Nesting Mode

Nestle/Move Freely

When moving patterns with the mouse, PatternSmith has two different nesting modes. While moving a copy, you can toggle the Space Bar to change nesting modes between Nestle and Move Freely. Material Edge Spacing is always enforced regardless of which mode is active.

Nestle Mode

Nestle Mode prevents overlap when moving a copy to the Nest View.

Move Freely Mode

Move Freely mode lets you move a copy anywhere in the Nest, even overlapping another copy.

Nestle Mode:

Move Freely Mode:

Auto Fit/Free Zoom

There are also two different view modes – Auto Fit and Free Zoom.

Auto Fit

Auto Fit locks the Nest View to show the full width of the Nest. To zoom in and out, use the splitter bar. You can also pan left and right with the scroll bar or mouse wheel.

Free Zoom

Free Zoom allows you to zoom in and out or pan the Nest View. Zoom in and out using the Mouse Wheel or Left and Right Buttons together and drag up and down. Bring the entire nested table back into view with Zoom All – Ctrl + Spacebar. In this mode, pan by pressing the Mouse Wheel while moving the mouse.

Snap Horizontal/Snap Vertical

Snap Horizontal and Snap Vertical are only used when a material has alignment lines (usually striped, plaid, or patterned materials). Before Snap Horizontal and Snap Vertical can be utilized, assign elements in the patterns to either a Primary or Secondary Alignment Line. Then, from the Alignment Group dropdown, set alignment as desired. Refer to the Alignment Group section for more info.

Snap Horizontal:

Snap Vertical:

Spacing Overrides

Inter-Copy is how closely your pattern copies will be nested next to each other.

Edge is how close the copies will be placed next to the material edge.

Spacing Overrides are temporary. The spacing values will start at the values you stored in the Material Library for the material you are currently using, but may be changed while you are working on a project. They will revert to their original values when you change materials or reopen the project.

**NOTE** When you change either spacing values, already nested copies are not affected, but all subsequently nested copies will be spaced accordi