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Learn to Create
Stunning Laser Shows

Step-by-step tutorials from your first beam to full audio-reactive performances. Master every tool in Laser Show Studio.

Getting Started Text Effects Shape Effects Beam & Ceiling Clip Editor Timeline Advanced Shortcuts FAQ

Getting Started

New to Laser Show Studio? Start here. Learn the basics of the interface, create your first show, and understand how to save and share your work.

Beginner 5 min

Your First Laser Show

Create a simple animated laser show from scratch in under 5 minutes. No experience needed.

1
Open the Studio by clicking "Launch Studio" from the homepage or navigating to the Studio link in the nav bar.
2
Click the Shape Generator tab on the left panel. Select Star from the shape list.
3
Check the Rotate and Color Cycle animation checkboxes. Adjust the speed slider to around 50%.
4
Click Add to Timeline. Your first animated clip appears on the timeline at the bottom.
5
Press Space to play your show. You should see a colorful rotating star in the preview!
6
Try adding a second clip: switch to the Text Generator, type your name, choose Wave animation, and add it to the timeline.
Pro Tip: Try the presets panel for instant gratification! "Rotating Star" and "Rainbow Text" are great starting points to experiment with.
Beginner 3 min

Understanding the Interface

Learn the layout: generators panel, preview window, timeline, and settings. Know where everything is.

1
Left Panel — Houses the Text Generator, Shape Generator, and Import tools. Switch between them using the tabs at the top.
2
Center Preview — Real-time laser simulation. Shows your current frame exactly as a laser projector would render it, with realistic beam paths.
3
Bottom Timeline — Each clip is a block you can reorder, duplicate, or delete. Playhead shows the current position. Drag clip edges to adjust duration.
4
Playback Controls — Play/pause, step forward/back, loop mode, and FPS adjustment. These sit just above the timeline.
5
Export Panel — Access via the export button in the toolbar. Choose ILDA format, set frame count, and download your .ild file.
Pro Tip: The preview updates in real time as you adjust parameters. Use this to fine-tune your effects before committing them to the timeline.
Beginner 2 min

Saving & Loading Projects

Never lose your work. Learn how to save shows locally, load them back, and manage your project files.

1
Your work is automatically saved to browser local storage as you edit. If you close the tab and come back, your last session is restored.
2
To save a named project, use File → Save Project. This downloads a .json project file containing all your clips, settings, and timeline data.
3
To load a project, use File → Load Project or drag and drop the .json file onto the Studio window.
4
Use the Library page to browse and manage your saved shows, and share them with the community.
Pro Tip: Save your project before exporting to ILDA. The .json project file preserves all editable parameters, while .ild files are the final rendered output.

Text Effects

Transform typed text into dazzling laser typography. Animate with scrolling marquees, wave distortion, typewriter reveals, and pulsing glow effects.

Beginner 3 min

Basic Text Creation

Type your text, choose a size and color, and preview it instantly in the laser renderer.

1
Open the Text Generator tab in the left panel.
2
Type your desired text into the input field. The preview updates in real time.
3
Adjust the size slider to scale your text up or down. Larger text uses more points, so keep an eye on the point counter.
4
Choose a color mode: Solid (single color), Rainbow (auto-cycling hue across letters), or Gradient (two-color blend).
5
Click Add to Timeline when you are happy with the look.
Pro Tip: Shorter text looks crisper because the points are concentrated. For long messages, use the scrolling animation to move text across the frame.
Beginner 4 min

Scrolling Text Marquee

Create smooth side-scrolling text, perfect for long messages, announcements, and event branding.

1
Enter your text in the Text Generator. This works great with longer messages.
2
Select Scroll from the animation dropdown. The preview immediately shows your text sliding across the frame.
3
Adjust the speed slider to control how fast the text moves. Lower speeds look smoother on real lasers.
4
Optionally enable Color Cycle in the effects checkboxes for a rainbow marquee that shifts color as it scrolls.
Pro Tip: Combine Scroll with the Bounce effect for a scrolling text that gently bobs up and down — eye-catching for venue signage.
Intermediate 4 min

Wave, Typewriter & Pulse

Three distinct text animations: wavy distortion, character-by-character reveal, and breathing pulse.

1
Wave — Select Wave animation. Each letter oscillates vertically with a phase offset, creating a flowing wave motion. Adjust speed for gentle ocean or rapid vibration.
2
Typewriter — Select Typewriter animation. Letters appear one at a time from left to right, simulating someone typing in real time. Great for reveals and countdowns.
3
Pulse — Select Pulse animation. The entire text smoothly scales up and down, like a breathing heartbeat. Works beautifully with the Sway effect for organic motion.
4
Layer any of these with the Rotate, Color Cycle, Sway, or Bounce effect checkboxes for complex multi-animation text.
Pro Tip: Typewriter + Rainbow color mode creates a stunning reveal where each letter appears in a different color. Perfect for show intros.
Intermediate 5 min

Combining Text Effects

Stack multiple animations and color modes for complex, professional-looking laser text.

