Stage Lighting Design Cad Software is a collection reguarding useful softwares for the planning of lighting shows. You can find both free softwares or free libraries for Autocad and paid softwares that allow you to design, simulate, plot, draft projects on paper.
Free Stage Plot
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Jul 27, 2015. Masterpiece Generator refers to a set of text generator tools created by Aardgo. The tools are designed to be cool and entertain, but also help aspiring writers create a range of different media, including plots, lyrics for songs, poems, letters and names.
Download StagePlotPro. If you can’t create a stage plot, at least send the venue an informal input list. For instance: Dave- Standard 2-tom drum kit. Mic for kick. Mic for snare/hat. One overhead. Vocal mic on boom stand. Monitor to his left. Janet- acoustic & electric guitar. Stands front center stage. Vocal mic on boom stand. Guitar amp to the left of drum monitor. Stage Lighting Design Cad Software is a collection reguarding useful softwares for the planning of lighting shows. You can find both free softwares or free libraries for Autocad and paid softwares that allow you to design, simulate, plot, draft projects on paper.
AutoSTAGEis an efficient tool for the cost-effective and easy creation of professional CAD plans, engineering designs and visual images for fair, exhibition, theatre and live entertainment.AutoSTAGE provides the technical simulation of reality. This is based on an extensive library of over 20,000 2D and 3D symbols in areas such as lighting, audio, video, stage, trusses, rigging, studio and theatre and also banquet and catering.An integral component of AutoSTAGE is the large collection of tools. This allows for designs of great accuracy in the shortest time, even complex trussing or lighting plans. Apart from the actual design, the clever combination of information allows a variety of other data planning functions, like stock lists for example, to be created. These can be viewed, changed and displayed at any time.Despite the complexity of the CAD Software, AutoSTAGE is suitable for CAD beginners as well. After a short training period, due to the intuitive design of AutoSTAGE, the user can create professional CAD plans without extensive prior knowledge of CAD.
is a native macOS and Windows application that lets you work with the lighting, video, laser, moving scenery and water elements of a show. Focus points are ease of use and ability to seamlessly allow switching between design, documentation and visualization oriented tasks. This provides an unprecedented level of flexibility and ability to support any type of design process and also encourages trying out new workflows. The new version is able to connect to other technologies and systems, ranging from screen technology and LED as well as filter colour accuracy to physical media input and streaming technologies, 3D model and fixture data / patch file format interchange to 3D motion tracking. Prices: Solo € 395, Duet € 795, Quartet € 1295, Symphony € 2195.
Is the most famous software known by many lighting designer. Cast Wysiwyg allow to design, simulate, make render and pre-visualize the show. Wysiwyg is an all-in-one lighting design software with fully integrated CAD, plots, data, visualization and virtual show control. Wysiwyg features the largest CAD library with thousands of 3D objects you can choose from to design your entire show.
Price: $899 (Report Version) – 2999 (Design Version) – $5749 (Perform Version). Also available the lease mode (3,6,12,24 mounth).
Price: $899 (Report Version) – 2999 (Design Version) – $5749 (Perform Version). Also available the lease mode (3,6,12,24 mounth).
allows a straight forward design and set up of any custom stage or scenery layout with its 2D drawing facilities and a library of basic graphical elements. Multiple windows both in 2D or 3D view with any camera angle can be opened at the same time and will be updated in real-time. All the stage elements can be positioned in x/y/z directions and can also be rotated around the various axes. Textures to design these elements’ surfaces can be chosen from the huge built-in library, or you may import your own graphic files and even video clips and use them as textures. Position and rotation parameters of objects and cameras on the virtual stage can be controlled via DMX. The equipment can be moved freely in the 3D space via the connected grandMA2 console. GrandMA 3D is free.
software offers real-time, photo-realistic 3D visualization of any type of show. Features include realistic-looking fixtures, photometric rays and gobo visualization, fixture constructor, video inputs, animated objects, animated fog, customizable 3D libraries. Software updates are free of charge for life. The realism and speed are the best in the industry. First up in v56 are new functions for fixtures, including precise 3D volume Focus calculations for beams and beam footprints, accurate Frost calculation covering the complete range of depth for LED modules, Gobo Edge abilities, Objective Mapping for Shapes (RGB rings, segments, etc.) and added Pixel Shift functions for High End’s ShapeShifter instrument. The latest version additionally adds further enhancements to its integration with 3D Multimedia Glasses and Head Tracker support, which allows users and their clients to be completely immersed in a 360° Virtual World of their show or event – a definite way to bring clients onboard quickly. Price: €1071.00 (NET) – €1666.00 (Media) – €3332 (Trace) – €8925 (Unlimited).
