Hi Phil (Fire In the Sky Pyrotechnics), thanks for the thoughtful question. We considered having contestants submit FIN files, but we decided that simply having VDL submitted was a better approach for this contest. On the judging side, it actually only takes a few seconds to bring the VDL for an entire batch of cakes back into Finale 3D.   The challenge with FIN files is that they can’t be uploaded directly to the contest entry form. This is a limitation we hope to eliminate in the future. In the meantime, it means that contestants have to go somewhere else to upload their file and then provide a link. For small files, email is an option, but that can lead  to confusion when we are trying to match the emails up with form submissions. On balance, we decided it was just simpler to have a one and done way to enter this contest.

Good Day,   A simple question.  I know it is not part of the entry form but wouldn’t our simulations of the cakes be a desirable thing?  I understand you can create the simulations from the submitted VDL, but having it already on a .fin file might speed your judging process.

Hi screaming_vegetables, great question. It’s not a typo, “Ta Dah!” is actually 36 shots with some tubes containing both a standard comet and a crossette comet. The challenge really is isn’t fair though because it’s not currently possible to replicate the effect accurately using only VDL. Visually, the best workaround would be to add more shots, but I’d prefer to have the shot count be accurate and instead pretend the two effects are one. For example, treat the effect as if it were a crossette comet that starts with a tail and then transitions after the crossette split. VDL does support color changing crossettes.

Hi,   have you tried to unplugg the non active midi device ? Is it working than ? Regards Dirk

Howdy,   So I’m working on Tah Dah! The cake is listed with 36 shots. I cannot think of a way to create the tail comet and the crossette to fire as one shot. I can’t tell if this is the challenge of the cake or a typo. Any advice on this one?

OK Thanks Drew.

Hi Pyro_37110000, great question. The primary goal of the contest is to hire designers to help make improvements to the built-in supplier catalogs. We limited the contest to VDL because we plan to make the catalog improvements primarily with VDL. Using VDL allows effects to be created and edited more quickly, and it will allow users who are pulling effects from the catalogs to make basic edits much more quickly in the future. Limiting the contest and catalog improvements to VDL will also force us to continue improving the capabilities of VDL itself.   The undisputable advantage of the effect editor is the ability control almost every simulation parameter of an effect. This makes it possible to create extremely realistic simulations. The downside is that once an effect has been customized in the effect editor, the only way to further edit the effect is in the editor. For example, suppose that you create a 3″ Red Peony. Then, in the future you need to change the prefire time, duration, or height. If the effect is represented by VDL, you can simply enter a new value directly in the Effects window. But, if the effect has been customized in the effect editor, changes made in the Effects window will not change the simulation whatsoever. Bottom line – once a custom effect, always a custom effect, and you have to go back into the effect editor to make any future changes. In this way, custom effects are somewhat harder to edit. Cakes also can’t be edited directly in the effect editor. Yes, you can make individual custom effects, and use those effects to create a cake. But to edit a custom effect used in a cake, first you have to break apart the cake, then edit the individual effects, then put the cake back together. Bottom line, the effect editor is awesome, we just decided it wasn’t the best approach for this project.

  Hi Drew,       Why can’t you use the effects editor?  

  Welcome to the official FAQ and discussion topic for the November 2023 Cake Design Contest. For full contest details, visit finale3d.com/contests/cakecontest2023 Don’t wait to get started, the deadline to submit your contest entry is November 30, 2023. Have a question? Post it here!   November 2023 Cake Contest FAQ:   Do I need a Finale 3D license to enter the contest? To enter the contest, you need to create and submit the full VDL description for 10 cakes simulations. Technically, you can create effects without a license, but it would be more difficult because you cannot save your progress if you close Finale 3D. What version of Finale 3D do I need to enter the contest? Any version of Finale 3D (Lite, Hobbyist or Pro) can be used to enter the contest.

Hi, I want to use the new function for Midi input, but in my system i always have 2 active midi devices. I don’t see any way to choose which one i want to use, and by default it seems to be using the wrong device as i am not getting any input. Is this a function that is coming or is there any way to force it to use the next available device?