This is the archive, no???

iDesign for iPad and iPhone

iDesign, by TouchAware Limited, is a precision 2D vector drawing & design app that works across all the iOS devices.  Its kind of a cross between a “photoshop” and “illustrator” interface.  It is easy to use and has adapted well to drawing with either your finger or an i-compatible stylus.  Some of the software features include:

  • Icon based visual and context driven user interface w/ a full screen board view.
  • Toolbars with frequently used functions
  • Fast, smooth multitouch zoom with sharp, clear images
  • Group and ungroup shapes to create designs
  • Multiple layers to build workspaces
  • Shapes include: square, rectangle, circle, line, ellipse, polyline, polygon, stars, etc.
  • Text insertion with fonts and styles
  • Supports standard paper sizes
  • Snap to grid, snap to objects, or snap to points
  • Copy and Paste
  • Multi-level undo/redo
  • Exports designs to the camera reel as JPEG, PNG, PDF & SVG
  • Email designs between devices

iDesign is available for download from the iTunes App Store.  It is $4.99 currently and one download covers all iOS devices on your iTunes account. Below are the sample screen shots available on the iTunes store:

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* Photoshop and Illustrator are copyright Adobe, Inc.  No trademark or copyright implied or imparted.

Robe Product Reference iApp

Robe Lighting has released the Robe Product Guide for iPhone. The RPG features an interactive catalog of Robe’s fixtures including the ability to download manuals, DMX charts, gobo sets (if applicable) and key data. If downloading PDF files, it would be beneficial to also have the iBooks app from Apple as you can catalog your PDF files.

The Robe Product Guide is available now from the iTunes app store for FREE.

Review: iPad App: Notability

As a student of the school of all things Apple, there is a distinct advantage to being able to carry my iPad around without a laptop and other tools that we used to use for learning and note taking.  With the app store, when you run into a problem, you find a digital tool to fill in a needed set of functions. One of those tools is the app, Notability.

Notability is like having a digital, interactive composition book that you can add as many dividers or subjects to as needed.  Its starts with a basic layout.  You add subjects to the left hand column and notes to the right. Your notes will automatically be entered in the category they are created in, though you can move them later.

The subject screen gives you the option of sorting notes by name or date.  It also tells you if an audio recording is linked to the note and what size it is.  The subject tool bar contains the Edit, Export, Search and New Note buttons. Pressing the Edit button opens a sub-menu that gives you the controls to Move and Delete notes within a subject.  It functions much the way the control does in the iPad Mail app.

The editor has a basic, nice clean interface that acts like a word processor.  It has the ability to change fonts, colors, size and style of text entered.  The editor controls are easy to remember. The top menu bar contains the Subject button, Export options, Volume, Digital Recorder controls, Undo, Redo, and Search. I would be negligent if I didn’t mention that the export button has options for Email, iTunes (through sync), Dropbox, and AirPrint.  A Dropbox.com account is required to use that feature.

So far, the digital recorder is definitely my favorite function in the editor. Using the built in mic, it functions as your own personal reporter.  I know, I know, iPhone can already do that.  But the best part is, the recording is saved and stored with the note.  You don’t have to go searching for your meeting notes or your research.  It is all there in the same place.

The bottom toolbar contains the import, indent left/right, bullet list, font, and note navigation controls.  The import button has options for pulling images from your iPad library and dropping them onto the screen.  It can also grab web page clips and has a function called figure.  Figure opens a painting or drawing screen you can create graphics in and then lets you place them on the note.  You can also edit imported photos using the same “figure” screen.

All in all, I found Notability to be a clean, easy to learn program that fits nicely into a niche market for students and on-the-go professionals that have to take and sort a great deal of notes.  As a lighting designer, I like the fact that I can sit down for a meeting with clients, hit record (letting them know, of course) and record the whole design meeting while I am capturing text notes.  It gives me one more layer of security in my design.  Notability is an excellent addition to my app collection, and I hope its one you’ll consider as well.

Notability is available for download from the Apple iTunes App Store at a cost of $2.99 (40% off) for a limited time.

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Review: iPad App: sling Note

Its a web browser. No, its a note pad. Wait, its a calculator. Maybe its a scrapbook. Better yet, its all of the above. sling Note is an app for iPad that gives you a browser window or calculator side by side with a notepad/scrapbook.

The usefulness of this app is apparent for anyone who has searched through site after site printing out ideas or images. Using its built in capture ability you can drag sections of websites to your scrapbook page and it will move as a graphic you can enlarge or shrink and arrange by piece. sling Note also copies the URL from the page and keeps the information with the scrap.

