LA.tools Software Suite

Software Suite

LA.tools Software Suite

Software Suite

LA.tools is a software suite developed by LaserAnimation Sollinger that offers extended possibilities for laser control. It is a software package consisting of five utilities, each of which enables different workflows.

A short video introduction to LA.tools can be found on our YouTube channel.

The complete software suite LA.tools with the six program components LA.toolbox, LA.recorder, LA.player, LA.preview, LA.timecode, and LA.dsp2aiff is available for download in our download area.

The components LA.toolbox, LA.preview, and LA.timecode are free of charge. In order to use the programs LA.recorder, LA.player and LA.dsp2aiff, it is necessary to purchase a common software license. This license has to be purchased once. A single license key allows you to use both programs.

The LA.tools suite consists of the following software tools:

LA.toolbox

The established software LA.toolbox has been updated with the introduction of LA.tools. The LA.toolbox allows the control of important functions of the laser projector and the adjustment of operating values, so that all LaserAnimation Sollinger PHAENON laser projectors as well as the RTI PIKO and RTI NANO devices (from 2023) can be operated and customized. AVB interfaces can also be addressed with this software. LA.toolbox communicates via Ethernet / LAN network with the respective laser system and/or accessories such as AVB interfaces or our LaserAnimation Laser Disable Button. This allows easy monitoring and operation of both small and large installations.
You can find an introductory video for LA.toolbox on our YouTube channel.
You can find the detailed LA.toolbox explanation video on our YouTube channel.

LA.recorder

LA.recorder is a software for recording incoming AVB streams and for saving these streams in the uncompressed audio file format AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format). It is also possible to record external ILDA signals (requires a separately available ILDA2AVB interface). These files can be uploaded via the LA.toolbox file manager to all LaserAnimation Sollinger PHAENON projectors as well as RTI PIKOs and RTI NANOs (from 2023) and to all AVB2ILDA interfaces. The files can also be played back via the LA.player.
You can find the LA.recorder tutorial video on our YouTube channel.

LA.player

With the LA.player software it is possible to play existing AIFF files or shows and output them as AVB streams. These playback files (.aiff files) can be created by our LA.recorder or by other software exports (e.g. Touchdesigner). Each stream can be forwarded to all LaserAnimation Sollinger PHAENON projectors as well as RTI PIKOs and RTI NANOs (from 2023) and to all AVB2ILDA interfaces via the LA.toolbox or via third party software (e.g. Hive).
You can find the video explaining the LA.player on our YouTube channel.

LA.preview

LA.preview is a tool for laser visualization from LA.player, LA.recorder, and other software.

LA.timecode

LA.timecode is able to display both net timecode data and timecode sent by the LA.recorder or LA.player. LaserAnimation Sollinger offers the LTC2NTC Timecode Converter, which can convert an analog SMPTE timecode into a net-based NTC timecode.

LA.dsp2aiff

LA.dsp2aiff is a useful program for converting Lasergraph DSP .PIC/.ANI and ILDA files to AIFF format.

Properties

All LA.tools programs have been developed so that they can be used on both PCs and Mac computers. Regardless of your operating system, you can use all the functions and applications of the LA.tools software.

System requirements:

Windows 10 or newer
Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster or SoC – 64-bit
RAM: 2 GB for 64-bit
Hard disk space: 20 GB for 64-bit operating system
Graphics card: DirectX 9 or higher with WDDM 1.0 driver
AVB interface for LA.player/LA.recorder: USB2AVB interface

macOS 13 (Ventura) or newer
AVB interface for LA.player/LA.recorder: MacMini native Ethernet port or MacBook with Sonnet Thunderbolt Adapter

The complete software suite LA.tools with the six program components LA.toolbox, LA.recorder, LA.player, LA.preview, LA.timecode, and LA.dsp2aiff is available for download in our download area.

Downloads

Data Sheet

PHAENON Mainboard Product Details

Electronic mask

This important function allows limiting the laser output for certain areas. The intensity of the laser beam can be adjusted in a range from 0% to 100% for each individual shape created with the editor. This makes it possible to correctly protect specific scanning areas such as the auditorium or sectors with optical equipment (video beamers, cameras). The big advantage of this mask, which is configured in the projector, compared to a mask generated in the show controller is the fact that programming errors which may occur when a show is edited will not disable the mask.

Color correction

Via the integrated color correction, the color channels can be adjusted from 0% to 100% with a resolution of 24 bit. With “White” the power for each laser source is calculated and corresponds to True White D65. With the function “Advanced” delays of the diodes can be set with a resolution of 5.2 µs.

