How to prepare for a show outside?

[masterpj]

oh great idea.
Yeah borg maybe graphics are an better idea, it's RGB after all. so make use of those damm colours man XD
You can add a bit of smoke for some extra effect to the graphics, but don't do too much.

[borgqueenx]

I understand you don't want a security guy, but I still heavly recommend you have at least 1 security guy near you.

It's not that if he's able to handle it or not.
But controlling your laser projector alone can be quite provoking to "not so nice people"
NEVER EVER GUARANTEE SAFETY WITH "I THINK" YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW.

You can only fuckup once, remember

Second, even if an idiot say jumps in front of you project and becomes blind, believe it or not: you are guilty for his blindness and face charges and lawsuit.
I might sound a bit like overexaggurating here, but these are things that might exctually happen.

I doubt it, but you never know.. the world is an weird place after all.

not when every fence has a warning sign and forbidden to enter sign on it.
then its his fault if he gets blind.
but these are scenario's that are unlikely to happen. and every single guy can fuckup your day. if they try they can, no way to prevent it. a fence with warning signs is as far as i go.
@danielbriggs a friend of mine who lives 5km away from me can see my 1.4W 445nm laser beam. it will be only to attract people from the neighbourhood. we live in a small town with max. 2x2km.
i thought about a graphic show but im a bad drawer.
the setup will be 700mw of 445nm, 300mw of 532nm and 1000mw of 650nm.
that makes it 2W(sorry for the 1.4w estimation) i already know the red will be the lessest bright of them(also because the wavelenght) all so im planning to use the blue and green into the air.
but the blue also wont be miraculous bright...but will it be enough for beams pointing upwards?
The report from my friend and your power estimation doesnt go together
im really not trying to be selfish but my friend was totally crazy when he saw the beam 5km away. he did try to photograph it but he couldnt get it on camera - to weak.
i guess the half 700mw will be only possible at very close range. or not at all? i need more people to talk about this.

@white-light thanks thats a very good idea. some metal plates are better then a fence.

[masterpj]

not when every fence has a warning sign and forbidden to enter sign on it.
then its his fault if he gets blind.
but these are scenario's that are unlikely to happen. and every single guy can fuckup your day. if they try they can, no way to prevent it. a fence with warning signs is as far as i go.
@danielbriggs a friend of mine who lives 5km away from me can see my 1.4W 445nm laser beam. it will be only to attract people from the neighbourhood. we live in a small town with max. 2x2km.
i thought about a graphic show but im a bad drawer.
the setup will be 700mw of 445nm, 300mw of 532nm and 1000mw of 650nm.
that makes it 2W(sorry for the 1.4w estimation) i already know the red will be the lessest bright of them(also because the wavelenght) all so im planning to use the blue and green into the air.

Carefull with that first statement, most of the time the law of netherlands work in advantage of victims that actually have remaining damage.

Anyways if you do that indeed do multiple signs and MAKE SURE IT"s VERY CLEAR TO SEE.
If you don't do this they can state it was not clear to read/see.
If they say this: They can win a case if this happens.

again I doubt this will happen.

i thought about a graphic show but im a bad drawer.

To start of, their are loads of free graphics shows on the PL ftp.
Second don't forget that you can ask people for help on that.
*hint* *hint*

Safe lasering my friend

[gottaluvlasers]

Borqueenx-

If you are projecting beams vertically into the sky, 1.4W is not going to do anything. Shit, i have seen 40W scopes look like flashlights doing aerial beams if the air isn't cooperating with you.

To see beams shot vertically, you need to remember that people are only looking at the cross section of the beam. They are not looking *INTO* the beams (not into the beams as in an unsafe dangerous way. meaning, looking point source). Seeing beams from the side requires SERIOUS laser power. And even then, it can be a gamble for the visibility of the beams.

I would suggest the following-

1) shoot the beams horizontally OVER the crowd. Still provides a nice effect and the beams will be more visible (although 1.4W is still relatively very low power for visible beams outdoors for an RGB system). If you had ~1.4W of just green, thats a different story. but 1.4W of RGB mixing I dont think is going to be very impressive. Shooting horizontally will help visibility though. Especially if you have a good haze machine and/or cooperating weather. Now the crowds can look point source into the lasers and see much more beam effects.

2) Perhaps just use the laser for graphic projections? In this case you dont need alot of power.

Sorry man, don't mean to burst your bubble. Im not putting your rig down or anything. I just dont want you to promise more than you can deliver for a show.

For outdoor visibility I NEVER go out with less than 5-8 watts of green MINIMUM. or 10+Watts of RGB Minimum. (For beam effects).

-Marc

[White-Light]

@ Borg, I thought you had QS. There are lots of related graphics in there as standard.

