Seamly2D Manual PDF
Seamly2D Manual PDF
Seamly2D Manual PDF
Contents
Formulas ................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Formula Wizard ................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Specifying Angles ............................................................................................................................................................... 2
Conditional Statements ....................................................................................................................................................... 2
The Process ............................................................................................................................................................................ 2
User Interface.......................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Title Bar ............................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Menu ................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
File .................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Pattern Piece................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Mode ............................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Measurements ................................................................................................................................................................ 5
History ............................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Window ........................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Help ................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Easy Access Tools .............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Using Your Mouse .......................................................................................................................................................... 8
Centre Section .................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Tools ............................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Drawing Board ................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Tool Options and Group .................................................................................................................................................. 8
Bottom Bar .......................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Create a New Pattern File ....................................................................................................................................................... 9
Measurements Database .................................................................................................................................................... 9
Tools ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Drawing Tools ................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Point .............................................................................................................................................................................. 11
Line ............................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Curve ............................................................................................................................................................................. 16
Arc ................................................................................................................................................................................. 19
Elliptical Arc ................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Operations ..................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Detail ................................................................................................................................................................................. 25
Seam Allowance Tool ................................................................................................................................................... 25
Union Tool ..................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Piece Path Tool ............................................................................................................................................................. 26
Pin Tool ......................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Insert Node Tool............................................................................................................................................................ 27
Seamly2D
Formulas
Formula Wizard
You may use formulas to set segment's lengths and angles in Seamly2D. A
formula may contain the following:
constants (integers or decimal numbers)
variables (any of the ones listed in the Tables of variables)
operators
o + for addition
o - for subtraction
o * for multiplication
o / for division
o ^ for raising a number to an integer power (e.g. 3^2 = 9)
o < Less than
o > Larger than
algebraic or trigonometric functions
o sin
o cos
o min
o max
o avg
o fmod
o pi
How or why one would use these is way beyond this tutorial, however, they are available for those
who wish to use them. For most, the simple operators should be sufficient.
Another example of using them would be to find the diameter of the waist girth measurement:
waist_circ / _pi
If the waist_circ = 31.5”, this formula will return 10.0268” which co-relates to 31.5” * 7 / 22.
To enter the actual measurement value, just type the value into the box provided.
Many of the tools in Seamly2D accept formulas as input. To simplify the creation of
formulas, these tools use a special dialogue (The Formula Wizard) that lists all the
variables you can use.
Select the desired variable type (e.g. measurements) and double-click on the
variable name to include it in a formula field.
Dialogue that has more than one formula field doesn't allow the use of double-click
on the variable name. You should select the variable name and click on button
near to the right formula field. You may also type the variable name in the formula,
but selecting variables from the list provided is recommended for speed and
accuracy.
The formula dialogue validates the formula and displays the result shortly after the formula is modified. The dialogue
considers the formula valid if the field is not empty and the value can be calculated. If the field represents a length, not an
angle, then the value cannot be zero. If the formula is invalid, the dialogue displays an error message. You can find more
detailed error message by hovering the cursor over the word "Error".
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Seamly2D
Specifying Angles
You may specify an angle as a constant number or as a formula. Angles are specified in degrees,
where 0 degrees points East and angle values increase in a counter-clockwise direction.
Conditional Statements
Seamly2D's muparser math processing library will allow you enter
if then else statements, in the form of:
((a operation b) ? c : d)
Read this as:
If (a operation b) is true THEN c ELSE d
This example works:
(Line_A_A1 > 10 ? 10 : 8)
Read this formula as:
IF (length of Line_A_A1 > 10) THEN 10 ELSE 8
The Process
There is a process to producing a pattern:
Choose a person to create the pattern for (or group of people).
Draft your design.
Measure the person (or use preset multisizes of your choice for the range of sizes).
Create a measurement file in SeamlyME (refer to the SeamlyME Manual).
Create the pattern pieces.
Create the detail for each pattern piece.
Create the layout of the pattern to be printed or exported.
