How can I make the following thing is a tablature?

[doremi_fan]

Can somebody tell me how can I create the circle that represents a half note in this score and how can I activate the auto tablature plug-in?

Thank you.

[Peter Thomsen]

What version of Finale are you using?

You can enter the circle as a note expression.

Peter

[doremi_fan]

I'm using the Finale 2006 version. Could you tell me what do I have to do exactly?

Thank you.

[Peter Thomsen]

1. Forget about the auto tablature plug-in.
That's for Finale 2002 and earlier (if I recall correctly).
In Finale 2003 and later, just enter the music in the upper staff (the Standard Notation staff).
Then, in Mass Edit Tool, select the music, and drag it to the TAB staff.

2. To create the circular note expression:
(you can set the Measurement Units to "Points" in the Options menu)

- Expression Tool.
Double-click the half note in the TAB staff.
The Expression Selection appears.

- Click the radio buttons "Note Expression" and "Shape".
Click the button "Create...".
The Shape Expression Designer appears.
There are four chiclets:
"Shape", "Playback", "Note Positioning" and "Measure Positioning".
By default, the chiclet "Shape" is in front.

- Deselect "Allow Horizontal Stretching".
You don't want your shape to change width when the measure width is changed.

- Click the button "Select...".

- In the Shape Selection, click "Create...".
You arrive in the Shape Designer, a powerful drawing tool.

- In the Shape Designer menu, set the Line Thickness to e.g. 0.5 Points.

- Click the Shape Designer's Ellipse Tool, and drag from (0;0) to (12;12).
The size of the circle depends of your tablature number font size, so you may prefer a bigger or smaller circle.
Click "OK".
- Click "Select".
You end in the Shape Expression Designer.

- Click the chiclet "Note Positioning".
Set the parameters for the note expression's positioning relative to the note.
Again, the parameters depend of your tablature number font.

Try e.g. these parameters:

A. Horizontal:
Expression Alignment Point: Center
Note Alignment Point: Center Of Primary Notehead
Additional Horizontal Offset: 1 Point

B. Vertical:
Position: Top Note
Additional Entry Offset: -6 Points


Peter