Computer Program for Lighting

Techy670

Member
Does anyone know of any good programs that simulate lighting a stage for the computer?

....and while im asking does anyone have any suggestions for other useful programs for the stage or anything to do with it?
 
I am guessing you are talking about a visualization software? The best one I used is http://www.espvision.com/ software. Are you also looking for something that will allow you to connect to a light board?
 
I am guessing you are talking about a visualization software? The best one I used is ESP's Vision software. Are you looking for something that will allow you to connect to a light board; or simply to see what lighting instruments effect would be for a given set of variables (location, intensity, color, texture) In which case I used Virtual Light Lab when I was in college.
 
They may not do exactly what you want, but there are some things you can get for free. Most of the pc based dmx software has a stripped down visualizer in it. They will let you position fixtures in space and see what the fixtures are doing. HOWEVER, they mostly won't let you draw in scenery or even trussing and they're fairly tedious to get even a light to show up and position correctly. But they will show you what the program is doing in real time. It may not be what you want, but it is free to download the software. A further caveat is that you won't actually be able to run any real lights without hardware, some of which can run to $2k.
 
Several lighting software products available from Stage Research, then there are the options the pros use WYSIWYG and Vector Works Spotlight.

None of these options are free or even cheap. Any time you get into rendering things get very expensive very fast.

I believe that if you are a student you can get a 1 year license for Vectorworks for free or next to nothing. That would be an outstanding move for you to learn the industry standard software. Contact Nemetschek on their website for more information
 
I believe that if you are a student you can get a 1 year license for Vectorworks for free or next to nothing. That would be an outstanding move for you to learn the industry standard software. Contact Nemetschek on their website for more information

I just got a quote for a single seat for a teacher and it was $155.
 
I just got a quote for a single seat for a teacher and it was $155.

Yeah the teacher price isn't bad. I think I paid about $160 at one of those educational software places. Unfortunately the folks at Lightwright who make the companion paperwork program are not nearly as educationally friendly with their pricing.
 
You could do what I'm doing, and use Google Sketchup with transparencies to make pretend like you're using lights! :grin:!

(that's what 8 hours on a train, sans internet, will get you...)
 

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