Release notes for MuseScore 3.5 Alpha (May 6, 2020)

Updated 4 years ago

Build number	Date	Announcement
macOS 10.10+: 3.5.0.26969, Windows 7+ (32 and 64-bit): 3.5.0.11614, Linux AppImage: 3.5.0 (revision: 1ee2fe3)	2020-05-06	https://musescore.org/en/3.5alpha

New features

Option available in Preferences for playback of chord symbols
Mid-staff instrument changes now do almost everything automatically (see below)
Support for Orca (Linux) screenreader
Hairpins, voltas, and other lines now adapt anchor points when dragged
Much more functional piano roll editor (see below)
Splash screen displays progress messages while loading MuseScore
#293113: New Score Wizard automatically numbers instruments
#18897 partial fix: Property for beam style of tremolo (all strokes attached to stems)
#296075: Style for hiding brackets which span to a single staff when empty staves are hidden
#203026: Properties and styles for measure number positioning, including centered and below staff
#65241: Property and style for position of multimeasure rest numbers
#299644: Property for fretboard diagram rotation

Improvements

#16077: Double-click a header, footer, or instrument name to access the dialog for editing it
#27371: Score tabs can now be closed using mouse middle button
Improved layout of two-note and single-note tremolos, with and without stem
#93376: Smooth scrolling during playback in Continuous view
Various improvements to simplify searching and loading backup files
#303617: Metric modulation for dotted eighth to quarter

Fixes

JACK audio/MIDI worked incorrectly on some platforms
#148311: Loop playback skipped final rests in the last measure
MIDI note-off events were not sent in some cases
Undoing slur addition to a range only removed one slur
Canceling a selection worked incorrectly in some cases
macOS package was not notarized in Apple
Various fixes for the text editing process

List of other issues resolved

Here is a complete list of all the other issues resolved and improvements made in this update:

Playback

#299697: Repeat play a bar, goes back to first bar briefly
Playback multiple subsequent grace notes as acciaccaturas
#301340: Dynamic playback after repeats does not match with score
#303678: Add ability to change tuning for more quarter tone accidentals (one and a half sharp, one and a half flat)
Add channel and polyphonic aftertouch support to fluid
#290034: Repeats play in newly-opened scores, even if "Play Repeats" button is OFF
#289898: Cresc./dim. are ignored for tremolos

Synthesizer, MIDI, JACK, etc.

#279471: Allow for note cutoff time to be specified in absolute rather than relative values
#294834: Midi note-off messages not sent during editing
#294836: Midi note-off messages not sent when stopping playback
#153656: Pedal On/Off shouldn't be immediate for compatibility reason
#301116: Don't write default note event values along with non-default ones

Layout and automatic placement

Fix wrong hairpin length if score ends with MM rest
#302571: Disappearing beam while editing slur node
Fix some spanner segments not scaled after spatium change
#277712: repeat sign when add lines
#297482: Score layout shifts when saved etc.
#297501: Layout shift of slur after reload
#301115: Invisible articulations affect layout of other articulations
#121416: Show instrument name on lower staff when upper staff of multi-staff instrument is empty and hidden
#290409: Stave brackets disappear on a 1 line percussion staff
#301684: Different clefs when concert pitch
#298638: Disable courtesy clef doesn't restore layout of previous system
#300693: Figured bass continuation not drawn to end note in voice > 1
#284344: Ambitus not redrawn on Update Range
#300738: Ottava (8va/8vb) number is too big
#294085: All elements set to normal position if all rests in voices other than voice 1 are deleted
#302281: Wrong default note group for thirty-second note in 12/8
#293593: Issues with ottavas
#299246: Hiding courtesy time signature only works for the first staff
#302316: String number under slur interferes with slur.
#285434: Certain 2.x frame texts imported with no style, resulting in wrong size etc.
#280343: Repeat measure signs: not vertically-centred in tablature
#298273: System divider goes away
#294890: Spacing for center-aligned chords not honored until second layout
#301555: Invisible arpeggios and glissandi occupy space
#291699: Stems and beams for small chords don't align correctly
#302590: Inconsistent alignment of chord name above fretboard
#301259: Wrong offset used for text elements with non-default text styles

