Programs within the entertainment technology industry enable the creation, visualization, and management of lighting designs for theatrical productions, concerts, film sets, and other performance environments. These tools empower lighting professionals to simulate lighting effects, plan equipment layouts, and generate documentation for installation and operation. For example, a designer might use such a program to experiment with different color combinations and beam angles before physically rigging any fixtures.
Such applications streamline the design process, improving efficiency and accuracy. They facilitate collaboration by allowing designers, technicians, and other stakeholders to visualize the lighting plan collaboratively. These programs also mitigate risks by identifying potential problems before the technical rehearsal. From their emergence in the late 20th century, these applications have become indispensable, evolving in sophistication and becoming more accessible to a broader range of users.