Quick question: is there a way in Dorico to evenly distribute systems vertically in a part, so the gaps between them are consistent?
In general it looks uneven most of the time.
(And still this is due to the rehearsal signs (e.g.) that stick out and make Dorico make one space very large. When I move the rehearsal sign in Engrave mode, Dorico doesn’t recalculate the new situation. Can I force Dorico to make the vertical spacing even, when I removed all the unevenness (like those signs)).
At rehearsal mark [3] there is a large gap above it. Mainly because the three stuck out. I move the [3] so it doesn’t stick out anymore but the gap still is too large, too uneven to my likings.
red lines are gone, I presume I removed the manual adjustments. I can’t remember doing any manual adjustment here, but anyway. The gaps are still very uneven without any reason. What now?
The wider gaps happen due to the additional elements of particular staves — i.e. adding dynamics. If you set the library options (as @benwiggy suggests) for a larger gap then you can probably achieve the same gap between each system – but that may be a larger gap than you want! Or, if you turn off collision avoidance you might get the systems closer but there may be overlaps….
This way your staves start out evenly spaced at all times BUT precisely as it says in the option, collisions will not get resolved, you will have to watch out for them and fix them manually.
In your specific screenshotted example, if you dial down the note spacing (either globally in layout options or locally with a Note Spacing Change) you can probably fit the same music onto fewer staves, and thereby lower the vertical pressure on this page.
@hrnbouma This is it! This is the problem I’ve been facing for 5 years, finally solves. This Collision avoidance is too stern for me and does much more harm than good. Thank you!!!
Before turning off Avoid collisions consider – as mentioned by Ben – a larger gap between systems (for parts 10 spaces is reasonable) and also smaller rehearsal marks.
I see what you mean: turning off entirely adds lots of work. It would be nice to have an “avoid collisions” at 50%… I’m going to adjust the spaces. Smaller marks is also a very good one! Thanks y’all!
Sorry to bother you during my moments of deadline stress, I know my shortcomings, working on it (my shrink is not a member here
In this example below, what do you think of the inconsistent spacing? Does it bother you? Am I oversensitive? I still don’t understand the large space above [28], as there’s nothing happening there (no overrides also, I checked).
Hi, sorry for me chiming in:
In your screenshots you have not shown us the “fullness-indicator” percentage at the bottom of your screen (in Engrave Mode). If this is above 100% you might get unexpected spacing behaviour.
I think I’m right in saying that traditional hand-engraved parts are not consistent, in the same way that scores aren’t – they vary according to the contents.
I’d possibly just move the 4th system down a bit (b. 32 ff), which should reduce the effect.
I notice in this screenshot that there are tempo markings that have been hidden. I have two questions following that: if you delete the metronome markings entirely rather than just hiding them does that help with the spacing, and around rehearsal 28 in the following movement are there hidden tempo markings?
Yes, I think that’s a bug in Dorico. Sometimes hidden objects take space. For me deleting the hidden time signatures is simply a no go, so I hope this will be fixed. And still: the “recalculate spacing” would be a blessing!
Roel,
have you checked the % indicator at the bottom left of your page? You will see a green or red flag there, if you switch to Engrave Mode.
Which is the percentage shown there?
