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Compile PostScript Listing dialog box

How to get there

Choose File > Compile PostScript Listing.

What it does

When you choose Print from the File menu and have a PostScript printer, Finale performs two steps. First it generates a PostScript listing (a coded description of every element on the page, its size and position, and so on). Then it downloads this code to the PostScript printer, which translates it into a printed image.

You can, if you prefer, break up these two steps into separate procedures by using the Compile PostScript command, which creates the PostScript listing without sending it to the printer. You’ll be asked to give the listing a title, and it will be saved on your hard disk. Because different printers handle color differently, we recommend unchecking Use Colors (View menu, Select Display Colors) before Compiling.

In order to print this listing, you may need a downloading program capable of sending it to the printer just as Finale does automatically when you choose Print.

Why would you want to create a compiled PostScript listing in this way? There are several advantages. First, a document prepared and printed this way takes less total time to print than if you use the Print command. Second, you can transport the listing file on a disk to print elsewhere without having to bring the Finale program itself. Third, the Compile PostScript command permits you to prepare and print full-size scores (11 by 17, or as large as you like). See Page Size.

Tip: Be sure to either take the .pfm and .pfb music font files with you if you want to print to a postscript printer that does not have Finale installed or include the Fonts in the Listing. By default, Finale uses Maestro or Broadway Copyist as the music font, but you could also use Petrucci, Engraver Font Set, or Jazz.

 

See also:

PostScript

File menu

 

 

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Finale 2014 for Windows

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