Finale no longer scans, and it will probably never be brought back. Having said that, the “lite” version of SmartScore that was packaged in the past was, IMNSHO, worthless. Scanning will always have mistakes. (I say that as someone who has scanned hundreds of scores. Twenty or so in the past week, in fact.)

The only way to do it effectively is to use the full SmartScore (or other) scanning program, which will allow you to edit and correct most errors before exporting as XML. Unfortunately, SmartScore has not yet released a 64-bit version, although we are promised “soon.” For over a year-and-a-half, now. But I digress...

If you have a lot of these to do, wait until the new version is out. SmartScore has offered a 50% discount to Finale users in the past, and I would hope that they continue that. Be prepared for a learning curve, but once you get up to speed, it will save you a lot of time.

If you need them right away, I could help you out for a reasonable fee. If you want to discuss it, my email address is in my signature, below.

Tom,

You haven't said which Operating System you are using. The 32-bit version of SmartScore X2 Pro still works fine on Windows 10 (although I do not use it much and certainly do not edit in it as Mike does). The major difficulty I have found with scanning music in is how it stumbles over multiple voices on a single staff (i.e. keyboard music). That takes some awkward unwinding in Finale.

(Is this the Tom Hardway who spent his younger years in DC at STA? If so, "Hi.")

Adrian,

If you’re interested, I’d be happy to give you some coaching in SmartScore. My email is in my signature.

Thank you both, Adrian and Mike, for your feedback.  I have several arrangements of various choral pieces originally scored for SATB, which I have arranged for treble choir SSA, SSAA.  As the founder and director of the Texas Children's Choir (started in 1989), I have been trying to find ways for the singers to do more work at home on the parts such that we can spend more quality time at rehearsals.  SmartMusic has been a really interesting way for them to accomplish this, especially in the light of the pandemic.  A few years ago, upon attempting to scan a few scores, it seemed like the attempt to scan a pdf to a usable score in Sibelius or Finale was greatly complicated by having to "fix" numerous problems caused by blemishes or unclarities in the original document.  I didn't know if the technology had advanced somewhat.  Adrian!  I can't believe is has been 50 years since we worked together, you giving my first theory lesson in voice leading, and working with Dr. Sowerby together.  I haven't seen you since then!  Mike, good to have met you.  Would like to discuss further with both of you.  Tom Hardaway  (tghardaway@yahoo.com and www.texaschildrenschoir.org)

Tom,

Good to be back in contact, but as I mentioned in an e-mail to you, I strongly suggest you edit your message here (via the Comment Action pull-down below your message) to remove your e-mail before it is harvested.

I took a quick look at your web page (will go back later for a closer look). You have a lot of members there; glad to see you have a co-director.

I suspect Mike will agree with me that any scanning software will require some clean-up (either in the scanning program or in Finale afterwards) to make it usable for Finale.

Mike,

If I used SmartScore enough to make it worthwhile (for either of us), I would take you up on your offer; but I only use it in the rare instance where I have a pre-Finale file (and I have used Finale since its beginning) or I want to scan someone's image here to try to fiddle with it.

If I have the time these days, I am as likely to enter my legacy files into Dorico for practice as I am to scan them (especially since in many cases those files are hand-written and I know well enough not to expect a scan to help me there). Thank you, nonetheless.

I understand, Adrian. But the offer stands, if you ever want it!

How are you doing with Dorico? I’ve looked at it, but I don’t see any reason to switch at this point. My needs are simple, and with all its warts, Finale does (just about) everything I need it to. I have no hope that any of the bugs that affect me will be fixed, but so far I can live with them, as long as there are people like you to help me find the workarounds!