DGC Mapping

Digital Geometic Correction

With Digital Geometric Correction, the projection image can be easily corrected and used for projectors or show controllers without integrated DGC. Sixteen different geometrical correction setups are available. For each setup the DGC Input and Output can be adjusted individually and the laser image can be corrected for projection on uncommen projection surfaces. For example: The projection surface is uneven and consists of two panels positioned at an angle. One half of the DGC Input has to be displayed on the left side of the uneven projection surface and the other half on the right side. First you choose which area of the DGC Input you want to display on the projection surface. Then, you correct the DGC Output so that the projection of the image is displayed correctly on the area of the projection surface.

The Laser Disable Button is a special safety button to interrupt the laser output via Ethernet. The Laser Disable Button can be easily integrated into the network and configured. The status of up to four different Laser Disable Buttons can be monitored via the PHAENON settings.

Accessories and upgrades

Add Upgrade to Inquiry

USB2AVB

Digital network protocol

Add Upgrade to Inquiry

AVB2ILDA

Digital network protocol

Add Upgrade to Inquiry

ILDA2AVB

Digital Network Protocol

LA.toolbox Software

With this intuitive software it is possible to control important functions of the laser projector and adjust operating values.
The LA.toolbox is available as a PC version and Mac version. Both are supplied with every laser projector and are also available for download.

One Start Screen for all Connected Projectors

Clearly arranged interface to control each projector

Comprehensive Projection Settings

For all adjustments of the projection an internal test picture can be used in the projection menu. All settings concerning the projection

horizontal, vertical size
inversion
position offset
keystone correction and rotation

Comfortable "Timer Settings"

A timer can be used to switch the state of the laser at a predefined time. For instance the laser can switch from “Run” to “Standby” mode. Drop down menus are used to set the state which the laser is to switch to when a timer triggers as well as the date or date range (from/to), time of day and day of the week. Up to 6 timers can be configured.

ILDA Settings

Status Settings

Four laser statuses can be selected for laser operation: “Shutdown” I “Standby” I “Test 10%” I “Run”. In the “Shutdown” mode the drivers are deactivated and the temperature control is inactive. This saves considerable amounts of energy. In “Standby” there is no current to the laser sources, which also saves energy. However, in contrast to “Shutdown” their operating temperature is maintained. This has the advantage that switching from “Standby” to “Run” is possible much more quickly. One advantageous option is the automatic “Shutdown” resp. “Standby” function. This switches the laser into the corresponding operating mode in case no ILDA signal is present for a specific adjustable period of time (for instance at the end of a show). The device will use less electricity and cool off better.

Climate Status

Detailed Information Concerning the Internal Laser Sources

Electronic Masking - Laser safety in a new dimension

With this new safety technology we give users the option to use a graphics editor to flexibly define protected areas in a laser projection. The editor can be used in way similar to a vector based graphics program to create a mask from geometric shapes (polygons, circles and rectangles). Safety parameters can then be defined individually for each of these shapes.

Two different mask functions are available:
1. Electronic Mask This important function allows limiting the laser output for certain areas. The intensity of the laser beam can be adjusted in a range from 0% to 100% for each individual shape created with the editor. This makes it possible to correctly protect specific scanning areas such as the auditorium or sectors with optical equipment (video beamers, cameras). The big advantage of this mask, which is configured in the projector, compared to a mask generated in the show controller is the fact that programming errors which may occur when a show is edited will not disable the mask.
2. Safety Mask For safety reasons every laser projector is equipped with a scanner safety circuit to protect the audience. This mechanism determines the sum of the scanner velocities for the horizontal and vertical deflection of the beam and compares this to the predefined minimum speed. In case the beam velocity is below the minimum or if the beam is completely motionless this safety mechanism will block the laser beam.

For allowing beam effects with a stationary beam anyway in areas where the audience is not at risk, for instance below the ceiling, the “Safety Mask” can be used to graphically define several areas where a static beam will be possible, see picture. (Up to now only one rectangular safety area could be defined.)

Adjustable Beam Superposition

The Phaenon X laser projectors are equipped with a motorized beam adjustment for superposing the beams. This internal component allows an easy and comfortable adjustment of the beam superposition. This is a big advantage of the Phaenon X projectors which users will certainly appreciate.
The position of the individual beams can change over time when the projectors are frequently transported, set up and taken down again. Until now the beams could only be adjusted using the small adjustment screws on the side of the device. In everyday use the projectors are often already installed in a stage setup, e.g. attached to a truss high up, when the laser is turned on and the beam misalignment is discovered. This used to mean the laser had to be taken down again for adjustment. This considerable effort is no longer necessary using the “Beam Adjust” of the LA Toolbox Software.

DMX Support