LightAct 4.13 RC1

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This changelog was created on 30 December 2025. It includes 1 Epics and 16 upgrades.

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Easier Support Framework

Features

There are 1 new features in this epic.

LA4-6470: Package For Support

Reintroduced “Package for Support” to streamline sending project files to LightAct Support.

Status: Done

Improvements

There are 14 new improvements in this epic.

LA4-6497: Sub-second Precision Of Log Entries

Log timestamps now include millisecond precision to improve event ordering and diagnostics as log volume grows. Example format: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS.mmm], e.g., [2025-11-27 10:22:31.231].

Status: Done

LA4-6495: Better Logging Of Cue Triggers

Every cue fired manually, via OSC, or DMX now logs its trigger with cue name, timeline, and source.

Status: Done

LA4-6494: Ability To Omit Loading Of Devices

Added an option to skip loading selected devices during LightAct launch, enabling faster startup and easier troubleshooting by isolating problematic hardware.

Status: Done

LA4-6493: Better Logging Of Devices

Added granular device initialization logs. The system now records per-device load messages (e.g., “Loading NIC… NIC loaded”, “Loading Blackmagic… Blackmagic loaded”). This improves visibility and troubleshooting, especially when specific devices are intentionally omitted from loading.

Status: Done

LA4-6492: Better Section And Layer State Logging

Added logging for section and layer state transitions. When the playhead enters or leaves them, the log records: “Layer X entered active/inactive state” and “Section Y entered active/inactive state,” improving traceability and debugging.

Status: Done

LA4-6491: Better Timeline State Logging

Improved timeline diagnostics with expanded logging. The system now records all play state changes; end-of-section events in Play-to-End with resulting pause or loop actions; and playhead jumps. Timeline and group sync activity is tracked, including Engaged/Disengaged changes triggered via DMX, OSC, or manual control. Timecode state transitions are logged, and when entering Chasing TC the current TC is included. This replaces the previous “enters synced state” log entry.

Status: Done

LA4-6478: Better Tcp/udp/osc Logging

Added a "Log every message" checkbox (default on) to all six nodes. When enabled, every incoming message is recorded to Logs with source IP and port for easier tracing. Example entries: "UDP Receiver 0" received message "testMessage" from 192.168.0.11 on port 6343; "OSC Receiver 0" received message "oscMessage" from 192.168.0.15 on port 6345.

Status: Done

LA4-6477: Better Play Video Layer Logging

Added structured, rate-limited logging for the Play video node. Captures key lifecycle events: phase transitions (Loading, Ready, Scrolling), buffer operations (start/filled for “always ready” and “play” buffers), and audio enable/disable actions. Logs include layer context (e.g., “my test layer”) for clear traceability. Repeated events are deduplicated and throttled to avoid spam, providing visibility into asset changes and playback state without overwhelming log files.

Status: Done

LA4-6435: Bugsplat Should Be Dumped To Project Folder

BugSplat now saves crash reports to a custom crashDumps directory located next to the .la file, improving organization and making logs easier to find and manage.

Status: Done

LA4-6318: Autosaves Should Be Saved In Project Folder

Autosave files are now stored in an Autosaves folder within the project folder, alongside the .la file. Autosave behavior is unchanged. On normal exit, autosave files are deleted—even when exiting without saving—to prevent leftover recovery files.

Status: Done

LA4-6317: Edids Should Be Saved In Project Folder

EDID-related files are now saved in the project folder alongside the .la file instead of ProgramData. This improves portability, simplifies backups and version control, and reduces permission issues; existing projects remain compatible.

Status: Testing

LA4-6316: Saves Should Be Saved In Project Folder

All generated saves are now written to Projectfolder\Exports, located next to the .la file, instead of ProgramData\Lightact\Lightact4\saves. This change keeps exports with their projects for easier versioning, backup, and distribution.

Status: Done

LA4-6315: Console.log

Introduced console.log in the Logs folder for high-volume diagnostics that would clutter the main Log file and Logs window. The file is overwritten each session and begins with "###LightAct 4 Console File###", followed by "#Build:" and "#Current time:" metadata. This is an initial setup; additional content categories may be defined later.

Status: Code Review

LA4-6314: Logs Should Be Saved In Project Folder

Log files and videoimportsummary.json now save to a Logs folder alongside the project file, ensuring consistent organization and easier access.

Status: Done

Other Upgrades

There are 1 new upgrades in this epic.

LA4-6513: Ignoring Tc

Added an intermediate state to Timeline: Engaged (Ignore TC). When the Timeline is engaged and chasing timecode, any manual trigger—pause, jump buttons, or cue triggers from the Cue List via UI, OSC, or DMX—no longer disengages it. Instead, the Timeline enters Ignore TC, allowing manual control without losing engagement. The Timeline automatically re-engages and resumes chasing when the incoming timecode jumps or stops and starts again.

Status: Done | Requesters: SBA