Bagpipes!

Topic: Bagpipes! (Read 3768 times) previous topic - next topic

Bagpipes!

2008-06-06 03:01 am

Any thought to creating a 'note' library that contains the grace-notes, grips, etc., used in bagpipe music? These 'accents' do not take up any 'time' in a passage. Any way of doing this? I'd love a floating 'library' of all the various piping flourishes that I could click on to enter into a composition. Anyone done this?

Re: Bagpipes!

Reply #1 – 2008-06-06 04:06 am

G'day GT,
the way to do this would be to insert text objects. This is common practice with NWC. The text obviously doesn't affect playback, but is reproduced in the printed output.

If you check out the "helpful files" section on the Scripto http://nwc-scriptorium.org/helpful.html you'll find links to fonts users have created for various tasks.

If you already have access to a font that contains the markings you want you can use it, or you could create your own (needs a font creation package to do it) or if you ask real nice someone here may take up the challenge for you

To insert text just move the cursor to the appropriate location and press <x> (or |Insert|Text| from the menu) - you can also edit placement options etc. in the dialogue.

Not as convenient as a "drag 'n drop" operation, but effective none the less. My favourite tool for selecting characters from a font for pasting into place is Typecase.

Re: Bagpipes!

Reply #2 – 2008-06-06 05:18 pm

I used the information you provided, and discovered a font set that had been made for a shareware bagpipe notation package. I'm sorry to report that I do not know exactly what to do beyond this point. I can't seem to find an explanation for 'text expression' that my simple mind can fathom. I'm using 1.75c.
I know I need to fiqure out the font mapping, but what is the simple way to use the Insert Text procedure? Is is ASCII? Do I place my 'command' within <brackets?> (that doesn't seem to work).
Thanks for your assistance.

Jim

Re: Bagpipes!

Reply #3 – 2008-06-06 10:53 pm

G'day Jim,
Ok, lets see if I can give you a step by step that will simplify things a little.

Firstly you need to install the fonts into windows. I assume you already know how to do this but just in case... This is as simple as copying the desired fonts into the "C:\WINDOWS\FONTS" folder. This is a once only task.

Now, in order to use the font(s):

Open the |File|Page Setup| dialogue, either from the menu's or the toolbar icon (open book icon)
Click on the "Fonts" tab
You will note there are 6 "User" fonts, select (click on) one and then click the "Modify" button
Select your desired font from the dialogue and set its attributes. Normally "Regular" - the size you'll have to experiment with... (NB this affects only the current song file, it is not a global setting in NWC)
Close the dialogues
Position your cursor where you want to place one of the symbols
Press <x> (the letter "x") - this opens the |Insert|Text| dialogue (you can also do this from the menu...)
On the "Text Expression" tab you can enter the letter that corresponds to the symbol you want to use - you'll need either a character map that tells you this relationship OR you can use a tool like Windows "charmap" or you could download and install "Typecase" (my fav.) or something similar. Regardless of your choice, these tools allow you to copy selected characters to the clipboard from where you can paste them into the "Text Expression" dialogue.
Select the "Display Font" from the pull down box - It'll be the "User n" font you modified earlier
On the "Expression Placement" tab you can select several attributes - experiment to find what suits you - they're pretty self explanatory
Click OK
Inspect the result and decide if it's worked properly
If you want to change anything, just highlight the text entry and press <Alt-Enter>, all same as any normal Windows property edit...
If you want the change the size use the |File|Page setup| dialogue you visited earlier
If the vertical position is not right you can highlight it and shift it with the <Shift-Up/Down> arrows like any other object.
Next time you open the |Insert|Text dialogue it will remember what you did last time in the session to make the next entry easier.

Hope this helps some.

Re: Bagpipes!

Reply #4 – 2008-06-07 04:11 pm

Thank you for your rapid, accurate, and detailed response. It took a bit of 'tweaking', but this is going to work just fine!

Re: Bagpipes!

Reply #5 – 2008-06-08 02:11 am

G'day Jim,
good stuff mate, glad I could help.