Pangolin Flashback 3 XE User manual

Pangolin Laser Systems
LiveQUICK
And
Flashback 3- E
Due to our policy of continuous product improvement,
information in this manual is subject to change without notice.
November 2008

Contents
1: Introduction
In this package 5
Functions 6
2: Installing
CD-ROM contents 7
D/ contents 8
Notes about memory utilization 8
USB driver installation 8
Installing LiveQUICK software 8
3: LiveQUICK Program
Introduction 10
Getting started 10
Menu structure 14
Shortcuts 16
Page tabs 16
Live control and info tabs 16
Projector settings 20
Projection zones 21
Edit window 25
Shortcuts 29
Color 30

Frame file list 31
Creating content 31
Drawing 35
Tracing 38
Animating single frames 40
Text 41
Cue properties 42
Linking 45
Troubleshooting 46
Log files 46
4: DM and Standalone
Standalone mode 47
DM -512 47
Appendix A: Board layout and connections
Power supply connector 50
Serial interface connector 50
USB Lights 50
DM connector 51
Expansion connector 52
Projector connector 52
DM channel assignment 52

Chapter 1
Introduction
The Flashback 3 is the smallest, easiest and most economical way to add high-quality gra hics and
beams to a stand-alone laser rojector. In fact, the Flashback 3 is so im ressive, that it won the
ILDA Hardware Product Of The Year Award in 2006.
This credit-card sized wonder can lay laser gra hics, beams and even com lete Pangolin-quality
shows. No extra com uter hardware is needed – the tiny Flashback 3 has everything you need to control
your laser rojector.
The Flashback3-XE is the latest addition to this roduct line.
In this package
Included in this ackage you will find a CD-ROM, and the Flashback 3-XE, which is the combination of
Flashback 3 base board, a USB daughterboard, and a XD memory module, reloaded with some
exam le content.
Though, the basic functionality can be achieved with only using Flashback 3 Base Board, additional
functionality is manifested with the addition of daughter boards. This “daughter board” a roach allows
Pangolin to roduce semi-custom roducts to suit the needs of individual OEMs, thus allowing you
maximum integration flexibility and also allowing you to differentiate your roducts in the market lace.
Pangolin can easily create customized daughter boards as needed by OEMs. Please contact us with your
s ecific function requests.

Chapter 1 Introduction 6
Functions
The FlashBack 3 Base Board contains the following basic functions:
•USB ower su ly.
•XD socket with ability to accommodate modules from 32MB to 128MB
•12-bit X and Y out uts with single-ended voltage level of +/-5V
•8-bit Red, Green, Blue and Intensity out uts with single-ended voltage
level of 0 to +5V
•TTL-level Shutter/Utility signal (internal)
The USB daughterboard adds the following functionality to Flashback 3:
•High s eed connection between Flashback 3-XE and PC (480 Mb/s)
•LiveQUICK – a PC a lication for full control of Flashback 3-XE, which
allows:
•u loading the content to XD card
•creation and editing frames and animations
•live total control of the Flashback 3-XE
•u dating the Flashback and DMX daughter board firmware
changing the settings for Flashback 3-XE standalone o eration.
The o tional DMX daughterboard adds the following functionality to
Flashback 3: •DMX-512 control – allows using an industry standard control rotocol
•Real time geometry mani ulation – size, osition, rotation control

Chapter 2
Installing
To use the Flashback 3-XE, you will need to connect the su lied USB cable to one USB ort available
on your com uter.
For standalone o eration, a USB A/C ada ter (charger) can be use to ower the unit.
You will also need to connect the DB25 to a rojector. The DB25 connector is connected as a
QM2000/ILDA-com atible connector.
CD-ROM contents
The CD-ROM included with this ackage includes:
•the LiveQUICK rogram,
•the works ace file that was u loaded to a XD module,
•the USB drivers for Flashback 3-XE
•Tutorial videos (Cy her)
•LAStudio: TraceIt
•LAStudio: ShowRider
•LAStudio: Draw 3D
•LAStudio: Abstraction

