Tour of the user interface

The project window looks like this and consists of the following areas:

1. Toolbar

   The toolbar is located at the top of the project window.

   On the left of the toolbar, there are the buttons for the different modes. By changing the mode, you change the workspace and the available panels. The button for the current mode appears highlighted. You can find out more about modes in the next topic.

   Note

   Dorico SE does not have an Engrave button as it does not have Engrave mode.

   In the middle of the toolbar, there is the layout selector, which allows you to change the layout shown in the music area, and buttons to show/hide zones and tabs.

   On the right of the toolbar, there are buttons for hiding/showing the Video, Mixer, and Transport windows, and a mini transport with playback and recording controls.

2. Tab bar

   The tab bar is located towards the top of the project window, between the toolbar and the music area. It is available in Setup, Write, and Engrave modes.

   The tab bar shows the tabs that are currently open, the name of the layout open in each tab, and allows you to open more tabs. If you split the music area and open several tabs, tab groups are shown.

3. Central area

   The central part of the project window where you work on your project. When you set up a new empty project, this area in Setup, Write, and Engrave modes shows the project start area that allows you to add your first players.

   Once you have added a player or an ensemble, this area becomes the music area that displays the scores and instrumental parts that you create.

   In Play mode, this area contains a track overview, which displays the tracks in the selected layout and flow.

   In Print mode, this area becomes the print preview area, which shows a preview of how layouts will appear when printed onto paper or exported into a graphics file format.

   Tip

   Scores and instrumental parts are known as “layouts” in Dorico. Layouts allow you to show different presentations of your music. In a project with separate instrumental parts, such as a string quartet, you can switch between showing the full score layout and each part layout in the current tab. You can have as many or as few tabs open as you want.

4. Toolboxes

   Toolboxes are the columns on the left and right edges of the project window. They contain different tools and options according to the current mode. Toolboxes allow you to input and modify notes, notation items, and frames, and to determine which panels are shown in their corresponding zones.

   You cannot hide toolboxes, they are always shown.

5. Zones

   Zones are areas on the left, right, and lower edges of the project window. They contain panels that provide the notes, notations, and functions that you need to set up, write, edit, and format your music. Different panels are available in each zone according to the mode. For example, the left zone in Write mode contains the Notes panel, which provides durations for notes, common accidentals, slurs, and articulations.

   You can hide and show zones either individually or together. To hide/show all zones, click Hide/Restore Zones in the toolbar. To hide/show individual zones, press Ctrl/Cmd-7 for the left zone, Ctrl/Cmd-8 for the lower zone, and Ctrl/Cmd-9 for the right zone.

   The panel shown in the left and right zones is determined by the current selection in the corresponding toolbox. For the lower zone, the panel shown is determined by the current selection in the lower zone toolbar; for example, Properties shows the Properties panel.

6. Status bar

   The status bar is the strip at the bottom of the project window. It allows you to change the rhythmic grid resolution , the zoom, and the view and page arrangement in the music area. The status bar also displays information about your current selection, such as the bar number in which you have selected a note. It contains different options in different modes.