Re: Distance of a grob from its reference point

[Aaron Hill]

On 2020-01-15 3:59 pm, Paolo Prete wrote:
> Hi Aaron.
>
> It's not Y-offset that has not to be used. It's the combination \offset 
> +
> Y-offset.
>
> \override SomeGrob.Y-offset can be used (with a ruler, in an
> uncomfortably way)
>
> \offset Y-offset is nonsense.
>
> See my reply to Carl, and his reply to me.

I think the conclusion in that thread is wrong, in that the issue is not 
related to unpure-pure containers.  \offset Y-offset works perfectly 
fine.  See *my* example that demonstrates this.

The problem is that there is more going on than just Y-offset to 
determine where a bracket lives.  Neutering \offset is not the solution.

What we really need is a clear picture of what *does* impact layout.  
Someone adjusting Y-offset by too small an amount would be justified 
thinking it is broken, but that is because there is some other factor at 
play.  Once they know they need a larger offset to effect a change, then 
there is no mystery or nonsense.

If you are pushing things by small amounts akin to font kerning, then 
collisions are unlikely and extra-offset is often the right tool for the 
job.

If you need to move things by greater distances, then it is important to 
tweak all of the various spacing properties to ensure that collisions 
are avoided sufficiently well.  My example shows how using 
outside-staff-padding can be a more effective tool than adjusting 
Y-offset.  But in practice, you might need to do a combination of both.


-- Aaron Hill