The well-known real-time interactive multimedia content and mapping software tool TouchDesigner implemented the direct laser output support through the popular ShowNET laser mainboard. The ShowNET laser mainboard is a standard mainboard in many laser systems nowadays, so it is widely available with several tens of thousands of interfaces in the market.
TouchDesigner is a node-based development platform for media, that can transform and modify content of different sources and then output to the same or other media. It allows to “convert anything into anything”, which makes it a very useful tool for mapping applications, combining of media and general control of multiple media. So it definitely made sense to enhance the media compatibility with the direct connectivity to the versatile ShowNET laser mainboard.
The connection of TouchDesigner to a laser with ShowNET mainboard (or an external ShowNET interface) is very simple: A standard LAN infrastructure, even a direct LAN cable between the computer and the laser, is totally sufficient. It is not required to buy additional licenses or extra hardware components. It is just a straight forward connection. TouchDesigner then automatically detects the ShowNETs that are available in the network and makes them selectable in the software as output devices. Up to 40 ShowNET mainboards can be handled in one physical network, but many more are available in TouchDesigner if multiple physical LANs or V-LANs are connected.
TouchDesigner is a software product developed by the Canadian company Derivative.
Further information about TouchDesigner, ShowNET and compatible laser systems: https://www.laserworld.com/en/shownet-compatible/touchdesigner
