QuickTools
QuickTools are used to create and edit new laser frames, animations, and beam shapes. They are available by clicking tabs on the QuickTool area of QuickShow's main screen.
Click on the bars below to learn more about each QuickTool.
QuickText
Create non-moving text, as well as scrolling and animated text using 12 preset effects. QuickText supports all fonts on your computer system.
As the mouse passes over each effect icon below, the icon animates to show what the effect does. To save your finished QuickText as a cue, just drag it from the preview window (below right) onto one of the cue grid slots.
As the mouse passes over each effect icon below, the icon animates to show what the effect does. To save your finished QuickText as a cue, just drag it from the preview window (below right) onto one of the cue grid slots.
QuickShape
Create simple shapes such as circles, squares and triangles, as well as more complex shapes such as waves and loops. The shapes can be used either as projected graphics, or to create mid-air beam patterns in fog (fans, cones, waves, etc.).
First you choose a base shape. Any of the shapes can be either continuous (leftmost button that looks like a diamond) or it can be a series of points (starburst button) that is very handy for beam shows. Then you can add an effect to further modify the shape and/or color. If you are in point mode, the Beam Speed slider is active and controls how fast the laser moves from point to point.
As the mouse passes over each effect icon below, the icon animates to show what the effect does. To save your finished QuickShape as a cue, just drag it from the preview window (below right) onto one of the cue grid slots.
First you choose a base shape. Any of the shapes can be either continuous (leftmost button that looks like a diamond) or it can be a series of points (starburst button) that is very handy for beam shows. Then you can add an effect to further modify the shape and/or color. If you are in point mode, the Beam Speed slider is active and controls how fast the laser moves from point to point.
As the mouse passes over each effect icon below, the icon animates to show what the effect does. To save your finished QuickShape as a cue, just drag it from the preview window (below right) onto one of the cue grid slots.
QuickTrace
With QuickTrace, you can trace a graphic image such as a BMP, JPEG or GIF picture. This makes it easy to do logos and custom artwork.
Tracing happens almost instantly. Various controls help you fine-tune the trace, to get the best results. For example, you can trace either the outline of an object (as shown below) or the centerline (this is best for line drawings).
To save your finished trace as a cue, just drag it from the preview window (below right) onto one of the cue grid slots.
Tracing happens almost instantly. Various controls help you fine-tune the trace, to get the best results. For example, you can trace either the outline of an object (as shown below) or the centerline (this is best for line drawings).
To save your finished trace as a cue, just drag it from the preview window (below right) onto one of the cue grid slots.
QuickTargets (beam sequencing)
QuickTargets creates a sequence of beams, which are aimed at bounce mirrors, diffraction gratings, or other targets.
The target locations are set up using a separate screen, the QuickTargets Beam Settings dialog. In fact, you will not see the QuickTargets tab or controls until you have set up the QuickTargets Beam Settings dialog.
The controls below let you set the sequencing of when the targets are hit, such as making a chase. In addition, you can specify the color of the beam. For example...
The duration controls at the top set whether the beams switch on the musical beat or a clock beat (seconds), and how many beats/seconds pass before the beam moves to the next sequenced location.
To save your finished QuickTarget as a cue, just drag it from the preview window (below right) onto one of the cue grid slots.
The target locations are set up using a separate screen, the QuickTargets Beam Settings dialog. In fact, you will not see the QuickTargets tab or controls until you have set up the QuickTargets Beam Settings dialog.
The controls below let you set the sequencing of when the targets are hit, such as making a chase. In addition, you can specify the color of the beam. For example...
- in Step 1 below, there are two beams: a green beam on target 1, and a red beam on target 7.
- In Step 2, a green beam is on target 2, while the red beam remains on target 7.
- In Step 3, a green beam is on target 3, while the red beam remains on target 7.
- In Step 4, a green beam is on target 4, while the red beam remains on target 7.
The duration controls at the top set whether the beams switch on the musical beat or a clock beat (seconds), and how many beats/seconds pass before the beam moves to the next sequenced location.
To save your finished QuickTarget as a cue, just drag it from the preview window (below right) onto one of the cue grid slots.
QuickTimeline
This creates a timeline-based laser show, including music if desired.
Simply drag-and-drop a cue from the cue grid onto a timeline track. Stretch the cue to match the music (note the waveform in the top track). Add effects to the timeline event, such as fading in and out, or color modulation. The vertical red line is the cursor; the preview window at right displays what the show looks like at the cursor position.
This is by far the quickest way to make a show that will always exactly match a piece of music.
To save your finished timeline show as a cue, just drag it from the preview window (below right) onto one of the cue grid slots.
Simply drag-and-drop a cue from the cue grid onto a timeline track. Stretch the cue to match the music (note the waveform in the top track). Add effects to the timeline event, such as fading in and out, or color modulation. The vertical red line is the cursor; the preview window at right displays what the show looks like at the cursor position.
This is by far the quickest way to make a show that will always exactly match a piece of music.
To save your finished timeline show as a cue, just drag it from the preview window (below right) onto one of the cue grid slots.
QuickCapture
This captures the currently playing output -- whatever is being shown on the laser -- into a single cue. For example, you might combine a couple of graphics elements (each in their own cue) with some text.
Simply click the QuickCapture tab and the laser output is captured into a blank cue.
Simply click the QuickCapture tab and the laser output is captured into a blank cue.
QuickFX
QuickFX is different from the other QuickTools. It applies effects (zooms, splits, rotations, etc.) on top of cues that are currently playing. This adds movement and variety to your laser shows, with just the click of a button.
There are four layers of effects, so up to four effects can be active simultaneously. In the screen below, there is a green-blue color effect which ripples through the image; the image is doubled, and the doubled image moves sideways from left to right and back again. Because the Master button is pressed, this effect controls all currently-playing cues. (If the Cue button was pressed, the effects would apply only to whatever cue was currently selected.)
As the mouse passes over each effect icon below, the icon animates to show what the effect does.
There are four layers of effects, so up to four effects can be active simultaneously. In the screen below, there is a green-blue color effect which ripples through the image; the image is doubled, and the doubled image moves sideways from left to right and back again. Because the Master button is pressed, this effect controls all currently-playing cues. (If the Cue button was pressed, the effects would apply only to whatever cue was currently selected.)
As the mouse passes over each effect icon below, the icon animates to show what the effect does.