Finale Forum

In the attached file, which I am using for parts for this piece, I have some spatial notation that has boxes around one measure of notes in each part, followed by a heavy line, indicating that it's supposed to be played for 8". Measures 63-67

In each part, I carefully set the box so it fits perfectly around the pitches and so that the right side of the box lines up with the right barline, I adjust the width of the measure so that all of the notes are spread out enough to read them, and I set the beginning of the heavy line so that it starts exactly at the right barline. Then I advance to the next part, do the same thing, and again in the next two parts. And then I go back through each part, only to find that the box has changed shape, that the measure (in the violin 1 part, but not the others) is compressed so that the notes collide with each other, and the heavy line no longer lines up with the right barline.

I finally caught on to the reality that no matter how many times I make these adjustments, it is futile--they'll all just disappear.

Can someone let me know how I can prevent this from happening. I am at my wit's end.

Thanks!

Mac 10.11.6
Finale 25.5

You need each one of these 4 boxes to be individually adjustable for size. They can be, but with Shape Expressions like these you need to enter each one with a Metatool shortcut. That way, each is a separate entity, unlinked from the others. If you enter them the other way, via the palette, they are the same thing and linked together.

Take a look at the attached file - they seem to behave properly. By the way, if you have Automatic Music Spacing active (Preferences > Edit), you might want to turn it off.

N.

I suspect the culprit to be one or more automatic functions that work “in the background” without asking you for permission.

1) Preferences - Edit
Is the option “Automatic Music Spacing” selected or de-selected?

2) Document Options - Multimeasure Rests
Is the option “Update Automatically” selected or de-selected?
Even if this is a setting for multimeasure rests, it affects all measures.

Thanks!

"Automatic Music Spacing" was selected. I'll de-select it and try again.

"Update Automatically" for multimeasure rests is already de-selected.

It occurred to me, too, that the easiest solution might be just to create a separate file for each part, so that editions in one won't affect the others.

Mark

N Grossingink wrote:You need each one of these 4 boxes to be individually adjustable for size. They can be, but with Shape Expressions like these you need to enter each one with a Metatool shortcut. That way, each is a separate entity, unlinked from the others. If you enter them the other way, via the palette, they are the same thing and linked together.

Take a look at the attached file - they seem to behave properly. By the way, if you have Automatic Music Spacing active (Preferences > Edit), you might want to turn it off.

N.

Thanks, N! Yes, these look fine. Creating those boxes was hard work; I'm not sure I know how to create four of them separately, but I'll give it a shot tomorrow.

Mark

Just duplicate it 3 times. Then, use a different one for each occurrence. Resize it on the page. Each one will stay put as it is unique.

Zuill