ILDA Format Versions
Comparison of ILDA Format 0, 1, 4, and 5 — when to use each, their limitations, and how to convert between them.
ILDA supports multiple format versions. Choosing the right one ensures your content works on target hardware.
Quick Comparison
Prop
Type
Typical Export Structure
When distributing content publicly, export both Format 0 and Format 5 versions. Most users include a README with scanner recommendations.
Format 0: 3D + Indexed Color
The original ILDA format. Includes X, Y, and Z coordinates with a color index referencing a 256-entry palette.
When to Use
- SD card projectors (most only support Format 0)
- Legacy hardware
- Maximum compatibility distribution
Limitations
- Only 256 colors available
- Must include color palette section
- Slightly larger files due to Z coordinate
Format 1: 2D + Indexed Color
Same as Format 0 but without Z coordinates. Smaller files for 2D content.
When to Use
- 2D graphics where file size matters
- Legacy systems that support it
Format 5: 2D + True Color
Modern format with full RGB color per point. No palette limitations.
When to Use
- Modern software (Pangolin, LaserOS, etc.)
- Color-critical content
- Professional show production
Limitations
- Not supported by SD card projectors
- Some older software can't read it
- 2D only — for 3D true-color content, use Format 4
When distributing content publicly, provide both Format 0 and Format 5 versions. This covers both legacy SD card users and modern software users.
Palette Sections (Format 2)
Format 2 isn't a standalone frame format — it's the only palette format, defining up to 256 colors for the indexed formats (0 and 1). Palette sections must appear before the frames that reference them.
BeamTracer's indexed exports (Format 0 and Format 1) always open with a palette section carrying the exact palette the colors were matched against, so your colors look the same in every player instead of depending on whatever default palette the receiving software happens to use.
Format 4: 3D + True Color
The 3D counterpart to Format 5 — X, Y, and Z coordinates with full RGB per point (10 bytes/point). Rarely used in practice, since most laser content is 2D. BeamTracer reads and writes it: choose Format 4 (3D True Color) in the Export ILDA dialog, and a Format 4 file kept as Original stays Format 4.
Detecting Format in ILDA Viewer
BeamTracer's ILDA Viewer automatically detects the format(s) used in your file and displays this in the File Info widget. Files can contain multiple formats.
Converting Between Formats
BeamTracer's export options allow conversion between formats. When converting:
- Format 5 → Format 0: Colors are quantized to nearest palette entry, and the file embeds that palette
- Format 0 → Format 5: Palette colors are expanded to RGB
- 3D → 2D (Format 1 or 5): Z coordinate is discarded
- 3D → 3D (Format 0 ↔ Format 4): Z coordinate is preserved