IWBNI it were possible to use the up and down arrow keys when creating a smart shape to specify the staff to which the shape is to be attached. As it is now, smart shapes are automatically attached to the staff that is closest to the point that is double-clicked when the shape is created.

This feature would allow one override the default behavior in the case when a smart shape must be positioned far from the parent staff in order to avoid a collision with extreme notes or tuplet brackets.

This could be implemented by allowing one to press and hold the up or down arrow key while double-clicking the point at which a smart shape is to be created. Note: This design would be similar to that which has been implemented for the keys 'S' to add a slur, '<' to add a crescendo, and '>' to add a decrescendo.

If the point that is double-clicked is between two staves and the up (down) arrow is pressed, then the staff that is above (below) the point would become the parent. If the point that is double-clicked is within a staff, the arrow keys would have no effect and the staff that is double-clicked would become the parent. If the up or down arrow key is not pressed, the closest staff would become the parent as in the current version of Finale.

Created: April 24, 2000 (based on comments by Charles Small)
Last Updated: April 24, 2000
Version: Finale 2000b