as a:
Contemporary Classical composer
I need:
More flexible graphics tools
so that:
I can freely create the notation that meet my needs for structured improvisation and extended techniques
these tools could include:
- arrange Z-order for all score elements
- alignment tools - per page or similar to Lines
- intuitive placement of graphics as part of the music timeline
- graphics ‘wrapping’ options
- removing or trimming staff lines
Findings on testing Dorico 3.5 and Dorico 4
I found it fairly unintuitive to use the graphics frames under Engrave Mode. I searched for a option with the noteheads to change the Z-order there as well, so this option seems missing to put graphics in front or behind other score elements. It seems sensible to have a graphics tool as part of Write mode. I also found the constraints control odd to understand - I think about moving a graphic object around rather than making a frame to sit on a page.
I found later that there’s the create option under Playing techniques for making new symbols. It’d be good to have “graphics” as well since I might only use a particular image/SVG once in a score. I’ll give feedback on the symbols and lines editors at a later date - I find them quite fiddly to use.