Convert Finale XML, "flow", book format

Dorico
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Hello:

Finale users are probably inundating you with ways they want Dorico to become Finale. Know I’m grateful Dorico is an option. Am writing to ask for help & advice::

  1. XML IMPORTING If I had one wish, it would be that converting Finale XML to Dorico would be relatively simple, and that my Finale document would look almost identical with just a few steps, when converting it to Dorico. Please help improve this process.
    One of my colleagues said she chose Sibelius over Dorico because when she opened her files in Sibelius, they looked like her documents–whereas when she opened in Dorico, it looked like a bomb blew up.
    I watched a youtube video on this process, and I also thought it looked bomb-ish, to the point I haven’t tried to do this with one of my own documents. Can improving importation of XML files be near the top of the list for Dorico updates? Are there folks who specialize in this who could help me convert (2) book projects? More in #3 below…
    I just checked how many music files I have on my hard drive: 20,000+. I couldn’t believe it. This does include graphics and a few Mic Word documents, but it’s mostly Finale files. I create arrangements every day for my students, and I’m highly motivated to learn notation software to make the best layout so that my students don’t have to struggle to read music.
  2. DATA ENTRY Another wish, but not as important as #1: data entry does not seem intuitive. I struggled to input a simple 8-bar melody, which I wanted set up with 4 measures on each line. After 45 minutes, I gave up & returned to Finale.
  3. FLOWS I purchased Dorico because of “flows.” I’m so close to having (2) harp exercise books ready to publish (with 3 more harp & piano book ideas after those). In fact, I’m taking time off school this fall to complete these projects. It’s been my dream to publish what I know works for my students, to help other teachers & students, and to also broaden my livelihood outside of in-person lessons (so I can spend more time with my own children).
    Over the summer, I got an idea for a prep exercise to start off one of the books, but I can’t insert a page in Finale & keep the rest of the formatting after that page the same. They suggested making each page its own document, which to me sounds like a lot of work. The “flow” idea seems like the perfect solution, because it would enable “chapters,” yes? Even though I’ve watched youtube videos on this, I’m not understanding how to set this up. (Help.)
  4. BOOK FORMAT Another colleague said they import Finale music as graphics into Mic Word to then create a book. I understand this is the norm for many self-publishers. Is Dorico powerful enough to eliminate this step, that a book could be done completely in Dorico? (This is the reason I purchased, because it sounds like Dorico is the best notation option, more powerful than Sibelius or Musescore, yes?)
    Please help. As much as I’m motivated to learn Dorico, I feel overwhelmed at the thought of converting my books to Dorico, and the hours this will take. Are there people that could help with this?
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  1. You simply need to use Dorico correctly. Everything you wish to do can be achieved easily. “Intuitive” means “what Im used to,” and Dorico is not (and will never be) like Finale.

To set up 4 measures per line, open Layout Options>Staves and Systems>Casting Off.

  1. Add a new flow in Setup mode for each exercise. There’s a lot of functionality to explore there, more than can be easily written here. What you’re wanting is absolutely possible, and precisely why flows exist.

  2. No, I don’t recommend doing the book in Dorico if you have a lot of text. InDesign is better for that.

I do private tutoring, as do other experienced users on this forum. That may be a good direction to go. But if that’s not an option for you, continue to ask questions here that as as specific as possible, and you’ll get answers.

1 Like
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Post an XML here, and I (or another user) will give it a shot.

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Hello:

  1. Yes–I agree that “intuitive” is indeed “what I’m used to.” I wish there was an instant Matrix-like download to know Dorico. Know I’m so appreciative of this forum, which has already been lightning speed compared to Finale’s support–and your patience with us (former) Finale users.
  • I would be interested in trying a tutoring session. How do I proceed with that?
  • I’ll also try to post a rough of my first exercise book, which is just 16 pages but loaded with harp markings & tiny nuances.
    Many thanks, Marlyn
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Here is a pdf, so you can see the intended layout:
ALLELUIA PROGRESSIONS jensen rough harp 13Oct.pdf (677.5 KB)

I’ve created an XML version, but when I try to attach it, I’m getting a message saying it’s not an authorized format.

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You probably need to zip the xml file.

I find I have to undo all my esoteric customizations in my Finale file before I get a clean xml export - import. I also have a prepared template that matches. The newest release 5.1.60 does a meaningfully improved read, though, and I am getting around Dorico fine once the file comes in.

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If you want to schedule a tutoring session, you can email me at dan dot kreider at gmail dot com.

There are other Steinberg-certified trainers available as well. Resources – Dorico.