Software Documentation

Table of contents

  1. Initial Setup

    1. 1
      Account setup1
    2. 2
      System requirements — What computers run Finale 3D?2
    3. 3
      Download and installation3
    4. 4
      How licenses work — FAQ and examples4
    5. 5
      Differences between Hobbyist and Pro versions5
    6. 6
      FAQ: Common licensing and feature related questions6
    7. 7
      Finale Inventory prices and features7

  1. Getting Started

    1. 1
      Getting started basic instructions8
    2. 2
      Pyro Points9
    3. 3
      Creating and exporting a script for your firing system10

  1. Inventory and Effect Management

    1. 1
      Inventory management basic instructions11
    2. 2
      Importing inventory from a file12
    3. 3
      Importing effects from Finale Business13
    4. 4
      Importing supplier catalog into Finale 3D14
    5. 5
      Effect columns in Finale Inventory vs. Finale 3D15
    6. 6
      Inventory compatibility with Finale Business (and how to fix cakes)16
    7. 7
      Saving a backup file of your effects list17
    8. 8
      Case and assortment quantities, and breaking apart assortments18
    9. 9
      Exporting quantities, and deducting from inventory19
    10. 10
      Synching with sales orders in Finale Inventory20
    11. 11
      Chains-count-as-one vs. chains-count-as-N21
    12. 12
      Updating prices or other fields in a Finale 3D effects database from Excel or a CSV22

  1. Effects Overview

    1. 1
      Effects basic instructions23
    2. 2
      Effects columns24
    3. 3
      Why is ‘Type’ so important? What depends on it?25
    4. 4
      Per-show effects26
    5. 5
      Effects coordinate system: pan, tilt, spin27
    6. 6
      Prefire28
    7. 7
      Chain duration (and prefire)29
    8. 8
      How can I tell if an effect is a chain?30
    9. 9
      Create cake by combining effects31
    10. 10
      Timing of shots within a cake32
    11. 11
      Cake and candle duration (and prefire)33
    12. 12
      Programmer documentation: What happens when I insert a chain into the script?34
    13. 13
      Programmer documentation: Representation of chains in the script35
    14. 14
      Programmer documentation: Effect Data and Motion Data36

  1. Visual Descriptive Language (VDL)

    1. 1
      Creating or importing a simple "placeholder" cake simulation37
    2. 2
      Creating a chain with one or more effects38
    3. 3
      VDL effect adjustment terms (Big, Bright, etc.)39
    4. 4
      VDL timing adjustment terms (PFT, LFT, DLY, DUR, CDS)40
    5. 5
      VDL colors41
    6. 6
      Cake descriptions42
    7. 7
      Exact simulation syntax43
    8. 8
      Firing patterns for cake and slice rows44
    9. 9
      Specifying the height, duration, and fan angle of effects in the cake (HTM, DUR, Degrees)45
    10. 10
      Creating an aerial shell cake with arbitrary prefire time46
    11. 11
      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
      Using "Rack Type" to control what types of racks are used for what effects78
    5. 5
      Addressing based on layout of racks (Rack Number)79
    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 loading order90
    17. 17
      Reverse tube loading order91
    18. 18
      Using the “Rack Type” field for fan racks92
    19. 19
      Re-arrange tubes in adjustable angle racks to avoid collisions93
    20. 20
      Circle racks94
    21. 21
      Ladder racks95
    22. 22
      Fan row racks96
    23. 23
      Pre-wired pin options97
    24. 24
      Why is this tube red?98

  1. Scripting

    1. 1
      Script columns99
    2. 2
      Randomize100
    3. 3
      Make into sequence101
    4. 4
      Make into fan102
    5. 5
      Effect macros103
    6. 6
      Spread out based on effect durations104
    7. 7
      Dragging a sequence to start from another position105
    8. 8
      Scripting manual shows106
    9. 9
      Copy/paste107
    10. 10
      Keyboard shortcuts108
    11. 11
      Filter / search expressions109
    12. 12
      Pin counts and warning dots110

  1. Importing Shows

    1. 1
      Importing shows basic instructions111
    2. 2
      Importing chains112
    3. 3
      Importing drone shows113
    4. 4
      Programmer documentation: Drone show file format specification (vviz)114

  1. Reports and Labels

    1. 1
      Labels basic instructions115
    2. 2
      Report font size and column widths (Hobbyist)116
    3. 3
      Copying report and label templates, and other blueprints between shows117
    4. 4
      Why don't my labels align with the stickers?118
    5. 5
      Rack labels119
    6. 6
      Conditional formatting120
    7. 7
      Text wrapping121
    8. 8
      Position groups in reports -- how to fit multiple position names in a single row122
    9. 9
      Chain Specifications report123
    10. 10
      Wiring Script report124
    11. 11
      Safety Distance report125
    12. 12
      Pinboard Cue Sheet report126

