Smart Shape Tool

[peelbrow22]

When I select '8va' and hold down on the double-click; the dotted line appears and extends ok as I slide it to the right, but it vanishes when I release the 'hold-down' leaving nothing. Help please. Thank you.

[miker]

Have you restarted the computer?

[zuill]

Since we're dealing with 2007, it's hard to troubleshoot since few still use older versions of Finale.

When you say it disappears, is it just the dashed line that disappears? What about the hook at the end? What about the 8va?

Zuill

[motet]

When you say "the dotted line appears," do you see the "8va" character at the beginning? If you see only dotted lines, then you may only be single-clicking.

[motet]

Also: is the line red?

[peelbrow22]

The 'dotted line' is black and '8va' doesn't show nor does the 'hooked end'

[zuill]

The double click is probably not being done fast enough. Do a quick double-click and hold on the second one, then drag. The dotted line should be red.

Zuill

[motet]

There is a Windows setting for the double-click speed.

[peelbrow22]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I removed Finale, rebooted the pc removed and reinstalled Finale. I borrowed my wife's mouse and hey presto! the red line shows and stays okay, but not with my touchpad. When I finger-tap twice and hold (in all sensitivity-settings), the red 8va sign flashes briefly but does not remain. BTW: since the reinstall the Finale Manual is not showing on the top left-hand side (although it is available on the 'Launch' window).

[motet]

A mouse is probably better for Finale anyway, but you might try experimenting with the Windows trackpad settings.

[Djard]

To add the manual icon to the upper toolbar, follow these steps: Window (upper text menu) -> point to "Toolbars" -> click on "Help Toolbar" in the pop-out menu.

If you still don't see the little book icon, mouse drag the left end of each toolbar section. It may be hidden by an overlapping section of the upper toolbar (I'm guessing). You can temporarily drag a section of a toolbar onto the document...drag them back in any arrangement that you wish.

[peelbrow22]

To add the manual icon to the upper toolbar, follow these steps: Window (upper text menu) -> point to "Toolbars" -> click on "Help Toolbar" in the pop-out menu.

If you still don't see the little book icon, mouse drag the left end of each toolbar section. It may be hidden by an overlapping section of the upper toolbar (I'm guessing). You can temporarily drag a section of a toolbar onto the document...drag them back in any arrangement that you wish.

Thank you, Djard. I first tried right-clicking on the empty square where the manual icon should be and a menu appeared. I selected help and the icon returned as before so all is well in that department.

[peelbrow22]

Regarding the vanishing 8va: the touchpad works okay when entering notes, measures, etc. but falters with the Smart Shape 8va. Is there some way of isolating this particular function via Finale and reinstalling just this section?

[BuonTempi]

Regarding the vanishing 8va: the touchpad works okay when entering notes, measures, etc. but falters with the Smart Shape 8va. Is there some way of isolating this particular function via Finale and reinstalling just this section?

Reinstallation is unlikely to do anything, unless it used to work normally immediately after installation and has subsequently stopped working.

On a Mac trackpad, I can draw 8va and other shapes by:

Double click (holding down the second click) and dragging that finger.
Double click (holding down the second click) and dragging a second finger.
Tap one finger then (quickly) tap three fingers, keeping them down, and drag all three fingers.

Check how you can achieve a held double tap with drag on your trackpad.

[David Ward]

… … … On a Mac trackpad, I can draw 8va and other shapes by:

Double click (holding down the second click) and dragging that finger.
Double click (holding down the second click) and dragging a second finger.
Tap one finger then (quickly) tap three fingers, keeping them down, and drag all three fingers.

Check how you can achieve a held double tap with drag on your trackpad.

I use the second one above very frequently and easily. My double click is usually with the thumb and then the drag with the index finger. One can even do it two handed, should one wish. Double click and hold with one hand, then drag with the other.

[motet]

...the touchpad works okay when entering notes, measures, etc....

But are you double-click dragging entering notes, measures, etc.?

I'll suggest for the last time to experiment with changing the double-click speed in the control panel.

[peelbrow22]

I have discovered that when I tap the touchpad 3 times with alternate two fingers the red 8va remains and produces the red dotted-line and all is well - this doesn't happen every time, but it is more successful than any of the other methods that I have tried so I think I'll leave it at that for now. The fault seems to centre around my touchpad about which I shall probe. Meanwhile I thank all of you for your help in isolating the problem.

[miker]

Might it be easier to buy a mouse?

[motet]

A touch pad usually has left and right mouse buttons underneath; is there a way to combine double clicking those with a finger drag?