Finale 2009a Interface Changes

Finale 2009a includes some interface changes related to expressions and font handling.

Score Lists for Expressions

Staff Lists for expressions have been renamed Score Lists. See Category designer dialog box. The number of available score lists has been increased from 4 to 8, and they can now be renamed. See Score List dialog box.

Staff Assignment for Expressions

Staff assignment functionality has been introduced for expressions not eligible for Score Lists. See Expression Selection dialog box and Assign to Staff dialog box. Keyboard shortcuts have been added to allow easy assignment to adjacent and/or all staves. See Keyboard Shortcuts - Expression Tool.

Font Utilities dialog box

Font-related commands under the Data Check submenu, including: "Check Document Fonts Against System Fonts," "Swap One Font for Another," Scale Fonts," and "Convert Text for Macintosh." have been consolidated into the new Font Utilities dialog box. Two new functions related to symbol fonts have been added: "Reset Symbol Fonts List to Default" and "Sync Document to Symbol Fonts List." See Font Utilities dialog box.

 

Finale 2009 Interface Changes

Finale 2009 includes some interface changes that provide a more intuitive workflow environment, particularly in areas related to expression entry and management.

Measure Expressions and Score Lists

(If you are not familiar with measure expressions and staff lists (now called Score Lists) in Finale 2008 and earlier, disregard this information and refer to Expressions and Score Lists.)

The definition of the Finale term "expression" has changed in Finale 2009 to facilitate organization, editing flexibility, and ease of entry.

In Finale 2008 and earlier, "measure expressions" were assigned and positioned relative to a measure. They always applied to all staves, and could be "turned off" in some staves using a Score List (or by selecting a radio button in the former Measure Expression Assignment dialog box). For example, the measure expression could have been set to "this staff only," or "all staves," or (in the Score List dialog box) "top staff only," and so on. Each measure expression essentially included its own Score List and positioning settings, and only one expression's settings could be changed at a time (e.g. the option to change the font of all dynamics was not an option). Furthermore, when the expression was copied across documents, its Score List would be copied with it, which could result in a multitude of Score Lists assigned in a document.

In Finale 2008 and earlier, "note expressions" were assigned and positioned relative to a single note. They had a completely different set of positioning options that could be used to change the positioning of the expression relative to the note. Like measure expressions, each note expression also included its own positioning settings, and only one could be changed at a time.

In Finale 2009, "note expressions" and "measure expressions" have been merged, and any expression can have properties of either. The major distinction between expression types is now based on their score function. Specifically, expressions have been separated into six categories, each with its own font, positioning, and Score List settings (see Expressions). Changes to these settings can be applied to all expressions in that category (both in the library and in the score). (These settings can also be assigned individually, independent from the category when required - see Expression Designer). Score List definitions are now defined for categories rather than individual expressions, and are only available in categories that benefit from their usage.

To understand the benefits of this new model, it is important to recognize that all expressions are classified in one of two ways:

The first type includes all expressions that can possibly benefit from Score Lists because it is standard practice in scorewriting to assign certain types of markings (e.g. tempo marks) in a consistent fashion throughout the duration of the score (e.g. above the top staff of each instrumental section). Therefore, the need for many Score List definitions was replaced with four (Score List 1, Score List 2, etc.). You can make changes to these Score Lists in the Score List dialog box. Changes to a category's positioning, font, or Score Lists can be made in the Category Designer dialog box.

When you begin a new score with the Setup Wizard, Finale automatically assigns expressions to the Score List 1, which places expressions above the top staff and above the top staff in each instrumental section.

If, in previous Finale versions, you used measure expressions and Score Lists to add dynamic markings (and expressive/technique text), you may miss the ability to apply many dynamics at once. If this is the case, use metatools and "drag-apply" to enter dynamic expressions onto multiple staves quickly and easily. See To add an expression.

Expression Editing Changes

Copying and pasting expressions across documents

When you copy a region of music including expressions of a category that does not exist in the target document, or if the same category contains different settings, Finale will create the new category in the target document automatically and insert the new expression into that category.

