Design Issues and Solutions -

[nckek]

Hi all. I have searched a lot but with no success on any decent free design programs. What seems to keep coming up is control programs which is not what I need. Just something that I can put a plot together in would be nice. Thanks.

-Nick

[ishboo]

If you are a student there is a student version of Vectorworks, which is the industry standard for Light Plots and the best thing is, IT'S FREE!

[gafftaper]

There is no free design software out there that I know of. However it's not a problem if you are student because (as Ishboo said) you can use the industry standard Vectorworks for free. Just contact Nemetschek. No reason to mess around with some substandard software when you can legally use what the pros use for free. It's rapidly being adopted by scene shops too. They can design the set and then pass the file onto the LD who can design the lights in the same file. VERY COOL.

[mrcog]

Try this piece of software... Okay, its not amazing but it does the job )

Announcement supplied by: Karl
Software release: v 1.0
Release date: 23/06/2009

Link: http://theatre-freeware.peartreeuk.com/page1.htm

Features:

• Denote acting areas and set using simple geometric shapes and lines.
• Add lighting bars (simple or multipart).
• Add lanterns (freestanding or attached to bars).
• Record properties for each lantern (make, model, gel, gobo, etc.)
• Generate reports (equipment list, gel list, gobo list, focusing).
• Print or export the plan as a Windows Meta file (WMF).
• Includes user editable lantern and gel libraries.