Initial steps from Finale to Dorico

I’ve used Finale for a long time and have a few basic questions about switching to Dorico. I’ve been poking around the Blog, but please forgive me if these questions have been answered elsewhere.

Will installing Dorico impact existing Finale installs and/or files?

Are there any hints to make this easier?

Is it best to download and install Dorico before or after 1) converting all Finale files to XML files using batch export and 2) printing all Finale scores and parts to PDF?

Also, although I’ve read it, I’m not sure what 2) above means: Is creating a PDF document from a Finale file different from printing to PDF using a PDF printer (such as Cute PDF Writer?). Do I need to create a PDF document from each of my Finale files and then print a hard copy (that seems daunting)? Are the PDF files exported?

I saw mention of needing a Dolet plug-in to make XML files from older versions of Finale. How does that work?

I’ve seen differing opinions, but the consensus seems to be that compressed XML files (*xml) are preferred.

Thanks for helping with these (very) basic questions!

PS Does anyone know when the discounted option to buy Dorico ends?

Dorico has no impact on Finale, you can run both at the same time on your computer. So you don’t need to do anything with your Finale files currently. The best way is to export files you are working on to xml.format and Dorico import these as an idividual flows. In general it will be smooth apart from Finale expressions and some dynamics marks. But you can figure out how to transform these into Dorico!

Welcome @Anniebud1

First of all, I’d say that you don’t necessarily need to convert every single document over to Dorico. Not with any urgency, anyway. I’d start just by learning the program in a relaxed manner; then once you’re up to speed, decide what you’re going to start, or what you’re going to re-do.

Having a PDF that you can print from is the most useful thing for printing and performing the music. But of course, Finale will stay working for some years yet.

Are you on Mac or Windows?

It really doesn’t matter. Installing Dorico has no effect on how Finale produces XML files.

There are a number of ways of making a PDF file from Finale. (“Exporting” just means “saving as”. You can use Finale’s Graphics Export, or from the Print Menu. Graphics Export is usually recommended.

Having a paper copy is of course useful – both for playing, and for making sure that if the lights go out, you can still read your music!

You don’t need that. That’s for much older version of Finale. (Or Sibelius.)

Compressed (.mxl) or uncompressed (.musicxml) doesn’t matter: the former just saves space. What’s important is that you’re using XML 4.0, and including linked parts.

Also, if you want to batch process folders full of Finale files, using “Translate Folder to XML”, check the “Include Subfolders” option.