The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Laser Control Software for Your Stage
by Newfeel Ho on Mar 30, 2023
Laser Control Software for Your Stage
Stage laser lights are a type of lighting equipment that can be used at shows, concerts, and other occasions, and can be used to create various effects such as beams, halos, and patterns. The following is the technology to control stage laser lights:
DMX512 control technology:
This is a digital control protocol that allows users to use a console to control various properties of the laser light, such as color, brightness, speed, mode and effect, etc. DMX512 is an industry standard, and almost all lighting equipment supports this control technology.
ILDA control technology:
This is an industry standard that transmits a digital signal to the laser light's internal controller to control its output. This technique is often used to create laser patterns and animations.
Intelligent software control technology:
Recently, more and more stage laser lights have begun to adopt artificial intelligence stage laser light control software technology. This technology allows laser lights to automatically adjust the color, intensity, speed and effect of light based on input such as the scene environment and sound.
Manual control:
If there is no console or simple operation is required, manual control can be used. This method is usually through buttons or knobs on the laser light to control various properties.
In short, the control technology of stage laser lights is constantly developing and innovating, so that users can more flexibly control various attributes of laser lights and achieve more diverse performance effects.
What is the DMX512 control technology of laser lights?
Modern laser lights can be controlled through control protocols such as DMX512, making the lighting effects of stage performances more precise and flexible. In addition, some manufacturers have also launched products that can control laser lights through wireless methods such as Wi-Fi.
Stage laser light DMX512 control technology is a technology commonly used to control stage laser lights. DMX512 is a digital communication protocol used to control lighting, audio and other stage equipment. Through DMX512 control technology, the stage laser light can realize the control of different parameters such as color, mode and speed.
The following are some key points of stage laser light DMX512 control technology:
DMX512 control signal transmission
DMX512 control signals are transmitted through XLR connectors, using 3-pin or 5-pin connectors. The 3-pin connector is for data and ground, while the 5-pin connector also includes power and signal shielding. When using a 5-pin connector, care must be taken to ensure the continuity between the signal shielding wire and the ground wire.
Addressing of DMX512 signals
Each stage laser light needs to be set with an independent address so that the controller can identify it and send control signals to it. In the DMX512 protocol, each device can have 1 to 512 addresses. When setting the address, it is necessary to ensure that the address of each device is not repeated.
DMX512 signal control
Send control signals to the stage laser light through the DMX512 controller to control the color, mode, speed and other parameters of the light. Controllers usually include a panel that can be used to set control parameters manually or via computer software.
Distributor of DMX512 signal
In order to ensure the smooth transmission of DMX512 signals, a DMX512 signal splitter is required. The signal splitter can distribute one DMX512 signal source to multiple devices to avoid signal interference or delay.
Here are some steps to help you understand how to use DMX to control stage laser lights:
First, you need a DMX controller.
This can be a standalone device or a software application, usually running on a computer.
Connect DMX controller and stage laser light.
This usually requires some DMX cables. Connect one port to the output port on the DMX controller, then connect the other port to the input port on the stage laser light.
Configure the DMX controller.
This will involve setting the DMX address and channel. Each DMX device has a unique address, you need to set the address of the stage laser light on the DMX controller. Channels define different properties that can be adjusted with DMX controllers, such as color, brightness, and motion. You need to determine which channels are controllable for the stage lasers in order to configure them on the DMX controller.
Adjust stage laser light through DMX controller.
This can include choosing colors, adjusting brightness, adjusting motion, and more. You can make adjustments with the buttons or knobs on the DMX controller, or you can use the software interface to make adjustments.
It should be noted that different stage laser lights have different control methods, so before using the DMX controller, it is best to read the instruction manual of the stage laser light for more detailed guidance.
In short, the stage laser light DMX512 control technology is an important technology to control the stage lighting, which can help the production staff to achieve more colorful stage effects.
ILDA (International Laser Display Association)
It is an international organization whose members are mainly manufacturers, technicians and enthusiasts engaged in laser light stage performance, display and decoration. ILDA has formulated a set of standard laser light control protocols, which is commonly referred to as the ILDA protocol.
The ILDA protocol defines a laser light control interface based on digital signals, which can control the color, brightness, position and other parameters of the laser light. Using the ILDA protocol, the laser light can be connected to the computer, and the precise control of the laser light can be realized through the computer software.
ILDA control technology requires a special control card and software. The control card usually has multiple output channels, and each channel can control a laser light. Through the ILDA control card, the precise control of the color, brightness, position, size, shape and other parameters of the laser light can be realized.
