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tips for a pc user?

Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2019 5:16 pm
by jjvibes
Hello all,
Windows 10 finale version 26.
I'm just wondering if there are shortcuts to activate – simple entry, speedy entry. In other words not always going for the mouse and clicking those items. I know that Mac users can create a master toolset and was wondering if any PC users have any tips or tricks.
Thank you

Re: tips for a pc user?

Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2019 5:31 pm
by motet
If anything, shortcuts are even better on Windows than the Macintosh. Start by reading the manual section on "keyboard shortcuts." There's also a key remapper under Plug-ins/TG Tools/Menu shortcuts, which is perhaps the easiest way to assign keystrokes to invoke various tools.

Re: tips for a pc user?

Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2019 11:21 pm
by jjvibes
I always thought Macs were much better with music and in this case, with Finale. So many users use them...
I will look into what you suggested hopefully that will help and thanks!!

Re: tips for a pc user?

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 3:12 am
by motet
That may have been the case 20 or 30 years ago; it would be harder to make that argument now.

Re: tips for a pc user?

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 11:33 am
by jjvibes
That is good to know as I can't pull the trigger and spend lots of money anyway! :)

Re: tips for a pc user?

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 7:57 pm
by HaraldS
Especially with Autohotkey and Bome's MIDI Translator, we PC users do have some very strong tools for hotkeys. These possibilities don't exist similarly for the Mac. If used wise, Autohotkey can save lots of time.

Re: tips for a pc user?

Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2019 2:16 pm
by BuonTempi
HaraldS wrote:These possibilities don't exist similarly for the Mac..
Except for apps like Keyboard Maestro, which can trigger sequences of keystrokes from key commands or MIDI input. The OS also has scripting capabilities and user-defined key shortcuts built-in.

There's also Metagrid, which works for Mac and Windows with iPad, turning your iPad into a configurable keypad that can trigger command sequences, including MIDI.

Re: tips for a pc user?

Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2019 4:43 pm
by motet
For an external keyboard macro program to be useful in Finale for all but the simplest things one needs to be able to insert delays, wait for windows to open, and the like--if you just send a string of keystrokes or mouse clicks there can be timing issues. (Keyboard Maestro looks pretty full-featured!)

Re: tips for a pc user?

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 5:22 pm
by FwL
jjvibes wrote:Hello all,
Windows 10 finale version 26.
I'm just wondering if there are shortcuts to activate – simple entry, speedy entry. In other words not always going for the mouse and clicking those items. I know that Mac users can create a master toolset and was wondering if any PC users have any tips or tricks.
Thank you

You can program the function keys (F1-F12 excluding F2) to switch between tools, but it has to be done every time you start a new document. I set up templates with the tools already programmed.

To program a function key to select a tool, first select the tool manually then press shift-and the function key you want to program.

.

Re: tips for a pc user?

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 6:25 pm
by austinbiel
Timely thread - Used Finale a ton back in the day, but have been away for 10+ years.

Just installed v26 for Mac... and I'm looking for a way to bind the function keys to tools as requested above. Two issues:

1) from above "There's also a key remapper under Plug-ins/TG Tools/Menu shortcuts" - ummm... not on my newly installed v26...? any thoughts here?

2) paraphrase from above "Hold down Shift while tool selected and press Fn key to bind that key to that tool" - ummm not working for me. Currently on MacBook Air, and have checked System Prefs - Keyboard for Fn key behavior...? any thoughts here?

Happy that the Celine Dion song "It's all coming back to me now" has been the theme so far in getting back into Finale, but this one has me stumped...

Thanks in advance

Re: tips for a pc user?

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 7:10 pm
by zuill
Menu Shortcuts is a PC only feature.

Zuill

Re: tips for a pc user?

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 7:17 pm
by austinbiel
AWw... Geeezz!!

Any Mac users got a workaround?

(thanks for reply Zuill)

Re: tips for a pc user?

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 8:44 pm
by David Ward
This is one way: System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > App Shortcuts > Finale. Note that for some you may need -> in the name path (this seems to vary according to the individual computer setup) and that the tool names must be typed exactly - any errors or even minor variation and the shortcut won't work.

Once set up they should work in all your files in that version of Finale, but may need redoing if you install a new version.

Re: tips for a pc user?

Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2019 2:43 pm
by austinbiel
DAVID WARD IS THE COOLEST IN THE HISTORY OF ALL THAT IS COOL!

Bro, thank you SO MUCH. You are my new best friend!

That works super well. Thanks again