User Manual

( Version 2015/1.0 )

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 Laserworld Showeditor 2015

Content:
1. Preface ............................................................................................ 10
1.1. Liability ....................................................................................................... 10
1.2. Versions ...................................................................................................... 11
1.3. Minimum Hardware Requirements.......................................................... 11
2. Installation....................................................................................... 12
2.1. New Installation ......................................................................................... 12
2.2. Updates / New Versions ........................................................................... 12
2.3. Different Versions of Laserworld Showeditor on one PC........................ 13
2.4. DLL-Files and Error-Messages during Installation ................................... 14
2.5. Laser Output Hardware (DAC) ................................................................. 14
2.5.1. Simulation and Virtual Device ......................................................................................... 16
2.5.2. Friendly Names ................................................................................................................. 18
2.5.3. MIDI / DMX (Hardware and Driver) ................................................................................. 18
2.5.4. DMX Settings ..................................................................................................................... 18
2.5.5. MIDI Settings...................................................................................................................... 19
2.6. Routing of Hardware-Output.................................................................... 19
2.7. Starting the Program ................................................................................. 21
2.8. Initial Settings ............................................................................................. 21
2.8.1. Setting “Others”: ............................................................................................................... 22
2.8.2. Setting “Hardware”: .......................................................................................................... 22
2.8.3. Optimize Output ............................................................................................................... 23
2.8.4. Save your settings............................................................................................................. 25
3. First Steps / Quick Start .................................................................. 25
3.1. Playback a pre-programmed music-synchronous laser show ........... 25
3.2. Create Own Figures and Shows .............................................................. 27
3.3. Show Folder / Save Figures ...................................................................... 29
3.4. Assignment of Figures to Keys ................................................................. 30
3.4.1. Manual Assignment.......................................................................................................... 31
3.4.2. Assignment by Drag and Drop to the Live Window ....................................................... 31
3.5. Use of Function Keys (F0 to F12) .............................................................. 33
3.6. Create Music Synchronous Shows .......................................................... 33
3.7. Make a Live Laser Show ........................................................................... 35
3.7.1. Load figure set .................................................................................................................. 35
3.7.2. Faders/Sliders:................................................................................................................... 36
3.7.3. Starting the live show: ...................................................................................................... 36
3.7.4. Setup options per key ...................................................................................................... 37
3.7.5. Summary of “routings”, “mappings” and “assignments”: ............................................ 37
3.7.6. Live Show - Get started quickly....................................................................................... 37
4. The Windows of Laserworld Showeditor ....................................... 38
4.1. The Figure Editor ........................................................................................ 38
4.2. The Options window ................................................................................. 39
4.3. The Effects Window ................................................................................... 40
4.4. The Timeline-Editor .................................................................................... 41
4.5. The DMX-Window ...................................................................................... 42
4.6. The Live Window ........................................................................................ 43
5. Main Manual .................................................................................. 44
6. Figure Editor (Main Window) ......................................................... 44

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6.1. Create and Edit Figures ............................................................................ 45
6.2. Graphics Features ..................................................................................... 46
6.2.1. New Figure: ....................................................................................................................... 46
6.2.2. UNDO: ................................................................................................................................ 46
6.2.3. REDO: ................................................................................................................................. 46
6.2.4. Poly-Line: ........................................................................................................................... 46
6.2.5. Line: 47
6.2.6. Point: 47
6.2.7. “A”: 47
6.2.8. Rectangle: ......................................................................................................................... 51
6.2.9. Polygon:............................................................................................................................. 51
6.2.10. Ellipse/Circle: ............................................................................................................... 51
6.2.11. Freehand: ..................................................................................................................... 52
6.2.12. Bezier: ........................................................................................................................... 52
6.2.13. Separator: .................................................................................................................... 53
6.3. Marking- and Editing-Tools ...................................................................... 54
6.3.1. Hand: ................................................................................................................................. 54
6.3.2. Cut/Copy/Paste:............................................................................................................... 55
6.3.3. Rotation Tool: .................................................................................................................... 55
6.3.4. Change-Color Tool: .......................................................................................................... 55
6.3.5. Eraser Tool (Delete): ......................................................................................................... 56
6.3.6. Wrench-Tool (Optimize Output): ..................................................................................... 56
6.3.7. Pipette (copy color): ........................................................................................................ 57
6.3.8. Magnifying Glass: ............................................................................................................. 57
6.4. Frame Tools ................................................................................................ 57
6.4.1. New Frame: ....................................................................................................................... 58
6.4.2. Delete Frame: ................................................................................................................... 58
6.4.3. Insert Frame: ..................................................................................................................... 58
6.4.4. Morph: ............................................................................................................................... 58
6.4.5. Morph All: .......................................................................................................................... 60
6.4.6. Frames per Second: ......................................................................................................... 61
6.4.7. Scroll-Bar (Frame Selection): ........................................................................................... 62
6.4.8. Buttons for editing the frame display order: ................................................................... 62
6.5. File (Buttons Save, Save As and Save All) .............................................. 62
6.5.1. Save 62
6.5.2. Save As .............................................................................................................................. 63
6.5.3. Save All .............................................................................................................................. 63
6.6. Textbox „Grid“ ........................................................................................... 63
6.7. Output Path ................................................................................................ 63
6.8. Color Selection .......................................................................................... 64
6.8.1. Color Cube........................................................................................................................ 64
6.8.2. Color Circle ....................................................................................................................... 64
6.8.3. Color Palette – favourite colors ....................................................................................... 64
6.9. Checkbox “Figures Always on Top“ ....................................................... 65
6.10. Folder-Area ............................................................................................... 65
6.10.1. Global Figures ............................................................................................................. 65
6.10.2. Test Pictures ................................................................................................................. 66
6.11. Buttons in the right column....................................................................... 66
6.11.1. Live Window: ................................................................................................................ 66
6.11.2. Timeline: ....................................................................................................................... 66
6.11.3. Effects: .......................................................................................................................... 66
6.11.4. DMX: ............................................................................................................................. 66
6.11.5. Options: ........................................................................................................................ 67
6.11.6. Laser ON: ...................................................................................................................... 67

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6.11.7. Simulation: ................................................................................................................... 67
6.11.8. Black Screen:............................................................................................................... 67
6.11.9. Complete Reset: .......................................................................................................... 68
6.11.10. Assign Figure:............................................................................................................... 68
6.12. Menus and options ................................................................................... 68
6.13. Menu: File................................................................................................... 68
6.13.1. Open Laser Show ........................................................................................................ 68
6.13.2. Play-List Load ............................................................................................................... 68
6.13.3. Load Live Show ............................................................................................................ 68
6.13.4. New Figure ................................................................................................................... 68
6.13.5. Save, Save As, Save All .............................................................................................. 69
6.13.6. Delete File .................................................................................................................... 69
6.13.7. Import ILDA .................................................................................................................. 69
6.13.8. Save ILDA ..................................................................................................................... 69
6.13.9. Import *.AI file (Adobe Illustrator) .............................................................................. 70
6.13.10. End ................................................................................................................................ 70
6.13.11. Entries below “End” ..................................................................................................... 70
6.14. Menu: Background Image ....................................................................... 70
6.14.1. Load Picture ................................................................................................................. 70
6.14.2. Delete Picture .............................................................................................................. 70
6.14.3. Background Image Visible......................................................................................... 70
6.14.4. Hidden Background Image ....................................................................................... 71
6.14.5. Edit Laser Frame / Edit Background Image .............................................................. 71
6.14.6. Raster-framing: The Raster Color Tool........................................................................ 71
6.15. Menu Edit ................................................................................................... 73
6.15.1. Color change .............................................................................................................. 73
6.15.2. Mark all Points ............................................................................................................. 74
6.15.3. Cut ................................................................................................................................ 74
6.15.4. Copy ............................................................................................................................. 74
6.15.5. Paste ............................................................................................................................. 74
6.15.6. Show Points .................................................................................................................. 74
6.15.7. Show Blanked Lines ..................................................................................................... 74
6.15.8. View Grid > 5 or View Grid > 0 ................................................................................... 74
6.16. Menu: Figure Assignment ......................................................................... 74
6.16.1. Print PC-List ................................................................................................................... 74
6.16.2. Show PC-List ................................................................................................................. 74
6.16.3. Print Keyboard-List ...................................................................................................... 75
6.16.4. Show Keyboard-List..................................................................................................... 75
6.16.5. Assign Figure................................................................................................................ 75
6.16.6. Assign all Figures automatically ................................................................................ 75
6.16.7. Delete all DMX Assignments ...................................................................................... 75
6.16.8. Delete all MIDI Assignments ....................................................................................... 75
6.16.9. Delete all key assignments ........................................................................................ 75
6.16.10. Show Unused Keys ...................................................................................................... 75
6.17. Menu: Frame Tools .................................................................................... 76
6.17.1. New Frame................................................................................................................... 76
6.17.2. Delete Frame ............................................................................................................... 76
6.17.3. Insert Frame ................................................................................................................. 76
6.17.4. Copy Frames A=>B to Clipboard ............................................................................... 77
6.17.5. Cut Frames A=>B and Copy to Clipboard ................................................................ 77
6.17.6. Change rendering direction of frames in clipboard ................................................ 77
6.17.7. Paste Frames A=>B from Clipboard ........................................................................... 77
6.17.8. Add Frames A=>B from Clipboard............................................................................. 77
6.17.9. Frames per Second ..................................................................................................... 77
6.17.10. Morph ........................................................................................................................... 77

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6.17.11. Morph All ...................................................................................................................... 77
6.18. Menu: Windows ......................................................................................... 78
6.18.1. Options ......................................................................................................................... 78
6.18.2. Special Functions ........................................................................................................ 78
6.18.3. DMX .............................................................................................................................. 79
6.18.4. Timeline ........................................................................................................................ 79
6.18.5. Effects ........................................................................................................................... 79
6.18.6. Automatic / Sound Mode ........................................................................................... 79
6.18.7. Beatcounter ................................................................................................................. 80
6.18.8. Tool: Wave-Generator ................................................................................................ 81
6.18.9. Tool: Path Tool .............................................................................................................. 83
6.18.10. Tool: Stretch Lines Tool ................................................................................................ 85
6.18.11. Tool: Bitmap Trace Tool ............................................................................................... 86
6.18.12. Tool: Color Shove ........................................................................................................ 87
6.18.13. Tool: Insert Color Gradient / Insert Smooth Colors ................................................... 88
6.18.14. Live Window ................................................................................................................. 89
6.19. Menu: Color Table..................................................................................... 89
6.19.1. Reset ............................................................................................................................. 89
6.19.2. Save .............................................................................................................................. 89
6.19.3. Load.............................................................................................................................. 89
6.19.4. Load Pangolin Color Table ......................................................................................... 89
6.20. Menu: Signs/Text ....................................................................................... 90
6.20.1. New Text or Sign .......................................................................................................... 90
6.20.2. Enable SMS .................................................................................................................. 93
6.21. Menu: Test Pictures (and Fix Figures) ...................................................... 94
6.21.1. Test Pictures ................................................................................................................. 94
6.21.2. Fixed Figures ................................................................................................................ 94
6.22. Menu: Info .................................................................................................. 94
6.22.1. Version ......................................................................................................................... 94
6.22.2. Imprint .......................................................................................................................... 94
6.22.3. Update History ............................................................................................................. 95
6.22.4. Update Homepage ..................................................................................................... 95
6.22.5. www.showeditor.com ................................................................................................. 95
7. Effects & Animation ........................................................................ 95
8. Options / Settings ........................................................................... 98
8.1. Settings – Import, Export ........................................................................... 98
8.2. Tab “Hardware” ........................................................................................ 99
8.3. Tab “Text”................................................................................................... 99
8.3.1. Max. Number of Signs .................................................................................................... 100
8.3.2. Use Compression x (y) Absolute ................................................................................... 100
8.3.3. Displacement x (y) ......................................................................................................... 100
8.3.4. Size over All ..................................................................................................................... 100
8.3.5. Milliseconds per Frame .................................................................................................. 100
8.3.6. Letter-Folder and Folder (Save SMS)............................................................................. 100
8.4. Tab “Show” .............................................................................................. 100
8.4.1. Damping for Absolute Rotation (Compression) ........................................................... 101
8.4.2. Select new Audio File ..................................................................................................... 101
8.4.3. File Name Song............................................................................................................... 101
8.4.4. File Name Show .............................................................................................................. 101
8.4.5. Save Show Settings ......................................................................................................... 101
8.5. Tab “MIDI/DMX” ...................................................................................... 101
8.5.1. Print Width (or Height) for 1 octave ............................................................................... 102
8.5.2. Selected MIDI-Port .......................................................................................................... 102
8.5.3. Setup MIDI input routing ................................................................................................. 102

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8.5.4. DMX-Channels ................................................................................................................ 102
8.5.5. DMX-Ports (Input and Output) ....................................................................................... 102
8.5.6. DMX through ................................................................................................................... 102
8.5.7. DMX input offset .............................................................................................................. 103
8.5.8. Input Interval when Laser Output is stopped (running) ............................................... 103
8.5.9. Ignore Size Control ......................................................................................................... 103
8.5.10. DMX Input Routing..................................................................................................... 103
8.6. Tab “Others 1” ......................................................................................... 103
8.6.1. Show used Softwarepaths .............................................................................................. 104
8.6.2. Style of Color Selection .................................................................................................. 104
8.6.3. Save Undo Files ............................................................................................................... 104
8.6.4. Info: new version ............................................................................................................. 104
8.6.5. Select Language ............................................................................................................ 104
8.6.6. Monitor action during playing HQ or Playlist shows .................................................... 104
8.6.7. Select Standard Folders ................................................................................................. 105
8.7. Tab “Others 2” ......................................................................................... 105
8.7.1. Show animated frames in Figure Editor ........................................................................ 105
8.7.2. Progress bar always on top ........................................................................................... 106
8.7.3. Quick-start on use of Play button in Timeline Editor .................................................... 106
8.7.4. Load default Live Show .................................................................................................. 106
8.7.5. Resolution Wave Form Display ...................................................................................... 106
8.7.6. ILDA Color Byte Order .................................................................................................... 106
8.7.7. Define Autoload Show ................................................................................................... 106
8.7.8. Reset Autoload ............................................................................................................... 106
8.8. Tab “Optimize Output” ........................................................................... 106
8.8.1. Extra Color Point at Line Start ......................................................................................... 107
8.8.2. Extra Color Point at Line End .......................................................................................... 107
8.8.3. Corner Point Repetition .................................................................................................. 107
8.8.4. Max. Distance Laser OFF ................................................................................................ 108
8.8.5. Max. Distance Laser ON ................................................................................................ 108
8.8.6. Soft Color Distance ......................................................................................................... 108
8.8.7. Max. Point Distance Text ................................................................................................ 108
8.8.8. Color Shift R / G / B ......................................................................................................... 108
8.8.9. Output Hardware ............................................................................................................ 109
8.8.10. Scrollbar PPS .............................................................................................................. 109
8.8.11. Picture Center after each Frame ............................................................................. 109
8.8.12. Frame-Start, Point-Repetition ................................................................................... 109
8.8.13. Frame-End, Point-Repetition..................................................................................... 109
8.8.14. Scanner movement, if output is off .......................................................................... 109
8.9. Tab “Output”............................................................................................ 110
8.9.1. Output-Hardware: .......................................................................................................... 111
8.9.2. Mirror X/Y: ....................................................................................................................... 111
8.9.3. Swap X/Y: ........................................................................................................................ 111
8.9.4. Displacement X/Y: ......................................................................................................... 111
8.9.5. Rotation: .......................................................................................................................... 111
8.9.6. Size X/Y (global): ............................................................................................................ 111
8.9.7. Trapezoid X/Y:................................................................................................................. 111
8.9.8. Proj. Distance: ................................................................................................................. 111
8.9.9. Size of Show: Size X/Y ..................................................................................................... 111
8.9.10. Output correction – alternative method ................................................................. 112
8.10. Tab “Color Correction” ........................................................................... 112
8.10.1. Show Blanked Lines ................................................................................................... 112
8.10.2. Intensity = Brightest Color / Intensity = Grey-Scale ................................................ 112
8.10.3. Button Color-Correction ........................................................................................... 112
8.10.4. Extended Color Correction (Min/Max scroll-bars for RGB) ................................... 113

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8.10.5. Area “Projektor Brightness” – Safety Zones, Beam Attenuation ............................ 114
8.11. Tab “Reset Settings” ................................................................................ 114
8.11.1. Button “Reset Settings” .............................................................................................. 114
8.11.2. Button “Reset only Windows Positions” .................................................................... 115
8.11.3. Button “Reset Skin colors”......................................................................................... 115
8.12. General Buttons of the Options Dialog ................................................. 115
8.12.1. Buttons “Export/Import Settings” .............................................................................. 115
8.12.2. Button “Close Window” ............................................................................................. 115
8.12.3. Button “Save Settings and Close Window” ............................................................. 115
8.12.4. Filename path of ini File ............................................................................................ 116
9. Timeline Editor .............................................................................. 116
9.1. Buttons and Tools .................................................................................... 117
9.1.1. Magnifying Glass ............................................................................................................ 117
9.1.2. Hand 117
9.1.3. Eraser Tool ....................................................................................................................... 117
9.1.4. Effect Tool ........................................................................................................................ 118
9.1.5. Info Button ....................................................................................................................... 119
9.1.6. Buttons Cut, Copy and Paste ......................................................................................... 120
9.1.7. Buttons Undo/Redo......................................................................................................... 120
9.1.8. Show Control Buttons...................................................................................................... 120
9.1.9. Further Show Editor Elements ......................................................................................... 121
9.2. Menu: File................................................................................................. 123
9.2.1. Open Show...................................................................................................................... 123
9.2.2. Save Show ....................................................................................................................... 123
9.2.3. Save as ............................................................................................................................ 123
9.2.4. Create New Show ........................................................................................................... 123
9.2.5. New Showpart ................................................................................................................. 124
9.2.6. Clear Timeline ................................................................................................................. 125
9.2.7. Export Show as ILDA-File ................................................................................................ 125
9.2.8. Create Show from ILDA-File ........................................................................................... 125
9.2.9. Show Dongle-Protection ................................................................................................ 126
9.2.10. List of Show Names and Play Lists (loaded at the last sessions)............................ 127
9.3. Menu: Showpart ...................................................................................... 127
9.4. Menu: Edit ................................................................................................ 127
9.4.1. Reset 127
9.4.2. Undo 127
9.4.3. Output selected events.................................................................................................. 127
9.4.4. Cut/Copy/Paste.............................................................................................................. 127
9.5. Menu: Tools .............................................................................................. 128
9.5.1. Beat Counter ................................................................................................................... 128
9.5.2. Move all events in timeline ............................................................................................ 128
9.5.3. Move events after current time position ....................................................................... 128
9.5.4. Delete unused files from show folder ............................................................................ 128
9.5.5. Use Mouse Grid............................................................................................................... 128
9.5.6. Create Grid ..................................................................................................................... 129
9.6. Menu: Settings ......................................................................................... 129
9.6.1. Start/Stop Laser Output automatically ......................................................................... 129
9.6.2. Use Key-Up Event ==> Figure off ................................................................................... 129
9.6.3. Play HQ Delay = 1s ......................................................................................................... 129
9.6.4. Enter Delay for Show-Start.............................................................................................. 129
9.7. Menu: Video ............................................................................................ 130
9.7.1. Window On/Off ............................................................................................................... 130
9.7.2. Correct Aspect Ratio ...................................................................................................... 130
9.7.3. Stretch Video in Window ................................................................................................ 130

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9.7.4. Full screen ....................................................................................................................... 130
9.8. Menu: Play-List ........................................................................................ 130
9.8.1. Display ............................................................................................................................. 130
9.8.2. Save 130
9.8.3. Load 130
9.8.4. Start Play List .................................................................................................................... 130
9.9. Menu: Info.txt ........................................................................................... 131
9.9.1. Display File info.txt .......................................................................................................... 131
9.9.2. Display the info.txt automatically ................................................................................. 131
9.10. Menu: Countdown .................................................................................. 132
9.10.1. Start ............................................................................................................................. 132
9.10.2. Define Figures ............................................................................................................ 132
9.11. Menu: Showpath ..................................................................................... 133
10. The Playlist .................................................................................... 133
10.1. Violet Arrows............................................................................................ 133
10.2. Green Arrow / Blue Square .................................................................... 133
10.3. Button Close Window .............................................................................. 133
10.4. Button + .................................................................................................... 133
10.5. Eraser ........................................................................................................ 133
10.6. Vertical Green Arrows ............................................................................ 134
10.7. The List area ............................................................................................. 134
10.8. Output Routing and Speed .................................................................... 134
10.9. MIDI-Info .................................................................................................. 134
10.10. Loop ......................................................................................................... 134
10.11. All Shows ................................................................................................. 134
10.12. Wait for OK-click before start next show ............................................. 134
10.13. New List ................................................................................................... 134
10.14. Load......................................................................................................... 135
10.15. Save ......................................................................................................... 135
10.16. Create Play List from Folder .................................................................. 135
11. DMX Editor .................................................................................... 135
11.1. EasyDMX – Fader Control ....................................................................... 136
11.2. Macro-Steps ............................................................................................ 137
11.2.1. Button: New Step ....................................................................................................... 137
11.2.2. Button: Delete ............................................................................................................ 137
11.2.3. Button: Insert .............................................................................................................. 137
11.2.4. Button: Seconds per Step ......................................................................................... 137
11.2.5. Scrollbars No. of intermediate steps/ ms per intermediate step .......................... 137
11.2.6. Buttons for setting the direction................................................................................ 137
11.3. Edit Steps .................................................................................................. 138
11.3.1. Buttons: Cut/ Copy/ Paste ........................................................................................ 138
11.3.2. Button: Create new DMX-Macro.............................................................................. 138
11.4. File ............................................................................................................ 138
11.4.1. Buttons: Save/ Save as/ Save all ............................................................................. 138
11.4.2. Button: Close Window ............................................................................................... 138
11.5. Additional Elements (Output, Master, Mapper etc.) ........................... 138
11.5.1. DMX Interface............................................................................................................ 138
11.5.2. Scrollbar DMX Master ............................................................................................... 138
11.5.3. Button: Start DMX Output .......................................................................................... 138
11.5.4. Button: DMX Monitor ................................................................................................. 139
11.5.5. Link DMX Macros to Laser Figures ........................................................................... 139

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11.5.6. Button: DMX Mapper ................................................................................................. 139
11.5.7. Macro Area................................................................................................................ 139
11.5.8. DMX Macro “Note off Figur***Aus***” ..................................................................... 139
11.6. “Intelligent”-DMX .................................................................................... 140
11.6.1. Button: Edit DMX-Device........................................................................................... 140
11.6.2. Label ........................................................................................................................... 141
11.6.3. Dimmable .................................................................................................................. 141
11.6.4. Master sensitive ......................................................................................................... 141
11.6.5. Channel Red/Green/Blue ........................................................................................ 141
11.6.6. X and Y Channels (PAN/TILT) ................................................................................... 141
11.6.7. Use of several identical DMX-devices with different addresses ........................... 142
11.6.8. Button: Save DMX-Device ........................................................................................ 142
11.6.9. Button: Load DMX-Device ........................................................................................ 142
11.6.10. Button: Use DMX-Device........................................................................................... 142
11.6.11. Selection of the DMX devices for creating macros ............................................... 143
11.6.12. Selection of multiple DMX Devices for creating macros ....................................... 143
11.6.13. Button: Save Device List ............................................................................................ 143
11.6.14. Button: Load Device List ............................................................................................ 143
11.6.15. Button: Clear Device List ........................................................................................... 143
11.6.16. Use of Intelligent DMX-Devices ................................................................................ 143
11.6.17. Intelligent DMX and License..................................................................................... 144
11.6.18. Menu of the DMX-Window ....................................................................................... 144
12. Remote Control of the Software via DMX and MIDI ................. 144
12.1. Remote Control with DMX ...................................................................... 144
12.1.1. Timeline Window DMX Control ................................................................................. 144
12.1.2. Live Window DMX Control ........................................................................................ 145
12.2. Control via MIDI....................................................................................... 146
12.2.1. Setup of MIDI Input Routing for the Live Window .................................................... 146
12.2.2. Setup of MIDI Input Routing for the Timeline Window............................................. 147
12.2.3. MIDI Controller Presets / Profiles .............................................................................. 148
13. The Live Window ........................................................................... 148
13.1. Live Show Options ................................................................................... 149
13.2. Options per Key ...................................................................................... 149
13.2.1. Use Key Up Event (Flash) .......................................................................................... 150
13.2.2. Switch off unused tracks ........................................................................................... 150
13.2.3. Output Tracks 0 - 47 .................................................................................................. 150
13.2.4. Scrollbars DMX Start / Stop Value(s)........................................................................ 150
13.2.5. Scrollbars MIDI Start / Stop Value(s) ........................................................................ 150
13.2.6. Buttons “Assign all Keys to DMX” and “Map MIDI automatically” ....................... 150
13.2.7. Selection of Effects and intensity ............................................................................. 151
13.2.8. Settings per key, right click menu ........................................................................... 151
14. Important Hints ............................................................................. 152
14.1. Further Tutorials on the website, Tutorial videos, Troubleshooting...... 152
14.2. Free Laser Shows ..................................................................................... 152
14.3. Shows created with Third Party Software, Compatibility ..................... 152
14.4. Additional Downloads ............................................................................ 152
14.5. Support ..................................................................................................... 152
15. Index ............................................................................................. 153
16. Figure Index .................................................................................. 162

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1. Preface

To get started with Showeditor quickly, we recommend having a

look at our Quick-Start-Guide (last pages of this document). This
Quick-Start-Guide helps you in understanding the major features
of Software without explaining too many details – so it’s perfect for
everyone who likes to learn the software by doing.
The software Laserworld Showeditor is under permanent development. Thus it is not
possible to describe every single feature, as with nearly every update new features
are added. The manual will be updated with major new releases, so minor feature
updates might not be included yet.

Please always make sure you’re working with the latest software version of Laserworld
Showeditor. Laserworld does not force you to update, but we of course recommend
to always using the latest stable version. It is recommended to not update just before
a live event or show starts where the software should be used. It is recommended to
always do a general system test of software and corresponding hardware prior to
laser operation at a show.

When you find any mistakes in this manual or in the software, please contact our bug
trackers – [email protected] . Ideas for improving the software, new ideas for
features, interfaces or hardware support are highly welcome at any time: Please add
them to our development list on http://www.showeditor.com/devlopment . The
permanent improvement of this software is only possible with your help!
If you’re facing any urgent issues, please contact our support team at
[email protected] – we try to help you as quickly as possible.

1.1. Liability
Laserworld (Switzerland) AG or any other legal entity or person involved in the
process of development and publication of this piece of software is not responsible
nor liable for damages to show laser hardware and components like e.g.
galvanometer scanners or for the health of people or animals like eye-damages due
to focused laser beams or projection with too high intensity or for any other
occasions that may arise from the use of the software Laserworld Showeditor.
Every user of Laserworld Showeditor must respect the very laser safety regulations of
the country the laser systems are operated in. In general, the IEC 60825 is the
international regulation for this; however there may be state or local regulations or
laws that require additional laser safety related measures.

It is possible to create still standing beams / static beams with this software! The laser
safety for the laser-device(s) controlled through this software must be ensured by the
operator. The operator must be aware of potential risks arising from the use of show
laser devices, especially when people or animals can be hit by laser radiation.

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Every laser operator should bear in mind that he is at any time responsible for
damages that may arise from his use of laser gear.

1.2. Versions
There are different versions of the software available:

DEMO:
A DEMO Version of the software is available. The features of this version are limited
and it is not possible to output to any hardware interfaces..

Full Version:
The full software package is active as soon as a licensed hardware device is
connected, like the ShowNET.

With the full version of the software all options are enabled. Up to 16 output
interfaces (DAC's) can be used, controlled via 12 figure tracks including the
corresponding effects tracks. Furthermore, the "intelligent" DMX controller (DMX is
generally used for controlling lighting systems) can be used. Show protection against
unauthorized access can also be limited to the license number of the very interface
connected.

1.3. Minimum Hardware Requirements

Minimum hardware requirements for the computer Showeditor should run on, are:
- Microsoft Windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7 - 32 or 64 bit version, Windows 8 - 32 or
64 bit version)
- CPU: Pentium 4, 1GHz or faster (a faster computer allows for smoother laser
output)
- 500 MB working memory or more
- 5 GB memory on hard drive and memory for the shows (possibly less)
- Sound card
- Graphics resolution minimum 1152 * 864 pixels (otherwise parts of the software
window are not visible), installed openGL driver
Attention Netbook user! Some Netbook displays may not meet the minimum resolution
specifications! Make sure to use a proper laptop/netbook for best user experience!
- LAN port 100MBit

Suggestions:
Two screens simplify the work with Laserworld Showeditor – we suggest using a
second screen, at least for programming. It simply makes things much easier.

It’s difficult to specify the “ideal” setup for running Laserworld Showeditor. Some users
work with Showeditor even on different operating systems (MAC and Linux, both with
emulators). The program is created for Windows XP (service packs 1 to 3), Windows
Vista (SP1 and SP2 with 32 or 64 bit) and also for Windows 7 and Windows 8 (both 32
and 64 bit versions). Also many computer systems with Macintosh operating system
with Windows emulation are possibly able to run the program. However, Laserworld

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does not provide any support for Showeditor installations on non-native Microsoft
Windows systems.

The more DACs are controlled from one computer, the more “power” is required.

“Comfortable Working”:
The laser output is calculated in real time. Dependent upon load of the computer it
could happen, that animations will show short stops or will hang up. Therefore we
recommend a better equipped system than the above described minimal
requirements.

To run a laser show with 4 independent projectors and DMX as well as video output
via video projector and sound you should have at least an Intel Core Duo with 2 GHz
CPU, 2 GB RAM, and a fast hard drive. A separate graphics board also makes sense
(better than on-board graphics).

Laserworld Showeditor can control up to 16 output cards simultaneously. It is possible

to even control more laser systems individually by configuring the output matrix
appropriately.
The following show setups have been tested with good results:

● 16 ShowNET interfaces, each connected to an RGB projector.

2. Installation

2.1. New Installation

First step: Download of the latest installation-file from the website:
http://www.showeditor.com

Second step: Start the installation file Laserworld_Showeditor_2015.msi and follow the
instructions.

Third step: A Quick-Start-Guide or video tutorials are available, if only the basic
information on how Showeditor works is needed. Video tutorials can be found at:
http://www.showeditor.com/tutorials

2.2. Updates / New Versions

There are no updates for Laserworld Showeditor, but new versions (releases)! If a
new version shall be installed, the old version must be removed from the computer
prior to the installation.
To do so, start the downloaded installer from Laserworld. The following dialog (Fig.2)
will be displayed:

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Fig. 1: Setup-Wizard of Laserworld Showeditor.

Now select the option “Remove Laserworld Showeditor” with a mouse click on the
respective radio button. After confirmation via a click on “Finish”, the old program
will be removed. The *.ini-file remains in the Windows folder (operating system folder).
Thus all settings will be conserved (serial number, hardware setup etc.).

Now the “update” can be carried out like a new installation. In the case of major
installation issues, the old program folder and possibly the *.ini file should be removed
prior to the new installation. This usually helps with fixing issues, however standard
settings get lost hen deleting the *.ini file.

An exact location where the *.ini file is stored cannot be given, because since
Windows 7 the location is dependent on the settings of the operating system. Thus
the option to delete the old *.ini file via the program is added under Options →
Reset. To determine the location of the file use Options → Others → Button “Show
Software Paths”. Normally it is not necessary to remove the *.ini file(s), except
problems at software start-up or major installation issues occur.

2.3. Different Versions of Laserworld Showeditor on one PC

On the same PC different versions of Laserworld Showeditor can be installed at the
same time. That is not given for the smaller bug-fixes, but applies to the major
releases, like Showeditor 2011 and Showeditor 2015.
Each version has its own *.ini-file. This *.ini-file can be copied from one version to
another, but it is not recommended due to potential incompatibilities.

