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Change layers: keyboard shortcut?

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:28 pm
by Composition86
Hi, is there a keyboard shortcut to change layers in finale 2009 (PC) without the boring ALT+SHIFT+number combination? Thanks.

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:37 pm
by miker
That IS the shortcut. The other way is to use the mouse. I think you can remap it, though. The manual should tell you if, and how.

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:08 pm
by peterqd
miker wrote:The other way is to use the mouse.
Click on the boxes 1-4 in the bottom left corner of the screen. Which is faster depends on what you're doing at the time. If your hand is already on the mouse then click in the corner, but I prefer Alt-Shift-n if my hand is on the keyboard.

Change layers: keyboard shortcut

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:26 pm
by Peter Thomsen
Also, when you are in the Speedy Entry Tool rectangle, you can cycle forwards and backwards through the layers with Shift-UpArrow and Shift-DownArrow.

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:29 pm
by at8ax
Most curious. That doesn't work on my rig. I can cycle forward through the layers with shift-apostrophe, but shift-arrow does nothing here. Ah well, can't miss what I never had.

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:10 pm
by Composition86
Thanks for the replies.

That shortcut is uncomfortable, I'm searching for a 2 keys combination.
In addition I use to work with the num pad: to click the ALT+number (not the one on the num pad, it does not work) I have to move my left hand on the other side of the keyboard, not so bad, neither so fast. :lol:

The cycle would be nice: the SHIFT+UP/DOWN ARROW works on mac, while the SHIFT+' or " should work on pc, but nothing happens on mine.

I'm searching for instructions on how to remap keys, no results.

Change layers: keyboard shortcut

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:56 pm
by Peter Thomsen
Composition86 wrote:...The cycle would be nice: the SHIFT+UP/DOWN ARROW works on mac, while the SHIFT+' or " should work on pc, but nothing happens on mine...
Are you using american keyboard layout?
Finale is designed to work with american keyboard layout.

I'm using danish keyboard layout (because I type danish lyrics in Finale).
Some of Finale's keyboard shortcuts don't work until I switch to american keyboard layout.

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:02 pm
by michelp
Besides the pulll-down menu at the bottom of the window, the switch to another layer is available in two menus : View, and in Speedy Entry, a.o. (see screenshots, but that's Finale 2010 Mac).
Any basic macro program could trigger those menu items with any combination of keys.
Maybe you should look for a macro program, there are plenty around which will allow you to re-define the keyboard shortcuts according to your wishes.

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 8:50 am
by Composition86
My keyboard layout is like this:
http://www.cuccalofferta.com/immagini/b ... _logi1.jpg

The view menu shows ALT+SHIFT+n, while the speedy entry menu shows ' and ". Obviously I can change layer by clicking on the submenu.

I tried to push " or ' (also with the SHIFT button) but it does not work.
" without SHIFT inserts a 32nd.
(As you know in american keyboards the ' and " types are located on the same key, near the return key).

Is there a way to switch the mapping to american layout? I don't use Finale to write lyrics, so I think that there will be no problem, if possible.

I will search something about macro programs.

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 3:37 pm
by Peter Thomsen
Composition86 wrote:...Is there a way to switch the mapping to american layout? I don't use Finale to write lyrics, so I think that there will be no problem, if possible...
I could be wrong here (since I don't do Windows), but I think that you somewhere in the Windows OS Control Panels can choose between keyboard layout mappings for different languages, and also set up a hotkey for fast switching between different mappings.

On my Mac OS X system I can switch keyboard layout mapping fast with the hotkey Command-Spacebar.

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 9:16 pm
by Composition86
Thanks, I have installed the american mapping and set an hotkey (it works only if switched after Finale has been opened), now I can cycle the layers in ascending order by clicking on SHIFT+', not bad.
It should works also without SHIFT and cycle the layers in inverse order, but strangely it has an other function (changes V1->V2).