Xlights Full Tutorial for Beginners (Updated 2023/24)

Xlights is a free software made for programming awesome light shows of any size. It's a very easy-to-use feature-packed sequencer, and in this tutorial, I discuss how to fully use it. Everything from setting up your controllers and layout, all the way over to programming your first sequence. So buckle up, because you're in for a ride in this video! Make sure to use the timestamps below if you want to skip to a certain part of the video!

===== IMPORTANT LINKS! (And other videos I shared in this video) =====

Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:51 - What is Xlights?
00:01:47 - Basic Xlights terminology
00:03:39 - Installing Xlights
00:06:13 - Opening Xlights/selecting your show folder
00:07:34 - The controller tab
00:15:10 - Channels & universes & how they work
00:17:34 - The rest of the controller tab
00:21:16 - Different menus and their settings
00:29:26 - Preferences menu
00:35:28 - The layout tab
00:39:30 - Adding models
00:41:03 - Model settings & arch settings
00:52:45 - Candy cane model
00:55:50 - Channel block model
00:56:49 - Circle model
00:59:42 - Cube model
01:01:54 - Custom model
01:02:50 - Dmx models
01:03:35 - Image model
01:04:04 - Icicle model
01:05:22 - Matrix model
01:08:46 - Single-line model
01:09:41 - Poly line model
01:12:14 - Sphere model
01:14:12 - Spinner model
01:16:23 - Star model
01:18:27 - Tree model
01:24:09 - Window frame model
01:25:24 - Wreath model
01:26:01 - Import/download/obj models
01:28:54 - Other layout tab settings
01:31:15 - Model groups
01:36:44 - Final layout tab settings
01:40:55 - The sequencer tab
01:41:28 - Top bar buttons and what they do
01:44:11 - Making a new sequence
01:50:18 - Editing the display elements
01:53:18 - Xlights sequencing mechanics and adding timing marks
01:57:57 - Adding effects to the sequence
02:04:54 - Moving effects & adjusting their settings
02:09:10 - Color palette settings
02:12:49 - Layering effects in Xlights
02:18:10 - Other sequencing windows and settings in Xlights
02:18:48 - Layer settings window
02:23:16 - Layer blending window
02:25:20 - Sequence settings window
02:27:37 - Other timing track settings/features
02:29:56 - Looking into a finished sequence
02:31:47 - Finishing up

Key moments you may want to skip to:
00:03:39 - Installing Xlights
00:07:34 - The controller tab
00:35:28 - The layout tab
01:40:55 - The sequencer tab

I originally made a video like this back in 2021, but decided to remake it to improve the quality and hopefully reach more people looking to get into making a light show this year. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to let me know in the comment section! I always love hearing your feedback and what I could improve on!

Thanks for watching! If you enjoy the videos, feel free to leave a like and subscribe!

[HowPixel]

Please let me know if you notice any editing mistakes! I tried to watch the video multiple times to check for any, but it got very annoying after watching a 2 and a half hour long video for the 3rd time 😅

[gritz]

I have been thinking, for years, to add this kinda stuff to my Haunt but it is overwhelming. Thanks for the break down. I think I might be able to start now. THANK YOU

[almosthuman]

FINALLY! I found the man with the answers. thank you.

[Wrecksy]

Found this channel just in time to start learning xLights and it is awesome! Definitely the best xLights channel on YouTube! I love that your videos are packed with useful information instead of like 30 seconds of useful info in like a 15 minute video like other channels. Keep it up!

[stevebrookins]

Thanks for doing this, it's helped a lot!

[THEATREGOD]

This is actually kind of funny and nostalgic for me I think you're one of the first x-light shows I've seen but didn't know where to find the products I've been in the entertainment industry we do stuff similar like this to program or or lighting for the theater and we use LED technology all the time and or pixels but now I want you this program even though it's similar to CAD files or vectorworks but you got this like you're saying that you don't know how or whatever on certain things dude you got this far I'm sure you can figure out the rest of it just take a step by step brother you'll be okay thanks for the video also you can do things in layers like you can build your house and then you can build different scenes and put those all in the same layers so each layer has its own and then you can put them all together at once

[gabrielperezmartinez]

Hello! I'm writing to you from Spain.
Just wanted to let you know that I watch your videos with great interest because they are helping me with my setup. Since your setup is not very large, I feel more confident about making changes to mine.
Keep it up, I think you're doing a great job in sharing knowledge.

[AnthonyS-nm]

Awesome video! You really explained things well and it really helped me understand the basics of Xlights and how to get it around. This was my first year and wished I found this video sooner, but this has really helped me for going forward with my shows. It was cool to see that were neighbors im over in Cicero

[WMLightingLLC]

You have great content and for the most part explain things in a well organized manor. I greatly appreciate your work. One tip from someone who teaches and presents often. Slow your speaking down just a little, but REALLY slow down your mouse movement. You know exactly where it is and where it is going, but someone watching you will quickly lose where it is. You will actually want to move it much slower than you think you should. You can also change the size of your mouse pointer or turn on trails to help. Keep up the good work!

[wsockdll]

This video was extremely helpful in getting started with xLights. Thank you!

[samiraslan]

This an epic video, really big efforts! thank you.
This channel is a gem! it deserve millions of subscribers.

[stuwalton]

Very well done! I wish this was out 6 years ago when I started and yes I did learn some things. That's the beauty of this hobby, you're ALWAYS learning.

[benlockhart]

Thanks for this video. Made it so easy to learn how to use xlights. You explain everything so clearly!

[IronTrev]

Thank you for the video. Comprehensive and easy to understand.

[Norms]

Thankyou so much, damn long video but heaps of depth for a beginner, has helped me out tremendously in starting a setup

[denisemartin]

Although I have had a show for 3 years, I’m just starting to learn to sequence. My daughter did it previously. I like your simple explanations and easy to follow. Great job

[markjohnforbes]

This video is honestly amazing... thank you so much for taking the time to make it!

[dianellysjuarbe]

Thanks for the tutorial. Very well explained. Greetings from Puerto Rico :D

[mfelician]

oookay, this was very very amazing - kudos to you

[Supden]

You're awesome, thanks for the knowlege sharing!