Print the pattern.
Make the garment.
Seamly2D, along with the subsidiary program - SeamlyME, have been created to assist you with steps 4 to 8. And as
such, it will not teach you how to create patterns; it will be your duty to learn how to do that elsewhere. To facilitate you in
this, please refer to Annexure B which gives a list of books and websites which will aid you.
In the following pages, you will find all the help you will need to learn how to use Seamly2D quickly and easily.
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Seamly2D
User Interface
When you open Seamly2D for the first time, you are presented with the screen above. Everything has been laid out very
neatly and, in the following pages, you will find explanations of all the different sections.
Title Bar
At the very top, is the Title Bar which is divided into two sections - on the left is the file name that you are working on,
followed by the Measurements file that you have attached to the pattern and the program that you are using (Seamly2D).
On the right are the normal Minimize, Maximize and Exit icons.
Menu
Some of these have keyboard shortcuts displayed to the right and some are repeated in the quick icons.
File
Most of the options in the file menu are self-explanatory. They are:
New
To create a new pattern file;
Open
To open an existing pattern file;
Save
To save changes that have been made;
Save As
To save the file under a different name or in a different folder;
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Seamly2D
open it.
Preferences
This is where you change the defaults that Seamly2D uses if you wish. These related to the program and are your
personal defauls:
Once you click on File, Preferences, the following screen pops up:
Pattern
User Name
Graphical Output
Undo
User Defined Materials
Workspace
Paths
Here you may set your default paths for the following:
Individual Measurements
Multisize Measurements
Patterns
Layouts
Templates
Pattern Piece
New Pattern Piece
Click to create a new pattern piece.
Zoom Options
Used to zoom in, out, best-fit and original zoom.
Last Tool
To pick up the last tool used.
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Seamly2D
Tool Options
This will toggle the Tool Options box on the right on and off.
Group
This will toggle the Group box on the right on and off.
Note: By placing the cursor on the line between the two boxes, you can resize the boxes.
Mode
These options are to move around the three major areas of creating a pattern.
Draw
To go to the drawing area.
Details
To go to the details area once you have created some details.
Layout
To go to the layout area before exporting or printing your pattern.
Measurements
Open SeamlyME
This will open SeamlyME so that you may create a new set of measurements to attach
to your pattern.
Edit Current
This will open the current set of measurements that you are using, in SeamlyME so
that you may make changes (either edit values or add measurement areas). Once you
save the changes in SeamlyME and return to Seamly2D, you will be given the option
to synchronize the changes into Seamly2D for immediate use.
Unload Current
Use this option to detach a set of measurements from this pattern.
Load Individual
Used to load an individual set of measurements previously created in SeamlyME.
Load Multisize
Used to load set of multisize measurements previously created in SeamlyME.
Sync
If you chose not to synchronize the measurements, as described above in the paragraph Edit Current, you may use this
option to synchronize them later.
Variables Table
Here, you will find a record of all lines, curves, etc. That you have created while drawing your pattern. These are all
options that you may choose to use when using the tools. The first tab – called Increments – is a very special feature
where you may add values and formulas that are not in the measurement table created in SeamlyME but are necessary
to create your pattern. A more detailed description of this will be included later in this document.
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Seamly2D
History
Clicking on this option will bring up a box with a list of the previous edits made:
Building a pattern piece is a sequential process that can contain many steps. Select Pattern piece -> History or click on
button History to show the history record for the current active pattern piece.
After creating a new object, it will be appended to the end of the current pattern piece history. In most cases, there is no
need change this behaviour, but in some cases there is a need to add an object higher up the list of a pattern so that you
may use the reference to it later in the pattern piece development. For this dialogue, History use special pointer. By
default the pointer marks the last object in the pattern piece. To change this, click on the first column near the record after
which you need to insert the new object and then do not close the dialogue while you create the new object.
Window
This option will close the pattern that you have been working on so that you may work on another pattern or create a new
one.
Help
Wiki
This will take you directly to the Main Page of the Wiki on the internet.
