Can you open a file from a newer version of musescore in an older version?
Hi,
I am a student at school, and I use musescore to help with my schoolwork. Recently that has been a problem because on my computer at home I have musescore 4.2.0 whereas on the school PCs they only have 4.0.0 and we can't update it. I can't open work which I have edited at home on the school PCs because it's an older version of musescore. Is there any way around this problem without updating the school PCs? Would it be possible for me to downgrade my home computer? Or is there a way to open the newer files at school?
Thanks
Comments
Export your file as MusicXML then you can open it with older versions of MuseScore.
https://musescore.org/en/handbook/4/working-musicxml-files
(You may also install 4.0 on your PC instead of 4.2)
I've heard that MuseScore 3 Evolution (aka 3.7) can open MuseScore 4 files. You can edit the resulting .mscz file in MuseScore 3.6 or MuseScore 3.7. Fortunately your can have 3.6, 3.7 and 4.x installed concurrently "along side each other."
MuseScore 3.7 installation information for Windows here.
MusicXML will also work, but likely at the price of some glitches and gotchas.
Please let us know MS4 to MS 3.7 works and if you notice any issues with the imported MS4 scores.
scorster
In reply to I've heard that MuseScore… by scorster
If they can't update from 4.0 to 4.2, they won't be able to install 3.7 either.
In reply to If they can't update from 4… by Marc Sabatella
Why not? Also it doesn't need install, just iunpacking
In reply to Why not? Also it doesn't… by Jojo-Schmitz
As I said, if they can't install 4.2, they won;'t be able to install 3.7 either. But of course, packaging that doesn't require installation works around that nicely. That's why I recommended the portable version of 4.2. Although, it seems there is not yet a portable build for 4.2.1. Nightly builds are of course another option.
In reply to As I said, if they can't… by Marc Sabatella
Oh boy, is the PortableApp gone missing once again?
In reply to As I said, if they can't… by Marc Sabatella
A 4.2.1 PortableApp is available now
In reply to A 4.2.1 PortableApp is… by Jojo-Schmitz
Where would it be?
I know someone who would benefit greatly from it.
Even without muse hub.
In reply to Where would it be? I know… by hamsandwichnow
The main 4.2.1 release page on GitHub - https://github.com/musescore/MuseScore/releases/tag/v4.2.1
In reply to The main 4.2.1 release page… by Marc Sabatella
Hmmm which one?
In reply to Hmmm which one? by hamsandwichnow
The paf.exe
In reply to The paf.exe by Jojo-Schmitz
Does it work for all OSs?
In reply to Does it work for all OSs? by hamsandwichnow
Only on Windows 10 and higher
In reply to Only on Windows 10 and higher by Jojo-Schmitz
So just windows? Not mac?
In reply to So just windows? Not mac? by hamsandwichnow
PortableApps run only on Windows, and this one requires Windows 10 or higher
In reply to If they can't update from 4… by Marc Sabatella
It's not "They" that need to change versions it's Ruth.
4.2 to 3.7 to 4.0 would get things nicely back in sync.
In reply to It's not "They" that need to… by rothers
Only if you don't mind losing all MU4-specific information, and then having to go through that process each and every day as you go back and forth between home and school. That's not really practical except as a last resport. The portable 4.2.1 is by far the better solution.
In reply to Only if you don't mind… by Marc Sabatella
Advising the use of portable apps on school equipment to circumvent school policy with regard to software versions is not a good thing to suggest.
Ruth only needs to do the 4.2 -> 3.7 -> 4.0 conversion of her files (not the schools files) once on her machine then it's job done. All future interchange will be in sync.
In reply to Advising the use of portable… by rothers
I disagree that running a portable app is a not a good thing to suggest. It's by far the best thing in this scenario. Well, actually better still would be to simply ask the sysadmin to do the update. Any music school running a computer lab would generally do this gladly on request- it's kind of their job. The portable app is more of the best interim solution.
If one insists on converting files, you can get away with only doing it once only if also wish to restrict yourself to 4.0 on the home machine as well. That's not a reasonable thing to recommend either given the enormous improvements that have been made since. And the fact that so much of the other available music one might want to access will also need converting, and again, so much information will be lost in the process.
In reply to If they can't update from 4… by Marc Sabatella
MuS 3.7 Evolution requires no installation and has no installer. Simply unzip the zipped file to any location, e.g. C:\MyProgs... and create a suitable link to \bin\musescore3.exe on the desktop or wherever.
Applies to Windows.
So it could be a solution for them.
In reply to I've heard that MuseScore… by scorster
I can already name one problem: If the score of MuS 4 uses double measure repeat signs, they are not handled correctly.
It is only converted to a single measure repeat character and the following measure remains empty. And worse still, the second measure is now repeated where the first should be repeated.
Example: I have M1, M2 and M3&4 are indicated by a double repeat sign. So both measures M1 and M2 should be repeated in M3 and M4. But it plays M1, M2, repeats the notes of M2 in M3 and does nothing in M4.
So if you want to convert from MuS4 to MuS3, it is advisable to avoid double measure repeat signs and rather copy the notes.
In reply to I can already name one… by HildeK
The list of MU4 features that would be lost upon opening in 3.7 also includes playing technique annotations, gradual tempo changes, harp diagrams, guitar bends, capo, and tuning elements, cross-voice arpeggios, and various mixer settings. That plus having to repeat this daily - there is no way anyone should seriously consider this for the case at hand over the no=brainer simple alternative of running 4.2.1 portable on the school system.
You can also extract the 4.2 mscz file with 7-Zip. The resulting mscx file should open for you in 4.0
Try the "portable" version of 4.2 on the school computer, which doesn't require installation in the traditional sense.