The GPU is the most important part of your machine specs for simulating large shows.  Do not get a machine with only "Intel Integrated Graphics" or "Intel HD Graphics" which basically means the machine does not have a GPU.  We generally recommend Nvidia GPUs, though it is not a requirement.   Two things I'd like to add related to Nvidia GPUs specifically are:   1) The Nvidia GeForce line of GPUs are the ones we spend the most time optimizing for.  These GeForce GPUs generally have model numbers like GTX 1060, and the bigger the number the better (and more expensive). For me personally, being a little price sensitive, I usually get the second best number available, since the very best is usually priced at a premium and the second best is usually a good value, but that's just a general guideline.  The high end GPUs can be really expensive but they are what matters for your large shows.   2) Nvidia also has an expensive line of GPUs called "Quadro".  Don't get these.  They are a different architecture that helps with some types of applications but they aren't great for the type of graphics that Finale does, so their performance relative to their price is a bad deal.

Hi Azan,   the requirements are still the same as mentioned on the website: Requires Microsoft Windows 7, 8, or 10, and a computer with 8GB of RAM and good graphics capabilities. The Nvidia GeForce 1060 is the recommended GPU, though almost any GPU made after 2017 will work. If you use a Mac, you need to run Windows over Bootcamp or Parallels. The Professional version, Hobbyist version, and Free Trial all use the same download.   In your case i would treat thas as minimum requirement, so i would suggest at least 16GB of RAM. Depending on your budget you should spend most of the money in a good or very good grafic card. This is were most of the work is done in FINALE, so a stronger GPU is better.     Here is how I check:  I just type the GPU name + "passmark" into google. "Nvidia GeForce 3050 passmark" -> https://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=GeForce+RTX+3050+Ti+Laptop+GPU&id=4393 "NVIDIA GeForce Laptop 3070TI -> https://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=GeForce+RTX+3070+Laptop+GPU&id=4331 Here, I see that the 3050TI has a benchmark of 9000, and the 3070 has a benchmark of 15000 For reference, a 1050 has a benchmark of 4598 and a 1060 has a benchmark of 8998. So, it is good to look for a "Gaming" laptop . Maybe you sholuld also look for a bigger screen than 15" and some interfaces that allow you to connect additional monitors. Also, if you travel a lot you will be happy about every gram your laptop is lighter;-) I use a 3 years old GIGABYE Laptop with a (old) 1060. For my purpose as trainer or customer consulting it is fine (and not to heavy) but for now (andyour requirements) i would recommend a newer and better(faster) GPU .  Before i used a LENOVO and was very happy with this brand, too !   Dirk

Hello Will/Drew, We are in the process of getting a new laptop for Finale 3D. With all the updates and advancements being made to the software, what are the minimum specs on the laptop you’d recommend to keep up? (As you know our sites span miles and we need a device that can compute accordingly.) Please advise. Thank you! Azan Morani

You can generate that with the instructions I linked.

Hello Everyone !! I'm Csaba, I live in Romania, but I am of hungarian nationality, I have been involved in fireworks since 2013, I am a show designer and pyrotechnician, in my city and throughout the county.

Thanks so much Drew, i have just sent it to you! Mirco

  DrewFinale wrote: Hi Dirk Enders – PyroOffice, single-row slice cakes can go in the ‘F’ (Front) positions per the table in Show Site Layout. You may also be able to put them on the CK (Cake) positions, I’ll defer to Tim Jameson for confirmation. He may want to limit slices to the Fronts, I’m not 100% sure.   Hi Sean, you don’t need to worry about assigning addresses, this will be done later if your show ends up in the top 3! There are no firing system or cue count limitations.   This is correct, slices may go in either the Front or Cake positions.

Hi Mirco, great question. The simple answer is that we are working on light beam simulations and we will release them as soon as possible! In the meantime, it is possible to design and produce a light show in the real world using Finale 3D. But, the design process is more challenging because the light beam simulations are still in development.   Technically it is possible for you to add a DMX light fixture, but the user interface for doing so isn't very polished yet. The best solution right now is for you to send us the user manual for your fixture that includes all the DMX parameters and we will add support for the fixture from our end.

Hi Pyro_34960000, click the gold lock in the lower right corner of the design window to unlock the positions, then you can select multiple positions and rulers will automatically be shown. Just be very careful not to modify the positions layout.

Hello,   in order to simulate a beam of a moving head dmx devices, Finale offers a "ground effect simulation", like a little flame...is there any way to change this simulation, for example having a "beam light simulation"? Does this already exist in Finale?   Because is very difficult to simulate a light beam trace from initial position to end position using a little flame simulation.   Moreover, how can i add the fixture of my personal moving head lamps? Is this something must performed by FINALE or is there a way to do it on myself?   Mirco