Finale Forum

Hard to think of the right subject title, but simple issue: I would like to move a couple of technique text indications (in this case, pizz and arco) to the highest (top two) positions, as I use them constantly and it would streamline things a little and save time. I figure I could just move them up intuitively using the arrow key, but after they move there, they don't stay there for the next time....or in other pieces. How can I set them so that, at least in this current chamber ensemble template, they are at the preferred position? Thanks!

BJ

Do you use metatools to apply the common expressions? Arco and Pizz have metatools already programmed into them. Using metatools is way faster than even opening the dialog box and selecting one of these techniques.

Meta tools sound like the way to go, but you can reorder things in the category by selecting and using the arrow buttons in the dialog.

I did use the arrow key! Like I said, it goes where I want it to but it won't stay the next time. It's right back way down the list. I would love to use meta tools, don't know anything about them.

Here's how to use metatools.

In Finale's default document you go to the expression tool, technique text. You look at the "Pizz." entry. you'll see that there is a "P" in the upper right hand corner. In "Arco", there's an "O" in the right hand corner. The P and O are the metatools.

To use them, switch to the expression tool, press and hold the P, click once on the note you want to be played pizz. That's it, done!

Hold the O key and click on a note, arco is placed in the score.

Much faster than opening a dialog box, and choosing an expression that way.

You can also program the metatools to different keys if you like.

Going to start using that! I'm sure once I start I won't want to do it the long way ever again.

I moved arco and pizz to the top, closed the window with the X in the corner, opened it again, and they were still at the top, so I don't know why it doesn't work for you. I'd be very surprised if MakeMusic has been in there between 2014.5 and 26.

I'm going to guess that maybe, when moving them in one document, it is assumed that will apply to all documents. The position is document specific. If you want it in a certain spot for all documents, then the default file being used must be modified. Then those will be in the desired position in all new documents using that default file.

Zuill

I also noticed that if you move an element to a different position, then save the library and load it into another document, the order gets lost, because Finale sorts all elements according to their number.
The only way to have a library in the right order (and transferrable) is to duplicate the elements in the order you want, repeat the operation for all the elements and delete all the originals. The library will be transferrable in the right order (You could load it into your Default file and Templates).
Time consuming solution... MakeMusic should propose a better one.