Questions for Drew and other Finale users

[PyroDoc]

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1. Would like suggestions on how people like to address positions? Specifically, talking about sorting criteria.

 

2. What are distances from audience considered “proximate positions, and which effects are considered “proximate” (is it  20-30mm single shot comets for instance?)

 

3. Besides videos on F3D “resources” link, are there more videos detailing creative ways to do fans/sequences of comets/mines/slices, etc.

 

4 Inventory: after import the sample excel script from your documentation page, I see there is a column that reads “available”, but thought that if I used these “available” effects, the numbers of “remaining” effects would decrease automatically. This did not happen. Does this mean I have to manually change the number of effects that are “available” as I use them in my show?

 

5.I have the hobbyist version of Finale. With this version, is there a way that Finale can figure out how many racks I need for a given show I put together?

 

[PyroDoc]

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Hi Drew- have you seen this post yet? I was hoping for a response.

[DrewFinale]

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PyroDoc wrote:

1. Would like suggestions on how people like to address positions? Specifically, talking about sorting criteria.

I think what you would really like are some concrete examples (e.g., I like to address my show by X, then Y, then Z, etc.). The challenge is that the choice of what order to address a firing position is highly situation dependent. In this context, the most concise answer I can give is this: address each position with the objective of optimizing production set up efficiency. In other words, address in an order that makes it easy to set up your show as quickly and accurately as possible. If a position has only a few items, the choice of addressing order is not likely to significantly impact show set up. However, if a position has more than a few items, and especially if it has hundreds or thousands of items, the order of addressing could be critical to making the show setup physically possible in the real world.

 

If thinking about “sort criteria” or “order of assignment” all seems too abstract, it might be helpful to think about the addressing process in reverse. Try thinking about the physical collections of fireworks in each of your positions. Imagine that after completing your show design (but before addressing), you went out on your shoot site and physically made separate piles of fireworks for each position. Then, imagine you went to the pile of fireworks where you wanted the first module (pretend you choose the pile for the position name that’s first alphabetically), laid out the fireworks, and connected them to the module(s) in whatever order made sense. For example, suppose you wired up a few cases of cakes (in cake name order), then some single shots, and to keep the wiring neat for the single shots you wired them up starting with angles on the left and working to the right. Then, after you were all done, you got out a pad of paper and wrote down what was connected to each pin on the module(s). This is your addressing order! In Finale 3D, this would be Position Name then Cakes First then Single-Shots First then Tilt — Single-shot then Description. Should you actually use this sort order? No, probably not. The point of the exercise is just to realize that if you have an idea for how you would wire up the show in the real world, you can choose a set of sort criteria to accomplish it in Finale 3D.

 

 

2. What are distances from audience considered “proximate positions, and which effects are considered “proximate” (is it 20-30mm single shot comets for instance?)

The word “Proximate” has different meanings in different situations. In the United States, the safety distances for “true” close proximity pyrotechnics are governed by NFPA 1126: Standard for the Use of Pyrotechnics Before a Proximate Audience. In general, the safety distances required by this standard are a function of each device’s hot debris fallout radius. However, the standard primarily applies to pyrotechnics that are precision manufactured to the highest possible quality. Safely shooting any pyrotechnic device in close proximity to an audience also requires the display operator to have significant experience and direct, hands-on knowledge of product (through testing). For all practical purposes, most of the of the fireworks/pyrotechnics that you can purchase from a wholesaler or retailer without a license cannot be considered “true” proximate pyrotechnics. When you see the word “Prox” or “Proximate” used in outdoor displays, it typically just means, “the line of firing positions closest to the audience”. Sometimes, this line might be 150 feet from the audience, sometimes it might be 300 feet from the audience. It all depends on what’s reasonable based on the product, and what’s “reasonable” depends on many factors. A 20mm, 30ft height, precision-made mine that has been tested and known to be extremely consistent may be safe to 25ft from an audience. A cheaply-made 20mm, 150ft height comet may require a safety distance of 200ft. In the United States, the standard for outdoor fireworks displays is NFPA 1123: Code for Fireworks Display. Taking the Pyrotechnics Guild International (PGI) Display Operator Course (DOC) is a good way to learn how to safely conduct a fireworks display. The course is offered many times each year at various pyro events in the US.

 

 

3. Besides videos on F3D “resources” link, are there more videos detailing creative ways to do fans/sequences of comets/mines/slices, etc.

All official Finale 3D videos can be found in the Finale 3D Help Center video gallery. This is the same location that can be accessed from the Resources menu. There is also lots of great user generated Finale 3D content online, especially on YouTube.

 

 

4 Inventory: after import the sample excel script from your documentation page, I see there is a column that reads “available”, but thought that if I used these “available” effects, the numbers of “remaining” effects would decrease automatically. This did not happen. Does this mean I have to manually change the number of effects that are “available” as I use them in my show?

The Available column in the effects window does not change automatically. However, the Remaining Available column displays the Available quantity minus the Used quantity and changes dynamically in real time as you add/remove items from your show. To change the Available quantities after you finish a show, go to the Effects menu and select Subtract used quantities from available… Just keep in mind, this LITERALLY does what it says — it reduces the Available quantities based on how many are used in the show that is open on the screen. For example, if you have 10 of an item available and you used 5, and you click the menu item, the available quantity will be reduced from 10 to 5. If you click it again, 5 will be changed to 0. If you click it again 0 will be changed to (negative) -5. In other words, only use this option once each time you finish designing a show. If you click the menu item again and again, you will be subtracting all used quantities again and again.

 

 

5.I have the hobbyist version of Finale. With this version, is there a way that Finale can figure out how many racks I need for a given show I put together?

Yes, Finale 3D Hobbyist is able to calculate the number of racks needed for a show based on the quantities and types of effects in each position, angles, etc. This is true for all kinds of effects and racks. To learn more, visit Rack counts (Hobbyist or Pro version).

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