In late 2013, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2015 the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies, and entities around the world are finalizing plans to participate. The goal is to help people understand the importance of light-based technologies in their lives and for the future. This is an unprecedented opportunity to help others understand the work we do and what it means to their daily lives. For more information about the International Year of Light and ideas for getting involved, visit www.light2015.org. And speaking of light in the future, in our cover story, “Shorter Wavelengths, Pulses Power Laser Manufacturing,” contributing editor Hank Hogan checks out what’s coming in lasers for manufacturing applications involving drilling, cutting and welding. Innovations including more powerful diode lasers and the use of steering mirrors may enable systems to become more powerful, simpler, more robust and less costly, Hogan learned. Also in this issue: • “Semi-Custom Cameras: Simpler, More Affordable Than You Think,” by Manny Romero and Robert Howison, Teledyne Dalsa, page 20. • “Playing to Type: Choosing the Right Class of Lens for Machine Vision,” by Nicholas James, Edmund Optics, page 11. • “Vision Systems Simplify Automated Inspection,” by Nate Holmes, National Instruments, page 14. • “Lasers Guiding Us into More Intelligent Future,” by Christoph Hertzler and Ute Gauger, Trumpf Laser- und Systemtechnik GmbH, page 16. This issue of Industrial Photonics is the last one of 2014. To keep receiving it in 2015, visit www.photonics.com/minibio14 and fill out a subscription form. And please let us know how you like the magazine. Send your comments to me at karen.newman@photonics.com .