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What's new in Capture 2026?

With a focused effort on modernising Capture's user interface we have made it easier and faster than ever to edit and manipulate fixtures, universes and layers. New smoke visualisation, improved bloom, a new lens flare effect and the ability to tweak image settings helps make renders even more realistic and appealing.


 

The Capture 2026 release webcast.

Don't miss our upgrade notes if you are upgrading from Capture 2025!

Editing

In Capture 2025 we replaced Windows and macOS property lists with our own implementation - in Capture 2026 we are also replacing property tables with our own implementation. Property tables form the foundation of the Fixtures tab as well as the Layers category in the Design tab. With our own implementation of both property lists and property tables we have been able to take editing to a new level.

General refresh

Descriptive Undo/Redo Commands.

We have aligned the visual appearance of property lists and property tables so that they match each other and between Windows and macOS. This includes a full overhaul of colours and keyboard behaviours.

Property table column headers now support sorting in both directions on Windows.

Multi-select editing

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

Selecting and editing data across multiple rows is now up to the latest standards of spreadsheet software.

Editing of multiple rows at once with the mouse no longer requires the use of keyboard modifiers on Windows.

Copying and pasting

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

Column data of selected rows in a property table can now be copied and pasted to and from other columns, making it easy to move data between columns in fixtures as well as layers.

Copy and paste in property tables is now integrated with the system clipboard. This means that you can now copy and paste data in and out of Capture, into and from other softwares, such as text editors or spreadsheet software.

When copying and pasting layer colour data, colours are automatically converted to and from text form, such as #FF0000 or (255, 0, 0) for red.

Layers

We have made it a lot easier to deal with larger amounts of layers. It is now possible to group layers, collapse layers groups and move layers between groups.

Grouping

Descriptive Undo/Redo Commands.

Any set of layers can be selected and grouped. If all selected layers start with a common text, this text automatically becomes the group name. Groups can be renamed and collapsed as needed. Groups are always presented in alphabetic order and layers can be dragged between groups.

Group importing

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

When you import files from other software that include layers, such as DWG or SketchUp files, the (top level) folder structure of layers is imported in groups.

You can also have imported layers automatically be placed in a group named after the file they were imported from.

Colouring

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

With the new copy and paste capabilities it is now easy to copy layer colours between layers, as well as between colour types.

Group editing

Descriptive Undo/Redo Commands.

Sometimes you want to edit all layers in a group at once. Holding the Alt or Option key while clicking on a row selects all rows in the layer group.

Fixtures

A new type of incremental editing, combined with copy and paste, and automatic "next value" suggestions, has turned the Fixtures tab into a powerful spreadsheet editor. The new Fixture Details command allows you to bring up a mini version of it on demand, providing a new and faster workflow for bulk data input.

Incremental editing

Descriptive Undo/Redo Commands.

If the = sign is shown, the same value will be applied to all rows. By holding the shift key you can toggle between the = and the + sign. When the + sign is shown, each row gets assigned the entered value, incremented by one.

After editing, when editing another row in a Unit, Channel, Circuit or Patch column, the next value is automatically suggested. This memory also interacts with that of the Sequential commands.

More columns

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

The new column chooser lets you choose which columns you wish to see. You can also reorder columns using drag and drop in the column chooser. Several new columns, that are not visible by default, are now available.

Group assignment

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

The Group property of a fixture is now editable, letting you add and remove fixtures from groups by text input. If you enter the number of a group that doesn't exist, it will be created on the fly.

Patch assistance

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

It is now easy to tell whether a fixture is patched overlapping another fixture, or in a way that its last channels fall outside any universe.

Fixture details

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

The new Fixture Details command opens a mini version of the Fixtures tab on demand. It only contains the currently selected fixtures, all selected by default. Use it to inspect fixtures as well as inputting bulk data using the new incremental editing and next value suggestion mechanisms.

Multi-point patching

Descriptive Undo/Redo Commands.

There are now dedicated columns for secondary patch points, with a "#2" suffix.

The Sequential Patch command now lets you choose which patch point you wish to patch. Reports and fixture data import as well as export now also have dedicated secondary patch point columns.

Pan and tilt ranges

Descriptive Undo/Redo Commands.

The pan and tilt ranges of a moving head can now be overridden. This accommodates for fixtures that are not restricted to a factory pan and tilt range, but allow it to be configured on-board.

Also..

Focus simulation is now based on a "near to far" rather than a "0% to 100%" concept. This means that when focus simulation is enabled, the footprint of a beam looks sharpest when the focus parameter is set to 50%.

It is now possible to create zoom response curve corrections for soft edge fixtures.

LED strips

We are introducing a new generic LED Strip fixture. It replaces previous workflows involving texture generators combined with imported UV-mapped objects.

Bézier curve spline editor

Descriptive Undo/Redo Commands.

By default the LED Strip is straight, with a single start and end point. By selecting, moving and rotating the points you can shape the LED Strip as you need. You can use the Spilt command to add additional points.

The LED Strip is not restricted to two-dimensional shapes - points can be moved and rotated in all axis, for roller coaster like shapes.