Finale 2009 Menu Reference Chart

Use the following key to identify any commands that have moved or changed names. (Commands that do not appear in this list have not changed since Finale 2008.) New commands, menus, and submenus are marked with an asterisk (*). "" means the menu item's name has not changed.

 

Finale 2008 Menu Command Name Finale 2008 Menu Finale 2009 Menu Finale 2009 Menu Command Name
Save as SmartMusic Accompaniment File/Save Special File Export to SmartMusic
Save as Audio File File/Save Special File Export to Audio File
Save Preferences File/Save Special File ""
- - View Page View Submenu
- - Document Category Designer*
Audio Units Setup MIDI/Audio MIDI/Audio/Instrument Setup Audio Units Instruments
Instrument List Window (only) MIDI/Audio/Instrument Setup "" (now duplicated under the MIDI/Audio Menu)
- - MIDI/Audio Human Playback submenu
- - MIDI/Audio Device Setup submenu
Audio Setup MIDI/Audio MIDI/Audio/Device Setup ""
- - MIDI/Audio/Device Setup AUVST Plug-ins*
MIDI Setup MIDI/Audio MIDI/Audio/Device Setup ""
MIDI Thru MIDI/Audio MIDI/Audio/Device Setup ""
Tablature MIDI Channels MIDI/Audio MIDI/Audio/Device Setup ""
Send MIDI Sync MIDI/Audio MIDI/Audio/Device Setup ""
Send MTC MIDI/Audio MIDI/Audio/Device Setup ""
-   MIDI/Audio/MIDI File Options MIDI File Options submenu*
Import MIDI File Options MIDI/Audio MIDI/Audio/MIDI File Options ""
Export MIDI File Options MIDI/Audio MIDI/Audio/MIDI File Options ""
- - MIDI/Audio/MIDI Clipboard MIDI Clipboard submenu*
Import MIDI from Clipboard MIDI/Audio MIDI/Audio/MIDI Clipboard ""
Export MIDI to Clipboard MIDI/Audio MIDI/Audio/MIDI Clipboard ""
Internal Speaker Playback MIDI/Audio MIDI/Audio/Device Setup MIDI/Internal Speaker Playback
Off MIDI/Audio/Internal Speaker Playback MIDI Setup dialog box (choose MIDI System) -
QuickTime Playback MIDI/Audio/Internal Speaker Playback MIDI Setup dialog box (choose QuickTime Playback) -
SmartMusic SoftSynth Playback MIDI/Audio/Internal Speaker Playback MIDI Setup dialog box (choose SmartMusic SoftSynth) -

 

Commands and Dialog Boxed Removed in Finale 2009

 

Finale 2008 Interface Changes

Finale 2008 included several interface changes that provide a more intuitive and streamlined workflow environment. These changes included the consolidation of functions into fewer tools and menus, and as a result, some commands were moved, added, renamed, and/or moved to different locations. If you have upgraded from Finale 2007, use the information here to reference the new location of these commands.

The New Selection Tool image\Selection_Tool.gif 

The Selection Tool has inherited all functions previously encompassed by the Mass Edit Tool. Select regions of measures, copy, and edit music, apply plug-ins and make other changes to score regions (or the full score)with the Selection Tool. Most commands previously under the Mass Edit Menu have been moved to the Edit Menu and the new Utilities Menu. Others now also appear in the MIDI Menu (now called the MIDI/Audio Menu) and Mirror Menu. See the Finale 2008 Menu Reference Chart below for details.

There are some notable changes regarding selection, copying, and filtering:

The Select Partial Measures command has been removed

Finale always allows you to select full or partial measures without requiring a menu selection. See Selecting Music for more details.

Copy, paste, or insert measure settings by selecting a "stack"

In Finale 2007 and earlier a measure could be selected in, for example, four horn parts of an orchestral score. Inserting this music elsewhere would add the measure in all staves, filling only the target selection with the source horn music (the inserted measure in all other staves would be empty). Now, to insert full measures, the source and target must include full measures, and all staves, called stacks.

