3 ms·

Show HN: Laser Graffiti

253 points by con 29d ago

AFF87 29d ago
Consti, this could do well on IG and TikTok. Love the take on AI
- con 29d ago
  Thanks! I'm not much of a social media person (went so far that I made an Apple shortcut app to launch IG in the messages screen[0], so I can avoid the feed). But maybe I'll try to post something there. [0] just open the URL instagram://direct-inbox
giov4 29d ago
very cool, I can imagine use-cases like a friends evening playing at home with the projector or even school doing didactic. love the whole simplicity and the style too.
TM_0624789 28d ago
This is really cool! I wonder if for the drip on neon you could make it start from the bottom of the line to make it a little smoother. And maybe you could try making it translucent for the marker so it matches the marker ink.
doanthu249 28d ago
So cool! I can see its application in presentation. Does this support more than 1 laser btw?
- con 28d ago
  I haven't tried, but it should be possible to do so pretty easily.
nico 27d ago
Very cool. I remember seeing a video of some people doing this on a whole building… found it: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DKbtTPYZEig&t=30s https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DKbtTPYZEig&t=30s
- ddellacosta 26d ago
  same crew as is referenced here too: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49513717 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49513717
thot_experiment 27d ago
https://graffitiresearchlab.com/blog/projects/laser-tag/#video https://graffitiresearchlab.com/blog/projects/laser-tag/#vid... everything old is new again, and toys will be toys
- ddellacosta 26d ago
  Heh I was just about to say, people were doing stuff like this at Parsons/ITP a decade and a half ago, at least...haven't thought about GRL in a while, thanks for the flashback
- mapkkk 26d ago
  This is what I immediately thought of as well, I'm just grateful you remembered the name of the project. An absolute blast from the past, thank you for unlocking the memories of me reading these cool projects way back when!
- amenghra 26d ago
  This is even older (I think), similar idea of building interactive experiences using off-the-shelf lasers: https://web.archive.org/web/20040202205307/http://www.monzy.org/audience/ https://web.archive.org/web/20040202205307/http://www.monzy....
- sleepybrett 26d ago
  kids don't think we have memories.
- trial3 26d ago
  i’m so happy this is the top comment. i’m someone who found the GRL as… a middle schooler and boy was it the coolest thing i’ve ever seen at the time
  - echelon 26d ago
    I love this project! I saw this back in the day and it inspired me to build this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x034jVB1avs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x034jVB1avs I hacked together some game jam games with it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd7A6TEthPQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd7A6TEthPQ Alexis Ohanian commented on my video, which was awesome: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF_OCvjq3ps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF_OCvjq3ps I eventually built a laser drawing system too. I used a 532 nanometer optical filter taped to a webcam to isolate green laser pointer light, then drew a sampled approximation of the shapes. I recorded that somewhere, but never uploaded it... In retrospect, I'm glad I didn't get in trouble for this.
Vakaiser 27d ago
While this is interesting, what I really wanted to see was more 'graffiti' and less 'laser'. Graffiti, fundamentally, is a defacement of public property as a form of artistic self expression. To that end, why not combine this with a laser engraver instead of a laser pointer? Imagine hooking this up and then literally carving your graffiti into the side of a brick building. Or burning it into the paint on a metal container car. Obviously such a thing has the potential for serious bodily harm and could start building or wild fires inadvertently, to say nothing of the energy consumption requirements such a laser engraver would necessitate. Counterpoint: rule of cool.
- grufkork 26d ago
  You’ll probably burn your retinas with the backscatter
- brianpan 26d ago
  Defacement is not the point of graffiti. It's fundamentally visual, not fundamentally destructive.
  - clickety_clack 26d ago
    Ask the people who have to clean it off.
    - sleepybrett 25d ago
      they have no choice, and i don't care what their bosses think.
      - clickety_clack 25d ago
        That is a really edgy and cool opinion.
  - 21asdffdsa12 26d ago
