Forte Notation Software support
I just recently switched over from Forte //www.fortenotation.com (whose free version is no longer worth my time), but would rather not have to rewrite all of the music I've already made there. I would like to see support for ".fnf" file import if possible.
Comments
Unless I'm mistaken, Forte will be using it's own proprietary file format for saving scores.
It is extremely unlikely that they will share this, so sadly, it is most unlikely that anyone would be able to write an import plugin for MuseScore.
If you could get hold of the file format specification somehow, then it just might be possible.
The FNF format is not documented. So it's not easy to create an importer, a developer would have to guess how the file is structured... If you can have a documentation of the format, or an open source software which already support FNF file, please post in a comment.
Currently you have several options to import Forte files in MuseScore.
I obviously don't know what you have created with Forte, what you are doing with it, etc.
However, do you really have to convert your existing work especially if it is complete? A printed copy carefully filed away can be considered the utlimate backup because all the inellectual aspects are there and if really necessary you could re-enter it in any suitable notation program. Of course, you can continue to support the old version with free Forte as long as they provide it and the format remains "readable". In this day of multiple machines, disk imaging etc, ti is not impossible to keep a "Forte machine/environment" to be used when necessary if the scores are all that important.
I understand the urge to switch everything over but why not just do the one that it makes good sense to do and also consider it a learning exercise for MuseScore unless you are already a wizard using it?
Years ago I was involved in a word-processing conversion in a fairly large organization which entailed scientific reports with lots of exotic equations., Back in those days the machne-readable media wasn't as important as it is now so a paper version was seen as more important than anything else. Various options were provided to get offices switched over to the new environment.
Conversions: Generally considered not the best. A good typist could often red-do a report faster than correct the conversions. The conversions typically made a mess of formatting and mathematics.
Most offices reported that a careful review showed that converting many documents to the new program was not worth the bother since the documents would not be altered in the future. If it was needed then it would be dealt with when required. This reduced the volume of work immensely.