ShowCAD Artist 3 is a PC based lighting control program that offers powerful features behind a simple and understandable control surface. On top of being able to handle large amounts of DMX, the software can trigger and handle protocols used through the industry such as AV controls via RS232/422, MIDI, SMPTE/EBU, lasers, pyro and video.

The software has a wide array use uses across different production types from theatrical playback, live busking to architectural controls and themed environments.

Here are just a couple of the features found in ShowCAD Artist 3:

• 64,000+ DMX output channels (128 universes) to control a potential 20,000+ RGB fixtures
• Full two dimensional matrixing across all DMX universes
• Fully variable colour pattern generators for a huge number of automated looks
• Real time video to DMX sampling from video files or live video input
• 64,000+ DMX output channels (128 universes) to control a potential 20,000+ RGB fixtures
• Full two dimensional matrixing across all DMX universes
• Fully variable colour pattern generators for a huge number of automated looks
• Real time video to DMX sampling from video files or live video input

The down side for me is that the Artist 3 software is currently only available on Windows machines.  I have heard that ShowCAD is in the process of developing a Mac version of the software with no announcement date has been set.

You can download a 30 day trial of the software to give it a go and see what you think about it before you decide to spend the money. Visit ShowCAD’s website at www.showcad.com to learn more.