[SML] Software for theatrical lighting

[Bill Conner]

Jumping from 2 scene preset to EOS is not going to be easy. I started with
AutoCAD in 1982 and was stretched at each upgrade. Were I to try to move
from drafting board to AutoCAD today, no way.

On Fri, Sep 17, 2021, 4:06 PM Kristi R-C via Stagecraft <
stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:

> I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how happy I’ve been with the Chauvet
> MagicQ software and dongle. Costs about $25 and does one universe. I got it
> for troubleshooting in the field and have used it many, many times - great
> for set-it-and-forget-it installs, too.
>
> The Nomad/Gadget combo is great for backup, programming offline or student
> use, but yes - unless you know it’s the EOS language you wouldn’t find it
> easily on the ETC web site, and unless you have a touch-screen, I find
> mousing and click to be SLOW with a laptop.
>
> That said, I’ve had excellent results from using the ETC training videos
> and booklet with students ranging from MS through adult. If you can bring
> in Ellen White or another ETC trainer to do their two day-long gig on site
> (if they are??) that’s a great way to train a bunch of folks at one time.
>
> Kristi
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joe via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
> To: stagecraft at theatrical.net <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
> Cc: Joe <jdunfee12 at yahoo.com>
> Sent: Fri, Sep 17, 2021 7:49 am
> Subject: [SML] Software for theatrical lighting
>
> 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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