1
Start with a base animation like Wave.
2
Add the Rotate effect checkbox — your wavy text now slowly spins in place.
3
Enable Color Cycle to add hue shifting on top of the rotation and wave.
4
Try adding Sway for gentle horizontal drift, or Bounce for vertical oscillation on top of everything else.
5
Use the Gradient color mode with two contrasting colors to add depth to the effect.
Pro Tip: Less is often more. Two well-chosen effects look better than all five at once. Rotate + Color Cycle is a classic crowd-pleaser.

Shape Effects

Build geometric laser art from circles and stars to mesmerizing spirals and tunnels. Every shape can be animated, recolored, and combined.

Beginner 3 min

Creating Basic Shapes

Generate circles, stars, squares, and triangles with customizable colors and sizes.

1
Open the Shape Generator tab. You will see a grid of shape options: circle, star, spiral, square, tunnel, wave, burst, triangle, and the beam shapes.
2
Click on a shape to select it. The preview instantly renders it in the center of the frame.
3
Use the color picker to set the shape color. Click the color swatch and choose any hue from the palette.
4
Check animation boxes: Rotate, Pulse, Color Cycle, Sway, or Bounce. Slide the speed control to taste.
5
Click Add to Timeline to place it as a clip in your show.
Pro Tip: Stars and triangles look particularly stunning with the Rotate animation — the angular edges create sharp sweeping patterns on a real projector.
Intermediate 5 min

Spirals & Tunnel Effects

Create hypnotic spiral patterns and infinite tunnel zooms that pull the audience in.

1
Select the Spiral shape. It draws a classic Archimedean spiral radiating from the center.
2
Enable Rotate to make the spiral spin. At medium speed, this creates a mesmerizing whirlpool effect.
3
Select the Tunnel shape for concentric circles that recede toward a vanishing point. Add Pulse to make them breathe.
4
Add Color Cycle to either shape for a rainbow tunnel/spiral that constantly shifts hue.
5
Try the "Spiral Tunnel" preset to see a polished version of this effect — then tweak it to your liking.
Pro Tip: Tunnels are a staple of professional laser shows. On a real projector, aim the tunnel at a wall of fog or haze for a breathtaking 3D corridor effect.
Intermediate 4 min

Starburst & Wave Patterns

Explosive starburst effects and smooth sine-wave patterns for dynamic show segments.

1
Select Burst to create a starburst — multiple lines radiating from a center point like a firework.
2
Add Rotate for a spinning starburst. Combined with Color Cycle, this creates a kaleidoscope effect.
3
Select Wave for a smooth sine-wave pattern that flows across the frame. Great for backgrounds or transitions.
4
Enable Bounce on a wave shape to make it vertically oscillate, creating a dynamic ocean-like motion.
Pro Tip: The "Starburst" preset is an excellent base. Load it, then experiment with the speed slider to find the perfect tempo for your music.

Beam & Ceiling Effects

The beam shapes are where laser shows come alive in 3D space. Create ceiling beams, floor-to-ceiling splits, sweeping fans, and dramatic cross patterns.

Beginner 4 min

Horizontal Beam Basics

Create single and multiple parallel beams for ceiling effects — the bread and butter of live laser shows.

1
Select the Beam shape from the Shape Generator. A single horizontal line appears in the preview.
2
Increase the Beam Count slider to add parallel beams. Try 5-8 for a classic ceiling array effect.
3
Adjust the Spread slider to control how far apart the beams are. Wider spread fills more of the projection area.
4
Enable Split Top/Bottom to mirror the beams below the center, simulating a ceiling-and-floor setup with a single projector.
Pro Tip: In a real venue, aim your projector at the ceiling with haze in the air. The horizontal beams create those iconic "sheets of light" you see at concerts.
Intermediate 5 min

Wobble, Sweep & Open/Close

Add dynamic motion to beams with wobble oscillation, sweeping rotation, and folding open/close effects.

