'Sib. 6.2: new plugin: Input Duration 2'

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Sib. 6.2: new plugin: Input Duration 2 - Bob Zawalich, 27 Sep 08:45PM
     Re: Sib. 6.2: new plugin: Input Duration 2 - Amy Bennett, 28 Sep 12:24AM
         Re: Sib. 6.2: new plugin: Input Duration 2 - Andrew Wyver, 28 Sep 11:46AM
             Re: Sib. 6.2: new plugin: Input Duration 2 - Bob Zawalich, 28 Sep 05:32PM
                 Re: Sib. 6.2: new plugin: Input Duration 2 - Bob Zawalich, 30 Sep 07:17AM

Sib. 6.2: new plugin: Input Duration 2
Posted by Bob Zawalich - 27 Sep 08:45PM (edited 27 Sep 09:50PM)
A new plugin. Input Duration 2, is available for free download at
http://www.sibelius.com/download/plugins/index.html?plugin=322

Input Duration 2 allows you to enter notes into a score by specifying only the duration. The pitch is automatically chosen, typically to be the note on the center line of the staff.

This plugin can be useful if you want to enter drum rhythms, or if you want to enter rhythms and pitches in separate passes, entering the rhythms with this plugin and repitching to add pitches.

A PDF file describing how to use the plugin is included in the zip file.

Some of you may remember the plugin set "Input Duration", still available at http://www.sibelius.com/download/plugins/index.html?versionname=&category=17.

These plugins have the same intention but different interfaces. Input Durations was a set of several plugins, each of which was to be assigned to a keypad shortcut.

Input Duration 2 is a single plugin that has its own on-screen keypad. Without having to assign any keystroke shortcuts, it will let you type a number and enter a note (at a fixed pitch) at a duration according to the number typed.

The numbers 1 to 6 are mapped by default to the same durations as the regular Sib keypad. So to enter 8th quarter 8th, just type 343.

"Why bother?" some may ask (and have asked). I have always found entering step time notes awkward, because you have to jump from thinking about pitches to thinking about durations. I wanted a way to be able to just enter durations in one pass, and then go back and use Repitching to set the pitches, without dealing with durations. This works better for my brain. Maybe yours, too?

Anyway, both plugins have their advantages, but I think this one is easy to get up and use even if you only use it occasionally.

Screenshot is attached.

--
Bob

Sib 1.4 - 6.2, Windows 7 Pro 64 bit, 2.13 GHz Core 2 Duo; Audiophile 2496; 4 G RAM. Year 2010.
I am an experienced Sibelius user, but am not affiliated with Sibelius Software.
Sib Plugin downloads: www.sibelius.com/download/plugins (see How to Install Plugins)
Alphabetical plugin list: www.bobzawalich.com/AllPluginsOnDownloadPage.htm
Attachment Snap1.png (133K)
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Re: Sib. 6.2: new plugin: Input Duration 2
Posted by Amy Bennett - 28 Sep 12:24AM
Great! I can see this would be useful for me and also for teaching Sibelius. Thanks Bob.

--
Composer, arranger, copyist, music tech and multimedia educator (Australia) Specs: Macbook Pro OS 10.6.4, 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4Gb RAM, Sibelius 6.2
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Re: Sib. 6.2: new plugin: Input Duration 2
Posted by Andrew Wyver - 28 Sep 11:46AM
Excellent plugin going to be very useful. One minor niggle - on an ibook running Mac OS 10.6.2 the stop plugin window is not selectable so you can't move it out of the way.
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Re: Sib. 6.2: new plugin: Input Duration 2
Posted by Bob Zawalich - 28 Sep 05:32PM
Too bad about the Stop window. It is moveable in Windows, and it starts in the upper left corner anyway so I rarely find it to be in the way.

Unfortunately the plugin has no control over the placement of that window. Maybe moving the score away from where the window will appear before running the plugin will help?

--
Bob

Sib 1.4 - 6.2, Windows 7 Pro 64 bit, 2.13 GHz Core 2 Duo; Audiophile 2496; 4 G RAM. Year 2010.
I am an experienced Sibelius user, but am not affiliated with Sibelius Software.
Sib Plugin downloads: www.sibelius.com/download/plugins (see How to Install Plugins)
Alphabetical plugin list: www.bobzawalich.com/AllPluginsOnDownloadPage.htm
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Re: Sib. 6.2: new plugin: Input Duration 2
Posted by Bob Zawalich - 30 Sep 07:17AM
Please note that I have updated the plugin on the download page. For Windows users, the keypad will now retain its focus when you return from the Options dialog. (No change for Mac users).

I recommend the update for Windows users. I note that in Windows if you use the mouse on the buttons, the Enter key will not close the keypad (as before). You are still best off not mixing mouse clicks and keystrokes, though it works in general, just not for the Enter key.

--
Bob

Sib 1.4 - 6.2, Windows 7 Pro 64 bit, 2.13 GHz Core 2 Duo; Audiophile 2496; 4 G RAM. Year 2010.
I am an experienced Sibelius user, but am not affiliated with Sibelius Software.
Sib Plugin downloads: www.sibelius.com/download/plugins (see How to Install Plugins)
Alphabetical plugin list: www.bobzawalich.com/AllPluginsOnDownloadPage.htm
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Messages in this thread

Sib. 6.2: new plugin: Input Duration 2 - Bob Zawalich, 27 Sep 08:45PM
     Re: Sib. 6.2: new plugin: Input Duration 2 - Amy Bennett, 28 Sep 12:24AM
         Re: Sib. 6.2: new plugin: Input Duration 2 - Andrew Wyver, 28 Sep 11:46AM
             Re: Sib. 6.2: new plugin: Input Duration 2 - Bob Zawalich, 28 Sep 05:32PM
                 Re: Sib. 6.2: new plugin: Input Duration 2 - Bob Zawalich, 30 Sep 07:17AM