MusicXML:Element:system-layout
lastmod 2023-04-25created 2023-04-253 edits
A system is a group of staves that are read and played at the same time. The <system-layout> element includes left and right margins and the vertical distance from the previous system.
In some cases, due to rounding or other errors, the sum of the measure widths in a system may not equal the system width specified by the layout elements. In such cases, the behavior when reading a MusicXML file depends on the application. For example, an application may find the system layout data more reliable than the sum of the measure widths and adjust the measure widths accordingly.
When used in the <defaults> element, the <system-layout> element defines the default appearance of all systems in the score. If the <system-layout> element is absent from the <defaults> element, the application chooses default system layout values.
When used in the <print> element, the <system-layout> element affects the appearance of the current system only. All other systems use the default values as determined by the <defaults> element. If any child elements are missing from the <system-layout> element in a <print> element, the values determined by the <defaults> element are used there as well. This type of <system-layout> element only needs to be read from or written to the first visible part in the score.