Digital Combustion, Inc.
9121 Atlanta Ave. #705
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
PHONE: (800) 884-8821
FAX: (800) 564-9101
Q: How long does it take for you to ship an order?
A: Fire Studio 3.0 and 4.0 orders usually ship the same day if the order is received in the morning. Otherwise, it will ship the next business day. Communication Link 3.0 package orders generally ship within 1-2 business days. Communication Link 4.0 package orders and upgrades will start shipping April 16th – 20th. After we have processed our backlog of Communication Link 4.0 orders, we expect new orders to ship similarly to 3.0: 1-2 business days.
Q: Do you take purchase orders?
A: Yes, we do. You can call us with the purchase order number or fax it in. See our contact information under the Support tab for the current fax number.
Q: What is the difference between the Instructor and Player Edition?
A: The Instructor Edition is the main piece of software you will need to create simulations. It has all of the features advertised about Fire Studio. Anyone planning to use Fire Studio will either need at least 1 license for an Instructor or have access to simulations created by someone with an Instructor. The Player Edition is used to play back simulations on additional computers. The version 3.0 Player Edition has very limited creation features that allow for temporary changes, but simulations cannot be saved. The version 4.0 Player has no creation or modification capabilities. However, you can still take screenshots with the 4.0 Player.
Q: We currently have an Instructor Edition and several Players, can we upgrade the Players to Instructors?
A: Within 60 days of receiving Fire Studio, you can return the Player Edition CDs to Digital Combustion and receive credit towards the purchase of Instructor Editions. There is no patch or special upgrade CD that you can install on your computer to change the Player Edition to an Instructor Edition.
Q: My CD has become damaged. Do I have to buy another one?
A: Do not throw away the CD! Call Digital Combustion for information regarding our current replacement policy.
Q: Do I need a Player Edition to play simulations I’ve made with an Instructor Edition?
A: No. The Instructor Edition can do everything. The Player Edition is for users who require additional licenses spread across several computers to playback simulations concurrently, or for personal training for people who have access to simulations which someone else has made. In some cases, an instructor may prefer to use the Player Edition to teach with in the field, while using the Instructor Edition in his office to create.
Q: My department’s computers are all on a network, can I put Fire Studio on a server which students would be able to access from a workstation?
A: Fire Studio is not designed to work across a network in this way. Nor is it designed to be installed remotely. You will need to install and run Fire Studio on the machine the students will use. The Communication Link software (sold separately) can control these installations across a network or the internet, but Fire Studio will still need to be manually installed on all machines. Exchanging custom files and simulations across a network or having a mapped drive pointing to a folder on the server are possibilities some users have explored. We cannot offer technical support in this matter. Please inquire with your IT department about setting up mapped folders.
Q: My department won’t let us write anything to our computers’ hard disk drive. Can I run the software off the CD itself? Can I run it off an external device?
A: Fire Studio must be installed prior to operating. It will not run off the original CD. Fire Studio 4.0’s installation
is more flexible than previous versions, so you should have success using an external hard drive or possibly a large flash drive. We highly suggest you speak with your IT department about these possibilities before assuming it can be done. We do not officially support such installations and cannot provide technical assistance in installing Fire Studio on these devices.
Fire Studio 4.0 FAQ
Q: Are my old Fire Studio simulations compatible with the new version?
A: You cannot use simulations from Fire Studio 1.x/2.x/3.x with Fire Studio 4.0. Your digital photos, video, custom WAV files, and even clip art (with some modification) can be transferred over to the new version, but not complete simulations. To incorporate all of the new features for the new version, Fire Studio has been redesigned from the ground up. While we lose compatibility with previous versions, we gain an enormous array of new features, and take Fire Studio to a new level of capability.
Q: Will the installation of Fire Studio 4.0 overwrite my 3.x (or earlier) installation?
A: By default, the new version will not try to install over the old. Do not change the default directory to install the program in the same folder as your previous version. Keep them separate.
Q: Will I need to use a Player Edition to play-back simulations or AVI files I’ve created with an Instructor Edition?
A: The Instructor Edition can both create and play-back simulations. If you need the ability to run Fire Studio on several computers at once, you’ll need multiple licenses, either in the form of more Instructors or Players. AVI video files can be played using just about any video player around: Windows Media Player®, Quicktime®, etc.
Q: My simulations are really choppy and seem to pause at some points. My previous version of Fire Studio worked fine, why doesn’t this one?