Forum
Clicking this will take you directly to the friendly Forum where you may browse for information or ask questions that are
unclear to you.
Report Bug
Should you encounter something that doesn’t work or is not behaving correctly; this option will take you directly to the
Issues section where you may report it. While every effort is made to deliver a fully functional program, gremlins do seem
to creep in and we really need to know about them so that we can fix them.
About Qt
Qt is an across-program database that we use in our software. Here, you may read
about it and check the version you are using.
About Seamly2D
Here you may check which version of Seamly2D you are working on and also check
for updates. As we fix bugs and issues, improve on the software, etc. We upload
new versions, every Monday (if needed), for you to download.
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Seamly2D
Below the menu at the top, are the Easy Access Tools:
As in most programs, in addition to the drop-down menu, we have another menu, usually consisting of icons, which are
more accessible. The tools in this menu can also be found in the drop-down menus. They are blocks of tools that can be
moved by clicking and dragging on the dotted dash to the left of the block.
First Section
Second Section
Third Section
In the drawing area, we can have the pieces that we are creating or editing. Each time we create a new pattern piece, a
new starting point will appear. You cannot work on several pieces at the same time, just one at a time and you may select
the piece in the pattern piece drop-down.
Forth Section
Zoom in and Zoom out will do exactly that. However, I prefer to hold the Ctrl key and to zoom using the mouse’s centre
wheel.
Zoom fit best will fit the whole design into the design area.
Undo will undo previous steps and give a hint as to what was previously done – in this case, I added an object. You may
also use the Ctrl/Z shortcut.
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Seamly2D
Redo will redo the steps cancelled by using Undo, or you may use the Ctrl/Shift/Z shortcut.
Centre Section
This is the biggest section and takes up most of the screen occupied by Seamly2D and is divided up as follows:
Tools
The section on the left is where all the tools are located. These are explained in detail later.
Drawing Board
The big white square in the centre is where you will do all the drawing and viewing of your pattern and is also explained in
detail later.
Bottom Bar
This is the bar at the bottom where you will be able to change the size of the pattern when creating multisize patterns and
see any help messages. These are also covered later in the detailed sections.
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Seamly2D
When you start a new pattern file, a new pattern piece is created defaulted to ‘Pattern Piece 1’, which you may rename
(for example ‘Bodice Back’). You may create a new piece for each part of the pattern or you may create all the pattern
pieces in one pattern piece.
In this window you give a name to the piece and specify the units you
wish to use, although the default will be those you have chosen in
Preferences.
We can add additional pattern pieces using the icon, the menu option or
Ctrl+Shift+N:
Measurements Database
When you create a new file in the drawing layout, the first thing you have to do is go to
the Measurements menu and select SeamlyME to create a database of
measurements to use in this pattern.
If you have already created your measurements database, you may select either Load
Individual or Load Multisize depending on the type of measurement file you have
created.
In this way you will attach a premade database with the measures and formulas which
you will use to draw the pattern.
When we open a document that we have already started measurements will still be available and attached to the file.
Please refer to the SeamlyME Manual for instructions on how to create measurement files!!!
To start drawing with the measurements, we have to load them into the file and then we are ready to start drawing the
pattern.
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Seamly2D
Tools
Point
Line
Curve
Arc
Elliptical Arc
Operations
Detail
Layout
These tools have been especially created so that, when you use them along with the measurements that you enter in
SeamlyME, they will automatically resize the design when you change the measurements in SeamlyME. If you have
created a Multisize measurement file in SeamlyME, then you may select a different size at the bottom left of your screen
and the pattern will automatically resize the pattern. Height is the actual height of the person and Size is the actual bust
measurement of the person divided by two.
Hint:
When using a tool and are in doubt as to what to do
next, look at the information bar (bottom left) which will
tell you what you need to do next.
As you can see from the images above, I have changed the size and A7 has moved slightly to the right (A4 to A7 is the
only line in this example where I am actually using a formula from the measurements) and you can see the move on the
axis line notches.
