A collimating screen simulator comprising a projector and a holographic diffuser screen. The projector is adapted to project a viewable image onto a focal plane that is spaced from the projector. The focal plane has a backside and a viewing side opposite the focal plane backside. In operation, the projector is able to project the image onto the focal plane backside. The holographic diffuser screen is adapted to permit light from a source and incident upon a surface of the diffuser screen to pass through the screen. The holographic diffuser screen has a first surface facing the focal plane viewing side for receiving the incident light. The holographic diffuser screen also has a second surface opposite the first surface. The holographic diffuser screen is spaced from the focal plane viewing side by a distance effective for enabling a viewer facing the second surface of the holographic diffuser screen to see collimated light exiting the holographic screen.