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SmartScore X FAQs
| Upgrade Issues: |
Windows users should remove all versions of SmartScore prior to installing 10.2.3 update. Or...
Why do I see "Mfc90.dll not found" after installing 10.2.3 update?
Windows users should remove all previous versions of SmartScore prior to installing the Version 10.2.3 update using Add/Remove Programs utility from Windows Control Panel. Be sure to disable any virus protection utility before installing update. Should you continue to encounter this problem, contact Musitek Technical Support at tech@musitek.com.
Do I need to be online to install SmartScore X?
SmartScore users must have their copies verified online. The procedure is simple but must be followed correctly. Upgrade customers need to enter their previous Customer ID and password (if previous version was downloaded) or Customer ID and serial number (if previous version was installed from CD). A small number of customers might not be able to transmit and receive online validation due to firewall or other security block. A browser work-around is provided during the installation process in that case.
If your computer cannot be connected to the Internet, paid customers can be manually authorized by contacting our Technical Support group at tech@musitek.com (805-646-5841).
Do I need my prior version installed when upgrading to SmartScore X?
No. In fact, we recommend you uninstall your previous version of SmartScore prior to installing the upgrade. You will not loose any working ENF or TIFF files. NOTE: Be sure to uninstall BEFORE and not after installing SmartScore. If you wish to keep your prior version, install SmartScore into a separate directory (within the Program Files folder).
How many times can I install my copy of SmartScore?
You will be able to install your copy of SmartScore up to 5 times (from both download and CD installers). Updates are also included in the 5-count. If you get a notice that you have "exceeded the number of installations", please call Tech Support at 805-646-5841.
I downloaded my copy of SmartScore. How do I download it again?
If you deleted your installer or replaced your hard drive, you may download the SmartScore installer again provided you still have your Customer ID and Password (for downloading) as well as the Serial Number (for installing), you can access the installer at this location.
How do I get the manual so it opens in SmartScore as a HELP file?
If you did not download the manual during installation and wish to do so, follow these steps:
a) Click here to get "Using SmartScore X" user manual. Your browser will either open the file or will begin downloading it.
b) In either case, save the manual to the SmartScore directory as follows:
- If it opens in Adobe Acrobat, push the "diskette" icon (FILE > Save). Browse to the SmartScore directory on your hard drive (For Windows: Save in Program Files > SmartScore directory.
- You can always move the file to the SmartScore directory manually.
For Mac: Save in Applications > SmartScore directory). After saving to the SmartScore directory, you will be able to open the manual in SmartScore anytime by going to:
HELP > USER MANUAL > ON MY COMPUTER SmartScore 3 Users: Click here to get "Using SmartScore 3" user manual. |
Scanner? What scanner?...
Confused about scanning? For detailed scanning tips, see our Scanning Notes page.
Wondering which scanners work best with SmartScore? Click here.
Scan from inside SmartScore whenever possible.
It is preferrable to scan from SmartScore's own scanning interface for several reasons: SmartScore's scanning interface includes: Auto-resolution, auto-deskew, multi-page / single compressed image creation, greyscale thresholding, etc.
SmartScore prints smaller than my original (with All-In-One scanner).
All in one printer/scanners are becoming very popular. Most will work in SmartScore, but final results may not be optimal. Many will not allow variable-resolution scanning. This forces choosing discrete resolution values, e.g. 300dpi, 600dpi and 1200dpi. With "Auto-Resolution" on, SmartScore may print smaller than the original score. See Scanning Notes for workaround. If your printout appears larger than the paper size can handle, click here.
Windows Users take note: Use the WIA driver...
WIA (Windows Image Acquisition) is now the standard scanner driver. All-in-one scanner/copier/printer combinations are now very popular. But not all work well with 3rd-party programs (such as SmartScore). Windows users with all-in-one scanners, should always choose the "WIA" driver in SmartScore:
In SmartScore, go to FILE > Scan Music > Select Scanner. Choose "WIA xxxx".
Can I use SmartScore's scanning interface on my Intel-based Mac?
Yes, but you will need to be running SmartScore Version 5.2 or later.
Most scanner manufacturers have yet to release functional Universal Binary TWAIN drivers. We have implemented a routine to call PowerPC TWAIN drivers via Rosetta. You may update your 5.x copy for free by going to the SmartScore download page here.
