Pangolin Beyond vs LSX

[norty303]

To answer the points about input sources for abstracts, Beyond has a few ways of generating abstracts, more traditional ways with banks and oscillators, and other methods such as synth images which can take pretty much anything in Beyond as an input cue. From what I've seen (as a Beyond user, and observer of Swami) it's a different way of achieving the same things between the 2 softwares. As was discussed some time ago, I think the fact that we have Swami doing some amazing things with LSX, it is seen as an indication that Beyond is less capable. I think it's more a case that we haven't seen a talent like Swami using Beyond.
I spent some time replicating some similar effects in Beyond and found them possible. I'm sure with enough time and familiarity (and talent!) you could produce equally good work.
I say don't get hung up on the tool, worry more about your commitment to the task. As Swami says, none of the programs have an 'I win' button for content.

[colouredmirrorball]

Swamidog, what is your affiliation with Innolasers? The Innolasers website says you are a part of the team. It doesn't seem right for you to be acting as an impartial judge of laser software if you are.

I am also "part of the team" for some reason. I made an LSX tutorial video series on Youtube and made some contributions to the living manual. I also help out people on IRC. I do not receive any monetary or other compensation for it. I did never ask to be mentioned on the website.

Same goes for others who hawk warez for their friends or those who they work with. Doesn't seem possible to get an impartial judge of laser show software here. Heck, colouredmirrorball admits he hasn't even used Beyond but is throwing his opinion in.

My opinion on Beyond is based on the screen caps people made. I can't say I was really impressed, while the software is definately easier to use than LSX or Blender, there just wasn't anything in there that made it seem worthwhile to fork out $1500. Hence my original claim.

But seriously, Beyond's physics based 3D engine and skeleton animation is something that can be really powerful for creating realistic animations if that is what you want to do. And no, you can't do the same thing in Blender and export it.

Aha.

[White-Light]

LSX has advanced colour tuning.

LSX can compensate for modulation differences with input / output delays like a software version of the colour correction board to correct colour overshoot / undershoot?????

As I said above, horses for courses and if you think Beyond is nothing more than Live Play, a Drawing Tool and a Timeline, then you really need to watch some of the tutorial videos. It's got so many features behind the scenes now that I readily admit I don't know how to use most of them or even what some of them actually do! Then again I rarely open it these days for various reasons, non of which have anything to do with the software but more to do with the fact I rarely use the laser or look at the software. I'm afraid the real world has encroached on hobbies for me.

As for the OP, if all he wants to do is project 2D logos and simple animations then pretty much most 1/2 decent software will achieve that. If he has other uses for it in the future eg 3D graphics / animations, laser / video combinations, time delayed shows, beam shows etc then spending more money for more features and power may be advised.

[colouredmirrorball]

You're going to tell people that one software package is better or easier to use based on some screenshots that someone else posted? Seriously? That's like saying: "I go to the Jamaica all the time and have a lot of fun. I think it is better than Hawaii. Of course, I only know about Hawaii from some pictures my friend showed me and from what people are saying on the "Come to Jamaica, mon!" website.

But isn't that exactly how many people decide what their holiday destination is? :P

LSX can compensate for modulation differences with input / output delays like a software version of the colour correction board to correct colour overshoot / undershoot?????

Oh, I thought this was what we were talking about:



But I believe this is what you're referring to:

As I said above, horses for courses and if you think Beyond is nothing more than Live Play, a Drawing Tool and a Timeline, then you really need to watch some of the tutorial videos.

Please, link us up!

[JohnYayas]

But isn't that exactly how many people decide what their holiday destination is? :P

Oh, I thought this was what we were talking about:

There is a difference between choosing something based on what information you can find and making recommendations to other people based on that information. Unless you have actually driven a Ford lately you shouldn't go around saying "Fords are awesome to drive."

[absolom7691]

Furthering what Al has said, Beyond really is a rabbit hole as far as depth of complexity. It does have a lot of canned, preprogrammed stuff. Much of that will get boring and quickly. The good part about it is, you feel like you're making progress right out of the box. It doesn't take long to start playing around with things on your own. I just feel that Beyond eases you into it very nicely. It starts out basic and can go very complex. It has its own scripting language which can be used to write expressions amongst many other things.

Going to Beyond was like going from MS Paint to Photoshop. There is so much there that I still don't know how to use. I will some day, the more I use it. I will admit that I haven't used LSX that much but the main reason is that it's like going from MS Paint to CorelDraw. Advanced and capable but more convoluted. The software isn't bad and it certainly isn't parochial, just a little more difficult to pick up and use. After a few hours of getting nothing but hash, I was a bit despondent about my purchase. It just rubbed me the wrong way. Patience is a virtue but I truly felt like I was going nowhere. A few months after I got LSX, tutorial threads started appearing but by then, I had already gotten Beyond. Maybe some day I will revisit LSX after spending some time in the tut threads. It's definitely an acquired taste whereas Beyond was just a better fit from the get-go.

[swamidog]

kishiplo,

why don't you tell us a little more about your planed usage. this might help us advise a solution that would meet your needs with a minimal of fuss.

[absolom7691]

kishiplo,

why don't you tell us a little more about your planed usage. this might help us advise a solution that would meet your needs with a minimal of fuss.

Agreed! Otherwise this is going to turn into a religious war, which it is skirting around!

BEYOND, MICROSOFT, ANDROID!!!!! FTW!!!!!!!

[swamidog]

Agreed! Otherwise this is going to turn into a religious war, which it is skirting around!

BEYOND, MICROSOFT, ANDROID!!!!! FTW!!!!!!!

And absolom, if you make it to Selem, I'll swap you some LSX pointers for some Beyond pointers.

[absolom7691]

And absolom, if you make it to Selem, I'll swap you some LSX pointers for some Beyond pointers.

Deal!!! I look forward to it!