Software Documentation

1. Initial Setup

1. 1
   Licensing FAQ1
2. 2
   Features FAQ2
3. 3
   System requirements — What computers run Finale 3D?3
4. 4
   Download and installation4
5. 5
   Account setup5
6. 6
   Finale Inventory prices and features6

1. Getting Started

1. 1
   Getting started basic instructions7
2. 2
   Pyro Points8
3. 3
   Creating and exporting a script for your firing system9

1. Inventory and Effect Management

1. 1
   Inventory management basic instructions10
2. 2
   Importing inventory from a file11
3. 3
   Importing effects from Finale Business12
4. 4
   Importing supplier catalog into Finale 3D13
5. 5
   Effect columns in Finale Inventory vs. Finale 3D14
6. 6
   Inventory compatibility with Finale Business (and how to fix cakes)15
7. 7
   Saving a backup file of your effects list16
8. 8
   Exporting quantities, and deducting from inventory17
9. 9
   Case and assortment quantities, and breaking apart assortments18
10. 10
    Synching with sales orders in Finale Inventory19
11. 11
    Chains-count-as-one vs. chains-count-as-N20
12. 12
    Updating prices or other fields in a Finale 3D effects database from Excel or a CSV21

1. Effects Overview

1. 1
   Effects basic instructions22
2. 2
   Why is ‘Type’ so important? What depends on it?23
3. 3
   Effects window columns24
4. 4
   Per-show effects25
5. 5
   Effects coordinate system: pan, tilt, spin26
6. 6
   Prefire27
7. 7
   Chain duration (and prefire)28
8. 8
   How can I tell if an effect is a chain?29
9. 9
   Create cake by combining effects30
10. 10
    Timing of shots within a cake31
11. 11
    Cake and candle duration (and prefire)32
12. 12
    Programmer documentation: What happens when I insert a chain into the script?33
13. 13
    Programmer documentation: Representation of chains in the script34
14. 14
    Programmer documentation: Effect Data and Motion Data35

1. Visual Descriptive Language (VDL)

1. 1
   Glossary of VDL Effect Terms36
2. 2
   VDL colors37
3. 3
   VDL effect adjustment terms (Big, Bright, R45, L45, etc.)38
4. 4
   Creating or importing a simple "placeholder" cake simulation39
5. 5
   Creating a chain with one or more effects40
6. 6
   VDL timing adjustment terms (PFT, LFT, DLY, DUR, CDS)41
7. 7
   Cake descriptions42
8. 8
   Exact simulation syntax43
9. 9
   Firing patterns for cake and slice rows44
10. 10
    Specifying the height, duration, and fan angle of effects in the cake (HTM, DUR, Degrees)45
11. 11
    Creating an aerial shell cake with arbitrary prefire time46
12. 12
    The difference between AND, PLUS, and AMPERSAND47

1. Firing System Addressing

1. 1
   Addressing basic instructions48
2. 2
   Specifying module numbers for each position49
3. 3
   Addressing with sorts and constraints and custom fields50
4. 4
   What do the constraint choices on the addressing dialog do?51
5. 5
   Special constraints52
6. 6
   Special sort terms53
7. 7
   Wildcards in constraints54
8. 8
   Conditional sorting based on effect type55
9. 9
   Sharing modules across multiple positions56
10. 10
    Locking addresses57
11. 11
    Preventing chains from splitting across racks58
12. 12
    Addressing algorithm59
13. 13
    Multiple e-matches on the same firing system pin60
14. 14
    Cross-loading chains with angled shells or using fan-racks61
15. 15
    Cross-loading chains with straight-up shells62
16. 16
    Dividing a show into sequences for semi-automatic firing using the "Track" field63
17. 17
    Restricting modules to racks or rack clusters64
18. 18
    Using piggyback slats or modules that fire in parallel65
19. 19
    Using the Section field in position properties66
20. 20
    Slats, virtual slats, and splitter boxes67
21. 21
    Virtual slats68
22. 22
    Multiple firing systems (i.e., Universes) in the same show69
23. 23
    Starting with module 1 instead of module 070
24. 24
    Custom module specifications71
25. 25
    Excluding flames or other simulations from receiving firing system addresses72
26. 26
    Excluding a position from receiving firing system addresses73
27. 27
    Fill down with "backfilling allowed" option74
28. 28
    The Start Module, and Pre-Assigned Rails fields on positions75
29. 29
    Addressing groups76
30. 30
    Sorting positions across multiple blueprints or sections77

1. Racks

1. 1
   Rack layout basic instructions (Pro version)78
2. 2
   Rack counts (Hobbyist or Pro version)79
3. 3
   Loading effects that already have firing system addresses into racks80
4. 4
   Addressing based on layout of racks (Rack Number)81
5. 5
   Using "Rack Type" to control what types of racks are used for what effects82
6. 6
   Rack Type part numbers -- forcing an effect into a specific kind of rack83
7. 7
   Renumber racks84
8. 8
   Avoiding gaps in module number sequences when sorting by angle (Same Rack)85
9. 9
   Variable tube size racks with row length constraint; and effects' rack row length consumption86
10. 10
    Rack dimensions and other physical specifications87
11. 11
    Min/max size range constraints for racks88
12. 12
    Racks with pre-wired pins89
13. 13
    Racks with pre-wired rails90
14. 14
    Shoot sites with every tube pre-wired to the firing system91
15. 15
    Sorting racks to adjust the order of rack assignments92
16. 16
    Sleeving effects into different size mortars or different kinds of racks93
17. 17
    Tube angle range constraints94
18. 18
    Tube loading order95
19. 19
    Rack "row" and standard orientation96
20. 20
    Reverse tube loading order97
21. 21
    Using the “Rack Type” field for fan racks98
22. 22
    Rearrange effects in adjustable angle racks to avoid collisions99
23. 23
    Circle racks100
24. 24
    Tiltable row racks101
25. 25
    Fan row racks102
26. 26
    Pre-wired pin options103
27. 27
    Why is this tube red?104

1. Scripting

1. 1
   Script window columns105
2. 2
   Randomize106
3. 3
   Make into sequence107
4. 4
   Make into fan108
5. 5
   Effect macros109
6. 6
   Spread out based on effect durations110
7. 7
   Dragging a sequence to start from another position111
8. 8
   Scripting manual shows112
9. 9
   Copy/paste113
10. 10
    Copy/paste and the fill handle114
11. 11
    Keyboard shortcuts115
12. 12
    Filter / search expressions116
13. 13
    Pin counts and warning dots117

1. Table Editing

1. 1
   Copy/paste and the fill handle118

1. Importing Shows

1. 1
   Importing shows basic instructions119
2. 2
   Importing chains120
3. 3
   Importing drone shows121
4. 4
   Programmer documentation: Drone show file format specification (vviz)122

1. Reports and Labels

1. 1
   Labels basic instructions123
2. 2
   Report font size and column widths (Hobbyist)124
3. 3
   Copying report and label templates, and other blueprints between shows125
4. 4
   Why don't my labels align with the stickers?126
5. 5
   Rack labels127
6. 6
   Conditional formatting128
7. 7
   Text wrapping129
8. 8
   Position groups in reports -- how to fit multiple position names in a single row130
9. 9
   Chain Specifications report131
10. 10
    Wiring Script report132
11. 11
    Safety Distance report133
12. 12
    Pinboard Cue Sheet report134
13. 13
    Default pathnames135
14. 14
    Print batch136

1. Site Layout and Rack Layout Diagrams

1. 1
   Site layout diagrams basic instructions137
2. 2
   Site layout diagrams for very large shows138
3. 3
   Position name filters and diagram tag filters139
4. 4
   Text box variables140

1. Charts

1. 1
   Sound level charts basic instructions141
2. 2
   Recording sound level measurements for effects142

1. Simulation Videos

1. 1
   Is it possible to add camera motion to fake 3D background image scenes?143
2. 2
   Camera animation144
3. 3
   Combining simulation video from Finale with other video145

1. Timecode

1. 1
   Timecode basic instructions146
2. 2
   What is timecode?147
3. 3
   Synchronizing events to music in a production you control148
4. 4
   Synchronizing events to music in a production controlled by others149
5. 5
   SMPTE timecode frame rates and drop frame150
6. 6
   SMPTE 29.97 NDF (non-drop frame)151
7. 7
   FSK timecode frame rates and alignment152
8. 8
   The "Analyze timecode in soundtrack file..." function for SMPTE and FSK153
9. 9
   Negative timecode154
10. 10
    Concert soundtracks containing multiple SMPTE timecode sections155

