Lighting Control Reimagined

Professional lighting control software that's not only powerful it's easy to use. Available for macOS and Windows.

Download Free Pricing
Free
1 universe
Standard
2 universes
Professional
Unlimited
LightBuddy desktop interface with fixture controls and live playback tools

Software Features

Easy to use, but packed with functionality

LightBuddy programmer workspace with fixture groups and attributes

Programming

Program through an modern visual interface, without relying on a complex command-line workflow.

 LightBuddy customisable layout views with docked panels and workspace controls

Customisable Layouts

Configure your workspace around the way you work, and the way you play.

 LightBuddy cue list editor with timing and playback controls

Cue Lists

Sequence your lights like a pro with powerful and easy to use cue lists.

 LightBuddy MIDI mapping screen with controller assignments and input mapping

Midi Mapping

Connect physical controllers to LightBuddy actions, giving faders, buttons and knobs direct access to control every aspect of Light Buddy.

 LightBuddy effects engine with waveform and attribute controls

Effects Engine

Use a wide range of preset effect generators, or create your own complex keyframed attribute phaser style effects.

 LightBuddy pixel mapper with layers and mapped output preview

Pixel Mapper

Quickly create stunning visual movement with speed and ease, even on complex multi-segment fixtures.

 LightBuddy DMX output routing screen

DMX Output

Send universes out via Art-Net, sACN or a wider range of Open DMX dongles without having to buy expensive branded hardware.

 LightBuddy fixture editor with channel and mode controls

Fixture Editing

Create and edit fixture personalities directly inside of Light Buddy without the need for internet access or an external application.

 LightBuddy GDTF Share import screen

GDTF Share Import

Import fixture definitions directly from GDTF Share or local files, with full 3D fixture models and physical beam characteristsics.

 PocketBuddy mobile control interface connected to LightBuddy

PocketBuddy

Use a phone or tablet connected via WiFi to your host computer, making it quick to check the patch or tweak position palletes.

Software Design

Programming

Program through an modern visual interface, without relying on a complex command-line workflow.

  • A clean user interface thats easy to use like a modern App, not an ancient spreadsheet.
  • Uses common name and terms so you don't have to learn a whole new language.
  • Fixtures, Groups, Attributes, Palettes, Cue Stacks and Playbacks form the core parts of a show.
  • Works great on a laptop or desktop with any screen size, controls that are easy to use on a touch screen or mouse and keyboard.

Workspace control

Customisable Layouts

Configure your workspace around the way you work, and the way you play.

  • Arrange panels for programming, playback, fixture setup, output and monitoring.
  • Switch between focused views for building shows, rehearsing and operating live.
  • Make better use of laptops, desktops and external displays without changing the show file.
  • Keep dense controls accessible while reducing visual clutter for the current task.
  • Return to familiar workspace views quickly when moving between show workflows.

Playback

Cue Lists

Sequence your lights like a pro with powerful and easy to use cue lists.

  • Store show moments as ordered cues that can be replayed consistently.
  • Set fade and timing values for smoother transitions between looks.
  • Organise cue lists for songs, scenes, acts or repeatable show sections.
  • Use playback controls to step through structured sequences during a show.
  • Reduce manual recreation of looks between rehearsals and performances.

Hardware control

Midi Mapping

Connect physical controllers to LightBuddy actions, giving faders, buttons and knobs direct access to control every aspect of Light Buddy.

  • Assign controller inputs to playback, programming and show actions.
  • Build mappings around the MIDI hardware you already use.
  • Trigger cue lists or common controls without reaching for the mouse.
  • Use physical faders and buttons for faster hands-on operation during a show.
  • Keep mapped control surfaces aligned with the way each production is operated.

Movement and animation

Effects Engine

Use a wide range of preset effect generators, or create your own complex keyframed attribute phaser style effects.

  • Build repeated movement, dimmer, colour and beam changes from reusable effects.
  • Shape effects with rate, size, phase and attribute controls.
  • Reuse effect setups across cues and playback states for consistency.
  • Experiment with motion and intensity changes while keeping control values visible.
  • Reduce repetitive manual programming for chases, sweeps and animated looks.

Colour Effects

Pixel Mapper

Quickly create stunning visual movement with speed and ease, even on complex multi-segment fixtures.

