Something's not right. The latest Dolet plugin updates 2012's MusicXML handling but is not required for basic functionality. We need to to know more.

https://makemusic.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/215729367-General-Discussion-House-Rules 

I have the same issue as above. I have installed the Dolet 7.6 plugin today and still cannot convert Finale files to XML. My operating system is iOS 10.14.6, which looks like it is within the range of compatible systems when I downloaded it. Unable to get support because I have a "legacy version". This looks like an old discussion, but help would be appreciated before I buy a software.

Finale 2011–2014.5 have the ability to export MusicXML. Dolet 7.6 adds MusicXML 3.1 to these versions. 

Did you reboot after installing? If so, you should see it in the Export menu. If not, we need more information including your version of Finale and OS. 

Dolet 7.6 will not add xml to older versions of Finale if that's what you have. Older versions of Dolet will but I have no idea where one can download them. Here is the changelog.

https://www.musicxml.com/dolet-plugin/dolet-plugin-for-finale/version-history/ 

Thanks for asking. Yes I did reboot. What further informations do you need? I have Finale 2012, as initial poster,  and mac Mojave 10.14.6. Installed the Dolet 7.6 via Make Music site.

I don't have 2012 up right now but here are a couple of screen shots from 27. You should be seeing something like these.

That screen is a lot like what I get, except when I click on export, nothing pops up, it does if I hit “audio file” , “ epub”. MusicXML is an option but nothing gets converted or saved.

A clue!

At the bottom of the File/Export drop down, you should see MusicXML Preferences. Click on that. You should see 5 choices—betting that none are checked. I would try 3.1 first. You should now be able to export.

For 4.0, you need 27.

Thank you so much for sticking with me on this. I wish that I could show you a screen shot of what I get on the drop down menu. It looks like this

Audio File ...

EPUB ...

MusicXML ...

Smart Music ... (which I no longer have)

There is no option for MusicXML preferences, and I can't find those preferences anywhere else in the application. When I open each of the other options in the File/ Export menu, such as Audio File..., a pop up occurs and shows where to save the new file extension. When MusicXML is chosen absolutely nothing pops open.

The problem is that you don’t have a MusicXML version selected to export. I’m certain of this. I experienced it
myself years the first time I tried 15-20 years ago.

What I don’t remember is where MusicXML Preferences is on the 32bit versions of Finale but it is there, somewhere. I haven’t been in my office for two days and won’t be getting there till tonight. At that time I can find my old Mac, open it up and look. If you find it sooner, open and select an xml version. Let us know.

Thanks, I look forward to hearing from you. Just to let you know, the IMPORT option is there under plugins, and I think it works because when I choose it, it allows me to pic files, but since I don't have a file to import I can't say for sure that it works. Also, I'm wondering if there is a JAVA issue. I don't understand what that is, but there is a statement about Java on the Read Me page associated with the Dolet installation software.

2012's xml and Dolet do use a Java engine but I don't remember it requiring the Java 6 runtime from Apple. Many apps did, however, and this cannot be obtained from Sun/Oracle. Apple still has it available for download and here is the link:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/106384 

If it's that simple then the Export type may show up after selected. The 2012 & 2014 Manuals are online and make no mention of this. It's possible that I may not get to my office this evening either due to a property emergency at my rental. I'm stretching the limits of what can be done over the phone.

Perhaps the problem is Mojave. None of the 32bit versions are supposed to work at all but, if you had them installed over Sierra or earlier and then upgraded the macOS, 2012 and 2014.5 work with limited functionality. Human Playback is among the functions that crashes the app.

That said, I know how to make 2014.5 run over macOS 10.14 in Demo mode (the only way a new install can run). The Dolet 7 plug-in has no effect, BTW. I did drag over a few .mus and a .musx files, opened them up and tried to export as MusicXML File (.xml) and Compressed MusicXML File (.mxl). Both worked. 3.1 was not available. Here's proof.

I have little doubt that I can install a new SSD into one of my MacBook Pros, install Yosemite after fooling the clock in Terminal, then install both Finale 2011 and 2014.5 + Dolet 7.6 and make them work. Then I could capture the screen shots etc. But both of my 2012 MBPs are working machines that I use to test apps for other companies. This means that I can but won't.

It's been 8 years since I dealt with this last. When I Google the various issues, it's often my signature on the tech notes in various forums including this one. When I ask myself, Who knew? The answer that stares back is, Oh, I did. So while it has been fun, I have other work to do.

That said, here are the macOS System Requirements for 27:

Operating system: macOS 10.14 Mojave, 10.15 Catalina, 11 Big Sur, 12 Monterey, 13 Ventura, or 14 Sonoma

and we already know that 15 Sequoia works.

