A nitpick/question. This was the default:
Shouldn’t the tied quarter default to up-stem, like this?
I just get used to never having to change this sort of thing, so this one stuck out to me.
I’ve hit this many times - the two pitches tied don’t always have the same stem direction, and have to go into E-Mode to fix. Not the biggest headache, but…
No, there’s no particular reason why the second note of a tied pair should have the same stem direction as the first. The stem of that B quarter note (assuming this is treble G clef) is contextual, i.e. its direction is determined by the notes to either side. I’d have to actually step through the code to be absolutely certain, but my expectation is that it would default to down in this situation.
It’s not a big deal to me, but I think the second example certainly looks correct. It’s not something I would expect you to spend any time on! Thanks.
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I agree, Dan. It looks much better. I wonder if it’s just using the default direction set in notation options?
I think you mean the default stem direction (up/down) for notes on the middle line, in Engraving Options > Notes > Stems?
The point here, I think, is not to set the default direction, but that the direction of the quarter here should match whatever the eighth was.
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It seems odd, but it is the direction of the tie in the top example that seems to bother me the most, even if the stems point in different directions.
Back in the days when composer stemmed by the phrase, rather than by the note, Beethoven or Chopin etc. probably would have written:
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Oh I understand and totally agree. I was just wondering aloud if that setting is what caused the result that you got, because it doesn’t seem that Dorico is analyzing that particular situation on a case-by-case basis.
FWIW, “the bible” (behind bars) says among other things:
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“When notes are on the center stave-line, the stems may go in either direction. The direction is determined by context.”
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“When the stem direction varies within a bar, maintain the stem direction of the notes that are part of the same beat or half-bar.”
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“When there is no clear-cut case for either direction, the convention is to use a down-stem. Some editions use down-stems exclusively.”
It doesn’t seem that she addresses this particular issue directly. Perhaps one could argue the third point there, although I’d suggest that since the example is really “one note” it makes more sense and is easier for the eye to parse out when the stems match.
It seems like this was historically more ambiguous. Here’s Button (1919) :
Other more modern editions say down too, like Roemer:
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I know the modern preference is for stems-down on the B, but the first example just looks wrong (in the OP). I don’t mind flipping it with a simple F… we engravers still need something to do!! 
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I literally copied and pasted measure 2 to measure 5, but on measure 2 Dorico put the stems up and on measure 5 it put the stems down. Why?
PS: bass clef.
Notes on the middle line can (correctly) go either way. Usually this is affected by context, so perhaps the preceding or following notes are having an influence here. If you ever aren’t happy with the direction of a note, just press ‘f’ for flip and the stem will change direction.
Can’t see how this context would justify such change of stems’ direction .
In such a case, shouldn’t Dorico place the stems in both measures to the same direction, especially after copying and pasting the measure? It is not practical to keep changing stems directions manually.
Check your settings in Engraving Options / Notes / Stems.
FWIW, Gould and the Dorico defaults are both sort of outliers here. Virtually every notable notation manual and style guide from the past 75 years or so says these should be stems-down.
Thanks, that solved the issue.
Regarding context, if it makes sense, OK, but as in the example I showed above, it does not in my opinion. So, probably Dorico’s default should be “use default direction” and one could change it to “determine by context” if wanted.