ARRI Stellar Light Plot
Church lighting designers and techs often turn to their smartphones and tablets in the interest of streamlining the lighting design process. In 2020, these in-hand design tools are getting even more sophisticated, as the options below show.
ADJ Airstream DMX Pro
Designed for those working in small to mid-sized venues, this stage lighting control app allows users to control up to 576 fixtures. The app will work with up to four DMX512 universes (2,048 lighting channels), and supports both Art-Net and sACN. An effects generator produces movement, color, and flash effects, and designers may also use audio to trigger special effects (it also supports MIDI). It is available for iOS, and requires the purchase of an ADJ 4 Stream DMX Bridge or Airstream DMX Bridge, which act as the interface between the fixtures and the user’s mobile device.
https://www.adj.com/airstream-dmx-pro-app
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/adj-airstream-dmx-pro/id1339818459
ARRI Stellar 1.5
ARRI’s latest update to this professional lighting control app focuses on enhancing collaboration capabilities among members of the production team. Its Live Sync Beta feature allows for real-time collaboration on separate devices, enabling more than one person to work on the same project (and scene) at the same time. Export/Import, as its name suggests, lets users export and import projects and scenes via the cloud, wirelessly between devices, or through email, messaging, and other sharing tools. Available on The App Store and Google Play. The iOS version will back up to iCloud automatically, facilitating the process for users who switch back and forth between their iPhone and iPad.
DMXcat (City Theatrical)
DMXcat combines a suite of mobile applications to enable the control and testing of DMX fixtures. Software apps include DMX Controller, Fixture Controller, RDM Controller, DMX Tester, DIP Switch Calculator, Light Meter, and RF Spectrum Analyzer. The separate purchase of a small, battery-powered and Bluetooth-enabled dongle is required in order to use this app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.citytheatrical.DMXcat&hl=en
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dmxcat/id1163856486
Lighting Designer 3.5.2 (Clayton Combe)
The latest version of this app features a number of improvements, including broader Snap functionality (it will let users snap to and from centers, endpoints, as well as resize handles). Interface improvements include a new bottom button for toggling the Snap feature on and off, and when users press and hold, they will receive a snap options list and a grid selector. For quicker Groups assignment, this update features a new Choose Groups table for single and multiple objects. It also protects against users accidentally generating a bottom screen swipe-up while editing a plot (this for devices without home buttons).
https://lightingdesignerapp.com/
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lighting-designer/id511366142?ls=1
Luminair 3 (SyntheFX)
Created for iOS, the latest version of Luminair 3 incorporates features such as a Dynamic FX engine, Scheduling, Remote for Apple Watch, and more. There is one DMX output universe, and one Art-Net DMX input universe, intended for use when creating Snapshot scene recordings from another lighting console. Luminair 3 will function with any Art-Net or sACN E1.31-compliant DMX interface, and will send Art-Net and sACN E1.31 over built-in Wi-Fi hardware. The Lockdown mode powered by Touch ID lets designers lock specific parts of the interface for applications involving volunteers or less pro lighting-savvy operators.
http://synthe-fx.com/products/luminair
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/luminair-3-dmx-art-net-smart/id920440588
MyETC: Photometrics
MyETC: Photometrics offers dynamic photometric data in the interest of taking the guesswork out of predicting how an ETC luminaire will perform. With this app, designers have access to customized photometrics for ETC fixtures in any color; they may also compare luminaires and save their favorites. Also included are gel libraries that provide DMX and full spectral values, enabling users to replicate any gel color they’ve applied in previous productions. Available on The App Store and Google Play.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/myetc-photometrics/id1447394032
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.etcconnect.Thanos&hl=en
Photon - DMX Lighting Controller (StudiOS)
A mobile DMX lighting controller that is ART-Net or sACN-compatible via Wi-Fi, Photon is available free or as an in-app purchase. The free version features a multi-touch interface, lighting group management, scene management, both Art-Net and sACN in multicast or unicast, a database of pre-configured fixtures, as well as the ability for users to customize their fixtures. With the in-app purchase, users may synchronize their lighting to music, combine multiple cues to an animated sequence, and edit sequences with a timeline. The in-app purchase also features a background mode.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/photon-dmx-light-controller/id1198023297
