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Available Last updated 2026-09-11

Creating a Show

Step-by-step show creation from blank project to a performance-ready cue list.

This page walks through creating a complete show in CueForge, from the first project file to a cue list that is ready for rehearsal.

  1. 1

    Start a new project

    Launch CueForge — it opens in the Start Workspace — and click **New Empty Project**. CueForge creates an "Untitled Show" `.cueforge` project and opens Edit Mode without prompting.

    Start Workspace → New Empty Project
  2. 2

    Name and save the show

    Press `Cmd+S`. The save dialog is where naming happens — give the show its name and choose the save folder. CueForge then continues working on that file.

    Cmd+S
  3. 3

    Add cues with the Add button

    Click **Add** in the cue list header and pick a type from one of the four groups: Media (Audio, Video, Image), Timing (Wait, Timer), Structure / Control (Group, Stop, Call, Memo), or External (OSC, MIDI, HTTP). New cues are named "New <Type> Cue"; rename them right away.

    Add → Audio Cue
  4. 4

    Assign media

    Select each media cue and choose its file in the inspector. Files that live inside the project folder are stored as relative paths, so the project keeps working when you move or copy the whole folder.

  5. 5

    Rename cues for the operator

    Press `F2` or double-click a cue name. Use clear, operator-friendly names like "Scene 1 — Lights Up" rather than filenames.

  6. 6

    Build structure with groups

    Select related cues and group them (see [Group Cues](/docs/cueforge/group-cues/)). Choose **Sequential** when children should run one after another, **Scene** when they should start together. With a group selected, **Add** offers **Add inside Group**.

  7. 7

    Configure cue properties

    In the inspector, set timing, continuation (Manual / Auto-Continue / Auto-Follow), fades, volume, output routing, and notes. Cue numbers are computed automatically from list position.

  8. 8

    Preview safely

    Select a cue and use **Audition** in the Inspector or **PLAY** in the Audio Editor. Use the preview transport to stop. Preview aliases Master, so check and isolate the output route.

    Audition / PLAY → STOP
  9. 9

    Run preflight

    Switch the header mode switch to **SHOW**. Preflight runs automatically and surfaces missing media, broken targets, and timing risks before they reach the audience. Fix red errors; acknowledge yellow warnings only if you understand them.

    Mode switch → SHOW → Preflight
  10. 10

    Save before rehearsal

    Press `Cmd+S` after all changes. Keep a backup copy of the project file and its media folder.

    Cmd+S

Show creation workflow

Edit Mode with a populated cue list, an audio cue selected, and the inspector showing file and timing properties.

cf-creating-a-show-workflow

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Naming conventions

Name cues for the operator, not for the programmer. “Opening Music” is better than “01_opening_v3.wav”. In Show Mode, the operator sees the cue name and any memo notes.

Media paths

Files inside the project folder are stored relative to it; files elsewhere are stored with their full path. If you must reference media outside the folder, keep that location stable — missing media is a common preflight blocker. If files do go missing, the Relink Missing Media dialog helps you recover (see Projects, Saving and Recovery).

Verifying your show

Before calling the show complete:

  1. Every cue has a name.
  2. Every media cue references a file that exists.
  3. Audio cues have appropriate volume levels (conservative is safer).
  4. Group Cues contain the expected children and use the right Group Mode.
  5. Preflight passes with zero red blockers.
  6. The project has been saved explicitly.