In addition to working with pyrotechnics, FWsim also supports flamejets, lights and other devices. We are actively working on supporting more devices over time.
Most of these devices can be controlled through multiple means:
a) Devices can be controlled via DMX. You can then export the data to a DMX-capable pyrotechnical firing system.
b) Some devices can be controlled via electrical impulses. For example, many flamejets are controlled in that way. For this, you need a firing system that supports customizable opening time - so an electrical impulse is sent and maintained for a specified amount of time.
c) Finally, flamejets made by Explo can be controlled directly through the Explo system.
Please check whether these scenarios (DMX data or channels on your firing system) are supported for your firing system on our list of firing systems supported in FWsim Pro.
In the toolbox on the right-hand side of the screen, click “Device”. A list will popup, showing all the available devices. Click “Add” to add a new device.
You can select the device type, and then the method of control (see above).
Use this device type for any model of simple flamejet.
For each cue, you will be able to set the DMX value. This value does not affect the simulation in any way - simply set the channel to the value that your specific model of flamejet requires.
You can configure your flamejet to occupy multiple DMX channels. If you do this, then every channel will receive the same DMX value. This is useful for some models of flamejets that need two channels (safety and trigger).
Each cue corresponds to a DMX channel at a certain value. The channel will remain at this value as long as the cue persists, and the channel value will be set to 0 when the cue ends. You can change the length of the DMX cue by selecting the right edge with the mouse and dragging.
For lights, the DMX value determines the brightness. Lights are simulated as point lights, and only support one channel. The color can be configured, but is only used for visualization.
This is quite limited and cannot be used for most real DMX lights. If you have a more complex scenario, please get in touch - we might be able to support it in a future update.
The Explo GX2 is a flamejet controlled via the Explo firing system. FWsim lets you place GX2 devices, create choreographies with individual shots and built-in sequences, and export the data to Explo ShowCreator. For the full guide, please refer to our Explo Flamejet Scripting page.
This video explains how to do Explo Waveflamer in FWsim:
For more information, please refer to our Explo Flamejet Scripting page.
For more information, please refer to our Galaxis G-Flame Scripting page.
For this device, each cue represents one of the three heads. If you want all three heads to fire simultaneously, create 3 simultaneous cues.
This device uses two DMX channels. FWsim automatically creates the correct DMX data.
This device requires roughly 5 minutes of preheating before it is ready to fire. Please configure the device such that it pre-heats on power on, even before receiving any DMX data.
This device needs to pressurize for a few seconds before it is ready to fire. FWSim triggers the device pressurization always at 0 seconds in the show. FWsim checks that no U-Flamer firings happen in the first 3 seconds of the show.
With the UFlamer, FWsim does not check for adequate distance between two firings. Please ensure there is enough interval between the shots to ensure adequate pressurization.
Similar to the U-flamer, but the timing is handled differently. FWsim ensures the following minimum repressurization times:
With this device, FWsim ensures the following minimum repressurization times:
Many pyrotechnic firing systems allow playback of DMX data. Please check our list of supported firing systems to find out if your system is supported.
If DMX export to your system is supported, simply export data for your firing system, as you do normally.
If DMX export to your system is not supported, please contact us. We are interested to support more and more systems over time.