Ken,

The trial version is complete, with the exception of the Garritan sounds. You can certainly specify the number of measures per staff with the Fit Music command. You can do your second request by hiding whatever staves you don’t want to see, with the staff tool. You can print the score or parts, I can't advise you on the steps for this, because it’s just something I don’t have to do in my workflow. But I know that other people on this forum can instruct you.

Ken,

Yes, everything on your list is doable. Make sure you do the tutorials and the quickstart videos are also an excellent resource when learning Finale.

I'm working thru the first tutorial to do with entering notes.  I entered the first 2 notes and now it stopped working the notes are grey and when I click to add the notes to the staff nothing happens..Why would the first 2 notes work and then it stops working?

ok, so I guess that's the end of the tutorial, can't enter notes and can't understand why. 

The gray notes probably mean that you've switched to a different layer. In the lower left hand corner of the screen you can see what layer you're in. (see screen shot) . When you're in the same layer that you're notes are in, they will appear black.

thanks

now the notes are all crammed into the left side of the bar, I want to do a screen shot to show you, but I can't drag the screen shot into this window .

there are rests in all of the empty bars of the auld lang syne. so I think when I try to add notes it messes things up.  How do I delete all those rests in the empty bars ?

I don't know which note entry method you are using, but under the Help menu, you'll see quickstart videos. What a few of those dealing with entering notes. That should help.

im using the manual method with mouse and keyboard.  I'm working from a tutorial, and this is taking forever to even write two bars of notes due to these problems.

Is there no way I can attach a screen shot to this message to you to show what the problem is ?  Watching another video hoping that they will show my issue, may not be successful and take even more time.  thanks

The forum allows screenshots. I still think watching the quickstart videos will help you. It might not show the problem you're having, but it will show you the correct way of entering notes.

When using the tutorials, it's important to remember the terminology that Finale uses. Saying you're using the "manual method with mouse and keyboard" means nothing to someone trying to help you. You either using Simple or Speedy entry, but which one, I don't know. It sounds like you don't have a midi keyboard either.

its simple entry without midi - I needed to reduce the size of the screen shot.  you see how all my notes are crammed Ito the left side of the bar ?

I will watch the vide-and take your advice-thanks

You have at least two layers involved. That’s why things are screwed up. As Jeff said, watch the videos and go through the tutorials.

If I had a midi interface for my guitar (which I don't), would I be able to enter notes by playing the on my guitar, and have the correct rhythm and the correct rests, and note durations shown ?

In theory, if you believe the sales hype, yes.

In practice, not a chance. Do yourself a favor, and spend the time learning note entry, whether Simple or Speedy. 

Sorry...

Thanks

How do I add 4 more measures to my song? I should have specified 33 measures for the song I'm working on but I only specified 29.   I'm searching thru the help menu and have done some of the tutorials and videos and will do more..

just found the command by searching: add measures-great