Software Documentation

Table of contents

  1. Initial Setup

    1. 1
      FAQ: Common licensing questions1
    2. 2
      FAQ: Common feature questions2
    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 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, 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
      Multiple e-matches on the same firing system pin59
    13. 13
      Cross-loading chains with angled shells or using fan-racks60
    14. 14
      Cross-loading chains with straight-up shells61
    15. 15
      Dividing a show into sequences for semi-automatic firing using the "Track" field62
    16. 16
      Restricting modules to racks or rack clusters63
    17. 17
      Using piggyback slats or modules that fire in parallel64
    18. 18
      Using the Section field in position properties65
    19. 19
      Slats, virtual slats, and splitter boxes66
    20. 20
      Virtual slats67
    21. 21
      Multiple firing systems in the same show68
    22. 22
      Custom module specifications69
    23. 23
      Starting with module 1 instead of module 070
    24. 24
      Excluding flames or other simulations from receiving firing system addresses71
    25. 25
      Fill down with "backfilling allowed" option72
    26. 26
      The Start Module, and Pre-Assigned Rails fields on positions73
    27. 27
      Sorting positions across multiple blueprints or sections74

  1. Racks

    1. 1
      Rack layout basic instructions (Pro version)75
    2. 2
      Rack counts (Hobbyist or Pro version)76
    3. 3
      Loading effects that already have firing system addresses into racks77
    4. 4
      Addressing based on layout of racks (Rack Number)78
    5. 5
      Using "Rack Type" to control what types of racks are used for what effects79
    6. 6
      Rack Type part numbers -- forcing an effect into a specific kind of rack80
    7. 7
      Renumber racks81
    8. 8
      Avoiding gaps in module number sequences when sorting by angle (Same Rack)82
    9. 9
      Variable tube size racks with row length constraint83
    10. 10
      Min/max size range constraints for racks84
    11. 11
      Racks with pre-wired pins85
    12. 12
      Racks with pre-wired rails86
    13. 13
      Shoot sites with every tube pre-wired to the firing system87
    14. 14
      Sorting racks to adjust the order of rack assignments88
    15. 15
      Sleeving effects into different size mortars or different kinds of racks89
    16. 16
      Tube angle range constraints90
    17. 17
      Tube loading order91
    18. 18
      Reverse tube loading order92
    19. 19
      Using the “Rack Type” field for fan racks93
    20. 20
      Re-arrange tubes in adjustable angle racks to avoid collisions94
    21. 21
      Circle racks95
    22. 22
      Ladder racks96
    23. 23
      Fan row racks97
    24. 24
      Pre-wired pin options98
    25. 25
      Why is this tube red?99

  1. Scripting

    1. 1
      Script columns100
    2. 2
      Randomize101
    3. 3
      Make into sequence102
    4. 4
      Make into fan103
    5. 5
      Effect macros104
    6. 6
      Spread out based on effect durations105
    7. 7
      Dragging a sequence to start from another position106
    8. 8
      Scripting manual shows107
    9. 9
      Copy/paste108
    10. 10
      Copy/paste and the fill handle109
    11. 11
      Keyboard shortcuts110
    12. 12
      Filter / search expressions111
    13. 13
      Pin counts and warning dots112

  1. Table Editing

    1. 1
      Copy/paste and the fill handle113

  1. Importing Shows

    1. 1
      Importing shows basic instructions114
    2. 2
      Importing chains115
    3. 3
      Importing drone shows116
    4. 4
      Programmer documentation: Drone show file format specification (vviz)117

  1. Reports and Labels

    1. 1
      Labels basic instructions118
    2. 2
      Report font size and column widths (Hobbyist)119
    3. 3
      Copying report and label templates, and other blueprints between shows120
    4. 4
      Why don't my labels align with the stickers?121
    5. 5
      Rack labels122
    6. 6
      Conditional formatting123
    7. 7
      Text wrapping124
    8. 8
      Position groups in reports -- how to fit multiple position names in a single row125
    9. 9
      Chain Specifications report126
    10. 10
      Wiring Script report127
    11. 11
      Safety Distance report128
    12. 12
      Pinboard Cue Sheet report129

  1. Site Layout Diagrams

    1. 1
      Site layout diagrams basic instructions130
    2. 2
      Site layout diagrams for very large shows131
    3. 3
      Position name filters and diagram tag filters132

  1. Simulation Videos

    1. 1
      Is it possible to add camera motion to fake 3D background image scenes?133
    2. 2
      Camera animation134
    3. 3
      Combining simulation video from Finale with other video135

