History Main / HardLight

* In ''Fanfic/RocketshipVoyager'', Janeway and Chakotay have a ThisCannotBe reaction to the holographic beach on the Array, as it has [[ClarkesThirdLaw water you can swim in and even fish you can eat]]. Everyone gets a shock when the Caretaker's mooks suddenly turn it off, and all the people swimming in or sailing on the ocean find themselves thrashing about on a metal deck in a much smaller space that they thought they were in.

* ''ComicBook/TheNewUniverse'': John Tensen's powers appear to work similar to this in ''newuniversal'', as he attacks with blades of light, and can block bullets with 'screens' of the same light, as well as use them as platforms to walk upon.

* ''ComicBook/{{Marauders'' has the 2nd version of the team go up against a Sh'iar noble house, the Kin Crimson (who's most noted member is [[Characters/MarvelComicsShiar Eric the Red]]). Through a subject race capable of creating hard light constructs and Sh'iar gene tech, the Kin Crimson have "Hard Skin" which is a combat suit that gives the wearer to conjure weapons and tools (and in Eric's case, imitation Marauders).

*** Played a bit oddly in 5D's as well in Akiza's early duels. Aki has the power to make her monsters real, which puts her opponents in real danger, so they noticeably reacts to getting attacked. Her opponents have no such powers, so Aki doesn't react at all to getting attacked (both to show that they're not real, and to show that Aki doesn't care enough to play it up and act like they're real for the audience). However, the attacks from her opponents monsters still create (holographic) explosions that somehow noticeably create winds that blow around dust and characters clothes and hair, so there must be SOMETHING physical going on.

*** Played a bit oddly in 5D's as well in Akiza's early duels. Aki has the power to make her monsters real, which puts her opponents in real danger, so they noticeably reacts to getting attacked. Her opponents have no such powers, so Aki doesn't react at all to getting attacked (both to show that they're not real, and to show that Aki doesn't care enough to play it up and act like they're real for the audience). However, the attacks from her opponents monsters still create explosions and noticeably blow up wind and dust and blow things around, so there must be SOMETHING physical going on.

*** Played a bit oddly in 5D's as well in Yusei vs Akiza. Aki has the power to make her monsters real, which puts Yusei in real danger, so he noticeably reacts to getting attacked. Yusei has no such powers, so Aki doesn't react at all to Yusei's attacks (both to show that Yusei's monsters are no threat, and to show that Aki doesn't care enough to play it up and act like they're real for the audience). However, the attacks from Yusei's monsters still create explosions and noticeably blow up wind and dust and blow things around, so there must be SOMETHING physical going on.

*** Played a bit oddly in 5D's as well in Yusei vs Akiza. Aki has the power to make her monsters real, which puts Yusei in real danger, so he noticeably reacts to getting attached. Yusei has no such powers, and Aki doesn't react at all to Yusei's attacks (both to show that Yusei's monsters are no threat, and to show that Aki doesn't care enough to play it up and act like they're real for the audience). However, the attacks from Yusei's monsters still create explosions and noticeably blow up wind and dust and blow things around, so there must be SOMETHING physical going on.

* ''Series/{{Legends of Tomorrow}}'': Ray Palmer brings his A.T.O.M. suit into this spinoff series, which was previously described as having 'hard light' projectors among its weapon systems.

* ''Franchise/XMen'':

** Producing various kinds of light, including the Hard variety, is the superpower of ComicBook/{{Dazzler}}.

* The various ''Franchise/GreenLantern'' characters have always been able to create structures like this with their power rings. Originally, it was just simple structures of green light, but they've gotten more complex and multichromatic as time goes on. [[Comicbook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths Pre-Crisis]], this was called "psychoplasmic energy" eg. energy that responded to the will of sentient beings. ComicBook/PostCrisis, it's actually a form of psionic energy that's visible as colors that represent particular emotions or drives for... some reason.
* In the ''Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica'' comic, one story arc features two light-themed villains developing tangible constructs of light to torment the heroes.

* In ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'' story arc ''ComicBook/TheGirlWithTheXRayMind'', Kryptonian mad scientist Kru-El creates a mind-over-matter machine which lets him turn anything his brain is imagining into solid holograms. After turning on device, he creates a monstrous Kryptonian critter.
* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'':

* In ''Webcomic/{{Heist}}'', Geist the protagonist steals a hard light generator from its current owner (on whose behalf he had recently stolen it from someone else) in order to infiltrate the satellite headquarters of a DarkerAndEdgier Franchise/{{Justice League|OfAmerica}} {{Expy}}.