Notation related commands

#291688: Time signature change doesn't appear in parts which don't have voice 1
#43906: Support for entering 256th, 512th and 1024th notes/rests
#294298: Diagonal line: End hook can disappear or elongate when Begin hook is set to "None"
#301478: Relative text position inside a frame is not saved for scores imported from 2.x
#298959: Note changes pitch, but accidental is not changed
#105936: Tempo entered in Create New Score wizard always uses quarter note
#284682: Position offset when moving cross-beam notes with the mouse
#301605: Undoing slur addition to a range only removes one slur
#298541: Chord symbols deleted on paste
#301103: 'Straight' text does not work, since all options in the "Swing settings" tab are unchecked
#301174: Undo selects an extra measure
Make measure numbers deletable
#299768: Hairpin: when copied, all custom settings are lost and the element resets to default
#287998: Courtesy time signature not removed when subsequent measures are deleted
#284434: "hide courtesy key signature" not working when hiding for only one staff of multiple-staff score from context menu
#286497: Unchecking 'Create courtesy clefs' hides all clefs at the beginning of a measure
Fix extending hairpin to multiple systems with Shift+arrow with middle grip selected
#280584: Changing clef with courtesy disabled changes courtesy but not main clef
#151121: Clef disappears into the second measure when courtesy clefs are disabled
#300718: Cannot increase the duration of a chord/rest within a nested tuplet.
#301753: Allow figured bass directly on selected rest (in bass line)
#288495: Allow user to select flats or sharps for enharmonic key signatures
#280311: Tie broken when using Split Staff
#286058: Changing Key Signature in Main Score (Via Transposition) Does Not Result in Changed Key Signature in Part
#287662: Key signatures at start of selection transposed via Tools / Transpose lost on save
#229246: Staff incorrectly numbered in "Instruments" dialog

Usability

#293129: Lyrics mode: shift+left/right does not take effect until release of Shift
#301124: "Score pathname" in "Score properties" not updated on "Save As..."
#121906: annoying tooltip while editing footers
Make the remaining templates to fit one page for a better thumbnail
#302372: Palette Search: filters palettes but not items
#279859: immediately dropping break onto vertical/text frame doesn't always get applied
#303403: "Play Repeats" button does not reflect default repeat behavior
#302388: Insert instrument into list at selected point instead of always at the bottom
#301929: No reminder to save, if you quit program before entering anything in a new score
#300926: Problem selecting and entering a whole note
#288679: Can't add shortcut for save as
#298955: Duplicate elements applied for each note in chord with range selection
#297426: The playback cursor is not repositioned when selecting items other than notes, rests or measures
#304612: In context menus, "Remove Selected Measures" uses wrong string and does not show shortcut, and/or does not appear
#291314: Make double-clicking volta in palette get applied to measure's first staff by default, unless user holds control to drop to the selected staves
#302171: Preferences | Shortcuts should also search by keyboard shortcut
#101991: Menu mnemonics A-G create note in note input mode
Add reveal in finder / show in explorer / open containing folder option in metaedit dialog.
Add support for deleting (custom) metatags.
Clicking 'style...' when the selection is a measure number opens the right edistyle page
Fix anchor lines disappearing after dragging an edit grip
Draw anchors at staff bottom if element is placed below
Always show anchor lines for elements which have them
Fix restricting dragging text elements to page boundaries
#301108: Difficulty canceling a selection
#303194: Wrong working directory when MuseScore is launched via a file association under Windows
#302282: Note entry does not begin on first chord or rest in selected range

Piano Roll Editor

#304302: Add buttons to piano roll editor to make editing options explicit
#278988: Allow copy and paste of notes in piano roll editor
#278977: Allow individual stripes to be highlighted in piano roll editor
#279210: Allow changing properties of multiple notes in piano roll editor
#289425: Add more means to zoom in piano roll editor

Playback panel

#295443: Edit > Preferences > Note input > Enable MIDI input vs. Toolbar > Toggle 'MIDI Input'
#123141: Playback panel: Turning loop OFF leaves loop in/out buttons ON

Palettes

Palettes: Avoid triggering application shortcuts
Add Measure Number element to palettes
#300596: Select-all [Palette Search] text upon utilizing shortcut command for fresh searching
Palettes: Implement Type-Ahead Find with incremental search

Inspector

#302603: Changing "Direction" has no effect on bowing symbols
#288372: S button beside "placement" property of fingering resets the property
#288962: Score display does not respond to unchecking of "Begin/Continue/End text" boxes
#301304: Text style parameters not updated
Make several inspectors collapsible
Fix margin and spacing of tuplets inspector
#297176: Intending to scroll Inspector panel modifies property value if cursor is above

