
            ***********************************************
            *                                             *
            *          LASERMAX LASER controller          *
            *                                             *
            *           Version 1.20  26-Jul-97           *
            *                                             *
            *    (C) Copyright 1997 by Anthony Barrett    *
            *                                             *
            *   Created and written by Anthony Barrett    *
            *                                             *
            *       e-mail: anthony.barrett@tek.com       *
            *                                             *
            ***********************************************


** PLEASE NOTE **

LASERMAX LASER controller will ONLY run on 68020+ processors and
Amiga OS v2.0 or higher.

This program is SHAREWARE.  If you decide on using this program you MUST
send $US30 (or $35 Australian dollars) to:


                       Anthony Barrett
                       8 Locker Avenue
                       Lurnea  NSW  2170
                       Australia


The manual is only available after the shareware fee has been payed.  It
will be e-mailed to you as an attachment.  Please include your e-mail
address with your cheque or international money order.

This archive may be freely distributed as long as this archive remains in
its original form ie. do not delete, add or change this archive in any way.

USE THIS PROGRAM AT YOUR OWN RISK.  I DO NOT AND WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY
RESPONSIBILITY IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM FOR DAMAGES TO EQUIPMENT OR EYES
OR HEALTH FROM USE OF THIS SOFTWARE.


** Introduction **

LASERMAX LASER controller was original written for my own use. The software
started as a laser hobby.  I started with slow open loop scanners and wrote
a quick program to generate lissajous patterns on my Amiga to drive them.
I then built up a cheap close loop scanner kit (see below) and proceeded to
added text and graphics to this program.  I later bought a pair of CT6800HP
scanners and continued adding to this program until it is what you see now.
I think you will agree that this program has become professional quality.

I have now decided to release this software as SHAREWARE for other
hobbyist/Laserist to use and enjoy.  The shareware fee is only a cheap
$US30!  So please, if you like this program and decide to use it then show
your support by paying the shareware fee.  Depending on YOUR response I will
keep developing this software and make updates available on the Internet.
You will also get the full manual and latest update e-mailed to you after
you have payed the sharware fee.  The manual contains important information
on how to modify your Amiga and circuit diagrams for building the DC bi-polar
amp and interface for driving CT6800HP scanners, colour and effects control.
This program may work with existing modifications (eg LSD1000) done to your
Amiga but first measure the output signal to check that it is no greater than
10 volts p-p BEFORE connecting to your scanners.  Use the screen called
"FullSizeBox2" as this will give the maximum peak to peak output signal.

If you are a poor hobbyist like me then try using this closed loop scanner
kit.  It can do slow text and graphics and is only around $US150:

                       Closed loop laser light show
                       Distributed by Silicon Valley Surplus
                       1273 Industrial Parkway West
                       Bldg 460, Hayward Ca. 94544-7025


A summary of all the LASERMAX LASER controller commands can be found in the
file called:

                       LASERMAXCommands.text


** Installation **

Installation is simple.  Just copy all the files and directories to any
directory on your hard drive and assign "LASERMAX:" to it.  I recommend
making a directory call "DH0:LASERMAX" and copy all files and directories
into it.  Then use your favorite text editor to add the following line
into your "S:Startup-sequence":

                       Assign LASERMAX: DH0:LASERMAX

If you do not already have the "reqtools.library" in your "Libs:" directory
then you will also need to copy the one supplied with this archive into your
"Libs:" directory.  This software comes with all my own sequences and screens
which I have used for LASER shows.  Note that in Australia audience scanning
is allowed at any power you want (so there!).  Therefore the sequences
supplied made not be appropriate to your local LASER safety laws.


** Changes **

Version 1.20

* Now imports X-29 Frames, Scenes and Shows (hint: The demo of X-29 has lots
  of nice frames you can import...).
* Now imports DE3 frames.
* Now imports LD400 frames.
* Now imports LD Pro frames.
* Now records whole sequences when clicking on a sequence gadget with a
  sequence attached to it in record mode ("Stop" cmd automagically removed).
* Inhanced screen default window with real time slider gadgets.  Uses and
  displays the screen file call "TestPattern" when you open the screen
  default window.
* Added 9 extra banks of sequence gadgets giving total of 332 on screen
  sequences.
* You can now click on the centre for points rotation.
* Fixed bug.  Crashes when loading a 3D screen while iconified.
* Fixed some bugs and cleaned up ILDA import and export.
* Fixed 3D resize bug.
* Fixed record freq up and down bug.

Version 1.10

First Shareware release


** Future **

The future of this software depends on YOU and your support!  I would like to
add the following features to this software:

1) 16 bit output: I have reach the limit of the Amiga's 8 bit sound channels
   and now need to consider what to do next.  The Amiga technology is fast
   becoming old and unless Gateway 2000 brings out an Amiga with 16 bit sound
   channels soon, I may have to change to the IBM PC and start from scratch.
   Or I could design a 16 bit DAC plug in board.  Feel free to e-mail me your
   sugestions.

2) Full colour support with blanking:  Although this software supports
   parallel port TTL colour and effects control, I still need to sync this
   with the sound channels.  This is not an easy job with standard Amiga
   hardware but it is possible by using interrupts (and a fast processor!).
   Also, I am a poor hobbyist and can not afford a white light LASER and
   PCAOM for testing.  So this one depends on your support!

3) MUI support

4) Effects control panel

5) Mark, cut and paste options

6) Multiple tracks for independent rotation effects etc

7) Scrolling text

8) DMX-512 support

9) (Add your wish list here...)

