Menu Bar

New Drill is used to create a new drill file or continue and existing drill from another file. Selecting New Drill from the File menu will display the New Drill File dialog.

• Drill Title is the title as it appears in printouts and productions.
  
  
• Field/Stage Grid Layout is the type of grid that is used for the design and performance surface. Clicking Browse will display the list of available fields. You can create your own grid layouts from the Grid Designer found in the Utilities menu.
  
  
• Maximum number of counts is the number of counts in the new drill file. Only enter one song per drill. Try not to go over 400 counts. The higher you go, the more work you make for 3D in calculating transitions. On slower machines, you may notice and extra delay.
  
  TIP - We recommend that you create separate files of major segments of the show or each musical selection. This will make writing and teaching the drill much more manageable. 3D will allow you to copy the last set of one drill in a file and paste it to a new file as the first set.

Open is used to open a file located on a storage device such as your hard drive. Selecting Open from the File menu will display the Open a Drill File dialog.

"Drill files in" shows the directory on the storage device that is displaying in the file list. Browse will change the directory shown in the list.

The drill file list contains drill files, drill packages and folders. Clicking on any of them and clicking Open will open the selection in the list.

The Get a Drill Online button will open the Online File Manager where you can select a file to download from a 3D online account. The Online File Manager is covered in detail in the Interactive menu.

The Go to Drills Directory will show the list of drill files in the default drill files directory.

The Go to Backups Directory will show the list of drill files in the default backup drill files directory. The location of the backup drill files directory can be changed from the Application Options (Backups tab) of the File menu.

The Go Up One Directory will move up one directory from any sub-folders found in the default drill files directory.

3D has three types of data files:

• 3D Drill file (original data file in Pyware 3D)
  
  
• 3D Drill package file which is a combination of a 3D Drill file and its external files. External files consist of the drill's audio file, images for props, and the floor cover image.
  
  
• 3D Production files which are a collection of 3D Drill Packages that when combined make a complete production (or show).
  
  Using 3D Production files has many advantages over a 3D Drill file or a 3D Drill Package file.
  
  
• An entire production with all of its drill can be downloaded into a viewer or a 3D Performer's Practice Tools program at one time.
  
  
• Printing reports such as drill books and coordinates of a 3D Production file will combine all of the drills in the production into a single printed list.
  
  
• 3D Production files are used by the 3D Performance Simulator of the 3D Performer's Practice Tools.

Since a production is essentially a collection of drills that when combined make a whole show, you must have at least one saved drill available to put into your new production before you can create the production. When a drill is added to a production it is moved from the "Drills" folder into the production file. You will no longer find your drill in the "Drills" folder. You will, however, find your drill when you open the production. That is very important to remember, so you don't panic and think you have lost your drill. A production will appear in the Open Drills dialog just like a drill (or a drill package). When you open the production you will see the list of drills in the production in the Open Drill dialog. The production is just like a sub-folder in the "Drills" folder.

• Select New Production from the File menu and the following dialog will display. Click Next to continue to the next step.

• Enter the tile of the production. The production title will be used as the file name of the production's main title. After entering the production title, click the Create and then click Next to continue to the next step. If there is a production with the same title in your Drills folder you will be asked to choose another.

• Enter the description of the production that will appear on cover sheets. Click Next to continue.
  
  

• The 3D production file is a very powerful file. 3D Productions can be sent online (using a 3D Online Account) for performers (students) who can in turn download directly into their 3D Performer's Practice Tools program where they can use the Production file to do the following:
  • Productions can be opened in the 3D Performance Simulator where performers can practice their drills for scores.
  • Production drill books can be printed that include all of the drills in a production in a single book.
  • Production coordinates can be printed that include all of the drills in a production in a single list.
    
    

Setting Enable Print Functions will control whether or not a production can be printed from within the Performer's Practice Tools program. Occasionally, if a designer has uploaded a production for preview only, they do not want the performers to be able to print. Drills can also be individually locked from printing and editing. If a drill has been locked it will not be able to print even if the Enable Print Functions is selected.

