looking for a particular effect, not sure how to get it.

[kyle]

I'm in need of a light set up that will cast a greenish "pool room" look on
to a 5X6 table. Any ideas would be welcome. (basically to make it appear
that the table is under water is the goal)

 

[Ian Stirling]

I'm in need of a light set up that will cast a greenish "pool room" look on
to a 5X6 table. Any ideas would be welcome. (basically to make it appear
that the table is under water is the goal)

How bright does it need to be, how far off the table can the light
be, and do you want motion?

 

[kyle]

The table will be "recessed" about a half inch, meaning the edges of the
table will stick up a bit. First choice would be some kind of "strip
lighting" to run around the side of the table, perhaps under a lip on the
rim of the table, or just on the rim itself. Second choice would be a light
hanging from the cealing, or on a post that shines on the table. I'd
definatly prefer motion over no motion, but will live with whatever I can
find. As far as brightness, Bright enough to get the "pool room" effect, in
a room lit by 65 watt regular light bulbs.

I think I orginally responded to Ian directly at his e-mail, sorry bout
that. I'm not used to news groups.

 

[Ian Stirling]

The table will be "recessed" about a half inch, meaning the edges of the
table will stick up a bit. First choice would be some kind of "strip
lighting" to run around the side of the table, perhaps under a lip on the
rim of the table, or just on the rim itself. Second choice would be a light

That's got big problems.
Consider the angle that the light has to shine to get to the middle
of the table, and how narrow the angle the light has to shine over to
evenly illuminate the table.
Probably technically possible, but this will certainly involve thousands
or tens of thousands of dollars in design and implementation.

hanging from the cealing, or on a post that shines on the table. I'd
definatly prefer motion over no motion, but will live with whatever I can
find. As far as brightness, Bright enough to get the "pool room" effect, in
a room lit by 65 watt regular light bulbs.

I don't quite get what you mean by "pool room", could you elaborate a bit?

Is overspill (the bit just round the table getting a similar effect) a
problem?
What's the budget, and is this meant to last a long time, or a one-off.

For a one-off, an easy way might be a projector, and a computer with a
recording of some water, appropriately processed.

For a long-time, I'd be thinking along the lines of a halogen or metal-halide
light shining through a box of some sort of transparent non-flammable liquid.
(water may be to be avoided due to algae and stuff growth.)
Put a fan or two in the box, and you may have what you want.
If you care about the ocean spilling out of your table, things get
a bit harder.

I think I orginally responded to Ian directly at his e-mail, sorry bout
that. I'm not used to news groups.

No problem.

 

[kyle]

lower the budget the better I'm not concerned with spillage off the
table. I like the idea of a hogen light shining through a box. Perhaps I
can find some kind of glass that would produce a similar result.

By "pool room effect" I mean the lighting effects that are often cast on the
walls around a swiming pool. Perhaps I should look into something like a
miniature version of those over head projectors they used to use in school.

 

[Ian Stirling]

lower the budget the better I'm not concerned with spillage off the
table. I like the idea of a hogen light shining through a box. Perhaps I
can find some kind of glass that would produce a similar result.

If you don't care about motion, then it gets lots easier.
Take a standard light, (halogen, or metal-halide, anything with a small
source and a big exposed reflector.
Add foil on top of the reflector a bit looseley.
You'r there.

 

[Clive Mitchell]

I'm in need of a light set up that will cast a greenish "pool room"
look on to a 5X6 table. Any ideas would be welcome. (basically to make
it appear that the table is under water is the goal)

American DJ H2O water effect for America.

Maplin's ripple projector for the UK.

There are tons of water ripple effects that all use the same technology.
Basically two rotating patterned glass wheels that overlap.

The projectors are fairly cheap.