TrueLazer is an ambitious source-available project aiming to create a powerful and flexible laser show control software, drawing inspiration from the intuitive workflow and extensive features of Resolume Arena. Built with JavaScript, TrueLazer is designed to provide artists and technicians with a versatile tool for live ILDA mixing, generative content, and advanced laser projection.
While many software solutions exist for video mixing, TrueLazer carves its niche by focusing specifically on ILDA (International Laser Display Association) control with a user experience akin to industry-leading VJ software. Here's what sets us apart:
Resolume-Inspired UI for ILDA:* We're building a familiar deck-based layout with layers and columns, but tailored for ILDA clips. This intuitive interface allows for dynamic organization and mixing of laser content in real-time.
ILDA's IDN Integration:* Our core focus is seamless integration with IDN DACs, ensuring reliable and high-performance communication with your laser hardware.
Generative ILDA Content:* Beyond playing pre-made ILDA files, TrueLazer will feature a robust generator system to create dynamic laser visuals on the fly, including basic shapes, text, and complex generative patterns.
Extensive Effects Library:* Manipulate your laser content with a rich set of built-in effects (rotation, scale, transform, color palettes, blanking, etc.).
We envision a future with a node-based effect editor, similar to Resolume Wire, for limitless creative possibilities.
Audio-Visual Integration:* Sync your laser shows to the beat of the music with advanced audio analysis capabilities.
Comprehensive Control Options:* Designed for professional use, TrueLazer will support MIDI, OSC, NDI and DMX/Artnet for seamless integration with existing show control systems and external hardware.
JavaScript Core:* Leveraging JavaScript provides maximum versatility, allowing for a broad developer community and easy extensibility.
Familiar 8x5 Deck-Layout for perfect Usability via MIDI-Hardware like Akai APC-40 series.
The laser show community often relies on proprietary software or complex custom solutions. TrueLazer aims to fill a critical gap by offering:
An Source Available Alternative:* Empowering artists and developers with a transparent, community-driven platform for laser control. Innovation:* By combining the best UI/UX practices from video mixing with dedicated laser control, we aim to push the boundaries of what's possible in live laser performances. Flexibility:* A modular design and JavaScript core mean TrueLazer can adapt to diverse needs and integrate with various hardware and software ecosystems.
Your support, whether through contributions, feedback, or spreading the word, helps us build a powerful tool for the entire laser show community.
creative minds should not be slowed down by a paywall. That is why we believe in this project Source Available and free of charge for everyone. In the future, support for significantly more hardware will be added, either by us or by the community for now we focus on developing with the hardware we have on hand.
TrueLazer is currently in its early development phase. We have established the foundational project structure and are actively working on the core UI components and defining the architecture for DAC communication and content management.
NDI (Network Device Interface) is integrated via a custom native wrapper linking against the NDI 6 SDK.
To keep the repository size manageable and comply with licensing, only the essential build files from the NDI 6 SDK are included in the sdk/NDI 6 SDK/ directory:
- Headers in
Include/ - Linker library in
Libv6/x64/ - Runtime DLL in
Bin/x64/
Discovered NDI sources can be dragged from the Generator Panel onto the clip grid for real-time laser rendering. The Current implementation of NDI has a big performance impact on the application. So if you consider using NDI within these early Builds you should use a Workstation with Great Compute power. I will investigate the NDI Integration further in the future to gain more performance.
☐ - Not yet done
☒ - Partialy done
☑ - Finished
Current Progress:
☑ Project scaffolding and basic file structure are in place.
☑ Initial UI components for the clip deck, layers, and controls are being designed and implemented.
☒ ILDA file parsing and rendering concepts are being explored. (need further Performance improvements)
☒ Showbridge DAC communication protocol has been analyzed.
☒ EtherDream DAC communication protocol is beeing re-written to JavaScript and need further adjustments.
☑ IDN communication protocol is re-written in JavaScript and working great with the LaserVR test application.
Our immediate roadmap focuses on building out the core functionalities:
-
UI Development:
☑ Implement the full clip deck with layers, columns, and associated controls (Clear Clips, Blackout, Solo, Blend-mode, Intensity Sliders).
☑ Develop the Composition Label, Master Intensity Slider, and Laser On/Off Button.
☑ Create the "Selected Clip Preview" and "World Preview" windows.