Setting Enable Leader Board Functions will control whether or not a production will have Leader Boards. Some designers (or directors) may choose to disable the Leader Boards functions.

• Choose which drill files you want included in your production. The drill files must have been saved as Drill Packages and they must have any audio files included. To move a drill into the production click on the drill, and then click the move (right) button. To move a drill out of a production, click on it in the production list, and then click move (left).
  
  

You can also rearrange the order the drills will appear in the production by clicking on a drill in the production list and clicking move up or down.

Remember, when you move a drill into a production you will no longer find it loose in the drills folder. You will find it by opening the production then opening a drill within the production. The production is like a sub-folder in the "Drills" folder.

• The summary will display showing the production setup. Click Build Production and you are done. Now if you want performers to download the production, you must first upload it to your 3D Account. Use the Online File Manager from the Interactive menu to do that.
  
  

Productions are collections of drills combined into one file to make a production. When you select Open Production you will see the list of drills within the production to open.

• Select Open Production from the File menu.
  
  
• You will see in the Open dialog the list of productions. Click on a production you want to open and click Open.
  
  
• The list of drills found in the production will display. Click on the drill within the production you want to open and click Open.
  
  When a production is opened you can only work with drills in that production. To work with other drills not in the production you will need to first close the production by using Close Production from the File menu.
  
  

When productions are opened, you can only work with drills that are in that production. When you are ready to work with a drill that is not in the production you will need to close the currently opened production first. To close a production, select Close Production from the File menu.

Production Options consist of the production description, Performer’s Practice Tools settings, and the list of drills that are in the production. Production Options will be available only if you have a production currently opened. (See Open Production or New Production). The Production Options are the same as the options that you set when you create a New Production (See New Production for details).

When a production is opened you can change which files are in the production with this function. You can also create a new drill or create a continuation drill of an existing drill in the production. This is handy when you have finished one drill and want to move on to the next.

Selecting Save from the File menu will save your recent changes to the file. If a file has not been saved before, a Save As dialog will display for you to name the file on the storage device (typically the hard disk).

You can also choose Save As for a file that has already been saved. This will allow you to save another copy of the drill file with a new name. This is a great way to keep copies of earlier version of a file should you choose to go back for some reason. To keep your file versions straight we recommend you rename the file by adding a number to the end of the name such as: opener01, opener02, opener03...

This is the dialog that appears for Save As:

"Drill files in" shows the directory on the storage device that is displaying in the file list. Browse will change the directory shown in the list.

The drill file list contains drill files, drill packages and folders. Clicking on any of them and clicking Save will save the file to the location in the list.

The Go To Drills Directory will show the list of drill files in the default drill files directory.

The Go Up One Directory will move up one directory from any sub-folders found in the default drill files directory.

The Save Options contain options available for the type of file that is being saved.

3D Interactive Package is a package that contains not only the standard 3D DRill file but also contains any audio and picture files used within the drill file. The files that can be included are optional as well. They are:

• Include Audio File
• Include Drill File
• Include Props
• Include Floor Cover
  
  

3D Drill File is a standard drill file that includes no picture files for props or floor covers. It also does not include the audio file if an audio file was used within the drill.

Compatibility (Interactive and Professional Only): Unless otherwise specified, drill files will save with your current version compatibility. Any user with any edition of your same version will be able to open these files (example: version 6 users can open your version 6 file type). To share a file with a user that has an older version of 3D (back to 3D Java version 1), you would need to save as "Version 1-4" compatibility. Newer features (any information input in the Production Sheet, preset camera angles in Perspective View, Set Reference performers) will not be saved with this compatibility.

All Basic Edition files are saved as that version file type.

This function is used to backup the currently opened drill file. The backup is saved in the default backup files directory. Selecting Backup from the File menu will display:

Backup Options opens the Application Options dialog to the Backup tab where you can change the default backup directory as well as other backup options. See Application Options for details.

With a computer, bad disks, damaged files, computer lock-ups and hard disk crashes are facts of life. Although these occurrences are few and far between, they inevitably seem to happen to everyone at least once. Take the precautions mentioned below and your drill designing days will be virtually trouble free.

