I have Sib 7.5.1, and several of my students are using the Sib 8 demo for their projects. I instructed them to export their Sib 8 files in 7.5 format, so that I can view and grade them.
Despite what that export function is *supposed* to do, I still cannot open those exported files. I asked for exported Sib 7.0 scores, and same problem. I am being told to update my Sib 7.5, but when I check for updates, Avid tell me I already have the latest version. WTF?
I am having them export PDFs to me, as the XML conversion messes up their formatting, which is a grading area.
No probs grading PDFs- but I like using the Review features in Sib.
I have attached a screen of the error message. Any clues would be very greatly appreciated- I have 3 tech classes I need to grade!
It seems pretty clear that they are misunderstanding the process of exporting to an earlier version. Or perhaps misunderstanding where the exported file is stored on their computers.
The 'newer version of Sibelius 7.5' message is misleading. It just means 'newer version of Sibelius'.
I am spot on in agreement with Laurence. Make them export the files with a tag to show it's the sib 7 version (I use to make mine use "_6.2").
Make sure they check exactly where on their machines the files are being saved.
My students were buggers for just saving stuff randomly on the network. Perhaps get them to use a flash drive or some other USB device.
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Win 10 Pro x64, 1.6GHz Intel i7 Quad core, 8GB,7TB 7200rpm HDD, Scarlett 6i6, Sib 6.2,7.5, 8.6.1 NotePerformer, GPO4 & 5, COMB2, EWQLSO Plat, EWQLSC,
Si me castigare vis, necesse est me intellexisse.
I`m also so having problems with this. I`ll check L`s and M`s suggestions. My prob could be deeper tho`. I have 4 instances of Sib. 6.2/7.1.3/8.5.1/8.6. I know that this is far too many to handle, and I have indeed come unstuck trying to find the original file(s), and then to eliminate the ones that do not open. An additional prob. is that when I upload what I think to be the correct ver. to BT Cloud, the same thing happens. i.e I get BrettG`s error msg from the 15th @ 10.55pm looming at me from Cloud.
I think I need to put all scores into one version would you say? As -
another clanger of mine is that I have different scores on different versions, so I`m doubly, nay quadruply confused. Time to put me to sleep I fear - well I am 75 going on 95, & missing the intervening years. Or is it eons? Don`t say a word . . . . . .
Pencil & paper. I love you. No I don`t - Avid! - GET YOUR FINGERS OUT.
EDIT - Forgot to mention that I have opted out of Avid`s ongoing updating. :)
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Sibelius 6/7/8. Win7. Note Performer, with various other no longer in use programs & audio.
Web:http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/tonywakefield
I have a very simple (to me) folder structure on my PC. I have one folder called Sibelius.
In that folder are other folders called Sibelius 6.2/7.5/8.6 and 8.7
Inside those folders are others for each type of ensemble (Brass Band, Brass Ensemble, Orchestra, Solo instrument etc and so on)
If I open a file from an earlier version in a later version, I immediately save it in the newer verson's folder structure.
Of course, I'm getting old and I do sometimes forget, but it's rare because it has become a habit.
Maybe I'm juts a bit anal/OCD? :-D
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Win 10 Pro x64, 1.6GHz Intel i7 Quad core, 8GB,7TB 7200rpm HDD, Scarlett 6i6, Sib 6.2,7.5, 8.6.1 NotePerformer, GPO4 & 5, COMB2, EWQLSO Plat, EWQLSC,
Si me castigare vis, necesse est me intellexisse.
Cheers to everyone who chimed in! Looks like I need to provide some remedial training on this issue. I did have one student who sent me an exported file that didn't work, but his next submission did. I'll query him on how he did those processes. It does sound like a procedural failure, so hopefully, I can get it sorted with them and see that it doesn't happen again.
They are moving on to Pro Tools next week, so we are (mostly) done with Sibelius (they will be exporting their projects to Pro Tools at a later date).
Thanks again for the response to this, as Tony put it, clanger. I'll pop back in with a report on our progress...
A score will 'be in' the version of whichever of your Sibelius installations you last worked on it and pressed Save. For your private purposes, it doesn't really matter which. Your latest Sibelius 8 will open any score, any version.
I`ll continue my quest for solutions if I may . . . . . .
I have two of my four instances of Sib labelled Sib 8.5.1 Build 906, and Sib 8.6.0 build 906. Both contain the same scores and both open.
When the Sib purple opening pages appears (opening both in turn) they BOTH read Sib 8.6.0 Build 906(?) Why?
When I upload the 2 separate scores to BT Cloud they both appear in Cloud`s list, but neither of them will open. Cloud opens, but I only receive BretG`s reply - see his posted attachment higher up. Again - why?
[Aside: What`s more, when I open 6 and the two 8s, (in any order) Sib 7 will not open until I log off and re-boot. Is this Avid or my `puter?]
More:- When I open Sib 7 I don`t see a list of titles, I see `Back up`
with Admin/My Docs/Scores Sib 6(?)/Back Up Scores. When I open `Back up`, some scores will show and some won`t (showing instead the BrettG `nonsense`).
I really think I`m not able to correct any of the above, and would really now wish to involve some remote assistance. Any offers anyone? Avid?
> I have two of my four instances of Sib labelled Sib 8.5.1 Build 906, and Sib 8.6.0 build 906.
> Both contain the same scores and both open.
Sibelius is an application. It does not "contain" any scores at all. Score files are saved in the filing system on disk, not "in Sibelius".
> When the Sib purple opening pages appears (opening both in turn) they BOTH read Sib 8.6.0 Build 906(?) Why?
You can only have one version of Sibelius 8 on a PC. I do not know what you mean by "opening both in turn". It would help us to understand you better if you described what actions you took when you "open" something.
