Lighting Controller
Place a lighting controller symbol to document smart controllers, timers, or relays in your lighting system.
The Lighting Controller tool marks the device responsible for switching, scheduling, or automating the lighting scheme — whether that is a simple timer, a photocell sensor, a smart hub, or an addressable protocol driver such as DMX or DALI. It is a documentation symbol that represents the control strategy on the plan, not a rendered light source. Place it upstream of the circuit near a practical service access point and use the Inspector to record the controller type, name, and any specification notes that the installer needs.
Inspector fields
Name — a label for this controller. Zone count — the number of independently controllable zones. Product — optional brand and model reference.
Click to place the controller symbol
Click on the canvas at the upstream control point — typically near the service entry, meter box, or wherever the installer will mount the device. A controller symbol appears at that position in the plan view. You can place multiple controllers if the scheme uses more than one zone or protocol.
Name the controller in the tool panel
Before applying, enter a label in the Name field in the tool sidebar. A clear name — for example "Zone 1 Timer" or "Smart Hub" — helps installers and clients identify the device at a glance on the printed plan.
Confirm placement with Apply
Click Apply in the tool sidebar to commit the symbol to the drawing. The controller is now a selectable entity on the canvas and appears in the layer panel alongside other lighting infrastructure.
Set the controller type in the Inspector
With the controller selected, open the Inspector panel. Expand the Details section and choose a Controller Type from the dropdown: Timer, Photocell, Smart, DMX, DALI, Manual, or Custom. The selected type is recorded against the entity and carries through to cost schedules and documentation exports.
Add specification notes
Use the Notes field in the Inspector to record brand, model number, channel count, voltage, or any wiring detail the installer will need. There is no separate product field, so the Notes field is the right place for all specification information that goes beyond the controller type.
Place the controller near a practical service access point. Installers and maintenance crews need to reach it easily — avoid burying it inside dense planting beds or behind structural walls. A note in the Notes field indicating the mounting location (e.g. "inside garden wall cabinet") prevents confusion on site.
Plan your lighting infrastructure before placing individual lights. A clear sequence — transformer, controller, junction boxes, cable runs, then fixtures — makes the plan easier to read and reduces wiring errors during installation.
The Lighting Controller is a documentation symbol only. It does not switch lights on or off in the 3D or photoreal view, and it does not simulate timed or automated behavior. Any scene-level lighting changes must be made manually in the editor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Smart, DMX, and DALI controller types?
These options let you record which control protocol the device uses. Smart covers app- or voice-controlled hubs (e.g. Lutron, Control4, Casambi). DMX and DALI are addressable protocols used in commercial and high-end residential schemes where individual fixtures are addressed independently. Choose Custom and describe the device in Notes if none of the preset types match your hardware.
Does the controller type affect how lights render in the 3D or photoreal view?
No. The controller is a documentation symbol and has no effect on rendered output. It does not switch, dim, or animate lights in any view. Use it purely to communicate the control strategy to the client and installer.
Can I place more than one controller on the same drawing?
Yes. Multi-zone schemes often require separate controllers per zone or per protocol. Place one controller per device and name each one clearly — for example "Front Garden Timer" and "Rear Smart Hub" — so the plan distinguishes between them.
How do I record the brand and model of the controller?
Use the Notes field in the Inspector. There is no dedicated product field, so enter the manufacturer name, model number, channel count, voltage rating, and any other specification the installer needs directly in that field.
How does the Lighting Controller relate to the Lighting Transformer?
The transformer provides power to the low-voltage circuit; the controller determines when and how the lights operate. They are separate symbols and usually placed near each other in the service area. Connect them visually with a cable run to show the full power-and-control path on the plan.