Santa Claus came early for me this year, and as a result, I’ve been propelled into the exciting world of the iPad2. I spent the first few days with it loading games and magazines (i.e. PLSN, http://plsn.com/wp/app), but then I thought about what else might be available for lighting professionals. And that’s when a whole new world unveiled itself for me.
In terms of productivity apps, iTunes has quite a few choices. I chose iAnnotate PDF, Evernote and Dropbox right away because of their flexibility and mobility between desktop and iPad. Many more — available for free or as little as $.99 — can be found at http://plsn.me/iosprod. By helping you be better organized and prepared for your next project, they’re well worth the price.
The next search led me to find out what apps are available for popular lighting control systems. Today, many consoles offer PC versions of their console software, and most of those PC versions are Art-Net friendly, so I was curious to find out what iPad apps were available, and if they could be used as a stand-alone controller if needed. Here are just a few that are currently available:
Lighting Controller Apps
Luminair (Synthe FX)
Luminair is one of the first DMX lighting control software programs that allows users to wirelessly control lighting fixtures, dimmers, consoles and media servers, all via a Wi-Fi connection.
LightingPad
(Alcorn McBride)
LightingPad can be used for controlling small shows and for installing and testing lighting systems. It can also be used to remotely program an Alcorn McBride LightCue Pro lighting controller by connecting any Art-Net compatible DMX device to your wireless network.
Remote Focus Units/Remote Control
ChamSys MagicQ
(ChamSys Ltd)
The MagicQ Remote enables remote control of MagicQ systems including MagicQ consoles and MagicQ PC Wing? applications.
MAXRemote
(Martin Professional)
MAXRemote is designed to allow you to remotely control a Martin M1/Maxxyz lighting console or Martin M-PC.
MARemote
(MA Lighting)
MARemote gives users remote access to all of the important programming functions of the grandMA lighting consoles.
ZerOS Remote
(Cooper Controls)
ZerOS Remote provides wireless remote control of Zero 88 ZerOS lighting consoles including the Solution Series, ORB series consoles, Leap Frog 48 & 96 and Frog 2 consoles.
FOH Productivity Apps
Need a second monitor? Got a Wi-Fi network? Then you can use your iPad as a second (or third) monitor, with no messy cables or wires, with these apps:
Air Display
(Avatron Software)
With Air Display, you can use your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch as a wireless display, to extend your computer desktop
Lightwright Touch
(West Side Systems)
Lightwright Touch provides mobile viewing and editing of Lightwright 5 lighting equipment data. West Side Systems has also developed two other apps, DMX Calc and Beam Calc, available for iPad.
AutoCAD WS
(Autodesk Inc)
View, edit, and share your DWG files with anyone, anywhere. AutoCAD WS mobile app enables you to work with AutoCAD drawings directly on your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.
Gels and Gobos
myGobo
(Rosco Laboratories)
myGobo contains the entire Rosco gobo library of more than 2,300 images.
iGobo
(Apollo Design)
iGobo has Apollo Designs’ entire library of metal and glass gobos.
Gel Swatch Library
(Wybron Inc)
The Gel Swatch Library contains the full catalog of more than 1,000 gel color filters from Apollo, GAM, Lee?and Rosco.
Stagehand for iPad
(Patrick Angle)
Stagehand provides a fast and straightforward way to browse Rosco’s Roscolux catalog of gels.
ML Finder
(Michael Zinman)
This app is useful for when assigning addresses to fixtures on a lighting plot. ML Finder displays the DMX footprint for over 500 moving lights, LEDs and media servers for any mode available.
Zinman has also developed a variety of useful lighting-related applications including PocketLD, iSwitch DMX, GelCalc and TCP/IP Remote.
http://plsn.me/mlfinder; http://plsn.me/zinmanapps
Lighting Handbook v1.6
(Andrew Derrington)
Lighting Handbook is a reference tool for live entertainment technicians with information on more than 650 moving lights and conventional fixtures. Derrington’s other lighting-related apps include Lighting Calculator and Electrical Formulas.
http://plsn.me/lxhandbook; http://plsn.me/drewapps
Selador Toolkit
(ETC)
Selador Toolkit helps designers find Selador models best suited to their needs. It also lets designers mix custom RGB colors, helps stage electricians set DMX addresses and includes data sheets and operation manuals. ETC has also developed a variety of Remote Focus Unit applications for the Eos and Congo family of products: iRFR Preview, iRFR-LR and iRFR-BTS.
http://plsn.me/seladorapp; http://plsn.me/etcapps
Knots Guide for iPad
(SusaSoftX)
The Knots Guide is a quick reference to 92 knots in 10 categories.
Company Portfolios
Want to browse a company catalog? Want some photos to use as an example of that architectural installation you’re trying to sell your client? iPad portfolios like these can help.
Lighting Hub
(Philips)
The Philips Lighting Hub includes Philips’ complete global professional lighting portfolio.
Traxon App
(Traxon Technologies)
The Traxon Technologies App contains product information including photos, detail technical specification and photometric data for the company’s full range of products.
Information Apps
Feel like reading some entertainment news, spreading rumors, or just getting up to speed on the latest technology? Check out these blogs:
Jim on Light
(David Fox)
Jim On Light covers everything pertaining to lighting.
Squint
(The Lighting
Syndicate)
This lighting and technology blog highlights new products, services and trends within the entertainment industry. Before attending a tradeshow, you might want to download the app for that show to help you plan your day(s) on the show floor:
CES
Follow Me is the official iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch application for the 2012 International CES, Jan. 10-13, 2012, in Las Vegas
Last but not least, we can’t forget our trade magazines:
PLSN
FRONT of HOUSE (FOH)
Stage Directions Magazine
http://stage-directions.com/app
So this leads me to ask, “What’s on your iPad?”