I have both 25.5 and 27.4.1 running on my Mojave test machine. Besides testing, I run a few other 32bit apps that will never see 64bit. Besides Encore that I still use, another converts MacDraw, MacPaint, ClarisWorks and AppleWorks graphics files to 64 bit. I did a lot of Album/Cassette/CD covers etc. in those apps.

Hello again Mike, yes, I've see your help with these issues (googled) as I have continued to search going back at least 7 years! So you're the guy, but I understand your point about working on this more.

I backed up my computer  before downloading what was suggested on the Readme page for the Dolet 7.6, then re - downloaded and installed even though it didn't list Mojave, I had an Apple person on the phone with me who was not interested in making sure it was the right thing for me since it was a third party app problem, understandably. (pasted below) NO LUCK with the file/export/MusicXML again.

The reason why I still have Mojave is that I was told Finale 2012 would not work on upgraded systems and have been delaying upgrades. When I contacted Apple, I found out that my computer could handle going up to Big Sur (cool!) on my MacBook Air. Maybe they fixed the issue and Finale 2012 now works on higher versions?

I'd be willing to get newer version of Finale if I knew I could still open my files, and what order I would need to upgrade. Computer first? Finale first? Seems like dumb questions, but I don't know how to contact anyone to ask, as phones are not answered, and my request for service email says that since I have a legacy version, I'm not supported. I'm so glad that I don't have Beethoven's 10th unpublished symphony on my computer. Sort of ready to give up, but I would like to arrange a little more music in the future as needed or for fun. If you want to point me to another help source, I would appreciate it.

"Download Java for OS X 2017-001

Download

Java for macOS 2017-001 installs the legacy Java 6 runtime for macOS 10.13 High Sierra, macOS 10.12 Sierra, macOS 10.11 El Capitan, macOS 10.10 Yosemite, macOS 10.9 Mavericks, macOS 10.8 Mountain Lion, and macOS 10.7 Lion.

This package is exclusively intended for support of legacy software and installs the same deprecated version of Java 6 included in the 2015-001, 2014-001, and 2013-005 releases.

Quit any Java applications before installing this update.

See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6133 for more details about this update.

See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222 for information about the security content of this update.

Keep your software up to date. If you need Java, download the latest version of Java for OS X directly from Oracle https://www.java.com

When I contacted Apple, I found out that my computer could handle going up to Big Sur (cool!) on my MacBook Air.

So I'm guessing that you have a 2013 like my wife still uses (she also has an M1 MB Air). These shipped running Snow Lion but can run Big Sur.

Create an APFS Volume and install macOS 11 onto it. It will not affect your Mojave Volume as you can boot into either and view the other. If your drive is not formatted APFS, you need to change that first which can be done without altering your data. Apple has a ton of support docs on both.

Maybe they fixed the issue and Finale 2012 now works on higher versions?

Absolutely cannot happen. Catalina and above cannot run 32 bit apps. The last macOS that ran 2012 and 2014 properly was El Capitán although both could be made to run over Sierra if installed over an earlier OS that was upgraded. Only 2014 can be installed over El Cap. 2011 could not be installed past Mavericks and I think the same was true about 2012 but I have forgetten. Biggest problem with Sierra and below is that they are incompatible with APFS. Catalina and above cannot run if the drive is not formatted APFS.

Your way out is to take the $149 Dorico crossgrade with the 27 license at no additional charge (includes tech support). 27 runs over Mojave and above and Sequoia next month. It will open your old files as it does mine dating back to 1988 — may have to use the Change Fonts plug-in to make the files display properly but that's easy. Includes MusicXML 4.0 and does not require a JAVA Run Time from Oracle (free but they do not recommend it unless needed).

Ok so I'm stuck again. Dorico's system requirements are higher than Mojave per their web site, so if I upgrade my computer to get Dorico Pro as the deal is, how do I open Finale files to change them to xml? Hopefully, I can talk to someone before I try this.

Thanks for your help.

Your drive is probably formatted APFS already. This should have happened when you upgraded the OS to High Sierra or Mojave but there are ways to keep it from happening. Get Info will tell you. If not APFS, this is easily done in Disk Utility per Apple's support docs or about a zillion web sites and YouTube videos from seven years ago when this was a thing.

 Dorico's system requirements are higher than Mojave … how do I open Finale files to change them to xml?

Not a problem. For now, keep Mojave on your system but you may never boot into it again unless you need other 32 bit apps besides F2012 which you won't be opening again.

