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
    Tiltable holder racks (fan row racks)102
26. 26
    Pre-wired pin options103
27. 27
    Why is this tube red?104
28. 28
    Multi-load single-shot racks105

1. Scripting

1. 1
   Script window columns106
2. 2
   Randomize107
3. 3
   Make into sequence108
4. 4
   Make into fan109
5. 5
   Effect macros110
6. 6
   Spread out based on effect durations111
7. 7
   Dragging a sequence to start from another position112
8. 8
   Scripting manual shows113
9. 9
   Copy/paste114
10. 10
    Copy/paste and the fill handle115
11. 11
    Keyboard shortcuts116
12. 12
    Filter / search expressions117
13. 13
    Pin counts and warning dots118

1. Table Editing

1. 1
   Copy/paste and the fill handle119

1. Importing Shows

1. 1
   Importing shows basic instructions120
2. 2
   Importing chains121
3. 3
   Importing drone shows122
4. 4
   Programmer documentation: Drone show file format specification (vviz)123

1. Reports and Labels

1. 1
   Labels basic instructions124
2. 2
   Report font size and column widths (Hobbyist)125
3. 3
   Copying report and label templates, and other blueprints between shows126
4. 4
   Why don't my labels align with the stickers?127
5. 5
   Rack labels128
6. 6
   Conditional formatting129
7. 7
   Text wrapping130
8. 8
   Position groups in reports -- how to fit multiple position names in a single row131
9. 9
   Chain Specifications report132
10. 10
    Wiring Script report133
11. 11
    Safety Distance report134
12. 12
    Pinboard Cue Sheet report135
13. 13
    Default pathnames136
14. 14
    Print batch137

1. Site Layout and Rack Layout Diagrams

1. 1
   Site layout diagrams basic instructions138
2. 2
   Rack layout diagrams basic instructions139
3. 3
   Site layout diagrams for very large shows140
4. 4
   Print-time options141
5. 5
   Position name filters and diagram tag filters142
6. 6
   Text box variables143

1. Charts

1. 1
   Sound level charts basic instructions144
2. 2
   Recording sound level measurements for effects145

1. Simulation Videos

1. 1
   Is it possible to add camera motion to fake 3D background image scenes?146
2. 2
   Camera animation147
3. 3
   Combining simulation video from Finale with other video148

1. Timecode

1. 1
   Timecode basic instructions149
2. 2
   What is timecode?150
3. 3
   Synchronizing events to music in a production you control151
4. 4
   Synchronizing events to music in a production controlled by others152
5. 5
   SMPTE timecode frame rates and drop frame153
6. 6
   SMPTE 29.97 NDF (non-drop frame)154
7. 7
   FSK timecode frame rates and alignment155
8. 8
   The "Analyze timecode in soundtrack file..." function for SMPTE and FSK156
9. 9
   Negative timecode157
10. 10
    Concert soundtracks containing multiple SMPTE timecode sections158

1. Scenery and Positions

1. 1
   Background images basic instructions159
2. 2
   Sky dome, trompe l'oeil, and ground images160
3. 3
   Racks and positions coordinate system: heading, pitch, roll161
4. 4
   Renaming positions162
5. 5
   Importing models163
6. 6
   Excluding terrain from Sketchup models164

1. Firing Systems

1. 1
   ActionBase165
2. 2
   Apex166
3. 3
   Cobra167
4. 4
   CSV168
5. 5
   Dance Of Fire169
6. 6
   Explo170
7. 7
   Finale Generic CSV (full show export format)171
8. 8
   Fire Control G2172
9. 9
   Fire Pioneer173
10. 10
    FireByWire174
11. 11
    Firelinx175
12. 12
    Firemaster176
13. 13
    FireOne177
14. 14
    FireOne CSV178
15. 15
    fireTEK179
16. 16
    Galaxis180
17. 17
    IGNITE181
18. 18
    Jingduan182
19. 19
    MainFX183
20. 20
    Megafire184
21. 21
    Merlin185
22. 22
    Mongoose186
23. 23
    Pin Board187
24. 24
    Piroshow188
25. 25
    Pirotex189
26. 26
    PyroDigiT190
27. 27
    Pyrodigital191
28. 28
    Pyrodigy192
29. 29
    PyroLEDA193
30. 30
    Pyromac194
31. 31
    PyroMaster195
32. 32
    Pyromate196
33. 33
    Pyroneo197
34. 34
    PyroSure198
35. 35
    Pyrotronix199
36. 36
    RFRemotech200
37. 37
    RJ Equipamentos201
38. 38
    Show Director CSV (full show export format)202
39. 39
    Showven FXcommander and PyroMote203
40. 40
    StarFire204

1. Exporting Assets and Data

1. 1
   Voice cues basic instructions205

1. DMX

1. 1
   DMX basic instructions206
2. 2
   Assign DMX channel ranges to fixtures207
3. 3
   Slave fixtures208
4. 4
   Standard Effect IDs and Standard Fixture IDs209
5. 5
   Fixture cloning -- changing a fixture's type and converting its effects210
6. 6
   Detect and fix overlapping effects211
7. 7
   Detect and fix PAN problems with Move-To effects212
8. 8
   Move-In-Black (MIB) and Move-To213
9. 9
   Reset Fixture214
10. 10
    Supported firing systems and controllers (DMX)215
11. 11
    Creating DMX fixtures and effects216
12. 12
    Programmer documentation: Creating fixture definitions and effects manually217
13. 13
    Programmer documentation: User-defined fixture definitions218
14. 14
    Programmer documentation: The DMX Patch field219
15. 15
    Programmer documentation: Special VDL terms for DMX effects like "Move-To" and "With Strobing"220
16. 16
    Programmer documentation: DMX setup events -- preparing channels before the effect begins221