Scanning in Macintosh OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard)
For older scanners and those with "Universal" drivers, it may be necessary to install "Rosetta". To do so, find SmartScore in the Applications folder and right-click (or Option+click) on the app. Choose "Show Info" then select "Install Rosetta". To check that your driver is properly installed, open SmartScore and go to FILE > Scan Music > Select scanner. If it is listed, your scanner should operate when you select SCAN in SmartScore. If you need to scan outside SmartScore, use the Apple "Image Capture" application following these guidelines. Beginning with Snow Leopard (Mac OS 10.6) proprietary and All-In-One scanner drivers are integrated in the Apple operating system. To find if your scanner's imaging software is supported by Snow Leopard, refer to this Apple document.
Scanning in Macintosh OS 10.5 (Leopard)
Scanning from SmartScore in Leopard has been improved as of release 10.1.1. Most dedicated USB scanners will work, however only the Epson line has been thoroughly tested. Low-end all-in-one scanners and older SCSI scanners may not respond. To pre-scan outside of SmartScore, following these guidelines.
How do I select SmartScore's scanning interface?
- Select FILE > SCAN MUSIC > CHOOSE INTERFACE > SMARTSCORE’S
- Then select FILE > SCAN MUSIC > SELECT SCANNER > WIAxxxxx (Windows)
For Macintosh: Choose the TWAIN driver associated with your scanner. If a TWAIN driver isn't visible, insert your scanner software CD. Look for an "Install TWAIN" option (sometimes found under “Custom”). If no driver is visible, consider this alternative.
- Push SCAN or FILE > SCAN MUSIC > ACQUIRE to begin scanning.
My orchestral score is bigger and wider than my scanner. How do I recognize large format scores in SmartScore X? There are more than one way to "skin a cat"... If the image field of a score is larger than the glass of your scanner, you have several options to process the music with SmartScore.
- Reduce pages of the orginal score using a large-format page copier.
- Scan upper and lower halves of each page then merge and save joined images as a new file using Photoshop or other image processing software.
- Employ a method using only SmartScore to manageably scan and reconstruct "conductor's scores". Click one of the following links to access this method either as HTML pages or as a QuickTime movie.
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| Recognition Issues: |
Got a trouble file? Send it to us!
You can send us your problem files whether you're using the demo or the full product. We will analyze your files and get back to you right away. Save the problem .TIF files (along with your .ENF or .MND files). We prefer you zip them together first if possible. Attach them to e-mail and be sure to include a daytime telephone number so we can reach you by phone. Send to: tech@musitek.com
Recognition fails or hangs on scanned pages.
Issue: Most of the failures of SmartScore to successfully recognize a scanned page are due to pages being scanned without cropping and/or not being skew-corrected. Workaround: In the scan preview windows, be sure to crop the region containing the music leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch of "white space" around the music. To manually deskew and crop pre-scanned pages, use the Image Editor (OPEN > "IMAGE FILES">filename.TIF.
For more information, call Tech Support at 805-646-5841 (M-F 10AM-4PM PST).
Does SmartScore recognize PDF files?
SmartScore X recognizes nearly all PDF files, both screen and print resolution, color or black & white. SmartScore 5 can recognize only print resolution, black and white PDF files (See below). For SmartScore 5 Only:
- Mininum useful resolution is about 250 dpi.
- Color mode must be black & white or greyscale.
Please note that many musical scores available on the Internet in PDF format were created for screen viewing (96 dpi) and saved in RGB color, even though the image may appear as black and white. SmartScore will not successfully process these files. You may check image settings by opening the PDF file in Photoshop®, Acrobat Reader® or other PDF-friendly programs. If you want to edit the image file, remember that increasing the resolution will not improve accuracy. Files in RGB or other color mode can be changed to greyscale and resaved to become compatible with SmartScore.
Scans are reversed. Background is black and notes are white.
Workaround: Rescan with "Reverse Image" selected in SmartScore interface. Or choose Edit > Reverse Image in the Image Editor.
Music font problems: e.g. Time and/or key signatures display as letters or do are incorrectly placed on staff lines.
Issue: SmartScore is accessing an older version of the Chopin font (Chopin.ttf) or did not install the new font properly. Fix: Open Control Panel > Fonts (Start > Control Panel), find CHOPIN, click on it and select REMOVE. Then reinstall SmartScore.
