Finale Forum

I've been threatened by my string section that I should divide up the violin part that I write for shows. Usually I write violin 1 & 2 as divisi on the same staff. So, I created a new staff for the second violins and copied and/or exploded the music from original combined part to the new violin 2 staff. However, it does not have the multi-measure rests in the new part as in the original. If I do a new "generate parts" from the manage part menu, it throws off all the layout edits that I did to the other parts. The new violin 2 does not create multi measure rests, rather having a lot of empty measures.

I've tried to extract just the violin 2 part separately and editing it again through the manage parts routine. Still no multi measure rests.

Is something just not set correctly in the program? Any help is parreciated.

I had to do something similar, so I copied the File, deleted ALL Staves bu thet ones needed, then Delete Parts, and Re-Generate.
Of course I had to Print those parts from only That File.
Better way?
Probably, someone will surely chime-in.
But it got me what I needed, when I needed it!

I may not be understanding correctly, but selecting the empty measures in the Selection tool, rhoight-clicking, and picking "Multimeasure Rests/Create" should work.

I'll give that a try.

Thanks

That worked like a champ!
Thanks.

Also, if the Violin 1 part had the layout you wanted, you can copy that to the Violin 2 part with a plugin created by Jari Williamsson. It's called JW Copy Part Layout.

Zuill

But only in the simplest music would Violin I and Violin II be similar enough for that to work, in my experience.

I was addressing the specific scenario explained in the first post. Since the Violin parts were exploded from a single combined part, I was thinking they were similar enough. I may be wrong. I guess there would be places where on part was playing and not the other, so the MM rests would be different. Oh well. Worth investigating. I often try it and if the warning pops up that it couldn't be done, no loss. However, if it works, then I've saved some time.

Zuill

Oh, I see. Seems worth a try.

As usual with Finale problems, there is "more than one way to skin a cat", as they say down in the thicket. In the first solution offered, it worked without a problem. As for the JW plug-ins, I forget to consult them when I run into strange behavior. If I use one, it also seems to address specific issues that crop up from time to time. Got to remember those gems from JW.

At any rate, thank you all for the suggestions.

jdpmus wrote:Usually I write violin 1 & 2 as divisi on the same staff.

I do too. And divisi string parts for such divisi-heavy composers as Debussy are occasionally combined on a single stave as well. It goes without saying that this has to be done judiciously. If both parts move with the same or mostly the same rhythms and do not cross voices, one stave might be appropriate. A solo instrument must be shown separately if the section plays also. If in doubt, break into divisi staves.

Professionals will deal with parts that are competently set up.

Just my 2¢.

I'm confused about whether the O.P. wants two separate parts, or just two staves in one part when necessary, but in the symphonic/opera world, I would argue for the latter. Maybe musical theater is different, though.