DryFire: "How do I ..." Guide

On-screen help

Many items on the DryFire screen will have a small circle with "i" inside. Click this for more information.

How do I ...

... install an optional add-on?
... uninstall an old version of DryFire?
... know which operating system I have?
... know what distances to use?
... select how targets are released?
... practise on one target?
... make the results easier to see?
... set microphone sensitivity and know when I can call "Pull"?
... set camera sensitivity so my shots are seen by the simulator?
... set viewing angles to get the best from skeet layouts?
... select Olympic trap settings tables?
... select ATA handicap settings?
... see any point on the path of the clay?
... see targets that go off the projection screen?
... shoot doubles with a single head simulator?
... put my simulator upside down on the ceiling?
... send support data to help solve a problem?

... install an optional add-on?

After purchasing an add-on your invoice will include a token or key looking like this:
ABC123-DEF456-GHI789-JKL012.
Keys are stored in the simulator so ensure it is switched on and connected to a USB port - the heads will nod when connected.
Run the DryFire software.
Select "Settings" then "Add-ons" and find the field labelled "Apply key".
Enter the key provided with your invoice and click on "Apply".
A tick will appear when the key has been applied.
You now have access to all the features of the new add-on.
A full list of the add-ons you have purchased is shown above the "Apply key" field.

... uninstall an old version of DryFire?

Windows 10:

Click on the Windows logo - bottom left of the screen.
Scroll through the list of programs to find any programs with the DryFire name - "DryFire5" for example.
Right click on the program name and select the "Uninstall" option.
Do this for all programs with the DryFire name.
You can now download and install DryFire 5 from the support page.

... know which operating system I have?

Version 5 requires Windows 10 (version 1809 or later) or MacOS (version 10.14 Mohave or later) - it does not run on earlier versions of Windows like XP, Windows 7 or Windows 8.

In Windows select "Start" then "Settings" then "System" then "About" to see the Windows 10 version number.

On an Apple Mac click the Apple menu icon (top left corner of the screen), then “About This Mac”. The "Overview" tab shows the version in the "About This Mac" window.

... know what distances to use?

Accurately measured distances are vital for accurate targets and accurate results.

Placing the simulator too close to the wall means the field of view of the camera will be heavily distorted (the "keystone" effect.)

Placing the simulator too far from the wall means that target movement will be more jerky

The ideal distance of the simulator from the wall is between 1.5m (4' 6") and 1.75m. (5' 3").

Standing too close to the wall will make everything feel cramped.

Some targets, especially crossers like Skeet station 4, won't fit on the wall if you stand too far away.

Never stand too far from the wall.

We recommend a distance between 2m (6') and 2.5m (7' 6").

An ideal setup would have the simulator 1.5m (4' 6") from the wall and 0.75m (2' 3") from the floor with you standing directly behind it at 2m (6") from the wall. This gives you freedom of gun movement over the simulator, generates the best targets and provides the best angles for the camera to report shot results.

Distances for the Projection version will depend on where the projector must to be placed to fill the screen with a true rectangular image. Keep the projector as low as possible with the simulator directly behind it. Try to keep your shooting distance within the recommended limits: 2m (4' 6") to 2.5m (7' 6") from the wall.

Please see this article in the FAQs for a diagram showing the relationship between where you stand and the wall width required.

... select how targets are released?

"Settings", "Target release".

Select either "Acoustic release" (calling "Pull") or "Auto release" (targets released automatically after a set time - ideal for late night practice without waking everyone up!)

Actually, you can select both acoustic and automatic - in that case the system uses the automatic timer but will release the target if you call "Pull" before the timer has expired.

"Wait time" forces a wait between targets, it encourages you to lower you gun just as you would outdoors. Targets cannot be released until the wait time has elapsed.

"Release delay" is a delay between calling "Pull" and target release. This can simulate a human buttoner or mechanical delay but it is also required for some disciplines which enforce a random delay (within the limits set) after calling "Pull". A random delay encourages you to wait until you see the target before starting your swing - thus breaking the bad habit of starting your swing immediately after calling "Pull".

... practise on one target?

Select the simulation you want - "Down The Line" in the example below.
Select the stand/target you want to practise - "Stand 3" in the example below.
Select the menu on the control bar (three vertical dots).
Select "Repeat Target".
When you have finished practising this target select the menu again and select "Return To Round".

... make the results easier to see?

The Projection version puts the results directly in front of you but for those using the Laser version the screen may be some distance away or to one side.

From "Settings", "Results" change the "Text scaling" value to make the results larger on the screen - 250% in the example below.

