Product innovations | Media reports
3D laser shows
It is certainly not the cheapest way to present products, but no other three-dimensional medium is as fascinating as laser light.
Similar to computer animation, the medium laser is suited ideally for the three-dimensional visualization of products. In particular, gigantic projection formats, up to the size of a massif, and the unrivalled attention factor predestine laser as a particularly interesting alternative to conventional media.
In order to generate a 3D object, it is first defined as a three-dimensional polyline on a computer and can then be viewed from all angles. High-performance animation computers, such as LOBO’s LACON series, do not only allow for the retrieval of pre-made animations, but are also able to influence objects in real-time. This offers a wide range of possible applications, from interactive influence on a show, to accessible 3D scenarios made from laser light, up to entertaining computer-controlled interactive games.
Contrary to popular rumors, the projection of such objects still is and remains two-dimensional. While the stereoscopic processes familiar from the video sector are also available here, this is usually too complicated for use at trade fairs and the results are rather disappointing compared to the effort involved.
Still, every now and again you may see laser projections that seem to float freely in space without needing any glasses or false floors. This is made possible by the projection medium water: LOBO’s Water Screens, developed specifically for indoor use, generate a thin, fully transparent water film, which can be used to project images that seem to float freely in space – not only with laser, but also with other mediums.
LOBO’s CEO Grad. Eng. (FH) Lothar Bopp: "This type of 3D projection, wrongly interpreted by many spectators as ‘holographic projections’, has proven to be a quite practicable approach. In contrast to conventional procedures, you are neither fixated on an ‘optimal standpoint’ when watching a show, nor are you forced to wear paper glasses. Furthermore, our purpose-built Water Screens do not only offer the possibility to project laser graphics, but also slides and videos freely in space."
As significantly larger formats are needed for outdoor applications, there are also special outdoor Water Screens, with fountain segments, that can be arranged in any desired formation, generating a projection surface with a height of up to 15 m. In practice, this process has been successfully used at several events in front of up to 400,000 spectators.
When talking about lasers and 3D, one stylistic device often used for emotionally anchoring an advertisement message may not be omitted: In so-called beam shows, laser beams are made visible with some artificial fog. For example, this makes it possible to cut through a room with marbled dazzling light layers or to put thousands of spectators into a seemingly endless “time tunnel“. With the appropriate know-how, correct technology, perfect synchronization with music and possibly even in connection with some fire effects, this results in a 3D spectacle none of the spectators will forget any time soon. However, this is subject to the condition of the show area being almost completely darkened.
Bopp: "Initially, many clients are wary of the darkening. In practice, this problem can most often be solved quite elegantly. For example, motoric blackout blinds installed in hidden compartments at the accesses of a fair booth allow for an effective darkening of a booth flooded with light. At the same time, it sparks the curiosity of visitors when they see how the gates of a fair booth are slowly beginning to close."
