Lasers

Laser beams may be visualized in LIVE and DESIGN modes.

This section describes how you achieve this. All laser fixtures are available in the Fixtures > Type > Lasers folder (or Manufacturer folders) in the Library Browser.

Lasers in Live mode

To visualize laser beams in LIVE mode, you need:

• The external laser control software from Pangolin Laser Systems or Sollinger LaserAnimation running on the same computer as WYSIWYG or a different computer on the same network.
• To assign the corresponding protocol to the laser fixture from the Control tab of its Properties > Fixture tab window.
• To patch the laser fixture to a DMX channel. While this is not required in real life, it is currently the only way to turn on a fixture's beam in WYSIWYG. Laser fixtures require a single DMX channel and a value of 1 or above on that channel to turn on their beams. In a file with multiple laser fixtures, it is recommended for all of them to be patched to the same DMX address/channel, and for this to be programmed (on the console) to simply be at full at all times, through all cues.

To visualize laser beams in LIVE mode

Tip: We recommend that you check the Fixture Profile Notes in the Version tab in the Properties dialog box of the selected laser. You will find general information about the laser and the visible attributes that are available. For more information, see General fixture properties in the Fixture_properties section.

1. Set the Laser Source.

1. In CAD mode, right-click the laser and choose Properties.

Result: The Properties window appears.

2. In the Properties window, click the Fixture tab, Options sub-tab.

3. From the Value drop-down list, select Laser Source.

2. Set the Protocol and Input channel of the Laser.

1. On the Fixture tab of the Properties window, click the Laser Source sub-tab.

2. From the Protocol drop-down list, select the laser protocol you want to use.
3. In the Input field, set the channel where the laser will receive input from the protocol.
4. Click Apply.

Result: The laser will now accept input through the connected laser protocol.

3. Patch the laser to a DMX channel.

1. On the Fixture tab of the Properties window, click the Control sub-tab.
2. From the Universe drop-down list, select the DMX universe.
3. In the Channel  field, enter the DMX address number.
4. Click OK.

4. Connect to your lighting console (or to WYSIWYG's Mini Console), ensure that the DMX universe to which the laser was patched is correctly-bound to the console's output, and set the appropriate channel on the console to 1 or above.

5. Send visualization data from the laser control software to WYSIWYG.

1. Open the laser control software.
2. On the laser control software, enable visualization and select WYSIWYG software.

Result: The laser visualization from the laser control software appear in the Shaded view in LIVE mode.

Lasers in Design mode

In DESIGN mode, lasers are not actual real-life lasers. Lasers in DESIGN mode are defined and configured as regular fixtures projecting beams with special gobos to simulate laser beams. Turn the laser fixtures’ intensity on, then apply color and, or gobo patterns.

To visualize laser beams in DESIGN mode

1. In CAD mode, right-click the laser and choose Properties.

Result: The Properties window appears.

2. In the Properties window, click the Fixture tab, Options sub-tab.
3. From the Value drop-down list, select Design Mode.
4. Click OK.

Result: Laser beams can be visualized in the Shaded view of DESIGN mode when turned on.

5. Use the Intensity tool to turn the laser on or off.
6. Use the Color tool to change the beam color.
7. User the Gobo tool to change the gobo pattern if available.