Finale 25 Win Scripting Questions

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PATRICK AZZARELLO Posted July 10, 2021 20:02

I'm trying to find a good resource for Finale scripting. I'm just starting and there are some really interesting scripts out there, but I'm trying to modify them a little bit to make them fit my requirements a bit more.

For example, I'm using the Export to PDF script but:

1. I want to make certain that when the script closes the file it DOESN'T save the changes and doesn't prompt. Currently I get a prompt and have to manually say "no". This is (probably) in part due to some fields that autoupdate (I have the file date in the footer).

2. I can't seem to get the directory function to work properly in the script. I set it, but it always goes back to the setting in the Scripting Options dialog.

Any help/pointers would be appreciated

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MIKE HALLORAN Edited July 10, 2021 22:03

What are you currently using to build your script? If FinaleScript, you may find a 3rd party script or macro editor—MS also has one—can do what you want. Remember that you must tell or show the app every step (or keystroke depending on the editor) and take nothing for granted including the exit. If you can do a repeatable string of commands that accomplishes the task manually, you can teach something to run it with a key stroke or combination. Again, Microsoft has a powerful tool in the OS for this, also.

I used to build macros and scripts for Windows apps and UNIX when I worked for Distinct and later the phone company.

PATRICK AZZARELLO Posted July 10, 2021 22:39

I originally thought I'd go the external route, allowing myself to build scripts, including/excluding as necessary. Unfortunately I have not been able to find any type of command line interface for Finale (25).

Specifically I'm trying to export all MUSX files in a directory as PDF's in another (sub) directory (called PDF).

If there's a way to do this with a Windows script (WSH? PS?) I'd be happy to give it a try. I know that there's probably not a lot of need for robust scripting in the Finale community, but I figure that there are probably a small number of people doing a significant amount of work that would make it easier (e.g., film scoring, publishing, etc.).

Again, any links would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance (again).

MIKE HALLORAN Edited July 13, 2021 16:49

If you can do everything through key commands and key combinations, scripting is easy. You may have to build in pauses if your PC isn’t immediately responsive (not normally an issue). If mouse clicks are necessary, then a visual macro app that supports screen scraping is necessary. The problems occur if the exact position of the cursor needs to change from one document to the next. From your description, I’m guessing not.

I don’t know which apps are out there for Windows anymore. I understand scripting, macros and screen scraping but I no longer have a PC to play with. This article discusses what macros do and how even though this product will not work with Finale.

https://askcody.distinct.com/index.php/support/faq/fn=IFAQ271

Weird to read it again and realize that I wrote it over 20 years ago.

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