Auto-alignment override

[Roberto]

I would like to create a layout as shown in example 1:

When placing 16th-notes in layer 1 and half-notes in layer 2, Finale auto-aligns to avoid the clash of the note heads and we get the layout shown in example 2:

Getting the desired layout requires entering quarter-notes in layer 2, hiding the rests on beats 2 and 4, then changing the note heads in both layers which is quite tedious. Is there a way to override the auto-spacing or perhaps a better way to achieve the desired layout?

Thanks & Cheers!
RM

[Peter Thomsen]

Welcome to the forum!

I am not sure there is a better way, but here are some ideas:

1) If the entire document has the same layout with 16ths in Layer 1 and halves i Layer 2 (looks like a Baroque prelude), then just change the document’s settings for Music Spacing:
Document menu > Document Options > Music Spacing
In the top pane, for Avoid Collision of Unisons, choose None.
In that way the half notes will not be shifted to the right.
This is a document specific setting; it will not affect any other documents.
You will still have to change the notehead on the 16th.

2) If you must have another setting than None for {Avoid Collision of Unisons}, consider toggling off {Automatic Music Spacing} (in Preferences - Edit).
NB: This is a program specific setting, not a document setting.
In that way you can have different music spacing in different regions of the same document.

[Roberto]

Changing the document settings to avoid the collision of unisons makes it less tedious. Thank-you, Peter.

Cheers!
RM

p.s. It is indeed a Baroque prelude, from Bach's first cello suite.