First off, Johannes is right, you should definitely start using TGTools Staff List Manager (with the "relative" box checked) instead of the Staff Usage dialog.
Thanks, that's now on my list of TG tools to investigate. I've been busy with other things and haven't done any significant Finale work in about a month, and the next project on my list is to update to 2k4 (especially since the upgrade price expires in nine days).
Second, dragging (with auto-adjustment of subsequent staves) could easily compliment the Staff List Manager . You could use dragging to get the staves roughly where you want them, resolving collisions, etc., then use the Staff List Manager to make sure that all of your distances were set to a multiple of 6 EVPUs.
After a while, you do get used to making good guesses when you type numbers into the Staff List Manager, but it would still be a huge improvement to be able to actually see what you are doing, while you are doing it.
Certainly not a "huge improvement", possibly not an improvement at all. Using your method, I would still enter the Staff Usage numbers in every case, plus I'd be adding the step of dragging before it. Thus the question is whether the addition of this small precautionary step is worth it in exchange for what it saves in having to do the numbers twice if I miss the first time.
As you say, with experience one gets used to visualizing the system without needing to see it. I'd estimate that I get the placement right the first time about 85% of the time. Does that work out to a gain in efficiency if I drag first? Maybe, but probably not much.
mdl
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