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D card contents
A XD memory module is included with this evaluation ackage, and is rogrammed with the following
exam le content:
Zone 1 Gra hic effects
Zone 2 Atmos heric effects
Zone 3 Target Beams
Zone 4 User defined
The content included should work well for Cambridge scanners tuned to 30K. Lower- erformance
scanners can be accommodated by slowing down the default scan rate in Projector settings (Tools
menu).
Notes about memory utilization
This evaluation kit includes a 128MB module which can contain around 20 minutes worth of frames and
animations.
The FlashBack 3-XE will work with XD module with ca acity from 32MB to 128MB.
The data format used by the FlashBack 3 includes a com ression scheme, which is why we are able to
get such good memory utilization. Currently, data is stored for red, green and blue color out uts. For
a lications requiring better memory utilization but with only a single color, the animation ca acity can
be doubled.
Contact Pangolin if you have such a need.
USB driver installation
When you connect the Flashback 3-XE to USB ort of your com uter, the ‘New Hardware’ wizard will
a ear. You should not use automatic install rocedure. Instead, you should oint the wizard to the USB
driver directory on the Evaluation Package CD-Rom.
Installing the LiveQUICK software
LiveQUICK should begin installation when the CD is inserted, or click in install.exe. To manually
install the LiveQUICK software a lication, sim ly co y the LiveQUICK folder from the CD ROM to
your com uter. Co y the folder Works aces to the same folder you moved LiveQUICK to evaluate the
included works ace on the memory card of the Flashback3. If you do not move the folder Works aces
to your com uter, LiveQUICK will create a blank Works aces folder.

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Chapter 3
LiveQUICK Program
Pangolin's LiveQUICK is an easy-to-use rogram that can be used along with the
Flashback 3 Laser Controller. LiveQUICK allows you to create sim le laser
frames and scenes, including TrueTy e fonts, as well as im ort Pangolin and
ILDA animations. Once the animations are loaded into LiveQUICK, they can be
downloaded into the FB3 memory card so that the FB3 may be used in stand-
alone or DMX-controlled a lications.
You can also control the Flashback 3 "Live" using the built-in live control
features. Later, if you need more ower, LivePRO can be used. And thanks to the
similar user interface shared by both LiveQUICK and LivePRO, the learning
curve is reduced.
LiveQUICK rovides four se arate "zones" of control, including geometric
correction, using Pangolin's atent- ending Projection Zone technology.

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Introduction
The LiveQUICK Program allows you to:
•Trigger cues by clicking on buttons with the mouse,
•U load frames or com lete animations to the Flashback 3 board,
•Create and edit the frames and animations on line (real time editing),
•Live control of several arameters during cue layback,
•U date the firmware on Flashback 3 Base Board and DMX Daughter Board,
•Change the settings to be used in standalone mode (autostart).
Refer the rovided video training course for ractical lessons on using
LiveQUICK Software and discover the unique ower and sim licity of
LiveQUICK.
Getting Started
1. Opening
a. From the dro down menu (FILE) select O en Works ace
b. Select the works ace in the works ace folder and click o en

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c. Your works ace file will load and you will then see cues (Laser content) in the cue windows.
Note: The works ace file may load automatically if you co ied a works ace file into the works ace
folder rior to launching the rogram.
d. Your Screen should show cues with content in them like this:
e. Connection Status: When your device is connected to the PC ro erly the software will
automatically check the connection and then tell you if there are any differences between
what is on the memory card and what your current works ace data is showing.
f. If there is a difference between your works ace and the information located on the
memory card and this is your first connection to the PC to your device this is erfectly
normal. Follow the rom ts as such
g. Warning message: Firmware
i. The firmware on the memory card is different from the firmware for this version of
software. Do you want to u date the firmware?
ii. Click Yes: The system will automatically u date the firmware for the devices that are
embedded in your rojector or control system.
h. Warning message: The memory card format needs to be reformatted. Do you want to
reformat?
i. Click Yes: The software will format the memory and scan the memory blocks. If the
system finishes this rocess and tells you that there are some unusable memory
blocks this is normal.
i. You will notice at this oint that in each cue cell that there is a memory card icon in the u er right
hand corner. This means that the works ace needs to be re-u loaded to the memory card. But don’t do
that just yet. Proceed to section 2 to familiarize you with the Gra hical User Interface. Some of the
settings adjustments you will do there will cause the memory to be u loaded again. It is better to finish
the set u and make all desired changes rior to u loading.