Instrument Change

Show "Select Instrument" dialog on adding instrument change
Automatically change clef and/or key signature for new instrument
Automatically change text of instrument change notation to new instrument
Automatically change long and short instrument names to new instrument
Maintain instrument change transpositions when changing key signature
Automatically reverse clef, key, and text changes when instrument change is deleted
Add instrument change only once for range selection
#289006: Expose "Select Instrument" in Inspector for Instrument Change text

Text editing

#295156: Text edit mode: Select All shortcut does not highlight text until [Ctrl] is released (regression)
#292652: Blank lines of text consisting only of a RETURN are too small in height on some scores
#293724: Ctrl + Backspace does not work
#291402: Text edit mode: newline character can't be removed by Delete
#295544: Actions applied during text editing more automatically revert on return to normal mode

Save Online

Prevent the loss of the user's score URL by automatically saving the local score file when receiving the URL from the web server during the “Save Online” operation.

Selection Filter

#301543: Selection Filter's Checkbox Not Checked After Restart
Split Selection filter for Dynamics/Hairpins and Articulations/Ornaments

Backup files

#295701: Able to open backup files as an import
#125656: Put the backup file in a separate folder
Add (advanced) preference for backup folder. To get the old behavior, just set the setting "application/backup/path" to an empty string. Its default value is ".mscbackup"
#295310: Add an advanced preference option of disabling backup file generation

Visual interface

#279877: Continuous view: white block appears when wallpaper changed from default to PNG image
#293785: Chord symbols jump when user goes into edit mode
#304613: Format > Style > Measure numbers : The 2 dots ":" are missing after "Horizontal placement"
#292606: image attached to a measure doesn't show
Use palette background color for keysig chooser in the New Score Wizard
Fixed anchors blinking effect during the drag
Fixed clipping issue in Note Spelling (edit style ui)
#276002: "Dark" Theme for the Timeline
#302114: Wrong default GUI font under Windows
#278080: Request to show empty page rather than no page for score with no content
#304466: The “I/O” tab of the “Preferences” dialog should use radio buttons instead of checkboxes
#277472: Tour dialogs overlap with the highlighted area
#300912: Adjustment handles don't disappear immediately after undoing adding element
Visual interface fixes for bend canvas

Corruptions and/or loss of data, crashes

Fix various crashes reported via crashReporter
Fix a critical error when importing ove files
Score comparison tool: avoid crash on inability to merge text diffs
Fix a crash on leaving text edit mode without editing text
#302643: Crash on advancing to next chord symbol with no chord symbol entered
#303189: Staff/Part properties >> Advanced Style Properties >> Stemless crashes MuseScore
#300635: Crash when using palette item upon a staff-text
#303712: Crash when extending note into "let ring" and "Palm Mute"
#304238: Crash when using 'Image capture'
#298108: Sporadic Crash when dragging a 'Brace' from palette to score using Bravura
#304333: Using Edit > Preferences causes crash when no score is open
#302304: Musescore 3 Crashing
#299788: Crash when deleting a local Time Signature.
#301847: Crash on copying a measure Number
#292631: Crash when glissandos break a certain layout
#295207: Mscz file corrupted after splitting a measure
#300855: Trying to add text to a vertical/horizontal frame after double click causes crash
#303585: MuseScore crashes when trying to open a no longer existing score
#282492: Musescore crashes trying to open a mscz converted from a PDF
#289643: Crash when launching playback in presence of unexpected voltas
#302447: Crash on space in score part id
#301436: Iterating over elements with Alt+right in score with MM rest shows weird barlines, crash is possible
#302011: Grace note tie crash
#301488: Changing instruments from a tablature crashes the program
#298899: Accessibility: crash on Palette search with Qt 5.9 and NVDA
#301946: Crash when realtime automatic reaches end of partition
#301414: Corrupt tie created on paste of tied note that requires additional tie
#303611: Adding fixed spacer can clash with vertical frame below, causing a crash.

