Using frames for additional content
Overview
A frame is a rectangular space in the score into which one or more text objects or images may be inserted. In the score window the sides of the frame are marked by dotted lines (these do not show up in the printed score).
A frame may be one of three types:
- Vertical frame: A full-width rectangle inserted before the first system, after the last system, or between systems. It may contain several text objects and/or images.
- Text frame: A full-width rectangle inserted before the first system, after the last system, or between systems. It may contain one text object only.
- Horizontal frame: A rectangle between two measures which may contain several text objects and/or images.
Note: Although you can use frames to create extra space between systems, it is best to use spacers for this purpose.
Uses of frames
Frames may be used to
- Display the title, subtitle, composer, arranger, lyricist etc., at the top of a score. This is done automatically for new scores if you have completed the relevant details on page 2 of the New Score dialog.
- Display details of movements within a score.
- Display lyrics at the end of a song.
- Create a blank space before a coda
and so on.
Adding frames between or before/after systems
Text frames
A text frame is a full-width rectangle placed either before the first system or after the last one, or between systems. One text block (only) may be added to the frame. The height of the frame is automatically adjusted to the height of any text block contained within it.
Adding a text frame
- Select a measure, or a frame
- Apply one of the following methods:
- From the menu bar select Add→Frames→Insert text frame
- In the Layout palette click on the “Insert text frame” icon
- Use an “Insert text frame” custom keyboard shortcut (you can set this up in the Preferences: Shortcuts dialog).
If the measure selected is the first one in the system, the frame will simply be inserted above the system. If the selected measure is any one but the first, it will start a new system and the frame will appear above it.
Adding text
To add a text block to the text frame:
- Double-click the frame; or right-click on the frame and choose Edit element; or select the frame and use the shortcut F2, or Alt+Shift+E.
- Type the desired text.
The text has the “Frame” style by default but you can change this using “Text style” in the Text tab of the Properties panel. You can also apply character formatting in the usual way.
Vertical frames
A vertical frame is a full-width rectangle placed either before the first system or after the last one, or between systems. Several text blocks and/or images may be added to the frame.
Adding a vertical frame
- Select a measure, or a frame
- Apply one of the following methods:
- From the menu bar select Add→Frames→Insert vertical frame
- In the Layout palette click on the “Insert vertical frame” icon
- Use an “Insert vertical frame” custom keyboard shortcut (you can set this up in the Preferences: Shortcuts dialog).
If the measure selected is the first one in the system, the frame will simply be inserted above the system. If the selected measure is any one but the first, it will start a new system and the frame will appear above it.
Adding text
To add a text block to the vertical frame apply one of the following methods:
- Right-click on the frame, select Add, then choose one of the options (Text, Title, Subtitle, Composer, Lyricist, Part name).
- Select the frame, and from the menu bar choose Add→Text. Then choose one of the first five options (Title, Subtitle, Composer, Lyricist, Part name).
- Select the frame and use keyboard shortcuts to add applicable text blocks (you can set these up in the Preferences: Shortcuts dialog).
Adding an image
- Right-click on the vertical frame
- Select Add→Image
- Search for and add the image from the “Insert image” window.
Size
The height of the vertical frame is automatically adjusted to the height of any text block contained within it. But you can override this using “Height” in the Vertical frame tab of the Properties toolbar.
Position and alignment of content
The position of a text object which abuts directly onto the border of a vertical/text frame can be altered by adjusting the relevant margin (Top/Bottom/Left/Right) in the Vertical frame tab of the Properties panel.
For example, a left- and top-aligned text object will be pushed away from the respective border by increasing the “Left margin” and/or “Top margin”, and so on.
Spacing
In the Vertical frame or Text frame tab of the Properties panel, adjust “Gap above” and “Gap below” to create extra space above/below the frame.
Adding frames between measures
Horizontal frames
A horizontal frame is used to create space between the measures of a particular system with optional text and/or image content.
Adding a horizontal frame
- Select a measure.
- Apply one of the following methods:
- From the menu bar select Add→Frames→Insert horizontal frame
- In the Layout palette click on the “Insert horizontal frame” icon
- Use an “Insert horizontal frame” keyboard shortcut (you can set this up in the Preferences: Shortcuts dialog).
The frame is inserted between the selected measure and the following one.
Adding text
To add a text block to a horizontal frame, right-click on the frame and select Add→Text.
Adding an image
- Right-click on the horizontal frame
- Select Add→Image
- Search for and add the image from the “Insert image” window.
Size
You can adjust the width of the frame in the Horizontal frame tab of the Properties panel.
Spacing
You can adjust the space on either side of the horizontal frame using “Left gap” and “Right gap” in the Horizontal frame tab of the Properties panel.
Other horizontal frame properties
- Display brackets, clefs and key signatures in the next measure