ILDA control technology is mainly used in stage performance, display, decoration and other fields.
Stage laser lights are often controlled using the ILDA (International Laser Display Association) standard protocol. The ILDA protocol is an open standard for laser projection. It specifies the format, rate, and frame rate of laser control signals. It ensures that laser lights produced by different manufacturers are compatible with each other. In ILDA control technology, the laser light is connected to the computer through the interface, and the computer sends instructions to the laser light. The instructions can control the color, brightness, position and other parameters of the laser, so as to realize various complex patterns and animation effects.
ILDA protocol supports multiple control modes
Including point mode, vector mode, bitmap mode, etc. Dot mode is the simplest mode, each dot can control its color and brightness. The vector mode can control the moving track of the laser, and various graphics can be realized by connecting multiple points. The bitmap mode can convert the image into a bitmap format that can be recognized by the laser light, and control the movement of the light through vectors to realize image projection.
The control software of stage laser lights can be selected according to different needs and scenarios. The following are some commonly used software:
Pangolin QuickShow:
This is a very popular laser control software that can be used to control various types of laser lights, including RGB laser lights and laser lights with ILDA input. It has an intuitive user interface and rich special effects and animations.
Laserworld Show editor:
This is a powerful laser control software that supports controlling multiple laser lights, and has preset laser animations and special effects, as well as custom laser animation editing functions.
Lasergraph DSP:
This is a professional-level laser control software, mainly used for stages, concerts and other large-scale performances. It supports multiple laser light controls, has powerful real-time rendering capabilities and a custom laser animation editor.
Beyond:
This is a professional laser control software developed by Pangolin, an American company, with powerful real-time rendering functions and various special effects and animations. It supports controlling multiple laser lights and other lighting equipment, and can be interconnected with other control software.
In short, which laser control software to choose depends on your specific needs and budget, and you should choose the appropriate software according to the type, scene and performance of the laser light.
How to program with the control software of the stage laser light
Customized lighting effects and performances can be realized by using the control software programming of stage laser lights. Here are some steps:
Determine the control software and protocol used: Different stage laser lights use different control protocols, so it is necessary to determine the software and protocol used, such as the DMX512 protocol.
Configure the hardware: Connect the stage laser lights with the control equipment and make sure the equipment is properly set up and available.
Write a program: Use a programming language such as Python or C++ to write a program to control the stage laser light. You can use the API or protocol documentation provided by the software to learn how to control the stage laser lights.
Debugging the program: After writing the program, you need to test the code to make sure it controls the stage lasers correctly. During the debugging process, a simulator or test equipment can be used to simulate the actual lighting effects and runtime performance.
Software and hardware integration: In the debugging process, the code can be integrated with the actual hardware device, and then tested and optimized to ensure that the program can work normally in the actual performance.
It should be noted that the programming to control stage laser lights requires professional knowledge and skills and should be done by professionals. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure the safety of programs and equipment, and to comply with relevant laws and regulations.
What language is used to program the control software of stage laser lights?
The control software for stage laser lights can be implemented in a variety of programming languages, depending on the preference of the manufacturer and developer. Common programming languages include C++, C#, Java, Python, etc.
Some vendors may use their own specific programming language or framework to implement control software in order to better meet their specific needs and requirements.
To create the stage laser light control software of the future, you need to consider the following aspects:
Functional requirements: Determine what functions the software needs to have, such as controlling the color, intensity, moving direction, etc. of the laser light.
User interface design: Design the user interface so that users can operate the software conveniently, such as using a graphical interface, providing easy-to-understand control buttons and menus, etc.
Programming technology: choose the appropriate programming technology, such as using C++, Python and other programming languages, and also need to consider the stability and reliability of the software.
Hardware Support: Make sure the software is able to communicate with the stage lasers and control their operation. This requires a deep understanding of the hardware, such as using the DMX protocol for communication, etc.
Hardware Support: Make sure the software is able to communicate with the stage lasers and control their operation. This requires a deep understanding of the hardware, such as using the DMX protocol for communication, etc.
Testing and debugging: After the software development is completed, adequate testing and debugging are required to ensure the stability and performance of the software.
User feedback: Finally, the software needs to be continuously improved based on user feedback to enhance the user experience.
In short, creating future stage laser light control software requires comprehensive consideration of multiple aspects, including functional requirements, user interface design, programming technology, hardware support, testing and debugging, and user feedback.
