Design Software

Written By Terry Doner. Jan 9, 2021. Updated April 1, 2021.

Here you will find a quick index of helpful software in many different categories. Which ones are best for your task depends a lot on your particular needs. Feel free to suggest others using the form at the bottom.

2D Drawing

Google Draw is good for simple drawings and is web based. Free.

• https://docs.google.com/drawings

For more sophisticated technical drawings, considered these:

• Viso : https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/microsoft-365/visio/flowchart-software

• Draw.io : https://app.diagrams.net/

• Luciddraw : https://www.lucidchart.com/pages/

• https://h2rgear.com/

Programmatically you can create Graphviz diagrams, say using software like DiagrammeR.

3D Modelling and Design

These tools are 3D modeling, animation and rendering applications.

Sketckup

• https://www.sketchup.com/

• There is a free version on the Web, plus the "Make 2017" is free and can be downloaded.

Autocad

• https://www.autodesk.ca/en/products/autocad/overview

Rhino

• https://www.rhino3d.com/

3ds-Max

• http://www.autodesk.com/products/3ds-max/overview

Cinema 4d

• https://www.maxon.net/en/cinema-4d

Graphics Design

Adobe Creative Cloud, in particular Photoshop, Illustrator and AfterEffects. This software is not cheap, but is a very common professional suite of tools.

Gimp - an open source / free alternative to Photoshop.

Inkscape - a free vector graphic alternative to Illustrator

Affinity Photo and Designer are somewhat equivalent to Photoshop and Illustrator.

• https://affinity.serif.com/

Houdini - procedural graphical design

• There is a free version

• https://www.sidefx.com/products/houdini/

Maya

• https://www.autodesk.ca/en/products/maya/overview?plc=MAYA&term=1-YEAR&support=ADVANCED&quantity=1

Blender

• https://www.blender.org/

Canva

• https://www.canva.com/

Building Information Software

This category of software not only allows the construction of a 3D model of a space but you can add to it multiple viewpoints such as engineering or construction views. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_information_modeling

Revit

• https://www.autodesk.ca/en/products/revit/overview

Lighting Design - Theatrical / Venue

Lightwright

• https://www.mckernon.com/lightwrightmenu/lwabout6.html

• Common in the theatre.

Vectorworks

• https://www.vectorworks.net/en-CA

• Common in the theatre.

Pixel Mapping

ELM

• https://www.enttec.com/product/controls/addressable-led-pixel-control/pixel-mapping-software/

MadMapper - does pixel mapping and Projection mapping

• https://madmapper.com/madmapper/

Madrix

• https://www.madrix.com/products/software

LightJams

• https://www.lightjams.com/pixelMapping.html

Chamsys MagicQ

• https://chamsyslighting.com/pages/pixel-map

Redot - pixel mapping Design

• https://reddotlogics.com/software/

Pharos

• https://www.pharoscontrols.com/

Arkaos - pixel mapping and VJ software

• https://www.arkaos.com/

D3 - also a media server

• https://d3led.com/

Disguise Designer

• https://www.disguise.one/en/products/designer/

Radical Lighting PixelDrive (Seems defunct) – http://www.radlite.com/

Light Factory (hardware)

• https://www.lightfactory.net/

E:CUE

• https://www.osram.com/ecue/about-ecue/index.jsp

• Meant for architectural installations

dotMatrix (.Matrix) - free but not maintained and quite old

• https://ljb2of3.net/dotmatrix-2/

Lighting Design - Architectural

Various see this wikipedia page which already has a good list.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_lighting_design_applications

• Dialux and Relux are well recognized

Audio Design

Ease

• https://ease.afmg.eu/index.php/prices-vendors.html

SMAART

• https://www.rationalacoustics.com/smaart/smaart-v8/

Various Room Acoustic Tools

• https://amcoustics.com/

Audio Editing and Manipulation

• Wave file manipulation and correction https://www.sounddevices.com/product/wave-agent-software/