1. Light Instructions

1. 1
   Light fixtures basic instructions222
2. 2
   Strobing223
3. 3
   Standard Effect IDs for lights224
4. 4
   Supported light fixtures (and Standard Fixture IDs)225

1. Light Fixtures

1. 1
   Tomshine Moving Head Gobo Spotlight [027, 028]226
2. 2
   ADJ Inno Pocket Spot Pearl Moving Head Spotlight 9CH [082]227
3. 3
   U `King RGBW Moving Head Spotlight 11CH [029]228
4. 4
   U `King Two-Bar RGBW Spider Light [065]229
5. 5
   EasyDancing 36x1W RGB Par Light 7CH [005]230
6. 6
   Generic Light Fixture ON/OFF and Dimmer 1CH [068, 069]231
7. 7
   Cobra 36x1W RGB Par Light232
8. 8
   ADJ Flat Par QWH12X RGB Par Light233
9. 9
   beamZ BBP60 RGB UV Par Light [041]234
10. 10
    Thomann Fun Generation LED Pot 12x1W RGBW Par Light235
11. 11
    SpecialFxIt 18*12W IP65 RGBWAU Par Light [060]236
12. 12
    Moka SFX MK-P18 RGB Wall Washer Par Light237
13. 13
    OPPSK Disco Ball Combo238
14. 14
    BETOPPER 54X1.5W RGB LED Par Light239
15. 15
    Rockville Battery Strip 24 RGBW Light Bar [071]240
16. 16
    OPPSK Wall Washer Light Bar [073]241
17. 17
    Karma LED Par120 Par Light [074]242
18. 18
    Rockville BestPAR60 Par Light [076]243
19. 19
    Chauvet Scorpion Dual244
20. 20
    MARQ Gesture Spot 100 15W LED Moving Head Gobo Spotlight 11CH [052]245
21. 21
    High End Uno Moving Head Spotlight 15CH [077]246
22. 22
    YF Beam 230 Moving Head 16CH [081]247
23. 23
    Beam 230 7R Moving Head Gobo Spotlight 16CH [085]248
24. 24
    U `King B242X 30W LED Moving Head Gobo 9CH [087]249
25. 25
    Anonymous Small Steel Gun 120W Moving Head Gobo Spotlight [059]250
26. 26
    Chauvet SlimPAR 56 Par Light251
27. 27
    Chauvet EZpar 64 Par Light 8CH [079]252
28. 28
    Rockville Battery Par 50 Par Light 6CH [080]253

1. Flame, Spark and Fog Jet Instructions

1. 1
   Flame fixtures basic instructions254
2. 2
   Non-DMX firing systems and flame fixtures255
3. 3
   Supported flame, spark, and fog jet fixtures (and Standard Fixture IDs)256
4. 4
   Standard Effect IDs for flames and sparks257
5. 5
   Safety channels258
6. 6
   Variable duration flame and special effects259
7. 7
   Example: Explo X2 Wave Flamer with Pyromac firing system260

1. Flame, Spark and Fog Jet Fixtures

1. 1
   Explo X2 Wave Flamer261
2. 2
   Showven Circle Flamer262
3. 3
   Spark Fabrica SF-180 Tornado Flamer 6CH263
4. 4
   Galaxis G-Flame264
5. 5
   Le Maitre Salamander265
6. 6
   Showven uFlamer266
7. 7
   Moka H-E01 Genius Flame Machine267
8. 8
   Generic DMX relay and dimmer flamers268
9. 9
   Showven Sparkular And Sparkular Cyclone [014, 015]269
10. 10
    Showven Sparkular Jet 2CH [086]270
11. 11
    Specialfx.it ML-CS01 Cold Sparks Machine [061]271
12. 12
    Spray The Fire272
13. 13
    Explo GX2 Flamer273
14. 14
    MagicFX Stage Flame274
15. 15
    MagicFX Sparxtar275
16. 16
    Hansol Hurricane-AW Wave Flamer 19CH [083]276
17. 17
    Moka E11 Cold Sparks Machine 2CH [084]277
18. 18
    Explo GX3 Power Flame278
19. 19
    MagicFX Flameblazer279
20. 20
    ADJ Fog Fury Jett RGBA Fog Jet [045]280
21. 21
    Showven Sonic Boom Plus Smoke Jet Fog Jet 14CH [062]281
22. 22
    Tengchang Party Fog Jet [066]282
23. 23
    Showven Sonic Boom X Smoke Jet Fog Jet 11CH [070]283
24. 24
    AtmosFEAR Hex Jet Fog Jet [063]284
25. 25
    Froggy's Fog Hyperion D6 Fog Jet [064]285
26. 26
    Anonymous RGB Fog Jet 7CH [072]286
27. 27
    Chauvet Geyser RGB Fog Jet 8CH [078]287
28. 28
    Hansol Volcano288
29. 29
    Auvi Spark289
30. 30
    MagicFX Flamaniac290
31. 31
    Anonymous 5 Head Flamer 7CH291
32. 32
    Showven uFlamer Vulcano 5-Head Flamer292
33. 33
    Moka H-E03 3 Head Flamer293
34. 34
    Moka H-E04 Hi Flame Flame Machine 7CH [076]294
35. 35
    Spark Fabrica SF-Z5 Fly Spark 6CH295
36. 36
    Spark Fabrica SF-X2 Spark Spin 4CH296
37. 37
    Hansol Sunshine 5 Head Flame System297
38. 38
    Sigma Services FireFly flame projector298

1. Languages

1. 1
   Supported languages299
2. 2
   Making a language translation file300
3. 3
   Explanations for some of the phrases to be translated301