Star_Stuff wrote: I started to check this out when one of my sims went missing. Seems like a good idea! However, the site doesn’t like my Finale3D credentials. wrt issue, I suspect I saved the sim under per show setting instead of my Effects as usual. Is there a way to search my shows without opening each one? Hey Star_Stuff, I tested Finale DB login with your account and didn’t encounter any issues. Are you still having trouble logging into Finale DB? If you saved an effect directly in a show, it will be in that show’s “Per-show effects” collection. Unfortunately, there’s really no way to search for an effect within a show without opening the show in Finale 3D.

I started to check this out when one of my sims went missing. Seems like a good idea!  However, the site doesn’t like my Finale3D credentials.  wrt issue, I suspect I saved the sim under per show setting instead of my Effects as usual. Is there a way to search my shows without opening each one?

Great question!   If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the full list of Supplier Catalogs in Finale 3D by going to File > Catalogs of effects. The catalogs contain thousands of pre-made effects with simulations that are ready to drop into your shows.   Additionally, we recently launched a new platform called Finale DB (finaledb.com). The aim of Finale DB is to make finding, sharing, and requesting effects fun and easy. You can log in to Finale DB using your Finale 3D account. You can browse on any device, add items directly to your My Effects, and submit requests for brands, products, and simulations with a few clicks.   On the VDL side, what you’re seeing is normal — it takes some practice to get realistic results.   One tip that helps a lot, especially for cakes: instead of trying to describe the entire cake in one VDL description, create the individual effects (the shots) first. Then script those shots on the timeline with the correct timing and angles to match the real cake. Once you’ve done that, Finale 3D can combine them into the final cake effect.   There are several videos in this playlist that walk through the process: https://finale3d.com/video-gallery/creating-and-editing-effects/

Trying to figure out how to get fireworks that are not in Finale 3d’s Catalog of effects to appear like they truly look like in person. In using the VDL, the effect it comes up with looks nothing like the firework I’m trying to use. Can someone point me into the right direction? Thank you very much for your time everyone and have a spectacular day!!

Thank you!  That makes sense. I didn’t think about firing positions being wrong!

Little brown “lollipops” at the bottom of the timeline indicate hidden effects. It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause without seeing your entire screen, but it could from script rows that are assigned to firing position(s) that do not exist.

Hahaha I used undo till they came back and started that section over…..

I deleted some cues but apparently I also did something to these.  They are still in the script (with timing and effect) but not on the timeline.  I tried unhiding but that’s not it.  

You’re welcome! I would love to see the new effects you create using custom JSON break patterns. You can share your effects on Finale DB (finaledb.com).   Sharing is super easy, just go to My Effects on Finale DB, click the three dots icon for an effect and share it as a community effect.   Here’s another one of my personal effects that uses a custom JSON break pattern: https://finaledb.com/product/pahoyc0fska1qw8

Thank you very much!! I understand JSON more and create more patterns that I could not make before.