  1. Simulation Videos

    1. 1
      Is it possible to add camera motion to fake 3D background image scenes?127
    2. 2
      Camera animation128
    3. 3
      Combining simulation video from Finale with other video129

  1. Time Code

    1. 1
      Time code basic instructions130
    2. 2
      Comparison of Pyrodigital field controllers for SMPTE131

  1. Scenery and Positions

    1. 1
      Background images basic instructions132
    2. 2
      Sky dome, trompe l'oeil, and ground images133
    3. 3
      Racks and positions coordinate system: heading, pitch, roll134
    4. 4
      Renaming positions135
    5. 5
      Importing models136
    6. 6
      Excluding terrain from Sketchup models137

  1. Firing Systems

    1. 1
      ActionBase138
    2. 2
      Apex139
    3. 3
      Cobra140
    4. 4
      CSV141
    5. 5
      Dance Of Fire142
    6. 6
      Explo143
    7. 7
      Finale Generic CSV (full show export format)144
    8. 8
      Fire Control G2145
    9. 9
      Fire Pioneer146
    10. 10
      FireByWire147
    11. 11
      Firelinx148
    12. 12
      Firemaster149
    13. 13
      FireOne150
    14. 14
      fireTEK151
    15. 15
      Galaxis152
    16. 16
      Jingduan153
    17. 17
      Megafire154
    18. 18
      Merlin155
    19. 19
      Mongoose156
    20. 20
      Pin Board157
    21. 21
      Piroshow158
    22. 22
      Pirotex159
    23. 23
      PyroDigiT160
    24. 24
      Pyrodigital161
    25. 25
      Pyrodigy162
    26. 26
      PyroLEDA163
    27. 27
      Pyromac164
    28. 28
      PyroMaster165
    29. 29
      Pyromate166
    30. 30
      Pyroneo167
    31. 31
      PyroSure168
    32. 32
      Pyrotronix169
    33. 33
      RFRemotech170
    34. 34
      RJ Equipamentos171
    35. 35
      Show Director CSV (full show export format)172
    36. 36
      StarFire173

  1. Exporting Assets and Data

    1. 1
      Voice cues basic instructions174

  1. DMX

    1. 1
      DMX basic instructions175
    2. 2
      Assign DMX channel ranges to fixtures176
    3. 3
      Slave fixtures177
    4. 4
      Standard Effect IDs and Standard Fixture IDs178
    5. 5
      Fixture cloning -- changing a fixture's type and converting its effects179
    6. 6
      Detect and fix overlapping effects180
    7. 7
      Detect and fix PAN problems with Move-To effects181
    8. 8
      Move-In-Black (MIB) and Move-To182
    9. 9
      Reset Fixture183
    10. 10
      Supported firing systems and controllers (DMX)184
    11. 11
      Creating DMX fixtures and effects185
    12. 12
      Programmer documentation: Creating fixture definitions and effects manually186
    13. 13
      Programmer documentation: User-defined fixture definitions187
    14. 14
      Programmer documentation: The DMX Patch field188
    15. 15
      Programmer documentation: Special VDL terms for DMX effects like "Move-To" and "With Strobing"189
    16. 16
      Programmer documentation: DMX setup events -- preparing channels before the effect begins190

  1. Light Instructions

    1. 1
      Light fixtures basic instructions191
    2. 2
      Strobing192
    3. 3
      Standard Effect IDs for lights193
    4. 4
      Supported light fixtures (and Standard Fixture IDs)194