DMX control

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

LED Strips can be controlled both as a whole, or pixel by pixel. The layout of the control channels is freely editable, supporting Intensity, R, G, B, White (6500K) and Amber (3200K).

The number of pixels is automatically calculated from the length and pixel pitch of the LED strip. Both 8-bit and 16-bit control is available.

Custom fixtures

For the first time it is now possible to expand the fixture library with your own custom build fixtures. We begin by allowing you to import IES files, which is important for a multitude of architectural applications.

Import IES files

Descriptive Undo/Redo Commands.

Import an IES file to create a custom library fixture in your project. Edit and tweak its options and drag and drop the fixture into your design, just as you would from the regular library.

Custom fixture library

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

Each project file has its own custom fixture library. You can import custom fixtures from other projects using the Import Project Content command.

Universes

We have redesigned universe naming and numbering. The universe number is now the primary universe identifier, with the name being optional. Thanks to the improvements in property tables, it is now easy to renumber and remap universes to external universes.

Universe numbering

Descriptive Undo/Redo Commands.

Previously known as Patch Base, the universe Number is now what uniquely identifies a universe. A name can still be assigned, but is optional. Gaps in universe number ranges are allowed.

Patch across universe boundaries

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

Fixtures can now be patched across universe boundaries. This enables designs that are not bound by physical DMX cable signal distribution.

Bulk changes

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

Incremental editing makes bulk changes easy. You can use it to renumber universes as well as remap universes to external universes.

More DMX channels

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

Fixture modes that require more than 512 DMX channels are now supported.

Rigging

We are enabling more advanced rigging workflows through the introduction of slings, including an integration with Production Assist for performing structural calculations.

Truss appearance

Descriptive Undo/Redo Commands.

Static trusses now have the same solid appearance as our dynamic library trusses.

Slings

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

Use the new Sling object to model chains, wires and ropes. Their annotations can show the load on the sling as well as its 3D coordinate.

Production Assist

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

Send your project directly to Production Assist to perform structural calculations. Read back all slings' load data automatically for inclusion in your plots and reports.

Also..

The density and variation of patched smoke boxes can be recorded in and played back from snapshots.

Position and orientation of motion constructs (from Kinesys, PosiStageNet or BlackTrax) can now be recorded in and played back from snapshots.

Design

The following improvements make it easier to place objects with accuracy and confidence.

Distribution

Descriptive Undo/Redo Commands.

The object distribution algorithm has been improved to handle object boundaries better, eliminating drift or overshoot when distributing objects.

Panel orientation

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

The orientation reference arrow, which was previously only available for fixtures, is now also shown for LED panels.

Transparent images

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

Transparent images can now be loaded into image objects.

Rotation anchor placement

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

The default placement of the rotation anchor is now at an object's reference point.

Replacing objects

Descriptive Undo/Redo Commands.

Static truss can now be replaced with dynamic truss and vice versa. You can also replace imported objects with LED panels, report items and plot symbols.

Also..

Groups can now be locked, making them behave as a single object.

Imported objects can be set to render as solid in Plot mode.

A new dedicated "Duplicate and replace .." command is available for library materials and symbols.

Plots and reports

Documentation has always been important to us. In Capture 2026 we are following up on the most commonly requested improvements.

Annotations in 3D

Descriptive Undo/Redo Commands.

Annotations are now visible in all types of views - not just orthographic front, top and section views. Plot Styles apply as usual.

DMX modes in symbol keys

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

The DMX modes of all patched fixtures with more than one DMX mode can now be shown automatically in plot symbol keys. This can be complemented or replaced with the number of channels used.

Transparent images

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

Transparent images can now be loaded in plot image insets.

Right and left views

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

The Section view type has now been replaced with dedicated Left and Right view types, both of which support plot adjustments.

PDF export improvements

Descriptive Undo/Redo Commands.

Non plot view-content is no longer exported to PDF rasterised (as images). This improves the quality and selectability of text in plot headers and keys.

Also, in reports..

A new column showing the number of channels used by a fixture has been added.

Effect fixtures are now included.

Report items can be set listed under the Accessory section.

Visualisation

We have taken the simulation of smoke to a whole new level, with a physically correct participating media simulation. Combined with an improved bloom effect and the addition of lens flares, you can almost touch the smoke on screen.

Obscuring smoke

Descriptive Undo/Redo Commands.

Until now smoke only made a difference in the appearance of beams. Smoke now absorbs all light, which gives it a whole new level of presence and realism.

Bloom effect

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

The Bloom effect simulates optical camera lens and sensor imperfections and limitations. It recreates the look we are used to seeing from digital photography and helps us understand the brightness of light. Thanks to faster video cards we have been able to increase the quality of the bloom effect.

Lens flares

Recovery of Unsaved Changes.

You can now simulate the streak effect caused by internal reflections against a camera's iris blades. You can configure the number of streaks, their size and intensity, as well as their rotation.

Image controls

Descriptive Undo/Redo Commands.

In addition to Hue Clamping, it is now also possible to adjust the Contrast and Saturation of the visualisation.