Functions of the modes

In Dorico, there are different modes: Setup, Write, Engrave, Play, and Print. Each mode represents a different phase in the workflow of preparing scores and parts, so they contain different toolboxes, panels, and functionality from each other.

Setup mode

In Setup mode, you can set up the fundamental elements of the project: instruments and the players that hold them, flows, layouts, and videos. You can also determine how they interact with each other; for example, by changing the players assigned to layouts.

You can view music in the music area and switch between viewing other tabs and layouts, but you cannot select or interact with anything in the music area in Setup mode.

Write mode

In Write mode, you can input and edit your music, including changing the rhythmic positions of items, changing the pitch of notes, and deleting notes and items. The available toolboxes and panels allow you to input all the notes and notation items that are most commonly used.

By design, you cannot move notes and items graphically on the page in Write mode. Graphical adjustments are only possible in Engrave mode.

Engrave mode (Dorico Pro and Dorico Elements)

In Engrave mode, you can make fine adjustments to the music that you input in Write mode and determine how the pages of your project are laid out.

Because Engrave mode is focused on the formatting and appearance of layouts, you cannot delete any notes or items, change their rhythmic positions, or change the pitch of notes in Engrave mode.

Play mode

In Play mode, you can change how your music sounds in playback; for example, by loading VST instruments and assigning them to tracks and voices.

You can change other aspects of playback using the Key Editor in both Write mode and Play mode, such as inputting automation and changing the sounding duration of notes in playback without affecting their notated duration.

Print mode

In Print mode, you can print your layouts or export them as graphics files. When printing layouts, you can determine the paper size and other options, such as duplex or booklet printing. When exporting layouts, you can specify different graphics file types, such as PDF or PNG, and the information you want to include in their exported file names.

You can switch between the modes at any time in any of the following ways:

  • Press Ctrl/Cmd plus one of the numbers 1 to 5 (Ctrl/Cmd-1 for Setup, Ctrl/Cmd-2 for Write, Ctrl/Cmd-3 for Engrave, Ctrl/Cmd-4 for Play, Ctrl/Cmd-5 for Print).

  • Click the corresponding button in the toolbar.

  • Choose Window > [mode].