More issues with Export to PDF in Finale 27.1

[sPretzel]

I have attached a file where a circle is made as a note expression. Exporting to PDF creates jagged lines for the circle. I have attached a zoomed-in picture of the issue in PDF. This is for Windows F27.1.
The circle is created as an enclosure but the same problem occurs if it is created as a shape.
-Can anyone reproduce this in F27/27.1?
-Can anyone reproduce this in F26.3?
Please indicate platform and Finale version in response.
Thanks.

[RimasG]

Fin 27.1 - Same result.

[motet]

-

[Brent]

I have to admit I've never used this function in Finale. I have, however, had great success with a free download called PDF Creator from a website called PDFForge. It has always worked flawlessly. You do get the occasional email asking if you'd like to upgrade to a professional grade program, but the free one is all I need.

[motet]

Here's an odd thing: when I open this file in Finale 2014.5, though it says Circle in the expression dialog, Circle is not a choice in the enclosure dialog.

[sPretzel]

In the original post, the attached jpg image is a picture of the PDF file, showing the jagged circle. The original musx Finale file used to create the PDF is also attached. Use the musx file to export to PDF, if you wish to answer the questions in the original post.

Circle is also missing in the drop-down menu in the Enclosure Designer in F27.1. I suppose it's the same as an ellipsis with equal Height and Width. There are other issues too.

[motet]

As discussed elsewhere here recently, export to PDF in Finale has always had problems, and they're unlikely to be willing or able to fix them, so you're probably wasting your time. You might just want to get PDFCreator or CutePDF and move on. The PDF files those programs create seem to be much smaller that what Finale creates, so there's that added bonus.

[sPretzel]

You can also look for this problem by Printing to PDF, instead of Exporting to PDF. In that case, please also mention the PDF producer you used. Once again, this post is for F27/27.1 and F26.3.

[wessmusic]

I conducted a double test: on Mac and PC in versions 26.3 and 27.1.

The PC test was via a virtual machine, but that hardly matters.

There are no problems in both Mac versions - everything went as expected
A. Export PDF via Graphics
B. Virtual PDF Printing

The same procedure was repeated for Windows versions.
Things are different there:
26.3 is OK (in both cases).
But 27.1 shows the same problem that was described by sPretzel.

Initially, I assumed that the circle appeared as a bitmap graphic, but to my surprise, when I opened the PDF in Adobe Illustrator it is clear that this is a vector graphic, although it does not match the smooth outline in Finale 27.1.
I just want to add that the virtual printing in Windows was via a PS printer, whose *.PS file I converted using Adobe Distiller.
In both scenarios the result is the same - here it is:



best,
Wess

PS
The problem with stem connection does not even need comment.
IMO, the PC version of the program (27.1) must be revised at all costs.

[motet]

Is "Circle" missing from the enclosure designer on the Mac, or only on Windows?

[wessmusic]

The Circle enclosure has been missing for a long time. The oldest Finale version I have installed on my Mac is 2012c. There really isn't one in Enclosure Designer (since then, if not earlier), however the Circle enclosure can be selected directly from the Expression Designer window — Enclosure Shape section (just below Font).
In my humble opinion, the Ellipse plays almost the same role.

Moreover, by entering the Enclosure Designer you can choose the shape behavior from Options.
Even if you choose Ellipse, if "Match Height and Weight" is active, you always get a Circle.
And if you first select a Circle and then from Options "Enforce Minimum Width", it becomes an Ellipse.

I admit that I have never paid attention to this detail in the past, but the problem that sPretzel raises is far more serious.

[motet]

Ah, OK--I never noticed that and though maybe something was wrong. A mathematician would know that a circle is a degenerate ellipse, but probably not 99% of Finale users, so that's a bit odd.

[sPretzel]

Thanks wessmusic (and RimasG). That's exactly what I was asking for. It's also what I am seeing in F27.1 (a jagged vector).
The circle is a filled path too. Maybe that's by design, but I would expect a stroked path like staff lines.

There is more odd behaviour with Ellipse. As wessmusic said, selecting Match height and width gets you a circle. But if you select None and make height=width in numbers, you still don't get a circle!

I have a feeling that Finale 27.1 is likely to have more issues under the hood, but Makemusic should look for them, not paying customers. That should have been done before releasing F27.

IMO, the PC version of the program (27.1) must be revised at all costs.

Absolutely, and I would add: IMMEDIATELY.

[motet]

There is more odd behaviour with Ellipse. As wessmusic said, selecting Match height and width gets you a circle. But if you select None and make height=width in numbers, you still don't get a circle!

"None" means no enclosure at all, I believe.

[sPretzel]

motet. In Enclosure Designer:
Shape = Ellipse
Set Height = Width = value of your choosing
Options = None
I get an ellipse, not a circle.
But if I set Options = Match Height and Width, as wessmusic said, I get a circle!
Potato, potata. Not.

[motet]

Ah, I thought you mean "Shape" = None, not "Options."

I can confirm that in Finale 2014.1 if you Match Height and Width you get a circle even with the numbers different, and if you then set Options to None and make the numbers the same it's confused and shows a vertical ellipse in the dialog but a horizontal ellipse when you apply it, and when you go back into the dialog it looks like a circle!

I'm guessing they won't/can't fix this since it's been around a while and can be worked around.