SmartScore FAQs

Upgrade / Update / Demo Issues:

Scanning Issues:

Recognition Issues:

Finale Export / Printing Issues

 

Upgrade Issues:

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). TOP

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). TOP

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). You may install only on machines that you use exclusively. 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. TOP

I downloaded my copy of SmartScore. How do I download it again?

If you need to, you may re-download your copy of SmartScore installer at any time: Click here for the SmartScore download page. Please refer to the e-mail sent to you when you originally ordered SmartScore. It will include your Customer ID and Password (the e-mail address you used when ordering) as well as the Serial Number (required to run the software). You can install SmartScore 5 times before having to call or e-mail us for more installations. TOP

How do I view the interactive manual in SmartScore?

A paper manual is included with the media when SmartScore is shipped to you. Two interactive versions of the Smartscore manual are also available electronically:

- A PDF version is found by going to HELP > SmartScore Manual (PDF). Click here to download "Using SmartScore X" user manual.

- An online version is found by going to HELP > Interactive Manual Online. Click here to view the interactive manual online.

We suggest you use the INDEX to locate your topic of interest and click on the appropriate page to jump to that topic. TOP

My demo has timed out. How do I reactivate it?

You can reset the SmartScore demo timeout as follows:

For Windows:

Download and install this file. NOTE: This is an executable .exe file. Your browser may or may not make fuss about it. If so, try to override it's objections.

For Macintosh:

  1. If you installed the demo, delete 2 files named: "com.Musitek.SmartScore X Pro demo.plist" One is located in /Library/Preferences directory. The second is in [YourHomeDir]/Library/Preferences directory.
  2. Do a search for the word "smartscore". Delete all found items. If you're a Finale user, do not delete anything with the word "Lite" in its name.
  3. Do a search for the word "smartscr". Delete all found items.
  4. Do a search for the word "Chopin". Delete any fonts with this name.
  5. Empty your trash and restart your computer.
  6. Reinstall the demo. TOP

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. TOP

Scanning Issues:

Scan from inside SmartScore whenever possible.

It is preferable 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, grayscale thresholding, etc. TOP

Windows Users take note: Use the WIA driver...

WIA (Windows Image Acquisition) is a Windows scanning protocol for 3rd-party applications such as SmartScore. TWAIN is the traditional open-source protocol for driving scanners and is used with both Windows and Macintosh computers. When scanner software for Windows is loaded, very often WIA and TWAIN drivers are both installed. For HP and All-in-One owners running Windows, first choose:

FILE > Scan Music > Select Scanner > WIA xxxx.

If your scanner doesn't respond properly, choose:

FILE > Scan Music > Select Scanner > TWAIN xxx TOP

How do I select SmartScore's scanning interface?

  1. Select FILE > SCAN MUSIC > CHOOSE INTERFACE > SMARTSCORE’S
  2. 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.
  3. Push SCAN or FILE > SCAN MUSIC > ACQUIRE to begin scanning. TOP

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.

We have implemented a routine to call PowerPC TWAIN drivers via Rosetta (Use PPC Drivers). If you're purchasing a new scanner, we recommend nearly any new Canon or Epson scanners.

Scanners we have tested with Mac OS X and SmartScore TOP

Scanning in Macintosh OS 10.6 - 10. 8 (Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion)

If your scanner does not respond to the Scan command in SmartScore, browse to your scanner manufacturer's web site. Look for "Drivers" then download and install the latest "complete" driver package for your model and Apple operating system. Once installed, go to File > Scan music > Select scanner in SmartScore and click on your scanner name. Try to scan again.

If you still cannot scan or you do not see your scanner listed in the Select scanner window, you may need to use Apple's Image Capture application (in the Applications folder) to acquire your images for SmartScore recognition.

Click here to see how to scan your music using Image Capture.

You may also need to update your Apple software. To run Apple Software Update on your Mac, go to the Apple icon and selecting "Software Update..."

To see if your scanner is supported in Snow Leopard or Lion, click on the support link that corresponds to your scanner below then look to see if it's checked in the Scanner column. NOTE: Some scanner manufacturer's allow downloading of Snow Leopard and Lion drivers directly from their web site. However, this method has not been tested or confirmed by Musitek to work:

HP scanners supported by Apple
HP drivers update page

Canon scanners supported by Apple
Search for Canon ICA Driver updates

Epson scanners supported by Apple
Epson Lion solutions page

BROTHER scanner supported by Apple
BROTHER drivers update page

For FujiXerox scanners

For RICOH scanners

If you've tried all the above steps and your scanner still fails to respond to SmartScore's "Scan" command in SmartScore, click: "Scanning outside SmartScore" or consider one of the low-cost scanners we recommend. Click here to see a list of scanners we have tested and that work with all recent Macintosh operating systems.

Another alternative is to consider ScanVue; a 3rd party scanning solution: See http://www.hamrick.com/

Click to download ScanVue for Mac OS X, click here. TOP

I can't seem to scan using SmartScore's Scanning interface.

Scanning with SmartScore's own scanning interface (File > Scan music > Choose interface > SmartScore's) is recommended for several reasons: Auto-resolution, auto-deskew, multi-page / single image file creation, grayscale thresholding, etc. If your scanner does not respond properly when scanning in SmartScore, you can bypass SmartScore's scanning interface. Find out how... click here. TOP

My orchestra 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.

  1. Reduce pages of the original score using a large-format page copier.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 Quick Time movie. TOP

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 TOP

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 de skew 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). TOP

PDF files. How do I convert them to TIFF?

To avoid file-conversion pitfalls, we strongly recommend using SmartScore X2 to convert your PDF files to TIFF rather than using any other image processing program. Here's how...

  1. In SmartScore, go to File > Open (be sure to select "Image file" type) and choose your PDF file.
  2. The file will convert and open in the Image Editor. Now, push the "Threshold" tool in the Toolbar which looks like this:
  3. In the preview window, push the "Preview" button to see how well the image is flattened to Black & White. Make sure symbols, especially note stems and barlines, are thick and well-defined. Use the Darker - Lighter slider and preview again until you are satisfied then push "Apply".
  4. In the upper toolbar, push the Recognition button to begin recognizing the music: TOP

Scans are reversed. Background is black and notes are white.

Workaround: Re-scan with "Reverse Image" selected in SmartScore interface. Or choose Edit > Reverse Image in the Image Editor. TOP

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. TOP

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. TOP

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...

  • Make sure you are properly set up to get good scanning results
    Click here for our basic scanning steps
  • 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.
  • Is you scan dithered?
    If you get absolutely terrible accuracy after recognition and you acquired the scans OUTSIDE of SmartScore's scanning interface, it's possible your scanned images were "dithered". Dithering results in tiny holes shot through the black part of the image. Click here to read more about dithering. To check if your scan is dithered, go to FILE > Open (change Filetype to "Image") and select the .TIF file that gave you trouble. Use the Zoom tool to zoom in and look closely for the telltale "salt and pepper" effect of dithering.
  • The right scanner will give you the right result
    Another variable is the type and quality of the scanner used. Most flatbed scanners are adequate for the job. 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.
  • De-skew 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. TOP

Finale Export / Printing Issues

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. TOP

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. TOP

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. TOP

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. TOP

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. TOP