Adding instrument changes groups

The place for beginner Finale users. ("How do I...")

Moderators: Peter Thomsen, miker

bryla
Posts: 22
Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 10:36 am
Finale Version: 26
Operating System: Mac

Post by bryla » Mon May 06, 2019 5:57 am

So I have a template set up for orchestral work and it works fine until I want to add a staff. In this example I want an extra for violas. Here is the before
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zjcd0jsecnl40 ... 3.png?dl=0
Here is the after where the synthesizer brace covers the choir, both violins are under violin 1 bracket and the time signatures have been displaced
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fmsxkq11kdvu4 ... 3.png?dl=0
All I did was adding another viola staff that I wanted to include for divisi playing.

How is the correct way to go about this?


User avatar
Peter Thomsen
Posts: 6605
Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2003 6:47 pm
Finale Version: Finale v27.4
Operating System: Mac

Post by Peter Thomsen » Mon May 06, 2019 9:36 am

You are using Mac Finale - right?

Take a look at the Preferences - type ⌘, (Command-comma), then go to
Preferences - Edit

Is the option {Automatic Instrument Family Group Brackets} selected or de-selected?

Generally, it is a good idea to be careful about selecting automatic features (program settings as well as document options) - since automatic features mean, that Finale does things without asking you for permission.
A good work flow often means that an automatic feature is toggled on, only during a certain work phase.
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996

User avatar
motet
Posts: 8231
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:33 pm
Finale Version: 2014.5,2011,2005,27
Operating System: Windows

Post by motet » Mon May 06, 2019 4:52 pm

When you add the instrument, instead of relying on Score Order: Orchestral, try selecting the existing viola staff first, and picking Score Order: Custom. (Or perhaps you want the new staff above the old for ossia.) You may have to fix the viola group, but perhaps this won't break everything else.

bryla
Posts: 22
Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 10:36 am
Finale Version: 26
Operating System: Mac

Post by bryla » Mon May 13, 2019 7:19 am

Hej Peter,
I think that helped to turn off the automatic settings. This meant that I went from this:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0o3yeeofxxypp ... 0.png?dl=0
to this:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gnoyi07cdrh72 ... 8.png?dl=0
Now I just had to turn of measure numbers and time signatures for the violas, but I know how to do that.

Motet: All my instruments are set to custom score order - I have a lot of groups though.

Now I can't get the violas group to show the bracket. I have these settings:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/521ih8vc1jbfd ... 6.png?dl=0

User avatar
Peter Thomsen
Posts: 6605
Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2003 6:47 pm
Finale Version: Finale v27.4
Operating System: Mac

Post by Peter Thomsen » Mon May 13, 2019 9:11 am

bryla wrote:… Now I can't get the violas group to show the bracket. I have these settings:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/521ih8vc1jbfd ... 6.png?dl=0
Hej Bryla,

Your screen shot reveals the culprit:
The bracket is there all right. You can see the bracket handles.
But the handles are too close to the staves, compared to the other brackets’ handles.
You should adjust the bracket’s {Distance from Left Edge of Staff} - you probably need the same distance as in the other staff groups.

By The Way:
Both staves have the same name:
Viola
It might be a good idea to give them two different names - use two custom staff styles to change the names.
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996

bryla
Posts: 22
Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 10:36 am
Finale Version: 26
Operating System: Mac

Post by bryla » Tue May 14, 2019 4:23 am

Thank you! Just used the same distance as the VLN2 group.

Regarding names my plan is to only have group names, so I'm getting rid of the staff names.

User avatar
Peter Thomsen
Posts: 6605
Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2003 6:47 pm
Finale Version: Finale v27.4
Operating System: Mac

Post by Peter Thomsen » Tue May 14, 2019 9:06 am

bryla wrote:… Just used the same distance as the VLN2 group …
If I understand you correctly, you used the same distance as in the Violin II group AFTER you posted the screen shot, and read my reply, right?
(not BEFORE you took the screen shot)

In Other Words:
I suppose that the problem is solved now.
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996

Post Reply