1
Start with a multi-beam setup (4+ beams with some spread).
2
Enable Wobble — each beam gently oscillates side to side, offset from its neighbors. This creates a rippling, organic wave through the beam array.
3
Enable Sweep — the entire beam array slowly rotates as a group, sweeping across the venue like a lighthouse. Adjust speed to control the sweep rate.
4
Enable Open/Close — the beams fold together and spread apart in a breathing motion, like a fan opening and closing. Stunning with the Split Top/Bottom option.
5
Combine effects: try Wobble + Color Cycle for organic rainbow ripples, or Sweep + Open/Close for dramatic build-ups before a drop.
Pro Tip: Sweep at slow speed (10-20%) with Split Top/Bottom on creates the classic "laser wings" effect that DJs and event producers love.
Intermediate 4 min

Vertical Beams & Cross Patterns

Use VBeam, XBeam, and Fan shapes for vertical lines, X-crosses, and cone beam effects.

1
Select VBeam for vertical beams. These work the same as horizontal beams but oriented top-to-bottom. Great combined with regular beams for a grid pattern.
2
Select XBeam for crossed beam patterns. Two sets of beams at opposing angles form dramatic X shapes through the air.
3
Select Fan for cone-shaped beam arrays. Multiple beams radiate from a single point, creating a fan or cone of light spreading outward.
4
All beam variants share the same controls: Beam Count, Spread, Wobble, Sweep, and Open/Close. Experiment freely!
Pro Tip: Layer a Beam clip and a VBeam clip in sequence for a "grid to lines" transition. Or place them on the same timeline position for a simultaneous laser grid.
Advanced 6 min

Combining Beam Effects

Build complex multi-beam sequences that transition between ceiling, floor, fan, and cross effects.

1
Create a Beam clip with 6 beams, medium spread, Split Top/Bottom on, and Open/Close enabled. Add it to the timeline — this is your opening build.
2
Create a Fan clip with 8 beams, wide spread, and Sweep enabled with Color Cycle. Place it after the first clip — this is the energy peak.
3
Create an XBeam clip with Wobble and fast Color Cycle. Place it third for the chaotic breakdown section.
4
Create a single Beam with no animation as your final clip — a still, solid ceiling beam as a resolving moment.
5
Play back the full sequence with Space. Adjust clip durations by dragging their edges on the timeline to match your music.
Pro Tip: Professional laser shows follow the music energy curve — build tension with Open/Close beams, peak with fast sweeping fans, and resolve with simple static beams.

Clip Editor & Recoloring

The Clip Editor panel lets you recolor, adjust, and transform any clip on the timeline — whether imported or generated.

Beginner 2 min

Recoloring Any Clip

Change the color of any clip with one click — imported ILDA files, generated shapes, or text.

1
Select a clip by clicking it on the timeline. The Clip Editor panel in the sidebar shows its name and frame count.
2
Under RECOLOR, click any quick color button: Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, or White. The change is instant.
3
For a custom color, use the color picker to choose any color, then click Apply.
4
The preview updates immediately. If you don't like the result, press Ctrl+Z to undo.
Pro Tip: Recoloring only changes visible (non-blanked) points. Blanked travel points used for galvo repositioning are never affected, keeping your show DAC-compatible.
Intermediate 3 min

Rainbow, Hue Shift & Brightness

Apply color effects that transform the entire clip — rainbow cycling, hue rotation, and brightness control.

1
Rainbow: Cycles through the full spectrum across all frames. Frame 1 is red, then orange, yellow, green, blue, violet. Great for looping animations.
2
Hue +30°: Shifts all colors by 30 degrees on the color wheel. Click multiple times to rotate further. Red becomes orange, green becomes teal, etc.
3
Hue +90°: Larger shift — red becomes green, blue becomes yellow. Good for dramatic color changes.
4
Invert Hue (+180°): Flips to the opposite color. Red becomes cyan, green becomes magenta. Creates complementary color schemes.
5
Brighten/Dim: Increases or decreases the brightness of all points by 40%. Stack multiple times for stronger effect.
Pro Tip: Rainbow mode on a spinning spiral or tunnel creates a hypnotic color vortex. Duplicate the clip, apply Hue +180° to the copy, and sequence them for a color-swapping effect.
Beginner 2 min

Reverse & Duplicate Clips

Quickly reverse playback order or duplicate clips for creative variations.

1
Reverse: Flips the frame order so the clip plays backwards. A spiral that opens now closes. A text that scrolls left now scrolls right.
2
Duplicate: Creates an exact copy of the clip right next to the original. Edit the copy independently — change its color, reverse it, or resize it.
3
Combo technique: Duplicate a clip, reverse the copy, and place them side by side. This creates a seamless "open and close" loop — the animation plays forward then backward.
Pro Tip: Duplicate + Hue Invert is a great way to create color-alternating sequences. The audience sees a shape in cyan, then the same shape in red — eye-catching and easy to make.

