How to move/align expression handles

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wonder
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Post by wonder » Thu Apr 18, 2019 5:42 pm

I'm doing a keyboard part where they have to switch patches quite a bit.

How do I set the square handle box (what we grab to move the expression) to be at the same place in each expression? To, say, the bottom left. That way, the expressions will be lined up together at their vertical alignment.

Pic attached
Screen Shot 2019-04-18 at 10.41.13 AM.png
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motet
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Post by motet » Thu Apr 18, 2019 5:54 pm

Looks like the handle is on the baseline of the first line of text, so you're out of luck if you want them aligned at the bottom. You could use guides to help align them. (Unfortunately, "snap to guides" snaps the handle to the guides, so you can't use that.)

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wonder
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Post by wonder » Thu Apr 18, 2019 6:23 pm

motet wrote:Looks like the handle is on the baseline of the first line of text, so you're out of luck if you want them aligned at the bottom. You could use guides to help align them. (Unfortunately, "snap to guides" snaps the handle to the guides, so you can't use that.)
Have I set them up wrong? Is there a way to create an expression and have the handles be at the bottom (or top) for all of them?
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motet
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Post by motet » Thu Apr 18, 2019 6:25 pm

I don't think so. I was attempting to say "that's the way Finale does it." Since you're not likely to have that many of these, get by with the guides.

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Peter Thomsen
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Post by Peter Thomsen » Thu Apr 18, 2019 6:37 pm

wonder,

Instead of text expressions, use shape expressions.

In the Shape Designer there is a Text Tool where you can create multiple text blocks.

See the attached demo document.
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motet
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Post by motet » Thu Apr 18, 2019 6:48 pm

It's rather tedious to get the boxes consistent in terms of distance from text, though, isn't it? I guess duplicating and editing would help.

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Peter Thomsen
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Post by Peter Thomsen » Thu Apr 18, 2019 8:15 pm

motet wrote:It's rather tedious to get the boxes consistent in terms of distance from text, though, isn't it? I guess duplicating and editing would help.
I used the coordinates in the Shape Designer (with Measurement Units set to Points).
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zuill
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Post by zuill » Thu Apr 18, 2019 9:39 pm

I experimented with different vertical offset amounts and was able to get the bottoms of the boxes lined up. The handles aren't, but the bottom of the boxes are.

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wonder
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Post by wonder » Thu Apr 18, 2019 10:50 pm

Peter Thomsen wrote:wonder,

Instead of text expressions, use shape expressions.

In the Shape Designer there is a Text Tool where you can create multiple text blocks.

See the attached demo document.
Thanks, Peter!

I'm embarrassed to say I don't know the difference between Shape and Text expressions in terms of application.
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N Grossingink
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Post by N Grossingink » Thu Apr 18, 2019 11:56 pm

The very first screenshot you posted looks just fine to me. I'd do it the way you did it there and forget about trying to get numerical precision. Let your eye be your guide.

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motet
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Post by motet » Fri Apr 19, 2019 12:00 am

wonder wrote:I'm embarrassed to say I don't know the difference between Shape and Text expressions in terms of application.
Shape expressions are more general--you can have lines, etc., in addition to text, and you can have the handle anywhere. The interface is a kind of frustratingly funky low-quality paint program, though.

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