Staff Rastral sizes in Digital Engraving apps
Posted: 29 Oct 2016, 13:45
As we all know, metal plate engraving used sets of different punches in different rastral sizes, numbered from 0 (or even 00) to 8 (or even 9!). I seem to recall that Sibelius uses these in its setup. I don't know whether Dorico does. Finale ... does not.
Are the continued use of these sizes beneficial, in a digital age? I've worked with graphic designers who set entire books in 11.75pt on 14.25pt leading, because with digital typesetting, there are no discrete limitations: we can use any number we can conceive.
Similarly, in music, we can makes staves to be 22.16pt high, if we so choose. However, each of the old rastral sizes frequently was used for particular purposes, and the rasters were a useful gauge of size-for-function.
Would anyone here wish to see a drop-down menu in Finale (and Dorico, if it doesn't already) that let you set a traditional rastral size?
Are the continued use of these sizes beneficial, in a digital age? I've worked with graphic designers who set entire books in 11.75pt on 14.25pt leading, because with digital typesetting, there are no discrete limitations: we can use any number we can conceive.
Similarly, in music, we can makes staves to be 22.16pt high, if we so choose. However, each of the old rastral sizes frequently was used for particular purposes, and the rasters were a useful gauge of size-for-function.
Would anyone here wish to see a drop-down menu in Finale (and Dorico, if it doesn't already) that let you set a traditional rastral size?