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Segments
Various firing systems have the capability of dividing a script into sequences that are independently triggered. Most firing systems call this semi-automatic firing and use Tracks—a firing position property and script field—for this purpose (see the semi-automatic firing article). However, Fire Pioneer and ShangYi-TECH do not use Tracks. Instead, they rely on Finale 3D’s segment functionality, which is based on songs or segment markers, and they use FSK timecode that contains embedded segment numbers. This article explains how configure segments for the Fire Pioneer and ShangYi-TECH firing systems. Segments can be defined either by songs or segment markers. Songs: Default segment numbers are assigned automatically at export starting from 0 for the song with the earliest start time, unless specified manually in the Songs window. Segment markers: Default segment numbers are assigned automatically at export starting from 0 for the segment marker with the earliest start time, unless specified manually in the Keyframes window. Use either songs or segment markers—not both. If segment markers are present, they take precedence and songs will be ignored for segment purposes. How Segments Are Assigned Segment Method Triggered By Behavior Songs Adding songs via "Music > Add song or soundtrack" Default segment numbers are assigned automatically for each song, starting from 0 for the earliest start time song and increasing by 1, unless specified manually in the Segment column in the Songs window. Segment markers Adding segment markers via "Show > Segments > Add segment start marker" Default segment numbers are assigned automatically for each segment start marker, starting from 0 for the first segment start marker and increasing by 1, if not specified manually in the Segment column of the Keyframes window. Using Songs to Assign Segments If your show contains one or more audio tracks, Finale 3D will assign segment numbers automatically based on the start times of the songs. Alternatively, segment numbers can be assigned manually. Segment numbers can be any integer (starting at 0 by default) and do not need to be consecutive. Multiple songs can share the same segment number if you want them to be grouped into a single segment. When using songs as segments, each segment begins at the start time of the corresponding song and ends at the start time of the next song, or the end of the show. Steps: Add one or more audio files via "Music > Add song or soundtrack" (see Figure 1). (Optional) Open the Songs window (via the Window menu on the main menu bar) to set the segment numbers manually if you want to (see Figure 2). When exporting your script using "File > Export > Export firing system script file(s)", be sure to choose the appropriate segment option in the script export options dialog: For Fire Pioneer, select One script file per segment For ShangYi-TECH, select Multiple segments When exporting your soundtrack using "File > Export > Export soundtrack", select the Fire Pioneer FSK (one file per segment) option. Note: both Fire Pioneer and ShangYi-TECH use Fire Pioneer FSK timecode. Figure 1 – A show with two songs where each song represents a segment. Figure 2 – The songs window allows manual overrides of the segment number assignments (optional). Using Segment Markers to Assign Segments If you want full control over segment timing or are not using multiple songs, you can define segments using segment markers. Segment start markers define the beginning of each segment. Finale 3D will assign segment numbers automatically for each segment. Alternatively, segment numbers can be assigned manually. Segment numbers can be any integer (starting at 0 by default) and do not need to be consecutive. Each segment defined by a segment start marker must have a unique segment number. A segment continues until the next segment start marker or until the end of the show, unless segment end markers are used. Steps: Choose "Show > Segments > Add segment start marker" (a vertical dotted line will appear in the timeline, see Figure 3). (Optional) Add segment end markers to explicitly define segment end times. If no segment end markers are added, each segment extends to the next segment start marker or the end of the show. (Optional) Open the Keyframes window (via the Window menu on the main menu bar) to assign a segment number in the Segment column or to delete a marker (see Figure 4). If no number is entered, a default segment number will be assigned automatically at export, starting with 0 for the earliest time keyframe. Finale 3D does not impose limits on segment numbers, but your firing system may — consult your firing system documentation for supported ranges. When exporting your script using "File > Export > Export firing system script file(s)", be sure to choose the appropriate segment option in the script export options dialog: For Fire Pioneer, select One script file per segment For ShangYi-TECH, select Multiple segments When exporting your soundtrack using "File > Export > Export soundtrack", select the Fire Pioneer FSK (one file per segment) option. Note: both Fire Pioneer and ShangYi-TECH use Fire Pioneer FSK timecode. Figure 3 – A show without music using segment start/end markers to define segments. Figure 4 – Segment markers and their (optional) manually assigned segment numbers are listed in the Keyframes window.
