About
Glight is a free, open-source DMX controller application licensed under GPL-3.0, designed to give lighting technicians and production teams full real-time control over stage lighting rigs directly from their computers. By leveraging the Open Light Architecture (OLA), Glight supports an extensive variety of DMX hardware interfaces and network-based connections, making it highly flexible for different venue setups. At its core, Glight replicates the functionality of a traditional hardware lighting console while adding software-driven enhancements such as scripted sequences, fixture grouping, and saved show states. It includes a graphical user interface for intuitive live control, as well as command-line tools (`glight-cli` and `glight-player`) for automation and headless playback scenarios. Glight is well-suited for theater productions, live concerts, event venues, community performance spaces, and hobbyist lighting rigs. Its documentation is hosted on ReadTheDocs for easy reference. Because it runs on commodity hardware and requires no licensing fees, it is an attractive alternative to expensive dedicated hardware consoles for small-to-medium productions. Installation requires a working OLA setup and a compatible DMX interface, making it most accessible to technically inclined users comfortable with Linux environments.
Key Features
- Real-Time DMX Control: Control stage lighting fixtures live with low-latency DMX signal output, replicating the feel of a hardware lighting console.
- Open Light Architecture (OLA) Integration: Built on top of OLA to support a broad ecosystem of DMX interfaces, USB dongles, and network-based lighting protocols.
- Graphical User Interface: Intuitive GUI for managing fixtures, groups, scenes, and cues without requiring command-line interaction during live shows.
- CLI and Headless Playback Tools: Includes `glight-cli` and `glight-player` for scripted automation, headless operation, and integration into larger production workflows.
- Show State Management: Save and recall lighting scenes, sequences, and full show states for repeatable performances across multiple events.
Use Cases
- Controlling stage lighting for live theater productions without purchasing a dedicated hardware console.
- Managing lighting rigs at small event venues, community centers, or school auditoriums on a tight budget.
- Automating lighting sequences for live concerts using CLI playback tools integrated with production scripts.
- Rapid prototyping and testing of DMX lighting setups in a home studio or workshop environment.
- Replacing aging or expensive hardware consoles in small production companies with a flexible software-based solution.
Pros
- Completely Free and Open Source: Released under GPL-3.0 with no licensing fees, making professional-grade lighting control accessible to everyone.
- Wide Hardware Compatibility: OLA integration means Glight works with dozens of DMX interfaces and network protocols out of the box.
- Software-Enhanced Console Features: Goes beyond traditional hardware consoles with scripting, saved states, and CLI automation tools.
Cons
- Requires Technical Setup: Installation depends on correctly configuring OLA and a compatible DMX interface, which may be challenging for non-technical users.
- Primarily Linux-Focused: The software is designed for Linux environments and may require extra steps or not be fully supported on other operating systems.
- Smaller Community Than Commercial Alternatives: With 57 GitHub stars and 30 open issues, community support and third-party resources are limited compared to commercial lighting consoles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DMX and why does Glight use it?
DMX512 is the industry-standard protocol for controlling stage lighting equipment such as dimmers, moving heads, and LED fixtures. Glight uses DMX to send control signals to compatible lighting hardware.
What hardware does Glight support?
Glight supports any DMX interface compatible with Open Light Architecture (OLA), which includes a wide range of USB dongles, Art-Net nodes, and sACN-compatible devices.
Is Glight free to use?
Yes. Glight is released under the GNU General Public License v3.0, making it completely free to use, modify, and distribute.
What operating systems does Glight run on?
Glight is primarily developed and tested on Linux. It may be compiled on other UNIX-like systems but official support is focused on Linux environments.
Where can I find documentation for Glight?
Official documentation is available at https://glight.readthedocs.io/, covering installation, configuration, and usage guides.
