete it.
edit: I took the mp3 out of there, I didn't want to make any waves.
Send me a PM if you need to ;)

-Mike

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mikkojay

What is everyone's opinion on metaphors during a show that coincide with key lyrics?

---

It's gets to be boring after a bit. I much prefer to see ever changing patterns of colors and lights that engulf me and make me feel like I am suspended in an ocean of light. Normal animations are like watching cartoons and there is nothing special about that.

I like a good graphics show. If you can tell the story with your pictures, it's a great effect. Yeah, the graphics are cartoony - that's just the nature of the beast when you're dealing with vector art. (especially with a limited point count!) But sometimes less is more. (Ever watch any of the early schoolhouse rock animations? Some of those were quite minimalist as well, yet they still were great fun.)

Some examples of shows that really work well in my opinion are the "Elevation" show and the "Born to be Wild" show, both of which come with Pangolin. Another good one is "Children" (which uses the Robert Miles song by the same name.) Each of these shows manages to tell a story, and in the case of the first two, the story is different from the lyrics. Yet it all works.

Of course, a good beamshow is also a lot of fun to watch...

Adam

Those are great points- I especially like the "less is more" philosophy.
I still think that a well timed graphic can add another dimension once in a while, especially when it is something unexpected. And, without a doubt, at all costs, try to avoid the dreaded "slide show" effect. That's one of the reasons I decided to pursue this hobby- I think I observed one too many slide shows and finally said, "move over and let me drive!".

-Mike

Here is an ilda sample from some of the ipod video- it looks pretty wild, might be cool to incorporate into a hip-hop song like some Beastie Boys or something.
-Mike

Was that made from an ipod video with a trace tool? Doesn't look like it is suitable for sending to galvos as it is so I am just wondering. Do you know what song it is suppose to go with?

I used Traceit for some time and got some experience.
The ILDA of mikkojay will work every well. I wondering what kind of video it was taken? Was it a moving figures on black background?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by carmangary

Doesn't look like it is suitable for sending to galvos

---

Starting source: Ipod Vid
End result on the wall: here
So tell me, how do you eyeball a series of frames to deem them scannable?
Just curious.
It makes me want to upgrade my current video editing software (pinnacle studio) to their latest version that includes support for greenscreen/chromakey effects.
If anyone is surfing around youtube and sees a cool video the want to try scanning, let me know and I will mess around with it.
Later, Mike

Ok tips...actuall tips.

1. Solid background.
2. Bright lines (outlines)
3. Cartoon color filled objects.
4. Always use lossless image formats. TIFF/BMP

The best animation tool to use is MOHO (I think Poser people bought the company and now it's called ANIME Studio 5) It wasn't expensive when it was moho about 80$ (Now 190$)... Now you can get a basic for about 49$

Here is an example of a frame.
http://www.laseremitter.com/pix/mohohands.jpg
http://www.laseremitter.com/pix/Tceit.jpg

hello all :)
i've seen this topic and i have one question about trace it.
where you got the version 4 of this software? because i have the version 2.0.1.434

thanks :)

Hey Genesis,
I am just using the one that Bill emailed me. I checked, and it is version 4. I think he sent it to me about a month ago.
Also, I followed the link on your signature to see your projector- INCREDIBLE! Very nice work!
-Mike

thank you :) i work on my laser harp actually :)

and about bill you say bill benner? can you mail me your version to try with my dongle.
thank you :)

trace it video played back in ANARCHY

http://vjaiwaz.com/im.html


original video with out video prep work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THKuC_0FQ0g

To get a different version of traceit, I would email Pangolin- there is a process where they need to create a custom license file made just for your machine.

Iron Maiden & Eddie kick ass!

-Mike

ok this is strange because Bill say about traceit it was at end of developpement. with my version.
my license is on my computer with my eye hardlock dongle.
i think the need to contact bill to have more informations.

as a fairly new pangolin user i have had the most luck tracing my images in Adobe Illustrator first using its "Live Trace" feature... i tweak it unil it looks "right" then fill the colors i want (if nessicary) i then export it as an EMF vector image... i then open that file in live trace and it usually only requires minor tweaking in livetrace before its a usable frame... obviously this is only for still images... would be difficult to do video in this method :)

That is a good point- I have used Corel in a similar way to smooth out images prior to tracing them with decent results. I bought an older version of Corel Draw / Suite for about 25 bucks on ebay & have used it for all kinds of stuff. If someone was looking for their first vector drawing application, I would suggest an older version of Corel for sure.

Norm, the guy with the galvo and laser kits, has a traceit type program for free and i am pretty sure you can import cad files and stuff into it. I havent tried it out, though. It is based on the free open source vector tracing stuff.

If this program is autotrace with ILDA write plugin - I would better have my testicles marinated then use it:D If it's standalone prog with graphic interface and good options I wanna test it.

UPDATE: Installed the program. My oh my it came a long way since I first saw it. I'll test it ASAP. Looks interesting.

anybody have a link?

Sorry;)
http://74.58.33.200:81/Download/Setup.exe

No It doesn't do AI path import!
It doesn't trace and doesn't save tracing to AI.

Have to wait for 1.4 version.