Keyboard shortcut help!

[Brent]

I just upgraded to Finale 27 and, of course, I've lost my keyboard shortcuts. I tried following the simple entry instructions to create a tie shortcut for the Gray* key on the numeric keypad, but without success. The closest I could get was tie direction.

I created this shortcut in the 2014 version, but I'll be darned if I can remember how I did it. Between bugs in a file I was working on, and now issues relating to upgrading my platform I'm wasting time and getting no writing done.

If you can offer me some sage advice I'd very much appreciate it.

....Brent

[miker]

Is there a reason not to use the T key for a tie?

On Windows, isn’t there a TG Tool plugin to create shortcuts?

[Brent]

Yes, the T key is fine, but I use the numeric keypad for inputting, and in the previous version of Finale (2014....) I was able to us the * key in the upper right of the keypad, which made inputting ties in easy, and without having to look for the T.

I've almost figured it out through TG Tools, but it only works intermittently. I press the * key and the tie appears, but disappears when I lift the key. Sometimes if I hold the key it'll remain in the score, but this isn't the way I need it to work. I'm spending more time trying to 'teach' Finale how to work, and less on writing....

[motet]

Simple entry?

[motet]

Here's the manual section about it.

http://usermanuals.finalemusic.com/Fina ... SHORTS.htm

[Brent]

Thanks for that, but I tried it. I use speedy entry exclusively, and when I set this system up the simple entry sub-menu kept popping up, which I had to X out of to get back to speedy entry. As I added to my last post I thought I had it figured out, but the * key only works sometimes. Frustrating...

[motet]

For Speedy Entry, use Plug-ins, TGTools, Keyboard remapper (suggested a while back).

[motet]

There's also this, but it's pretty technical. I would go with the keyboard remapper.

http://usermanuals.finalemusic.com/Fina ... eedy%20key

[Perotinus]

This thread may supply even further options. Note the FinaleTweak applet referred to in the thread (created by Jari Williamson), which simplifies somewhat the editing of the speedy entry keyboard remapper
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=17054&p=63573&hilit ... eak#p63573

[Brent]

Thanks, motet. That's the window I've been looking for, however that's not what I get when I try to create my shortcut. Your screen grab show a "replace by" section. I don't get that. I have the Gray* at the top and then I get a series of sub windows starting with Select menu command, where I selected Speedy. I followed that with Speedy Edit Commands in the next sub window, followed by Tie/Untie to Next Note and then OK because the next sub window doesn't offer any options. I then hit OK. When I try to use the * key while inputting a tie appears in the score as long as I hold down the * key, but it disappears as soon as I release it. I can see the tie in the score, but it's useless to me if it immediately disappears.

Again, I don't remember having these difficulties in my older version of Finale.

As always, thanks for your time and input!

...Brent

[motet]

My apologies--I have the full version of TGTools, and apparently the keyboard remapper has more features. Bizarre that releasing the key removes the tie, though.

I hope this makes amends, and it should work!

1. Quit Finale
2. Find your finale.ini file. It should be something like C:\Users\Youruserid\AppData\Roaming\MakeMusic\Finale 26\finale.ini
3. Make a backup copy just in case your break something
4. Edit finale.ini. Find a line that looks something like SK029=65642 0 -1 -1 -1 -1 28. The germane part is "65642 0" ("SK029" may be different). This is the mapping for the keypad * key. 64642 is the key code; the 0 specifies without the control key.
5. Change the last number (here it's 28) to 25. 25 is the code for "Tie next."
6. Save and close finale.ini, then restart Finale and see it if worked.
7. If something's not right, replace finale.ini with your backup.

I just tried this and got it to work. The description of what these numbers mean I found in an old document by Jari Williamsson, which does mention the above FinaleTweak, but who knows if the latter still works.

[Brent]

Thank you for the very detailed description of the steps. Unfortunately, it didn't change anything. When I attempt to use the * key to create a tie, the tie appears as long as I hold the key down, but disappears as soon as I lift it. I guess I'll have to go back to the T key or the = key.

Thanks, again, for your time and assistance.

...Brent

[motet]

Since the tie is a toggle, and since you get the same strange result with both suggestions above, maybe the keypad is sending a second keypress when you let up somehow. You might try a different keyboard/keypad if you have one.

[motet]

As way to test this, open up something like Notepad and see if pressing the * key results in two *'s when you release it.

[Brent]

Nope. I get only *'s.

[motet]

But how many per press?

[Brent]

Just one. I was hoping for more...

[motet]

I'm out of ideas, I'm afraid.

[Brent]

I am still trying to sort my speedy entry shortcut, and I looked at the above post that referenced the customized speedy entry keymap. When I checked the speedy key (SK) list I discovered that what I have in my Finale.Ini is different than the post starting at the entry SK033. What I have from there to the end of the SK series is different than that in the help posting.

Could this be the source of my issue?

[motet]

I doubt it, but you could try recreating your preferences file, I guess.

https://makemusic.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/ ... inale-etc-

More likely, they added a key at some point and didn't update the manual.