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2. Firmware and Hardware Relationship
The control system within your rojector or control device such as LiveQUICK Remote is a
so histicated communication system. Internal to your device is a control PCB and hardware PCB’s that
all have to communicate with each other ro erly to function well. This balance is ut in lace and
ensured via the integrated firmware u dating system within the software. Additionally de ending on
what hardware is resent certain as ects of the GUI (Section 3) will be or not be resent. The hardware
inside your device communicates with the motherboard via a internal Ethernet. We call these PCB’s that
are not a art of the mother board (Daughter Boards) In the information Tab (Section 3.2) within the
LiveQUICK Software you can see exactly what hardware you have in your device. These will read,
FB3, USB, DMX, UI (User Interface), BT1, (Beam Table 1), and (BT2 Beam Table2)
When you connect your device to communicate with the hardware and can tell exactly what hardware is
embedded in your device as well as the firmware version on each PCB. If the firmware does not match
the requirements to communicate with your version of software it will rom t you to u date the
firmware.
If the firmware on your device does not match with the version of software rovided with your device
you will be rom ted to u date the firmware. This is normal… Select OK.
After the firmware u dates you may be rom ted to format the memory card. This is normal… Select
OK.
(If you see that there are some unusable memory bocks this is normal as well. Disregard)
Is your device connected?
There are several ways to check this but the main ones are:
a. Lower left hand corner of the (GUI software screen
Offline (Not Connected)
[Edit] Online (Connected)
b. Information Tab

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c. Windows Device Manager
3. Graphical User Interface (GUI
See the Factory CD for a video Training Course on this to ic
The Gra hical User Interface (GUI) of LiveQUICK is a very sim le GUI and is organized in such a way
that it is logical to all modes of device o eration such as DMX 512, USB, and Auto Play.
In this section each as ect of the GUI will be ex lained and then frther on in the manual the key
elements will be ex lained in greater detail. Don’t be intimidated! Between this manual and the video
training course you will be a ro in minutes!

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Menu Structure
a. File
a. File Menu
i. New Works ace: Closes o en works ace to enable new works ace creation
ii. O en Works ace: O ens browser window (Works ace Folder) to o en a different
works ace
iii. Save Works ace: Save currently o ened works ace
iv. Connect Laser Hardware: Searches for attached hardware and connects. Note: If
more than one rojector is connected to the PC you will be rom ted to choose (1)
for connection
v. Disconnect Laser Hardware: Disconnects the USB communication between the PC
and the Device.
vi. Exit: Exit Program (Close LiveQUICK)
b. Edit Menu
i. Edit Cue: When a cue is selected use this menu rom ts to edit existing and em ty cues.
ii. Co y Cue: Co y Cue for asting (Leaves the original cue in the same cue slot
iii. Cut Cue: Cuts the cue for aste in another cue location
iv. Paste Cue: Enables asting of cut or co ied cue into a new destination cue
v. Delete Cue: Deletes Selected Cue
vi. Set Link: When a cue is selected this function sets the cue to be linked between the

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origin cue and the next cue (See Linking Section)
vii. Remove Link: Removes link from selected cue
viii. Remove All Links: Removes all set links in the works ace
ix. Designate All Cues to be u loaded: Designates all cues for u load to memory
x. Cue Pro erties: O ens Cue Pro erties Dialog Box. See Cue Pro erties Section for
more information
c. View Menu
i. Dis lay Geometric Correction in the Grid: A lies your geometric correction settings
to the works ace GUI. In short when you select this you will see the geometry
correction for each cue based on the zone assignment and geo correction for that
zone. (See Projector Settings: Geometry Correction: Zones for more information)
ii. Preview Laser Out ut: O ens Laser Preview Window for selected Cue
d. Settings Menu
i. Projector Settings: O ens Projector Settings Dialogue Box
ii. Geometry Correction: O ens Geometry Correction Dialogue Box
e. Tools Menu
i. U load 410 Cues: U loads all cues with content to memory card
ii. U load “Cue 03” only: U loads the selected (active) cue only
iii. Format Card: Formats the memory card
iv. Firmware U date Center: O ens Firmware Dialogue Box
f. Help Menu
Hel : Shows information about the rogram such as version information.

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Shortcuts
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
1. New Works ace 7. Edit Cue
2. O en Works ace 8. O en Cue Pro erties Dialogue
3. Save Works ace 9. U load all cues the need u loading
4. Blackout (Terminate Laser Out ut) 10. Play Sequence
5. Delete Cue 11. Sto Sequence
6. Link Cue 12. Pause Sequence
13. Next Ste in Sequence
Page Tabs
Page Tabs refer to the works ace ages. The works ace is com rised of 9 ages of 48 cues which
correlate to the memory card storage. Whatever you do in the works ace to make changes, once
u loaded to memory, can be called u via DMX 512 or auto.
Live Control and Information Tabs
1. Live Control
Under the Live Control Tab there are many user interfaces for real time control and mani ulation of
stored content on the memory card.
a. Zoom
i. Use the fader bar to increase and decrease the XY Gain equally. Use the right andleft arrow button to
scroll automatically from one side to the other.
NOTE: Safety feature: There is a built in safety feature which will fade out the laser as you
a roach zero gain or (Single Beam Setting). This cannot be overridden for your safety.

