QuickShow FB3-QS User manual

Lasershow
Designer
QuickShow
And
FB3-QS
User Manual

Intellectual Property notice and credits
QuickShow is copyright © 2008-2010, Pangolin Laser Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
QuickShow User Interface Patent Pending.
QuickShow was written by Alexey Sinitsyn, Valery Furmanov and William R. Benner, Jr.,
with development assistance and testing by Derek Garbos.
Due to our policy of continuous product improvement,
information in this manual is subject to change without notice.

Contents
Introduction 5
In this package 5
DVD-ROM contents 5
Functions 6
Software and Hardware Installation 7
Installing the QuickShow software 7
USB driver installation 7
QuickShow 9
Introduction 9
System Recommendations 9
Quick Setup 10
Settings menu 14
Projector Settings 16
QuickTargets Beam Settings 20
Projection Zones 21
DMX Settings 30
User-interface Access Mode 34
Main Control Window 36
Toolbar 36
Cue triggering mode 37
Transition between cues 37
Playing only one cue at a time, or multiple cues 38
Beat synchronization system 38
Virtual Laser Jockey button 38
Blackout and Pause 38
Enabling laser output 39
Cue Grid 39
Keyboard access 40
Page tabs 40
Categories 41
Types of cues 41
Creating new content or editing existing content within a cue 42
Previewing contents of each Cue 42
Laser Preview Window 42
Controlling cues during playback 44
Live Performance tools 44
Cue editing tools 45
Virtual Laser Jockey 46
Live Control tab overview 49
Live Control tab -- Size controls 51

Live Control tab - Position and Rotation controls 52
Keyboard Equivalent for Invert Rotation Speed 52
Live Control tab - Color controls 53
Live Control tab -- Playback controls 53
QuickTools overview 54
QuickText 56
QuickShape 58
QuickTrace 60
QuickTargets (Beam Sequencing) 62
QuickDMX 64
QuickTimeline 67
QuickCapture 68
QuickFX 69
Advanced Tools overview 70
Cue properties 71
Laser Frame/Animation editor 74
Advanced Text editor 87
Advanced Shape (abstract) editor 88
Advanced Clock editor 89
Effect Editor 90
Music and Beats overview 94
Controlling multiple lasers 95
Pointing to a cue location 98
Keyboard Equivalents 99
Files and File Extensions 100
Virtual MIDI Keyboard 102
MIDI Settings 103
ILDA output assignment 107
LED light codes 109
RoHS Certificate of Compliance 110

Introduction
The Flashback 3 product line, often abbreviated FB3, is the smallest, easiest and most economical way
to add high-quality graphics and beams to a stand-alone laser projector. In fact, the Flashback 3 is so
impressive, that it won the ILDA Hardware Product Of The Year Award in 2006.
This credit-card sized wonder can play laser graphics, beams and even complete Pangolin-quality
shows. The tiny Flashback 3 has everything you need to control your laser projector.
In this package
Included in this package you will find a DVD-ROM, the FB3-QS, USB cable, and a quick start guide
DVD-ROM contents
The DVD-ROM included with this package includes:
!Lasershow Designer QuickShow program
!Workspace file
!USB drivers for FB3-QS
!Tutorial videos
5

Functions
Lasershow Designer QuickShow – a PC application for full control of FB3-QS, allows:
!Trigger cues by clicking on buttons with the mouse
!Create and edit the frames and animations on line (real time editing)
!Live control of many effects parameters during cue playback
!Live total control of the FB3-QS
The FB3-QS hardware contains the following basic functions:
!USB power supply
!12-bit X and Y outputs with differential voltage level of +/-5V
!8-bit Red, Green, Blue and Intensity outputs with single-ended voltage level of 0 to +5V
!TTL-level Shutter signal
!High speed connection between FB3-QS and PC (480 Mb/s)
6

Software and Hardware
Installation
To use the FB3-QS, you will need to install QuickShow software first, and then, while the DVD ROM is
still inside the drive, connect the supplied USB cable to one USB port available on your computer.
QuickShow requires Windows XP, Vista or 7.
You will also need to connect the DB25 to a projector. The DB25 connector is configured as a QM2000/
ILDA-compatible connector, complete with differential outputs for X and Y.
Installing the QuickShow software
The QuickShow software installation should begin installation when the DVD is inserted. To manually
install the QuickShow software application, simply copy the QS folder from the DVD ROM to your
computer or run the setup.exe application.
USB driver installation
When you connect the FB3-QS to USB port of your computer, the ‘New Hardware’ wizard should
appear. You should not use automatic install procedure. Instead, you should point the wizard to the USB
driver directory on the DVD-ROM. On Windows 7 you may need to go to the Device Manager, select
the Flashback3 and Update Driver by pointing it to the DVD.

