What you need before you start
A Grandma3 console connects to Capture through a network cable and the Grandma3 software running on your computer. Capture is the visualization and pre-visualization tool that Grandma3 sends lighting data to — it shows you what your programmed cues will look like before you run them on the actual rig. The connection happens over Ethernet, not USB, so you will need a network switch or direct cable between the two machines.
Before you plug anything in, make sure you have the latest version of Grandma3 software installed on your computer and that your Grandma3 console is powered on and running the same software version. Mismatched versions often cause the connection to fail silently, so check both machines first. You will also need to know your console's IP address — this is printed on the network setup screen of the console itself.
Key Takeaways
- Grandma3 connects to Capture over Ethernet using a network cable, not USB.
- Both your console and your computer must run the same version of Grandma3 software for the connection to work.
- You need the console's IP address, which you can find in the console's network settings menu.
- Capture receives the lighting data once you enable the network output on the console and add the Capture machine as a destination.
Setting up the network connection between machines
Connect an Ethernet cable from the network port on the back of your Grandma3 console to the network port on your computer. If both machines are in the same room, a direct cable works fine. If they are farther apart or you need to connect other devices, use a network switch — plug the console into one port and your computer into another.
Power on the console and wait for it to fully boot. On the console, press Setup, then navigate to Network. You will see the console's IP address displayed on this screen — it usually looks like 192.168.1.100 or similar. Write this down or take a photo of it. Your computer should automatically receive an IP address on the same network, but if it does not, you may need to manually set your computer's network settings to the same subnet (for example, 192.168.1.x).
Test the connection by opening a terminal or command prompt on your computer and typing ping followed by the console's IP address. If you see responses come back, the network link is working. If you see "host unreachable" or a timeout, check that the cable is seated firmly in both ports and that both machines are powered on.
Configuring Grandma3 to send data to Capture
On the Grandma3 console, go to Setup and then Network again. Look for an option called Nodes or DMX Output. This is where you tell the console where to send its lighting data. You will see a list of possible destinations — Capture will appear here once you add it.
Select Add Node or New Destination (the exact wording varies by software version). Choose Capture from the list of node types. The console will ask you for the IP address of the machine running Capture — enter your computer's IP address here. If you do not know your computer's IP address, open a terminal and type ipconfig (Windows) or ifconfig (Mac/Linux) and look for the address that starts with 192.168 or 10.0.
Save the node configuration. The console should now show Capture as an active destination. If it shows a red X or "offline" status, double-check that you entered the IP address correctly and that both machines are on the same network.
Opening Capture and receiving the console output
On your computer, open the Grandma3 Capture application. This is a separate program from the console software — you launch it like any other application on your desktop. When Capture starts, it will automatically listen for incoming data from any Grandma3 console on the network.
Go back to the console and press a cue or move a fader. You should see the lighting output appear in the Capture window on your computer within a second or two. If nothing happens, check that the Capture node on the console shows "online" status. If it still shows offline, restart Capture and wait 10 seconds for it to reconnect.
Once you see data flowing, you can adjust the Capture view by zooming, panning, and rotating the 3D stage. The visualization will update in real time as you program on the console. This lets you see how your cues will look on the actual rig before you ever touch the real lights.
Troubleshooting a connection that will not establish
If the Capture node on the console stays offline, the most common cause is a software version mismatch. Check that your console and your computer are both running the exact same Grandma3 version number. You can find this in Setup > About on the console and in the Capture application menu on your computer. If they differ, update the one that is behind.
The second most common issue is a firewall blocking the connection. On Windows, open Windows Defender Firewall and go to Allow an app through firewall. Make sure Grandma3 Capture is checked for both Private and Public networks. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall Options and add Capture to the allowed list.
If the network cable itself is the problem, you will see no ping response from the console. Try a different Ethernet cable — many cables fail silently. Make sure both the console and your computer have their network ports lit up (usually a green or amber LED on the port itself). If one port is dark, the cable may not be fully seated.
If you have restarted both machines and checked the software versions and the firewall is open, try unplugging the Ethernet cable for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Sometimes the network interface needs a hard reset to renegotiate the connection.
Running multiple Capture instances or adding a second computer
You can send console data to more than one computer running Capture at the same time. On the console, go back to Setup > Network > Nodes and add a second Capture destination with the IP address of your second computer. Both machines will receive the same lighting data simultaneously.
This is useful if you want to run Capture on a separate monitor for visualization while you program, or if you want a second operator to see the output on their own machine. Each Capture instance will show the same stage and the same cues, updated in real time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a network switch or can I plug the console and computer directly together?
A direct cable works fine if the two machines are close to each other. If you need to connect more than two devices or run cable over a long distance, use a network switch. The switch does not need to be managed or configured — just plug devices into it and they will find each other automatically.
What if my computer does not have an Ethernet port?
You can use a USB-to-Ethernet adapter. Plug it into a USB port on your computer, then connect the Ethernet cable to the adapter. Install any drivers that come with the adapter, then follow the same setup steps. The connection will work the same way as a built-in port.
Can I use WiFi instead of a wired Ethernet connection?
WiFi is not recommended for Grandma3 to Capture because the data stream needs to be reliable and low-latency. A wired Ethernet connection is much more stable. If you must use WiFi, both machines need to be on the same network, but you may see lag or dropped frames in Capture.
Why does Capture show the wrong lighting output or no output at all?
First, check that the Capture node on the console shows "online" status. If it does, make sure you are looking at the right universe — Capture displays DMX universes separately, and your console may be sending data to a universe that is not currently visible. Check the universe selector in the Capture window and make sure it matches the universe your console is outputting to.
Can I control the console from Capture or only view the output?
Capture is a visualization tool only — it receives data from the console but does not send commands back to it. All programming and control happens on the console itself. Capture shows you what the output looks like, but you cannot program cues or move faders from the Capture window.