Scanning

Note. View the Scanning music QuickStart Video for an overview.

All you need is a scanner properly set up with your computer to take advantage of Finale’s scanning capabilities. Scan, import, and translate a piece of sheet music directly from Finale (see To scan and import sheet music), or import an existing TIFF graphic you have already scanned and translate the file to a Standard Finale File using the SmartScore Lite dialog box. See To Import Scanned TIFF Files.

Note. that the SmartScore Lite feature in Finale, like most music scanning products, doesn’t recognize articulation marks, hairpins, double or repeat barlines, or text. It will do 3 accidental types, 3 clefs, 16 staves per page, smallest note value is a 32nd note, and a maximum of 1 augmentation dot. With SmartScore Lite, you can open several scanned files at once.

Because scanning is not a perfect science, you will need to clean up any file after conversion. For complicated music, you will usually find it easier to simply re-enter the music via one of Finale's traditional note entry methods: Simple Entry, Speedy Entry, or HyperScribe.

Remember that to take advantage of any of Finale's scanning capabilities, you will need to have a properly installed scanner (contact the manufacturer of your scanner if you have questions).

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