Applying new boxed Layout Names

Dorico
1

I really like the new boxed Layout/Instrument names at the Top Left corner of the parts.
But I’ve got an old score here that I’m trying to apply them too, and it doesn’t work. The problem is that the {@LayoutName@} Text Box runs across the whole width of the frame. If I contract it to the size of “Oboe” then it’s too small for “Tenor Trombone”, and if I make it wide enough for the latter, then it’s too small for the former.
Is there a simple way to introduce the new boxed Layout Names? Or is there a way to make the their text box stretchy so it fits all sizes of names?

2

The dynamic box around layout names that now appears in Dorico 4.3, updating to the length of the layout name, is an attribute of the paragraph style rather than the text frame.

2 Likes
3

Thank you, Lillie.

4

As a publisher, I personally don’t like it. It makes a part look like a school book. I would be grateful if the option would not be the default. Of course I understand it is a matter of taste.

All the best,

Bart

5

The defaults in some cases can end up six of one, half-a-dozen of the other.

You can change this for your own copy of Dorico, and save it as the new default on your machine.

6

Is there a way to have the border match the shape of the text frame? Or is it limited to a single horizontal line?

image

7

If you want a border on the whole frame, add a border to the frame:

The paragraph style option means the text itself gets comfortably bordered, regardless of the size of the frame.

8

That’s wonderful, thanks!
But how do I then get rid of the original layout name border for just that part? It is still visible.

9

Also, is it possible to make the border you described a “rounded rectangle”, to match the existing parts? I found a help page here Changing the style of text item borders but there is no “border style in the text group”. Maybe because this is for Elements?

10

That page is for text items, not text frames. I don’t think it’s possible to change the style of text frame borders.

You’ll probably need a separate paragraph style, that’s not set to show borders.

11

Hi @Glynn_Davies you can follow a different approach to obtain what you want:

  • Rename the necessary Layout/s in Setup mode so that they contain the desired instrument Names. You should insert Line Feeds in the correct positions in the layout name (in you case after “Clash” and “Snare”), so that Dorico will create multiple lines for the layout name Token. (I use Keyboard Maestro to do this, but there are probably other methods) (1)

  • create a custom Page template, based on First, edit it and enlarge the Layout name text frame to give him more space, moving also down the rest of the frames (2). You can then apply this custom page template only to the desired layout and change the Paragraph Style for layout names to rounded. the result is what you wished (3)

custom default Page Template for larger layout name .dorico (569.9 KB)

  1. Create a shortcut to put Line Feeds where needed (into Layout name)

    CleanShot 2024-04-20 at 17.49.50@2x
    CleanShot 2024-04-20 at 17.49.50@2x1920×1114 106 KB

  2. Edit custom Page template

    CleanShot 2024-04-20 at 17.46.26@2x
    CleanShot 2024-04-20 at 17.46.26@2x1920×1149 111 KB

  3. Result:

    CleanShot 2024-04-20 at 17.46.46@2x
    CleanShot 2024-04-20 at 17.46.46@2x1920×1149 85.3 KB

2 Likes
12

Thanks for your efforts. I will try to get to this if I have time. I will certainly bookmark it for future reference.