A: Fire Studio 4.0 is a very different program from previous versions and requires more horsepower from your computer. Systems capable of running previous versions may not be enough to run version 4.0 at the level you require. Your solution is either to tone down the amount of animations and video you use in your simulations, or upgrade your computer hardware to satisfy the System Requirements of version 4.0. Refer to the Performance Notes section later in this guide for additional possibilities.
Q: I don’t hear sound from my AVI video that I’ve imported. My sound effects weren’t captured into the AVI video I created from within Fire Studio 4.0.
A: Although Fire Studio 4.0 cannot import sound from video, nor export
it into an AVI file, version 4.1 can. If you have version 4.0, you can
get 4.1 for only the cost of shipping. Download options are also available and would not incur
any cost. There are some important changes between 4.0 and 4.1 that
you must consider before making the upgrade. Please contact us to evaluate whether
version 4.1 will be right for your department.
Q: I receive an error message similar to: “Cannot initialize FSI.SYS.”
A: If you receive their error message, you will need to make a minor adjustment to the Fire Studio 4.0 desktop icon. Right-click on the icon and select Properties. In the Start In field, type in the full path where you installed Fire Studio 4: for example C:\Fire Studio 4\ You should be able to run Fire Studio 4 normally now.
Q: I receive an error message similar to: “Cannot locate OpenAL32.DLL.”
A: Usually occurring on Vista systems, if you receive this error message, you need to manually install the OpenAL and DirectX9 drivers. Using Windows Explorer, navigate to your Fire Studio folder, and open the Dev folder located within. For default installations, this will be C:\Fire Studio 4\Dev. Within that folder, there will be an OpenALwEAX file. Double-click on that file to launch the installation. Once that is complete, go into the DirectX9 folder, and double-click on the DXSETUP file. This will install the DirectX9 drivers necessary to Fire Studio 4.0. Once this installation is complete, you should be able to run Fire Studio 4 normally.
Q: I’ve placed my background image in the right place and see it in the Media Panel within Fire Studio 4.0, but it won’t let me add it to the simulation.
A: Fire Studio 4.0 will not import background images larger than 2048x2048. Neither dimension of the picture may exceed that value. You can easily find out the exact dimensions of your pictures by viewing the files from Windows Explorer® with the Views mode set to Tiles. The Views icon is located at the top of Explorer® just to the right of Folders. If your picture is too large, you will need to resize it using photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop®, Microsoft Photo Editor®, etc. Unlike version 3.0, you do not have to be concerned with the ratio of the image.
Q: I just exported a simulation, but when I went to import it, there is nothing there-- it appears all black. I exported a simulation, but now when I go to load it, it is blank.
A: When using the Export Simulation function in the File Menu, Fire Studio 4.0 will export the currently LOADED simulation. If you select a different simulation from the File Menu list and select Export Simulation, you will OVERWRITE THAT SIMULATION!! If you currently don’t have any simulation loaded, you will overwrite the simulation with a blank simulation!! Be certain that you are exporting to the current name or to an entirely unique name before executing this command. You will not receive a confirmation notice or warning within Fire Studio 4.0.
Q: I receive an error saying "Unable to locate d3dx9_30.dll."
A: If you receive this error when attempting to launch Fire Studio 4,
it means DirectX 9.0c is not installed properly on your system. To install DirectX properly, you will need to be logged into
Windows with an account that has full, local administrator privileges. Download DirectX 9 from Microsoft. Here is the link:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=C1367BC3-4676-481A-BFAA-
5C15D1D7199D&displaylang=en
If this link doesn’t work, you will need to do a search for DirectX
9.0c. The Web Installer version may work for you, but if not, try the Redistributable for Software Developers.
Note: Fire Studio 4 will not run properly using Intel Graphics
Chipsets, as they do not have enough power to display the graphics adequately. If installing DirectX does not clear this message,
please confirm the type of graphics chipset or video card you are using.
Q: I receive an error saying "DirectX failed to initialize. Please
install DirectX."
A: In almost all cases, this error occurs when the video card or
graphics chipset you are using in your system does not meet the minimum requirements of the software. Typically, most customers who get this
error are using an Intel graphics chipset, which is not sufficient to run Fire Studio 4. If you’re using a desktop, you can
simply purchase a new video card and insert it into the system. If you’re using a laptop, it is unlikely that you can upgrade
the chipset, and will need to use a different computer.