• To prevent losing large amounts of work, it is advisable to create a separate file for each drill movement. Smaller files will also speed up animation and at times, solve certain printing problems.

• Your time and effort is very valuable. We suggest saving every fifteen minutes when working on a file. Nothing is more frustrating than losing drill because you did not save your work. It is easy and takes very little time. Just select Save from the File menu.

• Work from the drill files that you have stored on your hard drive, however, also put your drill files on CD or external storage devices and store them. Keep copies on both hard disk and elsewhere. Hard drive crashes can completely wipe out your entire drill design library as well as other important files stored on the computer. Never keep your files in only one location.

• Make quick hard drive backups by choosing Save As from the File menu and changing the name of the file. One common method of making backups is by ending a file name with a number such as 01 and then incrementing the number for each backup. For example: Name your opener “Opener01”. Then after an hour of work, choose Save As and change the name to “Opener02” and so on. The name with the largest number is the most current and all others are older at one hour increments.
This makes it easy to go back to earlier versions. After you have collected several copies, start deleting the oldest ones, and occasionally move copies to an external storage device.

• Use the Backups section of the Application Options found in the File menu. Check “Always backup after using Save”.

The print options found under the File menu are covered in detail on the printing page.

This function is used to change the properties and preferences of a particular file. For example, through this function you can change a file’s symbol font, file locking properties, copyright information, and file title. To display the Document Options, select Document Options from the File menu.

The Properties tab contains settings that are the file characteristics which define the use of a file you are creating. There is a section for typing your author information and copyright. You can set the file up to be an un-editable file for use as a demo. The properties can be changed and then locked with a Master password. This is useful if you would like to distribute your drill file but make it operate only as a demo. Its value is most seen on the Internet. You can create a drill file, put a company name and contact number in the file that displays when the file is opened, restrict its use for only previewing, and post it on your web site for sale or upload the file to your Pyware account. Anyone can download your file for preview. Should they want to purchase your drill, you can unlock their copy of the file for use by giving the customer a key that only works one time.

The professional designer can implement this feature to market his services.

The External Files tab lists prop image files and audio files being used by the drill.

Preferences tab contains settings that define the characteristics of the file you are working on.

• Drill Title is the title that is used when printing. If this title is left blank then printouts will use the name the file was saved as.
  
  
• Symbol Font is the font used to represent the performers on the field.
  
  
• Label Font is the font used to label (or number) the performers on the field.
  
  
• Default label position is the location of a label that appears next to a performer symbol on new formations.
  
  
• Default Interval is the interval first entered into a drawing tool control panel to determine the spacing between performers in a shape. This is just the initial value and can be changed while using a drawing tool. Its default is 2 steps. You may want to change it if you find you consistently use an interval other than 2.
  
  
• Audio File is the music file that contains music you wish played during animation of the drill.
  TIP - Entering music before writing the drill provides an excellent musical reference during the creative process.
  TIP - Add a "count off" to the music implementing either your notation, sequencing, or audio editing software.
  
  A drill file can be synchronized to one of three types of sound files: (MID=MIDI, WAV=audio wave file, OGG=Ogg/Vorbis audio file). To set up an audio file for use with a drill file, do the following:
  
  
  1. With a drill file opened, select the Preferences section of Document Options of the File menu.
  2. Click Choose File for the audio file and select an audio file.
  3. The next time you click ON the animate with music button, you will be instructed to synchronize the music to the drill.
     
     

• Animation Fixed Tempo is used to set the sped of the animation that is played with no music.

This function is used to change the preferences of the 3D application. Preferences such as: Secondary and New Symbol display size and color, count track settings, tool palette setup, installation encryption information.

Ease of Access allows users to customize options in 3D that would make the program more accessible for various sizes of monitors and displays.

Toolbar - select the checkbox to show the toolbar in its own palette. If this is not selected, then the toolbar will be a tab on the console.

Tool Button Size adjusts button size on the tool palette. We recommend moving the slide bar to "largest" for Whiteboard and touch screen monitor use.

Orientation - Choosing the "horizontal" or "vertical" radio buttons will switch the direction that the Toolbar is displayed. You may switch the number of rows the toolbar has by adjusting the "rows" number.