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2.4. DLL-Files and Error-Messages during Installation

In the case any error messages show up during the installation process, please have
a closer look at our troubleshooting hints on
http://www.showeditor.com/troubleshooting

2.5. Laser Output Hardware (DAC)

Laserworld strongly recommends to only using the ShowNET interfaces with
Laserworld Showeditor. The software is optimized for this DAC, and the licensing is
also handled through it.

The interfaces (DAC) can be selected at Options → Hardware. In the drop down lists
the connected interfaces can be selected. For special applications it is possible to
select the same interface in two lists (matrix-match). This is especially useful, if two
different settings (e.g. output options) will be applied. Output should only be made
to one of the selected lists per interface, as otherwise the signals overlay and may
lead to flickering output.

An example for such an application would be a mixed show with graphics and
beams: For the graphics display, the output is set to fit to a screen, for the beams a
setting with different parameters is chosen.

Another possible application could be the use of a playlist containing a mixture of

different show types (e.g. graphics, 1 projector beam, 3 projector beam, 1+2
projector beam etc.). This kind of use is explained in the chapter “Playlist”.

The different hardware interfaces can be custom named, to make them easier to
identify. (e.g. “Main Projector”, “Satellite 1”, “Graphics Projector”…).

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Fig. 2: Menu “Options/Hardware” for the selection of the hardware interfaces (DAC).
Up to 16 interfaces can be used. The shown setup is useful for a simulation of a 1 + 2
projector show (typical setup).

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2.5.1. Simulation and Virtual Device
For a simulation/visualization of the laser show, no real output hardware device is
required. But it is essential, that the “Virtual Device” is assigned to the respective
output channels in “Options  Hardware”. If there is no real hardware device
detected, at least one “Virtual Device” is selected as standard.
If the software detects any DAC, it will be automatically added to the list in the order
they are detected. The automatically assigned positions can of course be changed
according to user requirements.
Independent of the type of connected “hardware”, the simulation can be started
by opening the respective window (see Fig.9). In case only virtual devices are
connected, the simulation window is opened automatically when clicking on “Laser
ON”.
The simulation of course also works with real hardware interfaces connected,
however only visualization or real laser output can run – they cannot both be run at
the same time.

To start the simulation, click on the “Simulation” button. A window opens that displays
the actually selected figure(s).
The window title bar shows the number of points currently shown. This can help to
flicker-optimize the output of the laser projector(s) used.

The simulation must be started prior to starting the show. The simulation window will
automatically be attached to the top layer and thus stays in the foreground.

Fig. 3: Simulation of figures and laser-shows. Use right mouse

button to open the setup dialog (above).
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The simulation uses Direct-X 8.0 (or newer) or OpenGL. With Direct-X, the simulation
works quicker, but is not as accurate. It is possible to simulate beam shows as well as
graphics shows. Also a combination of beam and graphic is possible (like used in
Fig.5).

Up to sixteen simulated projectors are possible. To open the dialog to adjust the
simulation, click the right mouse button in the simulation window or use the menu
“Options”. A second right mouse button click will close the dialog. A click and hold
on the center position of the selected projector allows to move it’s position. The
selection of a projector is done with the radio buttons on the right side of the dialog.
On closing the window, the settings are stored to the *.ini-file.

The Fig.5 shows an example for a simulation setup with 1 plus 2x2 projectors (one
main projector and two satellite pairs).

Fig. 4: Simulation with virtual devices.

Hint: It is also possible to start Laserworld Showeditor by double-click on a Showeditor

*.ini file. So it may make sense to create a separate *.ini file for the settings of the
simulation (virtual devices, positions of projectors, movements, etc.) and to export
these settings to e.g. “simulation.ini”. This way several *.ini files could be saved with
different simulation settings. Simulations with the respective settings then can simply
be started with a double click on the corresponding *.ini file.

Troubleshooting – Simulation is not working or not displaying correctly:

 If the simulation is displayed incorrectly or distorted, a click on the reset button
may fix the display error.
 After a new installation of the software, the parameters for the simulation
display may not 100% fit the requirements. Please use the reset button to fix
this issue.
 If the color correction setup for the hardware is not done correctly or missing
at all, the simulation can not visualize properly.
 The drivers for the graphics board need to be installed correctly. The
simulation requires the OpenGL engine.
 During the laser show simulation, a laser output through DACs is not possible:
The output is redirected to the simulation – including output parameters like x-
axis mirroring or output size.

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To end the simulation, just click on the cross in the upper right corner of the window. If
you click on “Laser Off” (or you stop the show), the simulation window disappears,
but will automatically reappear on restart of the output.

2.5.2. Friendly Names

Each DAC interface can be named individually. The name can be set in the
hardware options (Options  Hardware) with click on the button “Set Device
Name”. This “Friendly Name” is stored on the DAC, so it shows when connecting it to
a different computer too.

2.5.3. MIDI / DMX (Hardware and Driver)

The setup of the MIDI and DMX-hardware is done in the dialog OptionsMIDI/DMX
(Fig.6)

Fig. 5: Menu Options/MIDI/DMX: Selection of DMX-ports for input and output, selection
of MIDI-device and setup of printer.

Fig.6: Menu Options/MIDI/DMX: Selection of DMX-ports for input and output, selection of MIDI-
device and setup of printer.

Different output interfaces can be assigned for DMX input and DMX output. The
duration of the request-interval for the input can be adjusted (dependent on the
laser output).

2.5.4. DMX Settings

Laserworld Showeditor supports DMX input as well as DMX output. With DMX in it is
possible to remote-control most features of the software with a DMX controller (or a
DMX software). This is especially useful in Live-Mode, as real faders could be used for
controlling the effects, brightness and speed assigned to the patterns.
DMX out can be used for controlling DMX fixtures of any type, e.g. moving lights,
pyrotechnical effects or fog machines.

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For using the DMX features of the ShowNET interface, it is necessary to connect the
DMX-Adapter to the ILDA line. The DMX Adapter can be purchased through
Laserworld or their distribution partners.

2.5.5. MIDI Settings

Each installed MIDI-port on the PC should be automatically recognized by
Laserworld Showeditor, including virtual ones. MIDI can be used to control the Live
Window, the Timeline as well as the playlist. It is especially useful for recording a show
in the timeline window, e.g. can figures be assigned by “playing” on a MIDI
keyboard.

MIDI ports must be assigned manually before they can be used.

Laserworld offers several MIDI presets for a selection of MIDI devices; those
configurations can be downloaded in the download section on
http://www.showeditor.com

A MIDI-port can be selected at OptionsMIDI-DMX-Printer (Fig.6), then “Change”.

A dialog for selecting the desired MIDI-port opens. Only the MIDI-IN-port is used! In
many cases the MIDI routing must be adapted to the very device in use.

2.6. Routing of Hardware-Output

The routing of the hardware output is very simple but nevertheless incredibly flexible
and powerful. Up to sixteen different interfaces can be assigned.

The routing allows for a matrix setup:

Each single route transmits the data-stream of the four sequencer-pages (A, B, C and
D with each 3 figure-tracks and their effect-sub-tracks) of the timeline editor to the
assigned DAC interface (Fig.7 and 8).

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Timeline/Progress of Song

Effect-Sub-Tracks
for Recording

Figure-Sub-Track for Recording

Fig. 6 (above): Timeline: Pages A–P (red circle) with each 3 figure-tracks and their
effect-sub-tracks. These pages are assigned to the hardware-output-routing for up to
sixteen DAC (red arrow).
(below): Options/Hardware: Output routing of pages A-P (see Fig.7; with each 3 figure-
tracks and their effect-sub-tracks) to the hardware with up to sixteen DAC.

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2.7. Starting the Program

To start the program, just click on its icon (small pictures) on your
computer-screen, which the installation has generated on the
desktop automatically. After the start of the program, you should
see the main-window on your screen like shown in the picture
below.

On startup of Showeditor, a window opens that allows for selecting

the operation mode of Showeditor. No matter which option is
chosen, it is possible to seamlessly switch between the modes
directly from the user interface later.

Fig. 7: Main window of Laserworld Showeditor. Click on Options for hardware setup
(see red arrow)!

Laserworld Showeditor can also start through a double click on files assigned to
Laserworld Showeditor (*.ini or *.shw). Remember that this only works, if the very file
resides in a folder path that does not have any spaces in it’s name. Please use
underscores instead. Showeditor cannot handle spaces in folder and file names
properly due to technical restrictions.

2.8. Initial Settings

On first start of Laserworld Showeditor it is suggested to adapt the Settings to the very
needs: Language, hardware, output behaviour and many more features can be
defined there.

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Usually any supported hardware interface that is connected to the computer is
automatically detected by the Showeditor software. To make sure everything is
connected and assigned correctly, please verify the settings.

Important information on Settings and their effect:

Changes to any parameter have immediate effect. To preserve the settings even
after a restart of Showeditor, a click on “Save Settings and Close Window” writes
them to the startup configuration file.

2.8.1. Setting “Others”:

Settings can be accessed in the Options menu, then change to the tab Others. If
you require to changing the interface language of Laserworld Showeditor, this can
be done here (e.g. English, see Fig.10).

If a correctly licensed ShowNET interface is detected, the corresponding serial

number of this interface is shown here.

Fig. 8: Menu: Options. Language selection, licensing information

In the lower part of this settings tab the standard paths of Showeditor are defined.
The standard settings are fine in most cases.

2.8.2. Setting “Hardware”:

Change to the tab Hardware. Hardware devices are detected automatically, but
can be custom assigned per channel in this tab.
Up to 16 Digital-Analogue-Converters are supported by the software, so the very
hardware device can be routed to the respective output channels.

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It is also possible to assign a “Virtual Device” to the hardware channels. This is
required if no real hardware output interface is connected to the computer or if
more than the connected hardware interfaces shall be used for programming and
3D preview.
If Laserworld Showeditor is run in Freeware/Demo Mode, only one hardware channel
can be assigned and only the virtual device can be chosen.

The Output Routing describes which hardware interface should output which
programmed track, so it’s also possible to route several tracks to one hardware
interface or vice versa.

Fig. 9: Options: Hardware Output Routing

2.8.3. Optimize Output

The tab Optimize Output allows for configuring the output settings of the very
hardware output device. These settings are important as they impact the output
quality. Settings that do not fit the scanners used in the very laser projector may lead
to damage of these scanners, so always read the user manual of the show laser
system you’re using at the respective hardware interface first!

Most important is to set the PPS-rate (PPS is an acronym for points per second) for the
respective Galvo system/scanner-system used in the laser system that is controlled
with the very hardware interface.
To get started it is recommended to set this value to 2/3 of the maximum given PPS
rate of the Galvo system/scanner system (see user manual of the show laser system).
Setting the scan rate too high may damage the scanners, so extra care needs to be
taken when setting this.

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If scan speed settings of more than 25’000pps are selected, a warning message
shows up, explaining that this may damage scanners if not used with precaution. You
can stop this dialog box from opening up again by clicking “No” (“Nein”):

INFOBOX:
It is strongly recommended to not daisy-chain an ILDA signal line to connect
laser systems with different scanner systems. Either the slower scanner system is
overdriven when optimizing settings to the faster one, or the faster one can only
run at the speed of the slower one when settings are optimized for this.
Use two different hardware interfaces instead and set the scanner settings per
interface.

Fig. 10: Tab Optimize Output. Setting of hardware interface parameters

After having set the scan speed, different adaption to the general scanner
behaviour can be made. It is suggested to project a test pattern while adjusting
these fine tuning settings:

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The left column of faders in this Tab is especially suited for fine tuning of the output. It
is recommended to follow the “Scanner Optimization” guide when applying settings
here. See chapter 8.8 for details.

A reset of each fader position can be done by double-clicking on the explanatory

text next to it.

2.8.4. Save your settings

Changes to any parameter have immediate effect. To preserve the settings even
after a restart of Showeditor, a click on “Save Settings and Close Window” writes
them to the startup configuration file.

3. First Steps / Quick Start

For many applications it is not necessary to work through the whole manual for
getting started. The following explanations only give a brief overview of how basic
features can be accessed and run. However, it’s of course recommended to read
the manual in whole, as there are very many features in Laserworld Showeditor.

Tutorial videos are available as well:

http://www.showeditor.com/tutorial-videos

Laserworld Showeditor offers two different operation modes: The “Live Show” mode,
which is usually suitable for accompanying live DJ Sets or live music, and the
“Timeline Show” mode, which allows for pre-programming music/video synchronized
laser shows and then playback them later.
This second operation mode is explained first:

3.1. Playback a pre-programmed music-synchronous laser show

To playback an existing show, the show file needs to be loaded. Showeditor Laser
shows are stored in a folder, whereas each show resides in its own folder. This folder
contains the show data (figures, assignments, etc.) and the corresponding sound file.

To get started it is necessary to copy the whole show to a folder on the hard disc. The
corresponding sound file should be placed in the same folder. Especially when show
and sound file are acquired separately, this is an important step to be done!

Open Laserworld Showeditor and switch to the Timeline window. Then click File ->
Open Laser Show. The dialog box allows for selecting the show file, it should have the
extension *.shw. If all necessary files are present (and if you have the rights to play
the show), the show will be loaded and is ready to be played.

To play the show, two options can be

chosen:

● Play button:
Fig. 11: Playback shows

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The laser will be switched on; the show is running, starting from the current position.
More information to this is given below. This feature is mainly useful when editing the
show.

● Play HQ:
This is the best option to choose if the show should just be played. It’s recommended
to use the Play-HQ option for any real playback output.
The Play-HQ option is more performant and starts the show from the very beginning.
All features are re-initiated before the show start, so the output quality is best.
By right-clicking on the Play-HQ button it’s also possible to set a show start delay.

Audio file of the show:

If the audio file is present in the show folder BUT is not recognized by the program
correctly, a message is displayed (“Audio file not present”). In most cases this
indicates that the file name of the audio file is different to the one the show was
programmed with initially. To correct this, go to Options -> Show -> Select new Audio
file and choose the correct one.

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3.2. Create Own Figures and Shows

IMPORTANT! When a new figure is to be created, it is essential to
ALWAYS click on “New Figure”. Otherwise the figure created before
will be overwritten!

Different tools for drawing a picture in the central

drawing window are provided:

“Poly-Line”
Standard active is the Poly-Line tool. With left mouse
clicks in the drawing area, colored points will be set; with
the right mouse button invisible (blanked) points will be
set.
The created forms are vector graphics. So if an object
shall be created that cannot be drawn with one line, but
is “separate” to other object, a blank path need to be
created, meaning a path the scanners of the laser move
but without laser output. Use the right mouse button to
set one or more blank points to do so.
This mainly applies if using the Poly-Line tool. If other
drawing tools are used, blank lines usually are added
automatically.

With holding the mouse button, the poly-line shape

draws an end-to-end line with different positions in
between. This tool is used e.g. to draw bent laser planes.

“Ellipse” With this tool the “tunnel effect” is

created. The circle or the ellipse, respectively, will be
interpolated from a multi-cornered polygon. The number
of points of the figure depends on its size. This impacts the
Fig. 12: Buttons for “Morph” feature, so this must be kept in mind. The lines
editing between the polygon points can be re-colored.

“Point” Drawing a point will create a still standing laser beam. Please use
points very carefully! Point / “Hot Beams” are extremely dangerous, so use with
care. Always respect your local laser safety regulations. Laserworld Showeditor
automatically generates three points: Two invisible ones (blanked) and the
one visible. With a right mouse click on the tool the number of repeated points
per beam can be adjusted.

“Rectangle” This tool is used to create rectangular “tunnels” within the

laser show. The four sides can be colored as desired.

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“Polygon” This tool is used to create polygon tunnels with plane sides.
The number of corners can be changed with right mouse click on the tool. A
polygon with very many corners will look like a circle. A polygon with four
corners will display a rectangle; three corners display a triangle. The sides of
the polygon can be colored separately.

“Line” This tool is used to create laser planes in your show. The line is
generated with blanked points at start and end point.

“Freehand” This tool is used to draw freehand figures. Automatically

blanked points at start and end will be set. Some parameters can be adjusted
with right mouse click on the tool.

“Text” This tool is used to create texts. Please read the respective
chapter below for more information.

“Bezier Tool” is used to create curves and Beziers. Please read the
respective chapter in the main manual for more information.

The tools like Ellipse, Rectangle, Polygon and Freehand are very easy to use:

 click the left mouse button at center-position  hold it

 size the figure by dragging the mouse  release the mouse button

The handling of the Bezier tool is more complex: Two control lines are created. These
lines define the resulting Bezier curve (see respective chapter for more explanations).

The desired drawing color is easily chosen by a click on the color palette in the right
upper corner of the software. The 20 “brightest” colors are available in a palette,
more can be chosen from the color wheel or color cube. The view of the color
selection can be altered via Options -> Others. The display of the cube can be
changed by a click on one of the three radio buttons. The depth of the cube can be
selected by the scrollbar. By using this it is also possible to select darker (more greyish)
colors, too. Colors from the cube or wheel can be applied to the palette by simple
drag-and-drop.

By using the “HAND” feature, points can be marked and repositioned with right
click and drag. To select several points of the figure, drag open a marking square
with left mouse buttons. To mark additional points, hold the “Ctrl”-key while marking
points. To select ALL points of a picture (frame), you can also use the Edit -> Mark All
Points.

In some cases it may be necessary to deactivate the grid for selecting points, as
some may not be reachable otherwise. To do so, enter the value “1” into the textbox
for the adjustment of the grid.

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The features “Rotate”, “Change Color”, “Delete” and

“Optimize” can be used similar. They immediately apply for the points marked.

The “Magnifying Glass” is used to magnify regions of the drawing window.

Magnification can be done either by drag-zoom or use of the scroll wheel at the
mouse. Left mouse click on the tool returns magnification to 100%. Right mouse clicks
preserves the actual magnification settings.

All features are explained more in detail in the main manual.

Marked points can also be copied, cut and pasted – this works like in a normal text
editor – shortcuts like “Strg-C” (copy), “Strg-X” (cut) and “Strg-V” (paste) do NOT
work here, because they are used for the figure-to-key assignments.

In the case that a figure should consist of several single pictures (series of frames),
which later can be displayed as an animated cartoon, a new empty frame (picture)
via a click on “New Frame” must be created. Thus a new frame is generated after
the existing ones. “Add Frame” will add an empty frame before the active frame.

The “Morph” is explained in the main manual.

A newly created figure can directly be visualized to the hardware (displayed by the
laser projector) by a click on “Laser On”, or visualized in the simulation window.

3.3. Show Folder / Save Figures

To use already existing figures/patterns/frames,
they need to be saved to a physical folder on the
hard disc. Even if new frames should be created, it
makes sense to create a new show folder in the
Windows Explorer first.
This folder holds all figures/patterns/frames and
media files that belong to the very show. It is
recommended to organize all folders in a suitable
structure.
Fig. 13: Figure Editor, folder
The folder tree shown bottom right in the figure window: Structure of folders
editor window allows for selecting the right show (example)
folder. Whole shows can also be loaded through
the menu File -> Open Lasershow

Any newly created figure is saved to the active folder when hitting “Save” or “Save
As”. If the figure has not yet been saved, a dialog (Fig.16) for entering the name
opens up.

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Fig. 14: “Save Figure” – dialog: opens on first saving of a figure. I t’s also possible to
create a new folder

Already existing figures will be overwritten without any warning, so be careful.

On saving single figures, the show file itself is not generated. On creating a new show
in the Timeline editor, a new show is created and can then be saved. More
information on this is in the main manual.

The button “Save as” can be used to save an already existing figure (perhaps
modified) a second time with a different file name or to save it to another folder.

The button “Save all” is used to save all figures present in the active show folder. This
option allows for making changes to several figures (e.g. changes done on the
effects), and then save them all at once.

3.4. Assignment of Figures to Keys

After the creation of the figures they have to be assigned to a key of the PC-
keyboard or MIDI-keyboard respectively. This is required as the Live Window as well
as the Timeline window requires the figures being assigned to keys. The same applies
for the DMX and MIDI window.
The process of creating a show in the Timeline editor requires the figures to be called
by pushing the respective keys when recording the show. Afterwards the recorded
draft can be edited and rearranged, but the initial process of assigning the figures to
the timeline requires the figures to be assigned to keys.

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There are several ways of assigning figures to keys:

3.4.1. Manual Assignment

To assign a figure to a key of the PC or the MIDI keyboard it has to be selected: Right-
click on its icon in the Figure Table (Fig.17). Then click “Assign Figure”. A message will
be displayed until a key was pressed. If this key is already assigned to another figure,
a warning will be displayed.

A right-click opens this dialog

Fig. 15: Assignment of keys to figures. Right-click on an icon or click on “Assign Figure”
(red arrows). The selected figure has a red square.

3.4.2. Assignment by Drag and Drop to the Live Window

This way of assignment is quite easy, because drag-and-drop can be used.
First open the Live Window (Fig.18). It is possible to drag-and-drop the very figures to
the key-spaces in the live window, assigning the figure to that key this way.

The assignment of figures to keys is saved automatically to a file named “key.ord”

within the same folder as the figures. Changes of the assignments are possible by
simple re-assignment. Duplicate assignments are possible (several keys for the same
figure, but not the other way round). To call several figures with one key, “Showparts”
can be used (more about this in the main manual).

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When overwriting a figure with another one in the show folder (the other figure is
given the same name within the Windows Explorer), the key assignment will be
preserved. The system links key and figure through the figure name.

Fig. 16: Key assignment within the Live Window.

It is also possible to do the assignments automatically by using the menu Figure

Assignment -> Assign figures automatically in the Figure Editor.

The already made assignments can be viewed or printed by a click on the

respective item within the menu Figure Assignment in the Figure Editor.

Fig 17: Assignment tables for computer- or MIDI-keyboards

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3.5. Use of Function Keys (F0 to F12)

This is important!

To use figures within a show, they have to be assigned to a key before. Laserworld
Showeditor figures are always triggered by pressing keys. “Keys” can also be Timeline
feedback, MIDI, DMX, etc..

All keys can be used in combination with the function (“F”) keys. The keys F1 to F12
can be used, but the software also can respond to F0, which means “NO function
key used”.

The behaviour of the function keys is dependent on the setting of the feature “Use
Key up event  Figure off” in the menu Settings of the Timeline window.

If the option is not set (default setting), the predefined F-page is selected by pushing
the respective F-key. All program windows will show the selected F-page. By pushing
the active F-key again, the selection is cancelled and the F0-page is selected.

If the option “Use Key up event  Figure off” is chosen, then the respective F-key
must be pushed and held during pushing the figure key!

Try to avoid using the F10 key, as native Microsoft Windows features may be assigned
to this (depending on the Windows version in use).

3.6. Create Music Synchronous Shows

After all figures are created and assigned to the
keys, the creation of a show can begin.

To get started select “Timeline-Editor” (Fig.20) or

open the Timeline-Editor via the menu Windows.
Fig. 18: Main System Buttons
in the right column of the
First step is to select File -> Create New Show (see Figure Editor
Fig.21).
Second, an audio file has to be assigned for the
show. A dialog will show up asking to choose a
supported media file. If a *.wav-file is used, a volume
preview is generated in the timeline.

After the audio file has been selected is correct

implementation can be tested with a click on “Play”
(button with a green arrow).

The Show programming can now begin.

Two different methods can be used:

Method 1 – Drag and Drop:

The figures in the figure table are dragged to the Fig. 19: Menu “File” of the
Timeline Editor.
very timeline position with the mouse. The difficult
thing with doing this is to arrange the figures

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synchronous to the sound file.
As the Timeline consists of many different rows – most of them used for effects – it’s
important to understand that the figures must be placed on the line named “figure”.
The featured “Grid” and “Zoom” help with proper music synchronous positioning of
the figures.

It is possible to put figures to several figure tracks per output channel.

With using the “Effect Tool” (see red arrow in next Fig.22) it is possible to change the
effect values and create additional figure animations.
After a click on “Effect Tool”, the area the effects shall be applied to must be
marked. When having marked the area, a dialog box shows up (Fig. 22).
This dialog allows for drawing the effects behaviour. This method is not really
accurate, but does the job in many cases.

Detailed information on effects and how to use them is given in the main manual.

Fig. 20: Dialog of the “Effect-Tool” (Timeline-Editor).

Method 2 – Live Recording (recommended):

Live recording, like it is done with a MIDI-sequencer or multi-track-recorder, is the
recommended method of programming a laser show with Laserworld Showeditor.

Figures and Effects can be recorded by marking the very track-line, then press
“record” (the button with the red dot),
after that play the keys with the
appropriate figure / effects level.
Several tracks can be marked by
holding the Ctrl key while selecting the
desired tracks. Multi-Track recording is
only possible for effects, not for figures
(for obvious reasons).

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Fig. 21: “Direct-recording” of laser-shows.
Button with red circle: Start of recording
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Two recording modes for figures are possible: To only record figure start points but
then let run until the next figure starts or the Space-bar is pressed, use the standard
settings. If the figure should only be recorded as long as the appropriate key is
pressed, change Use key-up event => figure off in the Settings.

The position on the timeline for the start of the recording can be set by a click at the
very position in the Timeline bar (right of the “Paste” button).
If the music source file is in *.wav file format, the volume level of the music is
displayed there too.

During the programming process it is recommended to save the laser show from time
to time. This can be done at File -> Save Show. If the show hasn’t been given a name
yet, a dialog box for entering the name of the show opens up.

Hint: The software permanently writes backup files, so in case of an abnormal

program termination it is possible in many cases that the previous state of a show
can be recovered. However, this should not be relied on, so frequent saving is highly
recommended.

3.7. Make a Live Laser Show

Laserworld Showeditor has an implemented Live Laser Show window.
When doing a live laser show, the figures assigned to keys can be triggered by
pressing the respective key on the keyboard, DMX-controller or MIDI controller
(depending on the setup). The use of a touch screen monitor is also possible.

3.7.1. Load figure set

Before a live laser show can be run, either an existing show must be loaded to the
Figure Editor already, or an existing Live Show must be loaded. As standard
Laserworld Showeditor comes with a basic set of live show patterns, however own
pattern sets can be created.
A Live Show basically consists of a set of figures which are assigned to certain keys.
Like with Timeline shows, all contents of a live show need to be stored in one folder
(figure files, key set, etc.). Live shows have the file extension *.live.

When a live show was successfully loaded, the live window looks similar to this –
showing previews of the very figures at their respective position on the keyboard
(Figure 24).

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Fig. 22: Live Window after loading a live show

3.7.2. Faders/Sliders:
In the upper right corner of the Live Window, several faders are available. These
faders can be assigned to different effects.
They can either be dragged with the mouse or assigned to a DMX controller or MIDI
controller.
For easy show operation it is recommended to use a DMX or MIDI controller for the
fader control, as it allows for quicker reaction and smoother operation as with the
normal mouse.

3.7.3. Starting the live show:

The live show starts with a click on “Laser ON”. As soon as the laser output is
activated this way, the show can be played. The individual figures can be selected
by:
a) Mouse click (left button)
b) Pushing the respective key on the keyboard
c) Touchscreen
d) DMX
e) MIDI
The active selected figure can be identified by its green frame (see Fig.24, key
“Spacebar”). The “Space” key switches off any output.

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Fig. 23: Detail view of the Live Window after having loaded a live show
 Laserworld Showeditor 2015

3.7.4. Setup options per key

Individual settings can be assigned per key. This are some examples:

“Use Key Up Event (Flash)”: Only plays the figure as long as the corresponding key is
pressed. Output stops, as soon as the key is released, when this option is active.

“Switch off unused tracks”: Switches off all other figures that output on other
channels, if they are different from the figure selected.

Output Track 0 to 47: Specifies which output channel the very figure shall be routed
to.

Selection of effects 0 to 5 (sliders): The effects that should be predefined per slider
can be assigned per key, so the layout of the sliders can change depending on the
active key.

DMX assignment: Each key can be assigned to a specific DMX value. Consider the
DMX input mapping for doing this. The first DMX channel is set for selecting the figures
per default. DMX control requires prior DMX assignment, otherwise it will not work.

MIDI assignment: The figures and faders can also be triggered by MIDI. Laserworld
Showeditor already comes with some standard MIDI setups for common controllers.
Of course, custom MIDI settings can be created as well.

3.7.5. Summary of “routings”, “mappings” and “assignments”:

Assignment of keys:
Figures are assigned to keys. Pushing the assigned key calls the figure for output.

MIDI or DMX assignment:

This assignment determines which MIDI controller value or DMX channel calls which
figure.

Routing (Output routing):

This assignment determines which track pages A-P (each with three output tracks) is
routed to which hardware interface (DAC).

All changes have to be saved! If you want to use your settings (new show) again,
then click now on “Save Live Show”.

All features (especially MIDI) will be explained in detail in the Main Manual.

3.7.6. Live Show - Get started quickly

The creation of a live show is similar to the creation of a “normal” laser show.
These are the main steps to follow:

1) Make a new show folder on your hard disk

2) Create figures with the Figure Editor and save them to this folder

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3) Assign figures to keys (best is to do it by Drag and Drop into the Live Window)

4) Verify the settings for EACH key and eventually correct them

5) Save the new live show by a click on “Save Live Show”.

4. The Windows of Laserworld Showeditor

Laserworld Showeditor uses several windows to provide different workspaces for
certain applications.
This multi-window configuration makes it easy to use many features at the same time
with a multi monitor setup. For best programming experience it is recommended to
use a Two- or Three-Monitor setup.

The minimum requirements for screen resolution are 1152 x 768 pixels. However it’s
recommended to use a bigger screen resolution for professional timeline
programming. Live Shows usually don’t require a bigger screen; also a single monitor
is completely sufficient to play a live laser show.

Laserworld Showeditor saves window positions on program exit. If this causes any
problem, e.g. when switching between different monitor setups, this can be reset:
Options -> Reset Settings -> Reset only Window Positions

4.1. The Figure Editor

Fig. 24: The Figure Editor

The Figure Editor window is the core Showeditor window. There figures are created
and managed. All other windows can be accessed from the Figure Editor window.

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4.2. The Options window

Fig. 25: Options Window

The Options window offers a wide variety of different settings and adjustment
options. This window is structured with several tabs which provide thematically
arranged setting that apply for laser output configuration as well as for
programming.

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4.3. The Effects Window

Fig. 26: The Effects Window

The Effects window provides all the animation effects that can be applied to figures
including some output optimization features to improve figure output quality.

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4.4. The Timeline-Editor

Fig. 27: The Timeline-Editor

The Timeline-Editor is the main window for arranging a laser show, synchronous to a
music file. The Timeline consists of “tracks”. Figures and effects to these figures are
arranged in these tracks. Figures and effects can be programmed on the timeline by
using different programming methods. The figures created in the Figure Editor
window and in the Figure Table are available to being arranged on the timeline
tracks.

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Fig. 28: The Play List

The Timeline-Editor window also provides the Playlist tool, a playback system for
existing shows. They can be loaded to a list and then played in a certain order or
when triggered.

4.5. The DMX-Window

Fig. 29: The DMX Window

The DMX window is used for the configuration of DMX control and the creation and
management of the DMX-Macros. These are used for the control of DMX devices,
such as moving lights, DMX-spotlights, projectors and other devices, which can be
controlled by DMX. Furthermore the setup of the DMX-Output-Hardware is done
here.

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4.6. The Live Window

Fig. 30: The Live Window

The Live window is used for creating live laser shows. Its design is similar to the position
of the keys on a computer keyboard and the figures are assigned to these keys. Thus
it is possible to easily play lasers and DMX live to the music.

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5. Main Manual
The following part of this manual describes the features of Laserworld Showeditor in
detail. Even though most of the features can be explained in this manual, there are
always more possibilities that cannot be shown in the manual properly.
Please feel encouraged to have a look at http://www.showeditor.com to learn more
about Laserworld Showeditor, ask the community or the developers, and share your
experience with others.

6. Figure Editor (Main Window)

The Main Window of Laserworld Showeditor is the Figure Editor. From there all other
windows can be accessed (see section 4).

