Pangolin QuickShow Laser Show Software Guide (ILDA, QuickTools, Zones)

This guide breaks down how QuickShow works (in plain English), how to set it up fast, and how to use core tools like QuickTools, QuickTimeline, and Projection Zones—with practical tips you’d actually use at a club, wedding, or outdoor event. It also includes buyer-focused sections covering price, budget, best use cases, and where to buy a complete laser show system.

QuickShow is a complete laser show software package designed to create and play laser content—graphics, beams, abstracts, and text—while giving operators fast “live show” control plus optional timeline programming.

QuickShow typically supports:

• Static frames (logos, patterns, line art)
• Animation frames (moving graphics, simple sequences)
• Abstracts (often called “abstract frames” or “space” effects)
• Text (static text, scrolling text, waveform-style text)
• Bitmap tracing (convert BMP/JPG/GIF into laser-friendly line graphics)

For beams, QuickShow can be used to build:

• Positioned beams and beam programming
• Beam shapes (fan, cone, waves, tunnels, and more)
• Targeted beams (aiming beams toward mirrors or defined points)

In real venues, operators use QuickShow in three common ways:

• Live performance (triggering cues like an instrument)
• Pre-programmed playback (repeatable, consistent shows)
• Hybrid (live energy + structured timeline moments)

In practice, the hybrid workflow is common: you’ll trigger cues on the fly for energy, while using timeline segments for musical structure and repeatable “signature moments.”

One reason QuickShow remains popular is that it scales with you.

• If you’re new: QuickShow can feel close to plug-and-play—trigger cues, match the music, and get a decent show quickly.
• If you’re experienced: you can build custom pages, convert artwork, create beam sequences, and program timeline-based shows.
• If you’re running multiple projectors: zone routing and control options become a big deal.

QuickShow also typically supports different “user levels” (basic → advanced), which changes what menus and tools you see. That’s useful because the interface stays less intimidating early on.

If your first show looks wrong, it’s usually because setup wasn’t done cleanly. QuickShow’s setup is often fast, but three choices matter:

Pick beginner / intermediate / advanced based on what you need today—not what you want to learn someday. You can always switch later.

QuickShow can work with different scanner types and speeds. The key is: your output needs to match your hardware, or you’ll see distortion, flicker, or unstable shapes.

QuickShow can be used with single-color, dual-color, or full RGB laser setups. If you’re running RGB, make sure your color mapping is correct—bad color mapping is one of the fastest ways to make a “pro projector” look cheap.

Most operators spend 80% of their time in the cues grid. That’s where QuickShow feels like an instrument rather than a spreadsheet.

• Categories/tabs often separate content types: logos, static frames, animations, text, abstracts, beams, etc.
• Hover previews let you see what a cue does before you output it live.
• A typical page can contain 60 cues.
• Many systems allow multiple pages (often up to 32 pages per workspace, depending on setup), which means you can build large show libraries over time.

• Select mode: choose a cue without output (useful for editing)
• Trigger mode: click a cue and it outputs immediately (most common live mode)
• Replay mode: clicking restarts the animation from the beginning (great for countdowns or hits)
• Momentary/Flash mode: outputs only while you hold the key/mouse (good for accents)
• Transitions: how cues switch when one is already running

This part matters because cue transitions can make your show feel smooth—or make it look like a series of harsh cuts.

QuickTools is where QuickShow can save you hours—especially when you need content quickly for a gig.

Use it for:

• Scrolling venue name
• Artist name / event branding
• Waveform-style text effects

This is one of the easiest ways to add “custom” content without being a graphics expert.

If you have a logo image, QuickTrace-style tools can convert it into laser-usable line art. The trick is to start with clean artwork and simplify it—too much detail will look messy.

QuickTargets-style programming lets you define beam positions and timing so you can create a “beam chase” that hits set points (including mirror points). This is a classic tool for nightclub beam choreography.

This is for:

• Building a show that matches a track
• Placing cues on a timeline
• Stretching cues to fit song structure
• Adding fades, color modulation, and timed transitions

For many operators, timeline programming is the difference between “random cool effects” and “a real show.”

DMX isn’t the same as ILDA output, but it’s useful for integrating a DMX laser or DMX laser projector into a bigger lighting rig—especially when you want lighting console triggering or synchronized scenes.

Projection Zones are a big reason QuickShow is used in real production environments. Think of zones like separate outputs or separate canvases inside one show:

• Zone 1: main animation projection surface
• Zone 2: beam effects aimed into the air
• Zone 3: beams aimed at mirrors
• Zone 4: scrolling text under a screen, etc.

You can assign each laser projector to a zone so animations run in one area, beams run in another, and text stays readable where it belongs.

Each zone can have its own correction options. That matters for off-axis projection, angled walls, and unusual venue layouts.

Some zone systems allow intensity shaping for specific scan areas. That can help reduce intensity where needed. But here’s the real-world truth:

If you’re setting up in a venue and don’t have time to overthink, this is a simple workflow that works:

1. Run Quick Setup (scanner speed + RGB mapping)
2. Set projector size + flip X/Y if needed (especially for rear projection)
3. Start at low output power and test a simple cue
4. Go to abstracts/beams and confirm movement looks stable
5. Use QuickText to create a simple custom “Welcome” or venue tag
6. Save your best cues into one “Tonight” page (your gig page)
7. Run Trigger mode for live energy, add Timeline only if needed

This approach keeps your first show clean, safe, and fast.

People often ask “what’s the best laser show software?” The honest answer is: it depends on your venue, your workflow, and your budget. Here’s a practical comparison:

Check:

• Output device / DAC selected correctly
• ILDA cable connection (and that it’s the correct pinout)
• Projector is in the right input mode (ILDA vs internal patterns)
• Safety interlocks / key switch / e-stop chain

Usually:

• Scanner speed mismatch
• Too many points in the frame
• Projection size too large for the scanner setting

Fix: lower complexity, reduce points, and adjust scan speed settings.

Often caused by over-driving scanners, optimization settings that are too aggressive, or output size that’s pushing hardware limits.

Usually: color mapping is wrong, modulation mode mismatch, or projector settings are not aligned with software assumptions.

If you want a complete laser show system, think in building blocks:

Look for a professional laser projector with stable scanners, true analog modulation (for better gradients and color mixing), solid thermal management, and proper safety features.

• ILDA is what you want for detailed graphics, animations, and true laser show output.
• DMX is great for rig integration and simpler triggering.

Many pros use both depending on the show. Common search terms include ILDA interface, ILDA cable, ILDA laser projector, DMX laser, and DMX laser projector.

People search “pangolin laser price” because the real cost is the ecosystem: software, hardware interface (DAC), projector quality, and safety controls. If you’re building a serious rig and want help choosing a setup that fits your venue and budget, you can also work with a supplier that understands complete stage systems.

If you want a matched laser + lighting approach instead of guessing compatibility, Starshine supports stage laser and lighting packages. Official site:
https://www.starshinelights.com/