Stem lengths

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miker
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Post by miker » Fri Jun 04, 2021 3:18 pm

How does Finale determine when to use full length or shortened stems? Doc options specifies the lengths dor both, but I can’t find anything that tells when they are used.

What I would like (in a perfect world) would be to specify:
Treble clef staff: layer 1, full length, layer 2, shortened
Bass clef staff: layer 1, shortened, layer 2, full

That would optimize spacing for the lyric line, between the staves.
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zuill
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Post by zuill » Fri Jun 04, 2021 3:32 pm

If you click the Help button in the window where the stem settings are made, it explains the criterion:

"The Shortened Stem Length specifies the length of a stem that’s been flipped in the "wrong" direction, on a note a line (or more) away from the middle staff line."

I think it should have said a step or more away from the middle line. When flipping the stem of a note on the middle line, it remains full length. Any note a step or more away from the middle line, when the stem is flipped, will be shortened.

Zuill
Windows 10, Finale 2011-v26.3.1
"When all is said and done, more is said than done."

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miker
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Post by miker » Fri Jun 04, 2021 3:36 pm

I’m using the default stem directions of layer one, up, and layer two, down. No flipping involved.

EDIT; I think I understand. Normally, a second-line G would be stem up. But if it’s in layer 2, it’s “flipped” because the default is set that way.
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motet
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Post by motet » Fri Jun 04, 2021 3:48 pm

I make "shortened stem length" the same as "normal stem length" in Document options/stems.

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miker
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Post by miker » Fri Jun 04, 2021 3:52 pm

motet wrote:
Fri Jun 04, 2021 3:48 pm
I make "shortened stem length" the same as "normal stem length" in Document options/stems.
Why?

I also looked at JW Change > Stems > Length. That will shorten the stems, but leaves beams in the same place.
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zuill
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Post by zuill » Fri Jun 04, 2021 4:05 pm

miker wrote:
Fri Jun 04, 2021 3:52 pm
motet wrote:
Fri Jun 04, 2021 3:48 pm
I make "shortened stem length" the same as "normal stem length" in Document options/stems.
Why?

I also looked at JW Change > Stems > Length. That will shorten the stems, but leaves beams in the same place.
I apply Patterson Beams to get stems shortened for beamed notes.

Zuill
Windows 10, Finale 2011-v26.3.1
"When all is said and done, more is said than done."

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miker
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Post by miker » Fri Jun 04, 2021 9:22 pm

Thanks. I've never really looked at Patterson beams, but it seems to help. Much experimentation needed...
Finale 27 | SmartScorePro 64
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