☑ Integrate a file browser for ILDA files with drag-and-drop functionality.
☑ Implement dynamic layer and column management (edit/clear/rename).
☒ Develop custom title bar with menu options (TrueLazer Info, Settings, Layer, Column, Clip, Output, Shortcuts, View).
-
Generative Content System: ☑ Develop a simple set of shape generators (dots, lines, circles, text) as base layers.
-
Effects System:
☑ Implement core effects like transform (XYZ), rotation (XYZ), wave (XYZ), and color palette manipulation.
☑ Design the drag-and-drop mechanism for applying effects to clips and layers.
-
Control Integration:
☑ Begin integrating MIDI, DMX/Artnet, and OSC control via a "shortcuts" window.
-
DAC Communication:
☑ Implement the ILDA Standard IDN Communication Protocol.
☑ Develop drag-and-drop functionality for assigning DAC channels to clips/layers.
☐ Showbridge DAC implementation to openIDN is planned for the future.
List of things to change and add:
Change:
☐ "Global intensity" (slider dark to light color fade)
☐ "Speed" (select speed source (BPM, manual, midi-clock)
☑ "Render-preview" (Icons inside the Preview to switch and access settings)
Add:
☑ "Clip atributes"
☑ Play Style (Once Repeat)
☑ Trigger (Normal Flash Toggle)
☑ Transport (Timeline BPM-Sync)
☑ Beat Snap (None 8 4 2 1 1/2 1/4 1/8)
☑ Audio-Track (For Audio playback with file)
☑ "Effects Panel"
☑ Position Effects
☑ Translation Effects
☑ Color Effects
☐ Effect presets
☐ "Timeline Mode"
☐ "Show Editor view"
☒ "Generator Panel" (NDI-Source, Clock/Countdown/Timer)
☐ "Generator Designer" (Pencil, Shapes, Curves, Lines, Color)(Grid, Background-Image, Snapping)
☐ "DAC Brand Selector" (multiple selection)
☒ "HotKeys-Mapping" (with highlite toggle option)
☑ "MIDI-Mapping" (Pre-made & custom)
☒ "DMX/ArtNet Mapping"
☒ "Projector Setup" (Info Rendering Color-Balance Safety-Zones, Test-Image) (For each channel/DAC)
☐ "Audio Settings" (Input and Output)
☒ "General Settings" (Save, Load, Update Check, Animate Thumbnail Always/Hover/Off, Show FPS,Ilda Scan safety)
☐ "Reset Functions" (DAC assignment, Slider Value, Speed Value, Clip Deck, Effects etc.)
☐ "Bug report feature"
We welcome contributions from developers, laser artists, and enthusiasts! Here's how you can get started:
Before you begin, ensure you have the following installed:
Node.js:* (LTS version recommended)
npm (Node Package Manager) or Yarn*
-
Clone the Repository:
git clone https://github.com/PolarAudio/TrueLazer.git cd TrueLazer -
Install Dependencies:
npm install -
Run the Development Server: TrueLazer uses Vite for a fast development experience.
npm run startThis will start the development server and opens the development version of the application with dev console. In most Cases this is already fully functional and Support full UI interaction. -
Build the executable:
npm run build
- src/: Contains all the frontend source code, including React components, contexts, and utilities.
- sdk/: Houses information about DACs, software, and documentation, including the C++ SDK for Showbridge.
- src/ILDA-FILE-FORMAT-FILES/: A collection of default ILDA files for testing and development. the ild source files are now unpacked with the installation to the choosen install location.
- Fork the repository.
- Create a new branch for your feature or bug fix: git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name or git checkout -b bugfix/issue-description.
- Make your changes.
- Commit your changes with a clear and concise message.
- Push your branch to your forked repository.
- Open a Pull Request to the main branch of the original TrueLazer repository, describing your changes in detail.
We appreciate your help in making TrueLazer the ultimate Laser Show Software!
Notice: This project is Source-Available, not Open-Source. You are welcome to view and modify the code for personal use or contributions, but you are not permitted to redistribute the code or binaries on other platforms. Please read the LICENSE for full details. "Forking this repository on GitHub is permitted for the sole purpose of submitting Pull Requests to this project. Redistribution of the code outside of this GitHub organization is prohibited."