help designers and electricians record and keep track of the vast amount of data needed to install and maintain a lighting installation. As the lighting world has increased in complexity due to the proliferation of moving lights and LEDs, the organizational demands on lighting designers, design assistants, and electricians has continued to grow. Lightwright 6, for the first time, fulfills a longtime industry dream of controlling the flow of lighting data from design to console without needing to enter data multiple times by hand, while documenting up to 45,000 universes of data. Inside dozens of other new features for lighting users, including a built in label maker. To organize their shows and to provide easy identification of gear, production electricians carefully label everything, including lights, cables, breakouts, power supplies, dimmer racks, and data distribution gear.
LX Free is an application for drawing light plots and generating paperwork. It combines drawing a light plot with editing information associated with graphic objects in the drawing, and it is able to produces reports by linking the graphics, attached data, and additional databases related to the properties of these objects.
The software is totally free and available as a native application on Mac OS X. LXFree for Java runs on Windows and Linux computers that have a Java runtime installed. Casey general store employee handbook. LX is a Free CAD Software.
The software is totally free and available as a native application on Mac OS X. LXFree for Java runs on Windows and Linux computers that have a Java runtime installed. Casey general store employee handbook. LX is a Free CAD Software.
is a powerful visualisation system fully integrated with ChamSys free MagicQ software to enable lighting designers to pre-visualise their shows, to program blind and to automatically generate rigging paperwork including plots and patch lists. MagicQ for Windows/Mac/Linux includes the visualiser and as you patch fixtures they will appear in the Visualiser window and you can easily move them to the appropriate position using the on screen encoder wheels. MagicVis is also available as a stand alone MagicVis application which can be run on a laptop or desktop computer connected via network to a MagicQ console. Just start the MagicVis app and it will find the MagicQ console and synchronise with the show file.
has a newly designed 3D engine which provides photorealistic rendering in real-time using the latest DirectX technology. On MSD 6’s user-friendly timeline control you can create complex presentations including lighting, video, animated scenery, camera motion and animated smoke effects.
The user interface has been completely redesigned with a modern look, offering a rapid workflow to quickly drag and drop fixtures, objects and textures as well as instant access to any object’s properties.
MSD 6 is Vectorworks-friendly and through a Windows-based plug-in, Vectorworks files can be exported and imported into MSD 6. MSD 6 also comes with its own 3D modeling app to quickly build objects and materials or import DXF, DWG and native SketchUp formats along with all textures and UV maps. MSD 6 is available in two versions: MSD 6 Pro™ and MSD 6 Lite™.
The user interface has been completely redesigned with a modern look, offering a rapid workflow to quickly drag and drop fixtures, objects and textures as well as instant access to any object’s properties.
MSD 6 is Vectorworks-friendly and through a Windows-based plug-in, Vectorworks files can be exported and imported into MSD 6. MSD 6 also comes with its own 3D modeling app to quickly build objects and materials or import DXF, DWG and native SketchUp formats along with all textures and UV maps. MSD 6 is available in two versions: MSD 6 Pro™ and MSD 6 Lite™.
Concert Stage Creator
Realizzer 3D is one of best realistic real-time lighting simulator. It allows you to create photo realistic designs and instantly view your light show on your PC. The software has a comprehensive library with many 3D models included such as Truss and more. With the Pro, Ultimate and Studio versions you have also the possibility to simulate complete laser and video installations. Also, custom created 3D models can be imported in over 20 formats (OBJ, 3DS, DAE, etc.). Starting with Realizzer Studio you can create highly realistic videos rendered in full HD to present your show designs. Price: €300 (Basic) – €800 (Professional) – €1400 (Ultimate) – €2100 (Studio).
is a graphical design application specifically for create lighting plots, manage paperwork for all levels of entertainment from theatre to film to TV and is great for students and professionals. SoftPlot makes it easy to drag-and-drop lighting fixtures, trusses, and other elements on the design surface. You can take a bird-eye’s view and see your design in Plan, Cross Section, and Elevation views to make sure all your sightlines and focuses are correct. Working with SoftPlot will greatly increase productivity during design time. SoftPlot will also manage paperwork from gel lists to instrument schedules. Printing is easy with SoftPlot as it can output to any printer or plotter supported by Windows. Many options are available from color to page sizes. You can also create and print reports of inventory, pattern listings, channel schedules, and others. Price: from €245 to €1622.50 (Depend of license).
