Displaying video games with lasers

[Murudai]

Hi,

So I'm a long-time laser enthusiast and also a professional game developer. I've been eyeing off using a laser scanner to display video game graphics for a long time, but I've had neither the free time nor the money to attempt such a thing... But now I do have the free time as well as the money So I think it's time to fulfill one of my dreams. But I'll need help planning this setup, which is why I'm here.

The LD2000 SDK (http://www.pangolin.com/LD2000/LD2000_sdk.htm) with LD2000 software and QM2000.NET seems to be what I want. Anyone had any experience with that kind of setup (with the SDK)? Do I need the most expensive version of LD2000 to use the SDK, or can I get away with Basic or Intro? Would an FB3 work just as well? (I'll ask Pangolin these questions directly if nobody knows). Are there any alternative setups that could do the same thing? All I really want is to be able to programmatically control the laser scanner in real time, I don't need all that laser show managing software stuff.

And of course I need a laser! I do have a really cheap 300mW RG projector that I played around with, but it's time to upgrade. I think a 1-2 Watt RGB analog 40kpps system would be suffice, at least for starters. Having really good galvos is essential for what I want to do. Portability would be nice, but not a big deal. There's so many sellers and different models out there I could get, so any suggestions on what to get and where to buy from would be welcome! I'm in Australia, for the record.

Thanks,

[Picasso]

You can do it a ton cheaper with Ether-Dream. http://www.ether-dream.com

Pangolin would be good to go with if you plan to later sell the game as Pangolin has the largest user base.

As for vendors of completed projectors. If you got the money go KVANT or you can try China www.eightonlight.cn if you just want a projector to program on look at the Leo series. I ordered one a few weeks and have ordered another the LEO is one nice little projector. On the cheaper end and also from China www.goldenstarlaser.com Have used both above vendors and was happy with my orders.

[Murudai]

That Ether-Dream sure looks interesting. I'll send off an email, see what's what.

I wouldn't try and sell any games I make! The idea is I'd like to go to game conventions and show off these laser games, should draw in some solid interest. Kind of a promotional type thing.

Money isn't particularly an issue. Kvant seems to be popular here, read some pretty good reviews on those units. I like the sound of the 2 watt unit with CT-HP scanners (this http://www.synchrovision.co.uk/produ...canners-50kpps). It says it has a Moncha.NET DAC built into it already, am I able to use that for the games stuff I want to do? If not, can I still use a different DAC with that unit? Also, I have no idea how I'd actually go about purchasing a Kvant unit. There's no distributors in Australia.

[Picasso]

Was a port of MAME "Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator" to work with some systems, well a few ports. Can search the site you should find them,. Allows you to play the classic vector based games. No port yet for Ether-Dream.

edit:
Some great builders of systems in Australia as well, I'm sure those guys will chime in. The UK exporters have no trouble getting the Kvant's your way I'm sure. You are on the correct track looking at nice scanners. Next up is all lasers having low and the same'ish mrad. You also want them all the same size. Smaller the better so you can use the smaller mirrors for your scanner = MORE SPEED. After nice beams on the laser the only other main upgrades are more power or adding extra colors. Also is direct green modulation now I think Kvant offers this now. The Kvant you linked to would allow you to use an external DAC yes. It would bypass the built in MONCHA.NET unit. I have never heard of a SDK for Moncha.net so would need to ask them if you wanted to attempt to support that. Both Pangolin and Ether-Dream you should find easy to work with. Etherdream your more on your own with a few bits to build off from others work. Pangolin has an SDK have not seen it in a long long time so unsure whats in it now. D

[swamidog]

zoof's *awesome* astroids clone "laseroids" works great on the ether-dream dac.

i break it out at parties for big fun.

[masterpj]

Use the SDK provided by drlava here, his SDK has a support for a wide amount of controllers (including pangolin and more)
I think you need to PM him to obtain it and it's most certainly worth it.
That way everybody wins.

Regarding pangolin, all LD2000 versions should get you an SDK.
It's not included by default. You have to ask for the SDK.

[White-Light]

I have the 2.1W Spectrum and I'd say its nice quality.

It's also worth looking at RGB Laser Systems of Hungary as they produce nice projectors as well.

Alternatively Rob (Stanwax) or Marc (CT Lasers) could custom build you a laser on here to a very nice specification.

[Murudai]

zoof's *awesome* astroids clone "laseroids" works great on the ether-dream dac.

i break it out at parties for big fun.

That's what I wanted to hear, games already existing with that hardware, meaning I can be confident I can get my own system working Though naturally I'm not going to be cloning old games, I'm going to design and develop my own original games. I want to make a bunch of sweet 4 player 'party' type games that I can woo the crowds at conventions with!

I don't think I need a custom build, that Kvant should do everything I want at a good quality. It's pretty compact too, which is handy for travel. Now I just need to find someone who can ship one to me in Australia.

[Picasso]

We need a good tetris clone in the laser world, would be a fun game to see LARGE. Two players off one projector i think would be fine on flicker. A "Dance Dance" style game with the with next "move symbols" being projected on the screen might be fun also.

[loopee]

Hey Murudai

Where about in Australia are you?

There are several members on here that are in Oz

In particular there's Dave (a really good guy) that runs the business Lasershow parts http://lasershowparts.com/store/index.php based in Melbourne that is a KVANT and Pangolin dealer that may be able to assist you (I'm not sure if he sell complete systems though)

Cheers
Troy