Timeline Editing

Drag, drop, resize, delete, and reorder clips on the interactive timeline to arrange your show.

Beginner 2 min

Drag & Drop to Reorder Clips

Rearrange your show by dragging clips to new positions on the timeline.

1
Grab any clip on the timeline by clicking and holding. The clip becomes semi-transparent to show it's being dragged.
2
Drag left or right over other clips. A blue indicator bar appears showing where the clip will be inserted.
3
Release to drop the clip in its new position. The timeline updates immediately.
4
Press Ctrl+Z to undo if you placed it in the wrong spot.
Pro Tip: Build your clips first, then reorder them to match the flow of your music. Move high-energy effects (bursts, fast beams) to drop sections and calmer graphics (text, slow shapes) to verses.
Beginner 2 min

Resize Clips by Dragging Edges

Make clips longer or shorter by dragging their left or right edges.

1
Hover over the left or right edge of any clip. The cursor changes to a resize handle (↔).
2
Drag outward to extend the clip. Frames are looped from the existing content, so a 60-frame spiral extended to 120 frames plays through twice.
3
Drag inward to trim the clip. Left-edge trimming removes frames from the start; right-edge trimming removes frames from the end.
4
The frame count badge on each clip updates in real time so you can see the exact duration as you drag.
Pro Tip: Extending a clip by looping is perfect for making short effects fill longer sections of music. A 30-frame starburst extended to 300 frames creates a 10-second repeating pulse effect.
Beginner 2 min

Deleting Clips & Undo/Redo

Remove clips you don't need and undo any mistake with full history.

1
Click a clip to select it. A red × button appears in the top-right corner of the clip.
2
Click the × to delete, or press the Delete / Backspace key. You'll get a confirmation prompt.
3
Right-click any clip for a context menu with Rename, Duplicate, and Delete options.
4
Undo: Press Ctrl+Z to undo any action (up to 50 steps). Redo: Press Ctrl+Alt+Z or Ctrl+Shift+Z.
Pro Tip: Undo tracks everything — adds, deletes, recolors, reorders, and resizes. Experiment freely knowing you can always get back to where you were. Up to 50 steps of history are saved.

Advanced Techniques

Take your shows to the next level with timeline sequencing, audio-reactive mode, ILDA import/export, and optimization for real hardware.

Intermediate 6 min

Building Complete Show Sequences

Layer clips on the timeline, manage transitions, and structure a full multi-act laser performance.

1
Plan your show structure: Intro (text/logo reveal), Build (shapes with increasing animation), Peak (beams and bursts), Outro (fade to simple shape).
2
Create each clip separately using the generators. Add them to the timeline in order.
3
Reorder clips by dragging them on the timeline. Duplicate clips to reuse effects at different points in the show.
4
Adjust clip duration by dragging the edges. Short clips (0.5-2s) create punchy transitions; longer clips (3-8s) let effects develop.
5
Play the full sequence and iterate. Use ← and → arrow keys to step frame-by-frame through transitions.
Pro Tip: Alternate between high-energy beam clips and calmer graphic/text clips. This push-pull dynamic keeps your audience engaged throughout the show.
Advanced 7 min

Audio Reactive Shows

Connect your microphone and let the music drive your laser show in real time with scale, color, rotation, and warp.

1
Click the Audio Reactive button in the toolbar (microphone icon). Your browser will ask for microphone permission — grant it.
2
Choose a reactive mode: Scale (shapes grow with bass), Color Shift (hue changes with frequency), Rotate (spin speed follows beat), or Warp (shape distortion from audio).
3
Create or load a show with shapes or beams. The audio reactivity applies on top of your existing animations.
4
Play music through speakers near your mic, or route system audio if supported. The preview responds in real time.
5
Adjust the sensitivity to match your audio level. Too high causes jittering; too low means subtle response.
Pro Tip: Scale mode works best with bass-heavy music. Use it with the Tunnel shape for a "pulsing vortex" effect that reacts to every kick drum hit.
Advanced 5 min

Import, Recolor & Re-Export ILDA Files

Load any .ILD file, change its colors instantly, and export a new version — all in under 10 seconds.

1
Import: Drag and drop an .ild or .ilda file onto the Studio, or click the Import panel and browse. Supports ILDA formats 0, 1, 4, and 5.
2
The file loads instantly as a clip on the timeline. Multi-frame files create animated sequences. Use playback controls to preview and adjust FPS.
3
Recolor: With the clip selected, open the Clip Editor panel. Choose a quick color (Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, White) or use the custom color picker for any color.
4
Color effects: Apply Rainbow (cycles hue across frames), Hue Shift (+30°, +90°, or invert), Brighten, or Dim for more creative control.
5
Export: Open the Export panel and click Download .ILD File. Your recolored file is ready for the DAC. The entire workflow takes seconds.
Pro Tip: Use Rainbow mode on imported animations for instant psychedelic effects. Or use Hue Shift to match your event's color scheme without recreating the show from scratch. All recoloring is undoable with Ctrl+Z.
Advanced 8 min

Exporting & Optimization

Export to ILDA format for real laser projectors. Understand frame counts, FPS, point limits, and DAC compatibility.

