Optimization Guide

Creating laser content that looks good on real hardware requires understanding how scanners work. This guide covers best practices for optimization.

The Optimization Mindset

Unlike video, where complexity is "free," every point in laser graphics requires physical movement. Optimization is about achieving the best visual result with the fewest scanner demands.

Point Budget

Start with your target hardware and work backward:

1. Determine your scanner rating (e.g., 30K)
2. Confirm the test pattern and scan angle attached to that rating
3. Divide the chosen point rate by target FPS: 30K ÷ 30 = 1,000 total records per frame

Reducing Point Count

1. Path Simplification

Remove collinear points that add no visual detail. A straight line needs only two endpoints, not 50 intermediate points.

2. Resolution Matching

Curves only need enough points to appear smooth at your scan rate. A circle might look identical with 50 points vs. 200 points.

3. Detail Elimination

Tiny details that won't be visible at projection distance just waste scanner capacity. Simplify ruthlessly.

Reducing Large Coordinate Changes

1. Path Ordering

Draw nearby shapes consecutively. Jumping across the field between every shape increases blanked travel.

2. Anchor Points

Repeated points hold a coordinate longer at corners and direction changes. Tune their number for the output rate and intended projector; there is no universal repeat count, and every repeat consumes point budget.

3. Guide Points

During long blanked jumps, add invisible intermediate points along the path. This converts one huge jump into several smaller ones.

4. Scan Field Reduction

Keeping content within a smaller coordinate field reduces maximum jump distance. The projector and output settings determine the corresponding physical scan angle, so follow the manufacturer's stated limit.

Animation Optimization

Smooth Transitions

Objects should move smoothly between positions, not teleport. A shape that slides across the screen is easier to draw than one that jumps.

Consistent Point Counts

Try to keep point counts similar across frames. Wild variation causes brightness fluctuation and makes analysis harder.

Frame Rate Selection

Not all content needs 30 FPS. Simple graphics at 15 FPS might look identical while halving scanner load.

Testing Your Content

1. Load in ILDA Viewer with your target device profile
2. Check the Safety Check's required PPS and compare it with the selected profile
3. Enable Stress Heat Map and inspect the largest coordinate jumps
4. Check PPS Graph — any spikes above threshold?
5. Enable Scanner Path — are blanked jumps reasonable?

Common Mistakes

• SVG import without optimization: SVGs often have thousands of unnecessary points
• Text at corners: Letters in opposite corners create long travel moves
• Missing anchor points: Can reduce the time held at corners
• No guide points: Leaves long blanked moves as single coordinate jumps

Further Reading