* Doctor Light in ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans''. He met his match in this trope's polar opposite: Comicbook/{{Raven}}'s hard ''[[CastingAShadow shadows]]''. And the soul-crushing abyss within her cloak they dragged him into because she was so pissed she tapped into her demon heritage, but that's another story.

** Producing various kinds of light, including the Hard variety, is the superpower of [[Characters/XMen80sMembers Dazzler]].

[[caption-width-right:350:The impossible technology I'm fine with, but I draw the line at a 5-dimensional hypercube being perceivable.]]

* Naturally, being an homage to ''Franchise/StarTrek'', Creator/SethMacFarlane's ''Series/TheOrville'' has holodecks show up several times, although they haven't (yet) proved important to the plot. The AcePilot Gordon Malloy is a big fan of holo-recreation. His introductory scene has Ed walk into Gordon, dressed as a samurai, fighting an ogre in a Japanese village. Gordon even made sure to give the ogre a friendly personality. Another episode starts with Ed, Gordon, and John engage in a [[TheWildWest Wild West]] scenario, where they play as a trio of cowboys riding up to the lair of a bandito. Except Gordon has slightly modified the scenario, much to Ed and John's chagrin. Instead of a shootout, the bandito leader challenges the cowboys to a dance-off.

* Creator/MarvelComics was doing it years before ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' with the ''ComicBook/XMen'''s Danger Room, using the term "hard light" to describe the Shi'ar technology it used.
** Producing various kinds of light, including the Hard variety, is the superpower of the ComicBook/XMen's [[Characters/XMen80sMembers Dazzler]].

* The Franchise/{{Transformers}} have sometimes employed holograms to depict fake drivers at the wheels of robot vehicles. IDW's ''Transformers'' took this a step farther by allowing the driver to interact with objects and gives it a name: holomatter.

* [[Characters/MarvelComicsCyclops Cyclops]]' EyeBeams. They're always described as consisting of force, not heat. They're not always ''depicted'' that way, but that's another story...
* The Comicbook/{{Wildsiderz}} wear suits with projectors that gives them "holographic powers" of animals.

* John Tensen's powers appear to work similar to this in ''[[ComicBook/TheNewUniverse newuniversal]]'', as he attacks with blades of light, and can block bullets with 'screens' of the same light, as well as use them as platforms to walk upon.

* [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_cutting Laser Cutting, through solid metal]]
** The geeks at MIT [[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/09/real-lightsaber-photonic-molecules just made it real]].
** Then Princeton went and [[http://gizmodo.com/physicists-are-making-solid-light-1633885762 turned light into crystal]].

** Eggmanland in ''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed'' features hard light platforms that can either appear under Sonic's feet to form footholds and walkways, disappear when he steps onto them or remains solid. They make return appearances in Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations.

** They even {{lampshade|Hanging}}d this in one episode. Neelix's [[OrganTheft lungs were stolen]] (... yeah) and the Doctor proposed that they be temporarily replaced with holographic lungs. As seen in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sbut8Sp7jY4 this video]], when Tom Paris pointed out that it couldn't work, as light was intangible, the Doctor ''[[Funny/StarTrekVoyager slapped him]]''. Some holograms such as the Doctor also had the ability to switch between solid and non-solid by deactivating the force field portion of their program separately to the hologram.

* This seems to be the underlying principle behind "digistruction" technology in ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}''. It can be used to instantly conjure vehicles, turrets, duplicates of yourself, or even a new body for yourself when you die (part of the game's NonstandardGameOver; the social and ethical implications are glossed over). Tediore manufactures digistructed guns that shapeshift into grenades after running out of ammo, after which you can simply spawn a fully loaded one from the holster (though they're noted to be of pretty low quality).

** Producing various kinds of light, including the Hard variety, is the superpower of the ComicBook/XMen's ComicBook/{{Dazzler}}.
** ComicBook/{{Bishop}}'s sister Shard once existed as a being of hard light, before [[HeroicSacrifice heroically sacrificing]] herself by letting herself be absorbed into him to help him escape from Fitzroy.
** ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' villain Lightmaster uses solid light to make hammers, sharp axes, and concussive bursts. He can also use it to fly. Another Spidey foe Stunner is a hard light hologram controlled by Angelina Brancale, an obese woman who wanted to be thin and beautiful and powerful; ComicBook/DoctorOctopus gave her a machine that allowed her to be Stunner.

* ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}' EyeBeams. They're always described as consisting of force, not heat. They're not always ''depicted'' that way, but that's another story...

* ComicBook/TheFalcon's Wakandan-made costume has hard light wings, able to change shape based on how he needs to move. Animated versions give him the ability to fire laser FeatherFlechettes from them, but this has yet to find its way into the comics. As for the version seen in ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier,'' they're not hard light and as a soldier, he just uses [[MoreDakka plain ol' guns. Powerful ones.]] Of course, his wing pack was wrecked in the movie, leaving the door open for him to possibly return with a more sci-fi version.

* ''Literature/TheLightbringerSeries'' is a [[MagicAIsMagicA satisfyingly in-depth fantasy treatment]] of this. Mages are [[InsistentTerminology exclusively called]] 'drafters,' who can create and shape 'luxin' of [[ColorCodedWizardry various colors]] into physical objects and effects (walls, bridges, weapons, bursts of flame, etc) with a lot of room for [[AwesomeByAnalysis cunning tricks of engineering]]. Most drafters [[CripplingOverspecialization work in one color]], some can work in two, a rare few can use three or more, and the Prism ([[TheChosenOne ruler of]] [[TheMagocracy the Seven Satrapies]]) [[TheRedMage uses all of them]] with phenomenal endurance. Drafters who [[PhlebotinumOverload channel too much luxin in their lifetimes]] [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity willingly]] [[BodyHorror remake their own bodies]] with implanted luxin structures in an especially literal application of this trope; other uses of luxin still qualify because luxin deteriorates into light and evaporates unless it is 'sealed.' Finally, drafting ability partially depends on the ability to perceive subtle nuances of color, [[ShownTheirWork giving females a statistical advantage]].

** The idea was [[TropeCodifier popularized]] by the holodeck of ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'', although they weren't responsible for the standard "hard light" HandWave. Strictly speaking, Star Trek holograms are not hard light, as the physical part comes from the use of forcefields rather than being an intrinsic quality of the hologram. The EMH Doctor in ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' often refers to himself (or fellow holograms) as "photons and forcefields" (as opposed to flesh and blood). Sentient holograms in the Delta Quadrant tended to refer to themselves and otherslike them as "photonics".

* ''Franchise/{{Halo}}''

* ''VideoGame/MegaManClassic''

** Eggmanland in ''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed'' features hard light platforms that can either appear under Sonic's feet to form footholds and walkways, disppear when he steps onto them or remains solid. They make return appearances in Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations.

* The Combine from ''VideoGame/HalfLife'' have light bridges in their Citadel, as well as selectively permeable light gates to keep citizens out of Combine-controlled areas.
* The first ''VideoGame/MegaManStarForce'' game pokes with the concept, and by the third game things like this are all over the place.
* ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'' character Dr. Nefarious uses hard light holograms in [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankUpYourArsenal the third game]], as does [[ShoutOut Ace Hardlight]] in [[VideoGame/RatchetDeadlocked the fourth]]. Ratchet himself employs Hard Light armor in ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureACrackInTime A Crack In Time]]''.
* ''VideoGame/HeroesOfMightAndMagic''
** Unlike previous games, illusory creatures in ''IV'' act just like real creatures. The flavor text in the library implies it's a case of YourMindMakesItReal.
** In ''VI'', the human cavalry ride [[CoolHorse steeds made of light]] into battle.
* The Ixian Projectors from ''VideoGame/EmperorBattleForDune'' can project hard light copies of units, which can even deal damage. The downside is, being solid holograms, touching enemy units or being shot at instantly destroys them. Still, it allows one to ZergRush with an army of holographic [[SuperSoldier Sardaukar Elites]] while only paying for the Projector(s) to be built and one Sardaukar to be copied. The size of your holographic army is only limited by the number of projectors you build and how fast you can click on your target unit, as there is no cap on the number of projections, nor a MagicPoints cost for projecting them. This makes them extremely useful for the penultimate mission [[spoiler: where you attack your enemy's homeworld]], as there is no spice to harvest, leaving you to rely on your starting cash.

* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' has a prequel, ''VideoGame/CrisisCore'', in which Shinra has training programs that are essentially holograms. What makes that this Trope is that the holograms can completely imitate the physical qualities of the object. For example, Sephiroth's sword will actually cut you, even though it's not the real Sephiroth. Also, somehow, it creates its own arid desert.
** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII'', in the Great Crystal, entire pathways are made out of nothing more than solid projections of light.
* ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'':
** It may seem like it would be so in ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'', but it isn't: Laser weapons have no [[WreakingHavok kill impulse]] in their impacts, or any force upon inanimate objects.
** In ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'', however, the DLC ''Dead Money'' introduces the Holorifle, which does have a kill impulse. It works by shooting a scattering of holographic cubes that does a [[GameBreaker crap-ton]] of damage even when the gun is loaded with low-grade bulk cells. ''Dead Money'' also has security holograms, which can attack the player but are invulnerable themselves. You have to destroy their projector to get rid of them.
* ''VideoGame/{{Portal 2}}'' features a gameplay element called the Hard Light Bridge: basically a projected flat surface that flows straight out from its emitter until it hits an obstacle. Naturally, these can be redirected through portals to gain access to unreachable areas, block turret fire, or intercept objects.
--> '''SelfDemonstrating/{{GLaDOS}}:''' If you rubbed your cheek on it, it would feel like the sun, shining on your face. It would also set your hair on fire, so don't actually do it.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}'', you can literally swim in stardust, or fragments of light, at the start of the game. You even need to draw it with Rejuvenation first. Later on, at the PointOfNoReturn, [[spoiler: you cross a rainbow bridge into the Ark of Yamato]].
* In ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'', the eponymous witch comes across floating, giant halos made of hard light she must use as platforms in Paradiso. A bit later in the game, the boss Iustitia can attack her by creating light buzzsaws circling around its tentacles.
* ''Videogame/DarkSouls'':
** It turns out that every monster in [[spoiler: Anor Londo]] is actually an illusion created by [[spoiler: Gwyndolin]], save for [[spoiler: Ornstein, Smough, the Painting Guardians, and possibly the Mimics]]. There's subtle hints to this throughout the environment, such as [[spoiler: the Batwing Demons using lightning spears despite just about all other demons using chaos weaponry]], and [[spoiler: only the Painting Guardians attempt to heal with Estus flasks]]. You still gain souls from them, and at least some of their equipment is substantial (i.e. they drop swords, shields, and some armor) but [[spoiler: the monsters cease to exist if you kill the illusion of his sister Gwynevere, which angers Gwyndolin enough for him to dispel the other illusions and send his servants after you]]. Since there's no way to [[spoiler:kill Gwynevere before facing them]], it's entirely possible that even [[spoiler:Ornstein and Smough are illusions as well]].
** The Moonlight Greatsword, a weapon that appears in several Creator/FromSoftware games, has a tiny physical blade that projects a blade of solid magical moonlight. The sword is lightweight for its size since its physical component is the size of a dagger and it deals pure magic damage. The sword reappears in the [[Videogame/DarkSoulsII the sequel]] with the same properties and a slightly different appearance. Another sword, the Bluemoon Greatsword, has the same appearance as the Moonlight Greatsword from the first game, and its wielder Benhart believes that it is the same legendary sword. The sword's weight and lack of magic damage make it clear that it's just a forgery.
* In the ''Franchise/DeadSpace'' series many holograms are solid enough to be used as [[HolographicTerminal interfaces.]]
* Treated weirdly in ''Franchise/MassEffect''. Almost every computer interface in the galaxy is a HolographicTerminal that ''looks'' like this, but is actually [[SubvertedTrope an in-universe visual aid]]. The all-purpose Omnitool everyone wears? They're not typing on anything physical - the sense of touch is caused by [[UnusualUserInterface haptic gloves or subdermal implants]]. Tech Armor plates are warping fields that disrupt incoming fire, and are illuminated to warn comrades not to get too close. The third game's LaserBlade is just a warning light so you don't burn or cut yourself with the real weapon, which is an ultra-thin transparent blade of flash-forged silicon.
** The Pinnacle Station in the DLC of the same name for the first game is more or less identical to the TNG Holodeck as described. It uses light projections to create the visuals, and kinetic barriers (the ME equivalent to force-fields) to allow it to interact with real people.
* The Infi-nut from ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombies 2'' is an {{Energy Being|s}} Wall-nut spawned from a projector. Like other plants, it can physically block zombies and be eaten, but it will periodically regenerate itself to full health as long as the projector exists.
* ''Videogame/{{Overwatch}}'' directly states that hard light technology is used in Symmetra's abilities. Vishkar Corporation - Symmetra's benefactors - applies hard light for construction of entire cities. Lucio's skates are also told to be made of hard light in the Visual Source Book that comes with the Collector's Edition.
* ''Videogame/PlanetSide 2'' has a few hard light bridges, most notably at Heyoka Chemical Lab. Friendlies can go over the bridge fine, enemies fall straight through the bridge into the [[SuperDrowningSkills moat of deadly chemicals]]. It's pretty entertaining to hack the enemy bridge console while they're standing on it, causing them to suddenly fall through. The Holographic armor included in the second anniversary bundle is a (purely cosmetic) set of extra hard light armor plating for soldiers.

