Modulaser connects to Laserworld projectors with built-in ShowNET interfaces, and to standalone ShowNET DACs used with ILDA projectors. Use it to patch laser scenes with nodes, sequence clips on the timeline, control shows live, and output over Ethernet.
You can try Modulaser for free on macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Got a Laserworld projector with ShowNET?Download Modulaser, put the projector on the same network as your computer, and select it as the DAC for a Laser.
What You Can Do
Patch laser scenes with nodes instead of drawing static frames.
Sequence clips on the timeline or trigger them live.
Route output to one or more Laserworld projectors with output groups.
Tune scan speed, blanking, color, dwell, and PPS with the Calibration Wizard.
Use MIDI, OSC, audio input, or BPM sync for live control.
What You Need
A Laserworld projector with built-in ShowNET, or a standalone ShowNET DAC.
An Ethernet connection between the ShowNET device and your computer or network.
An ILDA cable if you are using a standalone ShowNET DAC with a separate projector.
Modulaser for macOS, Windows, or Linux.
Setup
The easiest way to get connected is to enable DHCP on your Laserworld projector so it automatically gets a network address. Laserworld's own documentation walks through the network setup in detail:
Once your projector is on the same network as your computer:
Open Modulaser.
In the right panel, add a Laser. Under DAC, you should see your Laserworld projector's ShowNET interface. Select it.
In the left panel, you'll see Output Groups. Create a new output group and drag your laser into it.
Select a clip, or open the Library and pick a preset if you don't have any yet.
Press Assign Clip on the output group to assign the clip to it.
Press Arm in the right panel to start output.
If nothing happens, check the troubleshooting steps below.
Calibration
Once output is working, open the Output Settings window and run the Calibration Wizard on your laser profile. The wizard shows test patterns for scan speed, blanking, color, and quality, so you can tune the ShowNET device and projector with live feedback. See Improve Laser Output for details on what each setting does.
Never look directly into the laser beam. This can cause permanent eye damage. Read more in our Laser Safety guide.
Troubleshooting
If your Laserworld projector isn't responding, work through these checks:
Check scan settings: Make sure ShowNET is enabled in Settings for Modulaser to scan for it.
Interlock: Make sure the interlock connector is plugged in. The projector won't output without it.
Key switch: Turn the key so the projector is fully enabled.
No ILDA cable: Disconnect any ILDA cable from the projector. When an ILDA cable is connected, the projector may ignore the ShowNET network input.
App lock: ShowNET allows only one application to control the projector at a time. If you've been using another app (e.g. Showeditor), quit it fully and restart the projector before trying again in Modulaser.
FAQ
Yes, when the projector has a ShowNET interface. Modulaser connects to ShowNET over Ethernet.
Laserworld projectors with built-in ShowNET work with Modulaser over Ethernet. Standalone ShowNET DACs are also supported for projectors with ILDA input.
Usually no. Many Laserworld projectors have ShowNET built in, so the projector connects directly over Ethernet. Standalone ShowNET DACs are also supported for projectors with ILDA input.
Check whether an ILDA cable is connected. Some Laserworld projectors ignore the ShowNET network input when ILDA is plugged in.