The calculator is a basic, everyday calculator. However, it gives you the ability to drag and drop the total to and from the scrap page. The scrap page also functions as a note pad capable of text bubbles for page cuts, standard text, or hand (or finger) drawings. One of the nice things about sling Note is that you can also pull information from PDF, DOC, XLS, Pages, Keys, and Numbers files. You can also pull photos from the internal album.

Once you have collected all the information you need, you can then save the note book and start a new one. It uses the same organizational structure for documents as Pages and Numbers. You also have the option of exporting PDF’s to either an email or your Bookshelf.

While not a lighting app in the strictest sense, sling Note definitely holds a soft spot in my App collection. Check it out in the iTunes App Store today. There is a paid version $2.99 USD and a FREE or “lite” version.

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iOS App: Remote-Seq for Martin LightJockey

You may have heard about BLAST Co before. Earlier this month they released an iOS app called Remote-Cue. Just like Remote-Cue, Remote-Seq is an iOS app that connects and functions with Martin Professionals LightJockey control software.

The Remote-Seq App allows you to remotely SquenceFlash any playback with in your LightJockey show right from your iOS device. You can Sequence latch/flash playback which can be assigned and play back in any of the 20 banks of 10 pages.

Remote-Seq also offers a MasterControl function too. MasterControl can be used as a Fade in/out and Black Out or Restore.  MasterControl is not a fader, but executes with a single button that has timing from one second to 10 seconds.

Learn more about BLAST Co’s Remote-Seq app and pick up a copy of the app for $2.99 USD from the iTunes App Store.

New iPhone/iPad App – FocusRemote Art-Net Contoller

A new lighting app has hit the iTunes App Store, FocusRemote.  Developed by Bart van Stiphout, the FocusRemote app is designed to do exactly as the name of the app says, focus lights remotely from our iOS devices.

FocusRemote uses the WiFi connection of your iOS device to connect to a wireless access point connected to your lighting network. The app send Art-Net signal via WiFi directly to your Art-Net capable system or to an Art-Net node that can input DMX signal into your rig.

FocusRemote has the ability to send a complete universe of Art-net over the network to bring address to a level for checking and focusing.  Only one universe is selectable at a time, but you have the ability to select from all 255 Art-Net universes right in the app.

FocusRemote handles channel/address selection a little differently then some of the other Art-Net controller apps on the market as it uses a command line syntax which is typically found of lighting desk. The app also has the ability to record memories or cues for quick recall, but lacks the ability to execute on timing.

I have had a chance to play a little bit with the app and feel that there are some things missing like the cue timing, but you have to remember the name of the app FocusRemote.  The app is designed to aid and help when focusing a plot and not run a show, that is what your lighting desk is for.

As for the price tag of $11.99, is it worth it, it really depends on your situation.  If you are looking for a remote focus device that fits in your pocket and has the ability to work with any lighting network out there, then FocusRemote would be right up your alley. $11.99 is a small price to pay for a Remote Focus Unit that is universal and works on your iOS device that you probably already own.

You can download the RemoteFocus app from the iTunes App Store for $11.99.

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iPad App: Stagehand for iPad

Here is a new and different type of iPad lighting app, Stagehand for iPad.  Stagehand provides a quick and clean way to browse Rosco’s Roscolux catalog of gels. Gels are laid out in a visual grid, and gel numbers are disclosed only when you need them by tapping and holding the gel in the grid.

This is a new and different way of comparing gel colors.  Rather then looking at colors with their names and numbers, you look at just the color to determine with one you like best.  It kind of reminds me of that memory game where you try to locate two of the same items hidden below the dots. It’s an interesting way of searching colors.

I think it may be a little limiting since it only shows Roscolux gels. I would love to see some of the other manufacturers listed.  Overall though, a great starting off point.  Who knows, in future updates, we may see additional gel manufacturers.

Patrick Angle, the developer of the Stagehand iPad app warns that the colors may not be 100% accurate to those on stage, but are relativity a close match. For best the best representation of the gel colors, be sure that your screen brightness is set to the highest possible level, as gels will appear washed out on lower brightness settings.

Stagehand for iPad is a FREE download from the iTunes App Store.

iPhone App: Color Kinetics LSM Remote

I am a little late to the table with this one.  Back in April, Philips Color Kinetics released a new iPhone app into the iTunes store, the LSM Remote.  The LSM Remote App is used to control Philips Color Kinetics Light System Engine on your iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad.

Simply add a wifi access point to the network on which Light System Engine is installed, and LSM Remote can control all of your shows remotely. For each zone programmed on the LSE you can select which show to play, adjust its brightness, or turn off its lights. Additionally, you can specify a show transition type and time.

