Grappling with graphics in Finale

Lesson 1 (intermediate): Embedding Graphics

The Graphics Tool in Finale is rather limited, but one of the things you can do is embed graphics into your scores. Graphics can be attached to measures or to pages and there’s a little bit to know about doing both of these things. There are also some manipulations that can be done on graphics in Finale, (not much, though), so we’ll cover all of that in this video.

0:00 Introduction
1:19 Assign To Measure
2:20 File Types
2:56 Resizing Graphics
3:55 Opaque vs. Transparent
4:42 Layering Graphics
7:52 Attachment and Stretching
10:33 Graphics in Linked Parts
13:31 Assign to Page
17:03 Conclusion

Lesson 2 (intermediate): Graphic Attributes

The Graphics Attributes window functions very similarly to the Frame Attributes window from the Text tool but with a few differences. This video will show you all that can be done in this window.

0:00 Introduction
1:39 Basic Info
2:30 Scale
3:36 Fixed Percent Scaling
6:26 Attach To:
7:33 Alignment and Positioning
9:22 Right Page Alignment and Positioning
11:33 Link to File/Check Graphics
14:37 Conclusion

Lesson 3 (intermediate): Exporting Graphics

Exporting Graphics is the other main thing that you can do with the Graphics Tool. You can export whole pages or just small selections from anywhere on the page. There are several file formats you can choose from, some options for transparency and DPI resolution and, and a few other things that might be helpful.

0:00 Introduction
0:29 Export Pages
1:38 Resolution
2:48 Page Range
2:57 File Names
4:51 Score vs. Parts
5:13 Export to PDF vs. Print to PDF
8:01 Export Selection
9:57 Export Graphic vs. Screenshots
10:53 Transparency
12:46 Exporting Graphics with Embedded Graphics
14:35 Conclusion

Listen to the podcast episode

On the Scoring Notes podcast, David MacDonald and Philip Rothman talk with Jason Loffredo about preparing music for the world of musical theatre and his Conquering Finale video tutorial series, which can help you better master that sophisticated software, whether you’re a new or long-time user. Listen now: