Product Reviews

Microlux Lighting Software

PRE-PUBLICATION DRAFT

STAGE DIRECTIONS

COPYRIGHT 1998

AUTHOR: Dr. Patrick Finelli

TITLE: Microlux 98

Microlux98 is an integrated lighting design software program that allows you to create and organize your paperwork. The basic package contains software enabling you to develop a lighting plot and the associated instrument schedules, hook-up sheets and shop orders. Microlux 98 also does much more than this by providing a realistic three-dimensional rendering feature that actually allows you to simulate your concept during the creative process. There are libraries filled with fixtures (250 spotlights from most major manufacturers), trusses, gobos and color filters (1500 colors from Lee, Rosco, GAM and others). Microlus uses the term "gels" in the program but does anyone use actual "gel" anymore? You can design your own theatre, assemble trusses and place lighting fixtures limited only by your own imagination and creative ability. Then you can turn on your lights in the 3-D model view and see how the beams cover your stage, selecting individual or groups of spotlights to get a virtual view of your lighting plan before you hang one fixture.

Luxart has been a pioneer in lighting design software since 1989 when the original Microlux was introduced to the DOS environment. Now we live in a world dominated by Windows and Microlux98 makes the most of it. The Canadian company has introduced in its release of Microlux98 what promises to be a comprehensive, all-inclusive lighting CAD program.

Unfortunately, there are still some rough areas to work out. The program and the manual are not yet complete. There is a note in the manual indicating that Microlux is still undergoing some fine tuning. For instance, on page 69 there is a reference to page 46 for more information on rotating a drawing, but there is nothing about rotation on page 46. Instead, it describes how to add and remove connectors on your truss. I received an early test version and some of the key program features did not work (e.g. the "help" function). There is a "Wizard" (helper application) to assist you in designing a truss, but wizards are not yet available for spotlights or creating a 3-D drawing of your theatre. By the time this review is published the program should be fully functional.

Nevertheless, this is a very exciting product. You will be able to download a completed version from their Web site in the near future. A hyperlink is provided on the main page so you can visit Luxart’s website for upgrades and enhancements. You can also call the technical support line. I spoke by telephone with Louis at Luxart’s headquarters who answered all of my questions. He assured me that all of the features, including the help function, should be operational later this year.

The promotional material from Luxart suggests some interesting ideas for the future, not the least of which is a plan for Microlux98 users to exchange theatre plans by uploading and downloading plans from the website. Although the program supports the import of AutoCAD DXF file format drawing exchange, future improvements will include support for AutoCAD’s DWG files, making it even easier to share light plots and drawings. AutoCAD’s domination of the industry and proprietary file formats has attracted the government’s attention and the outcome of this controversy might make it even easier for you to move drawing files from one program to another. Luxart also plans to add lighting control with a DMX module add-on.

When you boot the program CD-ROM, your are greeted with a gray screen and two language options, English and Française. There is background music and other sound effects when you make selections. There are several buttons with options ranging from the demonstration tutorial to full program installation. After you complete the process, you will you have your own folder of icons for a wide variety of features.

Each time you run the Microlux98 module, you are asked to select a workspace. You have two options to select a workspace: you can choose either a blank theatre sample from the LuxArt City directory in the "Theatre" library (with predefined dimensions displayed on screen) or select from an existing Microlux theatre previously designed and saved. There are only two theatres in the library presently, but Microlux envisions users creating their own plans and contributing to a future library of theatres on their website.

Microlux98 features a full-featured 3-D CAD program called Composer, which also offers two dimensional views. You can work easily in any view. The iconic toolbars will look familiar since they reflect the homogeneity of Microsoft Windows environment. You can design simple or complex objects such as a truss or stage. You can also modify library icons for spots, trusses, theatres or gobos. Composer is accessible from all libraries. There are tools for resizing, rotation, moving and alignment of objects. There are four views: Model view (for 3-D display) and the two-dimensional Top, Front and Left views. The Model view can be rotated 360°. This program seems to fulfill the promise of the best of the earlier lighting programs. It is truly a "point and click" environment. You can move around in your drawing to view your design, get closer to examine the fixtures and lighting positions.

The Spot, Truss, Gobo and Gel Libraries allow you to select all the equipment you would need to assemble your design elements from pre-entered CAD data. The symbol libraries are only a keystroke away. You also have the opportunity to change a symbol that’s used more than once. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in one of these libraries, you can design it in Composer according to your specifications and then add it to the appropriate library for future use.

The Microlux module contains seven pull-down menus: File, Edit, Manage, Items, View, Plug-Ins and Help. The File menu is straightforward and contains standard Windows features. The Print and Preview option brings up a window enabling you to pick the type of form you wish to print. Spots can be edited one at a time, or in groups or on the Instrument schedule. You can select multiple fixtures. Let’s say you wanted to change color from a primary blue to a sky blue. You select your fixtures, change the color and its done.

Form Manager is the module that lets you create the layout of the plans (and other items such as lists) that you wish to use. You can printout all paperwork.

According to Luxart, there are three add-on modules: Microlux Cue, Microlux Vision, and Microlux DMX Output which will allow you to further expand your design capabilities. Microlux Cue will let you to program cues, view cue outputs on-screen and export cues to a lighting board. Microlux Vision will read DMX output of pre-programmed cues from a lighting board. You can use this to visualize spot intensities in real time on-screen. Imagine programming your show prior to technical rehearsal directly from your lighting plot on-screen. This would be great to program special lighting effects, like moving lights and chase sequences. Microlux DMX Output will transmit levels to dimmers, lighting consoles or moving lights (using an optional conversion device).

Hardware Requirements

· Open GL Video Accelerator Card

Price: $649 ($487 with a 25% discount for schools and colleges)

You can try it out for a period of 30 days, after which the program will disable itself.

Phone: 514-990-0771 /800-567-0771
Fax: 514-990-0122
Email: MJCROLUX~UXART COM

© Copyright 1995-1999 by Patrick M. Finelli. All rights reserved. These pages are protected by United States and international copyright laws. Copying or distribution by any means is strictly prohibited. Please send e-mail to finelli@satie.arts.usf.edu

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