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NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:	David Steinberg
Email:	david@stageresearch.com
Phone:	888-267-0859
Date:	February 22nd, 2010

Stage Research Unveils SoftPlot 9.2 Update

Stage Research has announced the release of SoftPlot 9.2 with many new features designed to expand the functionality of the popular graphical design software that enables lighting designers to plot lighting and manage paperwork at all levels of the industry.

"With SoftPlot 9.2 we have grown the capabilities of the software, increased compatibility and responded to users' suggestions for ways to enhance the SoftPlot experience," says Stage Research cofounder Carlton Guc.

Leading numerous additions to SoftPlot 9.2 is compatibility with Windows 7 and Windows Vista. A new html Help viewer displays SoftPlot Help documents on Vista and later operating systems.

Access to the older version of the DXF Import menu command has also been included for compatibility with certain types of DXF files, including importing SoftPlot DXF export files.

The Graphic Symbol Editor has also been revamped. Symbol line items may now have individual color attributes assigned to them. Instruments and graphic symbols placed on a drawing have the choice of being displayed in their object color or in colors defined in the Graphic Symbol Editor.

Among other SoftPlot 9.2 features are:

A DMX Universes tab added to the Data Editor makes it easier to patch instruments to multiple DMX universes
Five additional DMX Controllable Instrument Accessories: Fan, Power, DMX Iris, Effects Loop, and the assignable DMXAccy 1
Automated Instruments may now be assigned DMX Accessories and set their own DMX and Channel attributes
Addition of a Gel Sheet Count report
Color attributes are now offered for all drawing items; the display may be toggled between Color by Layer or Color by Object
Saved Views permit current view settings for recall at any time
Group Move now moves the Instrument Focus Points
When the Lighting Position tools Pre-Rigged Truss and Pre-Rigged Pipe are selected, clicking on the Default Attributes Grid, Instrument Type item will display the Instrument menu for quick selection of the desired fixture type for placement on the Pre-Rigged item
A Styled Selection Rectangle provides better viewing of what's in the selection
Printing of the Focus Status view of the drawing
A printable Hang Status mode enables toggling on and off for fixtures hung or pre-hung
Display for Lighting Instruments and Object Color Setting have been added to Default Attributes Grid
Changes to the way missing images on a drawing are handled
A quantity option added to the Shop Order Report to include items in inventory and items on a drawing
A Video Record function added to the 3D View Camera Settings to record the 3D view to an .avi file
A link in the Inventory Tree List added to the currently selected inventory for additions and changes
The File Utility to save inventory in the Light Shop Online format now has a selection of which Inventory Data to save including a Save-All option
A Preference added to the Project Properties settings which suppresses the display of the DMX-ending address for DMX instruments

Stage Research software is subscription based and all upgrades are free for the first year after purchase. After that first year the subscription for SoftPlot is $195. Users can choose to renew or not. If they renew, they continue to get all new updates for free. If they choose not to renew, the program will continue to work, but they will not be able to upgrade until they subscribe again.

About Stage Research

Developers of audio, sound design and lighting software, Stage Research, Inc. offers a range of products originally designed for college and university theaters, community and professional theaters, and touring productions whose applications now extend to many other venues, including exhibits and installations, auto shows, cruise lines, airports, haunted houses and roller coaster parks.

Carlton Guc and Brad Rembielak, the cofounders of Stage Research, have partnered with experts in the field to create products capable of becoming industry-standard software, which stands the test of time. From the beginning of their association they have merged their software engineering skills with their deep interest in theater to craft products, which assure reliable, robust and user-friendly operation show after show. Products include:

*SFX - The leading live entertainment playback software application for prerecorded music and sound effects

*SoftPlot - A graphical design tool which enables lighting designers to plot lighting and manage paperwork for all levels of entertainment

*LightFactory - Offering all the features expected from a lighting control board but which can be run on the smallest of laptops, it provides lighting designers with the ability to create exciting, dynamic shows with unprecedented control over the lighting environment

*ShowBuilder - A software application that takes the drudgery out of the administrative side of show design enabling users to manage paperwork, document their sound system, create shop bids, track budgets and payroll, and plan show routes.

*RFGURU - RF Guru, a coordination tool targeted to anyone dealing with wireless microphones. RF Guru is designed to find the best combination of wireless microphone frequencies to be used at a venue and alleviate intermod (i.e., interference) problems. It calculates based on existing microphones, area TV stations, user-entered known bad frequencies and even mic data from nearby neighboring venues. .