This has a WIDE range of uses.  Practical for live performances?  Maybe not, but the architectural possibilities are endless.  Learn more about the LSM Remote from Philips Color Kinetics website, www.colorkinetics.com. You can download the LSM Remote for FREE from the iTunes App Store.  But in order for it to work correctly, you need some more pieces to the puzzle.

DMX Switch iPhone App – Yeah Another One

Tell me if you have seen this before… A DMX switch calculator app for the iPhone/iPod Touch? Yup, there is another one out there. Honestly people, take a look at the iTunes App Store.  As of right now there are 11, yes 11 dip switch calculators in the store now.  Yes, a good portion of them offer additional features rather then just he dip switch calculator. But another stand alone app?

I am a huge supporter of the iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad development process for our industry, but let get real, not everyone loves the iPhone, some people prefer the BlackBerry or Droid.  So where are the apps for those devices?  Take a look around their app stores, there isn’t much there.

A suggestion to future developers, take a look at the Droid and Blackberry SDK… Who knows, you might be the first to market with a useful app.  And if you don’t mind, learn the iPhone SDK, i’d like a copy of the app for the iPhone!

Back to the app. Daniel Greencorn developed and released the DMX Switch App for the iPhone/iPod Touch.  It does exactly what you expect it to do.  It calculates the dip switch position for you based on which DMX address you are trying to address a device to. It is a very simple and straight forward app with no frills or fluff, simple and easy to use.

Give DMX Switch a try, it is a FREE download from the iTunes App Store.

Lighting Design for Modern Houses of Worship Avilable on Apple iBook Store

[singlepic id=1119 w=320 h=240 float=left]Not to long ago, Richard Cadena’s book, Lighting Design for Modern Houses of Worship was released as a eBook through SmashWords.com.  While searching through the Apple iBooks store, I found that Mr. Cadena’s book has made it to the store!  Here is a little background on Lighting Design for Modern Houses of Worship.

Lighting Design for Modern Houses of Worship is a complete step-by-step guide to lighting design for people of all levels of experience. It covers everything from the basics of lighting, including the McCandless method, to more advanced topics like the “jewel” lighting method, lighting for video, color theory, rendering, visualization, documentation and paperwork.

You can purchase your very own copy for just $9.99 through iTunes.

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Synthe FX Announces Luminair for the iPad Available on iTunes

You have heard the rumors, you have seen the pre-release announcements, it is finally here, Luminair for the iPad has hit the App store on iTunes!  After months of development, Synthe FX, the developers of Luminair for the iPhone are proud to announce that you now have a lighting desk on your multi-touch device, the iPad.

Here is more from the official Press Release:

Synthe FX has announced the immediate release of Luminair for iPad, it’s new desktop-class multi-touch DMX lighting control app for Apple’s iPad. Luminair uses the Art-Net protocol to transmit DMX data over Wi-Fi, giving users wireless control of colormixable LED fixtures, dimmers, studio lighting, moving lights, media servers, and any other DMX enabled equipment.

Luminair for iPad is a giant leap forward from it’s related iPhone version, and includes new features like instantly editable quick-touch cues, project-based draggable color swatches, popup contextual controls, external keyboard support, and a user-configurable UI. It’s also built for future expansion, which means users can expect the same rapid feature updates that Luminair for iPhone customers have received for the past two years.

When paired with a compatible Art-Net to DMX interface, Luminair for iPad has a low overall price that makes it a lighting console which almost anyone can afford, and use in a multitude of ways. Whether it’s used for architectural lighting, theatrical and musical venues, by educators, or by cutting-edge visual artist’s and VJ’s, the possibilities are infinite.

Luminair for iPad can be purchased and downloaded directly from the iTunes App Store immediately for $129.99. Full details and product videos are available at: http://synthe-fx.com.

ShowTool LD iPhone App Updated for iPad

Daniel Murfin, the iPhone lighting app developer of such apps as ShowTool Sm and ShowTool LD recently hinted about an update of his app, ShowTool LD getting an update. I just got word this morning that Apple has approved the update, (V2.2) and has released it into the iTunes App Store.

The update brings a couple of new features such as a Gel cutting list and a power requirements formula section.  Probably the biggest feature of this update has to be the support for the iPad. Daniel is the second iPhone lighting app developer to release an iPad native app into the market. ShowTool LD on the iPad makes use of the entire screen by enlarging the user interface as well as expanding the view of each screen.

ShowTool LD runs $4.99 in the Apple iTunes App Store.  For current owners, the update is a free download.  To learn more about some of the lighting and entertainment apps Daniel has developed, visit his web site at www.dsmurfin.co.uk.

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