  1. Timecode

    1. 1
      Timecode basic instructions136
    2. 2
      What is timecode?137
    3. 3
      Synchronizing events to music in a production you control138
    4. 4
      Synchronizing events to music in a production controlled by others139
    5. 5
      Timecode frame rates and drop frame140
    6. 6
      Timecode information dialog and timecode log file141

  1. Scenery and Positions

    1. 1
      Background images basic instructions142
    2. 2
      Sky dome, trompe l'oeil, and ground images143
    3. 3
      Racks and positions coordinate system: heading, pitch, roll144
    4. 4
      Renaming positions145
    5. 5
      Importing models146
    6. 6
      Excluding terrain from Sketchup models147

  1. Firing Systems

    1. 1
      ActionBase148
    2. 2
      Apex149
    3. 3
      Cobra150
    4. 4
      CSV151
    5. 5
      Dance Of Fire152
    6. 6
      Explo153
    7. 7
      Finale Generic CSV (full show export format)154
    8. 8
      Fire Control G2155
    9. 9
      Fire Pioneer156
    10. 10
      FireByWire157
    11. 11
      Firelinx158
    12. 12
      Firemaster159
    13. 13
      FireOne160
    14. 14
      FireOne CSV161
    15. 15
      fireTEK162
    16. 16
      Galaxis163
    17. 17
      Jingduan164
    18. 18
      Megafire165
    19. 19
      Merlin166
    20. 20
      Mongoose167
    21. 21
      Pin Board168
    22. 22
      Piroshow169
    23. 23
      Pirotex170
    24. 24
      PyroDigiT171
    25. 25
      Pyrodigital172
    26. 26
      Pyrodigy173
    27. 27
      PyroLEDA174
    28. 28
      Pyromac175
    29. 29
      PyroMaster176
    30. 30
      Pyromate177
    31. 31
      Pyroneo178
    32. 32
      PyroSure179
    33. 33
      Pyrotronix180
    34. 34
      RFRemotech181
    35. 35
      RJ Equipamentos182
    36. 36
      Show Director CSV (full show export format)183
    37. 37
      StarFire184

  1. Exporting Assets and Data

    1. 1
      Voice cues basic instructions185

  1. DMX

    1. 1
      DMX basic instructions186
    2. 2
      Assign DMX channel ranges to fixtures187
    3. 3
      Slave fixtures188
    4. 4
      Standard Effect IDs and Standard Fixture IDs189
    5. 5
      Fixture cloning -- changing a fixture's type and converting its effects190
    6. 6
      Detect and fix overlapping effects191
    7. 7
      Detect and fix PAN problems with Move-To effects192
    8. 8
      Move-In-Black (MIB) and Move-To193
    9. 9
      Reset Fixture194
    10. 10
      Supported firing systems and controllers (DMX)195
    11. 11
      Creating DMX fixtures and effects196
    12. 12
      Programmer documentation: Creating fixture definitions and effects manually197
    13. 13
      Programmer documentation: User-defined fixture definitions198
    14. 14
      Programmer documentation: The DMX Patch field199
    15. 15
      Programmer documentation: Special VDL terms for DMX effects like "Move-To" and "With Strobing"200
    16. 16
      Programmer documentation: DMX setup events -- preparing channels before the effect begins201

  1. Light Instructions

    1. 1
      Light fixtures basic instructions202
    2. 2
      Strobing203
    3. 3
      Standard Effect IDs for lights204
    4. 4
      Supported light fixtures (and Standard Fixture IDs)205

