XLights
xLights
xLights is a free, open-source sequencing application used to design, program, and operate animated Christmas lighting displays.
It allows users to create lighting effects, synchronize them to music, and transmit the resulting data to a wide variety of lighting controllers using industry-standard communication protocols.
xLights is one of the most widely used sequencing programs in the Christmas lighting community.
Features
xLights provides tools for:
- Creating display layouts
- Building models for props and decorations
- Designing lighting effects
- Synchronizing animations to music
- Scheduling and exporting shows
- Testing controllers and props
The software supports displays ranging from a few hundred pixels to installations containing hundreds of thousands of channels.
Display Models
Every decoration in a display is represented as a model.
Examples include:
- Smart pixel props
- Matrices
- Mega trees
- Arches
- Candy canes
- Singing faces
- Traditional AC lighting
Models define the physical layout of the display so lighting effects can be generated automatically.
Supported Controllers
xLights supports a wide variety of controller types, including:
- Pixel controllers
- Renard controllers
- DMX controllers
- ESPixelStick
- WLED
- Commercial Ethernet controllers
Communication Protocols
xLights can transmit show data using several protocols, including:
The available protocols depend on the capabilities of the selected controller.
Advantages
- Free and open source
- Large user community
- Extensive effect library
- Supports many controller types
- Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, and Linux)
- Regularly updated
Christmas Lighting Applications
xLights can be used to:
- Create synchronized musical displays
- Design animated pixel props
- Control traditional AC lighting
- Test controllers before installation
- Export sequences for show players such as Falcon Player (FPP)