DMXDesktop

Keyboard Shortcuts

DMXDesktop has a comprehensive set of keyboard shortcuts you can use to control your lighting live. Shortcuts are active when not typing in input fields.

Live Flash Toggles

These shortcuts activate live effects. They work in both toggle and pulse (hold) modes depending on the button configuration.

  • F1 — Strobe
  • F2 — Blackout
  • F3 — Blinder
  • F4 — Freeze
  • F5 — Fog
  • F6 — Effect
  • F7 — Special Effects (momentary — active while held)

Cue Control

  • Ctrl+P — Play/Start current cue
  • Ctrl+S — Stop current cue
  • Left Arrow — Skip to previous cue
  • Right Arrow — Skip to next cue
  • Ctrl+1–9 — Select cue stack 1–9
  • Ctrl+Shift+1–9 — Select cue stack 11–19
  • Space — Step next on selected cue stack (when cue stack panel is visible)
  • Shift+Space — Step back on selected cue stack

Master Dimmer

  • Numpad + — Increase master dimmer
  • Numpad − — Decrease master dimmer

Panels & Windows

  • Ctrl+A — Show Audio Control Panel
  • Ctrl+Q — Show Quick Controls
  • Ctrl+M — Show Quick MIDI Control Panel
  • Ctrl+T — Open DMX Table (live DMX output debugger)
  • Ctrl+F — Popout Floorplan window

Navigation

  • F10 — Console
  • F11 — DJ Mode
  • F12 — Settings
  • Ctrl+L — Lock screen
  • Ctrl+R — Reload application

Zoom Controls

  • Ctrl+Numpad + — Zoom in
  • Ctrl+Numpad − — Zoom out
  • Ctrl+0 — Reset zoom

Floorplan Layout

These shortcuts are active when the floorplan layout/arrangement tab is open.

  • Ctrl+A — Select all fixtures
  • Ctrl+D — Deselect all fixtures
  • Ctrl+Z — Undo layout change
  • Ctrl+Scroll — Zoom floorplan

Programmer

These shortcuts are active in the Programmer window.

  • I — Intensity tab
  • C — Colors tab
  • P — Positions tab
  • B — Beams tab
  • Q — Faders / Cue Select view
  • S — Faders / Cue Stacks view
  • R — Record
  • D — Clear Record
  • Ctrl+H — Home
  • Escape — Cancel current mode

Timeline Editor (DJ Mode)

These shortcuts are active in the Timeline Editor.

  • Space — Play/Pause
  • Delete / Backspace — Delete selected clip(s)
  • Escape — Deselect all clips
  • Ctrl+ +/− — Zoom in/out timeline
  • Ctrl+Shift+L — Shift all clips left (close gaps)
  • V — View tool (cue mode)
  • C — Create tool (cue mode)