First Projector-Thoughts?

I'm not sure I understand.

carmangary said:

Yea, Spaghetti doesn't have it's own frame editor. I never created one because there are several free options that work well. You don't have to go the vector drawing to ILDSOS route, though. You can just find an ILDA file editor such as Anarchy. Even LaserBoy will work if you have the patience.

But, eventually I will embed a drawing utility into Spaghetti. I'm still tossing the idea back and forth whether or not I want a point based or vector/shaped based tool, though. Or, perhaps just something like ILDSOS built into Spaghetti so that you can import drawings from other programs. I'm open to suggestions from current users.

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just sayin'

ARGLaser said:

Alright I'll keep that in mind. If LFI doesn't meet my needs I think i'll go get spaghetti, you don't get much with the basic LSX anyways

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Actually, you do. You get the full time line editors and a drawing program, and 200 effects modules. Thus you do not have to waste time constantly jumping from program to program and converting formats. Anarchy only supports ILDA I and ILDA II formats, so your stuck with palette issues. You get the full functionality, your just missing much of the included clipart because your soundcard D to A is not secure enough to prevent copying of the artwork. (artwork is expensive and time consuming) You also get music sync from the CD or MP3 player, which LFI does NOT support.

I own a copy of LSX, and it gives Pangolin Showtime a run for its money. I have Showtime, too. I had a small role in the early development of LFI, and know exactly what it can and can't do.

Your call, learn scripting in a text language to make shows, or have a modern timeline editor and sound sync. LSX has a excellent abstract generator, so your not loosing anything show creation wise.

Neat thing about forums, people who have never bought the packages will try to tell you what is good and bad about them, based upon what they have read.

Your better off investing a little up front, ie 30K scanners, good software, good hardware, then doing the "build" thing and kludging it all together to make it work. If you have to save money, put the low end coin into a 445 1 watt blue and a analog driver. There is no sense in buying a low power analog 532 nm laser, when you will most likely be upgrading to higher power later.

The classic hobbyist pattern is to buy low power and cheap gear, then wonder why when they try to resell the cheap gear, they loose money in the long run. (I did it too, when I was young!)

Your 75$ 15K scanners are worth 35$ or less the day you get them, 50$ more and some negotiating with the Chinese and you would have been at 30K.


Steve

Steve is 100% correct. I also have LSX. Couldn't put it down last night. It really has a lot to offer. It also comes with pre-loaded shows (mp3 files are previews that can easily be replaced with the full file in the audio folder) There are a bunch of extras included as well in the software package. Had a bit of fun playing laseroids last night. You really do want to invest in a good set of scanners though. I am stuck with around 27kpps at the moment from that RGB I pointed out earlier in the thread and really miss my DT040s. I would rather have a 200mW RGB with 40kpps scanners than a 1W RGB with 20kpps scanners.

Wow! Thanks for all the advice! I think I will pay up for LSX after reading what you said. As for the galvos, how much do some 30k/40k galvos cost and were can I purchase them? For the laser, is a flexmod P3 acceptable? Also were would I find a good heatsink for an aixiz module?

Thanks again for the advice, it helps out a lot!!!

flex mod p3 is a great choice. you can use it for ttl or analog modulation. and it can handle a lot of current. i think you get heat sinks from olike or aixiz

michael.

Since you are going conservative with your spending I would get this heastsink
12X30mm aluminum mount for AixiZ 12X30mm units | eBay
VERY cheap. You can mount that to another aluminum plate. You will need to mount your scanners and their driver on the aluminum plate too. You should also get a fan since you won't have TEC cooling. The Flex mod driver will need to be mounted on the aluminum plate as well.
Here is a link to a nice set of 40kpps scanners (for the price) probably need to be tuned but they come with the power supply laser scanner system 40Kpps Max 60kpps with show card | eBay
You will also need a power supply for the Flex Mod. Switching Power Supply for LED Strip light 12V 3A 36W | eBay This will do.
To make things easier you should get a breakout board too. You will hook your scanner inputs, and Flexmod to this ILDA Breakout Broad-connect ILDA to X/Y galvo and laser | eBay
Once you get all those parts rounded up and everything connected you will need a mains adaptor to supply juice to the power supplies. You need to be very careful hooking these up properly and not plug them in until you have triple checked for continuity. Hope this helps you find what you're looking for.

Wow! Thanks yobresal! :beer: That helps me out a lot!!! :thanks:

So this is my current build plan....

-----------------------------------------
DAC

C-Media CM106 (Link) with
A) Laser Boy (Link)
B) Audio Lase (Link) If option A is not available.
C) DIY Correction Amp If option B is not available.

Software

A) LFI (Link) For getting started
B) LSX (Link) Once I have the projector built and running.

Scanner/Galvos

40k Galvos (Link)

Laser

DIY 445nm Laser

• FlexMod P3 (Link)
• Aixiz Heat sink (Link)
• Aixiz 445 lens
• Aixiz module
• XJ-A140 Diode
• 12V 3A 36W Switching Power Supply (Link)

Will add more lasers later.

Other

Breakout Board (Link)

I have plenty of computer fans for cooling, and my friend and I will build a custom aluminum housing with room to expand for R/G/B.

I also have a few old parallell print cables that I can use for connection the projector to the DAC.
-----------------------------------------

I will be ordering all these parts in a couple of weeks. Is everything on the list alright?

I'm not sure I understand.

^^^ edit... do you mean $119.

I'm not sure I understand.

I was just going to mention that. Just caught it over at PL. Do want.

I'm not sure I understand.

so the full version of spaghetti is only $20USD????

michael.

carmangary said:

Yea, I posted it on PL, also. But for some reason, when I try to go to PL now all I get is some video of a poptart cat. That's why I haven't been able to respond to your PM, yet.

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POPTART CAT = SERVER UPGRADE.

I called and asked.

Steve

I'm not sure I understand.