Smarter functionality of signs

• Jan 22, 2014 - 15:43

I wish the functionality of signs would be improved.
At the current version it is not possible to write a Cb (except Gb-major or Cb-major is choosen as key) without detours.
The only way i figured out, is writing a C and pressing "-" or the "flat"-button. But this is far too inconvenient - especially because there will appear a flat ahead of every further Cb in the same bar.
So at the moment for only two Cb in one bar, i have to "click" seven times (to write these notes and hide the second flat).
If i choose Gb- or Cb-major, it´s almost ok. Only when i want to change another note to Cb by using the arrow-keys, it´s the same problem as above.

It would be great, if you could implement a shortcut for enharmonic changes (maybe alt+arrow up/down), which switches e.g. from Bb to A# and in case of H to Cb (or F/E#, C/H#). Absolutly perfect it would be, if this shortcut would even switch through double flats and double crosses.


Comments

Things are going to be improved in this area for 2.0, but there are ways of making this easier even now.

As you note, while you can't use the down arrow to turn C into Cb currently, using "-" is no more work than using "" *except if there are multiple Cb's in the same measure*. And in that case, there is a trick to make that simpler. Enter them all as C's, then cursor through them in *reverse* order, pressing "-" for each. The accidentals get added and removed as appropriate. This also has the advantage of not allocating unnecessary space for the hidden accidentals, as happens when hiding them manually.

For 2.0, typing "C " *will* enter Cb if appropriate for the key (basically, any key that does not include a B natural), so you won't need the explicit flat shortcut so often. And after entering one Cb (or C#, or any note with an accidental), simply typing "C" while in the same measure will enter a nothing note of the same pitch - which is to say, it will inherit the accidental, and hence no accidental is displayed or required. So entering a string of Cb's becomes as easy as you could possibly want. Also, 2.0 will add a shortcut "J" to cycle through enharmonic spellings, and yes it includes double flats and double sharps. Finally, if you *do* wish to mark something invisible (won't be necessary here, but in other situations it might), there will be a "V" shortcut to do that more easily.

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