"Read Me" documentation and release highlights for Finale v25.5 – Finale/Garritan Help Center

What's New in This Update

What's New in Finale v25.5 for Windows

Release highlights

MusicXML

MusicXML 3.1 support has been updated to the final version from the W3C Music Notation Community Group.
The Include subfolders option has been added to the MusicXML Preferences dialog box. When selecting a single folder to translate to or from MusicXML, files that are located in the selected folder's subfolders are now included in the import and export process.
Measure number text is now exported when a file contains measure numbers that are repeated in multiple movements or sections.
Memory leaks during MusicXML batch export has been removed.
Translating a folder to or from MusicXML can now be canceled mid-operation by using the work in progress dialog box.
Buzz rolls and unmeasured tremolos are now supported.
Line lengths are now supported for doit, falloff, scoop, and plop elements.
Finale expressions with a mix of text and musical symbols from any Finale built-in font are now supported.
Unexpected symbols in Finale articulations from any Finale built-in font can now be exported in a way that can be exchanged with other applications.
Unexpected symbols in MusicXML files can now be imported into Finale articulations if the symbol is present in any Finale built-in font.
Grace cue notes are now supported.
Image height and width attributes are now supported.
Metric modulation arrows are now exported from metronome marks written in the MaestroTimes font.
The brass-bend, flip, golpe, half-muted, harmon-mute, haydn, inverted-vertical-turn, open, smear, soft-accent, and staff-divide elements are now supported.
Sostenuto and abbreviated pedal symbols are now supported.
The beater pictograms for drum stick, slide brush on gong, and superball are now supported.
The beater pictograms for glockenspiel, gum, hammer, superball, and wound stick types are now supported.
The effect pictograms for lotus flute and megaphone are now supported.
The glass pictograms for glass harmonica and glass harp are now supported.
The membrane pictograms for Chinese tomtom, cuica, Indo-American tomtom, and Japanese tomtom are now supported.
The metal pictograms for agogo, bell tree, cencerro, chain rattle, jaw harp, jingle bells, musical saw, shell bells, and tam tam with beater are now supported.
The pitched pictograms for celesta, lithophone, steel drums, and tubaphone are now supported.
The wood pictograms for bamboo scraper, castanets with handle, football rattle, quijada, rainstick, reco-reco, and whip are now supported.
The handbell belltree symbol is now supported.

Fixed defects

Document Options - Lyrics dialog box

Minor adjustments have been made to the button positioning in the Document Options - Lyrics dialog box.

Exporting audio

Finale has been updated to address occasional crashes when exporting audio.

MIDI Setup dialog box

The MIDI Setup dialog box UI has been updated to list 64-bit.

Plug-ins

The Drum Groove and Smart Cue Notes plug-ins correctly appear in the Plug-ins > Scoring and Arranging submenu.

ReWire

The Finale installer now delivers the most up to date Finale ReWire Device bundle to address crashes with 3rd party digital audio workstations.

ScoreManager

The ScoreManager is now named consistently throughout the Finale application.

What's New in Finale v25.5 for Mac

Release highlights

Clear function. Non-extended keyboard users can now access the clear key functionality by using FUNCTION+SHIFT+DELETE. This function can be used to reset the positioning of the following:

Group and staff names
Brackets
Tuplets
Slurs
Measure numbers
Expressions
Articulations
Repeat brackets

Garritan Instruments for Finale. The Garritan Instruments for Finale installer has been updated to improve speed and produce a higher installation success rate.
MusicXML