Before starting anything, you do have a Time Machine backup, right?

1 If your hard drive doesn't show on your desktop, go to Finder/Preferences and check the Hard Disks box to make it appear. 

2 Add an APFS Volume in Disk Utility, name it something like Big Sur Drive name doesn't matter as long as you know what it is. It will mount to your desktop like a hard drive. Takes a few seconds.

https://support.apple.com/guide/disk-utility/add-delete-or-erase-apfs-volumes-dskua9e6a110/mac 

2. Go to the App Store and download macOS 11 Big Sur. After the installer downloads it will open. Select Show All Disks and select your Big Sur Drive Volume. Run the Installer.

3. When done, your Mac will reboot into the new Volume. Migration Assistant (MA) will want to register this Volume with your Apple Account. Do so.

4. Next you will be asked to transfer Settings, Apps and User Data (files etc). What you transfer depends on drive space. Your Settings definitely. Applications — only if you have the drive space but really isn't necessary yet. Your data — not now because Volumes share empty space and you can access your files. MA will tell you if you don't have enough space—if not, don't transfer Applications yet.

5. When done, log into your MM Account from the new Big Sur Volume and install your new copy of 27—click Yes when it asks for access to your microphone. Reboot when done. Open your files from 27 and correct as necessary. They will open as Untitled but xml export will retain the name. When you close a file it will want to save as .musx — yes, you want this.

6. Run the Dorico Installer — ask Steinberg for help if it doesn't go smoothly. If it hangs up, reboot and try to continue where you left off. There are many things that can hang this process including a slow internet connection. Have a browser window open as it will make calls to various web pages during the process. You will eventually be successful but so many are doing this right now that, if you need phone/screen sharing support, it may take awhile. There are many threads on the Dorico forum where you can get help. Start here…

https://forums.steinberg.net/t/welcome-thread-for-finale-users/929784 

If that MacBook Air doesn't have enough drive space, adding more (up to 4TB) is inexpensive and can be a DIY. 2TB is the most effective bang for the buck, however. SSD, Adapter, Tools etc. cost under $150 including the bootable thumb drive that you'll need to install Mojave. Best to have a tech do it and transfer your data from the old Mac if you've not done one before, however.

I was able to discover that I do have APFS ability, but I'm sure I don't have enough space for all of this 29GB left. While I don't understand space requirements, it doesn't look like much is left. Hopefully, I don't have to do all of this and I can just get Dorico Pro crossgrade (not sure what that even means) and it will have Finale 27 on it that can convert my files as needed and get them into Dorico.  Getting a tech, and buying more space sounds like I need a new computer in the long run. My husband has Sonoma, so I could install on there. Thanks for all of your help thus far. 

buying more space sounds like I need a new computer in the long run

I couldn't agree more. You do not need to run F2012 to convert your files as 27 will do that. Since 27 will install over Sequoia out next month as well as Sonoma... If looking at a new Mac, anything you get will be good. If looking at used or Apple's Refurb Store, I wouldn't consider anything not on this list:

The following devices are compatible with macOS Sequoia:^[3]

• iMac (2019 and later)
• iMac Pro (2017)
• MacBook Air (early 2020 and later)
• MacBook Pro (2018 and later)
• Mac Mini (2018 and later)
• Mac Pro (2019 and later)
• Mac Studio (all models)

Only if you need to run Mojave for other 32 bit applications (as I do), should you consider anything else. All Macs introduced 2012–2018 run Mojave to Sonoma. The only two that also run Sequoia are the 2017 iMac Pro and 2018 Mac Mini. To be clear, it's the year a model was introduced, not when it was made. Though the iMac Pro had hardware upgrades during its production run, all are considered 2017 and can run High Sierra through Sequoia as can the 2018 Mac Mini (Mojave–Sequoia)—these are the only Intel Macs that can.

Thanks I appreciate your response. I am giving this a lot of thought. People have pets who haven't lived as long as I've been working on this equipment. Do you happen to know if how long the "limited time" offer is good for? I prefer to wait until the Sequoia compatibility is assured and get that system before I purchase the cross grade app.

MM have not said anything other than there is "at least enough time to try the 60-day demo".

My guess is that this will continue as long as Yamaha/Steinberg finds it beneficial. If MM finds the tech support increase from all the new 27 users to be a burden, they could pull this offer, also.

In short, you have time but no one knows how much. The last MBAir update was last March but a new Mini is expected tomorrow—prices on the current one will drop one week after these ship when the current stock is sold off in the Refurb Store.

Thanks for your help! Someone responded to me from Sales. All the best.