  1. Light Fixtures

    1. 1
      Tomshine Moving Head Gobo Spotlight [027, 028]195
    2. 2
      ADJ Inno Pocket Spot Pearl Moving Head Spotlight 9CH [082]196
    3. 3
      U `King RGBW Moving Head Spotlight 11CH [029]197
    4. 4
      U `King Two-Bar RGBW Spider Light [065]198
    5. 5
      EasyDancing 36x1W RGB Par Light 7CH [005]199
    6. 6
      Generic Light Fixture ON/OFF and Dimmer 1CH [068, 069]200
    7. 7
      Cobra 36x1W RGB Par Light201
    8. 8
      ADJ Flat Par QWH12X RGB Par Light202
    9. 9
      Thomann Fun Generation LED Pot 12x1W RGBW Par Light203
    10. 10
      beamZ BBP60 RGB UV Par Light [041]204
    11. 11
      SpecialFxIt 18*12W IP65 RGBWAU Par Light [060]205
    12. 12
      Moka SFX MK-P18 RGB Wall Washer Par Light206
    13. 13
      OPPSK Disco Ball Combo207
    14. 14
      BETOPPER 54X1.5W RGB LED Par Light208
    15. 15
      Rockville Battery Strip 24 RGBW Light Bar [071]209
    16. 16
      OPPSK Wall Washer Light Bar [073]210
    17. 17
      Karma LED Par120 Par Light [074]211
    18. 18
      Rockville BestPAR60 Par Light [076]212
    19. 19
      Chauvet Scorpion Dual213
    20. 20
      MARQ Gesture Spot 100 15W LED Moving Head Gobo Spotlight 11CH [052]214
    21. 21
      High End Uno Moving Head Spotlight 15CH [077]215
    22. 22
      YF Beam 230 Moving Head 16CH [081]216
    23. 23
      Beam 230 7R Moving Head Gobo Spotlight 16CH [085]217
    24. 24
      Anonymous Small Steel Gun 120W Moving Head Gobo Spotlight [059]218
    25. 25
      Chauvet SlimPAR 56 Par Light219
    26. 26
      Chauvet EZpar 64 Par Light 8CH [079]220
    27. 27
      Rockville Battery Par 50 Par Light 6CH [080]221

  1. Flame, Spark and Fog Jet Instructions

    1. 1
      Flame fixtures basic instructions222
    2. 2
      Non-DMX firing systems and flame fixtures223
    3. 3
      Supported flame, spark, and fog jet fixtures (and Standard Fixture IDs)224
    4. 4
      Standard Effect IDs for flames and sparks225
    5. 5
      Safety channels226
    6. 6
      Variable duration flame and special effects227
    7. 7
      Example: Explo X2 Wave Flamer with Pyromac firing system228

  1. Flame, Spark and Fog Jet Fixtures

    1. 1
      Explo X2 Wave Flamer229
    2. 2
      Showven Circle Flamer230
    3. 3
      Spark Fabrica Moving Head Flamer231
    4. 4
      Galaxis G-Flame232
    5. 5
      Le Maitre Salamander233
    6. 6
      Showven uFlamer234
    7. 7
      Moka H-E01 Genius Flame Machine235
    8. 8
      Showven Sparkular And Sparkular Cyclone [014, 015]236
    9. 9
      Generic DMX relay and dimmer flamers237
    10. 10
      Showven Sparkular Jet 2CH [086]238
    11. 11
      Specialfx.it ML-CS01 Cold Sparks Machine [061]239
    12. 12
      Spray The Fire240
    13. 13
      MagicFX Stage Flame241
    14. 14
      Explo GX2 Flamer242
    15. 15
      MagicFX Sparxtar243
    16. 16
      Hansol Hurricane-AW Wave Flamer 19CH [083]244
    17. 17
      Moka E11 Cold Sparks Machine 2CH [084]245
    18. 18
      Explo GX3 Power Flame246
    19. 19
      MagicFX Flameblazer247
    20. 20
      ADJ Fog Fury Jett RGBA Fog Jet [045]248
    21. 21
      Showven Sonic Boom Plus Smoke Jet Fog Jet 14CH [062]249
    22. 22
      Tengchang Party Fog Jet [066]250
    23. 23
      AtmosFEAR Hex Jet Fog Jet [063]251
    24. 24
      Showven Sonic Boom X Smoke Jet Fog Jet 11CH [070]252
    25. 25
      Froggy's Fog Hyperion D6 Fog Jet [064]253
    26. 26
      Anonymous RGB Fog Jet 7CH [072]254
    27. 27
      Chauvet Geyser RGB Fog Jet 8CH [078]255
    28. 28
      Hansol Volcano256
    29. 29
      Auvi Spark257
    30. 30
      MagicFX Flamaniac258
    31. 31
      Anonymous 5 Head Flamer 7CH259
    32. 32
      Showven uFlamer Vulcano 5-Head Flamer260
    33. 33
      Moka H-E03 3 Head Flamer261
    34. 34
      Moka H-E04 Hi Flame Flame Machine 7CH [076]262
    35. 35
      Hansol Sunshine 5 Head Flame System263
    36. 36
      Sigma Services FireFly flame projector264

  1. Languages

    1. 1
      Supported languages265
    2. 2
      Making a language translation file266
    3. 3
      Explanations for some of the phrases to be translated267