Count Track - changes the "count increments" of the count track. Typically showing a number every 8 counts is preferred.

Position Indicators allow you to adjust size and color of both new and secondary count positions. At low screen resolutions the secondary dots will be larger on the screen, so you may want to draw the smaller symbols than the default settings. If you are new to 3D, this setting can be changed anytime. Its usefulness will become easier to understand after using the program.

Adjust the size of Edit Handles by moving the slide bar.

Select the color box to change the color of the Stride Zone, or adjust the slide bar to change transparency.

Reset Prompts & Helpers -Some prompts will appear during the use of the program for the purpose of providing extra guidance. These prompts could pop up in tools, functions, and options throughout the program. The prompts will only appear once if the user clicks "Don't display this again." Reset Prompts & Helpers will reset the "Don't display this again" check box on all of these prompts.

The Display Tab contains options pertaining to the appearance of items and windows.

Show Perspective Window in the Display tab - shows or hides the perspective window. This is useful on slower computers or computers with low RAM. Unchecking Show Perspective View will make 3D run faster and with less memory usage.

Use 3D Figurines (takes extra time to load) - shows actual figures with uniforms defined through the Figurine Editor instead of the standard pyramid images.

Flash Pace during mark time - when this is enabled, performers that are “marking time” will flash yellow during animation. To
disable this flash, remove the check from the check box.

Show bridges (paths) during preview animation in the Display tab - switches on or off the matching bridges to help provide a cleaner animation while drawing new forms.

Show Production Sheet - enables the Production Sheet to be displayed in 3D. This is only available on 3D Interactive and Professional Editions.

Check for Pygraphics messages in the Display tab - checks online for messages from Pygraphics concerning critical and optional updates and items of possible interest to 3D users.

Reset Window Locations in the Display tab - resets the location of windows and tool palettes to their default location on the screen.

The Plug-Ins tab lists all of the plug-ins that are installed on your installation of Pyware 3D.

3D Plug-in Instant Purchasing information - Selecting this button brings up a new window with pricing and accessibility for purchasing 3D Upgrades and Accessories. A valid Credit Card and internet access is required to complete the purchase.

Reactivate Plug-Ins - Selecting this button brings up a new window that allows you to reactivate a 3D Plug-In you have previously purchased. It will be necessary to reactivate your plug-Ins should you need to reinstall your software.

The Backups tab contains options for controlling the automatic backup feature. The Backup Directory is the location of your backup file folder. Number of backups maintained per drill option changes the maximum number of copies created. Always backup after using Save option turns on or off the automatic backup feature. When on (checked) a new backup file is saved every time you choose Save from the File menu.

The Installation tab contains the encryption information. If you have not entered your encryption information, the 3D program
will function as a demo. The encryption information is entered the first time the program is run.

The System Info tab displays System Information such as the computer's operating system and version of the Java(tm) machine.

This function will undo the last function of any of the undoable functions. Some are not undoable and some are. Most edit/maneuvering tools are undoable. Drawing tools are undoable except in one case. Drawing tools are not undoable when a drawing tool creates performers for the first time, such as when entering at count 0 of a new file. In order to remove a drawing of new performers, you need to select the shape with a selection tool such as a Pointer tool, then select Delete from the Edit menu.

You can select the transition or performers to be deleted by highlighting them with one of your selection tools, and hitting your <delete> key. A Delete Options will appear, and you will have two choices:

Delete Transition resets the transition between counts X and X (whichever page tabs your red and yellow anchors are on at the time) of the selected positions to a "HOLD" (or mark time). After selecting the Delete Transition radio button and clicking the Delete Transition button, you will not be prompted to confirm.

Delete Performers permanently deletes the selected positions from the entire drill. Upon selecting the Delete Performers radio button, then clicking the Delete Performers button, you will be prompted to confirm the permanent deletion of the marked positions. For your safety, on this window, you cannot hit <Enter> to confirm the deletion. You must click the Delete button.