* Eugene Sims in ''VideoGame/InfamousSecondSon'' is a Conduit with the power of video; he can take artificial light from a television or computer screen and project it into the real world as a hard light being, usually as weapons and creatures from his favorite video game. This includes large swords, demons and angels, and even changing himself into an angelic soldier. As shown in ''VideoGame/InfamousFirstLight'' he is also able to create hard light DUP soldiers, in which Augustine forces him to do so in order to provide enemies in an [[DeadlyTrainingArea arena]] to train Fetch to kill.
* ''VideoGame/GuildWars2'' has the Holosmith, the Engineer elite specialization added with ''Path of Fire'', that uses a Photon Forge to instantly create weapons, [[BeehiveBarrier shields]] and temporary ground modifications out of hard light.
* ''VideoGame/FireEmblemFates'': Takumi's Fujin Yumi doesn't have a tangible bowstring or use normal arrows. Rather, by channeling his willpower into the Yumi, it creates a bowstring and arrows composed of solid light.
* The Subterfuge node in ''VideoGame/RingRunnerFlightOfTheSages'' usually produces [[{{Hologram}} holograms]], but can also create constructions solid enough to block projectiles or explode.
* This seems to be the underlying principle behind "digistruction" technology in ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}''. It can be used to instantly conjure vehicles, turrets, duplicates of yourself, or even a new body for yourself when you die (part of the game's NonstandardGameOver; the social and ethical implications are glossed over). Tediore manufactures digistructed guns that shapeshift into grenades after running out of ammo, after which you can simply spawn a fully loaded one from the holster (though they're noted to be of pretty low quality).
* The [[{{Magitek}} technology]] in ''VideoGame/CabalOnline'' can create objects via a medium. The Orbs and Crystals that Wizards, Force Shielders, and Force Archers use can manifest their weapons via this method. Astral Bikes and Boards are also made up of hard light that is manifested from an Astral Card and can even be used to attack enemies before it disappears.

** The idea was [[TropeCodifier popularized]] by the holodeck of ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'', although they weren't responsible for the standard "hard light" HandWave. Strictly speaking, Star Trek holograms are not hard light, as the physical part comes from the use of forcefields rather than being an intrinsic quality of the hologram. The EMH Doctor in ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' often refers to himself (or fellow holograms) as "photons and forcefields" (as opposed to flesh and blood). Sentient holograms in the Delta Quadrant tended to refer to themselves and others as photonics.
** They even {{lampshade|Hanging}}d this in one episode. Neelix's [[OrganTheft lungs were stolen]] (... yeah) and the Doctor proposed that they be temporarily replaced with holographic lungs. As seen in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sbut8Sp7jY4 this video]], when Tom Paris pointed out that it couldn't work, as light was intangible, the Doctor ''[[Funny/StarTrekVoyager slapped him]]''. Some holograms such as the doctor also had the ability to switch between solid and non-solid by deactivating the force field portion of their program separately to the hologram.
** It is AllThereInTheManual: holodecks use both holographic projections for visuals, and force fields for physical effects that can vary from touching something to running into a wall -- also include allowing people to walk while still remaining in place.

[[caption-width-right:350:The impossible technology I'm fine with, but I draw the line at a 5-dimensinal hypercube being perceivable.]]

