> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/AcChosen/VR-Stage-Lighting/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Laser Fixtures

> Laser beam effects with pan and tilt control

Laser fixtures provide focused beam effects that simulate stage laser systems. VRSL lasers feature pan and tilt control with RGB color mixing and various beam effects.

## Overview

VRSL laser fixtures use a simplified rendering system optimized for laser-style effects:

* Thin, focused beam output
* RGB color mixing
* Pan and tilt control
* Variable intensity
* Strobe effects

**Prefabs:**

* DMX Horizontal: `VRSL-DMX-Static-Laser-H-13CH.prefab`
* DMX Vertical: `VRSL-DMX-Static-Laser-V-13CH.prefab`
* DMX Legacy: `VRSL-DMX-Static-Laser-L-13CH.prefab`
* AudioLink: `VRSL-AudioLink-BasicLaser.prefab`

<Warning>
  These are simulated laser effects for VR environments. They do not replicate the physical properties or safety concerns of real laser systems.
</Warning>

## DMX Channel Layout (13 Channels)

Laser fixtures use the standard 13-channel DMX layout:

| Channel | Function      | Range | Description                      |
| ------- | ------------- | ----- | -------------------------------- |
| 1       | Pan (Coarse)  | 0-255 | Horizontal rotation (0-360°)     |
| 2       | Pan (Fine)    | 0-255 | Fine pan adjustment              |
| 3       | Tilt (Coarse) | 0-255 | Vertical rotation (0-360°)       |
| 4       | Tilt (Fine)   | 0-255 | Fine tilt adjustment             |
| 5       | Red           | 0-255 | Red beam intensity               |
| 6       | Green         | 0-255 | Green beam intensity             |
| 7       | Blue          | 0-255 | Blue beam intensity              |
| 8       | Intensity     | 0-255 | Master dimmer                    |
| 9       | Strobe        | 0-255 | Strobe rate (0=off, 1-255=speed) |
| 10      | Reserved      | 0-255 | Future use                       |
| 11      | Reserved      | 0-255 | Future use                       |
| 12      | Reserved      | 0-255 | Future use                       |
| 13      | Reserved      | 0-255 | Future use                       |

## Features

### Pan and Tilt Control

Lasers support full pan and tilt movement:

* **Pan Range:** Configurable via `maxMinPan` (default ±180°)
* **Tilt Range:** Configurable via `maxMinTilt` (default ±180°)
* **16-bit Resolution:** Coarse and fine channels for smooth movement
* **Inversion:** Pan and tilt can be inverted independently

### Color System

RGB additive color mixing:

* Full 8-bit resolution per channel
* HDR color support via `lightColorTint`
* Pure colors or mixed hues
* Hardware-accelerated blending

**Common Laser Colors:**

* Red: (255, 0, 0)
* Green: (0, 255, 0)
* Blue: (0, 0, 255)
* Yellow: (255, 255, 0)
* Cyan: (0, 255, 255)
* Magenta: (255, 0, 255)
* White: (255, 255, 255)

### Beam Properties

Unlike volumetric lights, lasers render as thin, focused beams:

* Minimal spread
* Sharp edges
* High intensity core
* Optimized for long distances

## Inspector Properties

### DMX Settings

```csharp theme={null}
enableDMXChannels     // Enable/disable DMX control
dmxChannel            // Starting DMX channel (1-512)
dmxUniverse           // DMX universe (1-9)
nineUniverseMode      // Extended universe mode
useLegacySectorMode   // Legacy sector addressing
```

### Movement Settings

```csharp theme={null}
invertPan             // Invert pan direction
invertTilt            // Invert tilt direction
panOffsetBlueGreen    // Pan offset in degrees (0-360)
tiltOffsetBlue        // Tilt offset in degrees (0-360)
maxMinPan             // Maximum pan range (+/- degrees)
maxMinTilt            // Maximum tilt range (+/- degrees)
```

### Fixture Settings

```csharp theme={null}
enableStrobe          // Enable strobe effects
coneWidth             // Beam width (keep low for laser effect)
coneLength            // Beam length (0.5-10)
maxConeLength         // Beam mesh length (0.275-10)
```

### Intensity Settings

```csharp theme={null}
globalIntensity       // Master brightness (0-1)
finalIntensity        // Maximum brightness limit (0-1)
lightColorTint        // HDR color tint/boost
```

## Configuration Examples

### Basic Laser Setup

1. Place laser prefab in scene
2. Configure DMX:
   * DMX Channel: 1
   * DMX Universe: 1
   * Enable DMX Channels: ✓
3. Adjust beam:
   * Cone Width: 0.5 (thin beam)
   * Cone Length: 10.0 (maximum reach)
   * Max Cone Length: 10.0
4. Set intensity:
   * Global Intensity: 1.0
   * Final Intensity: 1.0
   * Light Color Tint: White × 2.0 (HDR boost)

### Scanning Laser Effect

For sweeping laser movements:

```csharp theme={null}
maxMinPan = 180       // Full 360° pan range
maxMinTilt = 90       // 180° tilt range
invertPan = false
invertTilt = false
```

Use DMX to create scan patterns:

* Slow pan sweep with fixed tilt
* Circular patterns (combined pan/tilt)
* Figure-8 patterns
* Random movement

### Static Laser Beam

For fixed beam effects:

```csharp theme={null}
enableDMXChannels = false  // Manual control
panOffsetBlueGreen = 45    // Aim right 45°
tiltOffsetBlue = 60        // Aim up 60°
```

### Laser Show Array

Multiple lasers for complex effects:

```csharp theme={null}
// Laser 1
dmxChannel = 1
panOffsetBlueGreen = 0

// Laser 2  
dmxChannel = 14
panOffsetBlueGreen = 120

// Laser 3
dmxChannel = 27
panOffsetBlueGreen = 240
```

Arrange in circular pattern, control via DMX for synchronized or independent movement.

