Talking to Lasers (DIY Animations)

[wmodes]

Howdy, I'm totally new to lasers, but an old hand with programming and software. I have a few stumbling questions about laser control. I'm going to be using motion tracking software/hardware to dynamically generate animations totally on-the-fly.

I've looked at the ILDA Connector pinout and understand this lever of direct control. X/Y at +/-10v, intensity at 0/+5v, etc. I know that a DAC (such as the EtherDream which I like so far) allow ethernet or USB control of the laser via the ILDA connector.

*What kind of input does a DAC expect? Does each DAC have its own protocol? How about the EtherDream?

Okay, I think I just answered my own question with some deft googling: http://ether-dream.com/protocol.html
It appears the EtherDream has it's own magical laser language. You write data in the form of x/y and intensity into a buffer, and then you tell it to execute. Magic! Simple! Fun! I like it! This really appeals to the programmer in me.

*I'd love to see the results of my programming on-screen. Has anyone worked up a way to simulate laser output using the EtherDream? Is there an EtherDream simulator yet?

Since I will be drawing my own DIY animations based on information I receive in real-time from the motion tracking system, I will be using mathematical and procedural algorithms to generate the animations.

* Is there software or a low-level software layer that will help with that?

For instance, I want to be able to describe a series of lines and shapes and have the laser draw and rescan them (preferably without having to continuously re-describe the lines and shapes to the laser). But since this will be in real-time, updated several times a second, I won't be able to laboriously upload images or convert/export/import files.

* Is there any software or drivers that will help with drawing arbitrary lines and shapes in real-time, continuously updated, that will handle the continuous scanning?

Wes

[swamidog]

there's LSX, which is an excellent piece of laser show sequencing software.

i think, but am not entirely positive that it supports drawing commands via an OSC network socket connection, it would then parse your commands and handle addressing the etherdream for you. please contact innolasers as i don't want to lead you astray.

https://innolasers.com/shop/index.ph...oller=category

there are some very interesting laser projects that are happening with etherdream:

http://vimeo.com/65929618
http://vimeo.com/59602627
http://www.memo.tv/ofxilda/

etc..

Howdy, I'm totally new to lasers, but an old hand with programming and software. I have a few stumbling questions about laser control. I'm going to be using motion tracking software/hardware to dynamically generate animations totally on-the-fly.

I've looked at the ILDA Connector pinout and understand this lever of direct control. X/Y at +/-10v, intensity at 0/+5v, etc. I know that a DAC (such as the EtherDream which I like so far) allow ethernet or USB control of the laser via the ILDA connector.

*What kind of input does a DAC expect? Does each DAC have its own protocol? How about the EtherDream?

Okay, I think I just answered my own question with some deft googling: http://ether-dream.com/protocol.html
It appears the EtherDream has it's own magical laser language. You write data in the form of x/y and intensity into a buffer, and then you tell it to execute. Magic! Simple! Fun! I like it! This really appeals to the programmer in me.

*I'd love to see the results of my programming on-screen. Has anyone worked up a way to simulate laser output using the EtherDream? Is there an EtherDream simulator yet?

Since I will be drawing my own DIY animations based on information I receive in real-time from the motion tracking system, I will be using mathematical and procedural algorithms to generate the animations.

* Is there software or a low-level software layer that will help with that?

For instance, I want to be able to describe a series of lines and shapes and have the laser draw and rescan them (preferably without having to continuously re-describe the lines and shapes to the laser). But since this will be in real-time, updated several times a second, I won't be able to laboriously upload images or convert/export/import files.

* Is there any software or drivers that will help with drawing arbitrary lines and shapes in real-time, continuously updated, that will handle the continuous scanning?

Wes

[dahai]

hello if you want to learn some more knowledge about laser you can come here ,here wo can talk about the laser welcome,good luck http://www.analogti.com/laser-control.html