Inputting time signatures with the panel

You can input time signatures using the Time Signatures (Meter) panel, both during note input and by adding them to existing music. You can also input time signatures only on single staves.

Note

  • These steps describe inputting with the default mouse input preference Create item at selection.

  • Dorico Elements does not automatically add beats to fill bars according to the new time signature at the end of the affected region unless Insert mode is activated.

Procedure

  1. In Write mode, do one of the following:

    • Start note input.

    • Select an item at the rhythmic position where you want to input a time signature. If you want to input a time signature on a single staff, select an item that belongs to that staff only.

  2. Optional: If you want Dorico Elements to add beats at the end of the region affected by the new time signature if required, activate Insert mode in any of the following ways:

    • Press I.

    • In the Notes toolbox, click Insert Insert button.

  3. In the Notations toolbox, click Panels , then Time Signatures (Meter) to show the Time Signatures (Meter) panel.
  4. Optional: If you want to input a time signature that is not available in the Used in This Flow or Common sections, select the type of time signature you want to input from the menu in the Create Time Signature section.
  5. Optional: Enter the time signatures you want into the available spaces.
  6. Input the time signature you want in one of the following ways:

    • To input a time signature on all staves, click it in the Time Signatures (Meter) panel.

    • To input a time signature on the selected staff only, Alt/Opt-click it in the Time Signatures (Meter) panel.

Result

During note input, time signatures are added at the caret position, even if this is in the middle of an existing bar.

When adding time signatures to existing music, they are added at the rhythmic position of the earliest selected item. They appear to the right of barlines, key signatures, and clefs, and to the left of other items, even if this is in the middle of an existing bar. If you selected an existing time signature, the new time signature directly replaces the existing one.

All subsequent bars follow the input time signature, until the next existing time signature or the end of the flow, whichever comes first. Dorico Elements automatically inputs and moves barlines as required so that subsequent music is barred correctly. However, in open meters, you must input barlines and add beats manually.

Any time signatures you input after an interchangeable time signature that are specified in it are hidden automatically until you end the interchangeable time signature.