Question about ILDA

[instinct]

(I posted this on photonlexicon too, but it seems that the section of board where I posted it doesn't get much/any traffic.)

I was thinking about purchasing this unit:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160078034505&fromMakeTrack=true

I asked if it had a IR filter, and I was told it did and that the 100mw is true 100mw taken after the IR filter was installed. The main attraction to this is the ILDA capability. The only problem is, I have never used any software for lasers, and I don't know how hard it would be to use one, It shows the scanner speed to be 15k, would this be good enough to do animations? I am not looking do anything too insane, perhaps words flipping/rotating... Is the ILDA pretty technical? And there is any freeware/moderately priced software that I could use..

Thanks for the advice..

 

[dr_lava]

does it not come with software? If not, there are a few free versions out there, someone will probably list them. Also, does it only have analog inputs, or is there a paralel port input for digital control? The positioning doesn't look very precise, but it should be fine with words and animations. 15k is the number of points, or positions that it can draw in a second. So, think about your word, estimate how many straight line segments make it up, and multiply by 24 (24 frames per second), and if it's under 15k, it should be able to to smooth animation. You could always decrease the framerate to allow more drawing complexity.

 

[SenKat]

I know this wasn't the question, but that seller is top-notch ! Just in case you were interested He ships REALLY fast, too !

 

[instinct]

does it not come with software? If not, there are a few free versions out there, someone will probably list them. Also, does it only have analog inputs, or is there a paralel port input for digital control? The positioning doesn't look very precise, but it should be fine with words and animations. 15k is the number of points, or positions that it can draw in a second. So, think about your word, estimate how many straight line segments make it up, and multiply by 24 (24 frames per second), and if it's under 15k, it should be able to to smooth animation. You could always decrease the framerate to allow more drawing complexity.

This was the response I got "[font=Arial, Verdana]Hi, it has DMX connector and ILDA compatible should be digital controllor. Sorry, not includ software. Thanks"

He actually seems to have some idea of what he (i'm assuming it's a he) is talking about, unlike many ebayers who don't know what an IR filter is. I'm still pretty much a newbie when it comes to lasers. So since it does have ILDA I would need to get software and a controller correct? Does anyone have some links of cheap controllers/software, If it seems that I am going to spend more on that then the actual laser, I will probably end up upgrading to another system. Thanks again.
[/font]

 

[jkaiser3000]

You will need the software and controller if you want ILDA control. There are some inexpensive solutions out there too.

You could get a controller (DAC for Digital to Analog Converter) that uses the parallel port of your computer and Peoplescan as the software. Look for the bilda controller on Google, though that's not the only option available. Peoplescan is free to boot :naughty:. The DAC should be less than 100us$ if you build it yourself, whichever version you dicide (soldering required, of course)

You could go with a usb based controller also, but it will require a different program to run. this option is more expensive, but it provides more flexibility and better results. Possibilities include the Easylase USB DAC along with Mamba 2004 (around 600us$), or a Pangolin system (the best but most expensive solution)

Depending on your soldering skills and the projector's capabilities, I'd sugest you go with the peoplescan/parallel port solution since that would be the least expensive route, and would be plenty good enough for beam shows (no graphics projected on a screen).

Hope this helps

 

[dr_lava]

"[font=Arial, Verdana]Hi, it has DMX connector and ILDA compatible should be digital controllor."
[/font]

That's what gets me, it might use its own DAC internally and use a digital controller interface? I'm no expert on ILDA control, it may be self-evident to any laser show professional whether ILDA interface must be analog, or if it can be digital.