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Seamly2D
Drawing Tools
Here we can find all the drawing tools:
Point, Line, Curve, Arc, Elliptical Arc, Operations, Detail and Layout.
We will cover each tool over the next few pages.
If you hover over the icons, a short description of the tool appears.
Depending on whether we are looking at the icon of the drawing tool or the actual drawing area, the black dots are the
points that we leave or are going to use to create a new point and the red dot is the one we currently have selected,
created or about to create, with the exception of the original base point of that pattern piece which will always be red and
is the only one that we can drag around our drawing area.
Point
Tool Pointer
Point at Distance and Angle
Point at Distance Along Line
Point Along Perpendicular
Point Along Bisector
Special Point on Shoulder
Point at Intersection of Arc and Line
Triangle Tool
Point from X and Y of 2 Other Points
Perpendicular Point Along a Line
Point Intersect Line and Axis
Mid Point Between 2 Points
Tool Pointer
Tool Pointer selects points or tools. Unlike what we are accustomed to in other vector imaging software, in Seamly2D, the
points have a fixed position derived from the way in which we have made the point and the value or measurement that we
have used. Should the value or measurement change, the points will automatically update themselves to the new
position.
The only point you can manually move, is the first one on each pattern piece, from which all other points radiate out to
form the pattern.
By clicking on this icon, we are able to drop whichever tool we were intending to use and
to select another or to select a point which we would like to edit or to start the creation of
a new point.
This tool is repeated in each section for easy access to it.
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Seamly2D
Once you release, a box pops up where you can enter the dimensions you require:
Click to add a formula = The length of the line;
Enter the length of the line manually;
Click to add a formula = The degrees of the angle of the line;
Enter the degrees of the angle manually;
The point that you originally clicked on;
You may change the point label here or it will give you the next generated point label;
Automatically set to solid line, you may choose what type of line you require;
You may change the line color if you wish;
Click Apply to see if your settings are correct and if so, click Ok to save and exit the box.
All of the other boxes work in a similar manner - they only have more or less settings to work with.
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Seamly2D
Hint:
This is the tool I’d use as,
whether the point is before or
after the point at a6, it will always
work.
Hint:
Point at Intersection of Arc and Line
If the distance between a4
Select the first and second points of the axis line (in this case, point A5 and A6 on the
and a7 is less than the
line indicating the shoulder tip height). Then select the point at the centre of the radius
pointer a6, it will revert to
that you wish to measure out from (in this case, A4 - the edge of the neck). The box
point a6 and the Point at
pops up and you may enter the length of the line from A4 to the new point that you
Intersection of Arc and
require (shoulder width + the dart width). You may draw in a line from point A4 to A7
Line will be the tool to use.
which will equal length that you entered.
Triangle Tool
First choose your axis along which you'd like to place a point (A5 and A6). Then select the two
points that you'd like to place a point where the two points form a right (90⁰) angle (A1 and A4)
along the axis line.
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Seamly2D
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Seamly2D
Line
Tool Pointer
Line Between Two Points
Point at Line Intersection
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Seamly2D
Curve
Some lines need to curve, and in this section, we deal only with curves of various types.
Tool Pointer
Simple Curve
Segmenting a Simple Curve
Curve Tool Which Uses Point as Control Handle
Curved Path
Segment a Curved Path
Tool for Creating Curves
Point Intersection Curves
Point Intersect Curve and Axis
Simple Curve
This is a curve between 2 points. Place your cursor over the label of the point where you’d like your curve to start, click,
place your cursor over the label of the end point and click. The label will turn green while your cursor is over it.
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Seamly2D
Curved Path
Select all the points along the curve that you wish to
create, press 'Enter' to end selection and use the handles
to tweak the curve to suit you. You need to select 3 or
more points.
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Seamly2D
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Seamly2D
Arc
The tools described in this section have been designed to create the arcs required in some conditions. Such conditions
would be to establish the intersection of 2 arcs where you would like to place point at the intersection.
