​​​Question:

What is the difference between atmospheric smoke and haze effects?​

Answer:​

SMOKE:

Artificial smoke is a visual effect designed to give a visible 'cloud', 'burst' or 'layer' of obscuring smoke.

It is usually an instantly thick output stream that creates a foggy environment or can be used for instant 'wow' factor in short bursts.

Over-use of smoke effects will hide visual elements (set dressing, performers etc)

It is not intended to be used to make your lighting effect look good (see Haze) but as it disperses it will turn into a haze type effect..it just won't last as long in this haze state.

HAZE:

Haze is used to create an almost invisible blanket/fill of the venue that is not obscuring of any visual elements in the room.

TV Studios are usually filled with haze but the haze effect is not directly seen on camera.

Any lighting effect is then visually enhanced by the haze allowing the full light beam to be seen from source to surface.

This allows mid-air space to be used for lighting effects..filling the air with beams/paths of light.

Haze effects are designed to last a lot longer in the same 'visual state' before dispersing allowing consistent lighting visual effects to be used.​