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Software Documentation

Table of contents

  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

  1. Drone Shows

    1. 1
      Importing drone shows122
    2. 2
      Programmer documentation: Drone show file format specification (vviz)123
    3. 3
      Exporting VVIZ from Verge Aero124
    4. 4
      Exporting VVIZ from Drone Show Software (DSS)125
    5. 5
      Exporting VVIZ from Skybrush Studio for Blender126

  1. Reports and Labels

    1. 1
      Labels basic instructions127
    2. 2
      Report font size and column widths (Hobbyist)128
    3. 3
      Copying report and label templates, and other blueprints between shows129
    4. 4
      Why don't my labels align with the stickers?130
    5. 5
      Rack labels131
    6. 6
      Conditional formatting132
    7. 7
      Text wrapping133
    8. 8
      Position groups in reports -- how to fit multiple position names in a single row134
    9. 9
      Chain Specifications report135
    10. 10
      Wiring Script report136
    11. 11
      Safety Distance report137
    12. 12
      Pinboard Cue Sheet report138
    13. 13
      Default pathnames139
    14. 14
      Print batch140

  1. Site Layout and Rack Layout Diagrams

    1. 1
      Site layout diagrams basic instructions141
    2. 2
      Rack layout diagrams basic instructions142
    3. 3
      Site layout diagrams for very large shows143
    4. 4
      Print-time options144
    5. 5
      Position name filters and diagram tag filters145
    6. 6
      Text box variables146

  1. Charts

    1. 1
      Sound level charts basic instructions147
    2. 2
      Recording sound level measurements for effects148

  1. Simulation Videos

    1. 1
      Is it possible to add camera motion to fake 3D background image scenes?149
    2. 2
      Camera animation150
    3. 3
      Combining simulation video from Finale with other video151

  1. Timecode

    1. 1
      Timecode basic instructions152
    2. 2
      What is timecode?153
    3. 3
      Synchronizing events to music in a production you control154
    4. 4
      Synchronizing events to music in a production controlled by others155
    5. 5
      SMPTE timecode frame rates and drop frame156
    6. 6
      SMPTE 29.97 NDF (non-drop frame)157
    7. 7
      FSK timecode frame rates and alignment158
    8. 8
      The "Analyze timecode in soundtrack file..." function for SMPTE and FSK159
    9. 9
      Negative timecode160
    10. 10
      Concert soundtracks containing multiple SMPTE timecode sections161
    11. 11
      Segments162

  1. Scenery and Positions

    1. 1
      Background images basic instructions163
    2. 2
      Sky dome, trompe l'oeil, and ground images164
    3. 3
      Racks and positions coordinate system: heading, pitch, roll165
    4. 4
      Renaming positions166
    5. 5
      Importing models167
    6. 6
      Excluding terrain from Sketchup models168

  1. Firing Systems

    1. 1
      ActionBase169
    2. 2
      Apex170
    3. 3
      Cobra171
    4. 4
      CSV172
    5. 5
      Dance Of Fire173
    6. 6
      Explo174
    7. 7
      Finale Generic CSV (full show export format)175
    8. 8
      Fire Control G2176
    9. 9
      Fire Pioneer177
    10. 10
      FireByWire178
    11. 11
      Firelinx179
    12. 12
      Firemaster180
    13. 13
      FireOne181
    14. 14
      FireOne CSV182
    15. 15
      fireTEK183
    16. 16
      Galaxis184
    17. 17
      Happiness185
    18. 18
      IGNITE186
    19. 19
      Jingduan187
    20. 20
      MainFX188
    21. 21
      Megafire189
    22. 22
      Merlin190
    23. 23
      Mongoose191
    24. 24
      Pin Board192
    25. 25
      Piroshow193
    26. 26
      Pirotex194
    27. 27
      PyroDigiT195
    28. 28
      Pyrodigital196
    29. 29
      Pyrodigy197
    30. 30
      PyroLEDA198
    31. 31
      Pyromac199
    32. 32
      PyroMaster200
    33. 33
      Pyromate201
    34. 34
      Pyroneo202
    35. 35
      PyroSure203
    36. 36
      Pyrotronix204
    37. 37
      RFRemotech205
    38. 38
      RJ Equipamentos206
    39. 39
      SBC TX3200P207
    40. 40
      SBC TX3600P208
    41. 41
      ShangYi-TECH209
    42. 42
      Show Director CSV (full show export format)210
    43. 43
      Showven FXcommander and PyroMote211
    44. 44
      StarFire212

  1. Exporting Assets and Data

    1. 1
      Voice cues basic instructions213

  1. DMX

    1. 1
      DMX basic instructions214
    2. 2
      Assign DMX channel ranges to fixtures215
    3. 3
      Slave fixtures216
    4. 4
      Standard Effect IDs and Standard Fixture IDs217
    5. 5
      Fixture cloning -- changing a fixture's type and converting its effects218
    6. 6
      Detect and fix overlapping effects219
    7. 7
      Detect and fix PAN problems with Move-To effects220
    8. 8
      Move-In-Black (MIB) and Move-To221
    9. 9
      Reset Fixture222
    10. 10
      Supported firing systems and controllers (DMX)223
    11. 11
      Creating DMX fixtures and effects224
    12. 12
      Programmer documentation: Creating fixture definitions and effects manually225
    13. 13
      Programmer documentation: User-defined fixture definitions226
    14. 14
      Programmer documentation: The DMX Patch field227
    15. 15
      Programmer documentation: Special VDL terms for DMX effects like "Move-To" and "With Strobing"228
    16. 16
      Programmer documentation: DMX setup events -- preparing channels before the effect begins229

