Broadcast cable planning software — a node-based editor for SDI signal flow,
ATEM multiviewer layouts and Blackmagic Videohub routing.
Plan, visualize, and document complex broadcast cabling systems — from camera to switcher to encoder — with real-world production integrations.
Free & MIT-licensed · .dmg (Apple Silicon + Intel) and .exe installers attached to every release
The node-based canvas — equipment nodes, ports and routed signal cabling.
CablePlanner is free, open-source broadcast cable planning software for designing and visualizing SDI signal flow, ATEM multiviewer layouts and Blackmagic Videohub routing on a node-based canvas. It runs fully offline on macOS and Windows, so every audio, video and data run is documented before you ever pull cable on site.
Built with Electron, React, and TypeScript, it is designed for real-world production environments such as studios, OB vans, and live event setups — a modern, open alternative to legacy AV/broadcast wiring tools.
✔ Fully offline desktop application
✔ macOS & Windows support
✔ Production-focused broadcast tooling
✔ Extensible integration system
 Device & location properties |
 ATEM multiviewer editor |
 Export & print hub |
 Cable bill of materials |
 Per-device patch sheets |
|
- Drag & drop node-based interface (React Flow)
- Equipment nodes with input/output ports
- Interactive cable connections between devices
- Cable metadata (type, length, color, notes)
- Zoom, pan, minimap navigation
- Real-time signal topology visualization
- Built-in broadcast equipment library
- Custom device templates
- Port-level connection system
- Cable properties:
- Type (SDI, HDMI, Ethernet, etc.)
- Length tracking
- Color coding
- Labeling & notes
- Reusable project components
- Visual multiview layout editor
- Camera / program / preview assignment
- Grid-based layout system
- Preconfigured source mapping
- Exportable production configs
Compatible with Blackmagic ATEM switchers (Television Studio, Constellation, and M/E models).
- SDI routing visualization
- Source → destination patch mapping
- Logical router configuration editor
- Visual signal path overview
- Exportable routing setups
Designed for Blackmagic Videohub infrastructure.
- Secure API integration with the Rentman rental-management platform
- Import projects, equipment, and categories
- Token-based authentication (encrypted local storage)
- No credentials stored in source code
- Selective import workflow (project/equipment filtering)
- PDF export of full cable layouts
- Includes:
- Equipment lists
- Cable metadata
- Signal routing overview
- Print-ready production documentation
- Local JSON project system
- New / Open / Save / Save As workflows
- Recent projects list (auto-managed)
- Safe file handling with concurrency protection
- 🌐 Shared network-drive sync for multi-planner collaboration (experimental)
- 🗄️ 3D rack builder with STL export (in progress)
- 🎧 GreenGo intercom configuration export (experimental)
- 📱 Mobile build-day viewer (LAN + QR) for field technicians
| Layer | Technology |
|---|---|
| Desktop shell | Electron |
| UI | React 19 + TypeScript |
| Canvas | React Flow (node graph) |
| 3D rack view | three.js / react-three-fiber |
| Styling | Tailwind CSS (token-based theming) |
| State | Zustand stores with localStorage autosave |
| Build | Vite |
| Export | jsPDF (vector + raster PDF, PNG/JPEG/SVG) |
The app is offline-first: every project is a local JSON file, all state lives on-device, and integrations (Rentman, ATEM, Videohub) are opt-in.
Looking for a WireCAD alternative, a D-Tools or Microsoft Visio replacement for AV/broadcast wiring, or something more domain-specific than draw.io? Here is where CablePlanner fits:
| CablePlanner | WireCAD | D-Tools SI | Visio / draw.io | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free · MIT | ~$1,500–4,500 | $1,000s / yr | Subscription / free |
| Platforms | macOS + Windows | Windows only | Windows + SQL Server | Windows / web |
| File format | Open JSON (git-diffable) | Proprietary | Proprietary | VSDX / XML |
| Broadcast-smart defaults | Yes (connector→layer, BOM, patch sheets) | Yes | Partial | No |
| ATEM / Videohub live control | Yes | No | No | No |
| 3D rack view | Yes (in progress) | No | No | No |
- vs. WireCAD — CablePlanner wins on platform support, open file format, modern UX and live hardware control; WireCAD has the deeper symbol library and a longer-established workflow.
- vs. D-Tools System Integrator — different league: D-Tools covers the full quote → invoice business lifecycle, while CablePlanner is a focused planning tool (complementary, not competing).
- vs. EPlan / WSCAD — those target industrial-electrical and control-cabinet design; CablePlanner is purpose-built for AV/broadcast signal flow.
- vs. draw.io / Visio — general diagramming tools are a workaround for AV; CablePlanner adds connector-aware layers, a cable bill of materials and patch-sheet logic out of the box.
📊 Full structural comparison: docs/comparison.html.
Prerequisites: Node.js 20+ and npm.
# 1. Install dependencies
npm install
# 2. Run the desktop app in development (Vite + Electron, hot-reload)
npm run dev
# 3. Type-check, lint
npx tsc -p tsconfig.app.json --noEmit
npm run lint
# 4. Production build (renderer + main + preload)
npm run build
# 5. Package distributable installers (macOS / Windows)
npm run distTip:
npm run devlaunches the full Electron shell. The renderer also runs in a plain browser (npm run dev:renderer→localhost:5173) for quick UI work, though desktop-only features (file I/O, ATEM/LAN) are inert there.
- 🌐 Website & live demo — product landing page with an interactive canvas demo and download links.
docs/architecture.md— Process model, IPC, store architecture, build & release workflow, non-negotiable invariants.docs/app-structure.html— interactive module overview (open in a browser).docs/comparison.html— competitor comparison.
Built and maintained by Lars Zumpe
If CablePlanner saves you time on your next show, consider buying me a coffee:
Donations are completely optional — the app stays MIT-licensed and free either way. 🙌
MIT