1. Scenery and Positions

1. 1
   Background images basic instructions156
2. 2
   Sky dome, trompe l'oeil, and ground images157
3. 3
   Racks and positions coordinate system: heading, pitch, roll158
4. 4
   Renaming positions159
5. 5
   Importing models160
6. 6
   Excluding terrain from Sketchup models161

1. Firing Systems

1. 1
   ActionBase162
2. 2
   Apex163
3. 3
   Cobra164
4. 4
   CSV165
5. 5
   Dance Of Fire166
6. 6
   Explo167
7. 7
   Finale Generic CSV (full show export format)168
8. 8
   Fire Control G2169
9. 9
   Fire Pioneer170
10. 10
    FireByWire171
11. 11
    Firelinx172
12. 12
    Firemaster173
13. 13
    FireOne174
14. 14
    FireOne CSV175
15. 15
    fireTEK176
16. 16
    Galaxis177
17. 17
    IGNITE178
18. 18
    Jingduan179
19. 19
    MainFX180
20. 20
    Megafire181
21. 21
    Merlin182
22. 22
    Mongoose183
23. 23
    Pin Board184
24. 24
    Piroshow185
25. 25
    Pirotex186
26. 26
    PyroDigiT187
27. 27
    Pyrodigital188
28. 28
    Pyrodigy189
29. 29
    PyroLEDA190
30. 30
    Pyromac191
31. 31
    PyroMaster192
32. 32
    Pyromate193
33. 33
    Pyroneo194
34. 34
    PyroSure195
35. 35
    Pyrotronix196
36. 36
    RFRemotech197
37. 37
    RJ Equipamentos198
38. 38
    Show Director CSV (full show export format)199
39. 39
    Showven FXcommander200
40. 40
    StarFire201

1. Exporting Assets and Data

1. 1
   Voice cues basic instructions202

1. DMX

1. 1
   DMX basic instructions203
2. 2
   Assign DMX channel ranges to fixtures204
3. 3
   Slave fixtures205
4. 4
   Standard Effect IDs and Standard Fixture IDs206
5. 5
   Fixture cloning -- changing a fixture's type and converting its effects207
6. 6
   Detect and fix overlapping effects208
7. 7
   Detect and fix PAN problems with Move-To effects209
8. 8
   Move-In-Black (MIB) and Move-To210
9. 9
   Reset Fixture211
10. 10
    Supported firing systems and controllers (DMX)212
11. 11
    Creating DMX fixtures and effects213
12. 12
    Programmer documentation: Creating fixture definitions and effects manually214
13. 13
    Programmer documentation: User-defined fixture definitions215
14. 14
    Programmer documentation: The DMX Patch field216
15. 15
    Programmer documentation: Special VDL terms for DMX effects like "Move-To" and "With Strobing"217
16. 16
    Programmer documentation: DMX setup events -- preparing channels before the effect begins218

1. Light Instructions

1. 1
   Light fixtures basic instructions219
2. 2
   Strobing220
3. 3
   Standard Effect IDs for lights221
4. 4
   Supported light fixtures (and Standard Fixture IDs)222

