About Me and This Storefront
I’m Anthony Garcia, the founder of Nice Lasers. With over a decade of experience working with lasers, I’ve built a career that spans multiple cities—from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and now Barcelona. Along the way, I’ve tested countless products, restarted my career from scratch, and learned the ins and outs of laser design from a beginner’s perspective.
The most frequent question I get is, "How do I get started?" followed by specific questions about the tools I use. This article is designed to answer those questions, guide you to the right products, and help you lay the foundation for a successful laser design career. Whether you’re exploring this field as a hobby, a passion, or a full-time career, this guide has you covered.
What This Guide Covers
I’ve broken down the essential products into the following categories:
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Laser Projectors
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Control Hardware
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Software
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Accessories
By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly what you need to get started and why these products are the best in their category.
Laser Projectors: Unity RAW vs. Unity Pro Series
When it comes to laser projectors, there’s no better start than the Unity brand. These projectors strike the perfect balance between affordability and quality, making them an excellent investment for beginners and professionals alike.
Why Avoid Cheap Laser Projectors
If you’ve found the $200 laser projectors online, consider these critical drawbacks:
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Beam Quality: Cheap projectors often have thicker beams with poor alignment of red, green, and blue colors, resulting in subpar visuals.
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Safety Concerns: Many of these lasers lack proper safety certifications and may leak harmful UV or infrared light.
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Build Quality: The optics in low-quality lasers are often held together with glue, making them prone to failure when heated during operation.
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Color Range: Cheap lasers use TTL technology, which limits you to 7 colors. Unity lasers use analog modulation, offering millions of color combinations.
Choosing Between Unity RAW and Unity Pro
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Unity RAW Series: Perfect for beginners, these projectors feature ILDA control and are budget-friendly.
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Unity Pro Series: Designed for scalability, these lasers come with built-in FB4 control for Ethernet-based connections, making them ideal for advanced setups.
Laser Control Hardware: FB3 vs. FB4
Your laser projector needs a way to receive and execute your designs, and that’s where control hardware comes in. The two main options are:
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FB3 (ILDA Cable): A USB controller that connects your computer to the laser via an ILDA cable. Ideal for small setups with a few lasers.
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Pros: Lower cost, works well for simple designs.
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Cons: ILDA cables degrade over long distances (max 100 ft) and are generally messier / less professional.
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FB4 (Ethernet): An internal card that connects your computer to the laser via Ethernet.
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Pros: Scalable for large setups, supports up to 300 ft of Ethernet cable, easier multi-projector management.
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Cons: Higher initial cost.
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For beginners, FB3 is sufficient, but if you plan to scale your designs, investing in FB4 from the start is worthwhile.
Software: QuickShow vs. Beyond
Both QuickShow and Beyond are industry-standard laser design software from Pangolin. Here’s how they compare:
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QuickShow: Free software that’s great for beginners. It allows control of up to 9 lasers and includes essential design tools.
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Beyond (Ultimate): A more advanced option with customization features like MIDI control, advanced zoning, and timecode integration. Beyond is perfect for professionals creating synchronized shows.
Must-Have Accessories
Once you have your laser, controller, and software, you’ll need the following accessories:
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Fog Machine: Essential for making laser beams visible.
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Fog Fluid: Ensure you choose a high-quality, compatible fluid.
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Tripod or Standing Desk: For stable projector placement.
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Laptop: While laser design doesn’t require a powerful computer, a reliable modern laptop is key.
I hope this guide has clarified what you need to get started in laser design. By investing in the right tools, you’re setting yourself up for success, whether you’re designing for fun, passion projects, or professional gigs. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at anthony@nicelasers.com. Happy designing!