Fire Studio 3.0 FAQ
Q: Where is all of the information regarding Fire Studio 3.x? Where is the downloadable manual?
A: We are currently making the transition from our old web design to the new one. We appreciate your patience as we continue to update the current page with all of the information regarding our products. When available, the manual will be located in our Downloads section on the webpage. It is also located on the Fire Studio CD itself, in PDF format.
Q: Sound does not play correctly. I receive a message stating Sound Channels are not available.
A: You do not have the latest version of Apple Quicktime. Fire Studio 3.0 requires the latest version of Quicktime for sound and certain graphical features to function properly. You can download this free software at Apple’s webpage at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/win.html. Another possibility is that a sound card may not be installed or installed properly in the system. Refer to your sound card instruction manual for information on installing the sound card properly. You may also want to check for the latest sound drivers for your card.
Q: Video does not play properly in Fire Studio: it is very “choppy.” Sometimes I receive an error message.
A: Your system does not meet the requirements for running Fire Studio 3.0 or the simulations you have created are too intense for your computer’s hardware. Please refer to the system requirements at the beginning of the manual for what is needed for basic simulations. Advanced simulations, such as those with digital video, are much more complicated and require greater resources, listed as recommendations in the System Requirements section. Using multiple video sequences within one Frame is possible (though not recommended), but will require a very powerful computer to operate smoothly. Reducing the length, size, or quality of the video are a few tricks you can use to lower the amount of resources required by the video. Refer to your digital video editing software manual for instructions on doing this. Finally, you may also not have the latest version of Apple Quicktime. Fire Studio 3.0 requires the latest version of Quicktime for sound and certain graphical features to function properly. You can download this free software at Apple’s webpage at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/win.html.
Answer #2: There are many codecs on the market today, often created by companies as a proprietary codec to force common users to use their software. No program on the market has every codec there is. Fire Studio is no different. Unfortunately, there is no easy way around this. You’ll need to convert your video to AVI preferably with software other than what came with your camera (since it will likely use the same codec again). There are some free programs on the internet that will convert and use a codec more common to the market, such as the Indeo or Windows codecs.
Q: When trying to import custom backgrounds, I receive a message stating that the picture must have a ratio of 4:3, or other strange graphical issues occur, such as oddly positioned clipart and animations, or the background does not load at all.
A: 99% of imported background image problems are due to an improper resolution setting. All pictures MUST be set to a resolution of 640x480 pixels. Several programs are available on the market for editing images and you should refer to your own editing software manual for details on how to do this. In order to achieve this exact resolution, you may need to disable the Constrain Proportions box (or equivalent) in your editing software. This will allow the program to stretch the image slightly to meet the required setting. Fire Studio 3.0 will occasionally allow you to import pictures with an incorrect resolution setting, however, we have found that odd problems often occur with those simulations. We also suggest reducing the dpi setting on your custom images to 72 dots-per-inch if your editing software allows it.
Answer #2: In some rare instances where there is an intense white or non-colored area of the background, often when a bright sky is overexposed in the photo, the edge of the image becomes undetectable by Fire Studio. To address this issue, you can edit the image in your photo editing program by adjusting the brightness or contrast setting of the image, darkening it slightly. You can also attempt to “fill” or add light coloring to the sky, or even add a thin black frame around your image.
Q: When I load my background, it appears cut off and small, and I need to minimize and enlarge the window again to get it to fit right.
A: This issue can be caused by incorrect image size or improper placement of the background file. Be sure your background images are located directly in the C:\Fire Studio\Image folder, and not within any other subfolder on your hard drive. You cannot have the images in a subfolder within the Image folder.
Q: When attempting to install the Free Trial version of Fire Studio, I receive a message that No Disc is Detected.
A: This error occurs when you attempt to install the Trial version over an older version of Fire Studio. First, run the uninstall feature either located in your Fire Studio desktop menu, or through the Add/Remove Programs icon in the Windows Control Panel. Next, using Windows Explorer, delete the Digital Combustion directory located within Program Files as well as your Fire Studio directory located in the root of drive C. If you have any media or simulations you would like to save, be sure to copy or move them out prior to deleting the Fire Studio directory. Once you have deleted those directories, install the Trial version of Fire Studio again.
Q: When installing Fire Studio 3.x (either the blue-colored Instructor or green-colored Student/Player CD-Rom) on a system that limits the rights of Users compared to the Administrator, the Users have a problem running Fire Studio properly.
