Using frames for additional content
Overview
A frame is a rectangular container in the score into which one or more text objects or images may be inserted. In the score editor the edges 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 container inserted before the first system, after the last system, or between systems. It may contain several text objects and/or images.
Horizontal frame: A container between two measures which may contain several text objects and/or images.
Text frame: A full-width container inserted before the first system, after the last system, or between systems. It differs from a vertical frame in that it can only contain a single text object.
Uses of frames
Here are a few ways frames are used:
Display the title, subtitle, composer, arranger, lyricist, etc., at the top of a score. New scores automatically include a vertical frame filled with this info which you can specify on the second page of the New Score dialog.
Display details of movements within a score
Display lyrics at the end of a song
Create a blank horizontal space before a coda
Adding frames between or before/after systems
Text frames
A text frame is a full-width container placed either before the first system, after the last system, or between systems. A single text block may be added to the frame. The height of the frame is automatically adjusted to the height of the text block 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
Type the desired text.
Alternatively, you can right-click on the frame and choose Edit element, or select the frame and use the shortcuts F2 or Alt+Shift+E.
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 container placed either before the first system, after the last system, or between systems. Multiple 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 dialog.
Size
The height of the vertical frame is automatically adjusted to the height of any text block contained within it. You can override this using Height in the Vertical frame tab of the Properties panel.
Position and alignment of content
The position of text objects relative to the edges of vertical/text frames can be altered by adjusting the relevant padding (Top/Bottom/Left/Right) in the Vertical frame (or Text frame) tab of the Properties panel.
For example, a left- and top-aligned text object will be pushed away from the respective edge by increasing the Left padding and/or Top padding, 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
Adding frames to the end of the score
Inserting frames using the methods described above will place them before the selection in the score.
If you need to place a frame at the very end of the score, apply one of the following methods:
From the menu bar, navigate through Add -> Frames -> Insert at end of score then select the frame type you want
Use an Insert [frame type] at end of score keyboard shortcut (you can set this up in the Preferences: Shortcuts dialog).
Special frame types
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