https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGNM8JrHZGg

Since reports are all done as PDF files, how do I sort them by column?  Can the reports be converted to excel spreadsheets for example?

Hi,   Hmm. So, basically this means that not only the Hobby version lacks the graphical rack features, which is understandable , it also lacks the information about what effect is loaded into what tube and rack, which is disappointing and surprising. Would it be possible to add this feature to the Hobby version too? It is very difficult to allocate special fixed angle racks to the show unless you know what effects are still missing rack allocations. It can be done with all kind of laborious inelegant tricks like adding rack type info into the Notes field for each effect and such though but it just creates extra headache. Tube allocations are not that important. Actually, a great feature would be to be able to assign a specific rack part number for each effect (a new field in Script table). Finale would then use that rack when choosing a rack to the effect.

Hi PyroDad, great questions. Regarding racks, it's important to distinguish between 'adding racks' and assigning effects to racks (i.e., loading racks). The add racks functionality adds the necessary number of racks to the show, but it does not assign each event in your script to a specific rack. The specific rack and tube that each script event goes into is dependent on the constraints that you specify when you assign firing system addresses. For that reason, the rack assignments are determined at the moment that you do 'Addressing > Address show'. It's also important to note that while the Hobbyist version of Finale 3D allows you to 'add racks', only the Pro version of Finale 3D populates the rack assignments when you address your show. If you have Finale 3D Pro, you can see this in action by doing 'add racks', then 'address show'. Once both those steps are done, you can see the rack and tube assignments in the Script window by unhiding the 'Rack' and 'Tube' columns using the blue gear menu. You might be asking, but how can I see which effects have racks before I address my show? The answer is, there's no way to see that information in the script window until you've also addressed your show. In the Pro version of Finale 3D, you can visually see the empty racks at each position using the racks window, but you really can't tell which rack is for which effect (until you address). The best way to know if you have enough racks is to do 'Racks > Add racks for show'. This menu item will automatically determine if more racks are needed or tell you "No more racks required" if you already have all the needed racks.   Thanks for the request for Tilt or Angle filters, I'll add those to the feature request list.

Hi brad, thanks for the post. The Hobbyist and Pro versions of Finale 3D have a timeline button (represented by the radioactive symbol) that allows you to toggle between three modes: the standard duration bars, effect descriptions, and duration bars hidden altogether. In other words, as you suspected, the feature does exist but it's not available in the Lite version of Finale 3D. Timeline height adjustment is currently not available in any version of Finale 3D, but we absolutely have it on our development road map. What I can't say at this moment is when the feature will be released and if it will be included in all three versions.   brad wrote: There were two buttons in Finale Business that were quite helpful, but didn’t seem to make it into 3d. One increased the height of the script bar to make it easier to view large numbers of simultaneous cues, and the other toggled between “burst and line” and “shell descriptions” in the script bar.   It’s possible the options are still there, and I just haven’t found them, or that they aren’t available in Lite.    

Hi,   I would like to assign racks manually by selecting events from the Script windows and then selecting "Add racks for selected events". That works. However, I cannot see what effects have already been assigned a rack in the Script window. Also, I would like to be able to use the assigned rack as a filter. Can this be fixed?   Additionally, I would like to use Tilt and or Angle as a Filter. Can this be fixed too?   Thank you,

There were two buttons in Finale Business that were quite helpful, but didn't seem to make it into 3d.  One increased the height of the script bar to make it easier to view large numbers of simultaneous cues, and the other toggled between "burst and line" and "shell descriptions" in the script bar.   It's possible the options are still there, and I just haven't found them, or that they aren't available in Lite.  

Thanks Drew! This will work!

Hi Kristine Ernzen, the "sky mine" effect, where the burst pattern of the stars is in a tight cluster (as opposed to a sphere) isn't really possible in VDL yet, but it's on our short list of effects to add as soon as possible. In the meantime, the best approximation in VDL is probably a half and half effect like:   25mm Very Dense Bright Red Strobing Peony Top Half w/ Very Dense Gold Palm Bottom Half   I used the adjustment terms "Very Dense" and "Bright" because the effect looked crappy without them. You can learn more about VDL adjustment terms here: https://finale3d.com/vdl_documentation/vdl-effect-adjustment-terms/

Cost/Price Budget Target wish to have a field in the Set Show information dialog where i am able to save my budget target (for costs and total price). With this Variable we can show the "left over budget" in the design window optionally.