Accessibility

Fix telemetry dialog accessibility
Make note input ToolButtonMenu accessible for keyboard users
#301584: Palettes: give all elements unique names
#239181: No (useful) screenreader feedback on fretboard diagrams
#297040: Accessibility: Palette keyboard navigation is non-standard
#301789: Accessibility: no speech for key signature chooser in New Score Wizard
#302822: [Accessibility] - Breaks can't be accessed via keyboard
#301496: Voltas not reachable by keyboard
#299387: Support screenreaders other than NVDA

Plugins

Plugin API: add Score.pageNumberOffset property
Remove manual (helpbrowser) from the plugin creator. Clicking on the help button now opens the online API.
Add interactive version of Note Names plugin
Add documentation for state.undoRedo in onScoreStateChanged handler in plugins
Add Cursor.stringNumber property to use with tablature scores
Add Cursor.rewindToTick() function
Allow plugins choose if Cursor is synchronised with score input state
Plugins: fix a crash on getting element's parent if parent is null
#299539: Plugins are not run correctly when running musescore in converter mode.
#303495: ABC plugin not working on macOS 10.14 or later
#301561: MuseScore2 to Musescore3 : pagenumber pagepos ?

MusicXML, Capella, MIDI, audio files, svg export/import

#301113: [MusicXML import] page size and margins not imported
#271445: Include .xml suffix for export
#301671: [MusicXML export] section breaks in horizontal frames do not reset measure numbers
#301672: [MusicXML import] crash on empty credit-words
#299661: [MusicXML export] breaks in horizontal frames not exported
#23187: [MusicXML export] Layout exports despite being disabled in Preferences
#303780: Can't export musicxml file to midi via mscore command line on OSX Catalina
#300542: [MusicXML import] word-font not imported
#294643: [MusicXML export] harmonic notation not exported
#301320: [MusicXML import/export] incorrect handling of small notes, grace notes and cue notes
#104731: Text lost when musicXML file imported
#291758: [MusicXML export] - Tbox and Vbox after measure 1 don't export
#298855: [MusicXML export] - trill on rest not exported
#57791: [Capella import] Add support for importing chord symbols
#290764: MuseScore saves out invalid MusicXML file
#301079: Request: Add track names to exported midi file
#302118: Need 24 and 32 bit audio exports
#303902: Export to SVG with trim via command line results in blank image
#300694: Capella .capx import doesn't properly recognize hidden empty staves at start of score
Fix audio export of scores with incorrect synthesizer settings in non-GUI mode

Instruments

Pocket Sax improvements
#303863: MuseScore Tone
#290987: B# and Cb octave change
#300172: Problems with Bass Clarinet
#304756: "Vocals" 'instrument' has wrong ranges set in instruments.xml and the templates using it
#301656: Additional brass instrument "Baritone horn (Central Europe)" for the list of instruments.
Adding Spanish Bandurria and Spanish Laud popular instruments
#304452: How do you unmute an electric guitar?
#301529: Wrong Sound for Brass Instrument Cimbasso
#283111: The Octobass; an instrument 2 octaves below the cello, in the Bass clef 15mb.
#188771: Muted trombone?
#302009: E-flat Piccolo Soundfont?
#302586: Automatic Transposition Issue?

Miscellaneous

Update Bravura and BravuraText to latest Steinberg version 1.32
Fix MacOS notarization error
Add SMuFL "Other baroque ornaments" section (U+E570–U+E58F) to mscore.ttf
add Breton language
#301786: Add Barbershop Quartet Template for Women
#287955: In Windows Explorer, files with special characters in filepath don't open when double-clicked
#301387: Wyschnegradsky Accidentals missing in Accidentals Pallete
Add framework for handling unrecoverable errors in MSCZ files data
Make 'Hide courtesy clef' available for both courtesy and main clef, similar to what happens in the inspector
#301600: Option to disable the pop-up "Reset the positions of all elements?"
#282246: "Other" appearance in Time Signature Properties does not work
#294542: Allow setting notehead scheme on a note-by-note basis in the Inspector
#188061: Values in sp unit don't remain unchanged after changing spatium
#275659: Page Settings - Redundant "undo" ent
Fix file type filter sometimes not shown when saving

Telemetry

Disable sending all events to telemetry, but the ones responsible for Crash Free ratio

Developers area

#303707: Enable compilation and running of mtests on Windows with MSVC
#286842: Assertion failure on adding instrument change in score with parts
Switch AppVeyor builds environment to Microsoft Visual Studio 2019
fixed issues from PVS-Studio report
Reload sources for QmlDockWidgets if errors occur the first time