How to automate time consuming tasks in Finale?

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kbsaxlessons
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2018 8:15 pm
Finale Version: 2016
Operating System: Mac

Post by kbsaxlessons » Sun Apr 15, 2018 11:17 pm

Dear readers,

I would like to create 15 Pdf's and 15 Mp3's for 15 different band instruments (Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, etc.) of "Row Row Row Your Boat" from one official version of sheet music. My question has to do with if anyone has had any luck automating a process like this? Which program will help me automatically create 15 Pdf's and Mp3's based off of one official version of the song in sheet music form. How can I automate this process so that I eventually don't have to click "change instrument" "Save as 'Row Row Row Your Boat - Clarinet'" "Print and save as pdf" "Export Audio" etc. Which program will help me automate these time consuming tasks?

Thanks again,

Kevin

Finale Version 2016 on Mac


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motet
Posts: 8225
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Finale Version: 2014.5,2011,2005,27
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Post by motet » Sun Apr 15, 2018 11:26 pm

Finale can play back one instrument at a time using the Solo feature in the score manager. You can then use something like Audacity to record the audio as you play it. It should go pretty quickly. I just did this with four voices of a choral piece.u

kbsaxlessons
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2018 8:15 pm
Finale Version: 2016
Operating System: Mac

Post by kbsaxlessons » Sun Apr 15, 2018 11:40 pm

Can you do this with Pdf files as well? I'd really like this to be as instantaneous as possible.

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motet
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Post by motet » Mon Apr 16, 2018 12:28 am

Read up on FinaleScript. Perhaps there's something there.

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zuill
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Post by zuill » Mon Apr 16, 2018 2:43 am

What is Finale version 2016?

As far as writing a script, it would probably take less time to manually do the pdfs and mp3s.

Zuill
Windows 10, Finale 2011-v26.3.1
"When all is said and done, more is said than done."

kbsaxlessons
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2018 8:15 pm
Finale Version: 2016
Operating System: Mac

Post by kbsaxlessons » Mon Apr 16, 2018 6:02 am

Yes, it may take more time for just one song. But I would like to do this for many songs and I find that taking the time to go through those steps ultimately takes takes too much time (at least a half hour per piece for 15 instruments). I need to cut down the time it takes to get the PDFs and mp3’s.

I will be learning more about Finalescript if I don’t hear more ideas from you guys/gals. I appreciate it, and if you’re considering typing out an answer please do type it out because this is important to me, thank you.

Sincerely,
Kevin

George M19
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Finale Version: Finale 2014.5, v25
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Post by George M19 » Mon Apr 16, 2018 2:06 pm

For the PDF's, you can create a master score in Finale with all the instruments you'd want then generate parts. You can then make PDF's of all the parts at once by selecting all of the parts from the print dialog box and using your OS's print to PDF function.

You have to understand, though, that what you are asking for is next to impossible on any platform.

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Peter Thomsen
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Post by Peter Thomsen » Mon Apr 16, 2018 2:47 pm

kbsaxlessons,

I suppose that you already have finished the Finale documents - with layout in both the score and the linked parts, right?

For the PDFs you can open the document, and switch to the Graphics Tool.
Then export the current score or linked part as a PDF file.
You will have to enter, manually, the part’s file name in the directory dialog box, and specify a destination folder.
Then hit Return to export.
From there you can probably let a FinaleScript script do the following:
- hit Option-Command-period to switch to the next linked part,
- Graphics menu > Export Pages…

Then, again, enter manually the part’s file name, and hit Return to export.

Then run the script again.

Then, again, enter manually the part’s file name, and hit Return to export.

&c.
&c.

What takes the longest time, is probably the file name entering.


The audio files can perhaps be created in a similar manner.
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996

kbsaxlessons
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2018 8:15 pm
Finale Version: 2016
Operating System: Mac

Post by kbsaxlessons » Mon Apr 16, 2018 4:38 pm

Thank you George M19 for your input! Interesting to know that what I am asking for is basically impossible to do on any platform. Although, hopefully using the Master Score approach will allow me to save time on part of the process. Thanks again, I will try it out!



Thank you Peter Thompsen for your input as well! I will be referencing your instructions, doesn't sound to complicated!

-Kevin

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