> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.verge.aero/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.verge.aero/drone-show-software/verge-web-portal/shows/creating-and-rendering.md).

# Creating and Rendering

Spin up a new Show, upload a .packedshow, and download the resulting .vbake, VVIZ, or Depence files — the production lifecycle from first save to final render.

A **Show** is the top-level container for a drone-show production in the portal. Every render, file, deadline, contact, and storyboard slide belongs to a Show, so creating one is the first step for any new project.

## Creating a Show

Click **Create New Show** — from the Shows workspace sidebar or the Shows table. The **Create a Show** modal opens in place, so you do not lose the page you were on.

It asks for the bare minimum: a name, a date, and the flight area for the show's [Site Map](/drone-show-software/verge-web-portal/shows/site-maps.md). The quickest way to set the area is to drop a centre point and give it a radius; the polygon tool is one click away if you would rather trace it. The flight area is optional — leave it and the render fills it in.

If you already have a design file, **Upload a show file** or copy from a past show. A **`.packedshow`** is rendered when the show is created and its site map built from that render; a **`.vbake`** is a finished render already, so it fills the flight area, drone count and altitude straight away with nothing left to run.

Choose **Advanced** to fill in the rest of the show's details — venue, personnel, resources — at the same time, rather than returning to them later.

<figure><img src="https://1654204364-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FakGR2bVCZLTNoe2hkqeR%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1e7df974a15f24ffc58fb2b202393e4c7c9ba3ec%2Fcreate_show_modal.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>The Create a Show modal.</p></figcaption></figure>

A Show contains one or more **Performances** — the individual flights. Most shows have one performance, but multi-day events, rehearsal flights, and tour stops use multiple performances under a single Show. Add more from the left navbar (`+ Add New Performance`).

<figure><img src="https://1654204364-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FakGR2bVCZLTNoe2hkqeR%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0570409579aed1f86a23128060bac16ba76260fd%2Fshow_details.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>The Show Details tab for a newly-created Show.</p></figcaption></figure>

## Uploading and Rendering Show Files

Navigate to a Performance and open the **Renders** tab, then click **Upload Show File** to submit a `.packedshow` exported from the [Design Studio](/drone-show-software/verge-design-studio.md). The portal will start the render and report live progress on the Renders tab.

When the render completes, use the **Download** icon next to the render row to retrieve the resulting `.vbake` for upload to your drones.

{% hint style="info" %}
You do not need a flight area before you render — if the show has no [Site Map](/drone-show-software/verge-web-portal/shows/site-maps.md), submitting a render creates one. Depending on how your organization is set up, site maps may be reviewed by Verge before the finished `.vbake` can be downloaded; the render itself always runs. You will be emailed when it finishes, and again if it was waiting on a review that has since cleared.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://1654204364-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FakGR2bVCZLTNoe2hkqeR%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-563ce24946338e020758fafa56ba9e48fa0b0e8d%2Fshows_table.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>The Shows table can be expanded to show each Show's renders inline.</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://1654204364-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FakGR2bVCZLTNoe2hkqeR%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-2261af9859c454890d4fb068c55d1d4429498cac%2Fshow_render_page.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>The Renders tab for an individual Performance.</p></figcaption></figure>

## Exporting VVIZ and Depence Files

In addition to the `.vbake` used to fly the drones, the portal can produce **VVIZ** and **Depence** output files for external previsualization software:

1. Navigate to the relevant Show, then the Performance, then the **Renders** tab.
2. Click **Upload Show File**.
3. Under **Output files**, check **VVIZ** and/or **Depence** in addition to the default `.vbake` output.
4. Submit the render and wait for it to complete.
5. Once finished, click the **Files** icon on the render row and choose **Download VVIZ** (or **Download Depence**).

The completed render's files can also be reached from the main Shows page: locate the show's row in the Shows table, expand the row to reveal its renders, and click the Download icon next to the desired render.

<figure><img src="https://1654204364-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FakGR2bVCZLTNoe2hkqeR%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f9793aca989de3b67f3731557559135de018d0d3%2Fupload-show-file-modal.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>The Upload Show File modal with the VVIZ output file option checked.</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://1654204364-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FakGR2bVCZLTNoe2hkqeR%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-2aa73f5356b909f21b0650105c0d46bdcca7ea7b%2Fdownload-vviz-depence.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>Downloading the VVIZ or Depence file from the Files menu on a completed render.</p></figcaption></figure>

***

Once a Show exists, the bulk of the production work happens on the [Site Maps](/drone-show-software/verge-web-portal/shows/site-maps.md), [Logistics, Collaboration, and Coordination](/drone-show-software/verge-web-portal/shows/logistics-collaboration-and-coordination.md), and [Storyboarding and Previewing](/drone-show-software/verge-web-portal/shows/storyboarding-and-previewing.md) pages.