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 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

1. Charts

1. 1
   Sound level charts basic instructions140
2. 2
   Recording sound level measurements for effects141

1. Simulation Videos

1. 1
   Is it possible to add camera motion to fake 3D background image scenes?142
2. 2
   Camera animation143
3. 3
   Combining simulation video from Finale with other video144

1. Timecode

1. 1
   Timecode basic instructions145
2. 2
   What is timecode?146
3. 3
   Synchronizing events to music in a production you control147
4. 4
   Synchronizing events to music in a production controlled by others148
5. 5
   SMPTE timecode frame rates and drop frame149
6. 6
   SMPTE 29.97 NDF (non-drop frame)150
7. 7
   FSK timecode frame rates and alignment151
8. 8
   The "Analyze timecode in soundtrack file..." function for SMPTE and FSK152
9. 9
   Negative timecode153
10. 10
    Concert soundtracks containing multiple SMPTE timecode sections154

1. Scenery and Positions

1. 1
   Background images basic instructions155
2. 2
   Sky dome, trompe l'oeil, and ground images156
3. 3
   Racks and positions coordinate system: heading, pitch, roll157
4. 4
   Renaming positions158
5. 5
   Importing models159
6. 6
   Excluding terrain from Sketchup models160

1. Firing Systems

1. 1
   ActionBase161
2. 2
   Apex162
3. 3
   Cobra163
4. 4
   CSV164
5. 5
   Dance Of Fire165
6. 6
   Explo166
7. 7
   Finale Generic CSV (full show export format)167
8. 8
   Fire Control G2168
9. 9
   Fire Pioneer169
10. 10
    FireByWire170
11. 11
    Firelinx171
12. 12
    Firemaster172
13. 13
    FireOne173
14. 14
    FireOne CSV174
15. 15
    fireTEK175
16. 16
    Galaxis176
17. 17
    IGNITE177
18. 18
    Jingduan178
19. 19
    MainFX179
20. 20
    Megafire180
21. 21
    Merlin181
22. 22
    Mongoose182
23. 23
    Pin Board183
24. 24
    Piroshow184
25. 25
    Pirotex185
26. 26
    PyroDigiT186
27. 27
    Pyrodigital187
28. 28
    Pyrodigy188
29. 29
    PyroLEDA189
30. 30
    Pyromac190
31. 31
    PyroMaster191
32. 32
    Pyromate192
33. 33
    Pyroneo193
34. 34
    PyroSure194
35. 35
    Pyrotronix195
36. 36
    RFRemotech196
37. 37
    RJ Equipamentos197
38. 38
    Show Director CSV (full show export format)198
39. 39
    Showven FXcommander199
40. 40
    StarFire200

1. Exporting Assets and Data

1. 1
   Voice cues basic instructions201

1. DMX

1. 1
   DMX basic instructions202
2. 2
   Assign DMX channel ranges to fixtures203
3. 3
   Slave fixtures204
4. 4
   Standard Effect IDs and Standard Fixture IDs205
5. 5
   Fixture cloning -- changing a fixture's type and converting its effects206
6. 6
   Detect and fix overlapping effects207
7. 7
   Detect and fix PAN problems with Move-To effects208
8. 8
   Move-In-Black (MIB) and Move-To209
9. 9
   Reset Fixture210
10. 10
    Supported firing systems and controllers (DMX)211
11. 11
    Creating DMX fixtures and effects212
12. 12
    Programmer documentation: Creating fixture definitions and effects manually213
13. 13
    Programmer documentation: User-defined fixture definitions214
14. 14
    Programmer documentation: The DMX Patch field215
15. 15
    Programmer documentation: Special VDL terms for DMX effects like "Move-To" and "With Strobing"216
16. 16
    Programmer documentation: DMX setup events -- preparing channels before the effect begins217

1. Light Instructions

1. 1
   Light fixtures basic instructions218
2. 2
   Strobing219
3. 3
   Standard Effect IDs for lights220
4. 4
   Supported light fixtures (and Standard Fixture IDs)221

