ABSTRACT
Every lighting design software package is unique and has its own syntax and features, but the approach to creating a design is generally the same. There are a wide variety of software tools available to aid in the design, documentation, presentation, programming, and playback of lighting shows. They can generally be categorized as computer-aided design (CAD), paperwork management, rendering, pre-visualization, and off-line editing. Most lighting CAD programs come with a library of symbols or blocks, which are pre-drawn two-dimensional and three-dimensional (3D) symbols with data attached. Rendering software can be used to create photo-realistic illustrations of the stage, set, and lighting based on 3D CAD drawings. Lighting paperwork software is sort of a cross between a spreadsheet and a database management application specifically for a lighting project. There are several lighting paperwork software packages on the market, some of which are integral to CAD programs and some of which are stand-alone programs.
