LightBuddy

Lighting Control Reimagined

LightBuddy

Professional lighting control software for live events, installations and productions. 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

Build looks quickly with groups, palettes and live attribute editing, keeping the everyday programming workflow in one view.

 LightBuddy customisable layout views with docked panels and workspace controls

Customisable Layouts

Arrange the workspace around the job in front of you, keeping programming, playback and setup tools visible when they matter.

 LightBuddy cue list editor with timing and playback controls

Cue Lists

Sequence looks with timings and playback controls, making repeatable shows easier to run without manually stepping every change.

 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 live show control.

 LightBuddy effects engine with waveform and attribute controls

Effects Engine

Create movement, colour and intensity effects from structured controls, then reuse them across looks instead of programming every step.

 LightBuddy pixel mapper with layers and mapped output preview

Pixel Mapper

Map layouts, layer visual generators and preview output before sending data, giving LED and matrix looks a faster design loop.

 LightBuddy DMX output routing screen

DMX Output

Route universes to Art-Net or sACN from the same workspace, so output setup stays visible alongside the show.

 LightBuddy fixture editor with channel and mode controls

Fixture Editing

Create and tune fixture personalities inside the app, so custom channels, modes and defaults stay with the show file.

 LightBuddy GDTF Share import screen

GDTF Share Import

Pull fixture definitions from GDTF Share or local files to reduce setup time and avoid rebuilding common profiles by hand.

 PocketBuddy mobile control interface connected to LightBuddy

PocketBuddy

Use a phone or tablet as a local remote for playback and checks, keeping control close while you move around the venue.

Live control

Programming

Program looks from one focused workspace, with fixture selection, groups, attributes and live output feedback kept close together.

  • Edit dimmer, position, colour, beam and strobe values from the same area.
  • Use palettes and groups to make repeated programming faster and more consistent.
  • Keep programmer values visible so it is clear what is currently live or pending.
  • Clear or update attributes deliberately to avoid accidental output changes.
  • Move from rough looks to cue-ready states with fewer context switches.

Workspace control

Customisable Layouts

Shape the LightBuddy workspace around the way you work, with layouts that keep the right tools visible for programming, setup and operation.

  • 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

Turn programmed looks into repeatable sequences with timing, playback and organisation built around live operation.

  • 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

Map MIDI controllers to LightBuddy controls so live operation can use tactile faders, buttons and knobs alongside the on-screen interface.

  • 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

Create dynamic movement, colour and intensity looks from structured effect controls instead of programming every step by hand.

  • 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.

LED and matrix output

Pixel Mapper

Design mapped LED and matrix looks with visual layers, layout previews and output-aware controls in the same show environment.

  • 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

Manage output routing from the show file so network DMX setup remains visible, repeatable and tied to the current production.

  • 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

Build and refine fixture profiles directly inside LightBuddy, keeping the show file practical even when a manufacturer profile is missing or needs adjustment.

  • 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 from GDTF Share or local GDTF files so patching starts from an established profile rather than a blank personality.

  • 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 as a local remote surface for checks and playback, keeping LightBuddy control available away from the main computer.

  • 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
Built-in Effects Engine
Pixel Mapping Engine
3D Visualiser Low quality All quality levels All quality levels
Macros
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 0.3.0 macOS installer Requires macOS Monterey 12 or later. Apple Silicon and Intel Macs supported. Download for PC LightBuddy 0.3.0 Windows installer Requires Windows 10 or later. 64-bit Intel, AMD and Arm64 Windows PCs supported.

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.

0.3.0
  • 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