Beams Effects are, perhaps, the first effect that comes to mind when you think of a laser show.  This is no surprise since this is the oldest laser effect, and also an effect that cannot be reproduced by any other technology available. 

   Mirror Effects use carefully aligned mirrors to create unique patterns of laser light above the audience.  In the most simple form, a laser beam is aimed at a special mirror mounted in a desirable location.  The mirror has a special kinematic mount that allows for very precise aiming.  Thus, the beam reflects from this first mirror, and onto the next mirror in the sequence.  The number of bounces is limited by the total distance the beam travels since the laser beam begins to diverge (expand) faster after each bounce.  In general, 3-5 bounces is an acceptable number for a medium sized venue.

   Instead of just following one path, modern laser projectors incorporate a beam table for multiple beam launches.  The main beam of the laser is intercepted electronically, and directed to a precisely adjustable turret.  Each turret is in turn directed to a mirror in the performance area to initiate a sequence of mirror bounces.  Typical beam tables have 8-10 positions, which may be chased to the beat of the music or other event cues.

    The final bounce must terminate on a safe surface.  In some cases, the final bounce is projected onto special scanners that emit sheets of light, sprays of rotating beams, or a stationary rainbow of light.  These effects are often placed in a corner where a full laser projector could not easily be located, giving the effect of additional lasers in the room.

   For outdoor events, FAA clearance may be obtained to continue unterminated beams into airspace, or onto a large distant structure.

 
Left:  A horizontal laser grid for a TV shoot     Right: A section of a complex beam array above a convention

Mirror bounce over a street.  Lights still on, and no fog!

   As technology advanced, the ability to use high speed mirrors allowed laser artists to draw geometric shapes in the air above the audience.  To achieve these effects, a medium must be introduced into the air to assist diffusion of the beams.  Most often a water based fogger or hazer is utilized for this effect.

   A huge library of scanned effects are possible, many of which are highlighted on the 3D Beam Show Page.  Popular effects include:  liquid sky (projection of a sheet of light), tunnels (rotating cones), and sprays of beams.  The electronica demo video is also a great source of these effects in action (other download choices on main page)

  Converging beam effects provide a rich overhead effect.

             Left: Full Color Beams                                     Right: A 40 Watt Yag produces a Liquid Sky

 Many more examples may be seen on the 3D Beam Show Page.
 

A burst of beams from an Argon / Krypton laser.  Even mirror bounces can be any color desired!

  Laser Graphics enable artists to create fully animated, full color, 3D imagery -- and project the results onto almost any medium.  The intrinsic qualities of laser light (coherence, spatial properties, & spectral purity) combine for a synergistic effect that can only be experienced in person.

  Laser graphics are created by a high-speed version of connect the dots.  Where your television of computer monitor creates an image by rapidly scanning left to right down the entire screen (raster), most laser graphics are created by rapidly scanning the outline of an image (vector).  Just as you follow a numbered path on a connect-the-dots drawing, a laser draws an image in the same manner, but repeats the path at a rate fast enough to create solid, flicker-free images.  Modern laser systems can scan 60,000 - 100,000 points per second!  Try that with your coloring book and crayon!
 

  A modern laser projector easily projects complex animated graphics in full color.

   Laser logos can be projected onto nearly any surface, at nearly any size -- even clouds are a great projection screen when conditions are correct.  More information on this topic is located on the Laser Projections and Holograms page, and also on the 3D Beam Show page.

  One of the most exciting applications of lasers is a musical laser show containing richly detailed laser graphics.  Recent changes in laser show software have allowed for shows to be created in 3D authoring environments, and then converted directly to laser images.  If you have not seen a laser show in the last two years, you are missing out on these exciting developments.  Images can be projected onto solid screen surfaces, or transparent scrims.  Front and rear projection is possible for each screen type.  Learn more on the Laser Projections and Holograms page, and also on the 3D Beam Show page.

  The first abstract effects were created using groups of oscillators.  This analog hardware is still highly desirable today, but computers can now create these effects without the unreliable bulky equipment.  Amazing images are created with abstract generators that are constantly flowing, and cycling color.  Still images can only capture one 'look' of an abstract that might animate for minutes before a similar image is repeated.