Personally, I use Cubase (and to a certain degree Reaper) and VSL VEP to host all the instruments, and route MIDI OUT from Finale to the DAW via internal (virtual) Midi Cables. Regarding workflow.: If you are into Finale, and prefer to work in traditional notation, it is pretty straight forward to use that as a front end to a DAW. and Digital Performer 8 and Finale 2014.5. It works great, and there is usually very little post-editing to do in the DAW if you utilize Finale's capabilites to the max, such as Shape Playback etc. (PM me if you want to know which ones:)). My orchestral template uses HP Prefs for 13 different libraries from over 10 companies. A starting point for learning this is to look at some premade files, such at the one available from VSL, and expand on that. The culprit (for many) is that you have to learn and program that yourself. Articulation switching is done with Finale's Human Playback system.
much simpler than exporting and importing Midi Files. If you want to record Midi into the DAW you just press the red button. When you record arm the tracks in the DAW you have live, interactive playback any time. Sould I be looking at purchasing Cubase? Is VSL more suited to that enviornment.
And Digital Performer 8 and Finale 2014.5.