** The stairs in the Temple of Time in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess''; also the bridges in the Twilight Realm as well as the bridge ''to'' the Twilight Realm.

** Ancient Sheikah {{Magitek}} frequently uses this in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild''. The Remote Bomb rune makes either square or round bombs depending on Link's needs that appear to be light constructs, and the fact that they are Hard Light rather than traditional combustible explosives explains why you can't use them to light fires. Guardian weapons and shields also employ this, having the sword blades, axe/spear/arrow heads, and shields go into and out of "combat mode". Lastly, the elevators into the [[MiniDungeon Shrines]] and the Monks waiting at the end are contained in Hard Light barriers.

* In the Future Arc of ''Manga/Reborn2004'', Mukuro, Ken and Chikusa [[spoiler:appear as solid illusions to help Chrome in her fight against Glo Xinia.]]
** This is initially {{averted|Trope}}, however, as without the [[spoiler:[[MacGuffin Vongola Mist Ring]]]], Mukuro was only able to simulate physical illusions by hiding rocks in them.

* Averted by the [[NighInvulnerability Logia User]] [[LightIsNotGood Kizaru]] in ''Manga/OnePiece'': when he attack he briefly turns his legs solid in order to deliver a super-powerful kick.
** Played straight with his light sword.

** Bishop's sister Shard once existed as a being of hard light, before [[HeroicSacrifice heroically sacrificing]] herself by letting herself be absorbed into him to help him escape from Fitzroy.
** ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' villain Lightmaster uses solid light to make hammers, sharp axes, and concussive bursts. He can also use it to fly.
** Another Spidey foe Stunner is a hard light hologram controlled by Angelina Brancale, an obese woman who wanted to be thin and beautiful and powerful. Doctor Octopus gave her a machine that allowed her to be Stunner.

* The various ''Franchise/GreenLantern'' characters have always been able to create structures like this with their power rings. Originally, it was just simple structures of green light, but they've gotten more complex and multichromatic as time goes on.
** [[Comicbook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths Pre Crisis]], this was called "psychoplasmic energy" eg. energy that responded to the will of sentient beings. ComicBook/PostCrisis, it's actually a form of psionic energy that's visible as colors that represent particular emotions or drives for... some reason.

* Additionally, Dr. Light II of Creator/DCComics (Kimiyo Hoshi) is a light controller, able to create hard light constructs.
** The original Dr. Light, a villain, could do it as well, but with gadgets.
* Back in Marvel, ComicBook/{{Quasar}}'s Quantum Bands have the power to create solid light constructs.
** Acording to the ''ComicBook/OfficialHandbookOfTheMarvelUniverse'', they are actually made of [[TechnoBabble air molecules that have been bound together with photons]], although no explanation of how he can create such constructs in outer space is given.

* The Marvel Comics heroine [[ComicBook/{{Thunderbolts}} Songbird]] does something that is equivalent to this, using a device to create constructs out of "Hard [[MakeMeWannaShout Sound]]".
** Note that her powers resemble those of the older villain Klaw, to the point of being the same color (red). Most likely, the same technology was used.

* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman'':
** (UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks) Paula's Space Transformer creates hard light recreations of things that [[{{Chronoscope}} have occured, and sometimes things which will occur]], on the platform it projects onto when it's not being treated as an outright time travel machine.

* In Fanfic/NobodysHero, Ai was able to integrate LINK VRAINS into the real world, turning the-once data monsters real and allowing them to wreak havoc in the real world. Unlike in duels, the monster's strength depends on the Duelist's determination instead of life points. [[spoiler:Turns out, he used a [[Anime/YuGiOhARCV Real Solid Vision projector]] to combine LINK VRAINS and the real world.]]

* ''Literature/TheCulture'' drones' fields: They manipulate {{force field}}s with a very high degree of precision and control. Skaffen-Amtiskaw, in ''Use Of Weapons'' is seen using fields both as incredibly sharp "blades" and blunt objects, medical instruments (sucking blood away from a wound and performing surgery), and supporting pillars. Other drones carry objects and make mirrors from fields, and the gun in "A Gift From The Culture" extends one to "field anchor" its wielder's arm for a steady shot. The fields are generally coloured to depict the mood of the drone - for example, red is "the colour of drone pleasure". This is helpful, as a drone has no facial features or body language to interpret. In ''Consider Phlebas'' they use the word "soligram" to refer to this concept.

