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What's New in SongWriter 2010
- Interface Enhancements offer a streamlined work environment with less switching tools and more universal menu commands specifically designed to help you finish projects faster. For a detailed list of all the changes, see SongWriter 2010 Interface Changes.
- A Powerful New Selection tool
is now SongWriter's universal editing utility. See Selection tool.
- Staff tool
. Change the staff name, apply alternate notation, and make other changes to staves with the Staff tool. See Staff tool and Staves.
- Expression tool
. Add dynamics, tempo indications, technique text, and other markings with the Expression tool. See Expression tool and Expressions.
- Page Layout tool
. Adjust the page and system spacing with SongWriter's new Page Layout tool. See Page Layout tool.
- New Navigation tools. Use the Hand Grabber tool
and the Zoom tool
easily change the view percentage and visible region of the score.
- Scroll View. View your score in a continuous horizontal band. See Scroll View.
- Cut, Copy, Paste, and Insert Improvements allow unprecedented flexibility when choosing how, what, and where to copy. Plus, consistent results whether drag-copying or using the clipboard, even between documents. See Copying Music.
- Improved Selection allows you to easily select any region of music using the mouse or your computer's keyboard. See Selection Music.
- Additional Keyboard Shortcuts make many tasks in SongWriter even easier. See Keyboard Shortcuts.
- Mixer Controls. Control the volume, panning, and reverb for your full score, and find the perfect balance using convenient sliders and knobs for each staff - all in real-time during playback. See Mixer.
- HyperScribe Improvements allow you to easily record first and second endings and offer more control of the recording tempo. See Recording with HyperScribe.
- Easier Page Navigation. Use the PageUp and PageDown buttons to navigate through pages.
- Expanded Setup Wizard Options allow you to select a Document Style, assign Document Styles to specific ensembles, and add additional score information including Arranger, Lyricist, and Subtitle. Vertical spacing of new Setup Wizard documents has also been improved. See Setup Wizard.
- Customize templates when you open them using the last two pages of the Setup Wizard. See SongWriter Score Templates.
- More Text Inserts including "Arranger," "Lyricist," and "Subtitle." These are recorded in SongWriter's New File Info dialog box dialog box and can also be defined in SongWriter 2010's redesigned Setup Wizard.
- Updated Documentation provides the information you need quickly and easily. SongWriter's new User Manual features improved navigation and context-sensitivity. See How to Use the SongWriter 2010 User Manual.
- Categorized Expressions. SongWriter's new Expression categories offer easier expression creation, editing, and management. See Expressions and Expression Selection dialog box.
- Expression Attachment Indicators. Each expression is now equipped with an indicator that displays its attachment point on the staff (relative to the beat or measure). Expressions can now be dragged to different beats, measures, or staves to change their attachment point. See Expressions.
- Improved tempo indications. Tempo marks and tempo alterations are now completely integrated into the expression paradigm for easier handling. See Tempo Markings.
- Updated Engraver Slurs. SongWriter's enhanced slurs automatically and reliably adjust to match the contour of your music. See Slurs.
- Enhanced MusicXML. File interchange between notation programs and between different versions of SongWriter family notation products is more accurate than ever. See Import MusicXML dialog box and Export MusicXML dialog box.
- Updated Human Playback. Human Playback's interpretation of the score is better than ever. See Human Playback.
- Easier Percussion Entry. Entering percussion has been greatly simplified with on-screen feedback that displays the percussion instrument you are about to enter. See Entering Percussion for a tutorial. See also Percussion.
- Percussion MIDI Maps. To assign the appropriate MIDI notes to your percussion parts automatically when you change the playback instrument, use the Perc. MIDI Map column of the Instrument List. See also To setup playback for a percussion staff.
- Beat-attached Chord Symbols. Chord symbols are now beat-attached, and no longer require a host note or rest. Notes beneath chords can be edited autonomously. See Chord Symbols.
- Improved Chord Playback. Chord symbols now play for the duration of the measure, or to the next chord symbol. Simply type "N.C." (for no chord) to interrupt chord playback. See Chord menu/Enable Chord Playback.
- Improved Chord Input. Type-in and/or Play-in chords without changing modes. See To type-in chord symbols and To play-in chord symbols.
- Automatic Rehearsal Marks. Adding, deleting, and ordering rehearsal marks is now simple and completely automatic. See Rehearsal Marks.
- Alternate Notation. SongWriter now offers more control over what elements are shown or hidden when you apply alternate notation. See Alternate Notation dialog box.
- Create Multimeasure Rests with SongWriter's new multimeasure rest options. See Multimeasure Rests.
- Score System Divider. Create System Separation Marks Automatically. See Score
System Divider dialog box.
- Mixer. Control the volume, panning, and reverb for your full score, and find the perfect balance using convenient sliders and knobs for each staff. See Mixer.
- Improved Help. Not only is SongWriter easier to use, finding help when you need it is easier too! You will notice a cleaner Help Menu, convenient User Manual welcome screen, and improved topic organization. Powerful filters allow for targeted searches, which allow you to eliminate clutter and quickly identify the content you need. See How to use the SongWriter 2010 User Manual.
- Transparent Handles. SongWriter's selection handles make it easy to move anything in your score with great accuracy.