🟦Laser output settings

Open the laser output settings by either :

• clicking on a number button in the Laser overview window

• clicking the menu Window->Laser Output Settings

Once the window is open it will show you the settings for the currently selected laser. In the Laser Overview panel, select a laser by clicking its number button, pressing its number key, or using the TAB key to cycle through options. (SHIFT + TAB goes backwards).

In the Laser output window, you'll see :

• a number button - click on this to arm/disarm this laser. It is red when the laser is armed.

• a Brightness slider for this laser only. Note that this is multiplied by the global brightness.

• Test Pattern toggle and pattern selector. This lets you choose a specific test pattern for this laser only. (These controls are mirrored in the Output view toolbar).

Output orientation / mirroring correction

The next elements are for correcting the set up of your laser so that it behaves consistently in Liberation.

• Flip horizontal / vertical - these options allow you to correct your laser's output

You should not need to change the horizontal / vertical flip settings unless your laser has been wired incorrectly or it has X/Y flip buttons on the back that are not set properly. If you want output to be flipped for a particular clip this can be done on the clip itself.

• Orientation - if your laser has been rigged on its side or upside down, you can correct the rotation with this setting .

• Fine position adjustments - can be used to correct very minor shifting/rotation. Designed to correct drift/settling if a laser has been left overnight or for long periods.

None of the orientation / mirroring corrections change anything in the 3D Visualiser, they should be used to correct the output of the actual laser to match what is in the 3D Visualiser!

Copy laser settings

See Copy laser settings.

Scanner settings

Speed

The speed setting determines how fast the scanners move.

Although the default settings are quite conservative, you can still damage your scanners if you drive them too fast. Use caution, particularly when increasing the speed.

This speed setting doesn't change the point rate, instead it adjusts how spread out those points are. For more information see How Liberation generates laser content

Colour shift

The beam changes colour and turns on and off as the scanners move it around and these two things aren't usually perfectly in sync with each other. Adjust this setting to get them back in line.

This is sometimes known as blank shift but the term colour shift is more accurate as it adjusts the timing of all the colours, not just the blanks.

If you see little "tails" on your laser output, it's likely because the colour shift needs adjusting. If the tails still appear no matter what, you are likely driving your scanners/laser drivers faster than they can handle. Try slowing the scanner speed down.

Scanner presets

Use this to choose a pre-designed scanner setting. The default option is usually fine so you shouldn't need to change this setting unless you have particularly bad (or good) scanners. If you want to dig deeper, see Scanner presets

Colour calibration

You can use this system to correct the brightness curve and white balance of your laser. See Colour calibration

Advanced settings

You shouldn't need to mess with these but if you're curious, see Advanced laser settings