User Manual

Laserworld Showeditor 2015
Version 2015/1.0 2015 Page 61
6.4.6. Frames per Second:
“Frames per Second” defines how many frames of a figure shall be displayed per
second. This is the actual speed the figure is played in. Depending on the number of
frames the figure consists of, the speed needs to be adjusted: If too few frames are
played too slowly, the output has a stuttering look, as each frame stays visible for too
long. Setting the correct frame rate is important, especially for graphics and text
animated figures.
A click on “Frames per Second” opens a dialog where the number of frames per
second can be entered. A frame series consisting of 50 single frames will last exactly
1 second, if the speed is 50 fps ( = frames per second).
This value has absolutely nothing to do with the scan speed and the picture
repetition rate of the laser projector.
The value simply specifies how fast the frames of a figure shall be played (exactly like
the frame rate of a video). If the frame rate is higher than the repetition rate of the
laser projector, then some of the frames are simply dropped – which will not
influence the display. If the frame rate is lower than the picture repetition rate of the
laser projector, then frames are displayed multiple times, so no gaps happen.
The speed can be entered in three different ways:
● Frame rate without any unit specified:
If only a number is entered, without specifying a unit, the software takes the
input as standard “frames per second (fps)”. For example, if “20” is entered, 20
fps will be displayed.
● Frame rate with unit “ms” -> duration:
If a number and the unit “ms” is entered, then every frame will be displayed
for the entered duration of milliseconds. For example, if “20ms” is entered,
every frame is displayed for 20 milliseconds (resulting in this being a frame-rate
of 50 fps then).
● Frame-rate with unit “bpm”:
If a number and the unit “bpm” is entered, then all frames are displayed xx
times per minute.
For example, if “20bpm” is entered, the software adapts the frame-rate in that
way that the series of frames (the figure) is displayed 20 times per minute. The
“bpm” unit has been implemented especially for the requirements of laser
shows that are synchronized to music.
The BPM rate of a song can be terminated using Tools -> Beat Counter in the
Timeline window.
Information:
PPS and FPS
If a figure consists of multiple frames, the speed of the output of these frames is
specified by “Frames per Second”.
Assuming that every frame shows a picture consisting of 500 points and the DAC
outputting at 5000pps, then 10 frames per second can be displayed by the
projector. If a frame-rate of 20fps is selected, then every second frame is dropped. In
contrast, if 5fps are selected, every frame will be displayed twice.