Some font issues across multiple computers

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Paul Lombardi Posted January 27, 2022 19:45

My students submit some of their assignments as MUSX files. I have Finale 25.5. I think their versions may be newer. Some of their files open just fine on my computer, but some have all the font characters replaced with squares. When they send me musicXML files, my computer can open them but complains with errors. Is there a workaround?

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MIKE HALLORAN Posted January 27, 2022 20:14

Try changing the fonts in the document. This should normally display something you can read.

If they're running 27 and using SMuFL fonts, the best solution is to upgrade your copy of Finale. Normally, downloading the latest demo installs the latest fonts but 25 doesn't support SMuFL.

If the problem is actually with older versions, there are other solutions. Mac or Windows? It makes a difference.

Paul Lombardi Posted January 28, 2022 17:23

With the decline in enrollments, my department has no money to upgrade our computers. We'll continue to make do for the time being.

Dave Cusick Posted January 28, 2022 21:25

Hi Paul,

If you open your students assignments and you are seeing the font characters show as squares, this is certainly a font issue. As Mike mentioned, you could try changing the default music font for the file to see if you get different results. In most cases, this should work but there could be exceptions.

If the students were using a SMuFL font, you would not see squares for the glyphs but most likely just off alignment and character issues, but not blank characters. So, the documents may not be perfect in v25.5 but should be readable.

In either case, if you would to investigate further, use the Submit a Request option and we can see if there is a more encompassing solution we can offer for you. Without knowing exactly what you are encountering though, that is difficult to do.

MIKE HALLORAN Posted January 28, 2022 21:46

At the risk of stating the obvious, if you're the instructor, tell your students which font(s) to use. Not only might this solve the problem but, if it doesn't, should make the issue easier to diagnose.

You didn't mention Mac or Windows. If Mac, this was not uncommon when 25 was an upgrade. Newer installers don't always clear out older versions of fonts, especially if installed in the Users/–/Library/Fonts directory where old installers put them but newer installers don't look. There are a few old threads on this exact issue.

Paul Lombardi Posted February 14, 2022 01:33

I noticed that changing the font didn't necessarily work depending on the version of Finale.

My department just upgraded, so everything is working fine now.

Thank you all for the input.

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