It would be great if there was an option in ‘casting off’ to set it as a ‘maximum bars per system’ setting. So, for example, if you had it set to 4 bars per system but there were some particularly dense bars, rather than letting it go over 100% full, it would drop down to 2 or 3 bars per system in those instances, but still constrain the emptier systems to have no more than 4.
Just a thought for the developers! Enjoy your day.
I made a similar request here Casting off addition idea My guess would be not to expect this any time soon.
Ah - I did search for similar suggestions but for some reason didn’t see your post.
Well, you never know - each request for a feature must bump it up some priority list that exists somewhere at Steinberg HQ… or at least that’s the hope! It seems to me (who has never programmed a thing in his life) that this wouldn’t be too complicated an option to include, but who knows!
In general, I think Engrave mode options should probably all have the ability to set rigid values for things like casting off, systems per frame (and maybe differentiation between page 1 and following pages), etc. It was extremely helpful when the grid and rulers were added for Engrave mode.
Let’s allow either a Dorico auto-format for pages or completely user defined format for pages…either or, with the “auto” being the default like it is now. We should be able to nudge just about anything in Engrave mode in just about any direction without having to juggle frame versus graphic versus whatever - just select with mouse and do what is needed.
Now, if I am missing something here, I am open to being educated as it is almost midnight locally…
You can of course add System Breaks to a Layout with fixed Casting off if you need a different number of bars on the line in places.
(As with all things Dorico: set the global value for the majority; and make manual changes only for the exceptions where necessary.)
I agree that a “Casting Off Change” function, or similar, would be very useful.
Yeah, and that’s easy enough.
My context is that I’m orchestrating a musical in one big Dorico file, so I’m trying to squeeze every drop I can out of the global settings! And as the arrangements are still fluid, I’m wary of using system and frame breaks at this stage because something is going to change down the track and I’ll end up with orphaned bars here and there… you know how it goes!
I prefer to set page layouts via rastral size and note-spacing That gives me maximum flexibility as I compile larger works. Then occasional system breaks and custom page templates usually help me avoid the last resorts, frame breaks and page overrrides.
I work mainly in songs and jazz standards with regular structures in 8 bar sections, and I want the layout to make this structure clear. I think this is the main reason why some users choose fixed casting off.
The ability to add a “casting off change”, analogous to a note spacing change, at certain positions in the score would be really helpful. For example: a “written out” jazz arrangement or transcription for a piano student might have the theme and comping with 4 bars per system but need 2 bars/system for the solo.
Of course, this can be achieved with manual system breaks, but would save a bit of time.