{"id":6436,"date":"2024-06-15T04:37:14","date_gmt":"2024-06-15T11:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rorohiko.com\/wordpress\/?page_id=6436"},"modified":"2024-07-02T19:41:13","modified_gmt":"2024-07-03T02:41:13","slug":"stringsattached","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rorohiko.com\/wordpress\/otherproducts\/stringsattached\/","title":{"rendered":"StringsAttached for InDesign"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is StringsAttached?<\/h2>\r\n

\"StringsAttached<\/p>\r\n

StringsAttached is a script for Adobe InDesign 2022 or higher; it can generate chord diagrams for 4- and 6-string instruments from the guitar family, like guitar, guitalele, ukulele, baritone ukulele,…<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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YouTube demo video: https:\/\/youtu.be\/L6LmJDUhR5g<\/a><\/p>\r\n

The script can be used to convert text-only chord sheets into sheets-with-diagrams.<\/p>\r\n

It comes with a few example documents that can be used as starters for your own documents.<\/p>\r\n

For beginners, the chord charts found on the internet are often difficult to use. The chord shapes are only shown at the top of the page, and the rest of the page contains just chord names and lyrics.<\/p>\r\n

When you’re still learning the chords, it is often difficult to play off the page because you need to watch two separate areas of the page.<\/p>\r\n

With StringsAttached<\/em>, you get more freedom: you can either make chord sheets that have chord diagrams in-line with the lyrics (easier for beginners), or you can put the chord diagrams at the top of the page (easier for intermediate players).<\/p>\r\n

The script also allows transpositions and chord diagram shifts.<\/p>\r\n

These are handy if you want to play the songs a little bit lower or higher to match your vocal range, or if you want to print baritone ukulele charts instead of soprano ukulele charts.<\/p>\r\n

Baritone ukuleles have a different tuning – they are tuned 5 half-steps down.<\/p>\r\n

Same goes for guitaleles: they are like guitars, but tuned 5 half-steps up.<\/p>\r\n

The way it works: the script will search all text in your currently opened InDesign document for chord names in parenthesis or square brackets.<\/p>\r\n

Chord names in parenthesis, e.g. (C), (Dm), (Fmaj7), (Bbm7)… are replaced with chord diagrams.<\/p>\r\n

Chord names in square brackets, e.g. [C], [Dm], [Fmaj7], [Bbm7]… are normally left alone, unless the transposition function is used.<\/p>\r\n

When transposing the chord is replaced with another chord, as per the transposition, e.g. when transposing 2 steps up, [C] will become [D] and so on.<\/p>\r\n

Installing\u00a0StringsAttached<\/em><\/h2>\r\n
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  1. Download\u00a0PluginInstaller<\/em><\/strong>. If you\u2019ve not done this before, download and install the free PluginInstaller\u00a0<\/em>from\u00a0PluginInstaller.com<\/a>. Make sure you have build #558 or higher installed (the build number is shown in the lower right-hand corner of the PluginInstaller windows).<\/li>\r\n
  2. Create an Account<\/strong>. If this is your first time using\u00a0PluginInstaller<\/em>, you\u2019ll need to create a new account and register it within\u00a0PluginInstaller<\/em>. Make sure to click the confirmation link in the registration email!<\/li>\r\n
  3. Add a\u00a0StringsAttached<\/em>\u00a0Bookmark<\/strong>. Add a bookmark for\u00a0StringsAttached<\/em>\u00a0into\u00a0PluginInstaller<\/em>\u00a0by clicking the following link: Add\u00a0StringsAttached<\/em>\u00a0Bookmark into\u00a0PluginInstaller<\/em><\/a><\/li>\r\n
  4. Alternatively, you can use the\u00a0Browse the Store for Software<\/em>\u00a0window in\u00a0PluginInstaller<\/em>\u00a0and find the\u00a0StringsAttached<\/em>\u00a0bookmark in the\u00a0Rorohiko Catalog<\/em>.<\/li>\r\n
  5. Download and Install<\/strong>. Once the bookmark is listed in the\u00a0Installing and Ordering<\/em>\u00a0window, select it and click the\u00a0Download<\/em>\u00a0button. After the download, choose your InDesign version from the\u00a0Install Target<\/em>\u00a0dropdown menu and click the\u00a0Install<\/em>\u00a0button. StringsAttached<\/em> will appear in the InDesign Scripts<\/em>\u00a0panel under the\u00a0User<\/em>\u00a0section<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    Running<\/h2>\r\n

    Run the script Copy Sample Files with Documentation to Desktop<\/em> by double-clicking it on the Scripts panel.<\/p>\r\n

    This will copy a set of four sample documents to your desktop, and it will open one of the sample documents.<\/p>\r\n

    These documents are meant as ‘starters’ for your own chord sheets and scores.<\/p>\r\n

    You can adjust them and tweak their styling as desired.<\/p>\r\n

    On the pasteboard of these documents you will also find some documentation and configuration info.<\/p>\r\n

    The script is configured by way of a text frame on the pasteboard.<\/p>\r\n

    You can pick the instrument: Ukulele<\/em> (4 string gCEA tuning)\u00a0 or Guitar<\/em> (6 string EADGBe tuning).\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

    There is more info on the pasteboard of the sample documents.<\/p>\r\n

    \"Screen Now\u00a0run the StringsAttached.jsx<\/em> script by double clicking it on the Scripts panel in InDesign. \"InDesignScreenSnapz004\" \u00a0<\/p>\r\n

    Version history<\/h2>\r\n

    <\/a><\/p>\r\n

    Version 2.0.2: June 26, 2024<\/p>\r\n