MusicXML 3.1 support has been updated to the final version from the W3C Music Notation Community Group.
The Include subfolders option has been added to the MusicXML Preferences dialog box. When selecting a single folder to translate to or from MusicXML, files that are located in the selected folder's subfolders are now included in the import and export process.
Measure number text is now exported when a file contains measure numbers that are repeated in multiple movements or sections.
Memory leaks during MusicXML batch export has been removed.
Translating a folder to or from MusicXML can now be canceled mid-operation by using the work in progress dialog box.
Buzz rolls and unmeasured tremolos are now supported.
Line lengths are now supported for doit, falloff, scoop, and plop elements.
Finale expressions with a mix of text and musical symbols from any Finale built-in font are now supported.
Unexpected symbols in Finale articulations from any Finale built-in font can now be exported in a way that can be exchanged with other applications.
Unexpected symbols in MusicXML files can now be imported into Finale articulations if the symbol is present in any Finale built-in font.
Grace cue notes are now supported.
Image height and width attributes are now supported.
Metric modulation arrows are now exported from metronome marks written in the MaestroTimes font.
The brass-bend, flip, golpe, half-muted, harmon-mute, haydn, inverted-vertical-turn, open, smear, soft-accent, and staff-divide elements are now supported.
Sostenuto and abbreviated pedal symbols are now supported.
The beater pictograms for drum stick, slide brush on gong, and superball are now supported.
The beater pictograms for glockenspiel, gum, hammer, superball, and wound stick types are now supported.
The effect pictograms for lotus flute and megaphone are now supported.
The glass pictograms for glass harmonica and glass harp are now supported.
The membrane pictograms for Chinese tomtom, cuica, Indo-American tomtom, and Japanese tomtom are now supported.
The metal pictograms for agogo, bell tree, cencerro, chain rattle, jaw harp, jingle bells, musical saw, shell bells, and tam tam with beater are now supported.
The pitched pictograms for celesta, lithophone, steel drums, and tubaphone are now supported.
The wood pictograms for bamboo scraper, castanets with handle, football rattle, quijada, rainstick, reco-reco, and whip are now supported.
The handbell belltree symbol is now supported.

Fixed defects

Audio Setup dialog box

Text in the Audio Setup dialog box displays correctly.

Authorization Wizard

Text in the Authorization Wizard displays correctly.

Authorize Finale dialog box

Text in the Authorize Finale dialog box displays correctly.

Document Options - Lyrics dialog box

Minor adjustments have been made to the button positioning in the Document Options - Lyrics dialog box.

FinaleScript

Raw and click commands work as expected with FinaleScript.

Fit Measures dialog box

The first Measure text field in the Fit Measures dialog box now works as expected.

Fullscreen

Finale no longer crashes on exit when in Fullscreen mode on macOS High Sierra.

Garritan Ambience warning

Finale no longer crashes when clicking OK to bypass the Garritan Ambience detection warning in a file on macOS High Sierra.

Garritan Instruments for Finale

When installing Finale on macOS High Sierra, users are no longer stopped at the Sample Manager portion of the Garritan Instruments for Finale installer.

HyperScribe and MIDI tool

Finale no longer crashes on launch or when opening a file when the HyperScribe or MIDI tool is active on macOS High Sierra.

Legacy files

Japanese text in files from Finale 2011 or earlier is no longer corrupted when imported directly into the current version of Finale.

Lyrics window

Finale no longer crashes if the Lyrics window is open when attempting to open a file on macOS High Sierra.

MIDI

When saving a MIDI file as a Track file (.trk) on macOS High Sierra, a document containing the correct staves is now generated.

MusicXML

Finale no longer crashes when exporting Linked Parts to MusicXML.

Playback

Finale no longer crashes when quitting the program during playback on macOS High Sierra.

Plug-ins

Finale no longer crashes when the Vertical Collision Remover Plug-in is selected from the Plug-ins > Scoring and Arranging submenu.

ReWire

The Finale installer now delivers the most up to date Finale ReWire Device bundle to address crashes with 3rd party digital audio workstations.

ScoreManager

Finale no longer crashes on exit when the ScoreManager is open on macOS High Sierra.
The ScoreManager is now named consistently throughout the Finale application.

Serial Number Help dialog box

Text in the Serial Number Help dialog box displays correctly.

**Finale v25.5 Read Me Documents**

Finale v25.5 Read Me for Windows

Additional Information about

Finale for Windows

Finale Read Me, October 2017

IMPORTANT: Read this document before you begin working with Finale; you may want to print a copy of it to keep with your Finale information.

This file contains important information about Finale not included in the User Manual, as well as information about converting older files into the new version's format. Please note that Finale files cannot be opened in versions of Finale prior to 2014 without being converted to a different format.

The Read Me contains the following sections:

Running Finale

Interface Changes in Finale

New Features in Finale

Fixes in Finale

You may also visit www.finalemusic.com for updated information about Finale and information on new releases.

Running Finale

System Requirements

Windows 7 (SP1)/8/10 (64-bit compatible). Intel Core 2 Duo processor or AMD Athlon processor (Intel i3 or AMD Athlon II X2 and above recommended). 600MB hard drive space required for software.

