Systems per page

[bj nick]

I think I'm doing "the usual" but I guess not. Woodwind quintet piece, one system per page, I want 2 systems per page. I reduced the page size, go to Page Layout, space systems evenly, etc, but the systems will not budge. I deleted all page and system breaks, no help. What am I missing?

[motet]

Don't reduce the page size--you want to print on the same-size paper! In Page Format for Score, change Scale Page To, then go back to the Page Layout tool and pick Redefine Pages from the menu, which with sync it with what you just did. There are other ways, but that's the approach I would take. I would reduce a bit at a time until it fits.

The distance between the staves of course has a bearing, too. That depends on your music, but if there is too much space between, try reducing that first.

[bj nick]

Sounds good, but I think I'm going to wait on this, as I've discovered the unpleasant reality that when I radically change the layout, I wind up undoing a ton of revising I've already done. Meaning I'm doing my revisions in the wrong sequence: I should have the basic layout SET before doing anything else. Is my thinking right on this?

[motet]

I enter all the notes and markings in Scroll view, and don't worry about the layout until the end.

[ebiggs1]

I enter all the notes and markings in Scroll view, and don't worry about the layout until the end.

Ditto, me too.

[dtoub]

What's nice about Finale is that it accommodates a variety of processes. I have always used Page View when I compose into the score, and adjust things at the end. I haven't used Scroll View in decades mainly because for me, I like to have a sense of how things will look on the page, and because scrolling measures with my trackpad is often too fast. That's what works for me, and scroll view works for other folks. Just like how I have never used simple entry other than when I probably first used Finale in the early 90's. I've always used Speedy Entry for everything (except the one time I had to insert a 128th-note rest in an old 12-tone score of mine; couldn't do it in Speedy Entry as best I could tell).

[michelp]

Same preferences as dtoub.

[miker]

I’m a scroll guy, myself.

[bj nick]

I guess the answer is: everybody does it differently. I used to do everything in page view; now I'm trying to work in scroll view (since some have suggested it's better). Regardless, I'm trying to develop an efficient workflow for what I'm doing: compose chamber music (these days mainly focusing on woodwind quintets), have it available on my website, where those interested can listen to samples, then purchase/download the score/parts. The parts must be BULLETPROOF: well laid-out, clean, ready to print out, tape or put in binders, etc. Page Layout, etc. is critically important and it's not that intuitive. I see lots of videos/tutorials/etc. on YouTube, but I see little to nothing on this particular workflow process...getting things ready for distribution/download online.

[N Grossingink]

Take a look at this series of videos-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6ba8r2 ... VbWNTms9vX

[bj nick]

Thank you, I will check these out right away.