Building new RGB indoor scanner for beam shows

[gabe]

when i started, moncha was the way for me, it wasnt to expensive (moncha lite is $250 as of right now) and i feel its good to start, it has the basic features of a software. easy enough to get started, while having great cue creation possiblities if you let your imagination go!

I'm not bad talking any other software, i just think that moncha is a great beginers software.

EDIT: also, i have began working on re creating as many cues from quickshow to moncha as i can.

[Greefever]

I have been looking into purchasing software and DAC myself. I was contemplating LSX, Moncha.net and Quickshow.

I found to get LSX with the same specs as QS or Moncha.net, you can't just buy a lite version. You have to get the basic with better Riya DAC and software. So its not much cheaper. I quickly scraped LSX from the list as I read some complaints about people not getting timely support. Since I'm not in North America, and have a huge time difference between me and there, I decided against LSX.

Then I could choose between Moncha.net and QS. Both are companies and not one man shows. I've never read a bad report about either program so loaded the demo of each to see for myself. Both come with a DAC without any dongles. From my own research and playing with the software I found that QS is more powerful then Moncha.net and has more room for growth.


Also when 99% of the users at a forum says to me to rather buy QS then anything else, I think its a good idea to listen. They might know something I don't

This weekend I found that Spacelas has a special selling QS with a $100-00 discount, and I jumped at it. I'm patiently waiting on delivery.

BTW, QS cost more then my projector too. Will still see how the cheap projector performs with good software.

[TsevenT]

This sure is very addicting. I've been around all day reading stuff and browsing the web to get my system together as soon as possible.

The shoplist so far is:
- PT-20K Galvos (20kpps, Phenixtechnology)
- Riya Multibus Lite DAC (Riya, probably combined with Spaghetti)
- Two Dichros, (these ones from O-Like)
- Two Lens holders, (these ones from O-Like)

Still to find:
- Suitable lasers

[jooopy]

Owner of: 1.Pangolin FB3 with QS
2. LSXpro and Riya Pro DAC
Opinion: QS excellently solid format -upgradable in multiple directions -support that's right here (PL) and completely available from Pangolin whenever I need them both phone and online -Never a let down and it's software is a live changing and growing project. The learning curve is smooth and getting stuck for me meant just make a phone call. It does take a while and I'm not done learnin. A solid standby I use to calibrate and "it never fails".

LSXpro -bought during the intro pricing convinced that this was the only way for me to own a pro software. Prices never changed I believe. Learning curve has kicked me in rear. I am blown away by it's built in shows. There are stunningly more beauty than the QS cues alone. There are many of these. I try and try and try to harness this software to be able to do things on my own but can't.
I sent a pathetic plea to DrLava for some video training that I heard was coming out but no response was attempted. I do love the shows though. But that's all I really have. Don't get me wrong. It's all there but a learning curve that is maybe more for a pro. I'm still hoping the highly respected producer of this software comes through with training videos. It appears to me very high in value.
I would probably tell my best of friends to go a grow with Pangolin as a 1st option upgradeable with Livepro or even Beyond. Although these upgrades haven't been tried by me I feel an upgrade will eventually be purchased from these industry leaders.-jimmy

[TsevenT]

Hmm, I realised I made a mistake in my setup. As far as I can see nothing is controlling the blanking of the lasers. If I simply hook the galvos to the DAC and my computer and if the lasers, dichros and mirrors are in place, everything should work, except for the blanking. What am I missing?

[jooopy]

No you got blanking covered with software dac combo none other is needed.

[TsevenT]

Ah, that's nice! So my software controls the lasers (on for the show and off for the blanking parts)?
Then only the question about the capacity of the lasers remains. What would be a good red, green, blue combination (Wattwise) to be able to do beamshows in a 20 by 20 meter room?

[jooopy]

Oh hey... Don't get caught without a breakout board to hook all the stuff together. This connects from dac to projector then internally connects lasers to galvos. I didn't have this when my 1st laser arrived and already had galvos and dac. Stanwax has a great one or there a cheap ones too$20 or so. I'm using a cheapo with no features but have 2 stanwax & a dz breakout board which all have features not in a cheap unit.

[TsevenT]

A Breakout board? That term is new to me. A quick search revealed that it is some kind of printplate. Is my assumption correct that it is there to distribute power from the PSU to all the different components? So basically the setup would be something like this:

My computer sends a signal from Spaghetti to the DAC. The DAC then tells the lasers to shine or blank and the galvos where to move. The combination produces the show.

[jooopy]

Computer USB to DAC -DAC ilda plug to breakout board ilda plug via db25 cable. Modulated signal line and ground of each laser to proper breakout board point. Galvo signals to proper breakout board points. Each laser will have psu or a combined unit -wall mains to laser driver and driver to laser. Galvo set has psu from mains power in to output to galvos. Grounding needs special attention. Read Bill Benner's/Pangolin notes on this. Have fun!- jimmy