I am trying to create a section in my music that will be alleatoric in nature. That means I do not want barlines, and I want boxes around the material that I want to be explored by the player. I have tried, even watched YouTube videos on the topic, but I have been unable to create a good representation of what I used to do with pen and paper. Any help would be appreciated.
Here’s an example. It’s in 4/8 but using automatic cutaways to hide empty measures. You can use an open time signature by writing open or x in the measures popover (Shift-M). Library->Layout Options->Staves and Systems->Cutaways.
Jesper
box6.dorico (1.3 MB)
Hang on and I’ll try to create a quick version without measures.
Here with no Time Signature. I used hidden whole notes between the boxes so that dorico has something to calculate the note spacing from (Engrave mode properties). Also playback supressed for those in the properties panel.
Box_open_measure.dorico (1.3 MB)
Third way:
4/4 hidden time signature. Manual cutaway, Bar rests hidden in Library->Layout Options->Players->Bar rests… and tick barlines with the tick size adjusted in Engrave mode properties for the bars after the cutaway. If it’s only for a section, you probably want manual cutaways and not automatic ones. Right-click->Staff.>Create manual cutaway.
Box_44.dorico (1.3 MB)
All boxes are made from a top and bottom line. Box Top and Box Bottom. You can select both and adjust size with opt-shift-arrows or move them with opt-arrows or by the grid with cmd-opt-arrows. The distance between them has to be done in Engrave mode.
You can also use a dashed barline if you don’t need those elsewhere, and set Library->Engraving Options->Barlines like this:
Thank you, Jesse. I’ve tried the Create Box after watching the YouTube video. However, I get less-than-satisfactory results. Probably because I didn’t do something correctly. I will keep plugging away, but sometimes I miss writing on vellum and having the music blueprinted!
Did you download and check my files? If you click the top of one of the boxes, then open the Line editor, Box top should be selected in the left panel. Click the star icon at the lower left to save it as default. Do the same for the Box bottom. If you reopen your own file, those should be available in the Lines panel.
If you could post a picture of what you would like it to look like, it’s easier to give advice.
Jesper
Yes, I did. Files were very helpful. Thanks!
Good, let me know if you have further questions.
Jesper