Standard Notation Software for Sight Reading

[mrcreosote]

Some scores are very hard to sight read. 
Is there software that will scan and then render a visually improved version?  Improvements could include:

• Sharps and Natural Symbols:  make them clearly different
• Ledger Lines far above the Staff:  add note letter annotation (otherwise have to count the lines)
• Staff Lines:  don't use all same such as bolden some, use colors, etc.

Software program user interfaces take code and arrange it with indenting, bold and italics, and color to make it quicker to understand.  This tech should be available for standard music notation one would think.

[andrewuk]

The Scoring Notes podcast did an episode a couple of years ago on optical music recognition software, which is the first step in the process:

https://www.scoringnotes.com/reviews/a-review-of-optical-music-recognition-software/

Of course if you start out with a poorly-engraved original then they may struggle to produce an improved version.

[ego0720]

For what OP is asking there are no softwares at this time that can do that. The one requirement is to have a “clean” copy to be scanned. Even a pdf that is scanned will have errors in translation, let alone handwritten one. The technique used in those softwares do improve as they “study” more works but as of now one is better off interpreting the piece.  However, maybe submission of said piece can offer insight for the user to extract information that can supplement that process but note it will be limited. Ultimately human interpretation is the best way to go, as boring an answer that is. I have personally used nearly all the softwares in the url posted by andrewuk and then more. Last time was early this year (2023) and those limitations of a “perfect” copy remains true. Using them was more for fun than anything serious to see the results. I feel a serious person is better off learning how to use softwares and personally transcribing themselves (yes will defeat the purpose of convenience) and yes it is time consuming in itself.

For the second part from OP question (user interface), those functions are available (not sure about color) but the learning curve is steep. And varies between softwares. Sharps and Naturals are basics to all notation softwares. Ledger lines above staff follows conventional format (and yes can convert to other systems such as “note letter annotation” if one isn’t able to sight read — however this may be a hindrance to progression but I understand the appeal having once depended on converting it myself -by hand- in order to play a piece; it can be temporary until one advances their sight reading). Not sure about staff line variants but the suggestions used, while not impossible, are usually unnecessary. Again, I once did colors and other marks so I understand the appeal but eventually when one gets to intermediate level these become  unnecessary. I want to say I have seen colors changed on staff by notation softwares but never explored it for the specified reason. My point is I believe these are basic tools on most softwares that are available but aren’t used too much bc most ppl figure out how to do it the “traditional” way and there is a point when we can’t really hold the hands of a beginner for the convenience without them trying a little harder to “get it”.. either on their own or with assistance from an experienced teacher (or using plain pencils and markers and doing it 80s style on paper).