Advice needed on Theater Software

[Michael Neff]

I've been looking at a 3d program called Open Stages, which looked at
first like an excellent way to model stages, design the workspace
shape and dimansions, with flies, lights, set pieces, etc. but on
closer examination it seems "powered down", only 8 lights possible, no
library of 3d set pieces or actors.
Seems ot me a program like this would really help sell the money
men on a play, and give a near-accurate depiction of what the scene
and light changes would look like, like a 3d storyboard for a movie,
but on a stage. Does anyone know of any decent programs like this?

Also, I was told about a program that incorporates all the files and
forms typically used by directors and stage managers, from audition to
strike. populates forms from data, etc. The one I read was called
Gofer, but does anyone know any others like this?

[RickR]

Real CAD for sets and lights is a major investment in time and
learning. Lots of folks use Googles Sketch-up for fast ideas work, but
it is very limited.

As an architectural and theatrical lighting designer I can't imagine
any one piece of software doing it ALL! I use Vectorworks "Spotlight",
and Cast Software "WYSIWYG" and other programs for advanced
presentations. Both have extensive theatrical lighting features.

Good luck
RickR

[Michael Neff]

Are you familiar with a program that creates a 3d theater, where you
can set the size of your stage, audience, etc, and may have
predesigned 3d objects, ramps stairs desks beds all that?
WYSIWYG and Spotlight seem excellent for lighting needs but perhaps
not what I need for setting the stage, to sell the show initially to
Board of Directors, to show scene set changes to crew, set light cues
as well. I would need a library of objects at my disposal, making each
object would take longer than the show would run. Our community
theater has few resources or personnel and limited funds so maximizing
my abilities and limiting my time expended is key here.
Thanks again

[RickR]

What you are talking about is full fledged 3D modeling with an
Architectual focus. Unless you want to spent the money and months
learning AutoCAD, Vectorworks or some other major CAD program, you're
going to be unhappy.

Google's Sketch-up, or the full version may be your best bet for fast
to learn, accuracy not important, CHEAP! software. At least it's got a
lot of users making lots of things to import.

There are demos for almost all CAD programs. Try a few...

RickR