Control/Dimming Visualising a Show

So... Just started a new job at a school. We have a Zero88 Jester 24/48 console and I'm familiar with the Phantom consoles from Zero88.

Getting to my question. [Emphasis on no budget and no need apart from to satisfy my inner techy]

I would like to be able to light design on a PC (Plan View), preferably visualise the colours on the stage (even if basic) and ideally be able to programme the desk while viewing the stage visualisation. Doesn't need to look too pretty just vague colours/position and focus. (Ideally free or REALLY cheap). To make this trickier I'd also like to be able to export the program to .jsf to load into the desk

I know this is probably an impossible ask but I figure if it is possible someone here will know. If Phantom Jester can output to another piece of software that I imagine is easiest. However, having done a bit of googling I don't believe it does. Quite happy to use any software that will create me a .jsf file though.


Failing that, advice on free planning and visualising software would be great. Bit more work to programme up other software but I get that I'm asking a lot for free here.

Thanks in advance

Just seen the Lighting Visualisation Software Thread and I am currently downloading anything close to my needs to have a play with.

Any advice/opinions on software would still be appreciated.

Daslight Virtual Controller is free to download and has a 3D Visualizer. the actual dongle to send signal varies in price.

As we already have a desk as a controller it's not really worth going down the virtual controller route (I guess we'd have to have 2 DVC units if we still wanted to use a physical desk to control the show [DMX from Desk to PC then PC to DMX Universe]), but I will have a look at the software and see if it can be used for plotting/visualising in it's own right.

Also, looking at Vector works (not that we'd have the justification to afford a copy) but the trial will at least give me an idea of the standards and UI's available.