Feature request #1 – Measure number changes as signpost

Dorico
1

I did not see these listed in the forum, and if they are already possible, please let me know.

I would like to see measure number changes appear in as a signpost. When there are many region adjustments, it is difficult and tedious to troubleshoot the roadmap. You may well find an even better system to help this problem but the signposts would be a big help!

2 Likes
2

Hi @john12,

Referring to the Manual “Signposts indicate the positions of important items or changes that cannot be seen in the music”. Bar Number Changes are visible, but may be indeed difficult to spot.

Maybe this would be a good candidate for a new category in the Proofreading panel, instead?

1 Like
3

I agree with @john12, I think he has a point. Bar numbers themselves might be visible, but the fact that there is a Bar number change is not always visible to the naked eye. Especially since the first bar number at a change is often hidden, as many forum posts about this show. I don’t think that would violate the current definition of signposts in the manual, but since you mention it I wonder if maybe that could use an update as well. I say this it because to me it doesn’t seem like it’s being followed very strictly anymore.

  • “cannot be seen”: not always true. You get a signpost for a bracket change even though those are perfectly visible. Same goes for key sigs with accidentals in full score layouts that have transposing instruments, even when viewing them in concert pitch.
  • “important items or changes”: that’s in the eye of the beholder, but the two examples I mentioned are, at least to me, not very important. Same goes for the gazillion Player label signposts you get in a condensed score where you’ve hidden all redundant labels. On the other hand, if there’s e.g. a local time signature or a local barline I would very much like a signpost to warn me about that. For OP, that also goes for bar number changes.

I don’t think the Proofreading panel is the right place because those things are not really about proofreading issues. Also that panel is pretty crowded as it is, even with the filtering possibilities. Just my 2 cents. :slight_smile:

3 Likes
4

Actually, if you hide a bar number, you do get a signpost.

image
image225×128 3.31 KB

But I agree that it would be nice to have a signpost for a bar number change even when the bar number is visible.

2 Likes
5

My ignorance: why would measure numbers change in terms of sequence?

6

Just as one quick example: Imagine a piece where you want to insert a bar between bars 5 and 6, and label it 5a. That’s one bar number change to get the 5a and another to go back to the primary sequence.

Or conversely, a piece where you want to delete bars 5-10 without disrupting the numbering of other bars.

I think this kind of thing comes up more often in the theater and film worlds.

7

Got it. Makes sense. I don’t compose for theater/film, so wasn’t aware of that. Thanks!