[borgqueenx]

@ Borg, I thought you had QS. There are lots of related graphics in there as standard.

no i have LDS from drlava.
maybe buying QS later.

@guttalovlasers. yes also thought about that. but how will i prevent the lasers to hit something? place a small-reflecting surface like a piece of metal like 100-200m from the projector facing a bit to the sky so it reflects away instead of going to infinity where some moron can go blind himselfs?
or just point the projector on a way it doesnt hit a house or tree at 20 degree scanning angle?(this will decrease visibility alot ofcource)
it just seems alot harder to ensure savety that way.

and i cant do crowdscanning yet so i have to shine above the crowd....i dont have something that can adjust the divergence of the beams. although will have ananlog at my complete setup.

@PJ thats true. i could use some stuff on there.
but im still limited to other's creations. for example the guys would probaly like some graphics of their own attractions.

and the "kermis" aint big at this small town. only like 10 attractions and the rest is gambling shit.

[masterpj]

A piece of metal is a rough surface, bad an unreliable reflections will occur.
You will lose a lot of power with this upon reflection too.
But if it's for prevention. then yeah use a regular mirror.

However still go for those graphics
It might be a bit dissapointing, but hey you and I are both starting.
Lets face it, we have to build up our equipment first to be able to do big things like this.

I'm not denying this from myself either.]
It's the tough thing we all take a bit off at the start I think: facing out limits, and giving it some time

[danielbriggs]

Not wanting to piss on your chips...
But:

Seeing all the questions you've asked, some made me wince and I'd be a little concerned...
"...then it's his fault if he gets blind"
"...how do I prevent the lasers to hit something?"
"...do I need permission?"
"...how much do I charge?"

Granted, a counter argument to this is "Everyone needs to start somewhere...", Yes - agreed; but maybe not thrown in towards the deep end.

Start of with smaller jobs; gain experience and knowledge... and build it up.

@danielbriggs a friend of mine who lives 5km away from me can see my 1.4W 445nm laser beam.

Great. On a clear day, I can see the sea...


Re: Projections vs. Beams:
(As a client) I would rather have some bright, crisp text images than a "Meh..." beam show.
*GOOD* outdoor beam displays require both experience and technological capability an order of magnitude higher than your typical indoor scene.
I'd put money on what would get repeat bookings...

Best of luck,
Dan

[borgqueenx]

Not wanting to piss on your chips...
But:

Seeing all the questions you've asked, some made me wince and I'd be a little concerned...
"...then it's his fault if he gets blind"
"...how do I prevent the lasers to hit something?"
"...do I need permission?"
"...how much do I charge?"

Granted, a counter argument to this is "Everyone needs to start somewhere...", Yes - agreed; but maybe not thrown in towards the deep end.

Start of with smaller jobs; gain experience and knowledge... and build it up.




Great. On a clear day, I can see the sea...


Re: Projections vs. Beams:
(As a client) I would rather have some bright, crisp text images than a "Meh..." beam show.
*GOOD* outdoor beam displays require both experience and technological capability an order of magnitude higher than your typical indoor scene.
I'd put money on what would get repeat bookings...

Best of luck,
Dan

The getting blind your fault reply was because pj likes things more safe then me.
Someone can always grab a ladder and put his face in the projector if he wants to.
People can achieve almost anything. Its a matter of how much he straves to accomplish it.

The other quotes by me... Ive also put my own ideas with them. But since i dont want to mess up my first small show i ask.
About a price to ask the direction of the kermis...i truly have no idea.
I have no idea what you ment with "on a clear day i can see the sea" in comparision with my 445nm 1.4w laser pointer.

About starting of with small shows...i cant imagine something simpler.

But okay i guess pointing the beams straight up wont do much good with 2watts.

[mixedgas]

We keep things fenced and three meters horizontal from any audience member when working outdoors. That means three meters from where the average fingertip can reach with arm extended. So in effect about 4 meters from the laser.

Most of us would prefer you use something more then just a danger sign and yellow caution tape. It has been my experience that no one, including laser professionals, will respect a warning sign, no matter how scary it reads. Especially children and curious adults.

I suggest fencing. Bouncers do not do it, a incoming six year old human missile will evade a 300 pound bouncer every time.

You do need about 10 watts of RGB to go outdoors unless it is a very foggy night.

I suggest you do a site survey where you visit the location first and find the power source outlets, then come up with a way to make sure the public does not trip over the power cords, and a way to secure the laser location. This usually means you must physically go to the show location and check, never depend on the house technicians or marketing people for anything.

Remember you may need a sound system as well, and the cabling to get the audio from the laptop to the sound system.

Hundreds of little possible details to account for! However the only way to learn is to do it!



Steve