Are there any free simulation programs?

[zuixro]

Originally Posted by Clifford

The demo version does not allow you to save or print and is free. Just give them your email here.

*loves Clifford forever*

[MillburyAuditorium]

Thanks for the reply's guys :D

I am downloading the Element's offline editor as I type, just to see how these programs work. I will report my findings later : )

[MillburyAuditorium]

Well, it wasn't exactly what I was imagining xD

What I was looking for was a program where you can visualize your space, add in the lights you have (Or don't and want to play :P) and, well, more of a visualizer where lights are controllable.

I suppose I actually am talking about WYSIWYG, but I swore I saw a different, but similar program.

[Clifford]

ESP Vision is another popular visualization program. There are also a few console specific ones like grandMA 3D. However, these programs do not let you record cues or create showfiles. That's what the offline editors are for.

[gafftaper]

There are four basic software things you need to know about. There are other products out there, but The three brands listed below are the most commonly used in the industry.

1) Vectorworks is a CAD program used to design sets and lighting

2) Lightwright is a paperwork program that works Vectorworks to create all the documents you want to organize you light hang.

3) WYSIWYG is a visualization program that allows you to hang light fixtures in a virtual space. You can create a 3D model of your theater and hang lights where they would be hung in your real space. Then hook up the WYSIWYG computer to your light board and watch a virtual version of the show before you go to all the work of hanging it. Change the color on the Mac700 on your console and the MAC700 in the 3D world turns shows what it looks like.

4) Offline editors. Just about every console produced in the last 10-15 years has an offline version of the software. Program your show on your console then take it home and clean up the transitions and adjust things like timing. Combine the offline editor with WYSIWYG and you can see what the stage will look like as you program with the offline editor.

[MillburyAuditorium]

Thanks guys,
I found a program Called Daslight, search it on google, its a bit tricky at first but pretty fun once you get the hang of it : )

[Lotos]

Originally Posted by gafftaper

There are four basic software things you need to know about. There are other products out there, but The three brands listed below are the most commonly used in the industry.

1) Vectorworks is a CAD program used to design sets and lighting

2) Lightwright is a paperwork program that works Vectorworks to create all the documents you want to organize you light hang.

3) WYSIWYG is a visualization program that allows you to hang light fixtures in a virtual space. You can create a 3D model of your theater and hang lights where they would be hung in your real space. Then hook up the WYSIWYG computer to your light board and watch a virtual version of the show before you go to all the work of hanging it. Change the color on the Mac700 on your console and the MAC700 in the 3D world turns shows what it looks like.

4) Offline editors. Just about every console produced in the last 10-15 years has an offline version of the software. Program your show on your console then take it home and clean up the transitions and adjust things like timing. Combine the offline editor with WYSIWYG and you can see what the stage will look like as you program with the offline editor.

Aww, c'mon now... You're going to tell me VectorWorks is more common than AutoCAD? *grins*


As for WYSIWYG... I should note that Cast Software offers 'Student' pricing on purchasing their software. They do not offer a Student 'Perform' bundle (the version that can connect live to a console), but they offer Student Design and Report versions for a couple of hundred.

The current WYSIWYG release won't work without a dongle... Neither in Demo nor Viewer mode... It just flips out... Drives me nuts, as I can't view my paperwork if I don't have the dongle on me...
Older versions would default to Demo or Viewer (gave you the option) when you were running Dongle free.
You need a specific 'Demo' version now for this function, available at:
Welcome to the wysiwyg Demo Website

There's also Martin Show Designer, which offers a demo available at:
Martin ShowDesigner - Lighthouse Holland B.V.

[NickJones]

Originally Posted by MillburyAuditorium

WYSIWIG, Im not really sure what that is, but i don't think that is what i am thinking of.

WYSIWYG stands for "What You See Is What You Get" you draw your space in it and then add all your fixtures, and it allows you to manipulate all your fixtures, add Gels, Movers, Accessories, then it can give you a list of gear, and let you play around with your whole rig. You can connect it over a network or though a DMX to USB dongle, and this allows you to preview your cues before you hit go, pre program your shows using the console & WYSIWYG, it's really cool software, the demo restricts your ability to print & save, and you can only use it for 30 days. There is no free student edition, there is an educational edition you can get for $1000 or something in that vicinity, it's not cheap.

Nick

[Lafalot]

There is another program called Capture. You can find it at capturesweden.com (name reminds me of the old board game, Risk).

[derekleffew]

See the Collaborative Article: Lighting Visualizer Software, as well as this thread: Visualizer with Element.