Abstract: A portable construction layout tool generates laser beams in two or more directions related by a specific angle, such as 90°. The instrument emits two fans of light in such a way as to project a pair of lines on the floor, wall or other surface on which the instrument is mounted or placed, with the intersection of the two being visible rather than being a virtual intersection hidden beneath the instrument itself, enabling easier setup. Compared to rotating-beam instruments, the disclosed device is simpler by avoiding moving parts and provides for better visibility. In a preferred embodiment the non-collimated beam from a laser diode is used, and is passed through a cylinder lens to converge the beam on the narrower axis to generate the desired fan of light to be projected as a line.