Still using FWsim Pro v3?

Upgrade and get 3-6 free months

FWsim Pro v4 is available as subscription only (learn more why). If you are currently using FWsim Pro v3 and would like to upgrade to a v4 subscription, now is the best time to do so.

Upgrade before April 1, 2025 and get:

• 3 months free with a monthly subscription
• 6 months free with an annual subscription

How to Upgrade

1. Start FWsim
2. Click Help → “License Info and Upgrade” (Don’t have FWsim installed? Just send us a message!)

What’s new in FWsim v4?

Features added to FWsim Pro:

• Table View can now be shown docked, above 3D window
• Select columns for Table View (right-click on the header)
• Graphical Module Configuration, directly in the 3D window
• Coordinate System is now shown at the proper height with Google Earth 3D environments

Features removed from FWsim Pro

We want to make FWsim Pro simple and easy to use. Therefore, we removed some features. This might require you to make changes to existing shows:

• In v3, you could put modules anywhere, and they would be connected with any position. In v4, every module must be associated with a position.
• The option “Put stepper elements on nearby positions” was removed.
• FWsim allows putting cues anywhere in the field, even when there is no position defined. In v4, such shows can no longer be exported to your firing system. Please put all cues on positions before exporting.

Show Editor Improvements (all editions)

• When zooming in on the timeline, FWsim now centers the zoom around the current cursor position.
• Video explaining 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 (all editions)

• 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

Frequently Asked Questions

Why FWsim Pro is subscription-based

FWsim Pro has transitioned from permanent licenses to a subscription model.

Here’s why:

Updates are now released faster

With the old permanent licensing model, we released major version upgrades (e.g. version 2 → v3) from time to time. Those were available as paid upgrades. This slows down development, because some features are “waiting” for the new major version. So everyone needed to wait longer for new features.

Now we release each feature as soon as it’s ready, and everyone gets the upgrade.

We now have more time to improve the product

The previous licensing model was complex and took some effort to manage. With a subscription, everything is simpler, and we can focus on creating the best product for you.

Our professional users get the focus they deserve

FWsim is still a small company - just two people. The biggest challenges we face are predictable revenue and focus.

Subscriptions create a more predictable and sustainable business. This allows us to invest more on development, and focus fully on the needs of our professional users. This was not possible before.

The new subscription model means that the software can improve much faster - giving you the best tool possible for your work.

How do I get FWsim Pro v4?

If you already have a subscription, you will get the update automatically.

If you have purchased the permanent license for FWsim v2 or v3 (no longer available), you’ll need to start a subscription to get v4. Of course, you are free to continue using v2 or v3 as long as you want, and we will always provide you with customer support.

To start a subscription when you are currently using FWsim Pro v3:

1. Start FWsim
2. Click the Help menu and select “License Info and Upgrade”
3. If you do not have FWsim installed, click here to receive a link

Can I open my old shows and effects in v4?

Yes, all shows and effects will continue to work in FWsim 4. However, when you save files from v4, you might not be able to open them in the previous version. This is because we added new features.

What if I decide I don’t want v4?

No problem! Just keep using the previous version. You will continue getting great support from us, and we still offer your older version for download.

I have another question…

Please contact us.