Dorico 5: An Unexpected Start and Key Command Frustrations

Dorico
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1

Hi, I just installed the Dorico 5.0.20 trial and already ran into a few breaking Key Command-related issues that were not present in Dorico 4.3.30.

System Information:

  • Operating System: Windows 11 Pro 22H2
  • Hardware: Ryzen 9 7950X, X670E Taichi motherboard, 128GB RAM
  • Installed Software: Cubase 12, Dorico 4.3.30, Finale 27.3, Vienna Ensemble Pro 7, and sample libraries (no issues whatsoever for the past 8 months)

Issue #1: Unable to Replace Existing Key Commands
Issue #1 Fixed: solution here

  1. Open Preferences - Key Commands
  2. Search for Key Editor (Show Lower Zone Panel)
  3. Add Key Command “W” (I see an alert telling me W is already assigned to Counterpart Layout)
  4. Upon clicking Apply, a pop-up window appears:

KeyCommand
KeyCommand715Ă—217 16.5 KB

  1. After pressing “OK,” the Preferences window closes without saving the change.

This issue seems specific to "Show Lower Zone" key commands. While I’ve tested a few random key commands that seemed unaffected, I haven’t had the opportunity to test them all, so it’s possible that other key commands might have similar problems.

Workaround: Remove the original key command (Counterpoint Layout) and then add the new one (Lower Zone/Key Editor). However, the new key command doesn’t work immediately; it only takes effect after closing and reopening the project. Which leads me to:

Issue #2: Unable to Set a New Key Command That Immediately Works

  1. Open Preferences - Key Commands
  2. Add a new key command (e.g., “Shift+W” for Lower Zone Key Editor)
  3. Click “Apply & Close.”

Result: The new key command does not work until the project is closed and reopened.
Workaround: Close and reopen the project. :slight_smile:

I have no Lower Zone or Key Command-related issues in Dorico 4.3.30, and everything works as expected.

I observed a couple seconds delay when clicking the “Apply” button in Dorico 5 (loading animation), while in Dorico 4, this action is instantaneous.

My initial reaction was to run D5 with admin privileges, suspecting a potential permission issue, but unfortunately, it didn’t solve the problem.

And that sums up my first two hours with Dorico 5. It feels a bit like a bucket of cold water, but I’m hopeful that with your assistance, I can overcome these initial challenges. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

2

Dorico 5 should automatically take up your old key commands and prefs from Dorico 4.

Did it not do that?

3

@benwiggy No. I also uninstalled Dorico 4 just in case, to give Dorico 5 a fresh start.

4

They are entirely separate programs, and can co-exist on the same system.

Did you delete your user preferences too?

5

Yes, it’s a fresh installation, following these instructions:

6

Is it possible that the Preferences window has not in fact closed, but instead has moved behind one of your other windows? There are some known problems with window ordering in this sort of situation (where a message box is launched from within a dialog).

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7

You are absolutely right! The Preferences window moved off-screen and I couldn’t see it any longer. I right clicked on the taskbar thumbnail, and manually moved the window back to the right position and now Dorico remembers it. I can finally replace shortcuts, yes! :palms_up_together: Thank you again, Richard.

Issue #2 still persists, though. I did set a bunch of new key commands and it seems that the Lower Zone-related are the only ones affected.

8

Right, I can reproduce that problem here. I’ll make a note of it on our backlog.

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