is one of the most complete software packages for Building Information Modeling (BIM) and planning. The package is a complete and well designed product, including sophisticated 2D design and 3D modelling environments, enabling professionals to realise projects ranging from architectural to landscape, to 3D modelling and Lighting Design. A complete suite that, thanks to the different workspaces, enables its users to implement design in great detail through the many tools and features that simplify and speed up the designer’s workflow. Vectorworks is able to interface with many other software packages such as ArchiCAD, SketchUp, Autocad, Cinema 4D and Revit. It allows users to generate plans, prospects, sections, reports, and material lists based on the information contained in the project, in addition to realising the graphical aspects of a presentation in a completely customisable fashion. Price: €2945,00 (New License Spotlight Version)
software allows lighting designers, teachers, or students to experiment with light, shadow, color composition, and cue timing in a simulated lighting studio. Virtual Light Lab is fast and easy to use: highly realistic images are displayed immediately and there is no complicated 3D drawing system to learn. Models are placed on a stage and lighted, a backdrop image is added, stage looks are composed. Moving a light or changing a color is as simple as clicking and dragging a light icon or a color swatch. Recorded scenes can be assigned fade times, then played back at full screen size and recorded as QuickTime movies. Images can be printed, or exported for use in other graphic applications. Price: $239 (Individual) – $149 (Student) – $195 (Faculty)
puts the power to previsualize and cue your show at your fingertips. Cross-platform, intuitive software that works with your console, Vision equips you to design creatively and efficiently. Entertainment design and production professionals save time and money when they use Vision because you can previz without needing the venue or having a crew standing by. Experiment with looks and cues, review options with your clients and artists, and get buy in – all before you load in. Made for PC and Mac platforms, Vision is built for accuracy with moving light fixtures. It communicates with a wide array of DMX consoles, including the MA2, Hog, ETC EOS, and many more that can send ArtNET or sACN NET protocols over an Ethernet connection. Don’t worry, you can also work offline with onPC support for hog3 MA1&2, and many other consoles. Price: $395,00 (New Licence) – $198,00 (Education).
I gladly wait for your suggestions to raise the bar of this collection. If you please, comment at the end of the post.
Let me offer a recent, real life example of why sending an up to date stage plot and input list when advancing is critically important.
We had a fly date into a festival in San Francisco, with a tight window of arrival. Our window became even tighter when our flight out of LAX was cancelled, and we were bumped to a later flight, now arriving across the bay in Oakland. It was one of those moments on the road where things are out of your control, and travel is either going to work out, or it isn’t, so it’s best to simply relax. With pre-arranged ground transportation botched, the festival hustled and sent us a runner van to get us on site. With traffic from Oakland into San Francisco, we ended up arriving on site 29 minutes prior to stage time. Woof.
There is a certain due process to arriving on site at a festival. Artist check in, meeting up with the festival liaison, getting your bearings, settling into the dressing room, checking in with production, checking in with backline, loading or crossloading gear to stage, building gear, grabbing a bite to eat, potential press, using the bathroom, etc. The picture that I am trying to paint is that there are a lot of things that happen before your set, and when you arrive so close to set time, things you have done in advance become even more important.
Walking onto stage, it was as if an ethereal force had descended and backline, monitors, and mics were all placed exactly where they needed to be. How did it get to be this way? How did they know to put it like this? Allow me to introduce you to the Stage Plot and Input List.
The stage plot is a visual representation of how gear is organized on stage. What do you need to include when creating a stage plot?
- Band name – Imagine not putting your name on the plot if you are playing a festival with 100+ other bands. You want people to be able to find and utilize your plot, right?
- Date – I like to title things with the season and year. IE:Summer 2015. This allows the person receiving the plot to know that what they are looking at is current. If it is dated Fall 2012, and it’s Winter 2015, audio begins to question the validity of the plot they are looking at.
- Contact information – the production contact for your band. Your name, role, phone number, and email address should suffice. Put it right on the plot. No one wants to dig up an email to find your info.