If you want to leave the results up for longer you can increase the "Dismiss mode", "Timer" value.

Alternatively, you can select "Manual" under "Dismiss" mode and "Dismiss" under "Voice action". This will leave the results displayed until you call "Next" - the system will then set up for the next target and beep when ready.

... set microphone sensitivity and know when I can call "Pull"?

"Settings", "Target release".

DryFire responds to sound detected by the microphone inside the simulator or to the microphone in your PC. "Threshold" sets the detection level and careful adjustment means you can talk normally but targets will be released only when you call "Pull" louder. While this screen is displayed you can try it at any time by calling "Pull" - the word "Pull" will be shown in red next to the threshold value if the system hears your call.

The system doesn't start listening until you have selected a simulation (and target if required) and clicked on the triangular "Play" symbol on the control bar (top left). The symbol will change to a hand (indicating a pause or that the system is getting ready) then to an image of a microphone indicating that the system is listening - the system will beep at the same time.

After shooting at each target you should wait for the beep before calling for the next.

... set camera sensitivity so my shots are seen by the simulator?

"Settings", "Calibration".

The simulator detects the infrared pulse "fired" from the Universal Gun Assembly (UGA) and it needs subdued lighting to do this - with no light shining directly on to the wall or screen. Check windows, doors, ceiling lights and wall lights - and possible reflections from them.

Select "Adjust shot detection"

The compass rose allows you to move the camera head around so move it to different positions on the wall or screen and try shooting at the area it is pointing at. You should see the "SHOT" message if the system detects your shot.

If your shot isn't detected, try dragging the white spot slightly to the right to increase the sensitivity then try again.

There will be a "sweet spot" where you get maximum sensitivity without the system seeing background light.

If you can't find the sweet spot there will almost certainly be some source of stray light reaching the wall or screen. In one case the author found it was the reflection from a bolt head that was holding something to the wall. Putting masking tape over the bolt head solved the problem!

... set viewing angles to get the best from skeet layouts?

By default DryFire assume you are looking at targets "square on" - straight in front of you - but you can change the viewing angle to whatever you feel most comfortable with.

With the Skeet simulation displayed, select the stand you are interested in and click on the "ellipsis" menu bar (three vertical dots) then on "View options".

Drag the white dot on the "Viewing angle" control to change the angle at which you are viewing the target. Any changes you make will be stored for the next time you use this simulation/stand.

To go from high house to ground on stand 4 the clay travels from over 50 degrees to your left to almost 50 degrees to your right - and this will almost certainly not fit on a projection screen. So, if you have the projection option you may like to consider using laser targets for skeet because you will see the whole of the clay's trajectory - including the start and end which may be on your side walls!

... select Olympic trap settings tables?

From "Simulations" select "Trap" then "Olympic" and "Single trap".

Select the table required from the pull down list.

... select ATA handicap settings?

Select the ATA single trap simulation.
Click on the three vertical menu dots in the play bar.
Click on "ATA settings.
Select the setting you want.

... see any point on the path of a clay?

Drag the white dot in the slider bar beneath the control bar (top, left) to show the position of the clay and the aiming point at any time during its flight.

The bottom left of the screen shows more details of the clay at this point in its flight.

... see targets that go off the projection screen?

"Settings", "Miscellaneous".

With the projection version of DryFire almost all targets will fit within the area of the screen - or at least the parts where you should be shooting at the targets will fit within the screen.

The "lasers on projection" option allows control of the lasers alongside the projected version.

"Auto" means the laser will show targets when they go beyond the screen area.

"Always" means laser targets will be shown instead of projected targets even within the screen area.

"Never" means that laser targets will never be shown - even when they go beyond the screen area.

... shoot doubles with a single head simulator?

"Settings", "Miscellaneous".

Wordcraft no longer supplies single head simulators but older ones may be used with Version 5.

"Single head target select" determines how the single head simulator should behave if you miss the first target in doubles.

"Switch" will immediately switch to the remaining path of the second target after shooting at the first (hit or miss).

"Stay" will continue the path of the first target if you shoot and miss.

... put my simulator upside down on the ceiling?

It isn't always convenient to have the simulator on a tripod or on a floor mounted surface. Fixing it to the ceiling keeps it out of the way, and, if done well, can make a very tidy installation.

Wordcraft doesn't provide an adapter for ceiling mounting but, assuming one can be sourced or made (perhaps using the tripod bush in the base of the simulator) the unit will be upside down. The software can handle this (by turning all its internal numbers upside down!) but it needs to know it has been done.