> When I upload the 2 separate scores to BT Cloud they both appear in Cloud`s list, but neither of them will open.
I don't know what you mean by "Cloud" or "Cloud's list": you need to explain the context of what you are doing here.
> Cloud opens,
I do not know what you mean by "Cloud opens".
> I only receive BretG`s reply - see his posted attachment higher up.
You are trying to open a score in the file format of a high version of Sibelius in a lower version of the Sibelius application. Presumably you have configured Windows to open files with extension ".sib" in a low version of Sibelius, so that a low version of Sibelius opens in response to a double-click of a ".sib" score file in Windows Explorer.
> [Aside: What`s more, when I open 6 and the two 8s, (in any order) Sib 7 will not open until I log off and re-boot.
That's entirely possible. You should not open multiple versions of the same application at the same time. Probably you have caused a logjam on access to the sound card, and/or one of the Sibelius processes cannot quit properly because of sound card device driver problems.
> When I open Sib 7 I don`t see a list of titles, I see `Back up`
> with Admin/My Docs/Scores Sib 6(?)/Back Up Scores.
I am not clear what you mean by this. A screen-shot would be helpful.
> When I open `Back up`, some scores will show and some won`t (showing instead the BrettG `nonsense`).
Once again, you are trying to open (for instance) scores in Sibelius 8 file format, using Sibelius 7. You cannot do this.
> I really think I`m not able to correct any of the above, and would really now wish to involve some ... assistance.
It is quite simple: do not try to open scores saved from Sibelius 8.x in earlier versions of Sibelius. Once a score file has been opened into Sibelius 8.x and saved again, it can never again be opened in any earlier version of Sibelius.
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Sibelius 8.6/7.5.1/7.1.3/6.2/5.2.5, PhotoScore Ult 8.0.4, Dolet 6.6 for Sibelius, Windows 10 64-bit 16GB. Desktop no-name, Microsoft Surface Book.
You can actually have multiple instances of Sibelius 8 on the same PC by making a copy of (probably) C:\Program Files\Avid\Sibelius before installing an update. But I doubt Tony has gone to those lengths.
Tony, don't worry about the Recent Files list. Either use Open from the Sibelius File menu and navigate to the folder your scores live in, or, before opening Sibelius at all go directly to that folder and double-click a score file. Maybe you need five minutes with a computer-literate person to help you locate that folder, maybe put a shortcut to it on your desktop.
It seems that you have multiple shortcuts to the same version of Sibelius (apparently Sib 8.6.0 Build 906) on your desktop. For some reason you have given them different labels.
There is much here to analyse, and if anyone does have remote assistance to solve what I`ve wrtten above, I would be willing to contribute to any costs.
I will meanwhile try to understand what has been very kindly offered, and I`ve noted what seems to have happened in my systems. But putting it right is, it seems at present, to be a little short of how my own brain power can direct my fingers to this task. Please be patient with me during this time . . . . . Ta :)
There's not really much to 'put right'. Just find out where your sib files are stored. Maybe a couple of different places, as you've been using Sibelius for some time. (Might be a good idea to move them all to the same place?) Open them directly from there, or navigate to there through the File Menu in Sibelius. You should never have any need to open a Sibelius file in any version other than the latest, though you can always Export an earlier version- normally to send to someone who hasn't kept up to date.
Your Recent Files list will gradually take care of itself (though Recent Files is flakey and not to be relied on).
If you have several desktop shortcuts that patently lead to the same Sibelius version, you can obviously discard all but one of them.
The only thing that worries me a little is that I'm sure we've explained all this to you before! Maybe you're stuck on the common misconception that your score files are somehow stored 'in' a certain version of Sibelius. Get rid of that, the rest will fall into place?
Thank you Laurence, I`ll try this when we get back from coffee and a short walk in Richmond Park to see whatever rut maybe occuring. Your post is saved. :) It may take a day or two with the speed I work at. I`ll keep you (and Robin) posted.
You only NEED the latest version of Sibelius. It will open every .sib file on your computer, and any .sib file anyone sends you.
After working on a score, it will, by default save it in the latest format. But it can also 'Export Previous Version' for the benefit of any collaborator who has chosen to stick with Sibelius 6 or 7. (Or even anything back to Sibelius 2.)
Sibelus 8.6 has some quirks, but no show-stopping ones. And no inconveniences that can even approach those caused by your present perceived rats-nest of file versions and Sibelius versions.
So just use the latest Sibelius. Open your score files directly from its File menu, until its Recent Files list catches up - but remember, Recent Files is merely a convenience, and a rather unreliable one. It isn't the best way to locate your scores.
I think everyone is missing the problem I am experiencing.
Our music lab has Sib 7.5.1.
Many of my studs are using the Sib 8 demo, or have purchased Sib 8.
I have asked them to export the Sib 8 files as 7.5.
They do this, and I cannot open those files (at all) with Sib 7.5.1. I have even had studs send me exported Sib 7.0 files- nothing works.
Why would Sib tell me I need a newer version of 7.5 when there is NO newer version of Sib 7.5 than Sib 7.5.1?
BretG, if you cannot open the files, then the students did not in fact export into an earlier format before giving them to you. They got the process wrong in some way.
I suggest that you insist that, when they export into an earlier format, they append a format descriptor to the name of the score file that they export into.
For instance, score "myscore.sib" they should export into "myscore-sib75.sib".
Then they are less likely to give you the wrong file.
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Sibelius 8.7/7.5.1/7.1.3/6.2/5.2.5, PhotoScore Ult 8.8.2, Dolet 6.6 for Sibelius, Windows 10 64-bit 16GB. Desktop, and Microsoft Surface Book.