In a stack selection, highlighting extends between all staves (vertically) of a selected region. Double-click full measures to select the measure stack. For details, see Copying Music.

Copy and Insert/Copy and Replace

In Finale 2007 and earlier, drag-copying either inserted or replaced entries depending on a setting under the Mass Edit Menu. Now, selected regions can be easily inserted or pasted (replacing entries) by dragging or using the clipboard (see Copying Music). All musical elements in a region, including measure-attached items, can be copied, pasted, and inserted with all methods of copying - within the same document or across documents.

Filtering

In Finale 2007, musical elements were excluded from target regions while pasting using the Items to Copy dialog box. Finale 2008's equivalent is the Edit Filter dialog box. The Measure Settings can be either inserted or pasted, but only if the source is a stack selection. Using the clipboard to copy, paste, and insert now always includes the same elements whether drag-copying, drag-pasting, and drag-inserting. In other words, the same mechanism is now used for clipboard-copying as drag-copying.

Modeless Editing Commands

The following changes mean less switching tools and more universal controls.

New Utilities Menu

 

 

The Utilities Menu is Finale 2008's new unchanging menu and includes many commands that previously existed under Finale 2007's Mass Edit Menu and submenus. Commands that apply to the entire document, such as Update Layout, are always available. Editing commands that require a regional selection are available whenever any measure region is selected (with the Selection Tool or any other tool that supports regional selection). See Utilities Menu.

Copy and edit with any tool that allows regional selection

-click a measure region with the Selection Tool or Measure Tool selected to access a new expanded context menu. Now, to insert full measures, the source and target must include full measures, and all staves, called stacks.

Cut, copy, paste, insert, and apply any command under the Edit and Utilities Menus whenever a region is selected. The following tools allow regional selection:

Delete key now clears or deletes measures in the above tools. 

 

Staff Tool:

Repeat Tool:

MIDI Tool:

Some commands are accessible in many tools

The following commands can be applied with any tool that allows regional measure selection. A single-key alternative is available for some of these commands if the Selection Tool is chosen. (These are similar to previous Mass Edit keyboard shortcuts). 

Tool-specific changes

Finale 2007 vs. 2009 Menu Reference Chart

Use the following key to identify any commands that have moved or changed names since Finale 2007. (Commands that do not appear in this list have not changed since Finale 2007 or are listed in the Finale 2009 Menu Reference Chart.) New commands, menus, and submenus (as of FInale 2008) are marked with an asterisk (*).

 

Finale 2007 Menu Command Name

Finale 2007 Menu

Finale 2009 Menu

Finale 2008 Menu Command Name

-

-

Edit

*Paste Multiple

-

-

Edit

*Copy All Items

-

-

*Utilities

-

-

-

Edit

*(SmartFind and Paint (submenu)

Add

Measure

Edit

Add Measures

Add Enclosures

Measure/Measure Numbers

Measure

Add Measure Number Enclosures

Apply Articulation

Mass Edit

Utilities

""

Apply Beat Spacing to Current Part/Score

Mass Edit/Music Spacing

Utilities/Music Spacing

""

Apply Note Spacing to Current Part/Score

Mass Edit/Music Spacing

Utilities/Music Spacing

""

Apply SmartFind and Paint

Mass Edit

Edit/SmartFind and Paint

""

Apply Time Signature Spacing to Current Part/Score

Mass Edit/Music Spacing

Utilities/Music Spacing

""

Articulation Assignments

Mass Edit/Change

Utilities/Change

Articulations

Automatic Music Spacing

Edit

Program Options-Edit

""

Automatic Update Layout

Edit

Program Options-Edit

""

Break

Measure/Multimeasure Rest

Edit/Multimeasure Rest

 

""

Change (submenu)

Mass Edit

Utilities

""

