FWsim - Simple Show Planning and Visualization

[Lukas (FWsim)]

Hi everyone,

I'm Lukas from FWsim, based in Austria, and we are proud to be sponsoring Pyrotalk.

Our main product, FWsim Pro (https://fwsim.com/pro), is a show planning and visualization software that's designed to be easy to use, simple, and fast. It is currently used by companies in 40 countries. FWsim runs on most Windows computers, as long as they are less than 10 years old. It is also possible to run FWsim on Mac through a workaround (https://www.fwsim.com/fwsim_on_mac.html).

Here's an overview of FWsim Pro:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r12JB1hqitM


The trailer below highlights the new graphics update that will be released with FWsim Pro 3.5, coming soon. Note that the trailer is meant for our hobbyist audience, so it is just a collage of nice shows and does not go into the planning & export functionality of the software.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBI_QuN8Rk4


In this thread we will post updates occasionally. We're also available for any questions. A free trial of FWsim Pro (https://fwsim.com/pro) is available.

[displayfireworks1]

Not sure how many members have tried this program. If you have any questions or comments , now would be a good time to post them.

[Engineer Cat]

I use the basic version. Might be upgrading to the pro soon. It's really good for the price. Still finding out about things that pro has that the basic doesn't but Lukas is constantly replying to users on his fwsim forum. I have used Finale too so I do know the differences between the two. With everything in fireworks getting more pricey to put on pro shows, this program is priced well for all the features it provides. A bit of a learning curve but nothing that can't be figured out with some time and questions to his forum. I think the product editor is better than finale for dialing in multiple break effects.

[Lukas (FWsim)]

Here's some of our recent updates:

Our new FWsim Pro Overview Video



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGhA9SP-4Rw

Loading Google Earth 3D Scenery


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbh-d_qH524

Support for Explo Waveflamer and other flamejets


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8weMiNxK7_Y

[Lukas (FWsim)]

With FWsim v4, planning your shows is now much faster & easier. This allows you to save time and focus on the creative process.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-tLSNYA1NI

Release Dates:
FWsim Basic & Creative Edition (for hobbyists): January 20, 2025
FWsim Pro (for professionals): February or March 2025

Show Editor Improvements:
➜ Better display of positions, with 3D cylinders - so you can better see where the positions actually are in 3D space
➜ Put steppers through multiple positions (this allows you, for example, to run a stepper in a circle)
➜ New “Fly Around” camera controls - more efficient & intuitive
➜ Comfortable angle selection in 3D window
➜ Select position first, then add cues
➜ Select multiple positions to add multiple cues
➜ In position setup mode, you can select multiple positions and move them together
➜ Stepper renamed “Sequence”
➜ Toolbox made smaller, so you have more space for your timeline
➜ Now using the CTRL key to select multiple items in the timeline, instead of SHIFT (to match the Windows standard)
➜ When pasting, cues are pasted onto the position that is selected in the 3D window
➜ You can copy shots from a single position, and paste them onto multiple other positions

Effects Improvements:
➜ More effects available in each edition
➜ Some old effects, which were of lower quality, are now hidden
➜ New effect components in FWsim Creative Edition & FWsim Pro
➜ Adjust gravity for stars
➜ New types of blinking
➜ More colors available
➜ Can now attach ascent effect components to rockets

[Salutecake]

So I have used Finale in the past year. I looked at fwsim but thought Finale had more to offer, but now it looks like your program has come a long way!

i will try the free trial pro edition in the next month or so, because it does look good.

2 issues that I had trouble with in Finale and I'm not sure if they are corrected -- First I had a hard time of copying segments between different shows to make 0ne show. Many times I would sit down and eith create a whole show or perhaps just the finale or the first 3min of an opening event. Later I would try to pick pieces out of each show an put them together. For the most part that process would happen except when musicwas involved - that would not copy and past in a sequence, but rather overlap each section - So can I acomplish that in fwsim?

