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Tuning output

There are situations where default layout decisions are not sufficient. In this section we discuss ways to override these defaults.

Formatting is internally done by manipulating so called objects (graphic objects). Each object carries with it a set of properties (object or layout properties) specific to that object. For example, a stem object has properties that specify its direction, length and thickness.

The most direct way of tuning the output is by altering the values of these properties. There are two ways of doing that: first, you can temporarily change the definition of one type of object, thus affecting a whole set of objects. Second, you can select one specific object, and set a layout property in that object.

Do not confuse layout properties with translation properties. Translation properties always use a mixed caps style naming, and are manipulated using \property:

       \property Context.propertyName  = value
     
Layout properties are use Scheme style variable naming, i.e. lower case words separated with dashes. They are symbols, and should always be quoted using #'. For example, this could be an imaginary layout property name:
       #'layout-property-name
     

This page is for LilyPond-2.0.0 (stable-branch).

Report errors to <bug-lilypond@gnu.org>.