User Interface

Showing the Toolbox

Clicking the project view now shows the Pattern Properties tool window, instead of the Toolbox tool window. If a user wants to change this behavior, there is a setting in Preferences -> Project Editor -> General to choose which tool window is shown when clicking the project view.

Default project tool window

Tools Tab vs. Plugins Tab

The “Tools” tab has been renamed to “Plugins” in PatternSmith 11. This tab contains all the PatternSmith plugins and buttons to launch other apps like CadShot.

Tool tab renamed to plugin tab

Loading CadShot Files

The CadShot Files dialog has been moved from the Plugins tab into the file menu next to recent projects. It will show files created from CadShot (using a vision system) and CadShot Mobile. The blue dot in the menu denotes there are new files available. In the file list, it denotes a file that has not been opened yet.

Cadshot recent files

Preferences Window

Some categories and settings have been reorganized. Notable changes include:

  1. Pattern Optimization is now called Import Optimization – these settings only apply when opening/importing projects.
  2. Import / Export categories moved to the top
  3. Export Nest settings were moved into Export
  4. Material Library group visibility settings were removed and replaced with the connection settings for the Material Library server.
  5. Autosave settings were moved from General into Project Editor -> General
  6. Added settings for Slicer.
Preference navigation changes

Plotting View Command Log

The command log in the plotting view exists mostly for debugging and diagnostic purposes. In PatternSmith 11 it is now hidden by default, but it is still possible to view it by enabling an option in Plot Options.

Check Show plot log in Plot Options.

Show plot log preference

When plotting, a button will appear that will show the plotting command log in a separate window. You can still use PatternSmith while this window is showing.

Log file button on job

Tool Pass Priority

Tool Pass Priority moved to plot options. Tool Pass Priority is only used when job requires more tools than are possible to mount at one time. The job will be sent with multiple Tool Passes and the passes will be sent in the order specified in this window.

Tool pass priority window

Status Bar Information

Information about patterns, nests, and copies in the status bar has been moved into the Pattern and Nest tool windows. This change helps to declutter the interface and consolidate information into a central location.

Status bar information change

Right-Click Context Menus

Full right-click context menu in Project and Nest Views. Access tools you need quickly.

Project View:

Project view right click context menu

Nest View:

nest view right click context menu

Modify Fill Colors Window

The dialog to change patterns and copy fill colors has been simplified. Previews are no longer shown but the functionality of the dialog is the same.

Fill color menu

Zoom

Zoom buttons

Zoom All – Zooms in or out to fit all elements within the view.

Zoom Selection – In the Project or Nest View, select a pattern or group of patterns to zoom to the selection F12.

Zoom to Pattern – Select a pattern or group of patterns in the Nest view and zoom to and select the pattern(s) in the Project view Shift + F12.

Zoom to Copies – Select a pattern in the Project View to zoom to and select all the copies on the current nest Ctrl + F12.

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