Position items graphically

Position items graphically in the Score Editor

You can position items graphically to improve the readability of your score (creating space for a grace note, for example). There are three ways to position items:

  • Using the Layout tool: The Layout tool is used to graphically move events in the Score Editor, in order to optimize the display without altering the timing of MIDI events.

  • Using the Event inspector: You can change the graphical position of Score Editor symbols and text in the Event inspector by editing the Vertical Position and Horizontal Position parameters.

  • Using key commands: You can use key commands to move any score symbol that can be positioned independently of notes or staffs, as well as text events and chord symbols. These functions don’t alter the bar position of the affected symbols and text events. They alter the Horizontal Position and Vertical Position parameters by ±1.

Position items using the Layout tool

  • Select the Layout tool, then drag notes, symbols, text, or other items.

    Figure. Layout tool.

    • When you move symbol or text objects with the Layout tool, the bar position is retained. The Horizontal Position and Vertical Position parameters, however, are changed (as indicated in the help tag during the process).

    • You can only edit the horizontal position of a note in relation to its bar position using the Layout tool, not its vertical position. Dragging the note to the right or left changes the displayed distance from the adjacent notes or rests. The bar position (and playback) is unaltered.

    Note: The bar position determines playback timing, as this is the actual MIDI event position. Remember that the Score Editor is primarily designed to deliver notation, and that most (but not all) editing functions are graphical, rather than physical, in nature.

Position items using the Event inspector

  1. Select the item or items you want to position graphically.

  2. Enter the value for the vertical position in the Vertical Pos.: field. A value of 0 means a position exactly on the top line of the staff, in most cases. Positive values are above, negative values below it. In staff styles with more than one staff, the Staff parameter determines the staff that the Vertical Position parameter refers to.

  3. Enter the value for the horizontal position in the Horizontal Pos.: field. The value determines the horizontal offset of the object’s bar position. A value of 0 corresponds to the left edge of a note, at that particular position.

Position items using key commands

  • Use any of the following key commands:

    • To move the vertical position up by 1: Use the Nudge Position Up key command.

    • To move the vertical position down by 1: Use the Nudge Position Down key command.

    • To move the horizontal position left by 1: Use the Nudge Position Left key command.

    • To move the horizontal position right by 1: Use the Nudge Position Right key command.

    • To adjust a number of selected symbols to the same height above (or below) the staff: Use the Align Object Positions Vertically key command.

Tip: To adjust a number of selected symbols to the same height above (or below) the staff, use the Align Object Positions Vertically key command.