1.1. Laser mainboard with DIP switches - Automatic Operation

computer control multiple laserscomputer control multiple laserscomputer control multiple laserscomputer control multiple laserscomputer control multiple lasers
enable Laser output - insert interlock and key switch
 
Automatic Mode

Full Automatic / Stand Alone Operation

In stand-alone operation mode the ILDA files on the internal memory are triggered automatically. They are not modified, but just consecutively played back as they are saved to the memory and in a general loop. The playback speed and the duration of the playback of each file depends on the number of frames each file consists off (Video: Adjust the speed of an animation in Showeditor).
The frames-per-second rate can be set using the ShowNET Admin Tool, but usually does not need to be changed.

This setting is especially suitable for demo purposes or for fixed laser installations.

Set the Stand-Alone operation mode using the DIP switches:

ShowNET DIP Auto
 
DemoMode

DEMO Operation with automated animation

In Demo Mode the ILDA files on the internal memory are triggered automatically and are automatically animated by the laser mainboard's integrated intelligence.
This creates dynamic animations, even if only static frames are saved on the internal memory.
This setting is especially suitable for non-controlled show use like in small nightclubs, by mobile DJs or for demo purposes.

Demo configuration with DIP switches

ShowNET DIP Demo

Master-Slave Demo configuration

The intelligent laser mainboard can be used for controlling laser systems in master-slave operation. This means, that one laser acts as "master" and the others as "slaves". They are linked with standard DMX cables.

The master laser sends the control signal and thus triggers the slave laser to do the same. All lasers in a master-slave chain should have the same ILDA files on their internal memories, otherwise the result would be different.

Master configuration

To configure a laser system as Master in Demo mode, set the DIP switches 6 + 9 to ON, the rest to OFF. There can only be one master in a master-slave chain, but there can be several slave devices.
ShowNET DIP Master Demo

Slave configuration

To configure a laser system as Slave in Demo mode, set the DIP switches 6 + 7 + 8 to ON, the rest to OFF. A slave laser requires a master system to provide the control signal. Multiple slave systems can be triggered by one master. Just daisy-chain the signal from the master through all slave lasers with DMX cable.
ShowNET DIP Slave Demo
 
icon sound to light

Sound-to-Light Operation

icon wait
This mode is only available for lasers with an integrated microphone!
 
In Sound-to-Light mode, the ILDA files on the internal memory are triggered by the beat of the music, and they are also automatically animated by the laser mainboard's internal intelligence.
This creates dynamic animations synchronized with the beats of the music, which allow a fast & easy start with the laser. No additional external control is required.
This setting is especially suitable for DJs who need to operate the laser in a simple but effective way.

Sound-to-Light configuration with DIP switches

To activate the Sound-to-Light operation mode, set the DIP switches 7 + 9 to ON, the rest to OFF:
ShowNET DIP Sound2Light

Master-Slave configuration with Sound-to-Light Operation

The intelligent laser mainboard can be used for controlling laser systems in master-slave operation. This means, that one laser acts as "master" and the others as "slaves". They are linked with standard DMX cables.

The master laser sends the control signal and thus triggers the slave laser to do the same. All lasers in a master-slave chain should have the same ILDA files on their internal memories, otherwise the result would be different.

Master configuration

To configure a laser system as Master in Sound-to-Light mode, set the DIP switches 5 + 7 + 9 to ON, the rest to OFF. There can only be one master in a master-slave chain, but there can be several slave devices.
ShowNET DIP Master Sound2Light

Slave configuration

To configure a laser system as Slave in Sound-to-Light mode, set the DIP switches 6 + 7 + 8 to ON, the rest to OFF. A slave laser requires a master system to provide the control signal. Multiple slave systems can be triggered by one master. Just daisy-chain the signal from the master through all slave lasers with DMX cable.
ShowNET DIP Slave Sound2Light
 
Single File Playback

Single File Playback

Single file playback mode allows for selecting individual files on the internal memory. This is especially helpful if there are several files on the internal memory, but only one specific file shall be displayed, like for advertising projections, single-beam-applications, alignment works or test picture projection.
First of all the laser needs to be set to single file operation mode:
ShowNET DIP Single File

Then it is possible to select the files individually by stepping through the saved content using the Dip switches 1 and 2:
  • Dip switch 1 can be used to step to the next file / up (just switch DIP switch 1 to on, then to off again)
  • Dip switch 2 can be used to step to the previous file / down (just switch DIP switch 2 to on, then to off again)
icon wait
If you need the laser to always project the same pattern, even after power off and power on again, then it is advised to only store one single ILDA file to the internal memory.
 
 
icon auto mode

Master - Slave modes

The intelligent laser mainboard can be used for controlling laser systems in master-slave operation. This means, that one laser acts as "master" and the others as "slaves". They are linked with standard DMX cables.

The master laser sends the control signal and thus triggers the slave laser to do the same. All lasers in a master-slave chain should have the same ILDA files on their internal memories, otherwise the result would be different.

The master-slave operation principle is:
  • the master laser sends out DMX control signals
  • the slave lasers act according to these signals

These signals are just trigger signals, so no intelligence is transmitted - this already resides in the slave lasers.
In master-slave operation only the master laser is relevant, the slaves just act to the trigger of the master.

Master-slave operation is possible in Sound-to-Light mode or Demo-Mode:

Master - Slave for Demo mode
Master - Slave for Sound to Light mode

Remember:
Master-Slave does NOT work with the ILDA port, as teh internal mainboard does not create an ILDA output signal. Howvere, if an external ILDA signal is feeded to one laser's ILDA IN port, the ILDA signal can be daisy-chained to other lasers. But this requires an external IDLA control signal input in first place.
 

Optional: Customize the content of the internal memory, make custom "Gobos" with free software

It is very easy to create custom "Gobos" for the ShowNET Laser Mainboard - they can not only be static, like with conventional lighting, but be animated and colorful.
Here are detailed instructions on how custom laser content can be created, saved and uploaded to the ShowNET Laser mainboard:

How to create and upload custom Laser content
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