Menu Bar
Color Selection
Frame Tools (Cube or Circle)

Figure Table
Favorite
Drawing Area Colors

Window Selection

Drawing Tools Output Control

Reset / Assignment

Folder Window
Save Figures

Grid
Information about Figure

Fig. 31: Figure Editor: Main Window of Laserworld Showeditor

The look of the figure editor can be adapted and is dependent on the actual screen
size and resolution. See some example in Fig. 31.

As shown, the main part of this window is the Drawing Area. The left column holds the
tools for drawing like frame tools, working tools for modifying points of the figure,
buttons to select the kind of drawing function (line, circle, etc.) and buttons to save
the created or edited figures. Below the save buttons the grid size of the drawing
area can be specified.

The Menu in the head section of the window holds all the configuration and control
features that are not accessible through buttons or mouse actions. A detailed
explanation of each menu item follows in chapter 6.12.

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The right column of the Figure Editor window provides the option for color selection
for the drawing tools: A color circle / color wheel and a color cube are available, as
well as a palette with 20 preset bright laser colors (can be changed and
customized).

The main control button set for handling the different windows is situated right below
the color selection options.
Besides that, the main Laser On/Off control as well as the laser simulator and the
blackout button are situated just below the window selection.

The lowest block of buttons has one for a complete reset of the settings and another
one for assigning figures to keys.

The window below this button set is very important: It shows the active folder-path on
the hard disc. As every show and every figure set always relate to a certain, physical
folder on the hard disc, this folder can and must be selected here. By selecting
different folders, different figure sets and shows can be made accessible.

A second window opens together with the Figure Editor: This is the Figure Table – the
overview table that holds all figures that are available in this very show folder (shows
all *.heb files that reside in a physical folder on the hard disc).

6.1. Create and Edit Figures

To create a new figure, the New Figure button is the first thing
to click. (see Fig. 32). If this step is skipped it might happen
that an already existing figure is modified accidently.

When “New Figure” was clicked, the buttons description will

change its color to grey (inactive), so it can be determined
that the button has been clicked.

“New Figure” is preparing all conditions to draw a new figure.

The figure 0 is selected from the figure table and the
following values are set: Fig. 32: Figure
Editor: Drawing
- Number of frames are set to zero
features
- Number of points are set to zero
- The current effect settings are preserved

If an already existing figure shall be edited, select the very figure with a left mouse
click on its icon in the figure table. The selected figure is indicated by a red square
around its icon (see for example Fig.17) and it is shown in the drawing area.
The name of the figure is displayed at the top of the Figure Table. If present, its key
assignment is shown, too.
The name and the assignment of a figure is as well displayed in a hover-window, if
the mouse cursor is placed on an icon for some seconds.

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6.2. Graphics Features

Drawings in Laserworld Showeditor are vector-graphics. This means, that pictures are
drawn from one point to the next one. Normal, visible points are set with a left mouse
click, where blanked, invisible points are set with right mouse click.
The tools for drawing figures (already explained in chapter 4.1) are shown in Fig.25.
Detailed explanation of each drawing option:

6.2.1. New Figure:

This creates a completely new figure

6.2.2. UNDO:
“UNDO” of previous action. This makes the figure return to the state it had
one step back. Providing the undo-option can be resource-intense for the computer,
especially if large ILDA figures are handled, so this feature can be switched off in
Options -> Others1.

Important to know about the behaviour of the UNDO feature:

Example: Ellipse is selected. 4 ellipses are drawn. Then rectangle is selected and 4
rectangles are drawn. If assuming, that the last rectangle was not placed correctly
and “UNDO” is used, then ALL 4 rectangles are “un-done” - not only the last one!
So the undo feature applies to all consequent uses of the specific drawing tool.

6.2.3. REDO:
If “REDO” is clicked, the program returns to the version of the figure, as it
was before the click on “UNDO”.

6.2.4. Poly-Line:

This tool allows for creating connected lines. Every click created a point which is
automatically linked to the previous point by a line.
Left-click creates a visible point, right click creates an invisible (blanked) point.

A blanked point is automatically set at the position where the drawing starts at first,
before the first visible point. To draw two single lines with this tool, a blanked point has
to be set at the start point of the second line prior to setting the visible point, so the
scanner of the laser system knows where to move without outputting laser light
(blanked).

Blanked lines / points are important, as they are used to tell the scanners what
position they should move to start drawing the next points. It is essential to
understand that every picture that is displayed with a show laser system is created by
very fast repeated drawing of one single laser beam – comparable to a pen, that

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has to be lifted so no line is drawn, if not every drawn object should be linked by a
drawn line.

If the use of the Poly-Line tool is finished (when selecting different drawing tool),
Showeditor automatically checks if an invisible end point exists. If not, a dialog box
opens up asking if one should be set.

6.2.5. Line:

A single line can be drawn with this tool. Only one line is drawn and start as well
as end points are automatically set. A line consists of blanked start, colored start,
colored end and blanked end of the line. Thus at least 4 points are generated to
create the line – one visible and one invisible per end.

6.2.6. Point:

This tool allows for drawing single points – which are displayed as single beams /
hot beams by the laser.

ATTENTION! A single point shows as a hot beam in laser output! These single beams
can be very bright! Never point hot beams towards the audience!

Laserworld Showeditor automatically creates three points when a single point is

drawn: One blanked start point, the visible point and one blanked end point.

To see the points in the drawing area it is necessary to set the option “show points” in
Edit.

If the option “blanking visible” is set in Options, visible points can eventually not be
seen properly in the drawing area, as they may be overlapped by invisible ones.

6.2.7. “A”:

Text tool: Writing texts with lasers is a basic demand for many applications. This
tool offers different options for creating text. Depending on the desired “animation”
or design of the text, different procedures for the creation have to be used.

Adjustments to the text tool can be made with a right click on the A-Symbol:

Simple words and signs, not animated

To use this kind of design, the text option “Morphing Text” should be selected.

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Fig. 33: Figure Editor: Dialog for text options (click with right mouse
button on the text tool)

After having made the appropriate adjustments, click “Close Window”.

When activating the text tool with left mouse click, the new settings have effect: In
the drawing area, click at the starting point of the first letter: The dialog box for
entering the desired text shows up. Please confirm with OK after having typed the
text.

This procedure is good if only single words shall be projected. Longer texts will be cut
at their end. If longer texts should be displayed and text wrap is necessary, please
repeat the above procedure per text line or use the following text creation method.

Long texts, animated  Morphing Text

Long texts and animated texts need to be created directly in the text dialog. The
checkbox “Morphing Text” needs to be checked.
Right click on the A symbol to open the Text Editor.
The text can then be entered into the text box in the left column:

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Fig. 34: Text Editor: Write longer texts here

When having entered the text, Showeditor automatically shapes the text correctly
when “Create” is clicked. The continuous text is automatically wrapped in a way
that not too many characters must be displayed at one – this avoids flickering of the
text projection, as it doesn’t stress the scanner motors too much. When clicking
“Create”, a dialog box opens asking, if the characters should morph. This effect
makes the transition from one text line to the next one much smoother, as the
characters seem to re-shape from the old character to the new one. So if this is a
desired effect, click yes.

The Drawing Area shows the first frame of the text animation sequence. To see all
frames of the figure, drag the horizontal scroll bar in the left column of the Figure
Editor, just under the “Frames per Second” button. This allows for checking each
frame of the figure individually.

IMPORTANT: If a text is created within the Text Editor, a New Figure is generated
automatically when “Create” is clicked. This means that any changes to the previous
figure, that haven’t been saved, will be erased!

Long texts, animated  Scrolling Text

Scrolling, animated text can be created in two different ways:

A: Using the text box in the Text Editor window (Right click on the A symbol to opens
the Text Editor), just enter the text and change the radio button from “Morphing Text”
to “Scrolling Text”.
An additional setting is important to be made for Scrolling Text: The coordinates of
the area in which the text shall scroll must be specified. The X and Y values can be
directly entered in the area above the “Create” button. As it’s not easy to guess the
X and Y values for the desired position, there is another option for proper positioning –
see B.

IMPORTANT: If a text is created within the Text Editor, a New Figure is generated
automatically when “Create” is clicked. This means that any changes to the previous
figure, that haven’t been saved, will be erased!

B: To create a running text without the need to enter X and Y coordinates for the
scroll-area definition, first settings in the Text tool options should be checked for being
set to “Scrolling Text” (Right click on the A symbol to opens the Text Editor). Then do

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not click on “Create”, but just close the window. Again select the text tool (“A”) with
a left click and then draw the scrolling area by click and drag in the drawing are.
The text-entry dialog opens and the scrolling text can be entered.
This method is the most convenient one, and used in most cases.

IMPORTANT: As this method does not use the Text-Editor for the creation of a multi-
frame figure, but uses the direct text feature of the Figure Editor, existing frames are
not erased and no new figure is created on using the tool. Due to this it is possible to
display several running texts in one figure - even different scroll speeds per scrolling
text line are possible!

Special Characters handling

Special characters may not be displayable with the desired font. As there are many
different characters possible, the Text-Editor comes with an additional drawing area
for special characters. The Character can be entered (or copy-pasted) into the
input box and then the visible points as well as blank points for this very character
can be drawn – and saved. If they have been saved, it is possible to use this special
character within the text as if it was possible to display it with the very font – the Text
Editor will substitute the special character (which didn’t display properly before) with
the hand drawn one.

Fig. 35: Text Editor: Special Characters can be copy-pasted to the

input box and then be redrawn manually in the drawing grid

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6.2.8. Rectangle:

The rectangle tool allows for drawing rectangular shapes. The rectangles
consist of a blanked start and a blanked end point as well as a visible point in every
corner, connected by lines.
Select the rectangle tool, click at the desired position in the drawing area and drag
the shape to the desired size.

6.2.9. Polygon:

Polygons are multi cornered shapes with equally long sides. With a right click
on the icon the number of corners can be set. To draw the polygon, click at the
desired position in the drawing area (this will be the center of the polygon) and drag
the shape to the desired size. On releasing the button, the dialog to enter the
number of overlapping edges opens.

If the default value is accepted, virtually 2 overlaying polygons are created. The
advantage of this is that the polygons are drawn in a “closed” way and the intensity
of the shape appears homogenous.
However, if the “morph” feature shall be used on the polygon, it could be better to
set the number of overlapping edges to zero.

Information:
Polygons and circles can look very similar if a Polygon has very many corners. The
difference of a polygon and a circle is the multiple repetitions of the corners in a
polygon, dependent on the output optimization. Circles have no repeated points. A
polygon with about 100 corners without optimization looks very similar to a circle.

6.2.10. Ellipse/Circle:

The Ellipse/Circle tool is used for creating Ellipses or circles as a special form of
an ellipse. With the tool selected, click in the drawing area at the desired center
point of the ellipse, hold and drag
The points drawn per ellipse can be set with a right mouse click on the icon. A dialog
opens (Fig. 36), values between 7 and 40 are possible. Smaller numbers mean more
points, meaning the feed rate uses smaller steps.

Fig. 36: Figure Editor: Dialog settings for ellipse tool

Important:
Points of ellipses (circles) have very special characteristics. The lines between the
points are not optimized (interpolated) on laser output. Therefore it is not a good

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idea to just delete half of the points to get a half ellipse. To make a half ellipse it is
better to set the color of one half of the points to black and thus make them invisible.
Furthermore the points of an ellipse should not be moved, as this could lead to very
large drawing distances – which can destroy the scanner system!

In case such adaptions need to be made, it is better to use a polygon with

about 50 points. The optimization method for the dangerous points can also
be changed with a click on the Wrench Tool  change properties of points.
For more information see the description of the wrench tool (see Chapter 56).

6.2.11. Freehand:

By using the Freehand Tool, lines can be directly drawn with the mouse (or
other drawing input sources like drawing tables). Blanked points are automatically
added to the start and the end point of the freehand line.

Fig. 37: Figure Editor/Painting Tools/Freehand: Dialog to set up

freehand parameters.

This tool was developed to allow for the creation of complex figures, e.g. if pictures
shall be redrawn. Easiest use is with a drawing tablet.

A click with the right mouse button opens a dialog (Fig. 37Fig. 37: Figure
Editor/Painting Tools/Freehand: Dialog to set up freehand parameters.) for setting the
tool specifications. The drawing type can be specified (corner-, line- or circle-points)
as well as the distance- or time value for the drawing of the points.

Left mouse button, right mouse button:

These values refer either to distance if drawing is made with clicked left mouse
button, or to time, if drawing is done with clicked right mouse button.

6.2.12. Bezier:

Bezier curves can be describes as “bent lines”. This is quite a mighty feature,
however it requires the user’s capability to imagine how the initial drawn line modifies
to the bent curve.
A Bezier curve consists of a drawn line and two control lines. Both control lines are
used for “bending” the drawn line – this can happen in four coordinates.
The two control lines are shown in red, where the drawn line appears in the selected
color. Of course the control lines are not visible in the figure, but are needed for
proper drawing.

Draw the Bezier line:

1. Select the tool (left mouse click on icon)

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2. Draw the first control line (defines starting point) – it will NOT be visible, but it’s
position and angle defines the left part of the line
3. Draw the second control line (defines end point) – this one will be visible now,
as well as the first control line. Plus the drawn line becomes visible as well.
4. A dialog opens asking if a blanked end point should be set. Choose “yes” in
case there should be a blank between the Bezier’s end point and the next
line/point. Select “no” if the next line/point should continue the line after the
last Bezier point.

Important: It is very important to understand the 4

coordinates of the two control lines, as there are
more ways of using Bezier curves. To change those
options, right click on the icon. The dialog shown in
Fig. 38 opens.
Different settings, like the Bezier type, the point rate
or point density can be specified.

Bezier Type:
The 3-point-Bezier is a special form of Bezier, where
the two control lines have one point in common. This
slightly changes the drawing procedure described Fig. 38: Bezier settings
previously.

Please try the tool out to get to know this special behaviour of the Bezier tool.

Point Distance:
The point distance defines the number of points drawn to create the curve. The
difference between “density of points” and “number of points”:
“Number of points” means that every Bezier curve consists of the same number of
drawn points. This is of advantage if the curve shall be morphed later.
“Density of Points” means that the number of the actually drawn points depends on
the length of the curve.

The option “last point of figure will be start point” allows for seamless drawing of
several Bezier shapes. Please test this feature to learn about the behaviour.

6.2.13. Separator:

The Separator Tool can be used for separating a line between two points by
adding an additional point in between. For using the tool, select the Separator Tool.
Then choose the color for the new point. Click on the target point of the line that
shall be separated and hold the mouse button. Drag (still hold the mouse button
clicked) the cursor to the position where the new point shall be inserted.
Supporting lines help in anticipating the result. With releasing the mouse button the
point is inserted at the defined position.

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6.3. Marking- and Editing-Tools

New or already existing figures can be edited. A set of
different marking- and editing-tools are implemented in
Laserworld Showeditor (Fig. 39).

6.3.1. Hand:

The hand-tool is the most important tool for creating

figures. With this tool points of a figure can be marked. To
Fig. 39: Figure Editor:
mark points, select the tool and left-click and drag a
Marking & Editing tools
selection square in the drawing area, so all points in the
desired region become selected. (Fig. 40).

Fig. 40: Figure Editor: Tool “Hand”. Point selection by left-click and dragging of
selection square. The marked points are indicated by coloured circles: The hand-tool
gets a red background to indicate that a region is marked.

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Sometimes it may be necessary to set the grid to 1 to be able to select points which
are not easily accessible as lying in another layer.

If the hand tool gets a red background, this indicates that there are already one or
more points marked. (see Fig. 40) The marked points get a colored circle.

Additional points can be marked by holding the “Ctrl”-key. To mark ALL points use
the appropriate button “Mark all points”.

Marked points can be moved by using the right mouse button: right-click, hold and
drag.
If no specific point is marked yet, the point under the mouse pointer can be moved
with right-click, hold and drag – this obviously only moves one point.

6.3.2. Cut/Copy/Paste:

The Cut / Copy /Paste buttons simply do what would be

expected. Pasted points are automatically marked and can be moved immediately
with using the hand tool. If points are pasted to the same frame, make sure to drag
the marked points away before unselecting them, as otherwise the points overlap.
This usually is no problem if points are pasted to another frame of course.

To copy or cut and paste a series of frames, use the menu item Frame-Tools (see
chapter 6.17 for further information on the Frame Tools).

Cut or copied points or frames can be pasted into other figures and frames, too. This
can be very helpful if animated figures shall be created.

The commonly known shortcuts “Ctrl” + C for Copy, “Ctrl”+ X for cut and “Ctrl” + V
for paste work as well.

6.3.3. Rotation Tool:

The rotation tool allows for rotating marked points. The rotation-center is the
position where the mouse button is clicked within the drawing area. A horizontal
movement with clicked mouse button results in a rotation with angle zero. A
movement down means a +90 degree rotation, a movement up means -90 degree
rotation etc. The rotation will be applied on release of the mouse button.

6.3.4. Change-Color Tool:

The color of points and corresponding lines can be custom changes, also after
drawing. The Change-Color Tool can be used for recoloring existing points. To apply
a color change, first mark the points to be changed. Then select the desired new
color from the color circle, cube or palette and finish the re-coloring with a click on
the Change-Color tool button.

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This procedure works for single points as well as for several points with connecting
lines.
If there are no points marked and the tool is selected, the color of the point just
under the mouse cursor is changed. Besides that it is possible to hold the mouse
button and change the color of all points that are hit by the cursor by dragging the
mouse.

By using the left mouse button for the re-coloring procedure, only visible points are
changed. Use the right mouse button to recolor blanked (invisible) points.
To work on blanked points, they should be made visible in the in the drawing area by
setting Edit -> Blanked Lines Visible. If an endpoint has been made visible with any of
the procedures above, a dialog shows up asking if a blank point shall be inserted.

6.3.5. Eraser Tool (Delete):

Marked points can be deleted with this tool. If no points are marked, the point
under the mouse cursor is deleted. By clicking and dragging the mouse, all points hit
by the cursor will be erased.

6.3.6. Wrench-Tool (Optimize Output):

The point and line output behavior can be controlled with the wrench tool. A
click on the icon opens a dialog that offers different options for selection (Fig. 41):

Fig. 41: Wrench Tool: Point Optimization

There are different ways of optimizing the points of a frame for proper output.
Each point has specific “properties” which especially mean their relation to other
points.
Three main optimization methods and their combinations can be selected.
Please remember, that some optimization methods may destroy your Galvo scanner
system! These methods are marked with a red background color. The methods with
green and yellow background should not harm normal Galvo scanner system
(depending on properly set scan-rate).

Properties of points – explanation:

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A rectangle consists of 4 corner points and the lines between them. A Galvo scanner
system is, without optimization, not able to simply project these 4 coordinates,
because of its resonances and its physically given inertia (mainly of the mirrors that
need to move very very fast. The bigger and heavier the mirrors are, the higher is the
inertia). Too slow Galvo scanners are not able to display the corners correctly. The
rectangle then becomes something like a circle. Too fast Galvo scanners fast mainly
display the corner points, but the lines are missing or too less intense. Thus it is
necessary to optimize the ways of movement for each Galvo system. The
optimization “interpolates” the 4 lines between the corners – which means that the
lines are virtually split to small pieces. The corner points are repeated several times for
an intense and precise projection. The number of small line peaches necessary and
of the corner repetitions depends on the Galvo scanner system.
For these kind of optimizations the term “properties of points” applies: line points
have other properties than corner points. Each element (circle, square, letters etc.)
has its own properties.
In order for Laserworld Showeditor to understanding how to work with the respective
points and lines, each point has certain properties. These properties define how to
optimize the output for the very Galvo scanner system.

6.3.7. Pipette (copy color):

If colors of one point shall be used for another point, the Pipette tool is used.
First select the desired points where the color should be picked up, and then click on
the pipette tool icon. By selecting other points of the figure, they get the same color
as the original point(s).

6.3.8. Magnifying Glass:

The magnifying glass tool is used for zooming-in to the drawing area. This allows
for much more detailed work, as it can zoom down to the very pixel.

Hint:
If the Grid size is set to 0, the frames can be drawn exact by pixel.

There are several ways for using the magnifying glass:

A) Select the magnifying glass and select an area with clicked left mouse button.
The selected area is displayed magnified. The marked region is stretched to fit
the drawing area. Thus distortions may occur.

B) Select the magnifying glass and move the mouse cursor to the point where
the magnification is needed. Use the mouse wheel for zooming.

When a zoom is set, the frame can be reset to normal 100% view by left-clicking on
the magnifying glass icon again. With a right click on the icon, it is just re-selected
and the click does not affect the current zoom level.

6.4. Frame Tools

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A figure consists of one or several frames. Like a video sequence, the consecutive
frames show an animation.
These Multi-frame figures are quite common and
Laserworld Showeditor provides many features for
animations and frame settings.

Different terms may be used to specify these

“multiframe” figures: Sometimes they are called
“multiframe”, sometimes “Animations” or just “Frames”.
All terms mean the same.

When a single or multiframe figure is played, there is a Fig. 42: Frame Tools
special time sub-track that has control over the actual speed the animation is
played. The speed is given in “Frames per Second” and is manually assigned per
figure. The more frames are played per second, the smoother is the animation later
(assuming that the frames are different – see chapter 6.4.4 and 6.4.5 to understand
the morph feature).

On creation of a “New figure” (see chapter 6.2.1) only one frame is created, it has
the number 0. Additional frames can be added with using the Frame Tools (Fig. 42):

6.4.1. New Frame:

Left mouse click: Adds a new, empty frame at the end of the actual frame series.
The scrollbar below the Frame Tools buttons automatically jumps to the last frame
(which is the new one).

Right mouse click: Adds a new, empty frame at the end of the actual frame-series. In
addition to this, all points of the active frame are copied to the new frame. This is
very helpful if only slight modifications shall be made for the animation or the whole
frame shall be transformed.

6.4.2. Delete Frame:

A click on “Delete Frame” deletes the active frame. The next frame will be displayed
after the active one was deleted. If several frames shall be deleted, it may be easier
to use menu item Frame Tools -> Cut Frames A=>B to Clipboard

6.4.3. Insert Frame:

This button adds a new frame at the actual frame position. It will be inserted just in
front of the active frame. All following frames shift by one frame. When clicking with
the right mouse button, the content of the active frame is copied to the new one on
insertion.

6.4.4. Morph:
Morph effects create a smooth transition between single frames in a figure. However,
the transition effects are limited, so color transitions work best with the original colors
from the palette.

The morph tool “calculates” the values of ne frames in between of two existing
frames, make the frames look like smoothly transiting von frame one to frame two. By

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doing so, more frames are embedded in between frame A and B creating a smooth
animation.

Technically spoken, this is what Laserworld Showeditor does when morphing frames:
The two frames – beginning frame and end frame - are calculated with the same
number of points, adapting each frame to the one with the most points.
The points of the frame are the shifted gradually from their start position in frame A to
their end point in Frame B. The color values are morphed respectively.
So what happens is that every single point changes its position and thus creates the
desired effect.

Several important aspects need to be considered when using the Morph tool: As
only points are moved from A to B, it may happen that the points are moved to a
different position as expected – because if frame A and frame B are very different,
the software cannot determine which point in A should end up in which point in B.

When morphing Polygons, make sure to have entered “0” in the Overlapping Edges
dialog (see the explanation of the Polygon tool in 6.2.9), so no overlapping edges
are set.

“Morph” calculates the specified number of frames that are inserted between two
frames (A and B). So before this tool can be used, at least two frames must exist.
When clicking on the “Morph” button, a dialog shows up, asking for the number of
the start frame, the end frame and the number of morphed frames:

Fig. 43: Enter number of start frame. If only two frames are in the figure, this would
be “0”

Fig. 44: The number of the active frame can be found in the info box in the left lower
corner

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Fig. 45: The number of the end frame must be entered. If only two frames are in the
figure, this would be “1”

Fig. 46: The number of morphed frames that should be inserted must be specified.
The more frames are inserted, the smoother the transition. The required number of
frames also depends on the speed the morphed figure shall be played later. A value
of “10” is good to lean how the tool works, but even 50 or more frames are possible –
depending on what is required.

6.4.5. Morph All:

The “Morph All” figure works similar to the Morph tool, but applies the morph
procedure to all frames in the active figure. This tool only opens one dialog that asks
for the number of frames that should be inserted. Then the morphing will be
calculated between frame 0 (the first one) and the last frame of the figure.

This tool is often used to create smooth transitions between frames of an animated
cartoon, so e.g. if a walking person has been drawn on 5 frames, each one showing
a part of the movement, then the “Morph All” tool makes the person walk smoothly.

Important:
The assignment of the points is essential, as like with the morph tool, the transition is
made point-wise – which means that point 1 in the start frame will morph to point 1 in
the end frame. If these are at very different positions, this may lead to unwanted
effects.
To avoid these effects, it makes sense to use frame copies of the first frame in the
following ones, so the order of the points remains the same even if adaptions are
made.

Important Information: If “Morph” is used between e.g. frame number 10 and frame
number 15 of a frame series (e.g. 20 frames are present), then the frames 11, 12, 13,
14 are overwritten!

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6.4.6. Frames per Second:
“Frames per Second” defines how many frames of a figure shall be displayed per
second. This is the actual speed the figure is played in. Depending on the number of
frames the figure consists of, the speed needs to be adjusted: If too few frames are
played too slowly, the output has a stuttering look, as each frame stays visible for too
long. Setting the correct frame rate is important, especially for graphics and text
animated figures.

A click on “Frames per Second” opens a dialog where the number of frames per
second can be entered. A frame series consisting of 50 single frames will last exactly
1 second, if the speed is 50 fps ( = frames per second).
This value has absolutely nothing to do with the scan speed and the picture
repetition rate of the laser projector.
The value simply specifies how fast the frames of a figure shall be played (exactly like
the frame rate of a video). If the frame rate is higher than the repetition rate of the
laser projector, then some of the frames are simply dropped – which will not
influence the display. If the frame rate is lower than the picture repetition rate of the
laser projector, then frames are displayed multiple times, so no gaps happen.

The speed can be entered in three different ways:

● Frame rate without any unit specified:

If only a number is entered, without specifying a unit, the software takes the
input as standard “frames per second (fps)”. For example, if “20” is entered, 20
fps will be displayed.

● Frame rate with unit “ms” -> duration:

If a number and the unit “ms” is entered, then every frame will be displayed
for the entered duration of milliseconds. For example, if “20ms” is entered,
every frame is displayed for 20 milliseconds (resulting in this being a frame-rate
of 50 fps then).

● Frame-rate with unit “bpm”:

If a number and the unit “bpm” is entered, then all frames are displayed xx
times per minute.

For example, if “20bpm” is entered, the software adapts the frame-rate in that
way that the series of frames (the figure) is displayed 20 times per minute. The
“bpm” unit has been implemented especially for the requirements of laser
shows that are synchronized to music.
The BPM rate of a song can be terminated using Tools -> Beat Counter in the
Timeline window.

Information:
PPS and FPS
If a figure consists of multiple frames, the speed of the output of these frames is
specified by “Frames per Second”.
Assuming that every frame shows a picture consisting of 500 points and the DAC
outputting at 5000pps, then 10 frames per second can be displayed by the
projector. If a frame-rate of 20fps is selected, then every second frame is dropped. In
contrast, if 5fps are selected, every frame will be displayed twice.

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This way the output speed of the figure is independent of the DAC as well as of the
laser system in use. The animation speed of the displayed figure remains the same.
If a short stutter is recognized on output, a slight adjustment of the fps rate can fix
this.

6.4.7. Scroll-Bar (Frame Selection):

The scroll-bar below the button “Frames per Second” is used for changing between
the single frames of a figure. The respective frame-number is displayed in the info box
of the Figure Editor in the lower left corner (See Fig. 44).

6.4.8. Buttons for editing the frame display order:

The buttons below the frame selection scrollbar specify the running order and
behaviour of the frames playing. With the three buttons

“right”,
“left” and
“back and forth”
the direction of display of the frames can be specified.

The “Loop” button sets the repetition of the frames to loop.

If the direction of display is set to “back and forth”, the frames may run
asynchronously after a while if the frame rate is defined in combination with the unit
“bpm” (See 6.4.6), as the first and the last frame are doubling on output with this
method.

The button on the left activates a cutting tool, which can be used for splitting
up longer animated figures. The active frame is used as cutting point, and this frame
becomes the first frame of the second figure and the last one of the first figure.

6.5. File (Buttons Save, Save As and

Save All)
These buttons are used to save the created
figure(s) (Fig. 47).

6.5.1. Save Fig. 47: File save buttons and

grid
Saves the active figure. If this figure has already
been given a name and has been saved already, the figure is saved automatically,
overwriting the existing file without notice. If no file name has been given and the

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figure hasn’t been saved yet, the “Save as” dialog opens and the figure can be
named and then saved.

6.5.2. Save As
This opens the standard “Save as” dialog, asking where the file should be saved to
and offering the possibility to enter a file name. Figures created with Laserworld
Showeditor are saved in the *.heb file format. Export to *.ild file format is possible as
well. Please refer to section 6.13.8 for further details on this.

Important: Special Characters in file names and file paths:

Due to the software being used internationally, it is not possible to use special
characters like ä, ö, ß, é etc.. If any of these characters are used for naming a file or
a file path, an error message is displayed.
It is also important to not use any blank spaces in file or folder names, this is likely not
to work.

6.5.3. Save All

“Save All” saves all figures of the Figure Table, so changes that have been made to
several figures are saved all at once.

6.6. Textbox „Grid“

The textbox “Grid” (see Fig. 47) is used for changing the grid size of the drawing
area.
The smaller the number, the more detailed is the grid. Values between 1 and 300 are
possible. Value 1 means “no grid at all”. This setting is sometimes necessary for
modifying points that cannot be reached otherwise.

6.7. Output Path

The output of the figure that is worked on can be
routed to different hardware output with the
output path selection tool.
The hardware interfaces (DACs) must have been
specified and assigned to output paths in Options -
> Hardware before they can be addressed (See
2.8.2). Of course this feature is not meant for being
used at live shows, it’s a feature used for testing the
output of a certain figure on different laser Fig. 48: Setting of Output
projectors. Path
The paths directly refer to the output routing
settings made in Options -> Hardware.

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Fig. 49: Options->Hardware: Setting of Output Routing

6.8. Color Selection

Laserworld Showeditor offers three different color selection options for drawing
frames ad figures: The Color Circle (Fig. 50), the Color Cube (Fig. 51) and the Color
Palette (Fig. 52).
The setting of the desired color selection mode can be done at Options -> Others.

Fig. 51: Color Cube Fig. 50: Color Circle Fig. 52: Color Palette

6.8.1. Color Cube

The Color Cube is the most versatile tool for color selection, as it offers all possible
colors for selection. The scrollbar at the side of the Color Cube allows for switching to
different layers of the third dimension of the cube.
The viewing angle to the color cube can be changed by using the three radio
buttons next to the Color field. Selecting another radio button does not change the
color selection – only the viewing perspective.

6.8.2. Color Circle

The Color Circle is a simplified version of the Color Cube and only offers the most
important colors. With using the scroll bar at the side, the intensity of the colors can
be set. The Color Circle is meant for quick and easy programming, for professional
applications it is recommended to use the Color Cube instead.

6.8.3. Color Palette – favorite colors

Under the Color Cube or the Color Circle 20 colored areas are shown. This is the
quick access palette, and it’s preset with the 20 most intense colors – the one where

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at least one color channel runs at full power. The Color Palette can be customized
by just drag-and-drop of colors from the Color Cube or Color Circle to a palette field.

6.9. Checkbox “Figures Always on Top“

If “Figures always on top” (Fig. 53) is selected, the Figure
Table always stays in the foreground. This is very useful if
the figures are used for drag-and-drop programming Fig. 53: Figure Editor:
Checkbox “Figures Always
and also for figure creating in the Figure editor.
on Top”

The box unchecks automatically if the black background of the Figure Table is
double-clicked (don’t click on a figure) or if the checkbox is unchecked.
The setting is preserved in the configuration, so remains the same on program restart.

