[SML] Mac-based Lighting Control software: thoughts?

[smashwolf at gmail.com]

Your description of needs fits the description of MagiQ by ChamSys.

https://secure.chamsys.co.uk/magicq

Chameleon Systems, AKA Chamsys, gives their software away for free
in the hopes that you will one day buy one of their consoles, or wings,
or other products.  The free version is only really crippled by limiting 
you
to one DMX universe.  The software runs on Macintosh, Windows  or
even Linux.

What you get is a COMPLETE, and I mean COMPLETE intelligent lighting
system right out of the box that includes all manner of intelligent fixture
controls, and even pixel mapping and stage rasterization!

It also has a WYSYWIG like 3D rendering engine that will allow you to
patch fixtures to 3D model components and animate your show.  The
3D engine can run on the same laptop as the controller, or be set up
as an ArtNet slave, allowing you to use a machine dedicated to just
rendering visuals.

The configuration and operation is very hog-like, so if you've used a
Hog, you'll be patching and running queues in moments.

The GUI has multiple selectable screen layouts including a couple designed
for touch screen use with big buttons.  We've found that using one of those
touch screen large flatpanel PC's is all you need for 1 univverse shows
as it's just as functional as a desk in most cases.  (Except maybe lack 
of encoder
wheels during programming)

There is even a maintenance GUI that allows you to address individual
intelligent fixtures and address them channel by channel, which is VERY
useful for teching fixtures individually after a show, or in our case after
they come back from rentals.

If you make it to shows like LDI, and Infocomm, ChamSys is there and they
often team up with a local shop to run training sessions.  These sessiona
are VERY helpful.  At LDI in Las Vegas I took the class, and a guest in the
class was the lighting operator from the club Hakasan in the MGM Grand,
He got the whole class comped into Hakasan during the show, where we
were invited up to the booth to observe as he brusked the show for NERVO's
performance on the club's MQ300 Pro desk, and even let a few of us drive
the bus to get a feel for what it's like to control such an array of 
insturments
at the touch of a finger.

I've been really satisfied with my ChamSys experiences.  Give it a shot!





On 2/10/15 9:01 PM, Jon Ares via Stagecraft wrote:
> Greetings all... as I await a DMX/USB interface (intended for testing
> and troubleshooting, not for running shows), I'm thinking of
> integrating said device or two for educational purposes... mini-light
> labs and the like - again, not necessarily for running shows (although
> I'm not ruling that out - let's see where this goes).  Any
> recommendations for Mac-based software consoles that are easy to use?
> (Just want students to learn the basics, but in a uber-portable way.)
> And I say Mac-based, cuz that's what we happen to have lying around
> the theatres.
>
> Free is great... low-price is good, too.... but simple/easy is
> important. The purpose of this is to teach/explore the basics of the
> lights, dimmers, DMX, etc, not days/weeks of learning the software.
> Thoughts?
>