This function will copy the selected performers into a clipboard for pasting elsewhere. In order for Copy to be available, you must first select performers to copy. Use one of the selection tools such as the Pointer tool to select the performers. Then select Copy from the Edit menu.

This function pastes performers that have been stored in the clipboard with the Copy function. If nothing is stored in the clipboard the Paste function will be dim. Select Paste from the Edit menu and the following will display:

Paste with the same matching order - Pastes the performers into the current count of drill and maintains their same identity (matching order) as the performers they were copied from.

Paste with different matching order - This option will only be available if performers were selected on the currently displayed count prior to choosing Paste. The selected performers will be performers 3D will try to move (match) the pasted performers into. Matching Controls will display in the right area of the Paste Control Panel. Matching Controls are used to match the positions of the pasted shape to their respective performers in the drill. On the field display matching lines are drawn between the positions of the pasted shape and the selected performers. Often the positions in the line are matched correctly or simply need to be flipped over to be correct using the Flip button. If more matching control is necessary, clicking the Clear button will clear all of the matching lines for you to replace manually.

Paste as new performers - This option will enter the performers as new performers. This is typically done at count 0 of the drill. New performers are rarely entered at any other count. The only time you might want to enter new performers at a count other than count 0 is when you are starting a new drill by creating your first time performers at set #2 and plan to chart backwards to set #1.

Mirroring / Less Options - Clicking this button expands the Paste Control Panel to show Mirroring Options, which allow you to Invert paste shape vertically, horizontally, and across mid stage. This inverts the copied shape prior to pasting it on the current count of drill.

Choosing Select Recent from the Edit menu re-selects the last made selection of performers. If a new shape is entered, then the performers of that shape will be selected. Double-clicking on the Pointer tool does the same as Select Recent.

Choosing Select All from the Edit menu selects all performers displayed on the current count of drill.

This function snaps the selected performers to the nearest whole, half or quarter step. Choosing Snap To from the Edit menu will display the Snap To dialog where you can choose the snap to resolution.

The Adjuster editing tool is used for quickly moving and/or adjusting performer’s locations and transitions without having to first select the individual performers.

The Tools menu contains many of the same tools as in the Tools Palette. The tools in this menu are some of the most used tools. They are found in the Tools menu as another handy way to select tools, especially through the menu tools shortcuts. Your preference of shortcuts used in the Tools menu can be changed through the Shortcut Editor of the Utilities menu.

The Display menu contains functions which control the way the counts of drill appear on the field. Many of which are also shown as buttons on the title bar of the Field Display Window and the Console. These are some of the most used display related tools. They are found in the Display menu as another handy way to change display characteristics, especially through the menu tools shortcuts. Your preference of shortcuts used in the Display menu can be changed through the Shortcut Editor of the Utilities menu.

Whole Step option causes the cursor to jump to whole step intervals when entering locations on the field.

Similarly Half Step, Quarter Step, Eighth Step, Sixteenth Step behave like Whole Step. These options are also found as buttons in the upper right corner of the Console.

Show/Hide Props switch controls the display of props on the field. This switch is also found on the right side of the title bar of the Field Display Window.

Show/Hide Labels switch controls the display of labels on the field. This switch is also found on the right side of the title bar of the Field Display Window.

Show/Hide Text switch controls the display of text on the field. This switch is also found on the right side of the title bar of the Field Display Window.

Zoom Grid function zooms the display on the field in or out. This function is also found on the right side of the title bar of the Field Display Window.

Shift Grid function slides the display on the field in any direction. This function is also found on the right side of the title bar of the Field Display Window.

Center Grid function centers the field back to the middle of the Field Display WIndow. This function is also executed by clicking on the Shift Grid function while holding the <Alt> key.

Measure function measures the distance between any two points on the field. After selecting measure, clicking on two points shows the distance in the Console. This continues until the Measure function is de-selected or the mouse is double-clicked.

Animate function is the same as clicking Animate from the Animation Controls of the Count Track.

Next Page Tab jumps the Red and Yellow Anchors of the Count Track one page tab to the right.

Previous Page Tab jumps the Red and Yellow Anchors of the Count Track one page tab to the left.

First Count jumps the Red and Yellow Anchors of the Count Track to the first count on the track.