1
Click the Export button in the toolbar. Choose ILDA format (.ild) as the output format.
2
Set the frame count for your export. More frames = smoother animation but larger file. 30-60 frames works well for most loops.
3
Check the point count per frame shown in the status bar. Most DACs handle 500-1000 points per frame at 30fps. Keep complex frames under 800 points for best results.
4
Set your target FPS. Standard is 30fps. Higher FPS means smoother playback but requires more points-per-second throughput from your DAC.
5
Click Download. The .ild file can be loaded into any ILDA-compatible laser software or DAC controller.
Pro Tip: Point optimization matters for real hardware. Simpler shapes (beams, circles) use fewer points than text. If you hit point limits, reduce text size or simplify complex shapes. The point counter in the status bar is your guide.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Speed up your workflow with these keyboard shortcuts. Available anywhere in the Studio interface.

Play / Pause Space
Step Forward →
Step Backward ←
Go to Start Home
Go to End End
Delete Selected Clip Delete
Duplicate Clip Ctrl D
Undo Ctrl Z
Redo Ctrl Alt Z
Redo (alt) Ctrl Shift Z
Save Project Ctrl S
Export ILDA Ctrl E
Toggle Loop L
Zoom In Timeline Ctrl +
Zoom Out Timeline Ctrl -
Toggle Audio Reactive M
Increase FPS ]
Decrease FPS [
Select All Clips Ctrl A

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about Laser Show Studio, ILDA format, hardware compatibility, and more.

What is ILDA format and why is it used?

ILDA (International Laser Display Association) is the universal standard file format for laser shows. An .ild file contains vector point data — each frame is a series of XY coordinates with color values that tell the laser projector where to aim its beam. Nearly every laser DAC, controller, and software supports ILDA, making it the industry standard for sharing and playing laser content.

How do I load my show onto a real laser projector?

Export your show as an .ild file from Laser Show Studio. Then load it into your DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) software. Common DACs include the Helios DAC, EtherDream, LaserCube, and FB3/FB4. Each comes with its own player software that accepts .ild files. Simply import the file, connect your DAC to your projector via ILDA cable, and hit play. Some controllers also accept .ild files on an SD card for standalone playback.

Which DACs are compatible with exported files?

Laser Show Studio exports standard ILDA format 0 (3D Coordinates with Indexed Color) and format 5 (2D with True Color), which are compatible with virtually all laser DACs on the market. This includes Helios DAC, EtherDream, LaserCube, Pangolin FB3/FB4, LaserOS, Moncha, ShowNET, and many more. If your DAC can load .ild files, it will work with our exports.

What are point limits and why do they matter?

Every laser projector has a maximum scan speed measured in points per second (pps), typically 20,000 to 40,000 pps for consumer hardware. If a single frame has too many points, the projector either slows down (reducing FPS) or produces visible flicker. As a rule of thumb, keep each frame under 500-800 points for 30fps playback on a 30kpps scanner. The point counter in the Studio status bar helps you monitor this in real time.

Can I share my shows with other users?

Yes! You can share shows in two ways. First, save your project as a .json file and send it to anyone — they can load it in their own Studio and edit it. Second, use the Gallery feature to publish your show publicly. Other community members can view, like, and remix published shows. You can also export .ild files and share them in laser show communities and forums.

Is Laser Show Studio free to use?

Yes, the core studio with all generators, animations, timeline, preview, and ILDA export is completely free. No account required to start creating. Create an account to save to the Library, publish to the Gallery, and access community features.

What browsers are supported?

Laser Show Studio works in all modern browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. For the best experience and full feature support (including audio reactive mode), we recommend the latest version of Chrome or Edge. The studio runs entirely in your browser — no plugins, extensions, or downloads needed.

My imported ILDA file looks wrong. What should I check?

First, check that the file is a valid .ild file (not .ild.zip or another wrapper). Some ILDA files use indexed color palettes — if colors look off, the file may use a non-standard palette. Also check the frame count: some files contain hundreds of frames intended for specific playback speeds. Try adjusting the FPS slider to find the intended playback rate. If the image appears mirrored or inverted, the source file may use a different coordinate orientation.