USB port required for installation or high-speed Internet connection for download. 800x600 minimum monitor resolution (1366x768 and above recommended). Minimum 2GB RAM (8GB or more recommended for optional use of Garritan and Tapspace (VST) sounds: more RAM = more available sounds.) An additional 2GB hard drive space is required for all included VST sounds. Internet connection required for updates and help resources.

Optional: MIDI interface. MIDI input and/or playback device. Printer. A soundcard, including standard DirectSound, WASAPI, or ASIO, is required for playing VST sounds in Windows.

Installing Finale

If any previous version of Finale has been installed on the machine, Finale recommends that you restart your computer and log on as System Administrator before installing. This will prevent erroneous font warnings.

We recommend that you install Finale, and any other software, when logged in as System Administrator.

If you encounter problems during installation, we recommend that you do the following:

1. Turn off any programs running in the background. Virus detectors can often prevent Finale from installing necessary files and updating the registry. Rest assured, your Finale USB does not contain any viruses.

2. Press CTRL-SHIFT-ESC and click on the Process tab. In the Processes Tab, click on "User Name" to sort the running programs by user ID name. This lists every process that is running on the system.

3. Under the User Name column, look at all of the processes ("Image Name") with your account name. Click on each one, and then click "End Process" and select OK. Do this for every process assigned to your name except “taskmgr.exe”, “explorer.exe”, and “System Idle Process.”

4. Close the Task Manager.

5. Check your system tray (lower-right corner of the screen) for any running programs, especially antivirus software, which can interfere with proper installation of programs. Right-click each and choose Close.

User Manual

For full, up to date documentation on how to use Finale, choose Help > User Manual. Finale opens the User Manual using your default browser and accesses the latest online content from MakeMusic’s servers.

To download the manual for offline use, visit the Finale Knowledge Base.

Authorizing Finale

The first time you launch Finale, you will be prompted to authorize. To authorize a single copy of Finale, click Authorize Now to open the Authorization Wizard (or, choose Help > Authorize Finale). Then follow the instructions to authorize your copy of Finale via the Internet or mail. If you choose not to authorize, you will be prompted to do so each time you launch Finale. If you do not authorize within thirty days, printing and saving are disabled until you choose to authorize.

Note that the User/Authorization Codes are computer specific, and will only work on the given computer installation. Make sure that the Authorization Code is typed in using capital letters, and also verify that the correct serial number has been entered. Your copy of Finale can be authorized on two computers simultaneously, and, with an Internet connection, authorization can be moved from one computer to another at will. Simply choose Help > Deauthorize Finale to open up a free slot. Your copy of Finale can now be authorized on a different computer. When you deauthorize, printing and saving are disabled until authorization has been restored.

If you make a change to the computer (such as replacing the hard drive or motherboard, or installing a new operating system), then you will need to re-authorize the installation. If you no longer have access to the computer or hard drive that previously had an authorized version of Finale installed, go to the My Account page at www.makemusic.com. Click the My Software button and click Manage Authorizations. Here, you can delete authorizations on machines no longer in your possession. If you have deleted the maximum number of authorizations from your account, you will need to contact the Customer Success Team online at www.finalemusic.com/support with your serial number and the location ID for the specific installation in question. If the software is not "reminding" you to authorize when you run the program, then the registration/authorization has been successfully completed.

Starting Finale - DLLs

Most applications (including MakeMusic products) require a set of files, the Microsoft redistributables, in order to work successfully on your system. These redistributable files are normally already present on most systems and are not generally included in application setup/install scripts. These files are constantly updated by Microsoft and are operating-system specific; including these files in an application installer could result in incorrect files being added in your system and subsequent problems.

In rare cases these files may be missing or out of date on your system. In this case an error will be reported when you start the program. Here are some examples of the errors that could be reported:

If the files are missing...

'The dynamic link library MSVCP60.DLL could not be found in the specified path...'

'The dynamic link library MSVCRT.DLL could not be found in the specified path...'

If the files are out of date...

'The OCXTS.EXE file is linked to missing export MFC42.DLL:6880.'

If you see one of these messages, visit www.microsoft.com for more information regarding these files and how to restore them.

Installation Details

To accommodate the autonomy of each of a computer's multiple users, and to prevent permissions issues, Finale installs its components to various locations on your hard drive depending on their function and required accessibility. See “Finale Installation Details” in the User Manual for more information.