6.10. Folder-Area
To use already existing figures/patterns/frames,
they need to be saved to a physical folder on the
hard disc. Even if new frames should be created, it
makes sense to create a new show folder in the
Windows Explorer first.
This folder holds all figures/patterns/frames and
media files that belong to the very show. It is
recommended to organize all folders in a suitable
structure.
Fig. 54: Figure Editor, folder
The folder tree shown bottom right in the figure window: Structure of folders
editor window allows for selecting the right show (example).
folder. Whole shows can also be loaded through
the menu File -> Open Lasershow

On selecting an existent folder, all figures which can be handled by Laserworld

Showeditor, will be to the Figure Table.

ILDA-figures are no Laserworld Showeditor files and must be imported manually (See
chapter 6.13.7).

If a show is loaded through the File -> Open Lasershow menu item, the content of the
area will automatically be updated with the corresponding path of the show folder.

Some special folders are preset in Laserworld

Showeditor.
Folders named “Buchstaben_XXXXX” contain hand-
drawn letters.

6.10.1. Global Figures

The folder “FixFiguren” can be used to store figures
which can be called from every show (Global Figures).
These figures are displayed together with the test

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 Laserworld Showeditor 2015
pictures in the table of the Test Pictures (Test Pictures -> Show Test Pictures).

6.10.2. Test Pictures

The folder “HE_s_Testbilder” contains some very useful test pictures for laser projector
setup. Please find some a more detailed explanation them in Chapter 6.21.
Laserworld Showeditor also come with some tutorial PDF files that explain the use of
test pictures more in detail.

IMPORTANT:
The test picture figures have no point properties and are not optimized as usual on
laser output! Thus it is not recommended to use them for optimizing the laser output.
The ILDA test picture is used to determine the speed of the Galvo system. This picture
is put out without changes, thus the detected pps rate is correct.

6.11. Buttons in the right column

The buttons in the right column of Laserworld
Showeditor (Fig. 56) either open a certain sub-
program window or allow to directly accessing major
control features.

6.11.1. Live Window:

A click on this button opens the live laser show control
window. To use the Live Window features it is
necessary to assign the figures that should be used, to
keys.
The Live window offers a powerful user interface for
creating spectacular live laser shows. Please see
chapter 13 for details on the use of the Live window. Fig. 56: Figure Editor:
Buttons in the right column
6.11.2. Timeline:
This button opens the Timeline Editor window – a great
feature for creating timeline based, music (or generally media) synchronous laser
shows. Please see chapter 9 for details on the Timeline Editor

6.11.3. Effects:
This button opens the Effects Dialog. Please look at chapter “Effects Dialog”
(Chapter 7) for more information. The settings of the Effect Window always refer to
the active figure!

6.11.4. DMX:
The DMX-Window allows for DMX control of DMX fixtures or other DMX controllable
units. Please refer to chapter 11 “DMX-Editor” for more information.

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6.11.5. Options:
The Options window is used for the basic configuration of Laserworld Showeditor.
Hardware setting, usability features and performance settings etc. can be made
here. Please refer to chapter 8 “Options” for further information.

6.11.6. Laser ON:

“Laser ON” switches on the laser output (if the hardware is properly configured and
able to output). By deactivating “Laser ON”, the laser output is stopped immediately.

In the case the Simulation Window is opened, maybe also minimized, then this
window will come to front and the output is directed to it – so no real output to the
hardware happens. Close the simulation window for proper real laser output.

If nor hardware interface (DAC) is connected or mapped properly (only Virtual

Devices in use), the simulation window will open on click on “Laser ON”.

6.11.7. Simulation:
This button opens the Simulation Window. The chapter “Simulation” provides further
detail on this feature. As long as the simulation is in use, no output to the laser
projector is possible.

6.11.8. Black Screen:

This button switches the computer monitor to black screen mode.

This can increase the output speed of the laser output, because the calculations,
which are necessary for the display on the screen (updating the effects, figures,
etc.), are obsolete then. And: The light of the screen does not disturb the laser show
display, too.

In Options -> Others it is possible to specify the blackout type: Only a black screen or
monitor to standby mode.
In some cases it’s advantageous to set the monitors to standby mode, as this affects
not only the main monitor, but all screens in use. A disadvantage of the Standby
blackout is that PlayHQ playback may be slightly delayed in start.
The Standby black out ends if any key is pressed or the mouse is moved.

If a show is started via PlayHQ, via Count-Down-Timer or via the “Start xx Seconds”-
feature, the button “Black Screen” will be activated automatically.

A speedometer can be activated for the normal black screen mode (Options ->
Others) to show some basic information about the frame actualization during black
out mode.

Hints for working with blackout mode:

Deactivate standby: Move mouse or push a key.
Deactivate black screen: Click with right mouse button.
Deactivate black screen and stop the show: Click with left mouse button or push
the ESC key.

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6.11.9. Complete Reset:
“Complete Reset” updates all figures by reloading them to the Figure Table. This
resets all unsaved changes that have been done to any figures.

6.11.10. Assign Figure:

Key assignment can be done by using this button. The assignment of figures to keys
on the keyboard is essential for further work in the Live Window and the Timeline
Window. There are several other ways to assign figures to keys. Those will be
explained in the following chapters.

6.12. Menus and options

Nearly every feature and window is accessible through the menu of the Figure Editor.
Besides the buttons and mouse click actions, there are many more features and tools
residing there. (Fig. 57), e.g. the Wave Generator or the Path Tool etc.

Fig. 57: Figure Editor: Menu

6.13. Menu: File

6.13.1. Open Laser Show
This automatically opens the Timeline and the Windows
standard dialog for opening a file. Select the desired,
already existing laser show and it is loaded to the timeline.
When doing so, the active show folder changes to the one
of the new laser show – and so do the figures in the Figure
Table. So save your work prior to opening a laser show.

6.13.2. Play-List Load

This automatically opens the Timeline and the Windows
standard dialog for opening a file. Select the desired,
already existing Playlist. It loads in a new playlist window
and is ready to use.

6.13.3. Load Live Show Fig. 58: Menu: File

This menu item opens a dialog for loading an already

existing live show. The Live Window automatically opens
on loading the show.

6.13.4. New Figure

This menu item does the same as the “New Figure”-button (see chapter 6.2.1) – it
creates a new figure.

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6.13.5. Save, Save As, Save All
These menu items do the same as the “Save”-, “Save As” and “Save All”- buttons
(see chapter 6.5.1, 6.5.2, 6.5.3): They offer different saving options for figures.

6.13.6. Delete File

“Delete File” can be used for deleting the active figure. It is deleted from the hard
disc and thus also disappears from the Figure Table. On deleting a figure, the Figure
Table is reloaded.

6.13.7. Import ILDA

The “Import ILDA” menu item is used for importing ILDA files (*.ild) to Laserworld
Showeditor. 2D and 3D ILDA files can be imported as well as ILDA files with or without
color table or RGB data. On import, the ILDA files will be converted to the Showeditor
file format, so they become editable in Laserworld Showeditor.

Importing ILDA-files can cause issues in rare cases, as the “ILDA Standard” is not
always respected by every programmer – some *.ild files do not provide the
standardized protocol in full or come with additional information that is not meant to
be included. In such a case a message with further detail is displayed.
However, Utmost imports of ILDA files work very well.

Supported ILDA standard file format is any version up to version 5.

Information:
Depending on the program they have been created with, some ILDA files are
defective, as the storage byte order for the colors is red – green - blue instead of the
correct blue - green – red. If blue and read appear to be swapped, change the
color order in Options -> Others. This setting applies for the import as well as for the
export of ILDA files.
Many existing ILDA files use the Pangolin color table. If this is the case, load the
Pangolin color table first (Color-table) and then convert to Laserworld Showeditor
colors (Windows -> Special features - > Change color handling to Showeditor color
table values)

6.13.8. Save ILDA

Export a figure as ILDA-file (*.ild) using this menu item. This only works for figures you
have the permission to export. Export permissions can be set in Options -> Default
Rights Settings

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Fig. 59: Options -> Default Rights Settings: Set the file and figure access rights
 Laserworld Showeditor 2015

Important:
On using the ILDA export feature, only the basic coordinates are exported. An
optimization or interpolation is not done. If this is required or if a complete show shall
be exported, use the show export feature File -> Export Show as ILDA-File.
Different ILDA-formats are offered for export. The recommended one is: Type 5 ILDA-
file (RGB).
Please consider that not every program can read every ILDA-format correctly.

6.13.9. Import *.AI file (Adobe Illustrator)

It is possible to import Adobe Illustrator (*.ai) files to Laserworld Showeditor. Drawings
made in Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw are saved as vectors – so they have the
same characteristics as ILDA files have.
It is important to use *.ai files in the correct file version, as not every version can be
imported to Laserworld Showeditor. It is also essential that only true vectors are used
in the *.ai file, as e.g. colored areas or color transitions in areas can of course not be
properly imported. Line-only drawings are the best choice for import.
If the elements of the *.ai file are not compatible vectors, the import may fail.

6.13.10. End
A click on this menu item closes the program.

6.13.11. Entries below “End”

This list shows the history of the 10 most recently loaded laser shows (*.shw) or playlists
(*.pll). This allows for quick access to the last used files.

6.14. Menu: Background Image

Background images are very useful if custom shapes shall
be drawn.

6.14.1. Load Picture

Load a picture (*.jpg or *.bmp) as background for the
drawing area (Fig. 61). As the area has a square shape,
the background image should also have equal height
and length to avoid distortion.
The loaded picture can then be processed via the Fig. 60: Menu
function “Color Raster” or copied by hand (the outlines). Background Image.

6.14.2. Delete Picture

This removes the background image from the drawing area.

6.14.3. Background Image Visible

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The background image is set to “visible” and is displayed.

Fig. 61: Figure Editor: Background image

6.14.4. Hidden Background Image

The background image can be hidden by activating this menu item

6.14.5. Edit Laser Frame / Edit Background Image

There is the option to either edit the laser frame or the background image. Selecting
one of the options unselects the other one.
Editing the background image allows for changing the image with using the drawing
tools – it only changes the image, not the drawn laser figure. Selecting “Edit Laser
Frame” allows for directly drawing lines and vectors for the actual laser output. This is
the standard setting and needed in most cases.

6.14.6. Raster-framing: The Raster Color Tool

Raster-framing is the projection of “real” images with laser – not only the outlines, but
also filled areas. As this method of image projection is very demanding for the
scanners, it is highly suggested to be very careful when creating and displaying
raster frames.
The Laserworld Showeditor has an automatic raster frame conversion tool built-in –
it’s called “Raster Color”.
The tools works in 3 steps:

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a) Select the image to be displayed
Click on Background Image -> Load Image to load the desired image
as background of the drawing area. The part of the image that should
actually be converted to a raster frame can be selected in the next
steps.

b) Define the grid size

It’s very essential to properly define the grid size before continuing with
the raster frame process. This is important as the grid size specifies the
number of points that are drawn during the conversion. The more point
are drawn, the harder it is for the scanners to actually display the figure.
Grid sizes from 8 to 10 usually give good results.

c) Specify the area of the background image that shall be rastered

Drag a selection square around the parts of the background image
that shall be rastered. Use the Hand tool for doing so (with left click and
drag):

d) Select the “Raster Color” tool

e) Specify the raster type

The standard selection is “Helix”, but especially for circular objects

“nothing” can be an option too.
When having followed all the steps above, the raster frame is generated
automatically by creating the corresponding points in the respective color in the
density specified with the Grid size before.

Important:
It is very hard for scanners to project raster frames, as the requirements are really
high. Si it is recommended to project raster frames as small as possible and better

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mount the laser in a bigger distance to the projection surface. This makes it easier for
the scanners to handle the high point density, as the inertia doesn’t affect the
scanning in small angles too much.
As raster frames are so difficult to handle for scanners, they are very likely to flickering
if the scan speed is too low. This is a normal behaviour. To reduce flickering, either use
a bigger grid size to reduce the number of points, or use a faster scanning system.
Reducing the size of the projection can also help with significantly reducing the
flicker effect.

6.15. Menu Edit

6.15.1. Color change
This tool allows for changing the color of several points (of the
same color), or to change the color of points (of the same
color) in a series of frames. This is how it works:

1. Select the desired new color of the points (see 6.3.4 for
details on color selection).

2. Mark one of the points of the figure that should be

recolored (perhaps it is necessary to activate “Show
Points” first to make single points visible).
Fig. 62: Menu Edit
3. A click on Edit->Color change opens a dialog to set
the options (see Fig. 63). Make the selections of your
choice there. If “Color of actually selected point” or
“Destination color” are not correct, click “Cancel”
and change your selection.

Fig. 63: Menu Edit/Color change. Dialog to change colors of points.

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6.15.2. Mark all Points
Mark all points of the actual frame by using this menu item. Having all points of a
frame marked allows for easy copying, moving or distorting of the whole frame.

6.15.3. Cut
This item does what it says and has the same function as the button “Cut”.

6.15.4. Copy
This item does what it says and has the same function as the button “Copy”.

6.15.5. Paste
This item does what it says and has the same function as the button “Paste”.

6.15.6. Show Points

With Edit->Show Points activated, all drawn visible points of the frame are shown in
the drawing area. This menu item is standard activated.

6.15.7. Show Blanked Lines

Blanked line and points, meaning the moving path of the laser beam without output,
can be made visible in the drawing area by activating this menu item. Thus they can
be modified, repositioned or deleted.

6.15.8. View Grid > 5 or View Grid > 0

This menu items control the visibility of the grid lines. Toggling these is helpful when
zooming in to a frame, but still having the grid visible.

6.16. Menu: Figure Assignment

This menu provides information and configuration tools
for the figure assignment to keys. As this is a central
feature in Laserworld Showeditor, it is recommended to
take advantage of the tools offered here working with
the software.

6.16.1. Print PC-List

Print a list of the assigned figures per key. It is helpful to
have an overview in print sometimes when
programming quickly or only by using a keyboard. The
list also shows which keys haven’t been used for Fig. 64: Menu Figure
assignments yet. Assignment

6.16.2. Show PC-List

Display a list of the assigned figures per key. The list shows which keys haven’t been
used for assignments yet. In many cases it’s easier to open the Live Window instead
and see which keys have already been assigned.

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6.16.3. Print Keyboard-List
The MIDI-keyboard key assignment list can be printed with using this menu item. The
print-out can be attached to the keyboard then.

6.16.4. Show Keyboard-List

The MIDI-keyboard key assignment list can be displayed with using this menu item.

6.16.5. Assign Figure

This provides the same features as the “Assign Figure” Button. Please refer to Chapter
6.11.10 for details.

6.16.6. Assign all Figures automatically

By using this menu item, all existing assignments are reset and the actually loaded
figures (Figure Table) are assigned automatically to keys. If there are more figures
than can fit on one keyboard set, the figures, which do not fit any more, are
assigned to the next tab of figures (switchable by the F-keys). The assignment does
not happen in a special order, so it is recommended to manually assign the figures to
have better control over the order.
When automatically having assigned the figures, a dialog shows up asking if MIDI
and DMX shall be assigned as well.

6.16.7. Delete all DMX Assignments

Delete all present DMX assignments.

6.16.8. Delete all MIDI Assignments

Delete all present MIDI assignments.

6.16.9. Delete all key assignments

Delete all key assignments. Be careful: It is necessary to have figures assigned to keys
to use them with most of the output features of Laserworld Showeditor.

6.16.10. Show Unused Keys

As only one figure can be assigned to a certain key (per Tab, switchable by F-keys), it
is important to know which keys have been assigned already. The Live Window also
offers an overview of the unused keys: Open the window – free key positions are
marked as “free”. Already assigned keys show the preview picture of the figure.

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Fig. 65: Free keys shown in the Live Window

6.17. Menu: Frame Tools

Fig. 66: Figure Editor: Menu Frame Tools

6.17.1. New Frame

New Frame feature, as described in Chapter 6.4.1

6.17.2. Delete Frame

Delete Frame feature, as described in Chapter 6.4.2.

6.17.3. Insert Frame

Insert Frame feature, as described in Chapter 6.4.3.

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6.17.4. Copy Frames A=>B to Clipboard
A series of frames can be copied to the clipboard with this menu item. A dialog
opens, asking for the start and the end frame to be copied. Of course this feature is
only available if the figure consists of more than one frame.

6.17.5. Cut Frames A=>B and Copy to Clipboard

A series of frames can be cut and moved to the clipboard with this menu item. A
dialog opens, asking for the start and the end frame to be cut. Of course this feature
is only available if the figure consists of more than one frame. It can also be used for
deleting of a series of frames by just cutting them, but not pasting them anywhere.

6.17.6. Change rendering direction of frames in clipboard

This feature inverts the render direction of the frames in the clipboard, meaning that
the first frame becomes the last one and vice versa (same with the frames in
between). It is necessary to copy or cut a series of frames to the clipboard first (see
6.17.4 or 6.17.5).

6.17.7. Paste Frames A=>B from Clipboard

Frames copied or cut to the clipboard (See 6.17.4 or 6.17.5) can be pasted to the
active figure with this menu item. The pasted frames are placed before the active
frame.

6.17.8. Add Frames A=>B from Clipboard

The “Add Frame” feature works similar to the Paste feature (See 6.17.7), but it pastes
the frames from the clipboard to existing frames – so the drawings are added to
those frames. The first “added” frame is added to the active one.

Example: We assume that the frames 0 to 100 show a rotating plane. Frame number
50 is selected / active. Another, 100 frames lasting animation is copied to the
clipboard (e.g. a jumping ball).
With using the “Add Frames” feature, the result would be: Frames 0 to 49 show the
rotating plane, frame 50 to 100 show the rotating plane AND the jumping ball, frame
101 until 150 show the rest of the ball animation, but no rotating plane (as this
animation finished at frame 100 already).

6.17.9. Frames per Second

This menu item provides the same features as the “Frames per Second” button (See
6.4.6).

6.17.10. Morph
This menu item provides the same features as the “Morph” button (See 6.4.4).

6.17.11. Morph All

This menu item provides the same features as the “Morph All” button (See 6.4.5).

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6.18. Menu: Windows

6.18.1. Options
This menu and its sub-menus provide
direct access to the settings in
“Options” (described in 8, also
compare to 6.11.5 and the initial
settings in 2.8). It is also possible to
reset the window positions through
one of the sub-menus.

6.18.2. Special Functions

This menu item offers access to
special additional features of
Laserworld Showeditor. Some of
these special features can be very
helpful especially for the conversion Fig.61: Menu Windows.
of ILDA. A click on the menu item
opens a dialog (Fig.62) to access the
features.
The most important tools are:

● “opt. Distance” can be used for

optimizing a figure. The optimization
works in combination with the “Path-
Tool” (See 6.18.9). First apply the
“opt. Distance”, then the “Path Tool”
. ”Opt. Distance” splits the distances
of a line into shorter pieces to sizes
that match the setting in Options-
>Optimize Output->Max. Distance
Laser ON

● “Change colors to Colortable

values”: If an ILDA file with custom Fig. 67: Special Functions: Dialog to access
color palette is imported, e.g. from special tools.
Pangolin, this button allows for changing the color palette to the standard
Laserworld Showeditor one. After the conversion the ILDA file/frame is fully
compatible for further use in Laserworld Showeditor, including saving it as *.heb file.

● “Normalize RGB Point/Frame”: This feature enhances the color values of points to
achieve maximum brightness. The color values are thus adapted to the closest color
with at least one laser source on full power.
Two optimization options are possible: “enhance brightest point of frame to
maximum” or “enhance each point to maximal brightness”. Try the two versions on
the very frame to see the results.

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6.18.3. DMX
This menu item provides the same features as the “DMX” button: It opens the DMX-
Window (See 6.11.4).

6.18.4. Timeline
This menu item provides the same features as the “Timeline” button: It opens the
Timeline window (See 6.11.2).

6.18.5. Effects
This menu item provides the same features as the “Effects” button: It opens the
Effects Window (See 6.11.3 and 7).

6.18.6. Automatic / Sound Mode

This menu item opens the window of
the Automatic-Laser-Player (Fig. 68).

It offers two modes of operation:

1) Automatic Mode:
Automatic mode operation can output
to paths A-D, each with 3 tracks. With
rhythmically clicking on “Klick Beat”,
the speed of the very output track can
be specified. A generator then calls a
random figure from the active Figure
Table on every beat. With “Start” the
output on the very track is activated.

2) Sound Mode:
Laserworld Showeditor allows for sound
active laser control in combination with
WinAmp VB Link. If the music tracks are
played through WinAmp, Showeditor
can automatically analyse the music Fig. 68: Automatic Mode: Automatic-
Laser-Player
signal frequency and then adapt the
speed of the laser figures to the beat.

To get this feature going, a WinAmp-plugin called “WinAmp VB Link” is required. It is

not included with Laserworld Showeditor, but must be installed separately. It can
either be downloaded form the download section on the website
(http://www.showeditor.com/en/downloads) or the version included with the
installation package of Laserworld Showeditor can be used.

Search for the file “vblink10.zip” within the program folder of this software. The file
“readme.txt” describes the installation of the plugin. On http://www.showeditor.com
there are tutorials on how to use this plugin, also on different operating systems. In
some rare cases it may be necessary to use some special tricks to get the drivers
working. This is explained in the tutorials.

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A “Softwarecave” logo in the upper left corner shows that the plugin is active.
Click “enable” in the automatic mode window, so the plugin can start to analyse the
frequencies. It is necessary to start the tracks by clicking on the “Start” button of the
very track. If music is playing in WinAmp, the incoming frequency tracks should be
visible in the VB-WinAmp Link area. (See Fig. 69).

The assignment of the tracks to the

frequencies is split by frequency
range, so track A is assigned to the
lower frequencies, B to the middle
frequencies and D to the high ones. Six
of the tracks are triggered by the left
sound signal, the others are triggered
by the right sound one.

Many different features and settings

are possible, but the description here is
kept on a basic level. It is
recommended to try and find out.

The buttons “Save” and “Load” allow Fig. 69: Setup of WinAmp-plugin
(WinA mp/Options/ Visualizations/Select
for saving or loading of the specific plugin) and “Softwarecave” logo (upper
settings. “Reset everything” does a full left corner)
reset of the settings, be careful. The
scrollbar “Sampling Rate” sets the interval for updating the intensity value through
the frequency analyser. It is recommended to increase the sampling rate value on
fast computers.

LineIn Sound Mode

WinAmp can also handle the LineIn input of the PC (for DJ´s music, from a mixer
etc.). To use this feature, simply enter “linein://” as URL.

6.18.7. Beatcounter
The “Beatcounter” helps with determining the beats
per minute (bpm) of a song. On clicking this menu
item, a dialog opens (Fig. 70). This tool is also
available in the Timeline Window via the menu
“Tools”.

If a music file is loaded to the Timeline editor (via

“New Show”), a click on “Play Song” starts playing
it. Any key except Space or a right mouse click in
the black area resets the counter. By either
rhythmically left clicking in the black area or
rhythmically pressing the space bar, the clicks are
counted. Above the window the actually
Fig. 70: Beatcounter: Dialog
calculated bpm-rate is shown. to count beats. (see also
The red bar on the right side shows the tapping ”Show Editor/ Tools”)
speed related to a calculated average, so if the
red bar is above the black line, the tapping is too
fast, if it’s below it’s too slow.

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Click “Stop Song” to stop the sound output.
The longer the beat is recorded, the more precise is the calculated BPM.

6.18.8. Tool: Wave-Generator

The “Wave-Generator” is a special tool for automatically creating waves and other
periodic figures. The tool appears to be complex, but it isn’t: It provides a multitude
of features that result in stunning, automatically created animations that would take
plenty of time if they would be created manually.

Fig. 71: Extra Tools: Wave-Generator

The working principle of the Wave Generator is as follows (very technical, not directly
necessary for just using the tool):
The Wave Generator consists of 8 single generators. Each can generate its own
waveform. The amplitudes of the waveforms are dependent on space and time.
The amplitudes theoretically begin with a range from -100% to 100%, because the
“real” amplitude (height of signal) at least arises from the combination with a point
property (compare to “Wrench Tool” chapter 6.3.6). The amplitudes can be assigned
to a point property like X/Y coordinates or color. All generators work in a similar way.

Every wave is characterized by amplitude, frequency (in space), period (in time) and
phase.

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The frequency describes the number of peaks and wave trough in the space. In Fig.
71 the frequency is 1 for wave 1 and it is assigned to the y coordinates with
amplitude 20000. Thus the generated wave has 1 peak and 1 wave trough in total.
The generator for wave 2 is also assigned to the y coordinates, but has a frequency
of 10 and smaller amplitude of 5000. That generates the smaller wave with 10 peaks,
which is interfering the big wave (see preview window in Fig.72).

The period T describes the time one point on the wave needs to reach the peak
after being in the wave trough. The duration is entered in milliseconds. In the
example in Fig.72 for the wave 1 the duration for one oscillation is 1000ms, thus it
needs 1 second for the oscillating points to fulfil one complete period (to go up and
come down again).

The amplitude describes the “intensity” of the wave (or the color when used). In
other words: It describes the height and the depth of the peak and wave trough. The
generator internally calculates in relative values (in %), because the amplitudes can
be assigned to different point properties. Colors are described internally by values
from 0 to 255 for each of the base colors RGB, coordinates can have values from -
32767 to +32767. You see in Fig. 71 the big wave with amplitude 20000 and the
interfering smaller wave with amplitude 5000. Furthermore you see in the picture the
generators 3 and 4, which are assigned to red and green, respectively. Because they
have the frequency 1 and amplitudes of 30000, they generate the white color (in
combination with blue), which is partly dying the wave.

The phase describes, how much degrees the oscillation is shifted (in comparison to a
wave with phase = 0). An example should explain the property of the phase: Let us
take a sinus oscillation for the x-axis and for the y-axis, too. The result will be a line,
rotated by 45° to the axes. To get a circle, we need a cosines oscillation for one of
the axes. Now remember the basics of trigonometry: A cosine-function is the same as
a sinus-function with a phase shift of 90° (when sin(x) = 1 then cos(x) = 0 and
sin(x+90°) = 0 and the other way round).

All waves can be created as triangle- or rectangle-oscillations and the display can
be altered in the direction (backwards), too.

HINT: The generator is designed to be very flexible. There were some requests of users
to accept only certain conditions in order to simplify the handling. But this would
restrict the flexibility. Because the flexibility has higher priority, some circumstances
have to be taken into account:

Problem 1: Long times for calculations and very big files:

If values for the frequency and/or duration are used for the different generators,
which are not integer multiples from each other, then the time to calculate the wave
can be very, very long! Furthermore the size of the file significantly increases due to
the large number of frames that need to be created.

Please feel encouraged to try and find out the effects of the very settings.
It’s not necessary to calculate any frame numbers – just pay attention to the
warning:

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It is suggested to not exceed 1000 frames.

Global Settings:

The “Global Settings” apply to all generator tracks.

“Number of Frame Points” determines the number of points of the wave (of one
frame).

“Frames per Second” adjusts the frame rate for the. This value can be changed later
as well by adjusting the “Frames per Second”, see chapter 6.4.6. If the warning
“Framecount >1000” is shown, reducing the frame rate to e.g. 30 may solve the
problem of creating too many frames.

Activating “Draw x from left to right” creates a horizontally oriented wave (used in
the example shown in Fig. 71).

Activating “Draw y from top to bottom” creates a vertically oriented wave.

Both options activated results in a diagonally oriented wave. If one of the options is
chosen, then all amplitudes assigned to the other axis are ignored.

“Normalize Color Values (to 255)” sets the color values to at least have one of the
laser sources in the laser operate at full power – this increases the visibility of the
colors, but may change the color shade a bit.

The “Shutter” cleaves the waves to beams. The wave consists of many single beams
following the course of the wave without having any links in between the points.

The button “Apply” starts the calculation of the wave and imports it to the Figure
Table as figure 0. There it can be modified further (e.g. by applying morphing to get
a smoother output) and saved to the hard disk.

The button “Preview” (toggles to “Stop” if Preview is active) displays a simulation of

the created wave in the preview area. Another click on the button stops the
simulation.

The button “Reset” resets all values.

The button “Load Values” allows for loading previously saved generator settings.

The button “Save Values” allows for saving wave generator settings.

6.18.9. Tool: Path Tool

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A new animated multi-frame figure can be created with this tool, showing a moving
frame alongside an animation path.
The tool consists of several modules for the
input:

A) Input of Path
Fig. 72 shows the dialog for drawing the
animation path. It is either possible to draw
the animation path with the mouse or to
import the animation path from the active
figure in the figure editor by clicking “Path
from Frame”. For verifying the results,
activating of “Ignore Blanking” can help.

Hint:
The colors of the figure for the path (Path
from Frame) can be transferred as well.
Figures with color gradient can give very
nice results.
Fig. 72: Extra Tools: Path-Tool. Input of
To draw the path, click the button “Next” path
to go on with the process. If the drawing
failed, click “Reset” to clear the window and try again. If the path shall be taken
from a figure of the Figure Editor, it is useful to apply the function “Optimize Distance”
via the menu Windows -> Special Features -> Opt.Distance to add intermediate
points on straight parts of the path.

B) Path Edit Window

With the Path Edit Window (Fig. 73) it is
possible to smoothen the course of the
drawn path via the button “Smooth”. The
number of points defining the path can
be specified (button “Number of Points”).
If the path was taken from a figure of the
Figure Editor, it is usually not
recommended to use the smoothening
option, as the corners of the shape
become round. After all editing has been
done, click on the button “Next” to move
on to the last module of the Path Tool.

C) Selection of Figure and Options

With this module (Fig. 74) the figure that
shall move along the path can be
selected. This can be the actively
selected figure from the Figure Editor
(Option “Source/ Use frame from main-
window”) or a “Snake” line (Option Fig. 73: Extra-Tools: Path-Tool. Path Edit
“Source/Snake/Line”). Window

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If “Snake” line is selected, a path line is created. The length of the path line is
specified by the number entered in “Count of Pictures”.

If “Use frame from main window” is

selected, the active figure from the
Figure Editor will be displayed in the
window of the module and thus is
selected as figure for the movement on
the path.

If the figure has not been chosen yet, it

must be done at this point. If the window This is the anchor-
does not update the figure point, which will
automatically, click on “Snake” and then move on the path.

again on “Use frame from main

window”.

The red-green colored circle indicated

the anchor point and can be positioned
with a mouse click on the new position.
This anchor point moves on the
movement path later.
Fig. 74: Extra-Tools: Path-Tool. Selection of
Figure and Options.
The “Use color from” option is used when
creating a Snake line. It specifies if the
color values are taken from the colored path (“Path”) or from the Figure Editor
(“Main Window”).

Activating the option “Fade out” reduces the brightness (fades out) at the end of the
path line or the last figures.

“Picture Distance” (upper scrollbar) specifies the distance of the points drawn for the
path line, or, if a figure is moved, the distance between the copies of the figure.

“Count of pictures” (lower scrollbar) specifies the length of the path line or, if a figure
is moved, the number of figure repetitions that are moved on the path.

“Start/End hidden” (blanking on start and end) specifies if the first and the last figure
of the path are shown.

6.18.10. Tool: Stretch Lines Tool

The Stretch Line Tool creates a new, animated figure with multiple frames. This new
animation must base on an existing figure (has to be active in the Figure Editor). The
effects applied with the Stretch Lines Tool make the figure appear as just being
drawn (lines are slowly appearing from the single points and end up as final figure)

“Line Stretch for each line” means that the drawing of the figure is simultaneously
done from each point. Lines are drawn at the same time. Click “Apply” to use the

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effect with the active figure.
The textbox allows for
specifying the number of
frames to be drawn.

“Line Stretch for complete

frame” starts drawing the figure
in one point and then draws
the lines until the figure is
completed. Click “Apply” to
use the effect with the active
figure. The textbox allows for
specifying the number of
frames to be drawn.
Fig. 75: Extra Tools: Stretch Lines Tool.

If the option “Bidirectional” is

checked, the figure is drawn
line by line, and when it’s complete it is erased line by line again. (reverse order of
the drawing).

The option “use all frames of figure” is applicable for multiframe figures only. If this
option is checked, the next frame of the source figure is used for the next drawing
step.

The options “Line in, using increasing (decreasing) point number” are used to specify
the creation type of the figure. “Increasing” or “decreasing” defines the direction of
the process.

