Is there a difference between scanning systems and optical effects?

Optical effects are created by using a certain glass/mirror structure with micro structures, that deflect or manipulate one laser beam hitting the optical component, so that a special effect is generated. Optical effects are e.g. burst grating, line grating, shot beams, etc.

Also the glass gobos in the Proline Series are optical effects.

The advantage of optical effects in contrast to normal scanners is, that there is no flickering with optical effects and the deflection angle can be much wider than with scanners. Anyway, the flexibility of scanner systems can not be achieved, as the effeect is limited to the built-in optical effetcs.