    Seriously? 99% is some stupid tag.. no art at all.. just the equivalent of a dog lifting his leg in paint..
reaperducer 26d ago
"Tanning invitation" /Ob Real Genius
Transformanshen 26d ago
Cool project
deleted 26d ago
[deleted]
hydropax 26d ago
Cool. I'm imagining the extra fun of using that with a cat jumping at the laser dot.
tabulatouch 26d ago
Not drawing (yet), about to arrive, but I built a whole projected arcade system on the same vibe, but way before vibecoding… :) https://s-argame.com https://s-argame.com
Tomlmmrs 26d ago
Looks cool!
lovelyxyz520 26d ago
[flagged]
con 26d ago
Hi HN and สวัสดีครับ! I remember seeing this the first time in Vienna by a friend of mine, Michi who came back from NYC and I believe he learned about it at the local hacker space at the time: NYC resistor. I knew Michi through the Metalab, our hacker space in Vienna. Originally the idea seems to have been from the Graffiti Research Lab, which is also what I've linked to on my page and in the repo's Readme. I think the version that Michi used was a MacOS app (not sure which framework), but I've always wanted to make it a web app. So all you need now is a projector, a laser pointer, and a laptop (with a camera). I've already tried a few fun setups (eg using the iPhone's camera or using AirPlay connected to the projector). It's quite flexible. Let me know if you end up using it and please share videos / photos and I'd be happy to put them up. I know the original is old-skool cool, which I think makes this a fun project. I'll try to set it up at the next CCC (2027) - if you see me there, come say Hi (I'll probably be in a banana costume).
- con 26d ago
  Sushimako, my YC cofounder actually reminded me of some more details: Here's a video [0] of Bre Pettis talking with Michi about Laser Tagging from the Graffiti Research Lab in Austria [1]. And the app by Michi and oneup (my other YC cofounder!) was written in Processing. [0] https://youtu.be/isfrCIhQ5HE https://youtu.be/isfrCIhQ5HE [1] https://graffitiresearchlab.at https://graffitiresearchlab.at
- sleepybrett 25d ago
  The original, or at least the first one that was released, was written in processing. I have the sourcecode around somewhere, doubt it will still compile though.
nixosbestos 26d ago
These green laser pointers are bright enough to cause eye damage from the reflection off surfaces, for humans and pets.
harlan_pdx 26d ago
Reminds me of messing with old laser pointers as a kid, but way more sophisticated. Love seeing creative uses of tech.
d_finch 26d ago
Immediately thought of WarGames. The applications for temporary outdoor displays are super interesting.
cold_boot 26d ago
Always wanted to mess around with a projector like this! The alignment problem on weird surfaces must have been a fun challenge.
lee_ward 26d ago
Always wanted to build something like this! Brings back memories of trying to control cheap laser pointers with an Arduino.
anthonyko 26d ago
triggered some memories of other fun projects: - gray scale image made from laser and fading glow in the dark paint https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUa9UgAZTIY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUa9UgAZTIY - i remember a version of this phosphorescent wall at the los angeles children's musuem. a strobe imprinted your shadow. https://www.exploratorium.edu/exhibits/shadow-box https://www.exploratorium.edu/exhibits/shadow-box
DylanMerigaud 26d ago
Good luck with the launch!
deastwood 26d ago
very cool. love to see this used on a builder or outside somewhere
agys 26d ago
What made GRL’s project really unique was the -scale-! Being able to paint the facade of a 20-story building must have felt ultra powerful.
- dolmen 26d ago
  See also CCC's Project Blikenlights. https://media.ccc.de/v/camp2023-57001-project_blinkenlights https://media.ccc.de/v/camp2023-57001-project_blinkenlights
ishbrzero 26d ago
This is so cool!! I bet could get my kid to spend hours on this :)
Patrickkkkkkkk 26d ago
whos this actually for? , your icp to be precise What would make the next 90 days a success for you?
BorisMelnik 25d ago
I dont have a laser pointer, will a laser thermometer work?
vladsiu 25d ago
[dead]

253 points by con 29d ago

AFF87 29d ago

Consti, this could do well on IG and TikTok. Love the take on AI

con 29d ago
Thanks! I'm not much of a social media person (went so far that I made an Apple shortcut app to launch IG in the messages screen[0], so I can avoid the feed). But maybe I'll try to post something there. [0] just open the URL instagram://direct-inbox

giov4 29d ago

very cool, I can imagine use-cases like a friends evening playing at home with the projector or even school doing didactic. love the whole simplicity and the style too.