1. Light Fixtures

1. 1
   Tomshine Moving Head Gobo Spotlight [027, 028]223
2. 2
   ADJ Inno Pocket Spot Pearl Moving Head Spotlight 9CH [082]224
3. 3
   U `King RGBW Moving Head Spotlight 11CH [029]225
4. 4
   U `King Two-Bar RGBW Spider Light [065]226
5. 5
   EasyDancing 36x1W RGB Par Light 7CH [005]227
6. 6
   Generic Light Fixture ON/OFF and Dimmer 1CH [068, 069]228
7. 7
   Cobra 36x1W RGB Par Light229
8. 8
   ADJ Flat Par QWH12X RGB Par Light230
9. 9
   beamZ BBP60 RGB UV Par Light [041]231
10. 10
    Thomann Fun Generation LED Pot 12x1W RGBW Par Light232
11. 11
    SpecialFxIt 18*12W IP65 RGBWAU Par Light [060]233
12. 12
    Moka SFX MK-P18 RGB Wall Washer Par Light234
13. 13
    OPPSK Disco Ball Combo235
14. 14
    BETOPPER 54X1.5W RGB LED Par Light236
15. 15
    Rockville Battery Strip 24 RGBW Light Bar [071]237
16. 16
    OPPSK Wall Washer Light Bar [073]238
17. 17
    Karma LED Par120 Par Light [074]239
18. 18
    Rockville BestPAR60 Par Light [076]240
19. 19
    Chauvet Scorpion Dual241
20. 20
    MARQ Gesture Spot 100 15W LED Moving Head Gobo Spotlight 11CH [052]242
21. 21
    High End Uno Moving Head Spotlight 15CH [077]243
22. 22
    YF Beam 230 Moving Head 16CH [081]244
23. 23
    Beam 230 7R Moving Head Gobo Spotlight 16CH [085]245
24. 24
    U `King B242X 30W LED Moving Head Gobo 9CH [087]246
25. 25
    Anonymous Small Steel Gun 120W Moving Head Gobo Spotlight [059]247
26. 26
    Chauvet SlimPAR 56 Par Light248
27. 27
    Chauvet EZpar 64 Par Light 8CH [079]249
28. 28
    Rockville Battery Par 50 Par Light 6CH [080]250

1. Flame, Spark and Fog Jet Instructions

1. 1
   Flame fixtures basic instructions251
2. 2
   Non-DMX firing systems and flame fixtures252
3. 3
   Supported flame, spark, and fog jet fixtures (and Standard Fixture IDs)253
4. 4
   Standard Effect IDs for flames and sparks254
5. 5
   Safety channels255
6. 6
   Variable duration flame and special effects256
7. 7
   Example: Explo X2 Wave Flamer with Pyromac firing system257

1. Flame, Spark and Fog Jet Fixtures

1. 1
   Explo X2 Wave Flamer258
2. 2
   Showven Circle Flamer259
3. 3
   Spark Fabrica SF-180 Tornado Flamer 6CH260
4. 4
   Galaxis G-Flame261
5. 5
   Le Maitre Salamander262
6. 6
   Showven uFlamer263
7. 7
   Moka H-E01 Genius Flame Machine264
8. 8
   Generic DMX relay and dimmer flamers265
9. 9
   Showven Sparkular And Sparkular Cyclone [014, 015]266
10. 10
    Showven Sparkular Jet 2CH [086]267
11. 11
    Specialfx.it ML-CS01 Cold Sparks Machine [061]268
12. 12
    Spray The Fire269
13. 13
    Explo GX2 Flamer270
14. 14
    MagicFX Stage Flame271
15. 15
    MagicFX Sparxtar272
16. 16
    Hansol Hurricane-AW Wave Flamer 19CH [083]273
17. 17
    Moka E11 Cold Sparks Machine 2CH [084]274
18. 18
    Explo GX3 Power Flame275
19. 19
    MagicFX Flameblazer276
20. 20
    ADJ Fog Fury Jett RGBA Fog Jet [045]277
21. 21
    Showven Sonic Boom Plus Smoke Jet Fog Jet 14CH [062]278
22. 22
    Tengchang Party Fog Jet [066]279
23. 23
    Showven Sonic Boom X Smoke Jet Fog Jet 11CH [070]280
24. 24
    AtmosFEAR Hex Jet Fog Jet [063]281
25. 25
    Froggy's Fog Hyperion D6 Fog Jet [064]282
26. 26
    Anonymous RGB Fog Jet 7CH [072]283
27. 27
    Chauvet Geyser RGB Fog Jet 8CH [078]284
28. 28
    Hansol Volcano285
29. 29
    Auvi Spark286
30. 30
    MagicFX Flamaniac287
31. 31
    Anonymous 5 Head Flamer 7CH288
32. 32
    Showven uFlamer Vulcano 5-Head Flamer289
33. 33
    Moka H-E03 3 Head Flamer290
34. 34
    Moka H-E04 Hi Flame Flame Machine 7CH [076]291
35. 35
    Spark Fabrica SF-Z5 Fly Spark 6CH292
36. 36
    Spark Fabrica SF-X2 Spark Spin 4CH293
37. 37
    Hansol Sunshine 5 Head Flame System294
38. 38
    Sigma Services FireFly flame projector295

1. Languages

1. 1
   Supported languages296
2. 2
   Making a language translation file297
3. 3
   Explanations for some of the phrases to be translated298