To create and export a script for the RFRemotech firing system, please follow these three steps:
- Design the show.
- Assign the master if more than one. Select all the positions that use the first master, 01. Then right click any of the selected positions and choose “Edit position properties”. In that dialog, set the “Universe” field to 01. Repeat to assign Universe/master to all positions.
- Assign the module type if using both 32Q and 12Q modules. Select all positions that use 32Q modules. Then right click any of the selected positions and choose “Edit position properties”. In that dialog, set the Firing system to “RFRemotech” and the “Module or slat type” to 32Q. Repeat for 12Q positions. Confirm assignments by looking at the positions window with “Window > Position window”.
- Address the show (“Addressing > Address show”). Examine the script window to confirm the rail addresses for the 32Q modules include the module number and also the slat letter, e.g., 01-A. Confirm the rail addresses for the 12Q modules have just the module number.
- Export the script (“File > Export > Export firing scripts“).
Step 5 creates the script file, which is a CSV file that you can import into your firing system.
Figure 1 – The RFRemotech firing system
The RFRemotech script is a CSV file. The terminology in the CSV file is slightly different from Finale 3D, and a simple conversion is required for firing system addresses. The firing system itself is wireless system suitable for large scale displays. The system consists of “master” controllers and “slave” modules of type 32Q or 12Q. The 32Q modules have four slats A-D. In Finale 3D, their rail addresses are written 01-A, 01-B, 01-C, 01-D, 02-A, etc. The 12Q modules do not have multiple slats, so their rail addresses are written simply as 01, 02, 03, etc. The terminology conversion from Finale 3D to RFRemotech terminology is:
- Universe in Finale 3D means “master” in RFRemotech.
- Module in Finale 3D means “module” in RFRemotech (formerly “slave”).
- Slat in Finale 3D refers to one of the four 8-pin distributors (A, B, C, or D) on RFRemotech 32Q modules.
- Rail in Finale 3D means the module number (Module) for 12Q modules, and the combination of the module number and A-D 8-pin distributor (the slat) for 32Q modules.
- Pin in Finale 3D means “Cue” in RFRemotech.
- Segment in Finale 3D means “Section” in RFRemotech.
In addition to these terminology conversions, Finale 3D stores the launch position name and the effect description in the “Module Name” and “Master Name” fields, since this information is available from the visual scripting process and is useful. The “Firing Point Type” field is effect type, such as ‘cake’, ‘comet’, or ‘mine.’
Table 1 – File format and encoding
| File format | Extension | Text encoding | Field delimiter | End-of-line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSV with Excel escaping conventions | .csv | UTF8 NO BOM | , | CRLF |
The script contains rows for the firing events, i.e., unique combinations of universe, module, slat, pin, and ignition-time. Multiple effects can be combined on a single cue. The special characteristics of the script are shown in the following table:
Table 2 – Special characteristics
| Special characteristics | Description |
|---|---|
| Sort order of rows | Rows sorted ascending by time. |
| What rows represent | Rows represent firing events, i.e., unique module-slat-pin-ignition-time events. If multiple effects are triggered on the same cue, the effects are combined in name field, but the row is still just one row. |
| Header | The file contains a single header row with the column names, in the same format as the CSV data rows themselves. |
| Special characters | All UTF8 characters permitted, using Excel escaping conventions to handle double quote and comma in effect names, notes, and position names. For example, the effect name 2″ Green Chrysanthemum becomes “2”” Green Chrysanthemum” (with the interior double quote repeated once) and the effect name Red, Blue, Green Chrysanthemum becomes “Red, Blue, Green Chrysanthemum”. |
| Module type | Either 32Q or 12Q. |
| Sections | RFRemotech exported scripts may contain multiple sections, identified by section numbers in the Section column for all rows. Sections are numbered sequentially, beginning with 1. Firing times and the firing order count are relative to the section start time. In Finale 3D, a “segment” marks the beginning of an RFRemotech section. The function “Show > Segments > Add segment” adds a segment marker at the playhead on the timeline, shown as a draggable dotted green vertical line. The shot times within a section are relative the section start time, not to the first ignition within the section; thus the first first row within a section can have a firing time that is not zero. |
| Minimum separation between cues | None required; millisecond resolution supported. |
When you export a firing script for RFRemotech, Finale 3D presents an “Export Options” dialog with the choices shown in Table 3.
