News on new Pangolin release - is this "Beyond?"

[buffo]

Check it out... Bill Benner just posted this (below) to the ILDA list server. It sure sounds like he's talking about "Beyond", doesn't it? And if you recall, this summer they are releasing version 5.0 of the software. That's a pretty big jump in revision numbers... So maybe this is Beyond? Sure wish I was going to the ILDA conference this summer, because everyone that is there should be able to find out. So you guys that will be there need to take notes, OK? And report back here about what you see!

The complete message follows:

Hi All!

At Pangolin, along with our well-known software developments, we have also
been working on a new laser projection concept. We invite you to learn about
this new development at the upcoming ILDA Conference's Technical Workshop,
on June 5.

To create a laser show, there are certain dimensions (parameters) we all
have worked with for years. When we first buy a laser, we marvel a while at
the static beam. Then we get bored so we add the next dimension, the ability
to create shapes, using diffraction gratings or scanners. The next dimension
is to add blanking, so the moving image (graphic or beam pattern) does not
have to have all the lines connected. After this, the next dimension is to
change the color of the entire image or pattern. By using PCAOMs or fast,
direct-modulated lasers, we may gain yet another dimension, of
point-by-point color control.

At the ILDA Technical Workshop, Pangolin will be presenting yet another
dimension to laser light -- one which we believe is the first new laser beam
characteristic since PCAOMs in the early 1990s.

The presentation will consist of a PowerPoint, along with photos and videos
that we shot last night while we had this new system working at LSDI. Aside
from the pictures, video, and our own testimonial, Greg Makhov and Patrick
Murphy will also comment about what they saw and experienced last night.
(Unfortunately, owing to time constraints, the equipment which creates this
new dimension can't make it to Amsterdam.)

We don't want to reveal much more right now, but will say that the new
dimension is applicable to graphics, abstracts, raster imagery, overhead
beam effects and audience scanning and it will be relatively inexpensive to
add this new dimension to your laser projector.

I hope you will be able to attend, to see all the presentations ...
including this new dimension that will provide a whole new level of
creativity for laser artists everywhere.

Of course, if you come to the ILDA meeting, be sure to stick around for our
18th annual Pangolin User Meeting, which takes place on June 8.

Team Pangolin

Who all is planning to attend the Pangolin user meeting? (show of hands?) You guys need to get the scoop on this and share it with the rest of us! (Please? Pretty please?)

[drlava]

Yeah, so any guesses what this is? it wouldn't be spot size would it? I thought that was old news.

[soforene]

Damn !
It would cost me a pretty penny to go to Amsterdam (but not as much as for you yanks) and I am slowly running out of reasons not to go into debt to make the trip.
All these teasers just pile on the pressure .........

[FourDee]

I don't think it's beyond, it sounds like hardware

[colouredmirrorball]

Is Beyond only software or does it work with the existing hardware?

[buffo]

Andrew;

Yeah, it sounded like spot-size to me too, but who knows what it really is. Bill has said before that "Beyond" would be a totally different way of displaying laser art. In other messages he said it's not points and it's not vectors, which initially made me think that Beyond was some sort of advanced raster engine that could be coupled with a synchronized spinning mirror to do laser TV. But I don't think that's the case anymore.

I do know that Bill and Greg are both very well versed in using lenses to increase the beam divergence of a projector to reduce the irradiance to safe levels for audience scanning, but I don't see how that needs to be something implemented in software.

Bottom line, I still don't know what Beyond is. But if version 5 of the LD-2000 software isn't "Beyond", then what is it?

As for whether it will work with existing hardware or not, I *thought* it was compatible with existing projectors. But if it's got something to do with the spot size the laser draws on the wall, then it would require adding a lens to the projector. Also, Bill's message says that it would be inexpensive to add this to your projector, so that sounds like a hardware upgrade...

I dunno, which is why I wish I was going to ILDA this summer!

Adam

[trwalters001]

I like this part:

"it will be relatively inexpensive to add this new dimension to your laser projector"

[drlava]

going back to the beyond thread, see posts 25 and 26
http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...angolin&page=2

[Doc]

Maybe some kind of DLP technology?

[decix]

Beyond has been renamed to Far Beyond.
.
.
.
Far Beyond schedule...