Is it possible to create an explicit whole rest for the downstem voice and center it?
Yes, Shift+B, type rest : it will create a (centered) bar rest.
You also have a global per-flow option that might be of interest for you (in Notation Options > Rests):
4 Likes
Shift-B rest works here in Note Input mode with the caret visible and with downstem voice selected.
Jesper
3 Likes
Weird - it’s not working for me. When I go into Note Input in the down-stem voice, hit Shift-B and input “rest”, no bar rest appears for that voice - at least in my system. (latest Windows release).
The input box just disappears upon hitting Enter
I do have the global setting for “Bar rests in additional voices” turned off, because in most of my score, I need it set that way. This is just a one-off, and rare occurrence for me. I wonder why it isn’t working.
Could you share the file, or just part of it that shows the issue?
Jesper
1 Like
Sure thing
TEMP.dorico (891.7 KB)
1 Like
Jesper, that’s bizarre! I see the rests you input, but I am unable to do so in my Dorico installation for some reason. Is it a Windows thing, I wonder? @dspreadbury @dan_kreider
For now, I’m just going to copy your work back into my file. I even tried invoking the “Create bar rest” command from the jump bar, starting with the caret in the stems-down voice, of course. Same effect for me - nothing!
I don’t think so, it works here on Windows. Are you doing this?
(I use Alt+Click to copy paste the bar rest once it’s done in the first bar.)
Yes sir. Those are the steps I followed exactly, but no rest was inserted. After placing the caret in the stems-down voice, the only thing I’ve found that will do the job is clicking on “Insert Bar Rest” at the right of your screen, THEN clicking on a whole note in the left note input panel. That seems very, very odd to me.
1 Like
Could it be a pitch before duration thing? Try hitting k first to turn this off.
Jesper
Edit: I believe it is.
5 Likes
Note to all you ex-Finale users still using Dorico’s “speedy entry” process… 
1 Like
Side note: one of Dorico’s most powerful features is Condensing, and it would typically be useful in your situation (it will also automatically place bar rests exactly where you want them to be, automatically put “1” or “2” labels depending on which instrument plays, etc).
For orchestral writing it’s extremely helpful, and it lets you manage part layouts very easily while with your setup it will require (a lot of) manual work. That’s one of Dorico’s major advantages over Finale, in my opinion — since you mention that you’re a Finale refugee, like me 
1 Like
Yes, I actually use Condensing for my Trombone 3/Tuba part. I very rarely divisi the clarinets like this, though. Hence the need to do the manual rests!