IWBNI there were a utility that could be used to unify the stems, flags, beams and rests of music contained in different layers of a staff. For example, given the following two layers:

the utility would generate the following result:

In this example, the following operations would be performed:

• In both layers, freeze stems up on beats 1, 2 and 4.
• In both layers, freeze stems down on beat 3.
• For beat 1 of layer 2, adjust the beam angle to match that of layer 1 and lengthen the stem so that the beams in layers 1 and 2 overlap.
• Lengthen the stem of beat 2 in layer 2.
• Lengthen the stem of beat 3 in layer 1.
• For beat 4 of layer 2, lengthen the stem so that the flags in layers 1 and 2 overlap. Move the eighth note rests in each layer to the center of the staff so that they overlap.

As it is now this may be accomplished by using the following tools: stem length, beam angle, mass mover and speedy entry.

This could be implemented by adding a menu item called Unify Music to the MassEdit>Utilities submenu. Also, a checkbox called Unify Music could be added to the Implode Music dialog box.

Created: January 19, 2000 (based on a submission from Mark Stringer)
Last Updated: January 19, 2000
Version: Finale 2000b