Finale Forum

Any way to add a block of text on top of a placed JPG image? Finale automatically sends the text to the back of the image.

You might be better off doing that in the PDF stage (assuming you save your docs as PDFs before distributing.) I know that requests to move image elements back or forward has been requested for at least a decade.

Or do your image in a program that allows it, and place it as a combined graphic.

I always save the distributable copy in PDF format. But I don't have an app like Adobe Illustrator to enter text in the PDF file. I managed to create text in Corel PaintShop Pro and past it on top of the existing image.

I managed to create text in Corel PaintShop Pro and past it on top of the existing image.

That is how I would do it too but in my case I use Photoshop.

Djard wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 11, 2024 11:07 pm

Any way to add a block of text on top of a placed JPG image? Finale automatically sends the text to the back of the image.

Hi Djard,

Finale arranges individual elements - staff, clef, barlines, text attached to a page, etc. on top of each other on layers and in this case their sequence is important.

If you attach the image to the bar (say the first one) instead of the page, then the text - for example the title or additional description, will stand on top of the JPEG file.
Of course, it should be remembered that already attached to the bar, the JPEG file will scale in the ratio that you applied to the staff or system. So you'll have to compensate for the downscaling. For example, if the staff is scaled down to 85%, the image will need to be scaled up to about 118%.

Here's the result of a test I ran in the manner described. I guess this method will help you to find a solution.



Best regards,
Wess

Great tip, thanks, Wess.
P.S.: another solution is to create an Expression/Shape, import an image, type text and drag it over the image.
Then select both elements and group them.

Thanks for the creative ideas: I will keep them in mind for future projects. The image I have is for the cover, 8.5" x 13" and placed on a blank page; so, without a staff, I cannot attach a pic or add an expression/shape. PaintShop Pro let me add text to the PNG file. Thanks again for the valuable info.