  1. Light Instructions

    1. 1
      Light fixtures basic instructions230
    2. 2
      Strobing231
    3. 3
      Standard Effect IDs for lights232
    4. 4
      Supported light fixtures (and Standard Fixture IDs)233

  1. Light Fixtures

    1. 1
      Tomshine Moving Head Gobo Spotlight [027, 028]234
    2. 2
      ADJ Inno Pocket Spot Pearl Moving Head Spotlight 9CH [082]235
    3. 3
      U `King RGBW Moving Head Spotlight 11CH [029]236
    4. 4
      U `King Two-Bar RGBW Spider Light [065]237
    5. 5
      EasyDancing 36x1W RGB Par Light 7CH [005]238
    6. 6
      Generic Light Fixture ON/OFF and Dimmer 1CH [068, 069]239
    7. 7
      Cobra 36x1W RGB Par Light240
    8. 8
      ADJ Flat Par QWH12X RGB Par Light241
    9. 9
      beamZ BBP60 RGB UV Par Light [041]242
    10. 10
      Thomann Fun Generation LED Pot 12x1W RGBW Par Light243
    11. 11
      SpecialFxIt 18*12W IP65 RGBWAU Par Light [060]244
    12. 12
      Moka SFX MK-P18 RGB Wall Washer Par Light245
    13. 13
      OPPSK Disco Ball Combo246
    14. 14
      BETOPPER 54X1.5W RGB LED Par Light247
    15. 15
      Rockville Battery Strip 24 RGBW Light Bar [071]248
    16. 16
      OPPSK Wall Washer Light Bar [073]249
    17. 17
      Karma LED Par120 Par Light [074]250
    18. 18
      Rockville BestPAR60 Par Light [076]251
    19. 19
      Chauvet Scorpion Dual252
    20. 20
      MARQ Gesture Spot 100 15W LED Moving Head Gobo Spotlight 11CH [052]253
    21. 21
      High End Uno Moving Head Spotlight 15CH [077]254
    22. 22
      YF Beam 230 Moving Head 16CH [081]255
    23. 23
      Beam 230 7R Moving Head Gobo Spotlight 16CH [085]256
    24. 24
      U `King B242X 30W LED Moving Head Gobo 9CH [087]257
    25. 25
      Anonymous Small Steel Gun 120W Moving Head Gobo Spotlight [059]258
    26. 26
      Chauvet SlimPAR 56 Par Light259
    27. 27
      Chauvet EZpar 64 Par Light 8CH [079]260
    28. 28
      Rockville Battery Par 50 Par Light 6CH [080]261

  1. Flame, Spark and Fog Jet Instructions

    1. 1
      Flame fixtures basic instructions262
    2. 2
      Non-DMX firing systems and flame fixtures263
    3. 3
      Supported flame, spark, and fog jet fixtures (and Standard Fixture IDs)264
    4. 4
      Standard Effect IDs for flames and sparks265
    5. 5
      Safety channels266
    6. 6
      Variable duration flame and special effects267
    7. 7
      Example: Explo X2 Wave Flamer with Pyromac firing system268

  1. Flame, Spark and Fog Jet Fixtures

    1. 1
      Explo X2 Wave Flamer269
    2. 2
      Showven Circle Flamer270
    3. 3
      Spark Fabrica SF-180 Tornado Flamer 6CH271
    4. 4
      Galaxis G-Flame272
    5. 5
      Le Maitre Salamander273
    6. 6
      Showven uFlamer274
    7. 7
      Moka H-E01 Genius Flame Machine275
    8. 8
      Generic DMX relay and dimmer flamers276
    9. 9
      Showven Sparkular And Sparkular Cyclone [014, 015]277
    10. 10
      Showven Sparkular Jet 2CH [086]278
    11. 11
      Specialfx.it ML-CS01 Cold Sparks Machine [061]279
    12. 12
      Spray The Fire280
    13. 13
      Explo GX2 Flamer281
    14. 14
      MagicFX Stage Flame282
    15. 15
      MagicFX Sparxtar283
    16. 16
      Hansol Hurricane-AW Wave Flamer 19CH [083]284
    17. 17
      Moka E11 Cold Sparks Machine 2CH [084]285
    18. 18
      Explo GX3 Power Flame286
    19. 19
      MagicFX Flameblazer287
    20. 20
      ADJ Fog Fury Jett RGBA Fog Jet [045]288
    21. 21
      Showven Sonic Boom Plus Smoke Jet Fog Jet 14CH [062]289
    22. 22
      Tengchang Party Fog Jet [066]290
    23. 23
      Showven Sonic Boom X Smoke Jet Fog Jet 11CH [070]291
    24. 24
      AtmosFEAR Hex Jet Fog Jet [063]292
    25. 25
      Froggy's Fog Hyperion D6 Fog Jet [064]293
    26. 26
      Anonymous RGB Fog Jet 7CH [072]294
    27. 27
      Chauvet Geyser RGB Fog Jet 8CH [078]295
    28. 28
      Hansol Volcano296
    29. 29
      Auvi Spark297
    30. 30
      MagicFX Flamaniac298
    31. 31
      Anonymous 5 Head Flamer 7CH299
    32. 32
      Showven uFlamer Vulcano 5-Head Flamer300
    33. 33
      Moka H-E03 3 Head Flamer301
    34. 34
      Moka H-E04 Hi Flame Flame Machine 7CH [076]302
    35. 35
      Spark Fabrica SF-Z5 Fly Spark 6CH303
    36. 36
      Spark Fabrica SF-X2 Spark Spin 4CH304
    37. 37
      Hansol Sunshine 5 Head Flame System305
    38. 38
      Sigma Services FireFly flame projector306

  1. Languages

    1. 1
      Supported languages307
    2. 2
      Making a language translation file308
    3. 3
      Explanations for some of the phrases to be translated309