Years ago - I had won a Hobbyist subscription to Finale for a year at Cobra Con - but hadn't played too much with it and let it lapse. Last year, I decided to sign up again in the LITE version ... mainly so I could learn the software but its obviously quite limited.   I'm not sure if these features are in the other versions - but since I am not scripting shows for paying clients - its hard to justify the $350+ Hobbyist version and definitely not the Pro version.   1st Problem is - After I create a Pyromusical - I can't export a video of it to others in the community or share on my YouTube channel to get feedback of what I could have done better. This seems like a marketing tool of itself - that users could create pyromusicals and share the videos - getting others more interested in the software.   2nd Problem - And I think I saw a few others comments about this - Being able to put parameters on a position would be helpful.  I don't want to shoot 5 inch or 8 inch shells from the front comet position... Another way to do this would be to group a line into a Position filter - and then hide those positions - to make it easier to PLACE a shell in a back position vs in the close prox position- especially when two layer positions are aligned - one behind the other.   3rd - there's no way - that i can tell to group things together in this version - I hit G and nothing happened. I also don't see a way to automatically line up positions or spread evenly across a horizontal or vertical line .... again - these MAY be in the other versions but not being in the lite version is frustrating - since I'm just trying to learn....   4th - there's no way to export an event and then import into another show... a parabolic comet run for instance...  It would be nice to not have to recreate 20 comets in an assortment of angles with each show.   5th - i think someone said it - I get that the advanced racking features, labels, etc do bring value - but seems like a high barrier of entry to buy the hobbyist version for maybe one or two shows a year... seems like having an event based subscription with more features would be a welcome change. For example - you can create as many shows as you want - but you can only export scripts for up to 3 shows per year with the ability to add a 4th or 5th show for $xx if needed.   Before I started helping a 1.3 display company set up shows - i  - like many - only put on 2 shows per year - one for New Years and one for July 4th. I don't NEED the unlimited exports - obviously would only be the same show with some various degree of change - like - once you change the music - it resets it as a different show.   Just my two cents - take it for what you will.        

There's always a cost. That's how they get you! The cost of Finale DB is that you have to spread the word about Finale DB!

This sounds great, I will check it out. Will this have a separate cost?

Welcome to the Finale 3D forum!   Can you please share a picture of your rack? If you find it difficult to share here, you can email it to support@finale3d.com.

Hey PyroExec, I completely understand where you're coming from — it's not super convenient to be switching from catalog to catalog when trying to find effects.   There's not currently a way to simultaneously search across multiple catalogs in the Finale 3D effects window. However, we are launching a brand-new platform that's designed to make finding fireworks easier than ever before. It's called Finale DB and you check it out by visiting finaledb.com.   Not only does Finale DB provide global search, but it also allows you to watch manufacturer demo videos, and filter based on a bunch of useful criteria including duration, color, and product attributes like crackle, whistle, etc. When you find an item you like, you can simply hit the Add to My Effects button to bring the item into Finale 3D. For things that are missing, you can request brands, products and sims, which puts them in the request queue. What's more, Finale DB is mobile friendly, so you can use it on pretty much any device with a web browser. Give it a try!

Hello, We have structures for close-up shows where we install cold jets and single-shot FX. How can we create a rack that integrates these jets and single-shot FX?

Is there a way to search all the supplier catalogs in the effects window?   It would be awesome to be able to select something like "All Catalogs" in the drop down and then I could search or filter to find effects across different catalogs.   Maybe this can be done already (let me know how) but I think it would be a great feature and would save time when looking for new effects.   Thoughts?    

We are PYROTECHNICS ACTIVITIES, a company from Slovakia, and we have received funding to present Slovak culture in Malta through a fireworks show. We are looking for a local company in Malta to collaborate with — all costs will be covered by us. We mainly need an invitation letter from the Maltese partner. If you are interested in cooperation, we would be happy to get in touch! our email: pact@pact.sk

Make sure Trajectory drift randomness in enabled in File > Render settings.

Thank you so much Drew, I really appreciate it!   I tried to use your VDL but for some reason it just shoots everything straight up. If you have time, can you let me know if I need to change a setting somewhere? If not, no big deal as I was able to add the DLY to my VDL to make it work.   Thanks again! :)