Last Count jumps the Red and Yellow Anchors of the Count Track to the last count on the track.

Hide Selection hides the selected performers throughout the drill. This is useful when performers that you are not currently editing are in the way of performers that you are editing.

Show All sets any performers that you have currently hidden to be visible again.

The Drill Rewriter is found in the Utilities menu. The Drill Rewriter changes the number of performers in a drill by adjusting the spacing of the shapes within the drill. Performers can be removed or added to a set and the adjustment is made throughout the drill.

The Count Editor is found in the Utilities menu. The Count Editor adds or removes counts from a drill. Counts can be inserted or removed at any place within the drill. This function is most useful to extend the length of a drill when additional counts are needed at the end of the drill.

The Cast List Editor is found in the Utilities menu. The Cast List Editor is an editor for creating a customized cast list or importing the cast list from an existing drill file.

The Grid Designer is found in the Utilities menu. The Grid Designer is an editor for creating customized field grids. You can use this editor to design any type of grid such as winter guard floors, soccer fields and parades.

The Page Tab Editor is found in the Utilities menu. The Page Tab Editor is useful for entering page tab titles. Page tabs are considered sets when printing. If titles are entered, then the title is printed on the chart. Use this when you want to title a set for clarification. For example, Set #1 could be titled “Opening Formation” and Set #4 could be titled “Concert Formation”. The Page Tab Editor is also another way to enter page tabs. Typically, page tabs are entered from the Page Tab Editor button on the Count Track, however, they can be entered from this editor just as easy.

Page tabs can also represent sub-sets. Often a page tab is useful to create a complex transition however you only want to print a chart at the beginning and end of the transition. You can create a sub tab. This will prevent the set numbers from incrementing thru the sub-tabs because the sub tabs are label A,B,C. For example, with two sub-tabs between set 2 and 3 the numbering sequence would be 1, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 4, etc. You also can choose to print the sub-tabs or not from the Print Charts function.

Interactive and Professional Editions Only: The Production Sheet allows you to map out your drill from beginning to end with helpful instructions or notes that can be quickly added to a chart. You may import any information on the Production Sheet into a Text Box by using the Text Box Tool.

The Shortcut Editor is found in the Utilities menu. The Shortcut Editor is used to change the shortcuts assigned to menu items. You can setup shortcut profiles so each user can establish their own preferences for shortcuts.

The Helper Editor allows you to choose which helpers are displayed and which aren't. If you would like to turn all helpers off, or if you would like to set a helper to display again, this would be the editor for you.

The Figurine Editor is found in the Utilities menu. The Figurine Editor is used to change the uniform colors and types for the perspective view icons. You can customize the look of the figurines to be the same as your performers uniforms.

Here you will find settings for the Virtual Clinic analyzers. See the Virtual Clinic page for details.

This menu contains all of the interactive functions that use the 3D Online Account service as well as Pyware messages and web sites.

This is a utility that uploads and manages files on the online account.

This is a utility that will allow a user to unlock a locked drill using a key that has been given to them by the creator of the drill.

This is a utility that allows the administrator to create additional users and modify passwords that access the online account.

This is a utility that allows you to create keys to unlock files that have been locked by the creator so that the master password does not have to be released.

The Pyware Message Board is an automated information system that checks with Pygraphics Headquarters for any important notices such as updates that are currently available for you to download.

3D will check Pygraphics Headquarters for any new updates or important notices that you might be interested in and display the list of messages in the Subject box. If you want to read a message, click on the message listed in the Subject box and it will display.

Launches your default browser to the Pyware web site.

Launches your default browser to the page of Frequently Asked Questions on the Pyware web site.

This function allows the computer 3D is installed on to be de authorized so that another machine may be authorized on the account.

This function allows you to instantly purchase plug-ins and program updates and upgrades online.

This function will allow you to instantly purchase an update or upgrade available for your installed version.

This will launch the Pyware web site. with contact information in your default web browser.

About Pyware 3D is found in the Reference menu. This shows the program version information and the copyright information. Click on the Licensing Agreement button to view the Licensing Agreement.