I'm looking for Lighting Visualisation Software

QuadLeo

I was going to post this in Theatre & Performing arts forum but I don't know if anybody there could help me. There's a few lighting guys around these parts so here goes. I'm looking for an application to run on OS X Leopard or Vista (preferably OS X) that I can use to design a lighting plot for a theatre production. I need to be able to design a rig an visualise the cues in 3D and maybe even print out a plot sheet and dmx address info too. But more so the 3D cue visualisation. I've heard of WYSIWYG software but it's way too advanced and expensive for what I need. Is there any software out there that you've found that's a bit more basic and simpler to use. I don't need to be able to run a show from the application just programme it and view it in 3D. Don't need it to control lighting desks or anything complicated like that. I would like the ability to include moving heads and led par cans as well as my generics and specials. Hope something like this exists. Thanks.

thumpybum

See the list on the right. I dont have any experience of any of these, its just a list I found.

QuadLeo

That's a handy website. Thanks for the link.

jimi_t

QuadLeo wrote: »

I was going to post this in Theatre & Performing arts forum but I don't know if anybody there could help me. There's a few lighting guys around these parts so here goes. I'm looking for an application to run on OS X Leopard or Vista (preferably OS X) that I can use to design a lighting plot for a theatre production. I need to be able to design a rig an visualise the cues in 3D and maybe even print out a plot sheet and dmx address info too. But more so the 3D cue visualisation. I've heard of WYSIWYG software but it's way too advanced and expensive for what I need. Is there any software out there that you've found that's a bit more basic and simpler to use. I don't need to be able to run a show from the application just programme it and view it in 3D. Don't need it to control lighting desks or anything complicated like that. I would like the ability to include moving heads and led par cans as well as my generics and specials. Hope something like this exists. Thanks.

TBH WYSIWYG is really the be all and end all here. It does exactly what you need and more, but well aware of the price issue. I use 12 a good bit - I think the current version is 22 or thereabouts. It really is the dogs proverbials, simple enough rig outs in a black box style setting, say this



Can be CAD'ed out from scratch in under an hour. I have zero experience with 3D design or CAD programs and found it incredibly intuitive.



There's another called Vectorworks, which is free for student use if you live in the US (or become a virtual migrant ) which might be worth a look. Youtube around, there's tons of video demos up.

(Also, if you do intend controlling stuff, Hog2PC ain't the worst option - cheap too. Alternatively, ladaya (adafruit.net IIRC) of DIY kit fame has a USB-DMX dongle kit for pocket money.)

QuadLeo

Sweet. Thanks for the info. I installed the demo of wysiwyg. It's amazing but I can't save. I'll make up my mind eventually which software I'll buy.

jimi_t

QuadLeo wrote: »

Sweet. Thanks for the info. I installed the demo of wysiwyg. It's amazing but I can't save. I'll make up my mind eventually which software I'll buy.

Tbh, if you're using any amount of moving heads (mac 250s or what have you), even just for pre-vis, WYSIWYG is really the only acceptable solution. Trying to do it in other programs gets very messy.

PaulBrewer

jimi_t wrote: »

TBH WYSIWYG is really the be all and end all here. It does exactly what you need and more, but well aware of the price issue. I use 12 a good bit - I think the current version is 22 or thereabouts. It really is the dogs proverbials, simple enough rig outs in a black box style setting, say this



Can be CAD'ed out from scratch in under an hour. I have zero experience with 3D design or CAD programs and found it incredibly intuitive.



There's another called Vectorworks, which is free for student use if you live in the US (or become a virtual migrant ) which might be worth a look. Youtube around, there's tons of video demos up.

(Also, if you do intend controlling stuff, Hog2PC ain't the worst option - cheap too. Alternatively, ladaya (adafruit.net IIRC) of DIY kit fame has a USB-DMX dongle kit for pocket money.)

How cool is that?

jimi_t

PaulBrewer wrote: »

How cool is that?

Not very, thats 'quick render' setting using OpenGL and low detail. It can get much fancier and more adaptable than basic theatre settings. The screenshots with the installer are mind blowing (think Olympics etc...)

Here's a quick google of your average small venue/band setup.

PaulBrewer

It's all new to me! Very impressive