1. Light Fixtures

1. 1
   Tomshine Moving Head Gobo Spotlight [027, 028]222
2. 2
   ADJ Inno Pocket Spot Pearl Moving Head Spotlight 9CH [082]223
3. 3
   U `King RGBW Moving Head Spotlight 11CH [029]224
4. 4
   U `King Two-Bar RGBW Spider Light [065]225
5. 5
   EasyDancing 36x1W RGB Par Light 7CH [005]226
6. 6
   Generic Light Fixture ON/OFF and Dimmer 1CH [068, 069]227
7. 7
   Cobra 36x1W RGB Par Light228
8. 8
   ADJ Flat Par QWH12X RGB Par Light229
9. 9
   beamZ BBP60 RGB UV Par Light [041]230
10. 10
    Thomann Fun Generation LED Pot 12x1W RGBW Par Light231
11. 11
    SpecialFxIt 18*12W IP65 RGBWAU Par Light [060]232
12. 12
    Moka SFX MK-P18 RGB Wall Washer Par Light233
13. 13
    OPPSK Disco Ball Combo234
14. 14
    BETOPPER 54X1.5W RGB LED Par Light235
15. 15
    Rockville Battery Strip 24 RGBW Light Bar [071]236
16. 16
    OPPSK Wall Washer Light Bar [073]237
17. 17
    Karma LED Par120 Par Light [074]238
18. 18
    Rockville BestPAR60 Par Light [076]239
19. 19
    Chauvet Scorpion Dual240
20. 20
    MARQ Gesture Spot 100 15W LED Moving Head Gobo Spotlight 11CH [052]241
21. 21
    High End Uno Moving Head Spotlight 15CH [077]242
22. 22
    YF Beam 230 Moving Head 16CH [081]243
23. 23
    Beam 230 7R Moving Head Gobo Spotlight 16CH [085]244
24. 24
    U `King B242X 30W LED Moving Head Gobo 9CH [087]245
25. 25
    Anonymous Small Steel Gun 120W Moving Head Gobo Spotlight [059]246
26. 26
    Chauvet SlimPAR 56 Par Light247
27. 27
    Chauvet EZpar 64 Par Light 8CH [079]248
28. 28
    Rockville Battery Par 50 Par Light 6CH [080]249

1. Flame, Spark and Fog Jet Instructions

1. 1
   Flame fixtures basic instructions250
2. 2
   Non-DMX firing systems and flame fixtures251
3. 3
   Supported flame, spark, and fog jet fixtures (and Standard Fixture IDs)252
4. 4
   Standard Effect IDs for flames and sparks253
5. 5
   Safety channels254
6. 6
   Variable duration flame and special effects255
7. 7
   Example: Explo X2 Wave Flamer with Pyromac firing system256

1. Flame, Spark and Fog Jet Fixtures

1. 1
   Explo X2 Wave Flamer257
2. 2
   Showven Circle Flamer258
3. 3
   Spark Fabrica SF-180 Tornado Flamer 6CH259
4. 4
   Galaxis G-Flame260
5. 5
   Le Maitre Salamander261
6. 6
   Showven uFlamer262
7. 7
   Moka H-E01 Genius Flame Machine263
8. 8
   Generic DMX relay and dimmer flamers264
9. 9
   Showven Sparkular And Sparkular Cyclone [014, 015]265
10. 10
    Showven Sparkular Jet 2CH [086]266
11. 11
    Specialfx.it ML-CS01 Cold Sparks Machine [061]267
12. 12
    Spray The Fire268
13. 13
    Explo GX2 Flamer269
14. 14
    MagicFX Stage Flame270
15. 15
    MagicFX Sparxtar271
16. 16
    Hansol Hurricane-AW Wave Flamer 19CH [083]272
17. 17
    Moka E11 Cold Sparks Machine 2CH [084]273
18. 18
    Explo GX3 Power Flame274
19. 19
    MagicFX Flameblazer275
20. 20
    ADJ Fog Fury Jett RGBA Fog Jet [045]276
21. 21
    Showven Sonic Boom Plus Smoke Jet Fog Jet 14CH [062]277
22. 22
    Tengchang Party Fog Jet [066]278
23. 23
    Showven Sonic Boom X Smoke Jet Fog Jet 11CH [070]279
24. 24
    AtmosFEAR Hex Jet Fog Jet [063]280
25. 25
    Froggy's Fog Hyperion D6 Fog Jet [064]281
26. 26
    Anonymous RGB Fog Jet 7CH [072]282
27. 27
    Chauvet Geyser RGB Fog Jet 8CH [078]283
28. 28
    Hansol Volcano284
29. 29
    Auvi Spark285
30. 30
    MagicFX Flamaniac286
31. 31
    Anonymous 5 Head Flamer 7CH287
32. 32
    Showven uFlamer Vulcano 5-Head Flamer288
33. 33
    Moka H-E03 3 Head Flamer289
34. 34
    Moka H-E04 Hi Flame Flame Machine 7CH [076]290
35. 35
    Spark Fabrica SF-Z5 Fly Spark 6CH291
36. 36
    Spark Fabrica SF-X2 Spark Spin 4CH292
37. 37
    Hansol Sunshine 5 Head Flame System293
38. 38
    Sigma Services FireFly flame projector294

1. Languages

1. 1
   Supported languages295
2. 2
   Making a language translation file296
3. 3
   Explanations for some of the phrases to be translated297