Dorico creates extra space in a parts layout, can't get rid of it

[nboisvert]

Hi, see images below. In case you’re wondering, this is for a professional orchestra, kids’ show. Trombone part is exactly as I want it, all the parts come out like this EXCEPT Tuba (shown) and cello (which has the exact same problem)

All these are separate flows, allowed to start on the same page.

Problem: in Bass tbn/tuba and Vlc/Cb parts, Dorico creates extra space between the staves, which punts the bottom staff onto the next page. I’ve tried everything.

1. Can’t find a setting in Layout options that fixes this
2. I’d rather not have to do it manually. I did try, creating a lot of extra space on page 1 (fiddling with vertical spacing and moving frames around), no go, second stave refuses to go back to first page.
3. I tried “make into frame”, it forces both staves onto the next page, no matter how much space I create on the first space. (Either that, or everything gets completely messed up with elements smushed onto one another)

Please help.

[Christian_R]

Hi @nboisvert, your green text frames show strange overlappings and sizes: probably something is going on with the Flow Headings margins (in Layout Options or in the Flow Headings overrides dialogue). Can you post the Dorico file, so we can have a look (from a screenshot is difficult to tell what is going on).

[nboisvert]

Row row row.dorico (1.9 MB)

Here you go

[bln_composer]

you can go into engrave mode and select two items, one on the first page and one on the new system on the next page and select “make into frame”. I don’t quite know why it doesn’t work for you though.

[Christian_R]

Thank you for the file, @nboisvert, due to the low notes of the Bass trombone/Tuba and Violoncello/Contrabbass, Dorico needs a little more space for them. Setting (for the Bass Trombone/Tuba and Violoncello/Contrabbass layouts) the Flow Heading upper margin to 14 (instead of the default 15) frees the needed space:

Result:

Add-on:
seeing that you use the same custom flow heading for every flow, I think you could benefit from the new functionality Flow Headings overrides to have more freedom, and individual settings per flow, when needed:

Overriding flow headings for flows - Dorico Pro - 6.1

[nboisvert]

Brilliant, thank you, problem solved.

I figured it was that a small adjustment of that type that was needed, just couldn’t figure out which one. Also figured it must have something to do with range, although, IMHO, thought Dorico was being a bit greedy with space for those ledger lines