New Features

A lot of the new features of LightFactory 2.0 are "under the hood" performance improvements, ways in which the show file can be more easily manipulated to get data into and out of the computer running your lighting, user interface tune-ups, and so forth. There are also changes to things like the Fan function and some of the effects, and increased support for the Enttec and Cooper Controls Program Wings. The patch screen allows much more versatility of how to display what is already patched, and to import large amounts of information about each light from a CSV file. The DMX outputs are now configurable for different types of hardware (DMX USB Pro, Art-Net, etc.) on a per-universe basis, instead of all being the same kind.

New Fixture Library

But the biggest single change, one which users have been clamoring for, is the revamping of the fixture library and fixture editor capability. With the new release, instead of being constrained to a set number of light fixture attributes of each type (3 gobos, 8 framing shutter controls, etc.) the user will be able to make custom fixtures with as many of each kind as they like, and to organize them into a tab-based hierarchy to their liking. These tabs include :

This opens the door for the lighting fixtures of tomorrow, and even the non-lighting apparatus which wants to be controlled by DMX all the same, whether it be a media server, some servo-motor controlled animatronic puppet, lasers, fog, or a dmx controlled coffee pot. The user interface for driving it in LightFactory will be sleek and well-organized. In addition, this new library format lets LightFactory inherit the Zero 88 fixture library of 1900 fixtures

Final details about pricing will be available sometime between now and then, but our preliminary forecasts place version 2 in a similar stratum of the market as version 1.x occupied. There may be additional combinations of features and prices to be announced too, however. An upgrade policy allows users of ver 1.x who buy in March to get ver 2.0 free, and for older licenses to be able to upgrade at a reduced price compared to new purchases. Contact your dealer for more details.