  • Lay out pixel fixtures so visual content maps to the rig structure.
  • Layer generators and looks to build richer LED or matrix effects.
  • Preview mapped output before sending it to fixtures.
  • Blend pixel looks into programming, playback and cue workflows.
  • Create large visual changes without editing every pixel fixture individually.

Network output

DMX Output

Send universes out via Art-Net, sACN or a wider range of Open DMX dongles without having to buy expensive branded hardware.

  • Route any universes to Art-Net, sACN or DMX dongle output.
  • See output configuration alongside the show instead of relying on separate notes.
  • Prepare routing for rehearsals, venues and production machines consistently.
  • Reduce setup mistakes when moving between networks or output targets.
  • Use one workspace for programming, patching and live DMX output checks.

Fixture data

Fixture Editing

Create and edit fixture personalities directly inside of Light Buddy without the need for internet access or an external application.

  • Create custom fixture personalities without leaving the application.
  • Define channels, attributes, modes and default values for each fixture type.
  • Adjust imported fixture data when a real unit behaves differently on site.
  • Keep profile changes with the show so another machine opens the same setup.
  • Patch edited fixtures straight into the programming workspace.

Fixture library

GDTF Share Import

Import fixture definitions directly from GDTF Share or local files, with full 3D fixture models and physical beam characteristsics.

  • Search for fixture profiles from GDTF Share inside the workflow.
  • Import local GDTF files when show data is supplied with the production package.
  • Preview fixture details before adding them to the show.
  • Save time on common fixture types that already have public profiles.
  • Use imported profiles as a starting point for further editing.

Mobile remote

PocketBuddy

Use a phone or tablet connected via WiFi to your host computer, making it quick to check the patch or tweak position palletes.

  • Control selected playback and show actions from a mobile device on the local network.
  • Walk the room while checking fixtures, positions and looks.
  • Give focused remote control to the tasks needed away from the desk.
  • Keep the main LightBuddy show running on the production computer.
  • Use a touch-friendly surface when the operator is away from keyboard and mouse.

Licensing

All of the power, less of the cost

Compare

Choose your edition

Start free, then upgrade only when your shows grow. Every edition uses the same intuitive LightBuddy workflow.

Feature Free Standard Professional
Output universes 1 2 Unlimited
Programming & playback Basic Full Full
Midi Mapping
Cue Lists
Fixture Editing
GDTF Import
Effects Engine
Macros
3D Visualiser Low quality All quality levels All quality levels
Pixel Mapping Engine
Rig Documents
MVR Import and Export
PocketBuddy Remote Control
Art-Net / sACN outputs 1 output universe 2 output universes Unlimited outputs & routing
Best for Learning and small rigs Small shows and regular users Larger rigs and remote control

Downloads

Installers

Download the latest LightBuddy installers for macOS and Windows.

Download for Mac LightBuddy 0.3.1 macOS installer Requires macOS Monterey 12 or later. Apple Silicon and Intel Macs supported. Download for PC LightBuddy 0.3.1 Windows installer Requires Windows 10 or later. 64-bit Intel, AMD and Arm64 Windows PCs supported.
Install Instructions

LightBuddy installers are not yet code-signed or Apple notarized. Only use these bypass steps for installers downloaded directly from lightbuddy.co.uk.

macOS security prompts

macOS may block LightBuddy because the app is not notarized yet. Keep Gatekeeper enabled and approve this app only.

  1. Download the Mac installer and open the DMG.
  2. Drag Light Buddy.app into Applications.
  3. If macOS says it cannot verify the developer, open System Settings > Privacy & Security, then choose Open Anyway for LightBuddy.
  4. You can also Control-click Light Buddy.app, choose Open, then confirm Open.
  5. If macOS says the app is damaged, eject the disk image, open Terminal, then run xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine ~/Downloads/LightBuddy-*-mac.dmg.
  6. Open the DMG again and copy the app to Applications. If it is already installed, run xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine "/Applications/Light Buddy.app", then open it again.

Windows security prompts

Windows and Microsoft Edge may warn that LightBuddy is not commonly downloaded because the installer is not code-signed yet. Do not turn off Microsoft Defender or SmartScreen globally.

  1. Download the Windows installer.
  2. If Microsoft Edge blocks the download, open the Downloads panel, choose the menu next to the LightBuddy installer, then select Keep. If prompted, choose Show more, then Keep anyway.
  3. When SmartScreen appears, select More info, then Run anyway.
  4. Follow the installer prompts to finish setup.