TM_0624789 28d ago

This is really cool! I wonder if for the drip on neon you could make it start from the bottom of the line to make it a little smoother. And maybe you could try making it translucent for the marker so it matches the marker ink.

doanthu249 28d ago

So cool! I can see its application in presentation. Does this support more than 1 laser btw?

con 28d ago
I haven't tried, but it should be possible to do so pretty easily.

nico 27d ago

Very cool. I remember seeing a video of some people doing this on a whole building… found it: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DKbtTPYZEig&t=30s https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DKbtTPYZEig&t=30s

ddellacosta 26d ago
same crew as is referenced here too: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49513717 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49513717

thot_experiment 27d ago

https://graffitiresearchlab.com/blog/projects/laser-tag/#video https://graffitiresearchlab.com/blog/projects/laser-tag/#vid... everything old is new again, and toys will be toys

ddellacosta 26d ago
Heh I was just about to say, people were doing stuff like this at Parsons/ITP a decade and a half ago, at least...haven't thought about GRL in a while, thanks for the flashback
mapkkk 26d ago
This is what I immediately thought of as well, I'm just grateful you remembered the name of the project. An absolute blast from the past, thank you for unlocking the memories of me reading these cool projects way back when!
amenghra 26d ago
This is even older (I think), similar idea of building interactive experiences using off-the-shelf lasers: https://web.archive.org/web/20040202205307/http://www.monzy.org/audience/ https://web.archive.org/web/20040202205307/http://www.monzy....
sleepybrett 26d ago
kids don't think we have memories.
trial3 26d ago
i’m so happy this is the top comment. i’m someone who found the GRL as… a middle schooler and boy was it the coolest thing i’ve ever seen at the time
- echelon 26d ago
  I love this project! I saw this back in the day and it inspired me to build this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x034jVB1avs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x034jVB1avs I hacked together some game jam games with it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd7A6TEthPQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd7A6TEthPQ Alexis Ohanian commented on my video, which was awesome: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF_OCvjq3ps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF_OCvjq3ps I eventually built a laser drawing system too. I used a 532 nanometer optical filter taped to a webcam to isolate green laser pointer light, then drew a sampled approximation of the shapes. I recorded that somewhere, but never uploaded it... In retrospect, I'm glad I didn't get in trouble for this.

Vakaiser 27d ago

While this is interesting, what I really wanted to see was more 'graffiti' and less 'laser'. Graffiti, fundamentally, is a defacement of public property as a form of artistic self expression. To that end, why not combine this with a laser engraver instead of a laser pointer? Imagine hooking this up and then literally carving your graffiti into the side of a brick building. Or burning it into the paint on a metal container car. Obviously such a thing has the potential for serious bodily harm and could start building or wild fires inadvertently, to say nothing of the energy consumption requirements such a laser engraver would necessitate. Counterpoint: rule of cool.

grufkork 26d ago
You’ll probably burn your retinas with the backscatter
brianpan 26d ago
Defacement is not the point of graffiti. It's fundamentally visual, not fundamentally destructive.
- clickety_clack 26d ago
  Ask the people who have to clean it off.
  - sleepybrett 25d ago
    they have no choice, and i don't care what their bosses think.
    - clickety_clack 25d ago
      That is a really edgy and cool opinion.
- 21asdffdsa12 26d ago
  Seriously? 99% is some stupid tag.. no art at all.. just the equivalent of a dog lifting his leg in paint..

reaperducer 26d ago

"Tanning invitation" /Ob Real Genius

Transformanshen 26d ago

Cool project

deleted 26d ago

[deleted]

hydropax 26d ago

Cool. I'm imagining the extra fun of using that with a cat jumping at the laser dot.

tabulatouch 26d ago

Not drawing (yet), about to arrive, but I built a whole projected arcade system on the same vibe, but way before vibecoding… :) https://s-argame.com https://s-argame.com

Tomlmmrs 26d ago

Looks cool!

lovelyxyz520 26d ago

[flagged]

con 26d ago

Hi HN and สวัสดีครับ! I remember seeing this the first time in Vienna by a friend of mine, Michi who came back from NYC and I believe he learned about it at the local hacker space at the time: NYC resistor. I knew Michi through the Metalab, our hacker space in Vienna. Originally the idea seems to have been from the Graffiti Research Lab, which is also what I've linked to on my page and in the repo's Readme. I think the version that Michi used was a MacOS app (not sure which framework), but I've always wanted to make it a web app. So all you need now is a projector, a laser pointer, and a laptop (with a camera). I've already tried a few fun setups (eg using the iPhone's camera or using AirPlay connected to the projector). It's quite flexible. Let me know if you end up using it and please share videos / photos and I'd be happy to put them up. I know the original is old-skool cool, which I think makes this a fun project. I'll try to set it up at the next CCC (2027) - if you see me there, come say Hi (I'll probably be in a banana costume).

con 26d ago
Sushimako, my YC cofounder actually reminded me of some more details: Here's a video [0] of Bre Pettis talking with Michi about Laser Tagging from the Graffiti Research Lab in Austria [1]. And the app by Michi and oneup (my other YC cofounder!) was written in Processing. [0] https://youtu.be/isfrCIhQ5HE https://youtu.be/isfrCIhQ5HE [1] https://graffitiresearchlab.at https://graffitiresearchlab.at
sleepybrett 25d ago
The original, or at least the first one that was released, was written in processing. I have the sourcecode around somewhere, doubt it will still compile though.

nixosbestos 26d ago

These green laser pointers are bright enough to cause eye damage from the reflection off surfaces, for humans and pets.

harlan_pdx 26d ago

Reminds me of messing with old laser pointers as a kid, but way more sophisticated. Love seeing creative uses of tech.

d_finch 26d ago

Immediately thought of WarGames. The applications for temporary outdoor displays are super interesting.

cold_boot 26d ago

Always wanted to mess around with a projector like this! The alignment problem on weird surfaces must have been a fun challenge.

lee_ward 26d ago

Always wanted to build something like this! Brings back memories of trying to control cheap laser pointers with an Arduino.

anthonyko 26d ago

triggered some memories of other fun projects: - gray scale image made from laser and fading glow in the dark paint https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUa9UgAZTIY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUa9UgAZTIY - i remember a version of this phosphorescent wall at the los angeles children's musuem. a strobe imprinted your shadow. https://www.exploratorium.edu/exhibits/shadow-box https://www.exploratorium.edu/exhibits/shadow-box

DylanMerigaud 26d ago

Good luck with the launch!

deastwood 26d ago

very cool. love to see this used on a builder or outside somewhere

agys 26d ago

What made GRL’s project really unique was the -scale-! Being able to paint the facade of a 20-story building must have felt ultra powerful.

dolmen 26d ago
See also CCC's Project Blikenlights. https://media.ccc.de/v/camp2023-57001-project_blinkenlights https://media.ccc.de/v/camp2023-57001-project_blinkenlights

ishbrzero 26d ago

This is so cool!! I bet could get my kid to spend hours on this :)

Patrickkkkkkkk 26d ago

whos this actually for? , your icp to be precise What would make the next 90 days a success for you?

BorisMelnik 25d ago

I dont have a laser pointer, will a laser thermometer work?

vladsiu 25d ago

[dead]