A: First, be sure the user account has full rights to the C:\Fire Studio folder, as well as the C:\Program Files\Digital Combustion folder. If this doesn’t fix the problem, you can try updating the Starforce Protection drivers located within Fire Studio. Using the computer that Fire Studio is installed on, connect to the internet, and navigate to the following link http://www.star-force.com/protection.phtml?c=91 You must then update the protection drivers loaded on your system. Additionally, you may want to temporarily disable any firewall or virus protection programs that could be causing a proper update of the drivers or installation of Fire Studio. Please note that Fire Studio is not meant to be installed across a Local Network. It must always be installed directly onto the machine that will be using it.
Q: When opening a simulation, an error message appears saying there is no disk in the drive.
A: The CD version of Fire Studio, whether Instructor or Student/Player, requires the CD in the drive during operation of the program. This cannot be a backup copy of the original CD, it MUST BE the original CD. The CD must also be in the first CD drive on the system. For example, if you have a CD drive letter D: and another CD drive at E:, regardless of where you installed the program from, the original CD needs to be in drive D.
Q: Upon loading Fire Studio, an error message appears as follows: Unable to open file “C:\Program Files\Digital Combustion\ Fire Studio 3\Resource\ xxx.dxr” because it is already open with write permission by another user. The particular filename for this error may vary.
A: The write permission of this file (and possibly others within Fire Studio) has been enabled. Using Windows Explorer, navigate to the directory C:\Program Files\Digital Combustion\Fire Studio 3\Resource. Left-click one time on the filename given to you in the error message. Next right-click on the file and select Properties. Place a check mark in the box next to Read-Only and then select OK. To be safe, repeat this process for all files in the same directory with a .dxr extension.
Communication Link 4.x
Q: When will Communication Link 4.0 be released?
A: Communication Link 4.0 is now shipping.
Q: Will Communication Link 4.0 work with all of my Fire Studio 3.x licenses and Communication Link 3.x?
A: No. Just like Fire Studio 4.0, Communication Link 4.0 is a completely separate product, rebuilt from the ground-up to work in conjunction with the new Fire Studio. Commlink 3.x works with Fire Studio 3.x and Commlink 4.0 will work with Fire Studio 4.0.
Q: What new features will Communication Link 4.0 have over the previous version?
A: One of the most important new features is the ability to grab a window screenshot from any student’s monitor to see what they are viewing. Showing their active window, the screenshot gives the Commlink operator a handy reference to remind himself of what the students are seeing. A new interface has been created that better organizes users by groups, allowing up to a maximum of 9 groups, each of which can be given a name, and assigned any number of users.
Q: Do I need to put Communication Link 4.0 on a server?
A: No. It can be on any computer on the network.
Communication Link 3.x
Q: If I have Communication Link, do I need other licenses of Fire Studio?
A: Yes. Communication Link is separate software that works with the licenses of Fire Studio that you have to help you remotely control and manage them.
Q: The Fire Studio 3 Communication Link interface appears on top of Simulation Windows preventing the student from viewing them.
A: While the Fire Studio 3 Communications Link interface is visible, move it to an unused area of the screen, perhaps the bottom right corner. Fire Studio will remember where it is placed and will always have it appear where last it was located. Students can hide their interface windows at any time with the HIDE button, but it will automatically reappear if the Commlink operator sends them a message.
Q: A warning message appears stating the connection has been lost and no matter what selection the user chooses, the warning appears indefinitely.
A: An endless loop of warning errors is a known bug, but only occurs when a network computer loses its connection to the hub or router. If your hub or router has gone down, restoring it may re-establish your Fire Studio connection. Sometimes, there are intermittent problems, and just trying one of the options after a few seconds will resolve the issue. Repeat this several times. If the message still persists, you will need to close out of Fire Studio through the Windows Task Manager. To do this, press the Windows Start button on your keyboard (if it has one) or Ctrl+Alt or Alt+Tab to make your way back to the Windows Desktop (you may be able to Ctrl+Alt+Del from within Fire Studio and go straight to the Task Manager). Then press Ctrl+Alt+Del and the Windows Task Manager will appear. Select Fire Studio and choose to End Task. Once it has been stopped, you can close the Task Manager and run Fire Studio again.
Q: Do I need to put Communication Link 3.x on a server?
A: No. It can be on any computer on the network.
