drafty-app.com

What It Is

Drafty is a web-based CAD drafting tool with a very specific focus: stage lighting plots, sound plots, video plots, and performance-related paperwork. It aims to combine the precision of computer-aided drafting with the intuitiveness of hand-drawn sketches, generating symbols and drawings according to USITT and ABTT graphic standards.

Core Capabilities

Compared with general-purpose CAD software, Drafty is less about piling on tools and more about automating repetitive tasks in entertainment drafting. According to the product information, it can automatically handle layer management, generate and update legend keys, and keep the database in sync while you draw. Its toolset covers AV, LX, and PRO workflows, including speaker symbols, auto-numbering, signal flow, booms and trusses, a lineset scheduler, rack builder, lighting symbols, Smart Section, scenic tools, and more. Drafty Pro also includes Database Manager, which lets users view equipment and color statistics in real time, and export Channel Hookup and Instrument Schedule PDFs with one click.

Pricing and Licensing

Drafty uses a subscription model. Individual users can pay monthly or annually, and all monthly and annual plans include a 30-day free trial. The pricing page shows tiers at around $20, $30, and $40/month, with annual prices including $149.99, $199.99, and $299.99, and prices can be displayed in USD, GBP, or EUR. Academic and commercial site licenses require contacting sales. Payments are processed through Stripe and major credit cards are accepted. One important note: Drafty explicitly warns users not to subscribe multiple times or switch plans frequently, as this may trigger immediate charges. All fees are final.

Collaboration, Compatibility, and Access Limitations

Drafty uses Google OAuth for login and relies on Google Drive to store files. On first login, it creates a Drafty folder, where project files are read and saved. It can also be used as a guest, but saving, printing, and similar features are unavailable. Collaboration mainly works through Drive sharing, but Drafty does not officially support simultaneous multi-user editing. For imports, it supports PDF and DXF; for exports, it supports .drafty files, PDF paperwork, and patch exports for ETC Eos Family, Grand MA, Chamsys, and CSV. After the app has loaded, it can work offline except for cloud storage and printing. In terms of browsers, Chrome is strongly recommended; Safari support has been reduced, and Firefox is not yet officially supported.

Pros, Cons, and Who It’s For

Drafty’s strengths are its industry-specific focus, streamlined workflow, and clear standards compliance. It is well suited to designers, theatre technicians, and educational institutions that need to produce stage lighting and entertainment drawings quickly. Its drawbacks are its dependence on Google Drive and credit card payments, which may create limitations in some network environments, including China; its collaboration features are also closer to file sharing than real-time co-editing. Chinese users who cannot reliably access Google services may want to consider Vectorworks Spotlight, AutoCAD, Capture, WYSIWYG, or localized CAD workflows as alternatives.