* Seen throughout ''Literature/TheSeventhTower'' series by Garth Nix. The Chosen make use of sunstones -- growing crystals that absorb the sun's energy -- to do everything, from building, making music, weapons, to creating suits of armor and rainbow-colored stairs to escape a large pit. Sunstones are even used as decoration, heating, and jewelry. Since the sunstones are never described as anything more than powerful battery packs that store energy, which is used in the form of light beams, it falls under this trope.

* Shallan Davar of ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'' has the power of Lightweaving, creating illusionary images out of light. At first the images are incoporeal which limits the ways she can use them. By the climax of ''Literature/{{Oathbringer}}'' she's starting to work out how to combine her Lightweaving with her second power of Soulcasting, transforming one subtsance into another, which makes her illusions more solid and better able to resist enemy soldiers.

* ''Series/RedDwarf'' is the TropeNamer.

* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog''

* ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'' character Dr. Nefarious uses hard light holograms in the third game, as does [[ShoutOut Ace Hardlight]] in the fourth. Ratchet himself employs Hard Light armor in ''A Crack In Time''.

* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy''

* ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}''
** It may seem like it would be so in ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'', but it isn't: Laser weapons have no [[WreakingHavok kill impulse]] in their impacts, or any force upon inamimate objects.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}'', you can literally swim in stardust, or fragments of light, at the start of the game. You even need to draw it with Rejuvenation first.
** Later on, at the PointOfNoReturn, [[spoiler: you cross a rainbow bridge into the Ark of Yamato.]]

** It turns out that every monster in [[spoiler: Anor Londo]] is actually an illusion created by [[spoiler: Gwyndolin]], save for [[spoiler: Ornstein, Smough, the Painting Guardians, and possibly the Mimics]]. There's subtle hints to this throughout the environment, such as [[spoiler: the Batwing Demons using lightning spears despite just about all other demons using chaos weaponry]], and [[spoiler: only the Painting Guardians attempt to heal with Estus flasks.]] You still gain souls from them, and at least some of their equipment is substantial (i.e. they drop swords, shields, and some armor) but [[spoiler: the monsters cease to exist if you kill the illusion of his sister Gwynevere, which angers Gwyndolin enough for him to dispel the other illusions and send his servants after you.]] Since there's no way to [[spoiler:kill Gwynevere before facing them]], it's entirely possible that even [[spoiler:Ornstein and Smough are illusions as well.]]

* The Infi-nut from ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombies 2'' is an EnergyBeing Wall-nut spawned from a projector. Like other plants, it can physically block zombies and be eaten, but it will periodically regenerate itself to full health as long as the projector exists.
* ''Videogame/{{Overwatch}}'' directly states that hard light technology is used in Symmetra's abilities. Vishkar Corporation - Symmetra's benefactors - applies hard light for construction of entire cities.
** Lucio's skates are also told to be made of hard light in the Visual Source Book that comes with the Collector's Edition.

* ''VideoGame/TheWitness'': The bridges [[spoiler: inside of the mountain.]]

* This seems to be the underlying principle behind "digistruction" technology in ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}''. It can be used to instantly conjure vehicles, turrets, duplicates of yourself, or even a new body for yourself when you die (part of the game's NonStandardGameOver; the social and ethical implications are glossed over). Tediore manufactures digistructed guns that shapeshift into grenades after running out of ammo, after which you can simply spawn a fully loaded one from the holster (though they're noted to be of pretty low quality).

* In ''Webcomic/GrrlPower'', the alien spaceship commander Cora has hard-light-projectors built into her prostheses to create changable, tangible clothing.

** In ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', Luminus escapes from prison, and uses his technology to surround Flash with holograms. Flash, used to this trick with Mirror Master, thinks that they're just holograms and apparently doesn't fall for it, except, as those who've watched ''STAS'' would know, they're pretty solid. Ass kicking ensues.
** This doesn't explain why his holograms react to being punched by falling or flying across the room, as this means they must have been programmed to do that, for some reason. Otherwise, it should have been either a NoSell (even from Superman) or result in the hand passing through the hologram.

* Doctor Light in ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans''. He met his match in this trope's polar opposite: Comicbook/{{Raven}}'s hard ''shadows''. And the soul-crushing abyss within her cloak they dragged him into because she was so pissed she tapped into her demon heritage, but that's another story.