- Names of band members – People don’t always use it, but sometimes it’s nice to have the people you’re working with for the day know your name when you are thousands of miles away from home. First name and instrument does the trick.
Ok, so the above is important in its own way, but this is the part that really matters.
- Placement of gear – use labeled shapes to show where a piece of equipment is going to live on stage. Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keys, Horns, Vocals, Doom Reverbinator, Strings, etc. Doesn’t have to be fancy; simply write it in a box, and plunk it down where it’s going to be set.
- Placement of monitors – use labeled rectangles (IE: Monitor 1, Monitor 2, etc.), and number the monitor mix. Place the rectangle in front of where the player will need their monitor positioned. On a separate page, you can include notes for the monitor engineer, as far as what a player wants in their mix.
- Placement of power – Until future technological developments arrive, we are tethered to the archaic system of “power cords” where we have to “plug in.” Wireless electricity, can you get here already? Need to plug in an amp? Need to plug in a pedal board? Need power for something else? Denote where you need to plug in on your stage plot. Oh, shit! What kind of power do you need? Are you using American or European gear? Bollocks, we haven’t the step down convertors!
- Placement of mics – Maybe you are cruising with a non-standard piece of equipment. Telling the engineer how you want a mic placed (on axis, off axis, distance, etc.) helps them work more efficiently and quickly. This means more time for your sound check or line check. Is your singer on wireless? Make it known. Need an extra long XLR? What kind of mic stand do you want? Boom? Straight? Include all of that information either on the stage plot or input list.
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To be even more specific, I’ve seen people label their plots with measurements of how things should be laid out. I encourage you to do this. Someone will appreciate it. Additionally, actual photographs of your stage layout are useful and provide a true visual for those setting things up before your arrival. Keep in mind that fine tuning will be required upon arrival. These documents are simply meant to get things close.
The input list describes to an engineer what each channel is being utilized for. In the left hand column you will see ascending numbers. These are the channels that are being used. In the middle column, you will see what is being utilized on that channel. In the right hand column you will see what microphone we have requested, to mic or DI that element. For example, input #1 is the kick drum microphone placed inside of the kick drum. We’ve asked the engineer to use a Shure Beta 91a. Sometimes the house will not have certain mics available, and you will have to be flexible, unless you are traveling with your own mic package. Further, but not included in the example above would be effects that an engineer could apply to certain channels. I’ve seen where people will specify compressors, or gates on certain channels. I tend to let the engineer do their thing, and if something is grossly inaccurate to my ear, I will tastefully let them know.
**Please for the love of God, if you are a local engineer, do not put any vocal delay in the house mix unless explicitly requested. That is the peeve of all pet peeves. I will never understand the thought process that is occurring moments before letting that delay rip-roar through the lead vocal channel. Why would you ever do that? Reverb is commonly requested, but delay… NEVER!!
Full disclosure: I am not a FOH nor a MON engineer.
There are a slew of resources available online, both free and paid, to put together both. I personally have enjoyed success using Google Draw that is available for free in Google Drive. It is simple, intuitive, and has all the options one could want to effectively create a stage plot. The examples I provided above were created using Google Draw. Photoshop is another option, but it is more complicated, and costs money. I try to use the K.I.S.S. system whenever possible. Keep it simple, stupid.
Stage Plot Pro is another option, and can be checked out here. I’ve personally never used it, but if you search stage plot in Google images, someone certainly has.
If all else fails, you can actually DRAW a stage plot. Crude, but it gets the point across and it’s better than nothing. (Photo credit: RockOnColorado.com)
As far as making an input list, any word processing software will do the trick. Simply create a table and wa-lah!
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Sometimes despite sending an updated plot and input list, the engineer is looking at an ancient technical rider that has somehow made its way to them. That is the worst feeling when you arrive and see lines run to the tune of an old plot. Despite your best efforts, unintentional sabotage does occur. I like to keep a stack of correct stage plots and input lists on hand for arrival. Make it a priority to provide management and your booking agent up to date copies of your technical rider to avoid this issue. These documents are only useful if you can get them in the hands of a skilled production staff.
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I highly recommend checking out Mark Workman’s book, One for the Road: How to be a Music Tour Manager. He is the one who turned me onto using Google Draw to create a stage plot, and I would be remiss if I did not give credit where credit is due. It’s a great read if you are fascinated by this subject matter, and I can’t recommend it enough.