The options “Line out, using increasing (decreasing) point number” are used to let
the figure slowly disappear. “Increasing” or “decreasing” determines the direction of
the process.

6.18.11. Tool: Bitmap Trace

Tool
The Bitmap Trace Tool allows for
easy conversion of simple logos
and graphics to ILDA readable
files. The more complex the
picture, the more difficult is it for
the software to output a proper
result. Best results can be
achieved with using line
graphics.

Adaptions to the way

Showeditor interprets and
converts the pictures can be
made by adjusting the slider
settings in the tool window.

This is how it works:

Fig. 76: Extra Tools: Bitmap Trace
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First load a picture by using the button “Load Picture”. Then click on “Trace Image”
to start the tracing. With the tracing the system tries to automatically convert the
pixel image to a vector graphics.

To avoid getting a flickering projection later, it is recommended to not exceed a limit

of 2000 points in total for a 30kpps Galvo system.

The number of “trace points” can be controlled with the four scrollbars: Moving them
to the right means “more points”, to the left means “fewer points”.
The challenge is to find the ideal setting with as few points a possible but still
achieving a good result.
It is helpful if the image that shall be converted has a width of about 800px and any
unnecessary parts should have been already deleted with graphics software prior to
tracing.

If the converted result is acceptable and shall be imported, a click on “Apply to

figure” creates the respective figure in the drawing area of the Figure Editor.

6.18.12. Tool: Color Shove

The Color Shove tool creates a multi-frame animated figure from a single frame by
animating the colors of the figure: The different colors are shoved through the figure
point by point (one point per frame), so the figure gets kind of a color sparkling
effect – but only with the colors it consists of.

Example of how this tool works:

A triangle is given – side 1 is red, side 2 is green and side 3 is blue. In total there are 3
colors (4, if the blanked points are respected). When applying the Color Shove, a
new figure is created consisting of 3 (4) frames. The triangle shape remains the same,
but on each change of a frame, the respective color moves on by one point. So the
sides of the triangle change their color by every frame change.

This of course also works with more complex graphics. As the tool only uses the colors
already present in the figure, the animation created by the Color Shove looks
homogenous and matches the general color set.

The Color Shove Tool also works for multi frame figures, but only the colors of the first
frame are shifted. For the following frames the original x/y coordinates of the
animation stay the same, but the colors set from the first frame is pushed through.
Due to this it is necessary that the number of points should be the same per frame,
otherwise the software needs to interpolate points that are missing – which may lead
to unwanted results.

Hint:
To decrease the distance between points, it is recommended to use the “Opt.
Distance” tool. (See chapter 6.3.6 and especially 7, shown in Fig. 77).

Important:
For using the tool, an already existing and saved figure is needed.
Remember to save all changes to an existing figure prior to applying this tool!

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Fig 77: Extra Tools: Color Shove

When using the Color Shove Tool, several choices are possible:

● “Direction increasing point number”

This option determines the direction to shoving the colors.

● “Move also blanking”

When active, also the blanked points are shoved (the property “invisible” is regarded
as color and is shoved through the figure).

● “All frames of figure”

This option works for multi-frame figures. It adds a special color shove, consisting of
two effects:
1) The colors of the first frame are shifted through all points the frames created by the
Color Shove Tool.
2) The coordinates of the points reference to the ones in the existing frames of the
figure.

It is recommended to test the different features of the Color Shove Tool to

understand their behaviour and to learn more about their potential.

6.18.13. Tool: Insert Color Gradient / Insert Smooth Colors

This tool inserts a color gradient to the figure. There is already an option “Use Soft
Color” within the Effects Window (See chapter 4.3.) and indeed, this function does
the same, except for one main difference: The “Use Soft Color” effect is processed
just before the output of the figure. If it is e.g. intended to shift colors of a figure with
color gradient or to use a colour gradient for the path tool, then “Use Soft Colour”
has no effect.
The Insert Color Gradient Tool allows for directly creating color gradients and adding
them to the figure. As the color gradient is then applied to the very frame, further
tools and modifications can be applied with respect of the applied gradient.

It is necessary that the active figure has been saved, before applying the tool.

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With using the tool a new figure is created. A dialog opens, asking for the desired
transition effect for the color gradient.

Fig. 78: Extra Tools: Dialog of “Insert Color Gradient”

6.18.14. Live Window

Opens the Live Window (See chapter 13).

6.19. Menu: Color Table

The color table is the central part of the software to
handle color in- and output. Different color table
settings are possible, so this menu offers different
options for customizing the settings.
The color table adaptions are not necessary for the
utmost of shows and figures, but especially older
files may require it. Fig. 79: Figure Editor: Menu
Color-Table.
6.19.1. Reset
“Reset” resets the Color Table to default colors (Laserworld Showeditor Table).

6.19.2. Save
“Save” saves the active Color Table. This is useful if a different ILDA color table is
imported.
Each show can use its own color table, which will automatically be saved together
with saving the show.

6.19.3. Load
Load a previously saved Color Table.

6.19.4. Load Pangolin Color Table

Pangolin color tables were often used for ILDA frames in the past.
To convert a file that uses the Pangolin color table to using the standard Showeditor
table, open the file, apply the “Load Pangolin Color Table” and export the file as
ILDA file again. With doing so, the standard Showeditor color table is applied.
It is also possible to separately convert frames to the Showeditor Color Table by using
the Special Features->Change Colour Values to SE Values feature (See chapter
6.18.2)

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6.20. Menu: Signs/Text

6.20.1. New Text or Sign

Simple words and signs, not animated

To use this kind of design, the text option “Morphing Text”
should be selected. Fig. 80: Figure Editor:
Menu Signs/Text

Fig. 81: Figure Editor: Dialog for text options

After having made the appropriate adjustments, click “Close Window”.

When activating the text tool with left mouse click, the new settings have effect: In
the drawing area, click at the starting point of the first letter: The dialog box for
entering the desired text shows up. Please confirm with OK after having typed the
text.

This procedure is good if only single words shall be projected. Longer texts will be cut
at their end. If longer texts should be displayed and text wrap is necessary, please
repeat the above procedure per text line or use the following text creation method.

Long texts, animated  Morphing Text

Long texts and animated texts need to be created directly in the text dialog. The
checkbox “Morphing Text” needs to be checked.

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Right click on the A symbol to open the Text Editor.
The text can then be entered into the text box in the left column:

Fig. 82: Text Editor: Write longer texts here

When having entered the text, Showeditor automatically shapes the text correctly
when “Create” is clicked. The continuous text is automatically wrapped in a way
that not too many characters must be displayed at one – this avoids flickering of the
text projection, as it doesn’t stress the scanner motors too much. When clicking
“Create”, a dialog box opens asking, if the characters should morph. This effect
makes the transition from one text line to the next one much smoother, as the
characters seem to re-shape from the old character to the new one. So if this is a
desired effect, click yes.

The Drawing Area shows the first frame of the text animation sequence. To see all
frames of the figure, drag the horizontal scroll bar in the left column of the Figure
Editor, just under the “Frames per Second” button. This allows for checking each
frame of the figure individually.

IMPORTANT: If a text is created within the Text Editor, a New Figure is generated
automatically when “Create” is clicked. This means that any changes to the previous
figure, that haven’t been saved, will be erased!

Long texts, animated  Scrolling Text

Scrolling, animated text can be created in two different ways:

A: Using the text box in the Text Editor window (Right click on the A symbol to opens
the Text Editor), just enter the text and change the radio button from “Morphing Text”
to “Scrolling Text”.
An additional setting is important to be made for Scrolling Text: The coordinates of
the area in which the text shall scroll must be specified. The X and Y values can be
directly entered in the area above the “Create” button. As it’s not easy to guess the
X and Y values for the desired position, there is another option for proper positioning –
see B.

IMPORTANT: If a text is created within the Text Editor, a New Figure is generated
automatically when “Create” is clicked. This means that any changes to the previous
figure, that haven’t been saved, will be erased!

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B: To create a running text without the need to enter X and Y coordinates for the
scroll-area definition, first settings in the Text tool options should be checked for being
set to “Scrolling Text” (Right click on the A symbol to opens the Text Editor). Then do
not click on “Create”, but just close the window. Again select the text tool (“A”) with
a left click and then draw the scrolling area by click and drag in the drawing are.
The text-entry dialog opens and the scrolling text can be entered.
This method is the most convenient one, and used in most cases.

IMPORTANT: As this method does not use the Text-Editor for the creation of a multi-
frame figure, but uses the direct text feature of the Figure Editor, existing frames are
not erased and no new figure is created on using the tool. Due to this it is possible to
display several running texts in one figure - even different scroll speeds per scrolling
text line are possible!

Special Characters handling

Special characters may not be displayable with the desired font. As there are many
different characters possible, the Text-Editor comes with an additional drawing area
for special characters. The Character can be entered (or copy-pasted) into the
input box and then the visible points as well as blank points for this very character
can be drawn – and saved. If they have been saved, it is possible to use this special
character within the text as if it was possible to display it with the very font – the Text
Editor will substitute the special character (which didn’t display properly before) with
the hand drawn one.

Fig. 83: Text Editor: Special Characters can be copy-pasted to the input
box and then be redrawn manually in the drawing grid

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6.20.2. Enable SMS
Laserworld Showeditor supports the handling of Text Messages (SMS) for laser
projection interactivity. The mobile SIEMENS TC35I GSM module is supported. Other
mobile receivers haven’t been tested yet, but may work.

Fig. 84: Figure Editor: Menu Signs/Text Enable SMS

A control window for the SMS display shows. Choose the COM port the mobile
receiver is connected to. A baud-rate of 19200 should be sufficient. If distortions
happen, a slower baud-rate is recommended.

A click on “OK” establishes the connection to the mobile receiver and (if not done
yet) to the mobile provider (requires PIN code of the mobile card). It is
recommended to switching on the mobile in advance and entering the PIN-code.
If this has already been done, the request of the software asking for the PIN can be
skipped by entering “xxxx”.
It should work to enter the PIN in the software as well, but in case of a transmission
error the mobile receiver might become locked unintendedly.

The upper left area of the dialog (GSM Status) shows the actual status information.

The lower left area shows the received messages. The currently displayed message
with the laser is marked in the message table. Clicking on the very message allows
for editing it.

The way of displaying the messages can be set in the upper right area of the dialog
(Laser output): morphed or scrolling text are options for output, “None” suppresses
any output.

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A “bad word filter” can be set in the text area on the lower right. Words of this list
show as XXX in the output. Bad word lists can also be saved and loaded again.

The “Read all SMS from mobile” area provides several logging and reply features.

SMS from File or SMS from TC53i

In general the SMS should be handled by the TC35i. In addition to that there are
several programs available that convert SMS to *.txt-files (e.g.
http://www.t2slive.co.uk). These *.txt-files then can be imported into the program
and handled like original TC35i messages.

6.21. Menu: Test Pictures (and Fix Figures)

The menu Test Pictures opens a second figure table that contains standard test
patterns. In addition to this, all figures that are stored in the folder “FixFiguren” are
loaded in this second table.

6.21.1. Test Pictures

The test pictures are stored in the folder “TestBilder” and have the file extension *.bin.
Test pictures created specifically for Laserworld Showeditor have the *.heb file
format.

Important: The DAC output of the test pictures is not optimized! They are meant for
Galvo scanner driver tuning only! Software settings, especially optimization settings in
the software, have no effect!
For optimizing the software output to the DAC, use the test pictures that reside in the
folder “HE_s_TestBilder”. Those are most suitable ones for configuring the output
optimization.

Any figure can be assigned to keys and thus be used in shows.

The test picture table closes when the menu item is unchecked.

6.21.2. Fixed Figures

Laserworld Showeditor allows for storing basic figures that can be accessed and
used independently of the loaded show. Those are called “Fixed Figures”. Any figure
that is saved in the “FixFiguren” folder is considered a Fixed Figure and is treated by
Showeditor accordingly.

6.22. Menu: Info

6.22.1. Version
This menu item provides information about the
installed software version and the release date.

6.22.2. Imprint
Displays the Imprint and Disclaimer

Fig. 85: Figure Editor: Menu Info

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6.22.3. Update History
This menu item opens the Changelog on the www.showeditor.com website that lists
all the latest software improvements per software version.

6.22.4. Update Homepage

Directly opens the Showeditor website with the latest software versions.

6.22.5. www.showeditor.com
Link to the website of Laserworld Showeditor

7. Effects & Animation

The Effects Window provides mighty features for animating and modifying the active
figure. The Effects Window opens with a click on the button “Effects” in the right
column of the Figure Editor.

Fig. 86: Figure Editor: Effects Dialog

Any settings made in the Effects Window are stored together with the figure, so they
are preserved.

Effects can be applied to a figure the following way:

 Create the figure.
 Change the desired settings in the Effects Window
 Save the figure.

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 On calling the figure afterwards: Depending on the settings, the effects are
applied to the figure as “Start Values” or not.

Start Value means, that this is the initial position the laser starts on first call. If the
behaviour of the figure is modified during the calling of the figure, it should restart
with those modified settings on second call. This behaviour can be manipulated with
selecting the “Auto Boot” checkbox (see below for details)

Description of the Effects Window:

Any Effect Value can be specified from –100% to +100%, if the effect is bidirectional
(can have positive and negative values). Rotation effects use a wider spread of
values from –180° to +180° or from 0 to 360° (or even more).

The Reset-Button next to a specific value resets it to standard.

The Reset-All-Button resets all values with individual reset buttons to standard.

Auto Boot:
Selecting this option specifies that on recalling a figure, the previously selected
effects state, specified as Effect Value, shall not be preserved but the Start Value
shall be called instead.
This means that if e.g. the rotation speed has been changed for a figure during a
show, it is not preserved when the figure is called again – the figure restarts with the
presets set as Start Value.

Always same start direction:

This is only available if Auto Boot is activated and toggles with the Auto Boot settings
too. Selecting this option means that the direction of the effect is also bound to the
Start Value on recalling the figure.

Absolute Value:
If checked, Absolute Value defines the chosen values are considered as being
absolute, e.g. a certain angle, and the animation stops as soon as this position is
reached.
If unchecked, the values are considered to being relative to the prior value, e.g. a
percentage of a circle (for rotation effects), and the effect continues to being
applied and thus does the animation.

Example: Effect Rotation, the Effect Value is set to 10. If Absolute Value is activated, then the
figure is rotated by +10 degrees. In that position it stops and stands still. The figure can be
rotated further with the Timeline Editor or the Live Window, but only by defined angles. If
Absolut Value is not activated, the Effect Value describes a certain speed of rotation.

“Effects Limits” specify the limits for the respective effect. Setting limits only makes
sense, if the option Absolute Value is not activated.

“FlipFlop” allows for the effect to alternate. E.g.: The effect Displacement Y standard
only goes upwards. With selecting “Flip Flop” it alternates vertically.

“Margin visible” keeps the figure visible within the projection area, even if the
applied effects would move it out. Margin Visible compresses the points that would

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normally not be visible and displays them at the side where they would have left the
projection area.

“Use Soft Color” activates smooth color transitions between points. The settings made
in Options->Optimize Output->Soft Color Distance (see 8.8.6) are used for the fade
effects. The Color Gradient is calculated and displayed in real time during the
output.

Activated “Optimize Corners” adds additional points at corners to improve the

display of corners. The settings made in Options/Optimize Output/Corner Point
Repetitions (see 8.8.3) apply.
Hint: In case the figure is a wave, it is recommended to uncheck this option.

“Perspektive” scrollbar allows for changing the viewing perspective on the figure.

Multiplication Effect:
To create a multiplication effect to a figure or mirrored figures, “Image Copies” can
be specified: The value for “Copies X-Axis” and the one for “Copies Y-Axis” describe
the number of copies of the figure that are displayed.
On applying values greater than 1, no copies are visible at first, as they overlap the
initial figure. The copies become visible at the time a displacement or a mirroring is
applied.

Fig. 87: Effect Window: Multiplication Effect

The Multiplication effect can be compared to the prism effects known from
conventional lighting systems.

At “Size 1%-1000%” it is possible to specify the size of the copies. With “Displacement
X (Y)” the displacement of the copies can be adjusted in X and/or Y-direction. With
“Mirror X(Y) Axis” the figure can be mirrored on the X and/or Y-axis.

The button “Reset” is used to reset all Multiplication Effect settings.

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“Shadow” suppresses the output of a part of the figure depending on the selected
option. The shadowing refers to the geometrical center of the drawing area. A shift
of the scan area in Options->Output has no influence on this effect.

Important:
On creation of a new figure, the Effects settings of the previous figure are applied as
pre-configuration. On saving the program settings via Options, the active effect
settings are saved as default settings, as well.

8. Options / Settings

Fig. 88: Options Window

The Options Window offers a wide variety of different settings and adjustment
options. This window is structured with several tabs which provide thematically
arranged setting that apply for laser output configuration as well as for
programming.

8.1. Settings – Import, Export

The settings (except the show options) are saved to an *.ini-file. The place where the
*.ini-file is stored, depends on the operation system of the computer. Windows XP e.g.
stores the file in the Windows folder. Windows 7 and 8 use a more complex path for
saving the file. An overview of all paths used by Laserworld Showeditor can be
accessed through Options->Others 1->Show used Softwarepaths.

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In case of an error caused by a defective *.ini file, it is recommended to simply
delete this *.ini file – a new one with the standard, basic settings is automatically
created on restart of the software.
The Options Window also has a “Reset Settings” tab which provides similar but also
more extended options for resetting the configuration file.

The file path to the active and loaded *.ini file is shown at the bottom of the Options
window, white letters on black background. This is a useful information, as it is
possible to create different *.ini files and thus store different configurations for future
easy access. So several configurations can easily be saved and re-loaded by using
the buttons “Export Settings” / “Import Settings”.
It is also possible to directly start Laserworld Showeditor with double-click on the very
*.Laser_ini file, which makes it very easy to handle different settings for e.g. different
venues, different hardware configurations, etc.
On importing other settings, they are automatically applied and stored. As the
previous configuration is overwritten with the new configuration being applied, it is
recommended to save this previous configuration if it should be preserved – prior to
importing new settings.
After the import has been successfully completed, a restart of the software is done
automatically.
The restart is necessary as a change in the hardware settings requires a re-
initialization, which can only happen on program startup.

8.2. Tab “Hardware”

The tab “Hardware” has already been explained in a previous chapter, details can
be found in chapter 2.8.2

8.3. Tab “Text”

Fig. 89: Options Window, Tab “Text”

The Tab “Text” provides basic configuration options for the text handling in
Laserworld Showeditor. Different options for creating text for use in frames and figures
are explained in Chapters 6.2.7 and 6.20.1.
The settings in this tab are general ones and apply for longer texts as well as for SMS
to laser display.

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8.3.1. Max. Number of Signs
Laserworld Showeditor automatically splits up longer texts to avoid flickering effects
on display. The Max. Number of Signs value specifies the number of characters the
software should start at searching for a space in the text for creating a frame break.
It starts counting from the end of the text. Fig.90 shows the value 18, which means
that the program starts at letter 18 and then moves on character by character
searching for a space key to do the automatic frame break. A higher value for the
“Max. Number of Signs” leads to more options for doing the frame break, however it
may display more characters at once and thus may lead to more flickering of the
projection. If no space key can be found by the software, the text is truncated at the
sign with the specified number and the next frame is generated.

Text morphing between the created frames can be specified with the very text
creation tools.

8.3.2. Use Compression x (y) Absolute

The entered x (y)-value applies to the effects generated through the effects window
for text. Toggling this checkbox handles automatic mirroring of the output figure. So
e.g. projections can be seen from both sides of a screen.

8.3.3. Displacement x (y)

Text can be displaced with this feature to target a certain projection screen –
without the need of defining an additional, specific zone. To determine the position
values, a text in the text window is created and moved to the desired position by
using the positioning scrollbars of the Effects Window. The end values shown can be
noted and entered in the Displacement fields as target position values.
An additional option for text displacement is available via the Tab Output (explained
in Chapter 8.9)

8.3.4. Size over All

This option specifies the maximum overall size of the text.

8.3.5. Milliseconds per Frame

Sets the display duration per frame in milliseconds.

8.3.6. Letter-Folder and Folder (Save SMS)

The letter-folder is the file path, where signs and texts are stored. Adaptions here are
only necessary if non-TTF-fonts are used.
On installation of Laserworld Showeditor, a folder with basic letters is created
automatically. It is possible to edit the characters later.

The folder specified in Folder (save SMS) holds the SMS text messages.

8.4. Tab “Show”

The settings in the Show Tab affect the currently loaded show. They are stored in the
show file (*.shw) and are preserved for the very show.

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Fig. 90: Options Window, Tab “Show”

8.4.1. Damping for Absolute Rotation (Compression)

If the “Absolute” option is used with effects, the values entered in this field apply. The
damping avoids having stuttering effects in the laser projection. Smaller values result
in more aggressive damping. Value one completely switches damping off. Values
greater than 1 result in a discontinuous projection and/or overshooting of the
scanners.
It is recommended to preserve the standard values for most shows.

8.4.2. Select new Audio File

Each laser show has a specifically assigned audio file. This file path to this audio file is
stored in the show file. However, if the path has changed or the audio file has been
moved, Laserworld Showeditor cannot find the file any more. If this is the case, this
button allows for re-assigning the sound file again.
Important: Always store the audio file in the same folder as the corresponding show is
saved in.

8.4.3. File Name Song

For information purposes only: This displays the file name of the active audio file.

8.4.4. File Name Show

For information purposes only: This displays the name of the active show.

8.4.5. Save Show Settings

This button saves the show specific changes made in this Tab. It has the same
function as “Save Show” of the Timeline Editor.

8.5. Tab “MIDI/DMX”

Please also see chapter 2.5.3 about DMX (Hardware and Driver).

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Fig. 91: Options Window, Tab “Midi/DMX”

8.5.1. Print Width (or Height) for 1 octave

The width and height per octave for the printout of the key assignments for the MIDI-
keyboard can be specified here. As standard, 5 octaves are printed per page,
together with small thumbnails of the figures. The values can be changed to make
the printout fit keyboards with smaller keys as well.

8.5.2. Selected MIDI-Port

The MIDI-device that shall be used can be specified with the button “Change”. See
details on the configuration of the MIDI device in chapter 12.2.

8.5.3. Setup MIDI input routing

Please see a detailed description of the MIDI setup in chapter 12.2.

8.5.4. DMX-Channels
This option specifies the maximum number of DMX-input and -output channels in use.
Reducing the number of channels can improve the performance of the software;
however most of the modern computers should be able to handle all channels
without any performance issues at all. Maximum are 512 channels.

8.5.5. DMX-Ports (Input and Output)

“DMX-Ports” provides configuration options for the input and output DMX devices.
It is possible to use different hardware for input and output. The incoming DMX values
can also be routed to either the Timeline window, the Live window or set to
automatic select, depending on opened windows (if opened, routing goes to the
Live window, if it’s closed the routing goes to the Timeline).

8.5.6. DMX through

DMX trough allows for daisy-chaining DMX signals through the software. This means
that one DMX interface receives a DMX signal and the other interface re-outputs it.

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Thus it is e.g. possible to transfer DMX signals from one rig to another one using the
convenient LAN connection of the ShowNET interfaces.
It is also possible to use the “start-channel” setting to offset the DMX values and thus
shift the whole DMX signal on transmission.

8.5.7. DMX input offset

The DMX input offset specifies the start channel Laserworld Showeditor uses for DMX
input signal reception. This is comparable to Addressing a lighting fixture; it is giving
Laserworld Showeditor a “DMX Start Address”. The higher the offset value, the less
overall channels are available for control, so it is suggested to not specify a too high
offset value.

8.5.8. Input Interval when Laser Output is stopped (running)

The input intervals in ms define the repetition frequency of the DMX-input signal. To
avoid irritation of the laser control signal, two values can be specified: Live Shows
with DMX it is recommended to use short intervals for both - running and stop – is
recommended (test the behaviour with different values!).

8.5.9. Ignore Size Control

It is possible to create a single beam via DMX with the size control channels. To
prevent this, this option can be activated. If checked, all channels that may result in
single beams are deactivated. The option is activated as default.

8.5.10. DMX Input Routing

Please see a detailed description of the DMX setup in chapter 12.1.

8.6. Tab “Others 1”

Additional information can be found in chapter 2.8.1.

Fig. 92: Options Window, Tab “Others 1”

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8.6.1. Show used Softwarepaths
This button opens a dialog box showing the file paths used for storing files and
settings by Laserworld Showeditor.

8.6.2. Style of Color Selection

Set the style of the color selection, which is displayed in the upper right corner of the
Figure Editor Window: Color circle is selected as standard – this option provides a
basic selection of colors. The full color spectrum can be chosen from with the Color
Cube. (See chapter 6.8 and following for further details)

8.6.3. Save Undo Files

Undo Files are saved periodically as standard. To increase performance, especially
on editing larger figures, this option Auto-Save can be switched off here.
Remember: Recovery after a program crash cannot be done any more, if this option
is deactivated.

8.6.4. Info: new version

As standard, Laserworld Showeditor checks online on the Showeditor servers if there
are any new program versions available. A popup shows on program start if a newer
version is detected.
Unchecking this option makes Laserworld Showeditor not look up for new versions
any more.
Make sure to stay up to date manually!

8.6.5. Select Language

These radio buttons allow for custom selection of the desired frontend / interface
language of Laserworld Showeditor. There are many different translations available,
more will follow.
Laserworld Showeditor was developed in German language first, so English and
German are the most advanced language packs for the software at the moment.

8.6.6. Monitor action during playing HQ or Playlist shows

These options control the screen display behaviour during show play.

8.6.6.1. Show Dark Screen

This option controls if the main screen shall be switched to black when a show is
played HQ or from Playlist.

8.6.6.2. Switch Monitor Standby

The Standby option controls if all screens shall be switched to black when a show is
played HQ or from Playlist. This option is recommended for multi-screen control
setups. On mouse movement, the screens come on again, so it is recommended to
not touch the mouse during show play, except the following option is chosen as well.

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8.6.6.3. Deactivate Mouse and Keyboard

Deactivating Mouse and Keyboard during show play prevents the Standby to end
due to unwanted mouse movement, however it does not allow to stop or pause the
running show – it must run to it’s end.

8.6.6.4. Show Speedometer when screen is black

The Speedometer displays information about the number of output actual frames in
black-screen mode (e.g. if a show was started via “Play HQ”). This feature helps in
determining output quality issues.
The displayed number is the frame actualization rate, which means the frequency
the memory of the DAC is updated. The actual behaviour of the DAC can, obviously,
not be displayed. (See Fig. 93)

8.6.6.5. View Show Runtime if screen is black

This option shows the actual run time of the show, so the remaining time of the show
can be seen, during show play. (See Fig. 93)

8.6.6.6. Show Framebuffer check if screen is black

Shows the framebuffer during show play, which allows for discovering performance
leaks. (See Fig. 93)

Fig. 93: Black Screen with show info during show play with Frame Buffer, View Show
Runtime and Speedometer switched on

8.6.7. Select Standard Folders

The standard folders for storing files and settings are specified here. Program dialogs
use these paths as default settings.

8.7. Tab “Others 2”

8.7.1. Show animated frames in Figure Editor
This option displays the preview of animated figures within the drawing area of the
Figure Editor if a frame rate is specified and the animation play is activated.

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8.7.2. Progress bar always on top
Specifies if a progress bar shall stay on top during any processing (e.g. *.ild import
etc.). If unchecked, the progress bar can be overlaid by other windows during the
processing.

8.7.3. Quick-start on use of Play button in Timeline Editor

This option controls if a quick start of the show at the very selected is possible position
within the Timeline Editor by using the Play button.

8.7.4. Load default Live Show

This option controls whether the default Live Show shall be loaded on program
startup. Standard setting is “yes”.

8.7.5. Resolution Wave Form Display

See Chapter 6.18.8 (wave Generator) for details.

8.7.6. ILDA Color Byte Order

The setting of this option is NOT stored to the *.ini file, however it may be of help
when importing certain *.ild frame types: As there are two different interpretations of
the ILDA file format standard, the order of the color channels can be specified in two
ways: RGB or BGR. The color order of Red and Blue is inverted.
So changing this option to a different ILDA standard interpretation, allows for Import
and proper interpretation of ILDA frames with differently specified color order. As the
color order is changed to the “correct” one on saving of the imported frames to a
*.heb file, the settings do not need to be preserved on closing of the program (and
would in contrast lead to irritations if being preserved).

8.7.7. Define Autoload Show

The show to be loaded automatically on program startup can be specified here.

8.7.8. Reset Autoload

Resets the auto load of a show to the standard setting.

8.8. Tab “Optimize Output”

The settings in this tab influence on the output performance and –quality. Carefully
read the descriptions, as wrong settings can destroy the scanners of the laser system.
Output Optimization is essential for graphics and projection shows, but is
recommended for any kind of show.
As every scanner system has different behaviour (depending on the quality of the
motors, the size and the weight of the mirrors as well as the driver electronics), so is
the modulation behaviour of the laser sources. Thus it is difficult to provide “standard”
settings. However, the output should be acceptable with standard settings for most
laser projectors.

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Fig. 94: Options Window, Tab “Optimize Output”

These parameters apply to any output optimization changes:

 The optimization of the laser output is in real-time, meaning the changes are
directly put out to the laser system (if connected) and can be seen live..

 Each hardware output channel must be optimized individually.

 Color correction options may also be affected by optimization measures.

These can be found in the tab “Color Correction”

A tutorial on how to configure scanners to optimal output performance can be

found on: http://www.showeditor.com/tune-scanners

Information: The test pictures (with file extension *.bin) are nearly NOT optimized. The
pictures from the folder “HE-s_Testbilder” are optimized, as they are “normal”
Showeditor figures.

Remember that Laserworld (Switzerland) AG is not responsible, nor liable for the
correct control of the laser projector. Please refer to the disclaimer for further details.

8.8.1. Extra Color Point at Line Start

This specifies the number of additional points that are added at the beginning of a
line on a color change (NEW color). It applies to the transition blankedLaser On
setting, as well as on a change between colors.

8.8.2. Extra Color Point at Line End

This specifies the number of additional points that are added at the end of a line,
before another line piece / object is drawn with a different color. It applies to the
transition blankedLaser On setting, as well as on a change between colors.

8.8.3. Corner Point Repetition

This setting specifies how often a point is repeated, if its property is defined as corner
point. More repetitions will result in sharper, but also brighter edges. Corner points are
usually defined automatically on the creation of figures.

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Polygons, rectangles, line start and line end are corner points. Circles have NO
corner points, as well as waves have none.
Depending on the setup, this setting applies to freehand drawings, too. The
properties of points can be changed manually using the “wrench tool” (see chapter
6.3.6.).

The value set as corner point repetition specifies the MINIMUM NUMBER OF
REPETITIONS of corner points. If a corner point has already been repeated several
times by the color correction, the Corner Point Repetition only adds the difference.

8.8.4. Max. Distance Laser OFF

The Max. Distance Laser Off setting specifies the maximum length of the path the
Galvo moves with laser output off (blanked). Galvos are not able to move freely in
blanked mode over longer distances without this interpolation, therefore this setting is
important. Typical values are between 500 and 2000. Depending on the point
properties, the settings here may not have any effect under certain circumstances.
If the distance of points of a blanked path is longer than the specified value, the line
is automatically split and additional blanked points are inserted.

8.8.5. Max. Distance Laser ON

The Max. Distance Laser ON setting specifies the maximum length of the path the
Galvo moves with laser output. The behaviour and application is the same as for
“Max. Distance Laser OFF”.

8.8.6. Soft Color Distance

If “Soft Color” is activated in the Effects Dialog, the value specified for Soft Color
Distance defines the distance between the points for color transitions.
The colors between two colored points get a smooth transition from one color to the
other one. Shorter distances make the color transition look nicer and smoother. In
most cases a value of 500 is a good choice. If Soft Color is selected, no extra color
points are set on line start and line end. Slower Galvos may require a higher value, so
do laser systems with laser sources that have slow color modulation.

8.8.7. Max. Point Distance Text

The settings for Max. Point Distance Text have the same behaviour as the ones for
“Max. Distance Laser ON/OFF” except that they apply for letter / text projections
only.