Table 3 – Export options
| Option name | Description |
|---|---|
| One section for entire show | Ignore any segment markers in the Finale 3D show, and write 1 in the Section field for all rows |
| Multiple sections | Divide the show into sections with times relative to the section beginnings, based on segment markers in the Finale 3D show |
After the header, each row in the script has a number of fields separated by comma. The names of these fields and their descriptions are the following:
Table 4 – Specifications of script fields
| Field name | Description |
|---|---|
| NO. | The row number in the script, beginning with 1. |
| Fireworks Type | This field contains the type field from Finale 3D, which can be blank or one of these enumerated values: cake, candle, single_shot, shell, ground, rocket, mine, comet, flame, other_effect, not_an_effect, rack. |
| Cue | For 32Q modules, the slat letter A-D and pin number 1-8 as in, A1, A2, … A8, B1, B2, … B8, C1, C2, … , C8, D1, D2, … D8. For 12Q modules, the letter Q followed by the pin number 1-12, as in Q1, Q2, … Q12. |
| Module Name | Finale 3D writes the launch position name in this field. |
| Module Logic ID | The master module number and module number, combined and formatted as in: M01S001 for master module number 1, module number 1; or just “S001” if the Universe property of the positions has not been assigned a master number (see instructions at the top of this article). |
| Module Type | The type of module, 32Q or 12Q. |
| Master Name | Finale 3D writes blank to this field. |
| Master Logic ID | The master logic number, formatted as in: M01 for master module number 1; or blank if the Universe property of the positions has not been assigned a master number (see instructions at the top of this article). |
| Firing Order | The shot count, beginning with 1 for each section. This count is similar to the row number field (NO.), except that it does not increment for rows that have the same ignition time. For example, if the script contains four rows, and the second and third row have the same ignition time, then the shot counts of the rows are 1, 2, 2, 3. |
| Firing Time | The ignition time, in the format H:MM:SS.DDD, relative to the beginning of the section. |
| Remark | Finale 3D writes the Script Notes in this field. |
| Description | Finale 3D writes the effect description in this field, such as 3″ Red Peony. |
| Direction | Finale 3D writes ASCII-art angle indications for all of the shots, such as \|/ for a fan of three shots. |
| Firing-Burst Time | Finale 3D writes the prefire in this field as a negative number like -2.2. |
| Fireworks Qty. | Finale 3D writes number of devices shot by this row, taking into account chains and multiple shells e-matched together in series. |
| Section | Finale 3D writes section number if the show is exported with the option of multiple sections; otherwise 1. |
An example script is shown below, illustrating the use of 32Q and 12Q modules in the same script, as well as multiple masters and unspecified master.
NO.,Fireworks Type,Cue,Module Name,Module Logic ID,Module Type,Master Name,Master Logic ID,Firing Order,Firing Time,Remark,Description,Direction,Firing-Burst Time,Fireworks Qty.
1,shell,A1,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,1,0:00:02.800,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
2,shell,A2,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,2,0:00:03.113,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
3,shell,A3,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,3,0:00:03.426,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
4,shell,A4,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,4,0:00:03.738,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
5,shell,A5,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,5,0:00:04.051,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
6,shell,A6,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,6,0:00:04.364,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
7,shell,A7,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,7,0:00:04.677,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
8,shell,A8,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,8,0:00:04.990,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
9,shell,B1,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,9,0:00:05.302,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
10,shell,B2,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,10,0:00:05.615,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
11,shell,B3,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,11,0:00:05.928,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
12,shell,B4,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,12,0:00:06.241,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
13,shell,B5,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,13,0:00:06.554,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
14,shell,B6,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,14,0:00:06.866,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
15,shell,B7,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,15,0:00:07.179,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
16,shell,B8,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,16,0:00:07.492,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
17,shell,C1,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,17,0:00:07.805,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
18,shell,C2,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,18,0:00:08.117,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
19,shell,C3,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,19,0:00:08.430,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
20,shell,C4,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,20,0:00:08.743,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
21,shell,C5,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,21,0:00:09.056,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
22,shell,C6,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,22,0:00:09.369,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
23,shell,C7,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,23,0:00:09.681,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
24,shell,C8,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,24,0:00:09.994,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
25,shell,D1,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,25,0:00:10.307,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
26,shell,D2,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,26,0:00:10.620,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
27,shell,D3,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,27,0:00:10.933,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
28,shell,D4,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,28,0:00:11.245,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
29,shell,D5,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,29,0:00:11.558,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