The second issue again I am not sure if updates have changed this process - but in one simulation, using stops, all I wanted was music for the last section of a show - I was told that the timing would not be accurate when sent to cobra for the script -- there would have to be music throughout the whole show because the stops would throw off the timing.

I know trying to figure out what I'm trying to do or the way I work might be hard to imagine, but it's the way I do things, lol.

Thanks for any comments.

[Lukas (FWsim)]

2 issues that I had trouble with in Finale and I'm not sure if they are corrected -- First I had a hard time of copying segments between different shows to make 0ne show. Many times I would sit down and eith create a whole show or perhaps just the finale or the first 3min of an opening event. Later I would try to pick pieces out of each show an put them together. For the most part that process would happen except when musicwas involved - that would not copy and past in a sequence, but rather overlap each section - So can I acomplish that in fwsim?

I understand you would like to copy together segments from different shows. That works in FWsim - just open one show, copy what you need, then open the other file, and paste it. For optimal results, make sure you name the positions in the same way - so FWsim can match the position names to the positions in the other show.

Now, with the music, I am not quite sure what you mean by "overlap". You can copy and paste with or without music between shows. Both should work fine and as expected.



The second issue again I am not sure if updates have changed this process - but in one simulation, using stops, all I wanted was music for the last section of a show - I was told that the timing would not be accurate when sent to cobra for the script -- there would have to be music throughout the whole show because the stops would throw off the timing.

I understand you are using semiautomatic firing, such that the show would stop and then continue at the press of a button. And then you would like a music file, and that music file should start only in the very last section. Is my understanding correct?



Best Regards,
Lukas

[Salutecake]

Yes on the last question. By overlap - s0 if I start with a show with music, then copy and paste a section with music into the original show, in Finale that pasted part would paste correctly but the music section would combine with the music at the begining of the original show. Ex, Musical show 5 minute's add at end of 5 minutes a 2 minute finale show with music, the show itself would paste where it should at the end of the 5 minutes but the music track from the finale would overlap the first few minutes of the 5 minute show. I would then have to try to remove all the music, then combined the 2 music tracks - then put them back into the show and try to align the show and music tracks again. Granted, I work differently, most shows start from the begining then follow through till the end, me why waste time rewriting when you already have it somewhere.
I hope that helps.

[Lukas (FWsim)]

Thanks for the clarification. I'll get back to you via private message. Probably we can get both things to work for you on FWsim.

[Salutecake]

Thanks! Most likely I will install the trial version this week and try your suggestion and the rest of the program out. Hopefully I can work through this on my own but if not can I post questions here, PM you or other?

[Lukas (FWsim)]

Sure thing. You can respond to the PM I sent you or just post here.

[Salutecake]

So, after installing the trial, let me point out 2 things.

If your old like me and need glasses also get a magnifying glass ready. The print is small, perhaps there is a way to change it but I have not figured that out .

2nd, which I did not do, I recomend reading the tutorials first then do the trial. If you are like most of us, you probably don't have all day to sit down and learn another program, personally I believe I will run out of time before I can get the hang of the program.

Last please don't take my remarks above the wrong way - I'm only trying to make it easier for all of us.

[Lukas (FWsim)]

Thanks for the feedback, this is appreciated!

In order to make the text bigger, please try this:
1. Close FWsim
2. Increase the Windows display scaling in the system settings. This is explained here (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-your-screen-resolution-and-layout-in-windows-5effefe3-2eac-e306-0b5d-2073b765876b)under "Change the size of text, apps, and other items".
3. Restart FWsim.

For increased readability, you could also disable Dark Mode under Tools > Preferences:
7066


If the 14-day trial is not long enough, just send me a private message and I'll extend it for you.

With regards to your initial questions (on copy & paste and semiautomatic firing), please check your private messages - I have answered those questions there.

[Lukas (FWsim)]

(please delete this message - posted in the wrong thread)