8

QuickShow
Introduction
QuickShow was designed to be an easy-to-use program for anyone wanting to control lasers -- including
beginners who have never used a laser before, as well as to the most experienced laser operators.
Although ease-of-use was the guiding principal behind QuickShow, it is still quite powerful since it is
based on Pangolin's new BEYOND calculation engine and it has many advanced features not found in
any other product.
Designed by laserists for laserists
During the development of QuickShow, we consulted with laserists of all kinds, including everyone
from hobbyists playing shows in their garages, all the way up to top-level Laser DJs, including Glenn
Turner of Oracle Projects and Derek Garbos of Garbos Consulting. Derek contributed hundreds of
suggestions and he also created the demonstration workspace that comes with QuickShow.
More help available on the Laserchat forum
Although we intended QuickShow to be a program friendly enough for beginners to use, QuickShow is
also a very deep program. It is not likely that you will ever exhaust the power and capabilities of
QuickShow, no matter what your application. As such, we encourage users to check out the Pangolin
Laserchat forum, which has many topics intended to help people gain a greater understanding of
QuickShow as well as other Pangolin-related products. The Laserchat forum can be found on the
Pangolin web site at www.pangolin.com.
System Recommendations
Dual-core processor is recommended
Unlike most of Pangolin's past developments, QuickShow uses the PC to do all of the laser calculations
and processing, while output boards such as the FB3 are used only for color conversion and final laser
output. Because of this, we recommend you use a dual-core processor (Intel Centrino Duo or Core 2
Duo or equivalent AMD) for best results.
Monitor resolution of 1024 by 768 or higher is recommended
QuickShow was designed to work with a single monitor with a resolution of 1024 by 768 or higher.
QuickShow will work with a lower resolution, but some of the features on the lower portion of the
screen will be unavailable.
9

Quick Setup
The very first time you run QuickShow, the Quick Setup wizard will greet you.
(Quick Setup can also be accessed at any time in the Help menu.)
The purpose of the QuickSetup wizard is to help you to configure the most important parts of
QuickShow to your needs and the needs of your projector.
Step 1: Specify a user level
The first step in the process is to familiarize QuickShow with the type of user you are. When choosing a
user level, you should be as honest as possible, since QuickShow will tailor the features you see based
on your user level. If you are a beginner and you tell QuickShow that you are an advanced user, you
might get confused by the advanced tools seen at the Advanced level.
10

Step 2: Indicate the type of scanners you have
The second step in the process is to familiarize QuickShow with the type of scanners you have.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! If you have low performance scanners and you tell QuickShow that
you really have high performance scanners, QuickShow may drive the scanners too hard, which may
cause excessive wear or heat. So when indicating the type of scanners you have, be as careful as
possible. The high performance setting is only for American-made scanners, as well as the most
expensive German and Chinese scanners.
Step 3: Indicate the number of lasers in your projector
The third step in the process is to familiarize QuickShow with the number of lasers in your projector.
This is important because if you only have a single-color laser and you tell QuickShow that you really
have an RGB laser, then certain colors will not be seen in the projected imagery. Note that QuickShow is
asking how many LASERS you have, not how many colors your projector can make (for example, a
two-laser projector can make at least three colors).
11

Step 4: Indicate the type of color system used by your projector
The fourth and final step in the process is to familiarize QuickShow with the type of color system used
by your projector. The lasers within a projector may have either TTL-modulated lasers, or Analog-
modulated lasers. Generally less expensive and lower power laser projectors have TTL lasers, while
more expensive and higher-power projectors use Analog-modulated lasers. You should review the
specifications on your laser projector and make the right choice below, because if you make the wrong
choice, QuickShow won't be able to project the maximum number of colors that your projector is
capable of producing.
12

Setup the projector settings and targeted beam positions next
Although QuickShow can make the most important adjustments to the user interface and projector setup
based on the selections that you made above, it is important to use the Projector Settings window to
fine-tune QuickShow's output to your projector. Once that part is finished, it is important to setup the
targeted beam positions after that.
Selecting your language
QuickShow currently supports the ability to show the user interface in English, Chinese, French, Dutch,
German and Portuguese languages. This is selected with the Language menu, located on the far right
side of the menu strip, as shown below.
QuickShow can also easily support other languages as well. If you are interested in using QuickShow in
a language that is not shown above, please contact Pangolin to discuss how this can be accomplished.
13

Settings menu
The Settings menu provides access to windows that help to configure QuickShow to suit your projector
and to setup targeted beam positions. Other settings menus allow access to more advanced features and
options. You can see the menu below, along with text highlighting the most important two menu items.
Quick Setup
Choosing this menu will display the Quick Setup dialog box, which allows you to quickly specify the
type of user interface you want, and also allows you to specify some of the most basic projector
parameters.
Projector Settings
The most important item in this menu is Projector Settings. This accesses the Projector Settings
window, which will help to configure QuickShow for your type of projector. Available settings include
size, position, scan rate, color shift, number of colors and color levels.
Targeted Beam Settings
If you will be targeting mirrors, mirror balls or diffraction gratings, another important item in this
menu is QuickTargets Beam Settings. This accesses a window that allows you to setup the target beam
positions from your scanners. For example, you can make it so that your scanners will target mirrors,
mirror balls or diffraction grating effects.
If you wont be targeting mirrors, mirror balls or diffraction gratings, or if your primary interest is
in doing graphics, you can safely ignore this part of the program.
14