Hand-written music and lead sheets are not well-recognized.
Issue: SmartScore may recognize lead sheets or hand-written scores provided the notation approximates offset printed sheet music. But we can not guarantee the kind of accuracy you would obtain with printed sheet music. The closer the manuscript resembles printed music, the better the recognition will be.
Recognition accuracy is not what I expected.
Scanning Hints for Better Accuracy NOTE: If you are using an "All-In-One" scanner (copier/printer/scanner), click here...
- Good originals = Good accuracy
The greatest variable in recognition accuracy is the quality of the printed music to be scanned. Larger fonts with crisper, more detailed printing will have better accuracy than smaller, faded scores or copies out of multiple generations. Avoid scores having broken, faded or segmented note stems and staff lines. Rule of Thumb: Modern scores work better than those printed during the French Revolution.
- Good scanners work best
The next greatest variable is the quality of the scanner used. Most flatbed scanners are adequate. All-in-One scanners have their own special issues...click here for more.
Click here for list of compatible scanners.
- Precise resolution means better accuracy
Higher resolutions do not necessarily equate to higher accuracy. Accuracy diminishes when the optimum resolution is not met or is exceeded. Whenever possible, always use the "Auto-resolution" feature inside SmartScore's Scanning Interface. You'll be a happy music-scanner if you do!
- Crop the music, but leave some white space
Always leave a minimum of 1/4" to 1/2" margin of white space on all sides (left, right, top and bottom). It is especially important to keep the left and right-hand margins of every system within the borders of the scanned image and to avoid light leaks (masses of black) onto the image area containing the music. Using SmartScore's Image Editor can correct most scanning errors.
- Deskew your image files
SmartScore may be able to correct skewed (or slightly rotated) images during scanning, but it's not always fool-proof. If you see skewing in the yellow (original) pane after recognition, close the ENF file and open your TIF file in SmartScore's Image Editor and manually straighten the image. Then push the RECOGNIZE button in the toolbar.
- Adjust the darkness/brightness of the final scan
Smaller notes or laser-printed scores can have very thin sharp lines. Darkening the final scan will thicken these lines and increase recognition accuracy.
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| Finale Export / Printing Issues |
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How do I export files to Finale / PrintMusic or other programs?
If you own SmartScore X and Finale(2009 or later), you don't need to worry about choosing a file format. Just push the "Finale" icon in the upper right of the ENF toolbar. This will open Finale with the converted file looking exactly as it did in SmartScore. Otherwise, SmartScore saves to the.XML format for importing into Sibelius, Personal Composer, etc.
I saved a .FIN file in SmartScore but it will not open in Finale 2003/2004 (Mac Only) Issue: If an ENF file is closed (and saved) AFTER saving it as a .FIN file, a dialog asks if you want to save current file as a .FIN file. Workaround: Save the open ENF file BEFORE saving it as a .FIN file. Dialog will not ask if you want to save current file as a .FIN file.
Why does my SmartScore file look corrupted after I import it into Finale 2001? Issue: SmartScore files with more than one voice per staff line (contrapuntal voices) do not import properly into Finale 2000c / 2001. Workaround: Upgrade to Finale 2004. Contrapuntal voices, text, lyrics and chord symbols all import correctly.
Pages print blank in my copy of SmartScore 3.1. Issue: Pages print blank when page orientation is set to "Horizontal". Workaround: Go to FILE > PAGE SETUP. Change "Type of Page" to "Custom". Change "Orientation" from "Landscape" to "Portrait". Change "Horizontal" page size to 11" and "Vertical" page size to "8.5". Now print. 3.1.1 Update (March 1) will fix. For more information, call Tech Support at 805-646-5841. |
Contacting Technical Support
You can send us your problem files whether you're using the demo or the full product. We will analyze your files and get back to you right away. Save the problem .TIF files (along with your .ENF or .MND files). We Aprefer you zip them together first if possible. Attach them to e-mail and be sure to include a daytime telephone number so we can reach you by phone. Send to: tech@musitek.com You May Contact Musitek Technical Support by calling 805-646-5841 between 10 AM and 4 PM (Pacific Time) Monday through Friday or by writing and submitting us email. |
