Window View and Page View

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Window View and Page View

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Composer offers two ways to view a score on the screen: Window View and Page View.

In Window View, Composer arranges the pages of the score as though the page size were exactly the size of the window. If you change the window size, Composer will automatically and quickly repaginate the score for the new "page size", which is, in this case, the window size.

In Page View, Composer displays an image of the page as it would be printed, which is usually larger than what can be seen all at once in the window. Therefore, in Page View, Composer usually displays scrollbars that enable you to scroll horizontally and/or vertically in the page. In Page View you can view the entire printed page by using the Zoom Out command.

 

NOTE: Page View is the same thing as Print Preview
 
Some software programs offer a Print Preview command, which enables you to preview pages exactly as they would be printed. Composer's Page View command offers you everything that a Print Preview command does, and a lot more. In Composer's Page View you can not only preview the printed pages but also edit  them.

 

In Window View, Composer evenly spaces the measures so that the barline of the last visible measure is right-justified in the window. As many measures are displayed as can comfortably fit horizontally. If more than one system (also called a "line", which includes multiple staves) can be displayed in the window, then multiple systems are displayed. If only one system can be displayed, but it has more staves (staves) than can be shown without crowding, then the window adds a vertical scrollbar that enables you to view the lower staves.

In Page View, Composer simulates the layout of the notation symbols as they would appear on a printed page. Because the size of various symbols are not exactly proportional as rendered by the printer versus the monitor, the image displayed by Page View cannot exactly represent the spacing of the printed page. Therefore, whereas the spacing between accidentals and noteheads, for example, may look ideal when printed, the spacing may seem less than perfect on the screen. Usually the difference is insignificant, but we mention the issue here in case you do notice any difference.

prcarrow To view the score in Window View:

B816Click the ToolbarButtonWindowView Window View button in the main toolbar.

-- OR --

B816Type "qwv" for Quick Window View.        

prcarrow To view the score in Page View:

B816Click the ToolbarButtonPageView Page View button in the main toolbar.

    -- OR --

B816Type "qpv" for Quick Page View.    

 

For either view you may want to "Refresh" the page to make sure that you are seeing the score properly.  To do this, you can use the "View / Refresh Current Page" or "View / Refresh Entire Score" menu command.  This is especially helpful if you have made many edits and want to review your pages for printing.