1) When you do the opposite:

File menu > New > Document From Template…

Finale automatically displays a directory dialog box showing the Templates folder.

2) Saving as a template - using the file name extension “.ftmx” - is a “Windows Finale thingy”.

Mac Finale uses the file name extension “.musx” for both Finale documents and Finale templates.

When I save a template (Mac Finale), I am just saving an “ordinary” .musx Finale document.

Hence it is not obvious (for Mac Finale) whether I am saving a document or a template.

Indeed it would be nice if you could save directly in the Templates folder.

However, there are third party directory dialog box utilities that can give you shortcuts to your preferred folders (such as the Templates folder).

I don't see a benefit to saving in the template folder.

I make my own templates or get them from publishers and save them to a folder that I name and choose a location. I just open one of my templates from this folder, do a "save as", then I'm off to the races.

I created a shortcut to the templates folder on my desktop.

Bottom line all of you do work arounds that Finale should do it's own . You already told it where the temp file folder is. No different than the backup and autosave folders. Finale knows where they are.

I don't see a benefit to saving in the template folder.

I don't either. if it doesn't work. So, either make it work correctly or get rid of it.

Ernest, I can certainly agree that it would be convenient for many users that, when saving a template file, Finale goes to the Templates folder directly. That makes sense for many situations but not for everyone (not everyone wants to keep their personal templates there).

As pointed out here, it's different on Mac and Windows too. When you save a template on Windows, the Explorer Window opens first (to the last location used), and then you designate the document as a template file (.ftmx). This current setup isn't ideal for saving directly to the Templates folder. I think it would be best to add a Save as Template option directly under the File menu that would go directly to the Templates folder location set in Preferences. Thoughts?

The Template folder is not just there to save files to, but also serves other functions as well, and it does function for these purposes. It is an install location for the provided templates and also several menu options in the program point here. So you can always get to the default templates (or your own if you choose to save there) easily from File > New > Document from Template or the Template button on the Launch Window. 

 I think it would be best to add a Save as Template option directly under the File menu...

I like that idea, do it.

As pointed out here, it's different on Mac and Windows too. 

If you are going to support two different platforms you must expect "differences".

So you can always get to the default templates (or your own if you choose to save there) easily from File > New > Document from Template or the Template button on the Launch Window. 

I am not talking about opening a template just saving it. Finale by default settings, buries the template folder pretty deeply in the folder hierarchy.

>> Finale by default settings, buries the template folder pretty deeply in the folder hierarchy.

Then create a shortcut where you can find it easily.

You see that is the same philosophy that MM has. If there is  work around then its OK. No, it needs to be a normal action included in Finale. The same thing is true for other issues with Finale.

Right. Why use an established, easy shortcut, when you can complain that someone else should do something so you don’t have to?

Seems reasonable to me.