On 20 Feb 2004, at 03:30 PM, Mark D Lew wrote:
Second, dragging (with auto-adjustment of subsequent staves) could easily compliment the Staff List Manager . You could use dragging to get the staves roughly where you want them, resolving collisions, etc., then use the Staff List Manager to make sure that all of your distances were set to a multiple of 6 EVPUs.
After a while, you do get used to making good guesses when you type numbers into the Staff List Manager, but it would still be a huge improvement to be able to actually see what you are doing, while you are doing it.
Certainly not a "huge improvement", possibly not an improvement at all. Using your method, I would still enter the Staff Usage numbers in every case, plus I'd be adding the step of dragging before it. Thus the question is whether the addition of this small precautionary step is worth it in exchange for what it saves in having to do the numbers twice if I miss the first time.
Well, if even if my proposed improvement to the staff tool is implemented, you needn't use it! You can continue using the Staff Usage list, or TGTools Staff Manager, or whatever method you like. Even if it worked the way I want it to work, *I* wouldn't drag every time -- sometimes I'd drag, and sometimes I'd use the Staff List Manager, depending on the situation. But for those who like dragging, I'm just arguing for *better* dragging.
As you say, with experience one gets used to visualizing the system without needing to see it. I'd estimate that I get the placement right the first time about 85% of the time. Does that work out to a gain in efficiency if I drag first? Maybe, but probably not much.
Well, that's a pretty good batting average, but how long did it take you to get there? And shouldn't we be trying to make Finale easier for new users, as well?
Also, IIRC, you don't work with orchestral scores much. Vertical spacing is quite a bit more complex when you have 30+ staves to deal with, especially when you're trying to squeeze down a complex system to fit within your margins. I don't know about anyone else, but getting *all* of the numbers just right for 30+ staves on the first pass through the Staff List Manager is still a rare treat for me!
- Darcy
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