8.8.8. Color Shift R / G / B

The three scrollbars “Color Shift” control if the laser sources shall be switched on
slightly before or after the actual point is drawn. The reason is that the laser sources
usually respond faster than the Galvos do (only in very rare cases the laser sources
have a slower modulation). This difference in response speed can be corrected by
setting the appropriate values.
With using this optimization, the settings for “Frame Start, Point Repetition” and
“Frame End, Point Repetition” are changed as well. This is required, as the software
needs enough extra points for shifting the colors accordingly.

Further details on color shift optimization can be found at:

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http://www.showeditor.com/color-shift

8.8.9. Output Hardware

As any output optimization setting applies per hardware, the desired output channel
must be specified. This is done with the Hardware Output dropdown menu.
Any settings refer to the hardware NUMBER, which can be selected here – not to the
physical DAC (which can be the same, but doesn’t need to be).
This means that changing the physical interface (DAC) for Hardware 1, the
optimization parameters are preserved and are used with the newly applied DAC.

8.8.10. Scrollbar PPS

The PPS scrollbar specifies the actual output scan speed for the selected hardware
device. The “PPS” is an acronym for Points Per Second ad specifies the output rate of
the scanners. This setting must be adjusted to match the scanner system of the laser
projector.

For determining the correct PPS rate for the very scanner system, please refer to our
tutorial: http://www.showeditor.com/tune-scanners

8.8.11. Picture Center after each Frame

If this option is selected, the Galvo mirrors always move from the picture center to
the first point of the figure and from the last point back to the center. This setting is
required for some Galvo. It is better to select the option if its requirement is unclear.
“Wide Move Scanners” work with this option unchecked.
Basic Galvo systems require this option checked. The movement to the centre adds
about 20 additional points, but it makes sure that longer movement paths are
displayed correctly.

8.8.12. Frame-Start, Point-Repetition

The additional blanked points that are additionally placed at the initial projection
point of the figure are specified here. The number automatically increases, if the
value for the Color Correction is negative. The value can not be smaller than the
number of color shift points. Usually this value has no significant effect on modern
show laser light systems, so the smallest possible value can be chosen.

8.8.13. Frame-End, Point-Repetition

The additional blanked points that are additionally placed at the last projection
point of the figure are specified here. The number automatically increases, if the
value for the Color Correction is positive. The value can not be smaller than the
number of color shift points. Usually this value has no significant effect on modern
show laser light systems, so the smallest possible value can be chosen.

8.8.14. Scanner movement, if output is off

These settings specify the scanner behaviour under two different circumstances:
1. Scanner Safety is in use
If the laser projector is equipped with a scanner safety, delays if the laser
output can happen after blacked out sequences. Different types of safeties
are available. If a type is in use that monitors the scanner movement only, it
can happen that the safety jumps in even if there is just a small break in the

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show and, depending on the laser model, a mechanical shutter snaps into the
beam path. This behaviour is safety related, but in most cases unwanted
during a show, as there is quite some delay for the lasers to come on again
after such an interruption.

2. Suppression of Stand-by beams during a show

Depending on the laser system and it’s configuration a very dim laser “blind
beam” can be visible if the scanners are not moving. By using the Scanner
Movement feature it is possible to “suppress” the blind beam output, as the
scanner movement makes it invisible.

To avoid these behaviors, it is possible to have the scanners make a circle or line
movement if they experience a stand-by time during the show. With specifying the X
and Y offset, the position of the “blanked movement” can be defined. “R” can be
used for setting the radius for a circle, X2 and Y2 are used for specifying a line size.
Allowed values are in the range of +- 32767 (only positive values for circles)

8.9. Tab “Output”

The options provided on the “Output” Tab allow for adapting the output to the
actual projection surface. Geometric corrections as well as projection view are set
per Hardware channel, so the correct Output Hardware the settings shall apply to
must be selected first.
To reset a single value to default, click on the label next to it (the caption).

Fig. 95: Options Window, Tab “Output”

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8.9.1. Output-Hardware:
As the settings for the geometric corrections are always applied per hardware
device, it is essential to first select the hardware device the settings shall be applied
to.

8.9.2. Mirror X/Y:

Mirror the output for the x-axis / y-axis.

8.9.3. Swap X/Y:

Swap the output for the x-axis / y-axis (inverts the output).

8.9.4. Displacement X/Y:

These settings specifies the offset of the output for x-axis and y-axis

8.9.5. Rotation:
This option specifies the rotation of the output. The values can be specified in 1
degree steps.

8.9.6. Size X/Y (global):

These setting specify the maximum size of the projection zone. With “X/Y linked”
checked, the same value is applied to the other axis if one is changed.

8.9.7. Trapezoid X/Y:

This setting allows for the trapezoid correction of the output. This is especially useful to
correct the output for projections from an inclined perspective. This feature is
depending on the values set for “Proj. Distance” and is in direct relation to this.

8.9.8. Proj. Distance:

The distance between the laser projector and the projection surface can be
specified here. The setting corresponds with the trapezoid correction and specifies
the way the correction is made.

8.9.9. Size of Show: Size X/Y

These setting specify the maximum display size of the show. With “X/Y linked”
checked, the same value is applied to the other axis if one is changed.

The difference between global size and show size settings:

The global size emulates the maximum scan angle of the scanners would be smaller
– no effects or fixed size figures can exceed this, every projection is scaled down.
With the show size setting the projection in general is scaled down, but effects
(movement etc.) and fixed sized figures can use the full possible scan angle of the
laser system (and thus exceed the specified show size area).

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8.9.10. Output correction – alternative method
The alternative method for the geometric correction allows for distorting the
projection are with click-dragging the mouse. This method is very quick and
especially suitable if settings don’t need to be 100% accurate.

8.10. Tab “Color Correction”

The Color Correction is used for specifying the power levels per laser source color
channel. This Tab also provides the options to set safety zones (beam attenuation
map) and control the color handling behaviour.

Fig. 96: Options Window, Tab “Color Correction”

8.10.1. Show Blanked Lines

This option is a help for setting up the correct values. If checked, even the invisible
movement paths of the beam are made visible. To distinguish them from “normal”
lines (un-blanked), they are colored RGB in small bits. (single color lasers show
colored-black lines).
Attention! If a figure consists of zero points (actually no figure), a single beam is
projected! A warning message is displayed in this case.

8.10.2. Intensity = Brightest Color / Intensity = Grey-Scale

There are two options how the intensity of color output can be calculated, which
can be selected here. Changing the standard setting (Brightest Color) only makes
sense for applications where the intensity signal of the DAC is used. Grey-Scale leads
to overall less bright output color, however this option may be required under certain
circumstances.

8.10.3. Button Color-Correction

The click on this button opens the Color Correction dialog shown in Fig.98.

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The color correction dialog provides another method for the basic color correction
setup. One main feature, however, is the possibility to make the color adjustments
when running the laser sources in cw mode (full power).

This dialog was used in former times for the colour correction and today it is not really
necessary any more. Nevertheless it can be used to make a pre-setup of the colour
correction anymore.
When having made a selection, the info area at the bottom provides further details.
Follow the instructions given in the info area.

Select either “Laser CW mode” to compare the

laser color balance and brightness of the lasers in
full power mode or select “Laser blank mode” to
compare color balance and brightness in normal
modulation mode. For configuring the white
balancing for a laser show, use the “Laser blank
mode” in combination with Helix scanning.

In case the laser projector is not equipped with R-

G-B laser sources but only with one or two colors,
the corresponding checkbox of the very color shall
remain unchecked, so the control signal that
comes in for the missing color is distributed to the
existing color(s).

On clicking “Proceed”, the selections made are

Fig. 97: Dialog Optimize Output
passed to the general color correction tab and the / button Color Correction
Color correction dialog closes.

8.10.4. Extended Color Correction (Min/Max scroll-bars for RGB)

Fig. 98 shows the extended color correction:

Fig. 98: Options Window, Extended Color Correction

Each color channel can be individually adjusted: The extended color correction
allows for configuring a non-linear dimming behaviour per color channel. This feature

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can also be used to force the color brightness to a certain smaller range which can
increase brightness (but negatively impacts on the fading behaviour).

The Min scrollbars specify the minimum modulation voltage for the laser source,
meaning the voltage where the laser source starts with it’s minimal output power
(threshold). Set this scrollbar just slightly below this threshold to be able to blackout
the laser source. Properly configuring the threshold helps the laser sources with
reacting to control signals more quickly.

The Max scrollbars specify the maximum modulation voltage for the laser source. This
setting limits the maximum brightness of the color channel.

The scrollbars in between work similar to those of the “parametric middle” in a sound
mixer. The horizontal scrollbars determine the position of the on and off of an
interpolation point. Use these scrollbars in between to set a nonlinear response curve.

TTL lasers: If a laser source can only modulate in TTL (on/off), the TTL-box must be
checked. This results in all brightness values being put out with full intensity.

8.10.5. Area “Projektor Brightness” – Safety Zones, Beam Attenuation

“Audience Zone”: Two Safety Zones can be specified in Laserworld Showeditor: These
are areas where the laser output power is reduced. This feature is usually used to
reduce the output power in the close audience are to stay within the MPE although
the laser itself has more power. Overhead beams usually don’t require further power
reduction (see your local laser regulations!) so the safety zone is a good way of only
reducing a part of the laser output and maintain the ability to shoot aerial effects
with full power.
It is suggested to project a grid test pattern when setting up the safety zones to be
able to immediately see the results of any adjustments.

“Soft Border”: The soft border setting controls the behaviour of border softening /
fading for the projections.

“Global Brightness”: This allows for setting the global brightness for the laser, affecting
all color sources to the same extent. Settings in the Safety Zones always refer to this
setting, so if the global brightness is reduced, this also reduces the relative power
reduction for the safety zones.

8.11. Tab “Reset Settings”

This tab provides different kind of reset options for restoring the default values:

8.11.1. Button “Reset Settings”

A click on this button resets all software settings to standard values.

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8.11.2. Button “Reset only Windows Positions”
This button resets the positions of all Showeditor windows to their standard ones. This is
especially useful if the number or the resolution of screens has changed and not
every window is in the visible area any more.

8.11.3. Button “Reset Skin colors”

This button is used for resetting the individually colored / skinned Showeditor user
interface to the default color scheme.

Fig. 99: Options Window, Tab “Reset Settings”

8.12. General Buttons of the Options Dialog

Fig. 100: General buttons of the Options Window

8.12.1. Buttons “Export/Import Settings”

These buttons allow for export/import of setting. A dialog for specifying the name for
the exported settings will open, or respectively for selecting existing settings that shall
be imported.

8.12.2. Button “Close Window”

Clicking on “Close Window” closes the options dialog without saving the settings for
the next program start. BUT: The settings that were just made are already applied, so
those will remain active until program restart.

8.12.3. Button “Save Settings and Close Window”

Clicking this button saves the settings made to the active settings file. On restart of
the program, these settings will be used. Use this button after any color corrections
have been made to preserve those settings.

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8.12.4. Filename path of ini File
The area “Filename of IniFile” shows the actual path to the active *.ini configuration
settings file. As it is possible to use many configuration / settings files with Laserworld
Showeditor, this helps in identifying the active one.

9. Timeline Editor

Loop, Play, PlayHQ, Record, Back, Stop

Timeline

Pages A-P

F-Key

Events
Effect Intensity

1 Track 19 Sub-Tracks / Effect Tracs

Fig. 101: The Timeline Editor

The Timeline Editor is the main window for programming a music synchronous laser
show. It also provides features for playing back existing shows. The window consists of
several tracks, each with 19 subtracks. The main subtrack is the figure track, as it
specifies the very figure. All other subtracks apply effects to this figure track.
In total there are 16 track pages (A – P) each providing 3 laser tracks.

Recording of a laser show:

With a click on “Record” the timeline editor starts playing back the selected music
file (See 3.2) and listens to any input coming from the keyboard or any other
compatible controller. On pressing keys in the record mode, the respective events
are applied at the very position in the timeline. Make sure to always have selected
the correct subtrack for recording.

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During playing or recording a show, each event is forwarded to the corresponding

program window as well, so e.g. changes to the figures are pushed to the figure
editor and changes to effects are pushed to the Effects Window. This behaviour
allows for modular effect processing.

The Timeline shows the progress of the show. If a *.wav file is used as music track, the
volume level is displayed there.

To record events in the Timeline Editor, the respective subtrack must be marked (click
on its caption). Marked tracks get a green background color.

9.1. Buttons and Tools

Fig. 102: Timeline Editor: Buttons and Tools

9.1.1. Magnifying Glass

The magnifying glass is used for zooming parts of the Timeline. The magnifying
glass works in the same way as the one in the Figure Editor (See 6.3.8).
The zooming can be done in several steps after each other.
Reset the zoom with a click on the tool with the left mouse button or by clicking the
button “Redraw Timeline” with the right mouse button.

9.1.2. Hand
The hand has similar functions as the one in the Figure Editor for marking or
moving events (See 6.3.1).
Only events of ONE subtrack can be marked. The subtrack that is in the
centre of the selection rectangle is activated.

Movements are done by click-dragging with the right mouse button. The marked
events are moved. If no event is marked, the one under the curser is considered as
marked. By holding the “Ctrl”-key during the intended movement, a copy of the
original event is made and moved to the new position. It is possible to also move
events to other subtracks as long as the new subtrack is of the same nature than the
original one. Marked events have a differently colored background and can thus be
identified.

9.1.3. Eraser Tool

The eraser works like the one in the Figure Editor (See 6.3.5).

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9.1.4. Effect Tool
The Effect-Tool is used for creating effect events or for editing them. A click on
the respective button activates the tool. With the tool opened, an area for
inserting a new event can be selected, or one subtrack can be selected for
editing with left mouse click (only works with effects subtracks, not with the figure
track). The marked region is shown with a light yellow background. On releasing the
mouse button, the effects window opens (Fig. 103).
Even though this tool works well, it is recommended to “live” record the effects.

Fig. 103: Timeline Editor: Window of the Effect Tool

9.1.4.1. Create/Edit Effects

With left or right mouse click and drag, events can be created in the window.
When using the right mouse button, the effects curve is aligned to the grid (horizontal
lines, raster 1/8). Depending on the effect that is edited, the behaviour of the grid
can also be different: The horizontal lines specify certain values of the effect. E.g.
when using a rotation effect, the distance between the horizontal lines refers to a
45° rotation step. When using a displacement effect, the line distance corresponds
with 25% of the maximum possible distance.

9.1.4.2. Smooth

With clicking the “Smooth” button, the effects curve is smoothened by an automatic
calculation of average values between two steps. The more often the button is
clicked, the more often the smoothening effect is applied. Remember that the start
value of the selected area is also affected by the smoothening. Its new value may
be the average of 0 and the actual value and may be too small.

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9.1.4.3. Linear Time Raster between Min and Max Values

This curve modification identifies the highest and lowest effect values and generates
a linear path with using constant time intervals. The time intervals can be adjusted
with a right mouse click on the button.

9.1.4.4. Linear Value Raster between Min and Max Values

This curve modification identifies the highest and lowest values. Then the function
generates a linear curve of interpolation points between these values, using fixed
steps of the effects values. The time intervals are automatically determined based on
the occurrence of a whole value step. Smoother effect curves can be created this
way, but it also leads to more effects events (which may negatively impact
rendering performance in some rare cases).

9.1.4.5. Time Raster

This curve modification fills breaks in the effect path. It generates equal time intervals
between the effects. This feature can be used for reducing the effect calls and thus
improve performance. The time intervals can be set with a right mouse click on the
button.

9.1.4.6. Value Raster

This curve modification fills breaks in the effect path. It identifies effect value changes
and levels the effect curve based on this. Overall this leads to smoother effect curves
at good performance.

9.1.4.7. Apply

Clicking on Apply closes the window and writes the edited effect curve to the
previously specified / selected area on the very subtrack.
Click “Undo” if the applied settings shall be dropped and the previous settings shall
be restored.

9.1.5. Info Button

This button opens a small area to show the active
figure and its name (Fig. 104), when clicking on its
position in the respective subtrack. In case of multi
frame figures with the first frames being dark, it is useful to
open the simulation window as well.

The info function can be used by click-dragging the mouse

in the subtrack. When using the right mouse button for this,
the events of ALL figure tracks, which are active at the very
time, have their info displayed in the Info Area as well as
output to the laser (if connected). The laser output is
automatically activated and deactivated again afterwards.
As very much information has to be handled, it is
recommended to move the mouse slowly! Fig. 104: Timeline
Editor: Info Area

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9.1.6. Buttons Cut, Copy and Paste
These buttons are self-explaining (See 6.3.2).

9.1.7. Buttons Undo/Redo

A click on UNDO cancels the most recent changes. The state after the last
use of editing features or recording is restored. The undo keeps up to 10
levels back. REDO does the opposite of UNDO.
If the storing of the undo files takes too much time, which can happen when working
with very complex and long shows, the storing of undo files can be switched off in
“Options → Others”.

9.1.8. Show Control Buttons

The Show Control Buttons handle the
playing, recording stopping etc. of the
laser show.
The green arrows are the Play buttons Fig. 105: Timeline Editor: Show Control
(Play and PlayHQ), the red, full circle is to buttons
start recording, the violet arrow (Jump to
start) sets the timeline position to the start of the show and the blue square is used to
stop the playing or recording. The start position for playing or recording can be
specified with a click on the desired position on the tracks or on the timeline. If the
playing or recording is stopped and restarted again, the restart begins at this position
until another position is selected or the violet arrow is clicked. The start position is
changed, when events are marked or deleted. Furthermore a loop timeframe can
be specified.

9.1.8.1. Button Play

This button is intended to be used during the editing of a show. A click on this
button starts the replay of the show, but the quality can be poorer than with
using the Play HQ button. Depending on the setup in the Timeline menu
“Settings -> Start/Stop Laser output automatically” the laser output are switched on
automatically.
The same is applies for the DMX-output. When using the normal Play button for
playing a show not from the very beginning, some effects paths may not be applied
correctly.
The advantage of the use of the Play button over the Play HQ button is that the Play
button also allows for starting the playback at any time in the timeline, which makes
it very suitable for show editing.

9.1.8.2. Button Play HQ

The Play HQ button is used to start the playing of a show in high quality. “Start”
means that after a click on the button and after a certain, adjustable time,
the monitor is blacked out, the outputs to the windows are stopped and the
show is displayed on the laser projector(s). The start delay can be adjusted with a
right mouse click on the button. The show starts at its very beginning and all effects

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settings are set to the specified values. It is highly suggested to use the Play HQ
button for real laser show displays.
The Playlist uses the Play HQ features as well.

9.1.8.3. Button Record

A click on this button starts the recording of events to the selected subtrack.
Depending on the setup in the Timeline menu “Settings -> Start/Stop Laser
output automatically” the laser is switched on automatically. The same
applies for the DMX-output. It is possible to repeatedly click on record. On each click
the recording starts at the selected start position.
It is possible to record on several tracks at the same time. To select several subtracks
at once (must be of the same kind), hold the “Ctrl”-key when selecting the subtracks
with the mouse.

9.1.8.4. Button Jump to Start

A click on this button stops the replay or recording and the timeline position is
set to the very beginning of the show. Depending on the setup in the Timeline
menu “Settings -> Start/Stop Laser output automatically” the laser is switched
off automatically. The same applies for the DMX-output.

9.1.8.5. Button Stop

A click on this button stops the replay or recording. Depending on the setup in
the Timeline menu “Settings -> Start/Stop Laser output automatically” the laser
is switched off automatically. The same is valid for the DMX-output.

9.1.8.6. Button Loop

If a part of the Timeline is marked for play/record by click-drag with left mouse
click, the loop button becomes activated. When clicking on the Loop button,
the specified area of the timeline will be repeated infinitely.

9.1.9. Further Show Editor Elements

9.1.9.1. Track-Page Selection

“A”, “B”, ”C” … up to “P” …these are the available

track pages. Each track page has 3 tracks with each
having 19 subtracks for the figures and effects. The
assignment of laser output hardware to these tracks
can be done at Options -> Tab Hardware (See Chapter
8.2). To open another track page, just click on the
respective radio button.

9.1.9.2. Figure and Effect Subtracks

Each figures subtrack has corresponding effect

subtracks. The effect intensities set in these subtracks
Fig. 106: Timeline Editor:
only apply to the figure assigned to the corresponding Track-Pages selection,
Tracks and Sub-tracks,
Effect Intensity Input
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figure subtrack. Each subtrack is the “container” for the respective effect intensity or
figure. To record events on a subtrack, the very subtrack must be activated with a
click on its caption. A green background marks the active subtrack. If several
subtracks shall be recorded at the same time (e.g. all three intensities for RGB), hold
the “Ctrl”-key and click-select the desired subtracks.

According to the kind of the subtrack (figure or effect) the events are recorded with
using the prior assigned keys (figures) or the mouse and the Effect Intensity Input.
The functions of the 19 subtracks are:

● Figure: Start/Stop of figure-calls, recorded with assigned keys or

by drag and drop
● Size: The size of the figure (Intensity input range: 0-120%)
● Rotation: The rotation of the figure (Intensity input range: +/- 180°)
● Compression x: The compression on the x-axis (Intensity input range: 0-
100%)
● Compression y: The compression on the y-axis (Intensity input range: 0-
100%)
● Intensity R: Intensity red color (Intensity input range: 0-100%)
● Intensity G: Intensity green color (Intensity input range: 0-100%)
● Intensity B: Intensity blue color (Intensity input range: 0-100%)
● Comp.-Axis x: compression along x-axis (Intensity input range: +/- 50%)
● Comp.-Axis y: compression along y-axis (Intensity input range: +/- 50%)
● Rotation Centre X: Movement of rotation-centre along x-axis (Input intensity
range: +/- 50%)
● Rotation Centre Y: Movement of rotation-centre along y-axis (Input intensity
range: +/- 50%)
● Displacement X: Displacement along x-axis (Intensity input range: +/- 50%)
● Displacement Y: Displacement along y-axis (Intensity input range: +/- 50%)
● Frame Number: Selection of frames of multi-frame figures (Input-intensity-
range: 0-100%)
● Rotation 2X: Rotation around x-axis (Intensity input range: +/- 180°)
● Rotation 2Y: Rotation around y-axis (Intensity input range: +/- 180°)
● Rotation 2Z: Rotation around z-axis (Intensity input range: +/- 180°)
● DMX-Macro: On/Off of DMX-Macros

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9.1.9.3. Effect Intensity Input

To record effects on the timeline, select the

desired effects subtrack first. After hitting the
record button it is possible to draw the effect
intensity in the area on the very left of the
Timeline Editor – see Fig. 107. It is possible to use
the right mouse button to record the effect
intensity as well: With this method, the effect
levels are aligned to the horizontal grid.

9.1.9.4. Display of the Waveform

If the sound file is in the *.wav file format, the

waveform of the sound file is displayed in the
timeline bar. In case of wrong waveform
recognition double click on the timeline bar to
re-initialize the waveform display.
Fig. 107: Timeline Editor, live record
effects intensity

9.2. Menu: File

9.2.1. Open Show
This menu item is used for opening an existing show.
Select the appropriate show and click Open. Additional
possibilities to load shows either is the use of the playlist or
a double click on the show file (extension *.shw) in the
Windows Explorer.

9.2.2. Save Show

This menu item is used for saving the active show.

9.2.3. Save as
Fig. 108: Timeline Editor:
This menu item is used for saving the active show with a Menu File
new name. It is possible to use the same show folder for
different shows, if they all only use figures that reside in this very folder. It is possible
that these different shows in one folder use different music files too.

9.2.4. Create New Show

Clicking on this menu item opens the dialog for creating a new timeline laser show:
The sound file for the new show must be selected first. It is recommended to create a
new show folder that should hold the music file, prior to this step. File types *.mp3
and *.wav are supported.). All show files and figures must be stored in the same
folder to be accessible for show programming.

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After having selected the music file and specified the name for the show, the Figure
Editor automatically opens the show folder and loads all available figures and frames
to the Figure Table.
The creation of the show can begin.

If the show shall be programmed with using a *.wav-file, but the show shall run with
an *.mp3-file later (due to file size), put both files into the show folder (they must have
the same name, just a different file extension). After having finished the
programming, delete the *.wav-file. On reload of the show a message pops up,
stating that the music file is missing. Go to Options -> Tab Show and select the *.mp3-
file.

9.2.5. New Showpart

It is possible to create showparts that are all saved to the same show folder. Each
showpart is treated as “figure” and also appears in the Figure Table. They can be
assigned to a key, like a normal figure, and be used within a live show or in a timeline
laser show.
There are some limitations:

 A showpart shall not contain calls of other showparts (no cascading of

showparts).
 If several showparts are running at the same time, the last called event has
priority.
 It can happen that one showpart stops the playing of another one under certain
circumstances.
 Showparts are no real figures or animations, but they are small shows that call
figures and apply effects to those.
 It is suggested to arrange each showpart in a way that after the sequence has
been run the called figures are terminated.
 Showparts can be used in the Live Window, too. That way it is possible to call
figures and effects for several tracks with only one key.

The creation of a showpart works similar to the creation of a complete laser show
(Timeline Show). The showpart, however, is meant for not being a whole show but
e.g. the refrain of the song, that shall be repeated one or several times later on.

To create a showpart, click on New Showpart, select the music file (mandatory, even
if the showpart is played without music later e.g. in the Live Window) and record the
events for the showpart like for a normal laser show. All effects and figure tracks can
be used.

When having finished the creation of the showpart, click on Menu -> Showpart ->
Create Showpart from Sequence. By doing so, the created showpart is saved to the
Figure Table as figure. The Timeline Editor then returns to the actual show. The
showpart is then available in the Figure Table as a new “figure” with yellow design.

To edit the icon, right-mouse-click on it, select “Edit Showpart Icon” and specify the
thumbnail.

The showpart itself can also be edited with a right mouse click on the icon. The
program opens the Timeline Editor and automatically loads the showpart for editing.

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After editing the showpart, the changes have to be applied through Menu ->
Showpart -> Apply. Store the showpart “figure” with a click on “Store” in the Figure
Editor. The active show is buffered in the computer’s RAM. Therefore so not switch off
the computer, or the edited data can get lost.

9.2.6. Clear Timeline

Clicking this menu item completely empties the active show timeline by deleting all
events.

9.2.7. Export Show as ILDA-File

It is possible to export complete timeline shows as ILDA files (if the appropriate rights
are granted). This menu item allows for export of Laserworld Showeditor laser show
files to the standard ILDA format. Shows in ILDA format can be shared between
different laser show control systems, as most software in the market is capable of
importing ILDA files – however many of them don’t support ILDA export. Laserworld
Showeditor explicitly allows ILDA exports.

It is important to mind these points:

 The show is exported including optimizations, color correction and geometrical

corrections. For exporting a show as ILDA-file, all options should be reset to
standard or set to maximum values (e.g. output-size).
 If the show is programmed for more than one output channel, one ILDA file is
generated per channel (a number is added to the ILDA-file name to identify the
output channels).
 The ILDA file contains 2-dimensional coordinates.
 The ILDA file can contain a color table.
 The ILDA file should be created as RGB-file. The software does not create ILDA
files with Pangolin colors!
 If the ILDA file is exported without colour-table and without RGB-data, the colors
may not be displayed correctly on the target system.
After the click on the menu item just follow the instructions.

It is recommended to set the frame rate to 25-50 frames per second, even if the
Galvo systems that are to be used for output are not able to handle this.
It is also suggested to not use any color correction when exporting to ILDA files, as
well as not to use any color shift settings for optimization. A good value for scan rate
settings for ILDA export is 30 kpps.

9.2.8. Create Show from ILDA-File

This menu item is used for importing ILDA files to the Timeline. On import, the frames-
per-second value is calculated from the number of frames of the ILDA file and the
length of the song. The ILDA file is imported like the ILDA figure import in the Figure
Editor. Further the initial framerate per figure must be set (reasonable proposal is
given), the key assignment is done and the *.heb-file for the figure (of the ILDA file) is
saved.
A show file is created with only one event on track 0. The show name, as well as
various options and settings are asked in dialog boxes.
The whole import requires the ILDA file running at a constant frame rate (fps). It is
strongly recommended to only use ILDA files that are created using the standard

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RGB configuration. If this is not the case it can help to load the Pangolin Color Palette
(See Chapter 6.19.4). After the import successfully finished, the original IDLA file is not
needed any more, as it has completely been converted to the *.heb format.

In case the import does not work properly, please refer to the Showeditor Support
Forum.

If the ILDA show is a multi-projector show, then the additional files (for the other
projectors) must be imported manually. They are stored as figure files within the show
folder and assigned to keys, so they can be used in the Timeline.

9.2.9. Show Dongle-Protection

Fig. 109: Timeline Editor: Show Dongle Protection

Laserworld Showeditor allows for protecting shows by only allowing it to be played

and/or changed with the use of a certain Showeditor license. This is an important
feature as it is possible to sell created shows to customers and it is not possible to
share the shows online with other users, as the show is bound to the very Showeditor
license.

There are two ways for protecting shows:

a) Only one single show or
b) All shows within a folder.

The left area of the dialog with its button “Apply to Frames and Show” is used to
protect the actually loaded show. The right area is used to protect all shows, which
are stored in the selected folder (and its sub folders). Use the button “Apply to all
Shows” to protect all shows in the folder (and subfolders). If the option “Delete
unused files in Show folder” is activated, then all unused figures in the very folders are
deleted. Enter Dongle number “0” to use this feature without the protection function.

It is strongly recommended to create a backup copy of the folder before protecting

it – just to make sure nothing goes wrong.

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The dongle numbers entered in the left area of the dialog box are used for both
ways. This is how the permission settings work:

 Only the “Dongle-No. enabled to give rights” can change the rights.
 If all numbers are set to 0, no rights are set – the show is open for everybody’s
use. No protection is applied!
 It is only possible to change the permission settings, if the actually inserted
license equals the Dongle-No. enabled to give rights. Otherwise no changes
to permissions are possible.
 Protection spans all figure-files and all show-files.
 Before setting any protection it is strongly recommended to make a copy of
the show(s)!

9.2.10. List of Show Names and Play Lists (loaded at the last sessions)
The 10 last loaded show or play lists are displayed at the bottom of the menu File for
quick access. A click on the name of a show or Play List directly opens it.

9.3. Menu: Showpart

This menu has already been explained above (See Chapter 9.2.5)

9.4. Menu: Edit

This menu offers some additional features for editing
a show.

9.4.1. Reset
This menu item reloads all figures and events.

9.4.2. Undo
This menu item has the same function as the button
UNDO. (See Chapter 9.1.7)
Fig. 110: Timeline Editor:
9.4.3. Output selected events Menu Edit

This feature activates direct output to the connected projector(s) for active/selected
events, if the laser output is set to “On”.

9.4.4. Cut/Copy/Paste
This menu item has the same function as the respective buttons. (See Chapter 9.1.6)

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9.5. Menu: Tools

9.5.1. Beat Counter

Fig. 111: Timeline Editor: Menu Tools

The Beat Counter (also see Chapter 6.18.7) is a

tool for identifying the beats per minute (bpm, the
“speed”) of the music file. It is very helpful to set
the appropriate frame-rate of multi-frame figures.
Fig. 112: Timeline Editor: Menu
A click on the menu item opens a dialog (self Tools
explaining)

9.5.2. Move all events in timeline

A click on this menu item opens a dialog that allows for shifting all events in a show
on the timeline (in milliseconds). This can be used for e.g. deleting the first part of a
show (shorten music file, then move all events by the time the music was shortened) -
and the other way round.

9.5.3. Move events after current time position

This menu item acts similar as the previous one, but the time shift is only applied to
events that come after the actual timeline position (needs to be selected first with a
click to the timeline, it’s marked with a red vertical line). Using this tool
allows for the easy creation of a gap in the effects sequence for inserting
additional effects, and it can also be used for negative time shift, which
can result in overlapping effects, so be careful when doing so.

9.5.4. Delete unused files from show folder

This menu item does what it says: It deletes the unused files that reside in the very
show folder of the active show. Be careful: It also deletes unused figures, so make
sure that everything is backed-up properly.