While I am giving a brief explanation of how to use the tools, I am by no means expert in their use and you will have to
explore them for a deeper understanding of the intricate power of these tools, whose basis lays in geometry, trigonometry
and algebra, that will unleash a new world of opportunities in your creativity.
Tool Pointer
Arc
Segment of Arc
Point Intersect Arc and Axis
Point of Intersection Arcs
Point of Intersection Circles
Point from Circle and Tangent
Point from Arc and Tangent
Arc with Given Length
Arc
Click on the point that you’d like to have at the centre of your arc and the following pops up where you can enter the
dimensions you require:
I have used direct values to illustrate this tool, however, you may use presets
created while creating your pattern piece.
Radius is the distance from your centre point
(A12), where I have used 10cm. The first angle is
the start position where you'd like your curve to
start. I have used 45 degrees but one can use
the other angles like the angle between two lines.
The second angle is the end position where
you'd like your curve to end. I have used 90
degrees.
st nd
The image on the right is an example where the 1 angle is 90º and the 2 is 45º.
Segment of Arc
This tool will place a point at any point along an arc. Select the arc and specify where you'd like the point. In this case, I
selected the arc created above and chose to place a point at ⅓
of the length of the arc.
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Elliptical Arc
Tool Pointer
Elliptical Arc
Elliptical Arc
Select the centre point of your elliptical arc, the following box comes up:
st nd st nd
Enter the 1 radius, the 2 radius, the 1 angle and the 2 angle. You can select the pen style
and color.
Once again, you may enter formulas drawn from variables created while making the pattern.
Here you can see my pitiful effort in trying to copy the curves of the armhole – the lazy way.
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Seamly2D
Operations
These tools are for complex operations on points or groups of points and while they are very easy to use, one will only
become really proficient at using them with constant practise. Keep an eye on the instructions in the bottom left corner
which are meant to help you.
Tool Pointer
Create New Group
Rotate Objects
Flipping Objects by Line
Flipping Objects by Axis
Move Objects
True Darts
Rotate Objects
Using the same pattern piece that I used above, I have
decided to place a dart in the middle of the shoulder
seam. To do this, I need to rotate the centre-front line,
the neck and half of the shoulder line to make space for
the dart.
After clicking on the icon, and holding the Ctrl key, I
select all the points and arcs that I would like to rotate.
You will notice that all the objects selected have a dotted
box around them. Once I have selected all the objects, I
check, double check and then press Enter to confirm the
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selection. The selected points and arcs are now green which indicates that they have been selected for rotation.
The next step is to select the point of rotation – In this case, point A28, and then I dragged the line around until it ‘looks
good’ to me and press enter. The chances that the rotation did what I wanted are pretty slim, so I set up a formula in the
side bar that gives me exactly what I want.
You will notice that the new, rotated points that have been created have the same base numbers with ‘a1’ added to them.
This tells me that this is the first time I have used the rotation or the move tool in this part of the pattern.
All that is left for me to do is to redraw the lines and insert the dart which I have done in violet.
Move Objects
As above, select the points and objects that you wish to move, holding the Ctrl key and press enter
when done.
A box pops up where you can enter the angle and distance you would like to move the object. Click
on ‘OK’ and it’s done.
True Darts
When you have cut out your pattern and begin to sew, the edges of the darts are out of line if you only use the base line
to create the dart. Allowances need to be made for the shift of the seam before cutting the fabric. This tool is meant to
help you with that.
My shoulder line is B9 to B11, so we first select these 2 points. My dart is from A8 to A7 to A9 so we select these next.
Now we need to draw the lines from B9 to A24, A24 to A7, A7 to A25, A25 to B11.
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This is what you see once you've And now the lines need to be
My pattern before using True Dart Lines are drawn in.
clicked them all drawn in.
As you can see, the dart points have been raised. Once the dart has been sewn, the shoulder seam should be straight.
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Seamly2D
Detail
This is where the actual pattern is created. We use these tools to create the outlines of each pattern piece, add labels,
pins, etc.
