Looking to switch to Dorico but unsure if Elements will work or if I need Pro. We currently use Finale exclusively for 4 part, accapella choral notation/engraving of hymns and church songs. We have a custom template with proprietary fonts/notation (shape notes) and staff structure since the music we write/arrange is published. Would we be able to use those fonts/staff template in Elements or will it require a Pro license? Other than the template, we primarily rely on Finale for note spacing, lyric input, and other engraving functions. We dont need expansive playback or instrumentation functions. We are all individual home users of Finale so we were hoping to get by on Elements, but didnt want to get into it and find out we need to upgrade. Thanks!
Welcome to the forum, @LikelyFlat96. If you are currently using either the full Finale software or Finale PrintMusic, you are eligible to buy Dorico Pro at the special price directly from MakeMusic. Dorico Elements costs $99, and while Dorico Pro would normally cost $329 if you are buying a crossgrade from Finale, you can buy your crossgrade for just $149 from MakeMusic. So I would strongly recommend you choose Dorico Pro, as you can then be sure that you have access to all of Dorico’s features.
Specifically to use shape notes, you would ideally need Dorico Pro, as the settings for shape notes are only found in Library > Engraving Options, and that dialog is only included in Dorico Pro.