SCANLAB GmbH
laserDESK Version 1.6
First steps


Starting laserDESK

  Note:
  If the error message "Help SQL server is not installed." appears when
  starting laserDESK, proceed as follows:
  – Double-click the LaserDeskHelp.de.mchelp file in the laserDESK
     program sub-directory ‘\Help\de\‘.
     Possibly, dialog box for selecting the help viewer appears. In this case,
     select the following file::
     ’C:\Program Files (x86)\MadCap Software\MadCap Help Viewer V5\
     HelpViewer.app\HelpViewer.exe’.
     When the LaserDeskHelp.de.mchelp file is opened, it is determined,
     that the SQL server is missing and the installation will be started.
     Follow the installation instructions.
  or
  – Download and install the SQL server via the following link:
     https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=30709
  Remark: The SQL server is only necessary for the laserDESK help and
  does not affect the functionality of laserDESK itself.

Right after installing the laserDESK software, it is recommended to
proceed with the following steps:
• For using laserDESK with full functionality (i.e. not just demo mode),
  connect the supplied dongle to any USB port of the PC.
• Start laserDESK via the ‘SLLaserDesk.exe’ program file or use a
  shortcut on the desktop or in the start menu.
• In the 'SCANLAB laserDESK' dialog box, enter "Admin" as user name and
  no password. This is the default user. Confirm with {OK}.
  If only one RTC board (RTC5 or RTC6) is installed in the PC, the program
  window opens immediately.
  If both an RTC5 board and an RTC6 board are installed in the PC, firstly the
  ’Select Board’ dialog box appears.
• Select the required RTC board by activating the corresponding check box
  in the ’Select’ column and confirm with {OK}.
  The program window opens.
But if you want to use an Ethernet board, proceed as follows:
• In the ’Select Board’ dialog box, click the appropriate radio button (Subnet
  or IP Range) for the kind of search.
• Define subnet IP-address and subnet mask or the IP address range (start
  and end) in the corresponding input fields.
• Click the {Search} button to start the searching.
  All found Ethernet boards will be listed additionally.
• Select the required Ethernet board by activating the corresponding check
  box and confirm with {OK}.
  The program window opens
If no valid dongle is detected, then laserDESK automatically switches
to demo mode.


Assigning access authorizations and read and write permissions

Before any further use of laserDESK, your system administrator must
assign the required read and/or write permissions to all program users
(depending on their level of laserDESK access authorization, see topic
'Defining the User's Access Authorization' in the Online Help; open with
<F1> key):
• To each user with laserDESK access authorization "Administrator",
   "Supervisor" or "Designer", assign read and write permissions for the
   laserDESK data directory 'C:\ProgramData\Scanlab\SLLaserDESK\'
   with subdirectories.
• To each other user, assign read permission only (access authorization
  "Production" and "Viewer") for the 'C:\ProgramData\Scanlab\
  SLLaserDESK\' directory with subdirectories.


Configuring the laser and scan system

The further steps must be performed by a user with laserDESK access
authorization "Administrator" (and thus has the respective write permissions):
• Copy the RTC correction file corresponding to your laser scan system in
  any directory.
• Assign the RTC correction file to the laserDESK program:
  – Open the menu 'File\Open >\Hardware Configuration' in laserDESK.
  – In the 'Hardware Configuration' dialog box, select directory
     'Scan Head [1]'.
  – Open the Windows standard 'Open' dialog box, via button {...} and
     select the corresponding RTC correction file in the appropriate directory.
• Define now your laser control settings:
  – In the ’Hardware Settings’ dialog box, select directory ’Processing Laser’.
  – Select your laser type.
     If you use a specified laser, you have finished - otherwise you must select
     ’GeneralType’.
• Confirm the assignment of the correction file and the selection of the laser
  with {OK}.
• Finally, save the 'Hardware Configuration' file – otherwise the settings will
  not be applied.
• If you have selected ’GeneralType’ in ’Processing Laser’, you need to create
  a laser definition file. There you will define your laser.
  For it, open the Laser Wizard via the ’Hardware\Laser Control\Laser Wizard’
  menu.
  The procedure is described detailed in the Online Help (<F1>, see ’Creating
  a Laser Definition File for a General Type Laser’).


Reading important information

Before any further application of laserDESK, all laserDESK users must
read the 'Safety' topic in the Online Help (<F1>). Moreover it is highly
recommended to read the 'laserDESK Software – Overview' topic (or the
‚laserDESK_QuickGuide.pdf‘ file) . This topic describes the program
structure, which functions are available in laserDESK, and what is the
best way to create and execute a laserDESK job.