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Topic: Setting defaults for imports (Read 4958 times) previous topic - next topic

Setting defaults for imports

Is there a way to specify a template to be used for a MIDI import?  Or, is there a way to modify the "normal" or "Blank Score" template?  Or, is there another way to change defaults (e.g. for margins, font sizes, etc.)?  And/or, is there a way to convert from Cakewalk/Sonar files to NWC?  Thanks.

Re: Setting defaults for imports

Reply #1 –
Quote from: smoore33 –
Is there a way to specify a template to be used for a MIDI import? 

No.  At least not the way I think you're asking.

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Or, is there a way to modify the "normal" or "Blank Score" template? 

No, or at least not that I know of.  However, it is no problem to create a custom template and use that whenever you create a new score.  Simply create the basic score layout, including any instrumentation you want, font selections, sizes etc. and save it in the "C:\Program Files\NoteWorthy Composer 2\Template\CUSTOM" directory. 

IIRC, there may be an alternative location in your home directory in "documents and Settings" on XP or "Users" on Vista/Win7 but someone else will need to confirm this.

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Or, is there another way to change defaults (e.g. for margins, font sizes, etc.)? 

Use the custom template mentioned above.

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And/or, is there a way to convert from Cakewalk/Sonar files to NWC?  Thanks.

Only via MIDI.
I plays 'Bones, crumpets, coronets, floosgals, youfonymums 'n tubies.

Re: Setting defaults for imports

Reply #2 –
My goal is to import a bunch of Cakewalk files and not have to change all the file, page, and staff settings.  If I have to go through MIDI, and templates can't be used for MIDI imports, then a way to change the program defaults (which would apply to MIDI imports), not by applying a template, is the only hope I can think of to avoid the tedious work.  Many programs have a way of setting program defaults a la, MS Word's "normal template".  Any additional ideas from anyone would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Re: Setting defaults for imports

Reply #3 –
Ok... Here is what I do in such cases.
I import all Midi files, export them to .nwctxt, and edit those with a text editor. If you have a smart editor, it can save you a lot of time. It needs to be able to do a change through all open files, or else it would still be a lot of work. Then again, the more files you have to convert, the more time you save!

After having changed all .nwctxt files, open them all at once (view them in the Windows explorer and drag them all at once onto NWC; it's a very fast method to do that) and Hey Presto! You are done, at least with this phase.

I use TSE (The Semware Editor) and a macro of my own invention, but any decent text editor will do. YMMV, though.

Re: Setting defaults for imports

Reply #4 –
Quote from: smoore33 –
My goal is to import a bunch of Cakewalk files and not have to change all the file, page, and staff settings.  If I have to go through MIDI, and templates can't be used for MIDI imports, then a way to change the program defaults (which would apply to MIDI imports), not by applying a template, is the only hope I can think of to avoid the tedious work.  Many programs have a way of setting program defaults a la, MS Word's "normal template".  Any additional ideas from anyone would be appreciated.  Thanks.
Will Cakewalk export to MusicXML ans do you have NWC2 or later?

If the answer to both is yes, then there is a MusicXML import tool by Nicolas Hatier that works pretty well and will probably go a long way to solving your problem.  It is one file at a time but the results are usually quite good.
I plays 'Bones, crumpets, coronets, floosgals, youfonymums 'n tubies.

Re: Setting defaults for imports

Reply #5 –

It's a real pain to have to tweak the properties of every staff when most of them are for transposing instruments.

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My goal is to import a bunch of Cakewalk files and not have to change all the file, page, and staff settings

MusicXML won't do the file, page and staff settings, it will just copy the notation toghether with dynamics, articulations, etc. I suggest you create one template file with staffs preset for the transpositions of the instrumentation you typically use.  Using Nicolas' tool, import the XML file to a new NWC2 file, then copy/paste each staff of music to the corresponding staff in the template file.  

Re: Setting defaults for imports

Reply #6 –
I do have NWC2, but my version of Cakewalk/Sonar doesn't do MusicXML.  I think exporting to MIDI, then copying and pasting the notes from an imported MIDI file into another blank file set up by an NWC template may be worth the extra steps.  Thanks for the ideas.