Moving figured bass figures/lines graphically

You can move figured bass figures graphically without changing the rhythmic positions to which they apply. You can also move the start/end handles of figured bass hold lines independently of each other, meaning you can lengthen/shorten hold lines graphically. You can do this for the current layout and frame chain only or for all layouts and frame chains.

Figure 1. Handles on a hold line in Engrave mode
Note

If you want to move handles at the start/end of figured bass hold lines because you want to change their length, we recommend that you lengthen/shorten them rhythmically first before refining their graphical length.

Prerequisite

  • Graphic Editing is selected in the Engrave toolbox.

  • You have chosen the appropriate property scope for local properties.

Procedure

  1. In Engrave mode, select one of the following that you want to move:

    • Figured bass figures

    • Figured bass hold lines

    • Individual handles on figured bass hold lines

    Tip

    A single figure includes all numbers at that position. For example, you cannot select and move the 6 in a 6,4 figure independently of the 4.

  2. Move the figures, hold lines, or handles in any of the following ways:

    • Press Alt/Opt-Right Arrow to move them to the right.

    • Press Alt/Opt-Left Arrow to move them to the left.

    • Press Alt/Opt-Up Arrow to move them upwards.

    • Press Alt/Opt-Down Arrow to move them downwards.

      Tip

      If you want to move items by larger increments, you can press Ctrl/Cmd as well as the standard key command, for example, Ctrl/Cmd-Alt/Opt-Left Arrow.

    • Click and drag them in any direction.

      Note

      You cannot move hold line handles upwards/downwards.

Result

The selected figured bass figures, hold lines, or handles are moved to new graphical positions. If the property scope was set to Locally, this change only takes effect in the current layout and frame chain.

Moving figures with hold lines moves them both together. Moving hold lines or hold line handles moves the hold lines independently of the figure. Dorico Pro automatically lengthens hold lines between suspensions and resolutions when you move resolution figures.

Tip

Multiple different properties in the Figured Bass group of the Properties panel are activated automatically when you move the corresponding figure, hold line, or hold line handle.

  • Main figure offset moves figures. X moves them horizontally, Y moves them vertically.

  • Resolution offset moves the resolution figure in suspensions. X moves them horizontally, Y moves them vertically.

  • Line [n] offset moves the start and end handles of hold lines in the corresponding figured bass row horizontally. L moves start (left) handles, R moves end (right) handles.

  • Line [n] Y offset moves whole hold lines in the corresponding figured bass row vertically.

You can also use these properties to move figures and hold lines by changing the values in the value fields.

Deactivating the properties resets the selected figures and hold lines to their default positions.