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b. Position and Rotation
i. Use the XY Coordinates grid to move the rojection zone on the fly.
ii. Use the X Y Z Knobs for Rotation of the image live
iii. Reset Position: Resets the osition to the default (Which is the settings stored in
rojector settings and geometry correction section)
c. Color
i. Fade: Uses the analog signal to fade the laser out ut from 0-100%
ii. Visible Points: Write in Write Out Function 0-100%
iii. Color: Override Frame Settings for color: Far Left is default frame color settings: Far
right is 100% RGB, RGY, G, B, BG, R De ending on devices laser configuration. If the RGB Laser is
white balanced or if you have achieved white balance in the rojector settings then the far right should
be White. Same with Yellow, or Cyan rojectors.
d. Playback
i. Animation S eed: Adjusts the layback s eed (If cue is stored in memory)
ii. Scan Rate: Adjusts scan s eed from 0-100% (100% equals 30K) (Overrides

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rojector settings or cue settings) See warnings below
WARNING: Do not adjust the scan s eed to high if you do not know the scan s eed ca abilities of
your device. Failure of the scanners can occur. Consult the manufacturer if you question the scan s eed of
your device. You can overdrive scanners with any rofessional laser control system.
Use the ILDA test attern in the rojector settings menu section to test the erformance of the scanner and
refer to the ILDA standard for the test attern (Contact us if you have questions about this). Consult your
Pangolin user manual for the ro er scan s eed adjustment.
e. BT Effects Section
i. This device contains only one BT PCB. If your rojector shows two rows of FX
buttons then it has two BT PCB’s which is found in the new Horizon Series. See
Horizon Series User Manual for more information.
ii. FX1: Activates 20 Position DG
iii. FX2: Activates Dual Counter Rotating DG’s
iv. FX3: Activates Stargate Static DG
v. FX4: Activates Machado Static DG
vi. Wheel: Select DG when FX1 is selected
vii. Dual Vertical Faders: Adusts S eed and direction of dual counter rotating DG
viii. Color Palete: Click Arrow to activate and grab dot in alete to adjust color of the laser
out ut when BT PCB is activated
NOTE: The GUI for this section changes or is resent only if the hardware is resent in the device
connected to the PC and software or if the laser is offline. Consult your devices user manual if your GUI
differs from this GUI.
WARNING: The use of DG’s can be dangerous if the (Zero Order CENTER BEAM) is rojected into
the audience. Use Caution when setting u your device so the Zero Order does not roject into the
audience and follows your local laser safety regulations) Follow all safety warnings in your user manual
AVOID DIRECT EYE EXPOSURE to the Center Beam. De ending on the out ut of your laser rojector
even diffracted (divided beams) can be harmful.

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f. BT Sequencer
Allows you to create edit, layback, and time to the BPM beam sequences of the effects
resent in the BT Effects Section
2. Information Tab
1. Provides the status of connection to the device, versions of software, u load date and time, Memory
status, Hardware information of the devices within your device , USB connection status, etc.
2. USB connection status: Full S eed 1.1 High S eed 2.0
NOTE: If you need technical su ort lease take a screen shot of this tab and send in with your
request to ex edite troubleshooting.
Projector Settings
See the Factory CD for a video Training Course on this to ic
Access this menu from the settings dro down menu

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11.
1. Adjusts Scan S eed (Master Scan Rate)
2. Adjusts Color Shift (For Analog Solid State Lasers (3) is the normal Setting. (4) for PCAOM)
3. Minimum Points at out ut (200 is default)
4. Select RGB, RGY, or Single Color de ending on the laser configuration of the device
5. Adjust the white balance of the rojector by adjusting the RGB color lines intensity from 0-100%
6. Enable Laser Out ut
7. Choose Test Pattern
8. Choose Selected or Current Cue in the works ace to adjust to
9. Active (Selected Test Pattern)
10. OK to acce t
11. Cancel with no effect or change