Change Lowest Fret

Mass Edit/Utilities

Utilities/Change

Lowest Fret

Check Accidentals

Mass Edit/Utilities

Utilities/Check Notation

""

Check Elapsed Time

Mass Edit/Utilities

Utilities/Check Notation

""

Check Ties

Mass Edit/Utilities

Utilities/Check Notation

""

Chord Assignments

Mass Edit/Change

Utilities/Change

Chords

Clear Entries and Smart Shapes

Mass Edit

Edit

Clear All Items

Clear Items

Mass Edit

Edit

Clear Selected Items

Convert Mirrors

Mass Edit/Utilities

Utilities/Check Notation

""

Create

Measure/Multimeasure Rest

Edit/Multimeasure Rest

 

""

Create for Parts/Score

Measure/Multimeasure Rest

Edit/Multimeasure Rest

 

""

Customize Palettes

View

Window

 

Delete

Measure

Edit

Delete Measure Stack

Deselect SmartFind Source Region

Mass Edit

Edit/SmartFind and Paint

""

Edit

Measure/Multimeasure Rest

Edit/Multimeasure Rest

""

Edit Measure Attributes

Measure

Edit

""

Edit Measure Number Regions

Measure/Measure Numbers

Document and Measure

""

Explode Music

Mass Edit/Utilities

Utilities

""

Fill With Rests

Mass Edit/Utilities

Utilities/Check Notation

""

Fit Music

Mass Edit

Utilities

Fit Measures

Freeze Stems Down

Mass Edit/Utilities

Utilities/Check Notation/Stem Direction

Down

Freeze Stems Up

Mass Edit/Utilities

Utilities/Check Notation/Stem Direction

Up

Hide Numbers

Measure/Measure Numbers

Measure

Hide Measure Numbers

Implode Music

Mass Edit/Utilities

Utilities

""

Import MIDI from Clipboard

Edit Menu

MIDI/Audio/MIDI Clipboard

""

Insert

Measure

Edit

Insert Measure Stack

Items to Copy

Mass Edit

Edit

Edit Filter

Lock Systems

Mass Edit

Utilities

""

Measure Numbers

Measure (submenu)

Measure

(Items loose in menu)

Mirror

Mass Edit

*Mirror

Dragging Copies Music

Dragging Mirrors Music

Move/Copy Layers

Mass Edit

Edit

""

Multimeasure Rest (submenu)

Measure

Edit

""

Music Spacing (submenu)

Mass Edit

Utilities

""

Note Durations

Mass Edit/Change

Utilities/Change

""

Note Expression Assignments

Mass Edit/Change

Utilities/Change

Note Expressions

Note Size

Mass Edit/Change

Utilities/Change

""

Noteheads

Mass Edit/Change

Utilities/Change

""

Rebar (submenu)

Mass Edit

Utilities

""

Rebeam (submenu)

Mass Edit

Utilities

""

Remove Manual Slur Adjustments

Mass Edit/Utilities

Utilities/Check Notation

""

Remove Stem Changes

Mass Edit/Utilities

Utilities/Check Notation/Stem Direction

Use Default Direction

Respell Notes

Mass Edit/Utilities

Utilities

""

Restore Defaults

Measure/Measure Numbers

Measure

Restore Measure Number Defaults

Retranscribe

Mass Edit

MIDI/Audio

""

Scale View To

View

View

Zoom

Set SmartFind Source Region

Mass Edit

Edit/SmartFind and Paint

""

Show Numbers

Measure/Measure Numbers

Measure

Show Measure Numbers

Special Part Extraction

Edit

Document

""

Ties

Mass Edit/Change

Utilities/Change

""

Toolbars

View/Customize Palettes

Window/Toolbars

Customize Toolbars

Transpose

Mass Edit

Utilities

""

Tuplets

Mass Edit/Change

Utilities/Change

""

Unlock Systems

Mass Edit

Utilities

""

Update Layout

Edit

Utilities

""

Update Smart Word Extensions and Hyphens

Edit

Utilities

""

 

Commands Removed from Finale

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