Download and Finale Trial
Finale is available as a download from our website. The trial version is identical to the full version, but does not include the Garritan sounds or music files. After the 30-day trial period, printing and saving are disabled. To purchase the full version of Finale, along with all sounds and features, choose Help > Purchase Finale. Trial users: after purchasing, another download is necessary to acquire the Garritan sounds and music files.

Contacting the Finale Customer Success Team

For Finale support, visit www.finalemusic.com/support.

Converting Finale 2012 (and earlier) documents into Finale documents

Finale 2014 and later have a different file format than earlier versions and will open and convert older versions' documents, giving them the default title "UNTITLED.MUSX.” We recommend saving a newly converted document with a different name than the original file, keeping the older unconverted file as a backup. If you do want to save the file using the same name, choose Save As from the File menu. Finale Maintenance is run automatically to check for any errors while opening old files as long as Clean Up File Data is checked in Finale > Preferences > Open (checked by default).

Running older versions of Finale

Finale 2012 (and earlier versions) for Windows or Mac cannot open any standard Finale 2014 or later file. To open a Finale 2014 or later document in an earlier version, choose File > Export > Finale 2012 (for Finale 2012 only) or File > Export > MusicXML (all other versions). Finale for Windows includes the MusicXML importer back to version 2003, and then back to 2000 using software available separately. Finale for Mac supports MusicXML import back to version 2006, and back to 2004 (OS X only) using software available separately. See www.musicxml.com.

Interface Changes in Finale

MusicXML.

The Include subfolders option has been added to the MusicXML Preferences dialog box. When selecting a single folder to translate to or from MusicXML, files that are located in the selected folder's subfolders are now included in the import and export process.

Translating a folder to or from MusicXML can now be canceled mid-operation by using the work in progress dialog box.

For a full list of interface changes and more information regarding specific menu command changes, see Interface Changes in the User Manual.

New Features in Finale

Internationalization. Finale's file structure has been updated in an effort to make the application more localizable.

MusicXML.

Measure number text is now exported when a file contains measure numbers that are repeated in multiple movements or sections.

Memory leaks during MusicXML batch export have been removed.

For a full list of features introduced in previous versions, see New Features in Finale in the User Manual.

Fixes in Finale

Document Options - Lyrics dialog box

Minor adjustments have been made to the button positioning in the Document Options - Lyrics dialog box.

Exporting audio

Finale no longer crashes when exporting audio.

MIDI Setup dialog box

The MIDI Setup dialog box UI has been updated to list 64-bit.

Plug-ins

The Drum Groove and Smart Cue Notes plug-ins correctly appear in the Plug-ins > Scoring and Arranging submenu.

ReWire

The Finale installer now delivers the most up to date Finale ReWire Device bundle to address crashes with 3rd party digital audio workstations.

ScoreManager

The ScoreManager is now named consistently throughout the Finale application.

For a full list of fixed defects in previous versions, see Fixes in Finale in the User Manual.

Finale v25.5 Read Me for Mac

Additional Information about

Finale for Mac

Finale Read Me, October 2017

IMPORTANT: Read this document before you begin working with Finale; you may want to print a copy of it to keep with your Finale information.

The Read Me contains the following sections:

Running Finale

Interface Changes in Finale

New Features in Finale

Fixes in Finale

You may also visit www.finalemusic.com for updated information about Finale and information on new releases.

Running Finale

System Requirements

OS X 10.10-10.13. Intel Core 2 Duo processor or better (Intel i3 processor and above recommended). 700MB hard drive space required for software.

USB port required for installation or high-speed Internet connection for download. 800x600 minimum monitor resolution (1366x768 and above recommended). Minimum 2GB RAM (8GB or more recommended for optional use of Garritan and Tapspace (AU) sounds: more RAM = more available sounds.) An additional 2GB hard drive space is required for all included AU sounds. Internet connection required for updates and help resources.

Optional: MIDI interface. MIDI input and/or playback device. Printer.

User Manual

To download the manual for offline use, visit the Finale Knowledge Base.

Authorizing Finale

Installation Details

To accommodate the autonomy of each of a computer's multiple users, and to prevent permissions issues, Finale installs its components to various locations on your hard drive depending on their function and required accessibility. See "Finale Installation Details" in the User Manual for more information.