  1. Light Fixtures

    1. 1
      Tomshine Moving Head Gobo Spotlight [027, 028]206
    2. 2
      ADJ Inno Pocket Spot Pearl Moving Head Spotlight 9CH [082]207
    3. 3
      U `King RGBW Moving Head Spotlight 11CH [029]208
    4. 4
      U `King Two-Bar RGBW Spider Light [065]209
    5. 5
      EasyDancing 36x1W RGB Par Light 7CH [005]210
    6. 6
      Generic Light Fixture ON/OFF and Dimmer 1CH [068, 069]211
    7. 7
      Cobra 36x1W RGB Par Light212
    8. 8
      ADJ Flat Par QWH12X RGB Par Light213
    9. 9
      beamZ BBP60 RGB UV Par Light [041]214
    10. 10
      Thomann Fun Generation LED Pot 12x1W RGBW Par Light215
    11. 11
      SpecialFxIt 18*12W IP65 RGBWAU Par Light [060]216
    12. 12
      Moka SFX MK-P18 RGB Wall Washer Par Light217
    13. 13
      OPPSK Disco Ball Combo218
    14. 14
      BETOPPER 54X1.5W RGB LED Par Light219
    15. 15
      Rockville Battery Strip 24 RGBW Light Bar [071]220
    16. 16
      OPPSK Wall Washer Light Bar [073]221
    17. 17
      Karma LED Par120 Par Light [074]222
    18. 18
      Rockville BestPAR60 Par Light [076]223
    19. 19
      Chauvet Scorpion Dual224
    20. 20
      MARQ Gesture Spot 100 15W LED Moving Head Gobo Spotlight 11CH [052]225
    21. 21
      High End Uno Moving Head Spotlight 15CH [077]226
    22. 22
      YF Beam 230 Moving Head 16CH [081]227
    23. 23
      Beam 230 7R Moving Head Gobo Spotlight 16CH [085]228
    24. 24
      U `King B242X 30W LED Moving Head Gobo 9CH [087]229
    25. 25
      Anonymous Small Steel Gun 120W Moving Head Gobo Spotlight [059]230
    26. 26
      Chauvet SlimPAR 56 Par Light231
    27. 27
      Chauvet EZpar 64 Par Light 8CH [079]232
    28. 28
      Rockville Battery Par 50 Par Light 6CH [080]233

  1. Flame, Spark and Fog Jet Instructions

    1. 1
      Flame fixtures basic instructions234
    2. 2
      Non-DMX firing systems and flame fixtures235
    3. 3
      Supported flame, spark, and fog jet fixtures (and Standard Fixture IDs)236
    4. 4
      Standard Effect IDs for flames and sparks237
    5. 5
      Safety channels238
    6. 6
      Variable duration flame and special effects239
    7. 7
      Example: Explo X2 Wave Flamer with Pyromac firing system240

  1. Flame, Spark and Fog Jet Fixtures

    1. 1
      Explo X2 Wave Flamer241
    2. 2
      Showven Circle Flamer242
    3. 3
      Spark Fabrica Moving Head Flamer243
    4. 4
      Galaxis G-Flame244
    5. 5
      Le Maitre Salamander245
    6. 6
      Showven uFlamer246
    7. 7
      Moka H-E01 Genius Flame Machine247
    8. 8
      Showven Sparkular And Sparkular Cyclone [014, 015]248
    9. 9
      Generic DMX relay and dimmer flamers249
    10. 10
      Showven Sparkular Jet 2CH [086]250
    11. 11
      Specialfx.it ML-CS01 Cold Sparks Machine [061]251
    12. 12
      Spray The Fire252
    13. 13
      MagicFX Sparxtar253
    14. 14
      MagicFX Stage Flame254
    15. 15
      Explo GX2 Flamer255
    16. 16
      Hansol Hurricane-AW Wave Flamer 19CH [083]256
    17. 17
      Explo GX3 Power Flame257
    18. 18
      Moka E11 Cold Sparks Machine 2CH [084]258
    19. 19
      MagicFX Flameblazer259
    20. 20
      ADJ Fog Fury Jett RGBA Fog Jet [045]260
    21. 21
      Showven Sonic Boom Plus Smoke Jet Fog Jet 14CH [062]261
    22. 22
      Tengchang Party Fog Jet [066]262
    23. 23
      AtmosFEAR Hex Jet Fog Jet [063]263
    24. 24
      Froggy's Fog Hyperion D6 Fog Jet [064]264
    25. 25
      Showven Sonic Boom X Smoke Jet Fog Jet 11CH [070]265
    26. 26
      Anonymous RGB Fog Jet 7CH [072]266
    27. 27
      Chauvet Geyser RGB Fog Jet 8CH [078]267
    28. 28
      Hansol Volcano268
    29. 29
      Auvi Spark269
    30. 30
      MagicFX Flamaniac270
    31. 31
      Anonymous 5 Head Flamer 7CH271
    32. 32
      Showven uFlamer Vulcano 5-Head Flamer272
    33. 33
      Moka H-E03 3 Head Flamer273
    34. 34
      Moka H-E04 Hi Flame Flame Machine 7CH [076]274
    35. 35
      Hansol Sunshine 5 Head Flame System275
    36. 36
      Sigma Services FireFly flame projector276

  1. Languages

    1. 1
      Supported languages277
    2. 2
      Making a language translation file278
    3. 3
      Explanations for some of the phrases to be translated279