Lasershow Converter Max - Overview
Now
you can make sophisticated laser images by working directly
with standard 3D computer graphics. This autodigitizing magic is
accomplished by Lasershow Converter MAX, Pangolin's new plug-in for the
program 3D
Studio MAX. This
product is available and shipping.
There is also a LITE version of this
product.
The plug-in enables
computer graphic artists to convert
3D objects and scenes into laser outlines. The result can be as
simple as a single-frame logo, or as complex as an animated
fly-through of a city.
Award-winning
technology
Lasershow Converter MAX is an amazing advance
in software for use with laser displays.
It is so advanced, it has received a
First Place ILDA 2001 Fenning Award for
Technical Achievement.
Why use computer graphics?
 The
pictures at right show 3D Studio Max (3dsmax) scenes, and then the
laser version of those scenes. Using 3dsmax will save you time and
help you create better shows. Here's why:
-
Features
such as accurate
perspective and true hidden-line removal are perfectly realized.
No additional work is necessary by the artist. All that
is required, is that the artist 1) know 3dsmax and 2) have a basic
understanding of laser requirements, such as a low object count
and relatively simple objects.
-
There are thousands of pre-built objects available. For
example, the dinosaur in our demo was a public domain 3dsmax model
which was downloaded from a website. The artist did not have to
create the dinosaur; only the simple landscape in which the
dinosaur exists.
-
It is easier to do character animation, inverse kinematics,
true morphs, etc. in 3dsmax.
-
You can create multimedia shows with video and
laser-overlaid highlights or characters, from the same 3dsmax
file. For example, if we wanted the dinosaur to be in laser and
the background to be detailed terrain, we would first
conventionally render the terrain, with the dinosaur specified
as a traveling black matte. Then we would use Lasershow
Converter MAX to render only the dinosaur in laser. The result
is a video with a hole where the laser exactly fits.
-
Scenes created in 3dsmax can be re-purposed for other media,
such as video, slides, printed material, etc.
-
Many more animators know 3D Studio MAX, than know
specialized laser software. It is used by over 85,000 computer
animators. Plus, there is a wide variety of books, tutorials,
websites, etc. available for 3dsmax.
Quick conversion from computer to laser
Working with lasers within 3D Studio MAX is fast and natural. It
typically takes far less than one second to convert a computer graphics frame into
laser graphics. Hidden line removal and object occlusion ("masking")
is automatic. An entire laser animation can be quickly stored, and
then played back in realtime to check object motion.
Once laser frames are
rendered in 3D Studio MAX, they can be saved to LD2000 or ILDA
format. For performance playback, LD2000's "Showtime" program
is ideal. It can add more graphics, beams, abstracts, and other
events such as DMX lighting cues. It also allows use of Showtime's
unique video sync capability, so laser overlays will always be
exactly synchronized with their corresponding video frame.
Quick multimedia presentations
Using 3D Studio MAX is also the easiest way to develop
multimedia-enhanced presentations. By superimposing the laser
projector over a video-projected image, the result is solid-filled
scenes with bright laser outlines. This can give detail impossible
in a laser-only presentation.
For even more
sophistication, particular objects can be restricted to render only
on the computer screen, or only on the laser. This allows laser
overlays or highlights to be incorporated into other media such as
slides or video, with perfect registration and timing.
How to order
You can order your Lasershow Converter MAX system today.
Just let us know the serial number of the LD2000 system
you'll be using.
With your Lasershow
Converter MAX software, you'll also receive the original 3D Studio
MAX scenes from Pangolin's "Revelation" demo. This 3 1/2 minute Showtime show contains over 6000 frames
rendered from Lasershow Converter MAX, as well as original music by
Andy Hagerman.
What is required
Lasershow Converter MAX requires Lasershow Designer 2000 and 3D
Studio MAX to operate. This is because the software is a 3D Studio
MAX plug-in that communicates directly with LD2000's laser
hardware board.
-
Lasershow Designer
2000 and Lasershow Converter MAX can be purchased by contacting us.
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3D Studio MAX release 3 or later.
This can
be purchased through resellers listed on the Autodesk website: www.autodesk.com.
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