viewing large scores

• Apr 3, 2015 - 03:18

Before I begin, let me say I am continuing to be surprised by the quality and content in version 2.0. Nice job.

One problem that I have that is an ongoing concern to me, primarily because I work on large pages (think band transcriptions) is "Where am I?" For example, I may be adding a part to an existing score, and would like to keep my bearings as I add a perhaps repetitive drum part. Now I could use the zoom feature, but that often causes me to loose the clarity of the page, and can make note input difficult. I have come up with two suggestions, both of which would address the problem, although one may be more complicated to implement than the other. Both may be useful to others too.

Suggestion One. Allow for split screens - horizontal for me, but vertical could be of use too. As an example, look at Microsoft Excel (I hate to use them as an example, but they do have what I am looking for). They allow you to view a spreadsheet in either two horizontal sections, or two vertical sections. MY immediate use would be horizontal splits, so I can have the piece of the score I'm working on in one panel (most likely) the bottom, and the section of the upper part of the score that interests me (lead line, or melody) in the other (most likely upper). Scrolling one of the panels would cause both to move in unison; the horizontal panes are still tied logically together.

Having a vertical split might be of good value too - I can see where needing to cut and paste repeated sections would be made easier. For example a left screen could contain a series of measures from early in the work, as I went through the conclusion, I can cut and paste appropriately into the right window without having to jump the score around so much. Scrolling in these should probably be independent, but could be tied to each other if necessary.

Suggestion Two - this more or less is an easy way to provide reference marks without needing to go to all of the effort of developing multiple panel support. I can't speak for everyone, but I know I make liberal use of the ability to add rehearsal marks to my score. Unfortunately, when you scroll down on the page, the rehearsal marks disappear. To be effective, MuseScore ground rules suggest that marks should be on the top line, and then they will be picked up when parts are created - similar to voltas, etc. Now, if there was a way to have these marks (only) be kept on the screen when the top line disappears because of scrolling, that would probably be a simpler solution. Alternately, allowing the marks to be displayed on the bottom of the display might also work

I could also make a case that other, global markings (such as voltas, tempo markings, system text, and other repeat marks) might also be good candidates for keeping on the screen when the top line disappears.

If you would like further clarification, please let me know.

Thanks.

Jerry


Comments

I am delighted to say that under the View menu, you'll find "Documents Side by Side" and "Documents Stacked"—horizontal and vertical split screens. ;-) You might also find the Navigator useful to keep track of where you are in the score, also found under the View menu.

I'd like to see something like the "mark" and "mark stack" concepts of the Emacs editor. Control-@ or whatever and "remember where I am", "go to the last place", "exchange point and mark", etc. Although 2.0.0 betters yet the 2.0 beta situation, as it were, I wish I could "scoot back to where I last edited" when some fumble sends me someplace else. Position/"user buffer pointer" management.

In reply to by [DELETED] 1831606

Thanks for all the responses. Let me comment on them.....

1. The Horizontal Stack comes very close to what I was asking for. What I am asking for, though, is the ability (optional would be the best approach) to lock the two panels so that they move together, and stay in synch. This probably only makes sense with the horizontal split - I think it is most useful there, but vertical could be helpful too.

2. I have used the navigator, and it is of use, but the thumb nails are so small that it really can't be used to insure you're in the right place. It is good for rapid positioning within the work, though. The proposed enhancement, might make sense, the picture looks interesting, but I would like to see more.

3. I'm sorry, but the statements in the third response aren't clear to me, Not to say they wouldn't work, but I'm not into that level of potential customization to be able to understand it. As a long time software developer and user, I ttend to be of the opinion that while customization is a nice feature, it also tends to complicate the development process, and makes it more difficult for users to migrate to newer releases. I tend to look for good functionality out of the box, and prefer to keep cutomization to a minimum. Just my $.02; thanks for taking the time to suggest it, though.

Thanks to all.

Jerry

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