Changing beam slants

You can change the slants, or angles, of individual beams. You can do this for the current layout and frame chain only, or for all layouts and frame chains.

Prerequisite

  • The lower zone is shown.

  • Properties is selected in the lower zone toolbar.

  • Graphic Editing Graphic Editing button is selected in the Engrave toolbox.

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

Procedure

  1. In Engrave mode, select the square handles on the beam corners of the beams whose slants you want to change.
    Tip

    You can show handles on all items, not just selected items, by choosing Engrave > Show Handles > Always. This can make it easier to select individual handles on multiple items.

    You can also select the beams first, and then select the handles.

  2. Move the handles in any of the following ways:

    • To move beam handles upwards/downwards a standard amount, press Alt/Opt plus the corresponding arrow key. For example, press Alt/Opt-Up Arrow to move them upwards by 1/4 space per press.

    • To move beam handles a large amount, press Ctrl/Cmd plus the standard key command; for example, Ctrl/Cmd-Alt/Opt-Up Arrow. This moves beam handles by 1 space per press.

    • To move beam handles a moderate amount, press Shift plus the standard key command; for example, Shift-Alt/Opt-Up Arrow. This moves beam handles by 1/2 space per press.

    • To move beam handles a small amount, press Ctrl/Cmd-Shift plus the standard key command; for example, Ctrl/Cmd-Shift-Alt/Opt-Up Arrow. This moves beam handles by 1/32 space per press.

    • Click and drag them upwards/downwards.

  3. Optional: Repeat steps 1 and 2 to move the other end of the selected beams.

Result

The slants of the selected beams are changed. If the property scope was set to Locally, this change only takes effect in the current layout and frame chain.

Tip

  • You can also use Beam direction in the Beaming group of the Properties panel to change the slant of beams. The property is available when you select noteheads within the beam group, and its options all ensure that beam ends are positioned correctly relative to staff lines.

  • You can set ideal beam slants for all beams project-wide on the Beams page in Engraving Options.