Development history

Release history

Feature milestones reconstructed from the LightBuddy development history and published release records.

0.3.1
  • Added Show Cues for arranging multiple songs and Cue Lists on a master timecode timeline, with internal, LTC, MTC and Art-Net playback plus linked audio transport.
  • Expanded Cue List programming with clearer current and next cue displays, improved tracking, separate in and out timing, Mark support and more reliable playback ownership.
  • Added cell-aware selection and layout editing for multi-cell fixtures, richer fixture cloning and filtering, improved fixture labels and per-fixture visualiser controls.
  • Expanded MIDI mapping, playback pages, custom palette button artwork, recording tools, global history controls and reusable custom layouts.
  • Brought Pocket Buddy closer to desktop parity with playback pages, Show Cue controls, cell selection, colour and attribute editing, and improved remote state updates.
  • Improved the effects, pixel mapper, programmer, DMX output engine and 2D/3D visualisers for smoother live updates and more accurate colour, beam and fixture rendering.
  • Improved licence activation, customer portal sign-in, checkout validation, confirmation emails, installer downloads and the website edition comparison.
  • Fixed moving playbacks into empty handles and added verified drag scrolling for touchscreens that macOS exposes as mouse input.
0.3.0
  • Added an editable WebGPU/WebGL 3D visualiser with scene hierarchy, object transforms, MVR geometry import, GDTF fixture models, live beams, haze and quality controls.
  • Added named 2D visualiser layouts with location, group and fixture filtering, flat-on location projection, layout switching and alignment tools.
  • Added Rig Drawings, power-source planning, fixture grids, richer selection and distribution tools, and expanded multi-window panel layouts.
  • Improved GDTF Share updates, multi-emitter personalities, fixture media, show-file packaging and separation between the local fixture library and patched show personalities.
  • Improved playback LTP and Fade to Fader behaviour, effect blending, flash release timing, worker-based DMX output and detailed DMX Viewer source information.
  • Fixed fixture exchange transforms, show recovery after a clean close, fixture naming, visualiser layout editing and a broad set of 2D/3D rendering issues.
0.2.7
  • Added macro authoring, AI-assisted macro generation and the local control API.
  • Added patch locations, fixture distribution, improved fixture patching and reusable default groups and palettes.
  • Expanded palette spreading, Gobo palettes, GDTF media handling, effects and visualiser feedback.
  • Updated show-file version 4 validation so current shows save, reopen and transfer between windows correctly.
0.2.6
  • Expanded GDTF fixture data, media import and attribute controls.
  • Improved effects, pixel mapping, fixture targeting and playback behaviour.
  • Added broader multi-window and workspace refinements.
0.2.5
  • Added unsaved-change handling and safer show shutdown.
  • Persisted display-window view settings and improved live engine state handling.
0.2.4
  • Added fixture exchange, timecode tools, palette timing and the on-screen keyboard.
  • Reworked the effects, pixel mapper and output engine architecture.
0.2.3
  • Added built-in update checks and the application update menu.
  • Refined release packaging and desktop layout controls.
0.2.2
  • Added Open DMX USB output and expanded output-device routing.
  • Improved visualiser beams, effects playback, licence limits and patch defaults.
0.2.1
  • Improved GDTF image storage, fixture-library resilience and application error recovery.
  • Delivered general installer and runtime stability fixes.
0.2.0
  • Added PocketBuddy remote control for phones and tablets.
  • Introduced LightBuddy licensing, customer downloads, release auditing and the commercial website.
0.1.5
  • Added virtual dimmers for colour-only fixtures.
  • Expanded pixel mapper generators and multi-segment fixture support.
0.1.4
  • Improved GDTF parsing, fixture personalities and DMX output calculations.
  • Added richer gobo, colour and shared-channel attribute data.
0.1.3
  • Added GDTF Share login, browsing and fixture import.
  • Introduced versioned macOS and Windows installer names.
0.1.2
  • Expanded playback controls, cue-list operation and DMX output routing.
0.1.0
  • Initial Electron and TypeScript release with patching, fixtures, groups, palettes, programmer, playbacks and Art-Net output.
  • Added MIDI mapping, effects and the first pixel mapper workflows.

Support

Contact

For support, licensing transfers and beta access requests, contact the LightBuddy team.

Email Support

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