9.5.5. Use Mouse Grid

As mentioned above, it is possible to insert figures into the timeline tracks by drag
and drop. Furthermore it is possible to work on the tracks by copying and moving the
events. To ease-up this procedure, it is possible to create a time grid. The option “Use

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Mouse Grid” is used for activating the grid. This requires a previously created grid. This
has to be done manually, as an automated creation does not make sense.

9.5.6. Create Grid

This menu item is used for creating a time-grid to align events to. A dialog opens,
providing all options and instructions on how to set up the grid. Grid lines are entered
using the “Space” Key.

9.6. Menu: Settings

9.6.1. Start/Stop Laser Output automatically
Toggle this menu item to start and stop the laser
output automatically.

9.6.2. Use Key-Up Event ==> Figure off

Check this item if the output display of a figure
stops on releasing the assigned key.
Key pressed  figure on; key released  figure
Fig. 113: Timeline Editor: Menu
off. Settings

If this option is unchecked, only the pressing of a key is recognized. The figure output
can then be stopped by pressing the very key again, pressing another key or hitting
the “Space”-key (then a blue line is displayed in the timeline at the stop-position

On recording a DMX subtrack, carefully use the Key-up/Figure off option as well as
the “Space” Key, as errors may arise from that.

Important: This option influences on the use of the function (F-) keys!

The use of the F-Keys depends on the setting of “Use Key Up Event => Figure Off”. If it
is unselected, the respective F-Page is simply chosen by pressing the very key.
Unselecting an F-key is done by pressing it again – then the F0 key is automatically
selected, meaning “no F-Key”.
If the “Use Key Up Event => Figure Off” is selected, the F-Key must be pressed and
held as well while pressing the key for calling a figure.

The use of the F10 key may not be available as it’s a Windows native key which can
not easily be overridden by software.

9.6.3. Play HQ Delay = 1s

This menu item provides the same features as described in 9.1.8.2 .

9.6.4. Enter Delay for Show-Start

This menu item provides the same features as accessible with a right mous click on
the “Play HQ” button. See 9.1.8.2 for details.

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9.7. Menu: Video

9.7.1. Window On/Off
This menu item opens the video preview window,
which only makes sense if a video file is selected as
media file for the show.

All video file formats that can be used in the

Windows Media Player as standard are supported.
Fig. 114: Timeline Editor: Menu
Video
9.7.2. Correct Aspect Ratio
Automatically corrects the aspect ratio of the video file. Using only this feature may
lead to the video size exceeding the screen size.

9.7.3. Stretch Video in Window

Stretches the video to make it fit the screen size. Distortions can happen.

9.7.4. Full screen

Shows the video in full screen mode. A mouse click exits full screen mode.

If the laser show is played through PlayHQ, the video window changes to full screen
mode. The “main screen” of the PC is switched to black out as usual. But the feature
“Monitor Standby” has to be switched off.

9.8. Menu: Play-List

9.8.1. Display
A click on this menu item opens the Play List. See Chapter 10 for further explanations.

9.8.2. Save
Saves the active Play List.

9.8.3. Load
A click on this menu item opens an existing Play List.
Fig. 115: Timeline
9.8.4. Start Play List Editor: Menu Play-List

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A click on this menu item starts the playback of the shows of the Play List (See
Chapter 10 for details).

Fig. 116: Timeline Editor: Menu Play-List/Display opens the Play List

9.9. Menu: Info.txt

The info.txt-file is created by the show
programmer and contains general information
about the show, the music file and the show
programmer.
This information usually includes the name of the Fig. 117: Timeline Editor: Menu
author, the song file, the used or suggested Info.txt
Galvo system (laser projector configuration) and
some specials about the show (single beams, safety etc.).
All details provided here are just for information purposes, they do not influence on
any program settings!

9.9.1. Display File info.txt

A click on this menu item opens and displays the info.txt dialog.

9.9.2. Display the info.txt automatically

If this option is checked, the info.txt file is automatically loaded and displayed on
opening of a show.

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9.10. Menu: Countdown

9.10.1. Start
This menu item is used for starting a
show by countdown. The count-
down is routed depending on the
settings in Options -> Hardware

When clicking on “Start”, a dialog

box opens asking for the start time to
be set. After a click on OK the Fig. 118: Timeline Editor: Menu
countdown starts. The countdown Countdown/Start => Dialog to enter the time
can be interrupted by switching the to start the show or to cancel the Countdown
laser off (Figure Editor -> Button Laser
OFF).

9.10.2. Define Figures

This menu item is used to specify the figures that shall be used for displaying the
countdown. The figures are inserted via Drag and Drop. They are displayed during
the countdown display.
If only these figures shall be displayed during the countdown, uncheck Options ->
Hardware -> Countdown Output.

With the help of these figures it is possible to write “Next Show”….HH:MM:SS.

The countdown time will be displayed in the selected color. If black is the active
color, there of course is no output visible.

The countdown can not be displayed as ticker (scrolling text). The software uses the
“normal” standard font (morphing letters, but without morphing). It is suggested to
configure the Text display behaviour first.

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Fig. 119: Countdown figures
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9.11. Menu: Showpath

Fig. 120: Menu Showpath

If a show is loaded and active, the file path to the show files is displayed right next to
the Countdown menu item.

10. The Playlist

The Play List is the playback feature of Laserworld Showeditor. It allows for playing
back existing laser shows. These shows can be loaded to the Play List, arranged in
their order and several configurations can be set. It is essential that shows that are
referenced in a playlist don’t get moved in the file structure, as the Play List
references the absolute file paths of the show files.

10.1. Violet Arrows

These two arrows allow for switching to the previous respective the
following show in the play list sequence.

10.2. Green Arrow / Blue Square

A click on the button with the green arrow starts the actually selected
show. During the show play, the button shows a blue square, which
allows for stopping the show play.

10.3. Button Close Window

A click on this button closes the Play List window. On re-opening
the Play List, the previously arranged list is reloaded.

10.4. Button +
Shows can be added to the playlist by clicking this button.

10.5. Eraser
A click on this button removes the selected show from the Play List (it does
not delete the show, it just removes it from the play list)

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10.6. Vertical Green Arrows

The green up / down arrow buttons can be used for arranging the play
order of the shows in the Play List.

10.7. The List area

The List area shows all shows in the Play List in the arranged order. The shows can be
directly selected. A double click starts the show play of the selected show. After the
play of a show that has been started with direct double click, the output is stopped –
the consecutive shows are not played. Use the Play button to play the Play List shows
in sequence.

10.8. Output Routing and Speed

The output routing and the corresponding scan speed settings allow for individual
hardware output routing of the very show signal. (Also see Chapter 2.6)
If the output routing has been changed for the Play List, do NOT save the options, as
it will lead to signal routing problems.

10.9. MIDI-Info

A click on this button displays information on the actual status for the remote
control of the Play List over MIDI signal.

10.10. Loop
If activated, the playing of the show list repeats from the beginning if has played the
last show of the sequence. This runs infinitely until the playback is stopped manually.

10.11. All Shows

If “All Shows” is checked, the playlist plays every show consecutively in their order in
the Play List. This option does not apply for shows that have been started by double
click.

10.12. Wait for OK-click before start next show

If this option is checked, the start of the playback of the next show must be
confirmed. This feature is especially suitable if there shall be explanations between
shows and the start of the following show cannot be scheduled.

10.13. New List

Clears the content of the active list and a new one is started.

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10.14. Load
Loads an existing Play List.

10.15. Save
Saves the active Play List.

10.16. Create Play List from Folder

This feature allows for easy play list creation directly from the file structure: With
selecting a certain folder on the hard disc, all shows in this folder and the subfolders
are automatically added to the Play List. Play order can be arranged afterwards,
using the green up/down arrows.

Fig. 121: Play List, Create Play List from folder

11. DMX Editor

The DMX Editor provides control over the DMX output through the hardware
interface. Laserworld Showeditor can handle DMX input (for remote control of the
software) and output (for controlling DMX fixtures and devices) DMX signals.

The DMX control (for DMX OUT) is done with DMX macros. These macros become
assigned to keys on the computer keyboard, so they can easily be called later.

There are two possibilities to control DMX-channels (DMX: digital multiplex):

 EasyDMX – basic fader-based features

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 Intelligent DMX (only for users with software license) – for control of more
complex fixtures

Fig. 122: The DMX-Editor

11.1. EasyDMX – Fader Control

The use of the EasyDMX-Editor (Fig. 122) is similar to the Figure Editor, but for the
control of DMX devices “macros” are created (comparable to the figures in the laser
shows). Each DMX macro consists of one or more steps (“scenes”) and can be
assigned to a key (similar to the figures in the Figure Editor). After having creation,
assigned and stored the macro, it can be used.

In Fig. 122 there are a lot of vertical scrollbars. Each scrollbar controls one output
channel, which can be assigned to one or even more DMX channels (As default
each scrollbar is assigned to the respective channel number).

The creation of a DMX-macro works like the creation of a figure. First click on “Create
New DMX Macro”. This creates an empty “Macro 0”. Then the scrollbars can be set
to the desired positions. To use the scrollbars for channels with higher numbers then
50, use the upper horizontal scrollbar to make them visible. The colored boxes above
the scrollbars are all standard colored red after the “Create New DMX Macro” has

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been clicked. The red color indicates the controls that have not yet been used for
the macro in active edit mode.

All red marked channels do not change the value of

the respective DMX channel when calling the macro.
If a scrollbar is set to a value, the red box color
changes to green and the specified DMX value is put
out. The visualization of active and non-active
channels through color code is made to avoid any
unwanted behaviour of the macros later.
Hit “Save” to save the very macro.

11.2. Macro-Steps
Fig. 123: DMX-Editor: Used
11.2.1. Button: New Step and unused channels

A click on this button adds a new step to the macro

after the active one.

11.2.2. Button: Delete

A click on this button deletes the active macro step.

11.2.3. Button: Insert

A click on this button adds a new step before the
active one.
Fig. 124: DMX-Editor: Macro-
11.2.4. Button: Seconds per Step Steps
A click on this button opens a dialog to specify the
duration of a DMX macro step in seconds.

11.2.5. Scrollbars No. of intermediate steps/ ms per intermediate step

These scrollbars specify the fading behaviour between macro steps. The nominal
values of a new step are set in a delayed way with adding additional intermediate
steps (interpolation). Set the number of intermediate steps with the respective
scrollbar. 1 means, that the nominal values are taken as they are. Value 2 means
one intermediate step and so on.

With the scrollbar “ms per intermediate step” the delay for the intermediate steps is
set fixed.
A reasonable value is e.g. 30 or more milliseconds for each intermediate step (faster
is not recommended, because the laser output quality may become irritated that
way).

11.2.6. Buttons for setting the direction

The buttons with arrows specify the playback direction of the Macro sequence –
normal order, reverse or alternating. It is important to consider which playback
direction is actually set if steps are to be inserted or changed in general, as the
playback direction applies for these actions too.

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11.3. Edit Steps

11.3.1. Buttons: Cut/ Copy/ Paste
With these buttons macro steps can be cut, copied and
pasted.

11.3.2. Button: Create new DMX-Macro Fig. 125: DMX-Editor: Edit

Step
Use this button to create a new macro.

11.4. File
11.4.1. Buttons: Save/ Save as/ Save all
With these buttons macros can be saved, saved with a
different name or all present macros can be saved with one
click.

11.4.2. Button: Close Window

A click on this button closes the DMX window.

Fig. 126: DMX-Editor: File

11.5. Additional Elements (Output, Master, Mapper etc.)

11.5.1. DMX Interface
The DMX interface(s) are configured in the Figure
Editor Options -> DMX. Please see Chapter 8.5 and
following.

11.5.2. Scrollbar DMX Master

The master scrollbar applies to all DMX channels. It is
comparable to the master-volume of an audio-
mixer.
If the “Master Sensitivity” has been set to “false”, the Fig. 127: DMX-Editor:
DMX master fader has no influence on “Intelligent” Additional elements (Output,
Monitor, Mapper...)
DMX-devices. See the chapter 11.6 about
“Intelligent DMX” for further details.

11.5.3. Button: Start DMX Output

A click on the button “Start DMX Output” enables the DMX output on the hardware
device (switches off black-out mode).
On starting the DMX-Output the step timers are activated. The start/stop of the DMX-
Output happens automatically on the start/stop of a laser show.

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In case there is no DMX-Output, the macro “Note Off Figur ***Aus***” becomes
activated automatically.

11.5.4. Button: DMX Monitor

The DMX Monitor opens up in a little window displaying the active values of the 512
output channels. The values automatically update if the DMX output is switched on.

11.5.5. Link DMX Macros to Laser Figures

DMX macros can be linked to laser figures. The linking is done in the Figure Table of
the Figure Editor (right click on the laser figure). If the link has been established, a call
of the laser figure calls the DMX macro as well. The link refers to the assigned key, so
the laser figure and the macro must be assigned to the same key.

11.5.6. Button: DMX Mapper

The DMX macros change the values of the scrollbars. These scrollbars are assigned to
DMX output channels – and these channels can be assigned individually. Thus it is
possible to e.g. use scrollbar 1 to change DMX Channel 24 etc.. It is possible to assign
multiple channels.

A click on the DMX Mapper button opens

the dialog area shown in Fig. 128.

The settings are saved to the program

folder on leaving the dialog via “Close
Mapping”. Several “mappings” can be
used to control the DMX devices by “Save
As” and “Open”. The scrollbar that should
be edited can be selected with the slider
“Active Channel” or with a double click on
the name of the scrollbar in the list. Fig. 128: DMX-Editor: DMX Mapping

This feature helps in making the adaption of DMX macros to different hardware
combinations in different venues and with different users possible.

11.5.7. Macro Area

The Macro Area holds all created Macros, similar
to the Figure Table in the Figure Editor.
Fig. 129: DMX-Editor: Macro Area
All Macros that are present in the active show
folder are displayed there. They can be selected
with the mouse either for editing or output.

Key Assignments are not done here, but with using the button “Keyboard
Assignment”

11.5.8. DMX Macro “Note off Figur***Aus***”

Note off is equivalent to “Release Key”. On DMX-recordings the NOTE OFF function
works, too. Thus a macro can be stopped by releasing the respective key (e.g. lamp

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on/off), but then the NOTE OFF macro is called, which sets all DMX-channels to 0. This
may be an unwanted effect if intelligent lighting is used.

To only set one Channel to 0, e.g. the channel for brightness, it is necessary to write a
special macro doing exactly that.

11.6. “Intelligent”-DMX
A click on the button “Use intelligent DMX devices” changes the interface of the
DMX-window (Fig.134)

Fig. 130: DMX / Intelligent DMX Window

Before being able to use any intelligent devices, a profile for each intelligent fixture
needs to be created.

11.6.1. Button: Edit DMX-Device

Select or edit an intelligent DMX device with this button. A new dialog
opens that allows for specifying the configuration for the devices, see Fig. 131.

The example in Fig. 132 shows a very basic and simple profile of an RGB moving
head. The start address is set to DMX Channel 1

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11.6.2. Label
The label allows for giving names to the very channels. This makes it easier to identify
them later.

11.6.3. Dimmable
This column can be set to true or false per channel. It specifies if the very channel
shall be considered a dimmer channel, meaning that this very channel can be
dimmed using intermediate macro steps. If set to “false”, the channels values always
immediately change to their nominal values. This e.g. significantly influences on the
behavior of Gobo-Wheels in Moving-Heads, Light Scanners and similar devices.

11.6.4. Master sensitive

If this option is selected for a
certain channel, this channel
reacts to settings of the master
dimmer. Usually only the
brightness channel(s) is/are
assigned a “true” value(s) here.
Example: If all channels of a
moving head fixture would be
assigned “true” for the Master
Dimmer, the head would also
move to the zero position if the
master fader is put to zero – so
would all colors and gobos do.

11.6.5. Channel Fig. 131: DMX / Intelligent DMX /Edit DMX-Device

Red/Green/Blue
If channel numbers are entered
per color, an RGB color
selection field becomes
available (Fig. 131). If a non-
RGB device is used, enter “0”.

11.6.6. X and Y Channels

(PAN/TILT)
If values are specified for the X
and Y Channel, a joystick for
head movement control is
available for programming
later. The “Low” values refer to
the 8-bit resolution channel; the
“High” values refer to the 16-bit Fig. 132: DMX / Intelligent DMX /Edit DMX-Device.
resolution channels. For non- Example
moving devices enter “0”.

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11.6.7. Use of several identical DMX-devices with different addresses
To use several identical DMX units it is necessary to create the profile for one device
first. For the other, identical devices it is only necessary to copy the existing profile
and simply change the DMX start address (and probably the name as well).
Then save the profiles for the devices, using different filenames.

It is not always necessary to individually save the newly created profiles: If the button
“Use DMX Device” is clicked after the profile has been created, the profile is inserted
to the device list (without saving). The device list itself can be stored afterwards. It
does not require the single profile files.

11.6.8. Button: Save DMX-Device

Save the profile of one DMX device (the one in active edit mode).

11.6.9. Button: Load DMX-Device

Load a *.ger file either edit it and just include it to the device list.

11.6.10. Button: Use DMX-Device

On click on this button, the device profile is immediately inserted to the device list,
without saving the individual profile. As it is possible to save a complete device list,
this procedure makes the creation of profiles quicker and easier.

Load stored device profiles to the program with this button. A list of
devices can be created this way (see example in Fig. 133).

Fig. 133: DMX, Intelligent DMX, DMX device list, color-select area and XY-joystick
area

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11.6.11. Selection of the DMX devices for creating macros
Select a device from the list by clicking on it, is is the marked as “active” (the device
name is displayed in bold letters). The functions of the very device are shown in the
right part of the window.

11.6.12. Selection of multiple DMX Devices for creating macros

It is possible to select several devices at the same time for macro editing.
Select the first device and hold the Ctrl-Key while selecting the other ones. The
functions of the selected devices are shown on the right side of the window. If RGB
values are specified, the color select field is displayed, and if PAN/TILT values are
given, a grid area for positioning the fixture is displayed just below the color select
field. The grid for the x-y control works slightly different to the one of the Figure Editor.
Try different values to see what fits the requirements best. An example: Using a value
of 4 divides the area to 4 equal parts. This can be advantageous when using
moving-head fixtures, especially if they can rotate their head more than 360°.

If several devices are selected for editing at the same time, the actual values may
not be displayed correctly: It’s always the values of the device that has been
selected as last one that are displayed.
Important: Only select several devices of the same kind at once – using different
device types in one grouped selection can lead to unwanted results and effects.

But: It is possible to select several head-moving floodlight fixtures and then change
their X and Y position, even if their channel assignment for Pan and Tilt (X and Y) is
different.

11.6.13. Button: Save Device List

If a device list is completely configured it can be saved with using this button. If not
saved, the device list is lost on program restart.

The device name is preset by the Laserworld Showeditor. It is only possible to store
one device list. The device list must not necessarily be loaded for playing shows
containing DMX macros.

11.6.14. Button: Load Device List

A click on this button opens a prior stored device list.

11.6.15. Button: Clear Device List

A click on this button clears the contents of the actually loaded device list.

11.6.16. Use of Intelligent DMX-Devices

After the profiles of the desired “intelligent” DMX devices have successfully been
created, they can be used for creating macros. Use the macro creation buttons, as
described in Chapter 11.3.2 and following, for creating macros with intelligent
fixtures.

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11.6.17. Intelligent DMX and License
Intelligent DMX is only available in fully licensed Laserworld Showeditor software
versions.

11.6.18. Menu of the DMX-Window

The menu of the DMX window only holds items that are directly accessible through
buttons as well. Please see the description for the very button for details.

12. Remote Control of the Software via DMX and MIDI

The main show parts of Laserworld Showeditor – Timeline Editor and Live Window -
can be completely remote controlled with DMX or MIDI.

12.1. Remote Control with DMX

According to the settings at Options -> DMX -> incoming DMX the incoming DMX
signals are processed through the DMX Input Mapping. These signals then control the
specified window. Mouse and Keyboard control remains active as well.

12.1.1. Timeline Window DMX Control

To use DMX remote control for Laserworld Showeditor it is necessary to configure the
settings in Options -> MIDI-DMX first. DMX input signal handling can negatively impact
on the computer’s performance if running together with complex ILDA output, so the
settings for the DMX request value should not be set faster as needed.

To control the timeline over DMX the laser output must be switched on in the
software and a folder containing the figures must be loaded properly (Figure Table).
To call figures over DMX, these have to be assigned to a key and to a DMX value
(See “Live Window”, chapter “DMX assignment” in Chapter 13.2.6).

If DMX values have been properly assigned to a

figure, the DMX value of the active figure is shown
in the header of the Figure Table (See Fig. 134).
DMX value “0” means black-out, no figure output.
Fig. 134: Display of DMX-value
It is possible to use the function keys F0 to F12 for of a figure
DMX figure control as well. They are accessible
through DMX channel 19.

The routing of DMX-IN signals to the control channels can be specified in Options ->
DMX -> DMX Input Routing (See Fig. 136).
This configuration dialog allows for very specific assignment of DMX channels. The
channel assignment corresponds with the order of
the tracks and subtracks in the Timeline, starting
from the lowest track.
Thus the first channel (depending on the DMX-input
offset) is the sub-track “0 Figure” (Fig. 135), the
second channel is the sub-track “0 size” and so on.
Fig. 135: Figure track
number“0” – channel 1 for DMX

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There are 19 channels in total per track (DMX-out is not supported in this case).

Fig. 136: DMX assignments (Options, Midi-DMX, DMX Input Routing)

12.1.2. Live Window DMX Control

The remote control of the Live Window over DMX is very easy. Like described in the
previous chapter for the Timeline control, it is possible to call the figures over DMX if a
DMX value has been properly assigned. It is also possible to change the effect
settings of the active figure trough DMX.
The Live Window requires 20 DMX channels in total.
The standard assignments can be specified in Options -> DMX -> DMX Input Routing
(See Fig. 136).

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12.2. Control via MIDI

The Showeditor remote control over MIDI works similar to the one over DMX.

12.2.1. Setup of MIDI Input Routing for the Live Window

The general setup of the MIDI input routing can be accessed through in Options ->
DMX -> Setup MIDI input routing. (See Fig. 137)

Like with the DMX remote control, two important parameters must be set per figure
that shall be controlled through MIDI: Each figure must be assigned to a key and it
must be linked to a certain MIDI value.

Fig. 137: Live Window: MIDI-Input routing (assignment for Live Window)

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The MIDI Input routing specifies, which MIDI values are used to control which feature.
Every MIDI transmission contains 4 different data types: MIDI channel, MIDI message
No., Data 1 and Data 2. To use a MIDI value for the control of an event (e.g. push a
key) the “parameters” must be matched to the incoming MIDI command in order to
be recognized properly.

12.2.2. Setup of MIDI Input Routing for the Timeline Window

The MIDI configuration of the LIVE and the Timeline Window are done in the same
dialog, but the interface needs to be changed with a click on “Timeline”.
As the Timeline has different requirements in terms of MIDI control, there is an

Fig. 138: Live Window: MIDI Input routing (assignment for timeline)

extended configuration screen for it.

The major button toggles “Routing like record selection” (Fig. 138). This means: If
active, only the green marked track in the Timeline is active for MIDI control.
To program/record a shown over MIDI in this mode: Select a track, click on the
record button and the effect values can be adjusted via pitch bend or modulation,
the figures can be selected by pushing keys.

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With deactivating “Routing like record selection” is is possible to make much more
detailed adjustments to the MIDI routing configuration, however this is not requires in
most cases.

12.2.3. MIDI Controller Presets / Profiles

As every MIDI controller has different features and thus sends it’s signals in a different
way, it is possible to configure Laserworld Showeditor to being controllable through
different controllers. Laserworld Showeditor comes with three standard MIDI
Controller Profiles already:
- For M-Audio - Oxygen49 MIDI Keyboard
- For Ableton - AKAI APC mini

These profiles can be found in the Laserworld Showeditor installation folder, subfolder
\LiveMidiMapping\

13. The Live Window

The Live Window has been designed for creating laser shows live to the music that is
actually played, by a DJ, band or other artist.
The whole live show window also bases on a figure set that is stored in a show folder
(see chapter 6.10). All show configuration that is done in the Live Window shall be
stored as “Live Show” file (*.live). All depending figures and supporting files must
reside in the same folder on the hard disc.

Fig. 139: The Live Window

If the screen resolution is less than 1280x1024 pixels, some scrollbars for the effects
control may be not visible.

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The live laser show control window provides the possibility to play a laser show live to
music etc. by using preset figures, which are assigned to keys and can then either be
played with the computer keyboard by pressing the respective key, by clicking the
desired buttons with the mouse or by using an external DMX or MIDI controller.

All settings that have been made to a respective key are stored, so become active
again on recalling that key.

The active key is highlighted with a purple border.

Pressed-and-released keys are highlighted with a green border.

The properties of the keys are refreshed on pressing the keys.

Please see the chapter “Figure Editor” (Chapter 6) for details on assigning figures to
keys.

A preview of animated figures is displayed when the mouse is moved over the very
key.

13.1. Live Show Options

The following features are available:

In the part “Show Options” (Fig. 140) the name of

the Live Show is displayed as well as the buttons for
saving and loading of live shows. In addition to that,
the button for switching on and off the laser output
resides here.

The button “Automatic Mode” opens the Automatic

Laser Player (see chapter 6.18.6).

Laserworld Showeditor comes standard with a

Default Live Show set, so it’s easy to just load the file
and get going: It can be found in the Laserworld
Showeditor installation folder, subfolder
Fig. 140: Live Show options
\DefaultLiveShow\

13.2. Options per Key

The next part of the Live Window shows the options that can be specified per key
(Fig. 141). The label of the frame displays the key the options are applied to (Key
options, Key: “Key name”)

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Fig. 141: Key options

13.2.1. Use Key Up Event (Flash)

If this option is checked, the selected figure is only displayed as long as the
respective key is pressed. On releasing the key, the figure output switches off. This
usually only works on keyboard control. It does not work on DMX or touchscreen
control.

13.2.2. Switch off unused tracks

If this option is checked, all figures on other tracks than the active are switched off.

13.2.3. Output Tracks 0 - 47

By checking the output track, the very figure is routed there. (see Figure Editor
settings)
Attention! If Showparts are used, the respective main track must be specified. The
configuration of the Showpart handles the rest of the show distribution.

13.2.4. Scrollbars DMX Start / Stop Value(s)

With these two scrollbars the DMX value range for DMX control is set. After having set
the value range, the button “Apply” must be clicked for applying the settings.

13.2.5. Scrollbars MIDI Start / Stop Value(s)

With this scrollbar the MIDI value range for MIDI control is set. After having set the
value range, the button “Apply” must be clicked for applying the settings.

13.2.6. Buttons “Assign all Keys to DMX” and “Map MIDI automatically”
An automated key assignment for DMX / MIDI can be made with a click on the
respective button. This makes sense if many figures are used or just for convenience.

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13.2.7. Selection of Effects and
intensity
The Showeditor Live Window
supports many effects that can be
controlled over scrollbars/faders.
There are five faders available and
each one can be assigned effects
to, which is done with selecting the
respective effects feature from the
dropdown list above the fader. Fig. 142: Effect scrollbars and dropdown lists
The control of the faders can be (above)
done by mouse click, over touchscreen or through DMX or MIDI remote control. MIDI
or DMX offer the most versatile use of the effects and faders here, as they allow for
additional combinations.

13.2.8. Settings per key, right click menu

A small menu opens on a right click on a key,
shown in Fig. 143:

“Delete Figure < = > Key Assignment”. Width

clicking on this menu item, the respective
figure is unassigned from the very key and Fig. 143: Live Window: Click with
thus removed from the Live Window (but of right mouse button on a figure
course the figure itself is not deleted)

Change KeyCode Assignment is an important feature for all countries with different
keyboard layout. In Germany there is a “QWERTZ” keyboard, in other countries the
“QWERTY” keyboard is used. “Z” and the “Y” keys are swopped in both types,
nevertheless they have the same ASCII-code.

Thus users of the “QWERTY” keyboard layout should reassign the KeyCodes. To do so,
select this menu item and then push every key of the keyboard. The new KeyCode
Assignment is saved within the INI file.
It is strongly recommended to do this before creating or loading a Live Show!

Reset Key < = > Ascii Code Assignment allows for reassigning a single key to a new
Ascii code, so it is not necessary to reassign the whole keyboard, like explained
above, but only to reset the keys that are not assigned correctly.

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14. Important Hints

14.1. Further Tutorials on the website, Tutorial videos,

Troubleshooting
On http://www.showeditor.com/tutorials there is a section with many tutorial, tips
and tricks. In addition to that, there is a FAQ section (http://www.showeditor.com)
that provides additional help on many questions.
Tutorial videos are available on the Showeditor website as well, see the Tutorials
section.

14.2. Free Laser Shows

Laserworld Showeditor comes with a large number of free laser shows. Some of them
are already included with the software on download, but many more can be
downloaded from the Showeditor website here:
http://www.showeditor.com/free_shows

In addition to the free shows it is possible to purchase more, professionally made laser
shows from the Showeditor shop: http://www.showeditor.com/shop

14.3. Shows created with Third Party Software, Compatibility

It is possible to use laser shows that have been programmed in previous versions of
Laserworld Showeditor, back to version 2009. In addition to that it’s possible to use all
shows that have been saved in the ILDA standard file format.
Of course it is essential that the rights for opening the show file are granted.

14.4. Additional Downloads

Laserworld Showeditor uses a good number of different files and configurations for
making the software as versatile as possible. We provide a number of presets and
configurations in the download section of our website, like preset configurations, MIDI
profiles etc.
http://www.showeditor.com/downloads

14.5. Support
Support to the software is provided on the Laserworld Showeditor website under
http://www.showeditor.com
Please read the Tutorials and the FAQ sections first, then see the Forum
(http://www.showeditor.com/forum) for potential solutions. If not found any, please
contribute your question to the forum – Laserworld is monitoring it and usually replies
within several hours.