Tool Pointer
Seam Allowance Tool
Union Tool
Piece Path Tool
Pin Tool
Insert Node Tool
Tool for Creating Details
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Union Tool
The Union Tool is used to take 2 pattern pieces and join them into 1 piece so you need to have 2
details created using the tool above.
st st
Select the Union Tool and then select the 1 piece. Select the 1 point on the pattern piece
nd
where you would like the 2 pieces to be joined and then the 2 point.
nd st
Repeat this on the 2 piece by first selecting the piece and then the 1
nd
and 2 points.
Once you have done this, a box will pop up which will ask
you if you really want to unite the 2 pieces and you may
check the box if you wish to retain the original pieces.
Click on OK to complete the process.
I have selected to keep the original pieces and you can see all 3 pieces below.
Once you have selected the pattern piece, the OK becomes available to accept the
selection.
You will now be able to use this detail as described in the Detail Options section.
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Pin Tool
This tool will place a pin in your pattern piece that may be used to pin the label to as described
in the Detail Options section.
Click the tool, click on the point that you would like to use as a pin and select the pattern piece
in the box that pops up. Click on OK.
Path: You may browse to a different path where you wish to save this layout.
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File Format: You may select the format in which you’d like to save this file – depending on
what you intend to use the layout for, e.g. You may want to import it into another program or
you may wish to print it or you may wish to send it to a cutting table. Various formats are
included in the dropdown list. Dxf format range from R10 to 2013 versions.
If you choose .dxf format, you will have the option to check the Binary Form box.
You may choose to check the Text as Paths Box and you may give the layout file a unique
name.
Click on OK and your choices will be saved into the pattern file.
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Detail Options
By clicking on Options, we bring up the dialogue box that we closed previously but now all the
options that were grayed out are now available to us.
Pins
Labels
Grainline
Passmarks
Paths
Main Path
In the Main Path, you have the option to forbid the flipping of the pattern piece during the creation and printing or cutting
out of the Layout by clicking in the box to place a check mark there.
By placing a check mark in the box next to Hide Main Path will remove the main path from the pattern and the seam
allowance will be presented as the main path as you can see below:
Below these 2 options is the list of points and curves selected while creating the detail which we will cover in more detail
later.
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Seam Allowance
To add Seam Allowance, you need to
select the Seam Allowance tab and place a
check mark in the check box.
Next is the check box to check if you have
built the Seam Allowance into the pattern
piece – if this is the case, you will still need
to add the seam allowance to place the
Passmarks (and later, other pattern
markings), so SeamlyME needs to know
that the Seam Allowance is built in.
Below the Built In option, is the Automatic
section where you can automatically add
Seam Allowance to the whole pattern piece
of a specified width. You may either type in
the value of your favorite allowance or use
the f(x) option to use a variable or other
item. The value in this box becomes the
Default value.
Next is the Node section.
I have used the example of the front of a skirt for this exercise because it is cut on a fold and as such, doesn’t need a
seam allowance down the center front of the pattern piece. As you can see indicated by the red arrows in the image, the
waist line has the 1cm seam allowance, while the center front line has none.
To achieve this, I selected the ‘CentreFront’ node in the drop down list in the box next to ‘Node’ and in the box below
(Before), I entered ‘0’. This means that before the node, I’d like the seam allowance to be 0.
I then selected C4 in the Node box and in the ‘After’ box; I entered the value of 0.
(C4 is the bottom left node that I selected when creating the detail.) So what this did
is that anything after the node C4 will have a seam allowance of 0 while everything
before this node will have the default seam allowance of 1cm.
Next is an Angle option where you may select various options from the dropdown
list in the box.
In the same manner, you may select nodes and change the values between points in the Custom section. I haven’t had
any call for this so I haven’t explored it enough to explain fully.
Once you have created the basic draft of your pattern piece, I suggest that you first create the Internal Paths and Pins
needed for the complete piece. You may also wish to add things missed by using the Insert
Node Tool.
