How to stretch an EXPRESSION TOOL hairpin ?

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Jocko_23
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Post by Jocko_23 » Sun Jun 03, 2018 2:30 pm

I have a score in handwritten style / Broadway Copyist. I want to use the long hairpin from the expression tool selection, not a hairpin created in the smart shape selection. This hairpin should extend for two measures, but it is too short by default. Is it possible to stretch it?

What I tried - I right-click the hairpin and
a) Edit Expression Assignment -> Can't find a way to strecht it.
b) Edit Shape Expression Definition ->Shape Designer. "Allow horizontal stretching". Edit shape -> Frame with pink markers, but no stretching possible.
c) Edit Shape Expression Graphically -> Frame with pink markers in the score, but I don't know how to stretch it with a right or left mouse-click.

What do I miss? Or is it not possible to stretch this shape?

Finale 25.5.0.259, MacOS High Sierra
Finale 2014.5 and 25 Mac; have access to 2014 Win


BuonTempi
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Post by BuonTempi » Sun Jun 03, 2018 2:35 pm

I don't have a hairpin Expression in the Broadway default document. Is this an Expression you've made yourself?

My first question is: why isn't the Smart Shape suitable for what you want ? Perhaps there's a way to make that do what you want instead.

Jocko_23
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Post by Jocko_23 » Sun Jun 03, 2018 2:42 pm

There are six hairpins under "Miscellaneous" in the Expression Selection (at least under MacOS).

I want to use it for "esthetic" reasons - I would like it to have a handwritten look and not the straight look from the shape designer.

I know, i could create the expression in Photoshop or the like and import it as a graphic file, but this would be a work-around. I would like to know if stretching is possible within Finale.
Finale 2014.5 and 25 Mac; have access to 2014 Win

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N Grossingink
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Post by N Grossingink » Sun Jun 03, 2018 3:39 pm

Those Expression hairpins are font characters and so can't be stretched. You'd probably be best off making a set of your own. A good font editor is "Type Tool". It's under $50 and made by Font Lab.

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Jocko_23
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Post by Jocko_23 » Sun Jun 03, 2018 9:12 pm

Yes, I understand they are characters - but then, what is the option "allow horizontal stretching" in the "expression designer" good for ???
Finale 2014.5 and 25 Mac; have access to 2014 Win

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zuill
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Post by zuill » Sun Jun 03, 2018 9:40 pm

That is useful for some Shape Expressions. However, stretching does not affect characters, which are of fixed size. It is useful when using other elements in the designer. It also stretches the distance between characters in the expression when multiple characters are used. It takes some understanding of the tool to know how things will work.

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Peter Thomsen
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Post by Peter Thomsen » Sun Jun 03, 2018 9:53 pm

… and if you need a shape expression to behave like a font character (= no Horizontal stretching), then you should de-select “Allow Horizontal Stretching”.

By default “Allow Horizontal Stretching” gets selected when you create a new expression, a fact many users are unaware of.
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996

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motet
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Post by motet » Sun Jun 03, 2018 9:54 pm

Making a longer custom font character doesn't seem workable. Hairpins come in all sizes--a measure can be any width. I would live with the smart shape. Copyists would use a ruler to draw them anyway.

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