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15. Index
—*—
*.ai ...............................................................................................................................................71
*.bin .................................................................................................................................... 95, 108
*.bmp ..........................................................................................................................................71
*.heb ............................................................................................... 46, 64, 79, 95, 107, 126, 127
*.ild ................................................................................................................................ 64, 70, 107
*.ini-file............................................................................................. 14, 18, 22, 99, 100, 107, 117
*.jpg .............................................................................................................................................71
*.Laser_ini ................................................................................................................................. 100
*.live .................................................................................................................................... 36, 149
*.mp3 ................................................................................................................................ 124, 125
*.pll ...............................................................................................................................................71
*.shw ...............................................................................................................22, 26, 71, 101, 124
*.wav ........................................................................................................... 34, 36, 118, 124, 125
—3—
3D preview .................................................................................................................................24
—A—
Add Frame .......................................................................................................................... 30, 78
Add Frames A=>B from Clipboard ........................................................................................78
Adobe Illustrator ........................................................................................................................71
Aerial effects........................................................................................................................... 115
Animated text ...........................................................................................................................92
Animation effects .....................................................................................................................41
Aspect Ratio ........................................................................................................................... 131
Assign figures ...................................................................................................................... 33, 39
Assignment of Figures to Keys ................................................................. 31, 32, 34, 68, 75, 76
Audience Zone ...................................................................................................................... 115
Automatic Laser Player ................................................................................................... 80, 165
Automatic Mode ..................................................................................................... 80, 150, 165
—B—
Background image ............................................................................................. 71, 72, 73, 165
Backup files ................................................................................................................................36
Bad word filter ...........................................................................................................................95
Beam attenuation map ........................................................................................................ 113
Beam show ...........................................11, 15, 18, 28, 47, 48, 75, 84, 104, 111, 113, 115, 132
Beat Counter .................................................................................................................... 62, 129
Beatcounter ...................................................................................................................... 81, 165
Beats per minute .............................................................................................................. 81, 129
Bent laser planes .......................................................................................................................28
Bezier ...................................................................................................................... 29, 53, 54, 164
Bitmap Trace Tool .....................................................................................................................87
Black screen ..................................................................................................................... 68, 131
Blanked lines ..................................................................................................................... 57, 113
Blanked movement ............................................................................................................... 111
Blanked points ....................................................................................... 29, 57, 88, 89, 109, 110
Blind beam .............................................................................................................................. 111
Bpm ..................................................................................................................62, 63, 81, 82, 129
Button Assign Figure .................................................................................................................68
Button Black Screen .................................................................................................................68

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Button Clear Device-List ....................................................................................................... 144
Button Complete Reset ...........................................................................................................68
Button DMX ................................................................................................................................67
Button Effects .............................................................................................................................67
Button Laser ON ........................................................................................................................67
Button Load Device-List ........................................................................................................ 144
Button New Step .................................................................................................................... 138
Button Options ...........................................................................................................................67
Button Save Device-List ........................................................................................................ 144
Button Seconds per Step ...................................................................................................... 138
Button Show-Editor....................................................................................................................67
Button Simulation ......................................................................................................................68
Button Use DMX-Device ................................................................................................ 143, 151
—C—
Change Color .................................................................................................................... 30, 56
Change colors to Colortable values .....................................................................................79
Change rendering direction of frames in clipboard ..........................................................78
Channel Red/Green/Blue .................................................................................................... 142
Color Byte Order .................................................................................................................... 107
Color change ................................................................................................................... 74, 165
Color circle ............................................................................................................ 46, 56, 65, 164
Color Correction .................................................... 18, 108, 109, 110, 113, 114, 126, 165, 166
Color cube ....................................................................................................29, 46, 65, 105, 164
Color Gradient ...............................................................................................85, 89, 90, 98, 165
Color palette ............................................................................. 29, 46, 56, 59, 65, 79, 127, 164
Color Raster ...............................................................................................................................71
Color Shift ................................................................................................................................ 109
Color Shove Tool ........................................................................................................ 88, 89, 165
Color sparkling effect ...............................................................................................................88
Color Table .................................................................................................................. 70, 90, 126
Color transition ..................................................................................................... 59, 71, 98, 109
Color wheel......................................................................................................................... 29, 46
Color-Selection ..........................................................................................................................65
Configuration settings file ..................................................................................................... 117
Control via MIDI ...................................................................................................................... 147
Copy ...........................................................................................................................................75
Copy Frames A=>B to Clipboard ...........................................................................................78
Corel Draw .................................................................................................................................71
Corner Point Repetition ................................................................................................ 108, 109
Corner points .................................................................................................................... 58, 109
Corner repetition.......................................................................................................................58
Count-Down-Timer....................................................................................................................68
Create Figures .................................................................................................................... 28, 38
Create New DMX Macro ...................................................................................................... 137
Create New Show ........................................................................................................... 34, 124
Create Show from ILDA-File ................................................................................................. 126
Create Shows ..................................................................................................................... 34, 36
Creation of Figures ...................................................................................................................46
Cut ...............................................................................................................................................75
Cut Frames A=>B and Copy to Clipboard ...........................................................................78
CW mode ................................................................................................................................ 114

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—D—
DAC ..................................................... 12, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 38, 62, 63, 68, 95, 106, 110, 113
Digital-Analogue-Converters ..............................................................................................23
Hardware interface ...................................................................................23, 24, 38, 68, 136
Interface ........................... 12, 15, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 67, 103, 105, 110, 116, 139, 141, 148
Daisy-chain ....................................................................................................................... 25, 103
Damping ................................................................................................................................. 102
Delay for Show-Start .............................................................................................................. 130
Delete Frame ...................................................................................................................... 59, 77
Delete picture ...........................................................................................................................71
Delete unused files ........................................................................................................ 127, 129
Demo Mode ..............................................................................................................................24
Different Versions ......................................................................................................................14
dimmer channel .................................................................................................................... 142
Direct-X .......................................................................................................................................18
Displacement .................................................................................... 97, 98, 101, 112, 119, 123
Display of the Waveform ...................................................................................................... 124
Distorted .....................................................................................................................................18
DMX12, 13, 19, 20, 31, 34, 36, 37, 38, 43, 44, 67, 76, 80, 102, 103, 104, 121, 122, 123, 130,
136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 150, 151, 152
DMX OUT .............................................................................................................................. 136
DMX (Hardware and Driver) ...................................................................................................19
DMX Input Mapping .............................................................................................................. 145
DMX Interface ........................................................................................................................ 139
DMX Macro ............................................................................................................................. 140
DMX Master............................................................................................................................. 139
DMX Start Address ......................................................................................................... 104, 143
DMX-Macros ..................................................................................................................... 43, 123
DMX-Window .............................................................................................................................43
Download Showeditor .............................................................................................................13
Drag and Drop ..................................................................................................... 32, 34, 39, 133
Drawing color ............................................................................................................................29
Drawing Tools.............................................................................................................................47
—E—
EasyDMX .......................................................................................................................... 136, 137
Edit Laser Frame ........................................................................................................................72
Effect Intensity Input .............................................................................................. 123, 124, 166
Effect Tool .................................................................................................................. 35, 119, 166
Effects .........................................................................................................................................80
Effects behaviour ......................................................................................................................35
Effects-Window .........................................................................................................................41
Ellipse ...................................................................................................................... 28, 52, 53, 164
Enable SMS .................................................................................................................................94
Eraser Tool ......................................................................................................................... 57, 118
Export a figure as ILDA .............................................................................................................70
Export permissions .....................................................................................................................70
Export Show as ILDA-File ................................................................................................. 70, 126
Extra Color Point at Line End ................................................................................................ 108
Extra Color Point at Line Start............................................................................................... 108
—F—
Fade effects...............................................................................................................................98

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Fade out .....................................................................................................................................86
Faders ..................................................................................... 19, 26, 37, 38, 136, 139, 142, 152
Figure Table........................................ 32, 42, 46, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69, 76, 80, 84, 125, 140, 145
Figure-Editor ...............................................................................................................................39
Figures Always on Top ..................................................................................................... 65, 164
Fixed Figures ...............................................................................................................................95
FixFiguren ............................................................................................................................. 66, 95
Flickering ................................................................................................... 15, 50, 74, 88, 92, 101
Flicker-optimize ..........................................................................................................................17
Frame position ...........................................................................................................................59
Frame rate.....................................................................................................62, 63, 84, 106, 126
Frame Selection ........................................................................................................................63
Framebuffer ............................................................................................................................ 106
Frames per Second ............................................................................ 50, 59, 62, 63, 78, 84, 92
Frame-Tools ................................................................................................................................58
Freehand ............................................................................................................. 29, 53, 109, 164
Freeware ............................................................................................................................. 12, 24
Full Version ..................................................................................................................................12
Function Keys ............................................................................................................ 34, 130, 145
—G—
Galvanometer Scanners .................................................................................................. 11, 67
Geometric corrections.......................................................................................... 111, 112, 113
Getting started ..........................................................................................................................26
Global Brightness ................................................................................................................... 115
Global Figures ............................................................................................................................66
Global size ............................................................................................................................... 112
Graphics show ....................................................................... 13, 15, 18, 28, 47, 62, 87, 88, 107
Grid ..............................................................................................................................................64
Grid lines .....................................................................................................................................75
—H—
Hand tool ............................................................................................... 29, 55, 56, 73, 118, 164
Hardware output channel ................................................................................................... 108
Hardware Requirements..........................................................................................................12
HE_s_Testbilder ...........................................................................................................................66
Helix .................................................................................................................................... 73, 114
Hot Beams ..................................................................................................................................28
—I—
ILDA ................................................. 20, 47, 66, 67, 70, 71, 79, 87, 90, 107, 126, 127, 145, 153
ILDA export .............................................................................................................................. 126
ILDA Standard ...........................................................................................................................70
Import *.AI file ............................................................................................................................71
Import ILDA ................................................................................................................................70
Inertia ................................................................................................................................... 58, 74
info.txt ...................................................................................................................................... 132
Insert Frame......................................................................................................................... 59, 77
Installation ..................................................................................................................................13
Intelligent DMX ...................................................................................... 137, 139, 141, 145, 166
Intelligent DMX and USB-Dongle ......................................................................................... 145
Interpolation ................................................................................ 58, 70, 88, 109, 115, 120, 138
—J—
Jump to Start .......................................................................................................................... 122

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—K—
Key assignment ............................................................................................33, 46, 76, 126, 151
Keyboard layout .................................................................................................................... 152
—L—
LAN ..................................................................................................................................... 12, 104
Language.......................................................................................................................... 22, 105
Laser On................................................................................17, 30, 37, 46, 67, 68, 79, 108, 109
Laser planes ...............................................................................................................................29
Laser safety ......................................................................................................................... 11, 28
Liability ........................................................................................................................................11
Liability for damages ................................................................................................................11
License ...........................................................................................................12, 15, 23, 128, 145
Light Scanners ........................................................................................................................ 142
Line points ..................................................................................................................................58
LineIn Sound Mode ...................................................................................................................81
Live Laser Show ..............................................................................................36, 39, 44, 67, 150
Live Recording...........................................................................................................................35
Live Show ................................................................. 26, 36, 38, 39, 69, 107, 149, 150, 152, 167
Live Show Patterns ....................................................................................................................36
Load Live Show .........................................................................................................................69
Load Pangolin Color Table .....................................................................................................90
Load Picture........................................................................................................................ 71, 88
Logos ...........................................................................................................................................87
Long texts ................................................................................................................ 49, 50, 91, 92
—M—
Macro editing ......................................................................................................................... 144
Macro-Steps............................................................................................................................ 138
Magnifying Glass........................................................................................................ 30, 58, 118
Many identical DMX-devices with different addresses ................................................... 143
Mark all points..................................................................................................................... 56, 75
Marking- and Editing-Tools ......................................................................................................55
Master Dimmer ....................................................................................................................... 142
Master sensitive ...................................................................................................................... 142
Max. Distance Laser OFF ...................................................................................................... 109
Max. Distance Laser ON ....................................................................................................... 109
Max. Point Distance Text ...................................................................................................... 109
Maximum brightness ....................................................................................................... 79, 115
Menu Info ...................................................................................................................................95
Menu Test-Picture .....................................................................................................................95
Menu Windows ..........................................................................................................................79
Menu-Bar ....................................................................................................................................45
Menus in the DMX-Window .................................................................................................. 145
Menus of the Figure-Editor ......................................................................................................69
MIDI19, 20, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 76, 102, 103, 135, 145, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152,
153, 163, 167
MIDI Controller Presets / Profiles .......................................................................................... 149
MIDI-keyboard ...........................................................................................................................32
Modulation behaviour .......................................................................................................... 107
Morph................................................................. 28, 30, 50, 52, 59, 60, 61, 78, 84, 92, 101, 133
Morph All ....................................................................................................................................78
Morph tool........................................................................................................................... 59, 61

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Morphing Polygons ...................................................................................................................60
Morphing Text ............................................................................................................... 50, 91, 92
Move all events in timeline................................................................................................... 129
Move events after current time position ........................................................................... 129
Moving-Heads ........................................................................................................................ 142
Multi projector show .............................................................................................................. 127
Multi-frame figures ....................................................... 51, 59, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 93, 123, 129
Multiple frames ................................................................................................................... 62, 86
Multiplication effect .................................................................................................................98
Multi-screen............................................................................................................................. 105
Multi-Track recording ...............................................................................................................35
Music Synchronous Shows ........................................................................................ 34, 35, 117
Mutli-frame figures ....................................................................................................................59
—N—
New Audio File ....................................................................................................................... 102
New Figure ........................................................................................... 28, 46, 47, 50, 59, 69, 92
New Frame .................................................................................................................... 30, 59, 77
New Installation .........................................................................................................................13
New Showpart ........................................................................................................................ 125
New Software Versions ......................................................................................................... 105
Normalize RGB Point/Frame ....................................................................................................79
—O—
Open Laser Show ............................................................................................................... 26, 69
OpenGL ......................................................................................................................................18
Opening an existing show .................................................................................................... 124
Opt. Distance ............................................................................................................................79
Optimization24, 30, 52, 53, 57, 58, 70, 79, 85, 95, 98, 107, 108, 109, 110, 126, 163, 165,
166
Optimize Output .............................................................................................................. 98, 107
Options ................................................................................................................................ 79, 99
Options per Key...................................................................................................................... 150
Output optimization ....................................................................................41, 52, 95, 108, 110
Output quality ..............................................................................................24, 27, 41, 106, 138
Output Routing................................................................................................................. 24, 135
Output speed ..................................................................................................................... 63, 68
Output-Path ...............................................................................................................................64
Overlapping Edges...................................................................................................................60
Own Figures ...............................................................................................................................28
—P—
Pangolin color table .......................................................................................................... 70, 90
Paste ...........................................................................................................................................75
Paste Frames A=>B from Clipboard ......................................................................................78
Path Edit ............................................................................................................................ 85, 165
Path tool ..........................................................................................................69, 79, 84, 85, 165
Pipette ........................................................................................................................................58
Play a laser show.......................................................................................................................26
Play button ........................................................................................................ 26, 107, 121, 135
Play HQ ..................................................................................................... 27, 106, 121, 122, 130
Playback direction ................................................................................................................ 138
Play-HQ ................................................................................................................ 27, 68, 121, 131
Playlist ............................ 15, 20, 43, 69, 105, 122, 124, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 163, 166

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Playlist Load ...............................................................................................................................69
Point properties .......................................................................................................... 67, 83, 109
Polygon .......................................................................................................................... 29, 52, 60
Poly-Line......................................................................................................................... 28, 47, 48
Ports ...................................................................................................................................... 19, 20
PPS-rate ......................................................................................................................................24
Points per second .................................................................................................................24
PPS ............................................................................................................................ 24, 62, 110
Scan speed ....................................................................................................... 25, 62, 74, 110
Preface .......................................................................................................................................11
Print Keyboard-List ....................................................................................................................76
Print PC-List .................................................................................................................................75
Prism effect ................................................................................................................................98
Problems with *.dll-Files ............................................................................................................15
Progress bar ............................................................................................................................ 107
Projection surface .................................................................................................... 74, 111, 112
Protecting shows .................................................................................................................... 127
—R—
Raster Color Tool .......................................................................................................................72
Raster-framing .............................................................................................................. 72, 73, 74
Re-color ............................................................................................................................... 56, 74
Record effects on the timeline ............................................................................................ 124
Recording of a laser show .................................................................................................... 117
Recover ......................................................................................................................................36
Rectangle ..................................................................................................................... 28, 29, 52
Redraw Timeline ..................................................................................................................... 118
Remaining time ...................................................................................................................... 106
Remote Control.........................................................................................................................19
Remote Control of the Software via DMX and MIDI........................................................ 145
Remote Control with DMX .................................................................................................... 145
Repetition rate...........................................................................................................................62
Request-interval ........................................................................................................................19
Requirements.............................................................................................................................12
Reset.................................................. 18, 26, 39, 46, 58, 76, 79, 81, 97, 98, 111, 115, 126, 152
Resonances ...............................................................................................................................58
Rotate .........................................................................................................................................30
Rotation tool ..............................................................................................................................56
Routing................................................................... 20, 21, 38, 64, 103, 135, 145, 147, 148, 149
Routing of Hardware-Output ..................................................................................................20
—S—
Safety Zones .................................................................................................................... 113, 115
Save Figures ...............................................................................................................................30
Save ILDA ...................................................................................................................................70
Scanner .............................................. 24, 25, 47, 50, 53, 57, 58, 72, 74, 92, 95, 107, 110, 111
Galvo system .................................................................................................... 24, 58, 88, 132
Scanner Movement feature ................................................................................................ 111
Scanner Optimization ..............................................................................................................26
Screen resolution.............................................................................................................. 39, 149
Scroll-bars No. of intermediate steps/ ms per intermediate step .................................. 138
Scrolling Text ................................................................................................................. 50, 92, 93
Separator Tool ...........................................................................................................................54

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Serial number ...................................................................................................................... 14, 23
Show Blanked Lines ..................................................................................................................75
Show Control Buttons ............................................................................................................ 121
Show file...................................................................................... 26, 31, 101, 102, 124, 126, 153
Show folder .................................. 27, 30, 31, 33, 38, 46, 66, 69, 124, 125, 127, 129, 140, 149
Show Keyboard-List ..................................................................................................................76
Show old Functions ...................................................................................................................79
Show PC-List ...............................................................................................................................75
Show Points ................................................................................................................................75
Show size ................................................................................................................................. 112
Show start delay ........................................................................................................................27
Show Unused Keys ....................................................................................................................76
Show-Editor ................................................................................................................................80
ShowNET ................................................................................................... 12, 13, 15, 20, 23, 104
Showparts .................................................................................................................. 32, 125, 151
Signs.............................................................................................................................................91
Simulation ...................................................................... 17, 18, 19, 30, 46, 67, 68, 84, 120, 163
Skin colors ................................................................................................................................ 116
Sliders ..........................................................................................................................................37
Smooth Colors ...........................................................................................................................89
Smooth transition ....................................................................................................... 59, 61, 109
SMS .............................................................................................................. 94, 95, 100, 101, 165
Soft Border ............................................................................................................................... 115
Soft Color ........................................................................................................................... 98, 109
Soft Color Distance .......................................................................................................... 98, 109
Sound active laser control ......................................................................................................80
Sound file ............................................................... 26, 35, 42, 81, 102, 117, 124, 125, 129, 132
Audio File ................................................................................................................. 27, 34, 102
Sound Mode ....................................................................................................................... 80, 81
Special Characters ......................................................................................51, 64, 93, 164, 165
Speedometer ........................................................................................................... 68, 106, 165
standard settings.................................................................................................. 14, 23, 36, 107
Stand-by beams..................................................................................................................... 111
Standby mode ..........................................................................................................................68
Start DMX Output ................................................................................................................... 139
Starting a show by countdown ........................................................................................... 133
Startup configuration ........................................................................................................ 23, 26
Still standing laser beam ..........................................................................................................28
Stretch Lines Tool .......................................................................................................................86
Stuttering ..................................................................................................................... 62, 63, 102
—T—
Test pictures ..................................................................................................25, 66, 95, 108, 115
Text ................. 26, 29, 30, 48, 49, 50, 51, 62, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 100, 101, 109, 133, 164, 165
Timeline show...................................................................................................... 26, 36, 118, 125
Touch Screen Monitor ....................................................................................................... 36, 37
Trace Image ..............................................................................................................................88
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................ 18, 153
TTL ............................................................................................................................................. 115
Tunnel effect ..............................................................................................................................28
—U—
Undo Files ................................................................................................................................ 105

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Uninstall .......................................................................................................................................14
Update........................................................................................................................................13
Use of Intelligent DMX-Devices ............................................................................................ 144
Use Soft Color ..................................................................................................................... 89, 98
—V—
Vector graphics ................................................................................................................. 28, 88
Verifying of Settings ..................................................................................................................22
Versions .......................................................................................................................................12
Virtual Device ..................................................................................................................... 17, 24
Volume level ..................................................................................................................... 36, 118
—W—
Wave Generator ................................................................................................................ 69, 82
Waveform ......................................................................................................................... 82, 124
Wave-Generator.............................................................................................................. 82, 165
Winamp ....................................................................................................................... 80, 81, 165
Wrench tool ................................................................................................................ 53, 57, 109
—X—
X and Y Channels .................................................................................................................. 142
X-axis mirroring ...........................................................................................................................18

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16. Figure Index

Fig. 1: Setup-Wizard of Laserworld Showeditor. ........................................................................... 13

Fig. 2: Menu “Options/Hardware” for the selection of the hardware interfaces (DAC). Up
to 16 interfaces can be used. The shown setup is useful for a simulation of a 1 + 2 projector
show (typical setup). ............................................................................................................................. 15
Fig. 3: Simulation of figures and laser-shows. Use right mouse button to open the setup
dialog (above). ...................................................................................................................................... 16
Fig. 4: Simulation with virtual devices. ........................................................................................... 17
Fig. 5: Menu Options/MIDI/DMX: Selection of DMX-ports for input and output, selection
of MIDI-device and setup of printer. ................................................................................................... 18
Fig. 6 (above): Timeline: Pages A–P (red circle) with each 3 figure-tracks and their effect-sub-
tracks. These pages are assigned to the hardware-output-routing for up to sixteen DAC (red
arrow)....................................................................................................................................................... 20
Fig. 7: Main window of Laserworld Showeditor. Click on Options for hardware setup (see
red arrow)! .............................................................................................................................................. 21
Fig. 8: Menu: Options. Language selection, licensing information........................................... 22
Fig. 9: Options: Hardware Output Routing ................................................................................... 23
Fig. 10: Tab Optimize Output. Setting of hardware interface parameters .......................... 24
Fig. 11: Playback shows................................................................................................................ 25
Fig. 12: Buttons for editing ............................................................................................................ 27
Fig. 13: Figure Editor, folder window: Structure of folders (example).................................... 29
Fig. 14: “Save Figure” – dialog: opens on first saving of a figure. It’s also possible to create
a new folder............................................................................................................................................ 30
Fig. 15: Assignment of keys to figures. Right-click on an icon or click on “Assign Figure”
(red arrows). The selected figure has a red square. ........................................................................ 31
Fig. 16: Key assignment within the Live Window. ..................................................................... 32
Fig. 17: Assignment tables for computer- or MIDI-keyboards ................................................ 32
Fig. 18: Main System Buttons in the right column of the Figure Editor ................................... 33
Fig. 19: Menu “File” of the Timeline Editor. ................................................................................ 33
Fig. 20: Dialog of the “Effect-Tool” (Timeline-Editor). ............................................................... 34
Fig. 21: “Direct-recording” of laser-shows. Button with red circle: Start of recording ........ 34
Fig. 22: Live Window after loading a live show ........................................................................ 36
Fig. 23: Detail view of the Live Window after having loaded a live show ........................... 36
Fig. 24: The Figure Editor ............................................................................................................... 38
Fig. 25: Options Window............................................................................................................... 39
Fig. 26: The Effects Window ......................................................................................................... 40
Fig. 27: The Timeline-Editor ........................................................................................................... 41
Fig. 28: The Play List ....................................................................................................................... 42
Fig. 29: The DMX Window ............................................................................................................. 42

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Fig. 30: The Live Window ................................................................................................................... 43
Fig. 31: Figure Editor: Main Window of Laserworld Showeditor .............................................. 44
Fig. 32: Figure Editor: Drawing features...................................................................................... 45
Fig. 33: Figure Editor: Dialog for text options (click with right mouse button on the text
tool) 48
Fig. 34: Text Editor: Write longer texts here ................................................................................ 49
Fig. 35: Text Editor: Special Characters can be copy-pasted to the input box and then
be redrawn manually in the drawing grid ......................................................................................... 50
Fig. 36: Figure Editor: Dialog settings for ellipse tool ................................................................ 51
Fig. 37: Figure Editor/Painting Tools/Freehand: Dialog to set up freehand parameters.... 52
Fig. 38: Bezier settings ................................................................................................................... 53
Fig. 39: Figure Editor: Marking & Editing tools............................................................................ 54
Fig. 40: Figure Editor: Tool “Hand”. Point selection by left-click and dragging of selection
square. The marked points are indicated by coloured circles: The hand-tool gets a red
background to indicate that a region is marked. ............................................................................ 54
Fig. 41: Wrench Tool: Point Optimization ................................................................................... 56
Fig. 42: Frame Tools ....................................................................................................................... 58
Fig. 43: Enter number of start frame. If only two frames are in the figure, this would be “0”
59
Fig. 44: The number of the active frame can be found in the info box in the left lower
corner 59
Fig. 45: The number of the end frame must be entered. If only two frames are in the
figure, this would be “1”........................................................................................................................ 60
Fig. 46: The number of morphed frames that should be inserted must be specified. The
more frames are insterted, the smoother the transition. The required number of frames also
depends on the speed the morphed figure shall be played later. A value of “10” is good to
lean how the tool works, but even 50 or more frames are possible – depending on what is
required. 60
Fig. 47: File save buttons and grid .............................................................................................. 62
Fig. 48: Setting of Output Path .................................................................................................... 63
Fig. 49: Options->Hardware: Setting of Output Routing ......................................................... 64
Fig. 50: Color Circle ....................................................................................................................... 64
Fig. 51: Color Cube ....................................................................................................................... 64
Fig. 52: Color Palette..................................................................................................................... 64
Fig. 53: Figure Editor: Checkbox “Figures Always on Top” ...................................................... 65
Fig. 54: Figure Editor, folder window: Structure of folders (example). .................................. 65
Fig. 55: Special Folders. ................................................................................................................ 65
Fig. 56: Figure Editor: Buttons in the right column ..................................................................... 66
Fig. 57: Figure Editor: Menu .......................................................................................................... 68
Fig. 58: Menu: File .................................................................................................................................. 68
Fig. 59: Options -> Default Rights Settings: Set the file and figure access rights ................. 69
Fig. 60: Menu Background Image. ............................................................................................. 70

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Fig. 61: Figure Editor: Background image ................................................................................. 71
Fig. 62: Menu Edit .......................................................................................................................... 73
Fig. 63: Menu Edit/Color change. Dialog to change colors of points. ................................. 73
Fig. 64: Menu Figure Assignment ................................................................................................ 74
Fig. 65: Free keys shown in the Live Window............................................................................. 76
Fig. 66: Figure Editor: Menu Frame Tools .................................................................................... 76
Fig. 67: Special Functions: Dialog to access special tools. ..................................................... 78
Fig. 68: Automatic Mode: Automatic-Laser-Player ................................................................. 79
Fig. 69: Setup of Winamp-plugin (Winamp/Options/ Visualizations/Select plugin) and
“Softwarecave” logo (upper left corner) .......................................................................................... 80
Fig. 70: Beatcounter: Dialog to count beats. (see also ”Show Editor/ Tools”)..................... 80
Fig. 71: Extra Tools: Wave-Generator ......................................................................................... 81
Fig. 72: Extra Tools: Path-Tool. Input of path...................................................................................... 84
Fig. 73: Extra-Tools: Path-Tool. Path Edit Window .......................................................................... 84
Fig. 74: Extra-Tools: Path-Tool. Selection of Figure and Options..................................................... 85
Fig. 75: Extra Tools: Stretch Lines Tool. ........................................................................................ 86
Fig. 76: Extra Tools: Bitmap Trace ................................................................................................ 86
Fig. 77: Extra Tools: Color Shove .......................................................................................................... 88
Fig. 78: Extra Tools: Dialog of “Insert Color Gradient”.............................................................. 89
Fig. 79: Figure Editor: Menu Color-Table. ................................................................................... 89
Fig. 80: Figure Editor: Menu Signs/Text ....................................................................................... 90
Fig. 81: Figure Editor: Dialog for text options ............................................................................. 90
Fig. 82: Text Editor: Write longer texts here ................................................................................ 91
Fig. 83: Text Editor: Special Characters can be copy-pasted to the input box and then be
redrawn manually in the drawing grid ............................................................................................... 92
Fig. 84: Figure Editor: Menu Signs/Text Enable SMS ................................................................ 93
Fig. 85: Figure Editor: Menu Info .................................................................................................. 94
Fig. 86: Figure Editor: Effects Dialog ................................................................................................ 95
Fig. 87: Effect Window: Multiplication Effect............................................................................. 97
Fig. 88: Options Window............................................................................................................... 98
Fig. 89: Options Window, Tab “Text” .......................................................................................... 99
Fig. 90: Options Window, Tab “Show”...................................................................................... 101
Fig. 91: Options Window, Tab “Midi/DMX” .............................................................................. 102
Fig. 92: Options Window, Tab “Others 1” ................................................................................ 103
Fig. 93: Black Screen with show info during show play with Frame Buffer, View Show
Runtime and Speedometer switched on......................................................................................... 105
Fig. 94: Options Window, Tab “Optimize Output” ................................................................. 107
Fig. 95: Options Window, Tab “Output” .................................................................................. 110
Fig. 96: Options Window, Tab “Color Correction” ......................................................................... 112

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Fig. 97: Dialog Optimize Output / button Color Correction ................................................. 113
Fig. 98: Options Window, Extended Color Correction .................................................................. 113
Fig. 99: Options Window, Tab “Reset Settings” ............................................................................... 115
Fig. 100: General buttons of the Options Window ......................................................................... 115
Fig. 101: The Timeline Editor ............................................................................................................... 116
Fig. 102: Timeline Editor: Buttons and Tools ..................................................................................... 117
Fig. 103: Timeline Editor: Window of the Effect Tool ....................................................................... 118
Fig. 104: Timeline Editor: Info Area .................................................................................................... 119
Fig. 105: Timeline Editor: Show Control buttons .............................................................................. 120
Fig. 106: Timeline Editor: Track-Pages selection, Tracks and Sub-tracks, Effect Intensity Input
(yellow) during recording. .................................................................................................................. 121
Fig. 107: Timeline Editor, live record effects intensity ..................................................................... 123
Fig. 108: Timeline Editor: Menu File ................................................................................................... 123
Fig. 109: Timeline Editor: Show Dongle Protection ......................................................................... 126
Fig. 110: Timeline Editor: Menu Edit................................................................................................... 127
Fig. 111: Timeline Editor: Menu Tools ................................................................................................ 128
Fig. 112: Timeline Editor: Menu Tools ................................................................................................ 128
Fig. 113: Timeline Editor: Menu Settings ........................................................................................... 129
Fig. 114: Timeline Editor: Menu Video .............................................................................................. 130
Fig. 115: Timeline Editor: Menu Play-List ........................................................................................... 130
Fig. 116: Timeline Editor: Menu Play-List/Display opens the Play List ........................................... 131
Fig. 117: Timeline Editor: Menu Info.txt ............................................................................................. 131
Fig. 118: Timeline Editor: Menu Countdown/Start => Dialog to enter the time to start the show
or to cancel the Countdown ............................................................................................................. 132
Fig. 119: Countdown figures .............................................................................................................. 132
Fig. 120: Menu Showpath .................................................................................................................. 133
Fig. 121: Play List, Create Play List from folder ................................................................................ 135
Fig. 122: The DMX-Editor ..................................................................................................................... 136
Fig. 123: DMX-Editor: Used and unused channels.......................................................................... 137
Fig. 124: DMX-Editor: Macro-Steps.................................................................................................... 137
Fig. 125: DMX-Editor: Edit Step........................................................................................................... 138
Fig. 126: DMX-Editor: File .................................................................................................................... 138
Fig. 127: DMX-Editor: Additional elements (Output, Monitor, Mapper...) .................................. 138
Fig. 128: DMX-Editor: DMX Mapping ................................................................................................ 139
Fig. 129: DMX-Editor: Macro Area .................................................................................................... 139
Fig. 130: DMX / Intelligent DMX Window ......................................................................................... 140
Fig. 131: DMX / Intelligent DMX /Edit DMX-Device ........................................................................ 141
Fig. 132: DMX / Intelligent DMX /Edit DMX-Device. Example ....................................................... 141
Fig. 133: DMX, Intelligent DMX, DMX device list, color-select area and XY-joystick area ....... 142

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Fig. 134: Display of DMX-value of a figure....................................................................................... 144
Fig. 135: Figure track number“0” – channel 1 for DMX ................................................................. 144
Fig. 136: DMX assignments (Options, Midi-DMX, DMX Input Routing) ......................................... 145
Fig. 137: Live Window: MIDI-Input routing (assignment for Live Window) .................................. 146
Fig. 138: Live Window: MIDI Input routing (assignment for timeline) ........................................... 147
Fig. 139: The Live Window .................................................................................................................. 148
Fig. 140: Live Show options ................................................................................................................ 149
Fig. 141: Key options ........................................................................................................................... 150
Fig. 142: Effect scrollbars and dropdown lists (above) ................................................................. 151
Fig. 143: Live Window: Click with right mouse button on a figure ............................................... 151

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© Laserworld (Switzerland) AG, 2015

Laserworld (Switzerland) AG
Kreuzlingerstrasse 5
8574 Lengwil / Switzerland

Headquarters: Lengwil / CH
Company Nr: CH-440.3.020.548-6
CEO: Martin Werner
VAT Nr CH: 683 180
VAT ID DE: DE258030001
Tax Nr CH: CHE-113.954.889

Ph +41 (0)71 67780-80

Fax. +41 (0)71 67780-88
email [email protected]

www.laserworld.com

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