Last system "big" by default?
Moderators: Peter Thomsen, miker
Hi everyone! After many years of using Finale, I still never figured out if there is away to have the last system of a document have the size it would have with normal measures:
Thanks,
So far, my way to go has been manually dragging the system width. Any tips on setting it up to automatically have the size of normal measures?Thanks,
- miker
- Posts: 6013
- Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 4:28 pm
- Finale Version: Finale 27.4
- Operating System: Mac
If you can't move it up into the previous system (which, in this case, you can't!), I would move measures from the preceding systems down, for a more balanced look.
Finale 27 | SmartScorePro 64
Mac OS 13.2.1 Ventura
Copyist for Barbershop Harmony Society
Mac OS 13.2.1 Ventura
Copyist for Barbershop Harmony Society
- Peter Thomsen
- Posts: 6626
- Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2003 6:47 pm
- Finale Version: Finale v27.4
- Operating System: Mac
jpablodl,
I do not see any system locks in your screen shot.
You should probably examine the systems one by one, and decide, how many measures in each system.
Then, lock each system with the desired measures.
Try this (a fast trick):
Selection Tool.
Select a measure somewhere in the middle of a system.
Hit the UpArrow key ↑ - and note what happens (both systems get a system lock).
Or:
Hit the DownArrow key ↓ - and note what happens (both systems get a system lock).
Another useful command:
Utilities menu > Fit Measures…
I do not see any system locks in your screen shot.
You should probably examine the systems one by one, and decide, how many measures in each system.
Then, lock each system with the desired measures.
Try this (a fast trick):
Selection Tool.
Select a measure somewhere in the middle of a system.
Hit the UpArrow key ↑ - and note what happens (both systems get a system lock).
Or:
Hit the DownArrow key ↓ - and note what happens (both systems get a system lock).
Another useful command:
Utilities menu > Fit Measures…
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996
-
- Posts: 760
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2017 1:34 am
- Finale Version: Finale 26, 27.4.1
- Operating System: Windows
I don't know if there are any automatic ways, like plugins, that really fix this in a satisfactory way. What I regularly do at the layout stage, is to lean back from the screen, slowly scrolling through the pages, trying to spot spaces which are to crowded or to thin, and then tackle it from there, by moving measures up and down between the systems, like miker suggested. If you have an idea of there being too much, or too little space in the end you can manipulate your changes to suit the need.
Finale 26.3, 27.4.1
Windows 10
Windows 10
OMG, amazing tip! Thanks a lot PeterTry this (a fast trick):
Selection Tool.
Select a measure somewhere in the middle of a system.
Hit the UpArrow key ↑ - and note what happens (both systems get a system lock).
Or:
Hit the DownArrow key ↓ - and note what happens (both systems get a system lock).
In the same line of questions,
Whenever i automatically space systems, the result looks something like these for pages that do not have as many systems as specified: Is it possible to automatically get something like this (i always correct it manually):
- Peter Thomsen
- Posts: 6626
- Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2003 6:47 pm
- Finale Version: Finale v27.4
- Operating System: Mac
I do not know of an automatic solution.
But for me it does not take long to “correct manually”:
First, take a look at
Document menu > Page Format > Score…
and make sure that the system margins are as needed.
Then:
Page Layout Tool.
Page Layout menu > Redefine Pages > …
Run the command {Redefine Pages} on the page with fewer systems.
But for me it does not take long to “correct manually”:
First, take a look at
Document menu > Page Format > Score…
and make sure that the system margins are as needed.
Then:
Page Layout Tool.
Page Layout menu > Redefine Pages > …
Run the command {Redefine Pages} on the page with fewer systems.
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996
-
- Posts: 760
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2017 1:34 am
- Finale Version: Finale 26, 27.4.1
- Operating System: Windows
You refer to "Distance between staff systems", right? Or are there other ways which are more effective?Peter Thomsen wrote: ↑Thu Feb 20, 2020 1:25 pmFirst, take a look at
Document menu > Page Format > Score…
and make sure that the system margins are as needed.
Finale 26.3, 27.4.1
Windows 10
Windows 10
- Peter Thomsen
- Posts: 6626
- Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2003 6:47 pm
- Finale Version: Finale v27.4
- Operating System: Mac
Yes, the crucial value is the Distance Between Systems.Anders Hedelin wrote: ↑Thu Feb 20, 2020 1:47 pmYou refer to "Distance between staff systems", right? Or are there other ways which are more effective?Peter Thomsen wrote: ↑Thu Feb 20, 2020 1:25 pmFirst, take a look at
Document menu > Page Format > Score…
and make sure that the system margins are as needed.
However, it is a good idea to check all the Page Format settings before you run a Redefine Pages command.
Back to the original poster’s problem:
With well chosen Page Format settings you may seldom need to Space Systems Evenly.
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996
- Perotinus
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2016 9:37 pm
- Finale Version: Finale 27.3
- Operating System: Windows
I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, but there is also a JW "Fit Music" plug-in, that does some calculations to try to balance system content.
Select the systems you want to fit and call it forth.Perotinus
Finale 27.3
Windows 10 Enterprise
Finale 27.3
Windows 10 Enterprise