I have been using Final Draft 13 for Windows since its release and have used earlier versions for many years.

This morning, when I started it up, FD demanded my email address and a password that I don't even remember setting up for the fist time ever. It wouldn't let me exit the application. I had to use Task Manager to shut it down, then email tech support (because it's 5:00 am), and wait for a temporary code to let me in so that I can work on my script. Am I the only one who finds this excessive?

I really hate FD. I only use it because, here in the US, it's the closest thing to an industry standard. I used to write everything in MS Word and then converted one of my scripts when a producer who had optioned it asked for a copy in FD format. I'm thinking of going back to that model, unless someone has a better idea.

I know this may sound petty and unimportant, but it really bothers me that FD wants me to ask for its permission before I'm allowed to edit my own work at any time of the day or night. I'm wondering if there is a better alternative that isn't as invasive in a format that producers find acceptible these days.

I use the latest version of FD (always used it) and I've never encountered this problem. I suppose I'm not much help really, except to say, once you've sorted everything out, would using it offline help perhaps?

Thanks. I am not sure what you mean by off-line, though. My computer is connected to the Internet, but I am not collaborating with anyone or sharing the file online.

It should not be connecting to the software publisher for any reason except perhaps to check for updates. I have since turned off the option to check for updates, but this has never been an issue before.

I was suggesting you use FD when not connected to the Internet, even transfer it to a device that is offline all the time. I was assuming perhaps when it was online something in settings may be causing it. You've turned off updates so maybe try this:


1. Open Final Draft 13 and sign in if asked.

2. In the menu bar, go to Help and select Sign Out.

3. Restart your computer.

4. Reopen Final Draft 13 and sign in once more when asked.

5. Restart your computer.

6. Reopen Final Draft 13.

You should now be able to close and reopen Final Draft 13 without being prompted to sign in every time.

https://kb.finaldraft.com/hc/e.....n-whenever-I-open-it


FD is not cheap. If that doesn't help, get FD Tech support to help you fix it.

Hi, ejrubeo.

The last version of FD installed on any of my computers was 12 and even then I never bothered to actually use it. I gave up on that application sometime around v8-10 (I don't recall) and permanently migrated to Fade In.

Final Draft had unsquashed bugs from v3 onwards and I got tired of losing work because of them. I've heard FD is better now, but I have no reason to find out.

If you're looking for an alternative, Fade In is it. I've been using it since v1 and never had even one bug. Now at v4.1 (with v4.5 or v5 on the horizon) it's rock solid and been adopted by many former FD users.

Not to mention Fade In is significantly less expensive than Final Draft. (I have no affiliation with Fade In beyond being a satisfied user of it.)

I hope you get your FD problem sorted out sooner rather than later.

Thanks I will check it out.

BTW - I received this from Final Draft today:

"The program will periodically ask you to sign back in, especially after a period of inactivity. This is to ensure that you, the registered user, are the one using the program, as sometimes computers are stolen or misplaced. It's a normal practice, nothing to worry about."

Quoted from ejrubeo BTW - I received this from Final Draft today: "The program will periodically ask you to sign back in, especially after a period of inactivity. This is to ensure that you, the registered user, are the one using the program, as sometimes computers are stolen or misplaced. It's a normal practice, nothing to worry about."

FD doing its part to keep crooks out of Hollywood.

Yeah, good luck with that.

How is the conversion to FD format in Fade In?

Quoted from ejrubeo How is the conversion to FD format in Fade In?

No problems encountered importing .fdx into Fade In. I don't know that I've ever done the reverse.

However, wrt Final Draft -> Fade In, your imported screenplay will likely increase in length due to Fade In employing standard Courier font and typeface rather than Final Draft's "tweaked" version of Courier.

The gain is usually somewhere between one and a dozen lines, depending upon original (FD) page count.

I assume that you could just reformat to use FD Courier with Fade In.

I often use it in MS Word when I am writing stage plays, because I hate FD's play formatting.

From memory, FD tweaks both the typeface/font and the page margins in order to reduce total page counts compared with other apps using standard Courier and margins.

From the Fade In "download" page:

Quoted Text Templates Instructions for installing additional templates are here. Screenplay templates - including Cole and Haag, Warner Bros., and Final Draft templates Stage play templates - including the Times New Roman template Miscellaneous script templates - including AV script (two-column), radio script, multimedia script, and graphic novel templates Manuscript templates - for writing prose, such as novels