Shango .dorico (2.0 MB)
Hi all,
I’m having trouble figuring out how to use engrave mode as a transitional user from Finale. I’ve tried toggling the vertical spacing, casting off options, and have even experimented with music frame margins, note spacing and rastral sizing.
If anyone might be able to help me figure out how to condense the spacing of the score I would greatly appreciate it.
I would also appreciate a reference to detailed information on how to navigate efficiently engrave mode.
I think this video is worth the one hour to watch in order to get thorough insight into Dorico‘s layout mechanisms:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udfPlwq-r_o
Highly recommended!
I would be tempted to reduce (on the Page Setup page of Layout Options) the rastral size to size 4 or possibly even size 5, so that you get three systems per page. I would also change (on the Staves and Systems page of Layout Options) the staff label settings such that you don’t show staff labels after the first system. I would also try (on the Note Spacing page of Layout Options) reducing the ideal space for a quarter note from 4 spaces to 3 1/2 spaces or possibly all the way down to 3 spaces. This might allow you to get one more bar on each system.
I played a bit with your score, applying @Daniel 's hints. It’s down to 35 pages now:
Shango new layout.dorico (1.8 MB)
After applying more considerations (a few strategic system breaks, and changing Note Spacing in several places):
Shango new layout 2.dorico (1.8 MB)
Of course I would maybe work half an hour more to refine everything, but by comparing the different versions you can see some methods applied.
I’d agree with Daniel that you don’t need instrument labels on every system. There’s only 3 to keep track of!!!
Thank you Meixner! This looks delightful - would you mind sharing what note spacing and system break changes you made and why?
I will undoubtedly be using your suggestions in future engraving projects.
You can see for yourself:
Library > Layout Options, look for Note Spacing
To see system breaks you just have to turn on View > Signposts.
Ask again if this does not help to see the relevant data.
One word about these values: these are not “magic numbers”, but will need to be changed depending on the project at hand. For Note Spacing I usually make this smaller than the default 4, more like 3 1/2 for starters, but: it really depends. You just increment/decrement in small steps and watch what happens. System Breaks I do very little, and really if needed (for example page turns, or sometimes for starting an important section on a new line, but generally NOT for doing basic layout.
