[SML] Software for theatrical lighting

[Joe]

Upon a friend's recommendation, I recently purchase the ETC Nomad software, and their USB-to-DMX interface.
My understanding of lighting control came from the late 1980's. And has pretty much stayed at that level. So I am quite of date.  But, getting started with this Nomad system has been an unnecessarily frustrating experience.  It took help from the manufacturer on their forum to find the user manual.  Mostly because the word "Nomad" is not part of the help file name.  I took another two weeks to find out that the reason I can't find video tutorials to get started, is because the software (when you choose the EOS mode of operation) is truly behaving like and has the same virtual buttons as a physical console. And that the console is getting the same user screens as I was seeing on the software. So, I should have been watching videos about the EOS consoles, not hunting for "Nomad".

After the difficulty of finding documentation or tutorials, the first time you start the software, the inexperienced user is faced with a problem... how do you exit the program, without using Cntl-Alt-Delete? And that is just the start of the difficulties.

I come from an AutoCAD background starting with version 10 on DOS. Having learned all the keyboard commands, I was always must faster at the program that those that used the pre-Windows features of printed out menu choices on the digitizing tablets. And when a Windows version came out, it became easier. In fact, you could get started with most programs without being lost.

For any complex program,the user interface is, necessarily complex.  But, there has to be an on-ramp somewhere. My friends opinion is that ETCs EOS system is easier than others, without sacrificing capability. But, as he continued to tutor me, we kept running into things that required special user instruction or steps that you had to be told about by your trainer.  But the biggest issue is that the tutorials seem to be written for people who are already familiar with lighting consoles designed for robotic lights. 

I have to ask if things are really that bad for a novice?  Perhaps the time is ripe for another party to really come up with a better solution, or better on-ramp to get started. But, also allow for all the complex features that these programs need.
Is there yet a software solution out there that has risen to the top, and greatly improved the on-ramp experience for the novice?
-Joe
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