30,shell,D6,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,30,0:00:11.871,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
31,shell,D7,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,31,0:00:12.184,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
32,shell,D8,P-01,M01S001,32Q,,M01,32,0:00:12.497,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
33,shell,A1,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,33,0:00:12.809,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
34,shell,A2,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,34,0:00:13.122,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
35,shell,A3,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,35,0:00:13.435,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
36,shell,A4,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,36,0:00:13.748,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
37,shell,A5,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,37,0:00:14.061,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
38,shell,A6,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,38,0:00:14.373,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
39,shell,A7,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,39,0:00:14.686,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
40,shell,A8,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,40,0:00:14.999,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
41,shell,B1,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,41,0:00:15.312,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
42,shell,B2,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,42,0:00:15.625,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
43,shell,B3,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,43,0:00:15.937,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
44,shell,B4,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,44,0:00:16.250,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
45,shell,B5,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,45,0:00:16.563,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
46,shell,B6,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,46,0:00:16.876,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
47,shell,B7,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,47,0:00:17.189,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
48,shell,B8,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,48,0:00:17.501,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
49,shell,C1,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,49,0:00:17.814,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
50,shell,C2,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,50,0:00:18.127,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
51,shell,C3,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,51,0:00:18.440,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
52,shell,C4,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,52,0:00:18.752,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
53,shell,C5,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,53,0:00:19.065,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
54,shell,C6,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,54,0:00:19.378,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
55,shell,C7,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,55,0:00:19.691,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
56,shell,C8,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,56,0:00:20.004,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
57,shell,D1,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,57,0:00:20.316,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
58,shell,D2,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,58,0:00:20.629,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
59,shell,D3,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,59,0:00:20.942,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
60,shell,D4,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,60,0:00:21.255,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
61,shell,D5,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,61,0:00:21.568,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
62,shell,D6,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,62,0:00:21.880,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
63,shell,D7,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,63,0:00:22.193,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
64,shell,D8,P-01,M01S002,32Q,,M01,64,0:00:22.506,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
65,shell,Q1,P-02,M01S003,12Q,,M01,65,0:00:27.183,,White Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
66,shell,Q2,P-02,M01S003,12Q,,M01,66,0:00:27.677,,White Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
67,shell,Q3,P-02,M01S003,12Q,,M01,67,0:00:28.170,,White Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
68,shell,Q4,P-02,M01S003,12Q,,M01,68,0:00:28.664,,White Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
69,shell,Q5,P-02,M01S003,12Q,,M01,69,0:00:29.157,,White Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
70,shell,Q6,P-02,M01S003,12Q,,M01,70,0:00:29.651,,White Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
71,shell,Q7,P-02,M01S003,12Q,,M01,71,0:00:30.144,,White Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
72,shell,Q8,P-02,M01S003,12Q,,M01,72,0:00:30.638,,White Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
73,shell,Q9,P-02,M01S003,12Q,,M01,73,0:00:31.131,,White Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
74,shell,Q10,P-02,M01S003,12Q,,M01,74,0:00:31.625,,White Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
75,shell,Q11,P-02,M01S003,12Q,,M01,75,0:00:32.118,,White Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
76,shell,Q12,P-02,M01S003,12Q,,M01,76,0:00:32.612,,White Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
77,shell,Q1,P-02,M01S004,12Q,,M01,77,0:00:33.105,,White Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
78,shell,Q2,P-02,M01S004,12Q,,M01,78,0:00:33.599,,White Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
79,shell,Q3,P-02,M01S004,12Q,,M01,79,0:00:34.092,,White Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
80,shell,Q4,P-02,M01S004,12Q,,M01,80,0:00:34.586,,White Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
81,shell,A1,P-03,M02S001,32Q,,M02,81,0:00:57.800,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
82,shell,A2,P-03,M02S001,32Q,,M02,82,0:01:01.925,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
83,shell,A3,P-03,M02S001,32Q,,M02,83,0:01:06.049,,Red Chrysanthemum,|,-2.2,1
84,shell,A2,P-04,S001,32Q,,,84,0:01:21.490,,"(2) Red, Blue, Green Chrysanthemum ...",||,-2.2,2
85,shell,A1,P-04,S001,32Q,,,85,0:01:25.509,This is a comment,"(3) 2"" Green Chrysanthemum ...",\|/,-2.2,3
Figure 1 – Example RFRemotech script
Table 5 – Example files
| Download link | Explanation |
| test-rfremotech32q-and-12q.csv | |
| test-rfremotech32q-and-12q.fin |