Cross-Platform DMX Lighting Application
Jady performing, with lights envisioned with early beta version of program
Credit: Carlos Emanuel Stoner
About
This project started as an intersection of two of my favorite hobbies: programming and stage lighting. I was frusted at the fact that all DMX-controlling applications that are free are clunky and unintutive for beginners (see Freestyler), and those more suited for large-scale events are wildly expensive! I resolved to create a program that was just as powerful as the greats, but at none of the cost! The only cost to budding lighting operators would be a $35 dollar interface that allows for four simeltanous outputs, which is unfathomably cheap (compared to others, which can range up into the hundreds). The price is placed at such only to cover the cost of manufacturing the interface, which is relatively high as supply chain issues continue to dominate the tech sector. Once manufacturing prices decrease, so will the cost of the interface.
While the initial program was to be written in C++, I found that using C# and .NET core to be much better when dealing with cross-platform compilation. The program is still within its very early stages, but I plan on improving it and adding features in the near future, as I still have a lot of ideas surrounding the program.
Who Benefits?
The first end-user in mind for this project was Camp Carl, a local overnight summer camp where I have been previously employed. I was in charge of running the lights and sound within their auditorium, and the system they used was not great. It had an unintutive interface, and anyone not extensively trained on the board had no idea how to operate it in case something went wrong, which it often did. One such problem we faced was that the board would occasionally strobe the lights when we were trying to change color or brightness, which is not great if you have a camper with epilepsy or other sensitivites to lights. This program was designed as a replacement system, and the official title for the program reflects that! [CL Pro = Camp Lighting Pro]
Other users in mind incuded budding artists such as Jady or Jay Joseph, whom I collaborated with while developing the software. People like them, or others who are trying to get interested in stage lighting, benefit greatly from the relatively inexpensive cost of operating lights at a noticeable scale, and this program could assist in the effort of bringing creative tools to anyone, regardless of financial status.
Del Ruth performing, with lights envisioned with early beta version of program
Credit: Carlos Emanuel Stoner
