Anyone know the answer to this question? When I model a cake, I use "Effects>Combine as Cake" to create the cake when I am done. Let's now say I want to break it apart (Or any cake that is already modeled) and I am going to use each row (Or Rows) as slices. What's the difference between selecting  "Effects> Combine as Cake" vs "Effects>Create Effect" ?  Is there really any? And I am specifically talking about doing this with multiple shots. A single shot I would just use "Effects>Create Effect"   Thanks...Brett

I found the answer to my question. DLY adds the fuse time. But for some reason the effect dot on the timeline is not when the first effect goes off its well before it.   Any ideas why?   https://app.screencast.com/3OgiyTsUHEqY3    

Hi Russ,   Glad I could help! I am also a newb to F3D and have been trying to climb the ladder fast.   Yup, I also started saving multiple version of my shows should I could go backwards more easily. Wish F3D had a built in time line of the edits like photo shop or something similar to 3D parametric modeling.   As for my effects etc. I created an .fdb database in Finale called "Created Effects" so I could keep any cakes I broke apart or any effects I created separated from the "My Effects"  catalog. I then used the original part #  for the cake I broke apart and added a "- 1" or a "-2" etc. to identify what row of the cake I was using (assuming I was using an entire row). This way I could look up the effect by the part #, but also get all the variants I created.   Bummer you need to create so many effects. At first I was avoiding any non-modeled effects, but now I am realizing the importance of being able to model certain cakes/break them apart etc. It really helps when you can't find a pro 1.4 effect or if I have to shorten the duration of the effect.   Thanks for the feed back man! Cheers Brett  

No question about it, clear an understandable set up instructions for your crew are important.   While PDF reports are only customizable in Finale 3D Pro, you can export reports to Excel with Hobbyist. This will allow you do adjust the column widths and make other tweaks as needed before printing. See: https://finale3d.com/groups/english/forum/topic/can-i-import-product-list-as-csv/#post-1318822   Additionally, printing labels from Finale 3D and applying them to your fireworks is a great way to reduce wiring errors during show set up.

My main concern with the “Wiring Script Report” is in the “angles column”. I noticed I have certain times in the script where I have 4x1.75 inch mortar shells going off at different angles (-30, -10, 10, 30) all at once. There is not enough space to accommodate all that angle information text in the column without being able to modify (I have hobbyist version). Personally, my text cut off at ”-30, -10” in the angles column. Obviously, I know my show so it is not terrible but also not ideal if someone else was helping set up. Hope this makes sense.   Do you have a way for me to make this better understood when it comes time for wiring in the field? Especially to those not as clearly familiar with my script/show.

thanks

I'm trying to create a 50 shot rack effect that will be fused, which has a 6 second delay from igniting the fuse until the first lift starts and then a 2.5 lift time before effect. Total duration is 12 seconds. This is for 1.75" consumer shells that go about 45 meters high. When I use the below VDL the effect ends up happening on the ground?   1.75" 45.0m 12.00s 6.00 PFT 50 Shot 40 Degrees Brocade Fast Cake Fan (10 Rows) https://app.screencast.com/wLDBYJnY5XwaC   6 second prefire 2.5 lift time 12 second total duration   Any help would be appreciate.    

  PyroDoc wrote: 1. Creating a custom rack and using it for multiple shows from the “my effects’ location appears to be reserved for users of the “Pro” version of F3D. Is this correct? No! Finale 3D Hobbyist gives you access to the same tools for creating racks and saving them for use in show after show. To create a rack in Finale 3D Hobbyist or Pro, go to Racks > Create rack. See Rack counts (Hobbyist or Pro version).     2. What is the main benefit (practically speaking) to using racking feature in F3D for “Hobbyist” version of F3D given limitations of not having “Pro” software version? – is it to get accurate count of total racks needed and then run that in Reports? Yes, exactly what you said! Finale 3D Hobbyist allows you to create racks, use the Add racks for show function, and print text-based reports listing the racks the of racks needed for a show.

The Rack Setup report lists the lines of your script, sorted by Position Name, then by each rack, then by the each tube. In other words, the line items in this report are the fireworks/pyrotechnics themselves, not the racks. If a show contains cakes, they are included on the report because they also need to be wired up during show set up. Like all reports, filtering is absolutely possible, but it requires the Pro version of Finale 3D.   In Finale 3D Pro, when a show is addressed, each device is assigned to a specific rack and tube. The addressing algorithm populates these assignments in the Rack and Tube columns in the script window. These values allow the Rack Setup report to be neatly ordered by rack then tube.   By contrast, when a show is addressed using the Hobbyist version of Finale 3D, devices do not receive rack and tube assignments. Instead, the rack and tube columns in the script are left blank. Naturally, this limits the usefulness of the Rack Setup report because the information needed to sort the report neatly is missing.   In Finale 3D Hobbyist, a more useful report for show set up is the Wiring Script report, which lists the lines of your script sorted by rail then pin.   In Finale 3D Hobbyist or Pro, if you're looking for a report that lists racks (as opposed to the effects), check out the Rack Totals report. The Rack List report also lists racks, the difference is that the Rack List report is broken down by position, whereas the Rack Totals report lists the grand total for each kind of rack for the entire show.

Hi everyone! My name is Mark, I'm located near Cheyenne Wyoming.   I grew up loving fireworks and over the last several years have continued to grow my annual backyard 4th of July show. I've always been fascinated by pyromusicals and I'm finally going to try my hand at one this year. I'm also taking the PGI Display Operator class in a few weeks, excited to keep learning all I can! Looking forward to learning more about Finale 3D over the next several months!