ShowSim > Information

Feature Comparison

Scripting	Lite	Pro	3D
Drag and drop scripting	x	x	x
Powerful effect browser for rapidly finding effects you need	x	x	x
Interactive scrolling time line	x	x	x
Zoom and amplify timeline data	x	x	x
Adjust cue times by dragging on timeline	x	x	x
Work with both burst times and launch times	x	x	x
Powerful script editor with customizable colors and column layout	x	x	x
Multi-level sorting and filters	x	x	x
Use a variety of time formats including SMPTE 24, 25 & 30	x	x	x
Multi-item clipboard	x	x	x
Multi-cue support for Copy, Paste, Clone, Replace & Delete	x	x	x
Multi-cue support for editing all column data	x	x	x
Auto description generation	x	x	x
Dual monitor support allows simulation or scripting on 2nd monitor	x	x	x
Configure scripting parameters to match your firing system	x	x	x
Navigation timeline allows quick access to any place within entire show with one click	x	x	x
Real-time cue drop mode	x	x	x
Full timer chain support in script, simulation & reports	x	x	x
Fast response times even on large shows over 3000 cues	x	x	x
Single click double and triple shot conversion	x	x	x
Batch cue-time adjustment	x	x	x
Auto numbering utility with multi-level criteria	x	x	x
Front Builder utility for automation of shot angles and time progression	x	x	x
Chain Builder utility to automate chain construction	x	x	x
Bar graph display shows graphical duration of each effect	x	x	x
Export script to pdf, excel, text and other formats	x	x	x
View show cost as you work		x	x
View inventory reserves as you work		x	x

Data Management	Lite	Pro	3D
SQL Database for speed and integrity	x	x	x
Data saved as you work, never lose your work	x	x	x
Dongle type security method does not tie you to a single computer		x	x
Work off-line	x	x	x
Fast Backup and Restore	x	x	x
Easily transfer entire database between computers as a single file	x	x	x
Effect definitions organized into easily manageable libraries	x	x	x
Effect data stored in database rather than thousands of messy disk files	x	x	x
Transfer thousands of effects between computers as a single file	x	x	x
Voice cue sound file generator	x	x	x
Thirteen printed reports including setup, chains, labels, firing script, spotter script, safety reports and more	x	x	x
Full support of both metric and English units	x	x	x
Language support for English, Spanish, French and Italian	x	x	x
Import/Export common firing system formats	/	x	x
Import/Export common inventory formats		x	x

Inventory Management	Lite	Pro	3D
Import your existing inventory data		x	x
Remove or return inventory per show		x	x
Customizable table layout and colors		x	x
Multi-level sorting and filters to quickly locate desired effects		x	x
Drag-drop to and from inventory browser		x	x
User expandable type lists ensures data integrity on appropriate column types		x	x
Drop assortments into script with random auto-placement		x	x

Simulation	Lite	Pro	3D
Worlds most realistic simulation graphics of pyrotechnic effects	x	x	x
2000 stock simulations of all common effects, usable in any caliber	x	x	x
Simulate specialty effects such as confetti, streamers, girandolas, rockets, parachute effects, water shells, multi-break shells	x	x	x
Custom burst patterns for shells	x	x	x
Powerful custom effects editors	x	x	x
Customizable sound effects	x	x	x
Sound delay and volume proportional to viewing distance	x	x	x
Vertical & horizontal rulers to help scale and place scene elements	x	x	x
Video rendering to .avi file with title screen	x	x	x
Realistic 360 degree skylines	x	x	x
Wind simulation with control over speed and direction	x	x	x
Clutter-free viewing space for maximum display area	x	x	x
Custom logo on video rendering		x	x
Smoke simulation for launch, rising tail, burst and stars			x
Colored smoke and daylight smoke shells			x
Custom 3D lighting of scene elements			x
Import 3D models to create your shoot site			x
3D camera animation control during playback			x
View shows from any angle or distance			x
Use models from Google's 3D Warehouse			x
Birds-eye view for laying out firing positions			x
Simulations of horizontal and vertical wheels, compound wheels, set pieces and rotating lancework			x

License Verification Methods

There are two methods of license verification available for the ShowSim software: 1) a physical USB dongle that must be plugged into the computer in order for the software to run and 2) a dongle-free method where a username and password is entered when the software first starts up. Each method has advantages and disadvantages as explained below.

The primary advantage of dongles is they allow the software to be installed on multiple computers and then the dongle is moved between them as needed. This is a pretty big advantage for those who work both in an office and on the road or at home. When you upgrade your computer or hardware there is no need to contact us to get the license reset the way there is with dongle-free versions. The primary disadvantage to dongles is that you can incur unexpected down time in the event that a dongle is lost, broken or stolen. While this does not happen often, it has the potential to create big problems when it does happen due to the shipping delay when ordering a replacement dongle. The shipping costs to some locations can also exceed the $50 replacement cost of the dongle as well. However, this risk can be eliminated by simply ordering a backup dongle at the time of your initial order so that you already have it on hand for emergencies.

The advantage of not using a dongle is that you avoid shipping costs, you can download the software and get started right away without a shipping delay and you never have to worry about down time caused from a lost, stolen or broken dongle and the resulting delays of replacing it. The disadvantage is that dongle-free licenses are locked to a single computer, so there is no ability to use ShowSim from multiple locations. While it is possible to have the license reset when upgrading your hardware or buying a new computer, this requires sending an email request to us and it is not something you can keep doing on a daily basis.