Projection Zones
Another important item in this menu is Projection Zones. This allows you to perform Geometric
Correction for off-axis projection as well as setup multiple projection areas from a single projector or
multiple projectors. Projection Zones is generally an advanced menu and we would not recommend that
beginners or intermediate-level users make adjustments to Projection Zones without learning more about
lasers first.
DMX Settings
The DMX Settings menu allows you to setup DMX-512 for input or output. Use this if you want to
control QuickShow using an external DMX lighting console, or if you want to control external lighting
devices or fog machines using DMX-512.
User interface Access Mode
The User-interface Access Mode allows you to control which menus, buttons, and other features will be
available if the program is placed in User mode.
Other menus
There are also other, more advanced menu items which are not currently described in this help file.
Advanced users who are familiar with laser software will certainly recognize these menus and how they
work. If you need additional information or help using these menus, please contact Pangolin.
15

Projector Settings
The Projector Settings window allows you to configure QuickShow for your of projector. Available
settings include size, position, scan rate, color shift, number of colors and color levels. The first page of
the Projector Settings window is shown and described in the picture below.
Setting the Master size and position, and extra options
Within the Master size and position tab shown above, the most important thing to do is to show a test
pattern, and then adjust the size and position tool to fit the projected output to your projection screen (or
area), and also the Invert X, Invert Y and Swap XY check boxes. We have noticed that some projector
manufacturers require one or more of these check boxes to be checked in order for the "TOP" to look
properly.
16

Setting the Scan rate
Another important part of the Projector Settings window is the Scan rate tab, as shown below.
Setting up the colors
The Color Settings tab is shown below. Be sure to indicate the number and type of lasers in your
projector, and the color modulation scheme (color system type) to use for your projector.
17

Using the ILDA Test Pattern to set the Default Scan rate
The ILDA tuning standard dictates that your scanners can show the ILDA Test Pattern in a specific way
(circle touching the sides of the square), when the ILDA Test Pattern is displayed at the correct scan
speed (points per second):
Scanning too slow:
Circle outside of square
Scanning correctly:
Circle touches midpoint of
square
Scanning too fast:
Circle can't touch square
As you are projecting the ILDA test Pattern, look very carefully at the central section of the test pattern.
18

Adjust the Default Scan rate slider in the Projector Settings window so that the circle is just touching
the sides of the square. Note that sometimes the circle may touch only the sides but may be over on the
top and bottom, or vice versa. Just adjust the slider for the best overall appearance of circle touching the
square.
Using the ILDA Test Pattern to set the Color/Blanking shift
Just below the purple Y in the ILDA Test Pattern, there is a set of long horizontal lines around short
vertical lines. The ILDA tuning standard dictates that the horizontal lines should be approximately
centered around the vertical lines.
Color shift too low:
Horizontal lines
shifted too far left
Color shift correct:
Horizontal lines
approximately centered
Color shift too high:
Horizontal lines
shifted too far right
As you are projecting the ILDA test Pattern, look very carefully at the horizontal lines below the letter Y.
Adjust the Color/Blanking shift slider in the Projector Settings window so that the horizontal lines are
approximately centered around the vertical lines. Since the Color/Blanking shift is a somewhat coarse
adjustment, it may not be possible to get the horizontal lines perfectly centered around the vertical lines.
It is acceptable that the top set of horizontal lines be shifted slightly to the right -- lining up under the
letter Y.
Better scanners provide better results
Although QuickShow will work with any scanners and scan speed, QuickShow provides the best results
with 30K or faster scanners that are tuned perfectly. Please make sure that the low frequency damping
and high frequency damping are adjusted properly for "critical damping."
19

QuickTargets Beam Settings
(recommended only for users who target mirrors, mirror balls and diffraction gratings)
The QuickTargets Beam Settings window allows you to output single beams of light from your scanners.
Normally this feature is used to target mirrors, mirror balls or diffraction grating effects. The main
features of the QuickTargets Bean Settings window are shown and described in the picture below.
QuickTargets features will not be available until you confirm that you understand how to use
them
The first time you open the QuickTargets Beam Settings window, you will see a message which
explains what QuickTargets is for, and asks that you confirm that you understand the purpose of this tool
and the associated risks. Neither the Beam Settings window shown above, nor the QuickTargets Beam
Sequencing tab will be available until you have made that confirmation.
You must also activate each beam and adjust the relative power individually
As another safety measure, each beam position will start out deactivated. To activate a beam, click on
the Activate target beam toolbar button at the top of the window.
In addition, each beam starts out at only 10% power. If you want higher power in that particular beam
position, you will need to increase the Relative Power setting for that beam.
20