Pattern Editor

In the Pattern Editor, you can create new patterns or edit existing patterns. Approximate patterns can be edited to become the exact patterns you want.

Opening The Editor

To bring a pattern into the editor, double click inside it on the Project View portion of the Project Screen. To create a new pattern, double click in empty space in the Project View area of the Project Screen.

Alternatively, you can select the pattern you want to edit and click the Pattern Editor button on the Project Window Patterns Tab or press F5.

Pattern Editor Window

1. Quick Access Toolbar: Shortcut to Undo, Redo, Zoom All, and Clear Originals. You can add or remove items on the Quick Access Toolbar. Right-click on the toolbar to remove or move the toolbar. Right-click on any tool to add it to the toolbar. 

2. Ribbon Interface: Gives access to the Pattern Editor functions found on the File, Design, Perimeter, Cut Ready, and View tabs. 

3. Patterns Window/Edit History Window: The Patterns Window allows you to change between the patterns you are editing. If you have not saved changes before changing the pattern you are editing, it will ask if you want to save before changing patterns.

The Edit History Window allows you to see the historical actions of the current editor session. Click on any entry to move forward and backward to that point. **NOTE** If you move backward and then start taking new actions, the list will be reset to that point and the actions after that will be erased. 

4. Toolbar: Control Selectors, Attributes, and Seam Allowances.  

5. Bottom Controls: Controls for the grid and guides. 

6. Status Bar: On the left side, all of the available keys will be listed. Hovering over one of the keys will provide you with information on how to use that key. On the right side, there is information about the element(s) selected. 

7. Element Explorer: Displays information about all the elements in the current pattern.

8. Search: Activates the Search Tool Window where you can search for specific elements (Ctrl+F).

Ribbon

Design

The Design Tab is where you can choose tools for creating, editing, and replacing. Drop-down arrows give you access to all of the tools in a family.

Perimeter

The Perimeter Tab allows you to change if the perimeter of the pattern is a box or around an element. 

When an elements perimeter type is selected, the perimeter will be a dashed line. If there are any gaps in a perimeter, they will be highlighted with a red circle.

Cut Ready

If you import a pattern from another program, you can optimize the pattern by clicking on the Optimize button.

View

The View Tab allows you to change view options like Selecting elements, Zoom controls, and Resetting the layout of the tool windows.

Basic Tools

To create an element in the Pattern Editor, choose what tool you want to use then click in empty space.

If you are creating a Bezier or a Spline, you need four points before it can be created. Right-click to finish a Bezier or Spline.

Seams

Seam Allowance

To apply a Seam Allowance, select what elements you want to have a seam, then click the Seam Allowance button in the Toolbar.

If you hover the mouse over the Seam Allowance tool you will see the currently selected seam allowance. Press the arrow on the right and you will open the Seam Allowance selection dialog. Select the preset you want to use.

If you want to customize the presets, click the Edit Seam Allowances button.

Seam Corner Styles

The Seam Corner tool lets you choose the connection style for the seam allowances of neighboring elements. The tool is a toggle and will remain active until you click it again or click on the selector tool. While active, seam ends will be shown with a circle. Selected seam ends will have a filled circle.

Click on any seam end connection point or points and then select the style you want to use. You can window select multiple seam ends at once. You can also add seam ends by holding down the Shift key while you select.

Notches

In PatternSmith, notches are positioned relative to the start, midpoint, or end of the selected element. In addition, notches include properties such as style, placement, size, and the tool to be used for cutting. Each time you enter the editor, notch properties will start with your default values. You can change the default values from File > Preferences.

Single Notches

Single Notch allows you to place a notch anywhere on an element. You can manually place the notch or you can type in the distance where you want the notch. You can edit the Style, Placement, Width, Depth, if the distance is percentage or units, and the Tool it will use in the Tool Window on the right.

Midpoint Notches

Midpoint Notch allows you to place a notch at the midpoint of an element.

Evenly Spaced Notches

Evenly Spaced Notches allows you to place a notch or multiple notches evenly spaced on an element.

Anchors

Anchor Points are points, circles, or lines that are attached (anchored), evenly spaced, to an element. If the element moves or changes length, the anchor points remain attached to it and are redistributed as appropriate. You can change the Style, Tool, Radius, Distance from Start or End, and the Count of anchors.