The only version of ShowSim where dongles are not an option is the Backyard Edition, since it is a very low cost option intended for hobbyists. The Lite version is a dongle-free version by default, but for $50 additional charge it can can be converted to a dongle version. Dongles are standard with the Pro and 3D versions at no additional charge. All versions have the option of not using dongles if desired.

Supported Firing Systems

The following firing system exports are supported in ShowSim. New export formats are periodically added on request.

FireOne ScriptMaker .SCR *
FireOne CueMaker v5.0 .FIR *
FireOne CueMaker v6.0 .FIR *
FireOne Ultrafire .FIR
FireOne Semi-Cue .SEM
PyroDigital Audio Transfer
PyroDigital Serial Transfer
ShowDirector Show .SCX *
Visual ShowDirector Show .SCX *
Monetti Pyroleda F3 .SHW
Monetti Pyroleda SQ3 .CSV
Monetti Pyroleda FBC 300 .TXT
Monetti Pyroleda FRC 200 .TXT
Monetti Pyroleda FSQ 200 .TXT
Galaxis Composer .GS2 *
StarFire .STAR
StarFire Sequence .STAR
Pyromate SmartShow .CSV *
Pyromate NightHawk Direct Upload to Controller
Pyromate SmartHawk Direct Upload to Controller
Parente Firemaster .FIR
Parente Firemaster Synchronizer .WAV
Cobra 18R2 .CSV
Opus Fire .WAV
ODA Systems Q-Fire .SYN *
CatalystPyro Catalyst .SEQ
Explo .SHW
Merlin .CSV
PyroSure .WYH *
PiroShow .TXT
Pyrotronix .PTX *
Pyro Ignition Control .ZPL
FirePioneer .CSV

* format can also be imported into ShowSim

Supported Inventory Import Formats

The following inventory file formats can be imported into ShowSim, allowing you to setup your inventory from pre-existing data.

FireOne .CSV
ShowDirector Effects .EFX
Pyromate SmartShow .CSV
StarFire .SHL
Galaxis .GD2
FireLinx .CSV

Backyard Version

The Backyard Edition of ShowSim is designed for advanced hobbyists who design personal shows using consumer fireworks. Many times these shows can be as complex as what the professional display companies produce, only using smaller caliber of effects. Thus hobbyists can benefit a lot from having the same powerful scripting features available to the pros at a fraction of the cost. The Backyard edition has all the same features as the Lite edition, only with the following limitations:

Shells larger than 3" can not be scripted or simulated.
The total cue count in the show can not exceed 300.
Reports only include setup, product listing and firing script.
Product is download-only with no printed user manual.
The dongle method of licensing is not available, which means the software is locked to a single computer. Switching the license to a new computer requires a license reset request via email.

Lite Verion

The Lite version of ShowSim is designed for small display companies that perhaps only do shows part time and do not maintain an inventory system. The primary limitation with this version is that no inventory features are included, as well as features which rely on inventory such as price calculations and safety reports. This version also only supports limited firing systems for the export, which includes the systems shown below.

Cobra
Q-Fire
Catalyst
Explo
Merlin
Merlock
Opus Fire
Pyromate SmartShow
Pyromate NightHawk Direct Upload to Controller
Pyromate SmartHawk Direct Upload to Controller
Parente Firemaster
Parente Firemaster Synchronizer
Pyrosure
PiroShow
Pyrotronix
Pyro Ignition Control
Pyro Digit
Fire Pioneer
SkyDirector
StarFire*

* The StarFire version must be purchased from ACE Pyro.

The default delivery method is download-only with the software being locked to a single computer. If you need to run the software on multiple computers, the license can be switched to the dongle type for an additional one-time charge of $50 + shipping. When locked to a single computer, you can still move the software to a new computer periodically by sending a license reset request via email.

Pro Version

The Pro version of ShowSim is designed for large display companies that do many shows each year and require working from a product inventory database. The complete set of firing system exports is included, as well as the ability to import various inventory and script file formats. Thus the Pro version allows collaboration with other companies that may be using different firing systems or inventory formats. The complete set of reports is also supported in this version, as well as the ability to calculate show cost as you work.

The Dongle type license verification is standard on the Pro version.

3D Version

The 3D version of ShowSim is designed for companies that require the highest quality simulation presentations when bidding on shows. The ability to construct the display site using 3D models allows layouts of complex firing positions that can be viewed from any angle. This is ideal for shows built around stadiums, theme parks, curved bay fronts, bridges, indoor theaters and anything that is not a simple viewpoint off in the distance.

While all versions of ShowSim utilize the 3D particle system with the ability to move the viewpoint closer or farther away from the shoot site, the 3D version allows you to rotate the viewpoint around any object of interest, giving you the ability to view the show from any angle. The ability to animate the viewpoint during the simulation further enhances the 3D effect by creating fly-through perspectives or slowly circling around the show in progress to produce a video similar to what a helicopter might see when filming the show from the air. This camera animation feature can also be used to zoom in for close-ups of ground level effects such as wheels or set pieces that normally would be too small to see at the viewing distance required for aerial shells.

The 3D version also allows a birds-eye view of the shoot site when setting up firing positions, which makes placement of non-linear position markers much easier. The placements of lighting effects to illuminate the site models is also possible, including the ability to use colored spotlights. Some customers have used these features to model entire harbors and cityscapes, using images from Google Earth as a floor map for accurate placement and ground detail. With a large number of 3D models for famous structure available at Google's 3D Warehouse, a designer can often model his entire venue without ever having to create any 3D models himself.

The Dongle type license verification is standard on the 3D version.