Reply To: Software problem
Hi DrewFinale, I haven't had time to try since my last message, I'm very busy about writing the fireworks for the French national day which is approaching.. I'm currently using my sister's computer to work on Final 3D while I wait for more time to find a solution. Thanks for your help! I'll let you know as soon as I have time to try.
Reply To: Software problem
Hi Grothus, I hope all is well. Were you able to get Finale 3D running using the instructions in my previous post or did you find another solution?
Reply To: Finale 3D Feature Requests
Feature Request: Add ability to specify type (or subtype, or other field currently allowable as a filter) for a given position; automatically filter effects list when position is selected. The functionality that filters the events window to the appropriate effects when selecting a DMX position is great, and it got me thinking... Could it be possible to do the same for pyro effects? I've got positions that are intended to be specific to certain types of items (shells, single shots, cakes, slices, etc.). For folks that shoot display shells, they likely do the same for different sized shells because of distance requirements. I heavily rely on the filtering available in the effects window, but I repeatedly select the same filters over and over again as I move between positions. Adding the ability to set a default filter for a position (from the Position Details window) would make this automatic. It wouldn't be a required field (not every position is expected to be exclusive to a type), and the filtering shouldn't prevent the user from manually overriding (clearing the selected filter, doing additional filtering, etc.). Thanks for considering! Rich (Finale user since 2014)
Reply To: Water (Nautical) cakes
Pyro_341800000 wrote: Has there been any progress on the water cake effects? No, I'm sorry, we haven't yet made the necessary improvements to the 3D environment to support water cakes.
Reply To: Effect question
Thank you!
Reply To: Effect question
The shell break pattern is called "Ear". However, these colored smoke effects also require the use of the custom effect editor. Currently, colored smoke can't be created exclusively using VDL. Here is a link for a Finale 3D show file which contains these effects: https://finale3d.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/七彩祥云.fin
Effect question
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Tk5vA-SmOQSJrbdfLMLmoGO04XIwK64a/view?usp=sharing May I ask what effect in the video?I tried waterfall but the distance of waterfall didnt spit out this far.
Reply To: Finale 3D Feature Requests
Feature Request: Limited duration "step up" to next version (with constraints) I saw the racking functionality and CobraCon and was blown away. I also know I'm never going to be a candidate for Pro, and I expect I'm part of a class of folks in the same boat. I shoot one show a year large enough to benefit from some of the Pro features (like the new racking functionality), but don't have customers to bill to help cover the costs. I understand the importance (and challenge) of differentiating features and not cannibalizing a higher margin product, but enabling customers to use more advanced features (and get additional revenue from them when you otherwise wouldn't) would be a win on both sides. My proposal builds on the functionality you have (time based subscriptions, temporary trials like PyroJam, etc.) and enable users with an active subscription to a "lesser" product (Hobbyist? Lite?) to purchase a short-term "step up" to the next version. This would be limited in frequency (once per subscription-year?) and duration (30 days?). I'd love it to be free, but acknowledge this would add costs/overhead (both development and support). I know this is a slippery slope, and can picture the requests/escalations (I just need one more day! Can I do this twice a year? etc.). As it stands, there's no in-between, and there could be enough "pro-hobbyists" out there to make it worthwhile even if you enable the limited scenario. Over time, you could consider supporting more options (first time is $100, second is $200, etc., so that at some point, it's cheaper to just buy Pro) if that makes sense. I've got money in hand... Thanks for considering! Rich (Finale user since 2014)
Reply To: Introductions – introduce yourself!
Hello, my name is Matt Green. I am from Avilla Indiana. I own and operate Camtor Pyrotechnics, since 2004. My introduction to fireworks started at a young age, as most of you probably have as well. In 2003 I began my journey into the professional side, completely by accident. A group of friends were just trying to figure out a way to legally purchase professional fireworks, and I volunteered to look into the process. One thing led to another, and my wife and I decided to go all in and create a professional firework display company. It started with just one show for several years, then quickly grew. Now we do 40 plus displays a year and have a crew of 70 +/- . We do a good portion of the displays in northeastern Indiana. We are continuing to grow, but now the challenge is finding new crew members that are qualified and have the desire to do what we do. Many quickly realize that this business requires a lot of time. The long hot days, and sometimes back to back days, are not for everyone. As we have evolved as a company, I have realized the benefits of scripting programs like Finale3d. This program has saved so much time when putting shows together, and with all the new style of compound cakes it is so helpful to have the control on timing. I look forward to talking with you all and hearing your stories! Kind regards, Matt