## Shader

Laser fixtures use a specialized shader:

* `VRSL-BasicLaser-DMX.shader`

**Location:** `Runtime/Shaders/MovingLights/`

The laser shader is optimized for:

* Thin beam rendering
* High contrast
* Minimal bloom
* Long-distance visibility

## Use Cases

### Laser Show Effects

* **Beam Shows** - Sweeping laser beams
* **Geometric Patterns** - Synchronized multi-laser patterns
* **Audience Scanning** - Safe crowd scanning effects
* **Aerial Effects** - Mid-air beam effects

### Accent Lighting

* **Spot Highlighting** - Pinpoint focused attention
* **Path Indicators** - Directional guidance
* **Stage Effects** - Sharp beam cuts through fog
* **Architectural** - Building feature highlighting

### DJ/Club Environments

* **Beat Synchronized** - Pulsing to music (via AudioLink)
* **Strobe Effects** - Rapid on/off
* **Color Cycling** - RGB color changes
* **Crowd Interaction** - Moving beams over audience

## Performance Considerations

### Optimize Beam Length

Longer beams use more rendering resources:

```csharp theme={null}
coneLength = 5.0      // Shorter for better performance
maxConeLength = 5.0   // Match cone length
```

Only extend to visible range needed.

### Minimize Width

Thinner beams are more performant:

```csharp theme={null}
coneWidth = 0.3       // Minimal width for laser effect
```

### Disable Unnecessary Features

```csharp theme={null}
enableStrobe = false  // If not needed
```

## Realistic Laser Effects

### With Fog/Atmosphere

Lasers look best with atmospheric effects:

1. Add post-processing volume
2. Enable bloom with:
   * Intensity: 0.3-0.5
   * Threshold: 0.8
   * Scatter: 0.7
3. Consider particle fog effects

### Color Intensity Balance

Real laser systems have varying intensities per color:

```csharp theme={null}
// Simulate typical laser output
Red:   (255, 0, 0)   // Full power
Green: (0, 128, 0)   // Lower (green appears brighter)
Blue:  (0, 0, 255)   // Full power
```

Adjust via DMX or color tint for realism.

## Safety Considerations

<Warning>
  While these are virtual lasers with no physical danger, be mindful of:

  * Photosensitive users - avoid excessive strobing
  * Motion sickness - rapid movements may affect some users
  * Brightness - excessive intensity can be uncomfortable in VR
</Warning>

Recommended practices:

* Include brightness adjustment UI
* Provide strobe effect warnings
* Test movement speeds for comfort
* Offer "reduce effects" options

## Troubleshooting

### Laser Not Visible

* Check intensity channel (8) is above 0
* Verify at least one RGB channel has value
* Ensure `globalIntensity` and `finalIntensity` > 0
* Check beam isn't aimed away from view
* Verify beam length is sufficient to reach visible area

### Beam Too Thick/Looks Wrong

* Reduce `coneWidth` (try 0.3-0.5)
* Ensure using laser-specific shader
* Check light color tint isn't over-boosting
* Verify post-processing bloom settings

### Jerky Movement

* Increase DMX smoothing in Grid Reader
* Use fine channels (2, 4) for precision
* Reduce movement speed in DMX software
* Check for stream compression artifacts

### Colors Look Wrong

* Verify RGB channel values in DMX
* Check channel offset is correct (start at channel 5)
* Test with manual color tint to verify fixture
* Ensure universe assignment is correct

### Strobe Not Working

* Enable `enableStrobe` in inspector
* Check channel 9 value is above \~20
* Verify VRSL Grid Reader strobe processing
* Test with manual strobe toggle

## AudioLink Integration

AudioLink laser variants support:

* **Band Modulation** - Intensity reacts to frequency bands
* **Color Chord** - Auto-color from audio analysis
* **Theme Colors** - Match AudioLink theme
* **Delay Offset** - Timing adjustment per laser

### AudioLink Setup Example

```csharp theme={null}
EnableAudioLink = true
Band = 2               // Mids
BandMultiplier = 2.0   // Sensitivity
EnableColorChord = true
Delay = 0.1            // Slight delay
```

See [AudioLink Setup](/guides/audiolink-setup) for detailed configuration.

## Advanced Techniques

### DMX Chase Patterns

Create programmed sequences in DMX software:

1. Record pan/tilt positions
2. Set timing and transitions
3. Sync to audio beats
4. Layer multiple lasers with offsets

### Geometric Projections

Multiple lasers can create shapes:

* **Triangle:** 3 lasers aimed to meet points
* **Square:** 4 lasers for corners
* **Star:** 5+ lasers radiating from center

Use pan/tilt offsets to position, DMX to animate.

### Color Cycling

Program RGB transitions:

* Smooth fades between colors
* Quick snaps for impact
* Rainbow cycles
* Color-to-beat synchronization

Implement via DMX scenes or AudioLink color chord.