Download and Finale Trial

Finale is available as a download from our website. The trial version is identical to the full version, but does not include the Garritan sounds or music files. After the 30-day trial period, printing and saving are disabled. To purchase the full version of Finale, along with all sounds and features, choose Help > Purchase Finale. Trial users: after purchasing, another download is necessary to acquire the Garritan sounds and music files.

Contacting the Finale Customer Success Team

For Finale support, visit www.finalemusic.com/support.

Converting Finale 2012 (and earlier) documents into Finale documents

Running older versions of Finale

Finale Preferences File

The Finale Preferences file contains many program settings, from the configuration of your tool palette to the display colors you select. Finale stores this file in your System Folder's Preferences folder, although it will look first in the same folder for a Preference file.

Finale does not share the preferences file with older versions of Finale. Finale will automatically load the new Finale default settings upon launching Finale for the first time. To use Finale's default settings at any time, simply reset your Finale Preferences file by choosing Finale > Preferences and clicking the Reset All Preferences button. A new preferences file will be generated the next time you start Finale.

Keep in mind that older versions cannot read the newer version's preferences.

Interface Changes in Finale

MusicXML.

The Include subfolders option has been added to the MusicXML Preferences dialog box. When selecting a single folder to translate to or from MusicXML, files that are located in the selected folder's subfolders are now included in the import and export process.
Translating a folder to or from MusicXML can now be canceled mid-operation by using the work in progress dialog box.

• For a full list of interface changes and more information regarding specific menu command changes, see Interface Changes in the User Manual.

New Features in Finale

Clear function. Mac users can now access the clear key functionality by using FUNCTION+SHIFT+DELETE. See a full list of functions that have been restored in the New Features in Finale page.
Garritan Instruments for Finale. The Garritan Instruments for Finale installer has been updated to improve speed and produce a higher installation success rate.

•Internationalization. Finale's file structure has been updated in an effort to make the application more localizable.

MusicXML.

Measure number text is now exported when a file contains measure numbers that are repeated in multiple movements or sections.
Memory leaks during MusicXML batch export has been removed.

For a full list of features introduced in previous versions, see New Features in Finale in the User Manual.

Fixes in Finale

Audio Setup dialog box

•Text in the Audio Setup dialog box displays correctly.

Authorization Wizard

•Text in the Authorization Wizard displays correctly.

Authorize Finale dialog box

•Text in the Authorize Finale dialog box displays correctly.

Document Options - Lyrics dialog box

•Minor adjustments have been made to the button positioning in the Document Options - Lyrics dialog box.

FinaleScript

•Raw and click commands work as expected with FinaleScript.

Fit Measures dialog box

•The first Measure text field in the Fit Measures dialog box now works as expected.

Fullscreen

•Finale no longer crashes on exit when in Fullscreen mode on macOS High Sierra.

Garritan Ambience warning

•Finale no longer crashes when clicking OK to bypass the Garritan Ambience detection warning in a file on macOS High Sierra.

Garritan Instruments for Finale

•When installing Finale on macOS High Sierra, users are no longer stopped at the Sample Manager portion of the Garritan Instruments for Finale installer.

HyperScribe and MIDI tool

•Finale no longer crashes on launch or when opening a file when the HyperScribe or MIDI tool is active on macOS High Sierra.

Legacy files

•Japanese text in files from Finale 2011 or earlier is no longer corrupted when imported directly into the current version of Finale.

Lyrics window

•Finale no longer crashes if the Lyrics window is open when attempting to open a file on macOS High Sierra.

MIDI

•When saving a MIDI file as a Track file (.trk) on macOS High Sierra, a document containing the correct staves is now generated.

MusicXML

•Finale no longer crashes when exporting Linked Parts to MusicXML.

Playback

•Finale no longer crashes when quitting the program during playback on macOS High Sierra.

Plug-ins

•Finale no longer crashes when the Vertical Collision Remover Plug-in is selected from the Plug-ins > Scoring and Arranging submenu.

ReWire

•The Finale installer now delivers the most up to date Finale ReWire Device bundle to address crashes with 3rd party digital audio workstations.

ScoreManager

•Finale no longer crashes on exit when the ScoreManager is open on macOS High Sierra.

•The ScoreManager is now named consistently throughout the Finale application.

Serial Number Help dialog box

•Text in the Serial Number Help dialog box displays correctly.

For a full list of fixed defects in previous versions, see Fixes in Finale in the User Manual.

Still have questions? We're here to help! Just click the Contact Customer Success button below to send us your question.

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