Short answer: A drone light show is designed as a 3D animation in Drone Show Creator, then simulated, safety-checked and flown with Drone Show Software (DSS), both from SPH Engineering. DSS controls the whole fleet from one screen and launches it with one click, in sync with the music, with geofences and an emergency red button. You can learn it free on DSS Lite with up to 20 drones, and Creator has a 14-day trial.
Last updated: 24 October 2026.
Key takeaways
- Two programs: Drone Show Creator designs the show; Drone Show Software (DSS) plans, simulates and flies it.
- SPH Engineering says its software runs 70% of commercially successful drone shows worldwide, with up to 5,300 drones flown at once.
- DSS Lite is free for up to 20 drones; commercial shows use a perpetual licence (100+ drones, scaling past 1,000) or an annual licence.
- Creator is a standalone Windows app, not a Blender add-on, and imports .blend, .fbx and .obj files.
- DSS supports 40+ show drone platforms. HobiTech supplies the software and SPH training, not the drones or the shows.
Drone light shows are now booked in India for weddings, Diwali and New Year events, product launches, cricket and city celebrations. Behind every show is software that turns an idea into hundreds of synchronised flight paths and then flies them safely. Here is how that works with SPH Engineering's tools, from the client brief to show night.
The two programs
| Drone Show Creator | Drone Show Software (DSS) | |
|---|---|---|
| Job | Design: animate formations, logos, text, images and QR codes to music | Fly: plan, simulate, check and launch the fleet |
| Who uses it | Show designers and creative agencies | Show pilots and operations crew |
| How you get it | Annual licence; 14-day free trial | Free Lite (up to 20 drones), perpetual or annual licence |
| Computer | Windows 10/11; 8-core CPU, 32 GB RAM, 8 GB VRAM recommended | Windows 10/11 64-bit; Core i5 or better, 16 GB RAM, dual monitors, Ethernet |
From brief to show night, step by step
- Brief and storyboard. Agree what the audience should see, the venue, the number of drones and the running time. The drone count sets the licence size and how detailed the shapes can be.
- Animate in Creator. Build the scenes in Creator's node-based editor: formations, morphs, logos and text, cut to the music track, with a real-time preview. SPH puts the time saving at up to 70% against traditional 3D animation workflows. You do not need Blender, though Creator imports .blend, .fbx and .obj models if you have them.
- Simulate and safety-check in DSS. Load the show into Drone Show Software and run it in 3D on a map with real elevation. Check spacing between drones, the geofence and the timing before any aircraft flies.
- Permissions and site survey. Your team clears the airspace and approvals for the venue. In India, every drone needs a UIN on DGCA's eGCA portal, the venue's airspace zone decides which permission applies, and public events need local, police and district approvals.
- Rehearse and lay out the field. Set out the take-off grid and the positioning base. The DSS preflight summary shows the battery, position and status of every drone in one window; the show goes ahead only when everything is green.
- Show night. After the checks pass, the whole fleet launches on one command. Time code keeps it locked to the music, lighting and pyrotechnics, frame by frame, and the red button stops the fleet in an emergency.
Safety features built into DSS
- Double geofence and hardfence: two boundaries keep every drone inside the approved area.
- GPS correction redundancy: positioning switches to a backup if a correction source drops.
- Real-time alerts: problems show the moment they happen.
- Weather in the software: METAR reports and forecasts on the control screen.
- Red button: an emergency stop for the whole fleet, always one press away.
Which drones does it fly?
DSS supports more than 40 show drone platforms, including Cross Stars, Damoda, Drotek, EVsky, Firefly, Flyfire, High Great, KAIKENS, Lumenier, Uvify, Verge Aero, Vimdrones and WG drones. Across these, show drones weigh about 180–900 g, fly 16–25 minutes per show, and carry RGB or RGBW LEDs, with RTK positioning on outdoor fleets. Tell us your drones and we will confirm support before you buy.
Getting started
If you are new to drone shows, start free: practise planning and simulation on DSS Lite with up to 20 drones, and try Creator for 14 days. SPH Engineering's courses, enrolled through HobiTech, take you from the business side to certified crew:
- How to Start a Drone Show Business, the economics, team and key components
- Drone Show Industry: Marketing and Sales
- Drone Show Creator I Basics (90 minutes)
- From Requirements to Project Settings (120 minutes)
- SPH's 3-day training programme and team certification
Licences, Creator and training are all on our drone show software page.
Sources: Drone Show Software and Drone Show Creator information and figures published by SPH Engineering, the developer.
Frequently asked questions
What software is used for drone light shows?
Many show companies use SPH Engineering's Drone Show Software to fly the fleet and Drone Show Creator to design the animation. SPH says its platform is behind 70% of commercially successful drone shows worldwide.
Can I try drone show software for free?
Yes. DSS Lite is free for up to 20 drones, for newcomers, small teams, schools and labs. Drone Show Creator has a 14-day free trial.
Do I need 3D animation skills to design a drone show?
No. Drone Show Creator is a standalone Windows app with a node-based editor. It can import .blend, .fbx and .obj models if you already use 3D tools.
How many drones can Drone Show Software control?
From a 20-drone rehearsal on Lite to commercial shows of 1,000 drones and more. SPH reports shows of up to 5,300 drones flown at once on its software.
Does HobiTech run drone shows?
No. HobiTech supplies SPH Engineering's Drone Show Software, Drone Show Creator and training to the show companies and operators who fly the shows.
What permissions does a drone show need in India?
Each drone needs a UIN on DGCA's eGCA portal, the venue's airspace zone decides the permission needed, and pilots need Remote Pilot Certificates where the rules require them. Public events also need venue, police and district approvals.
Planning your first shows? Tell us your drones and fleet size, and we will come back with the right licence and training.