Internal Paths
Internal Paths are detail that you require inside your pattern piece and are created using the
Piece Path Tool.
Once you have an internal path created, it will be listed on this page with all the others that you
have created. By right-clicking the item, you may edit it using the Options which will take you to
the Options box where you may edit the details originally entered, or you may Delete it.
Pins
As with the Internal Paths, Pins need to be created first using the Pin Tool before one can work
with them in the pattern piece. All pins created are listed here. By right-clicking on a pin, you will be given the option to
delete it.
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Labels
Labels - Left
By clicking on the Labels tab, you are presented with the screen where you
actually create and place the label on the pattern piece.
On the left side, you need to place a checkmark in the top box to include the
label on the pattern piece,
Then you may select the width and the height of the label. You may do this
by using the formula option or by entering direct values.
If you have added pins, you may use them to
place the label on your pattern piece. If not,
the label will be placed in the top left corner
of the pattern and you may drag it to where
you want it to be placed.
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The next option is to place the label over a centre pin – click the down arrow to the
right of the box to select the pin.
(I have included a portion of the seam allowance to show the positioning.)
If you have selected ‘No Pin’ in the Centre Pin box, you will be able to specify a top left
and bottom right pin to have your label resize itself between 2 pins.
If you want the label to be placed at an angel, you may specify the angel in the box either by a formula or value in the last
section.
Note: The font will resize automatically depending on the size of the label. The yellow background of the label will not be
printed on the final pattern – it is only yellow so that you can see where the label will be.
Labels – Right
By placing a check mark in the box next to Pattern Label Visible, a label with additional
information (like the date that the pattern is created) will be placed on the pattern piece
st
separate from the 1 label.
Note: I have created these labels especially for this manual as a visual explanation.
You may place your pins where you would prefer and include or exclude as you see fit.
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Grainline
The draping of a garment on a body is largely affected by the grain of the fabric, so Seamly2D has included the option of
have the grainline printed on the pattern piece.
You may choose to use this option by placing a check
mark in the box provided.
Next, you may choose the angel of the line and the
length of the line– either by value or formula.
As with the labels, you may use the pins – if not, it will
be placed in the top left corner of the pattern and you
will need to drag it to where you would like it to be on
the pattern piece.
You may either select a centre pin (as I did in the
image) or select a top (start) pin and bottom (end) pin
for the line.
You may also select the arrow to be at both ends of
the line or only at the top or bottom of the line.
Passmarks
These are normally used to match up pattern pieces
while sewing the garment and are inserted on the
nodes selected when creating the detail. If they haven’t
been included, please use the Insert Node Tool to add
them.
To create a Passmark, you need to find the point on
the Paths screen and set the node as Passmark by
right-clicking the node and selecting Passmark. (You
may do this for all the passmarks required and then go
on to click the Passmark tab to edit them all at the
same time, or you may do 1 at a time.) At this point, all
passmarks will have a single line next to the node and
on the pattern piece seamline as this is the default.
After creating the passmark nodes, you may click the
Passmark tab and individualize each passmark.
By clicking the down arrow in the box, you will get a list
of all the passmarks you have created and may
choose the one you wish to change from the default.
Mark options are 1, 2 or 3 lines, T or V mark and may
be chosen by clicking the radio circle next to it.
Angle options are Straightforward, Bisector or
Intersection. I always use Straightforward which places
the chosen mark on the seamline at a 90 angle to the
line as shown in the image to the
left.
Bisctor:
Intersection:
On the final pattern that you print, the passmarks will look like this:
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Layout
Overview
A Layout Image contains the final version of your selected pattern pieces as they appear in Detail Mode. It does not
include internal hatch marks, points, or point labels.
Each Layout Image has a background size that determines how the pattern pieces will be placed, and how many sheets
are included in the Layout Image. FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, the Layout Image background size can be selected from
pre-defined sheet paper sizes, roll paper sizes, or you can create a custom size.
The background size is NOT REQUIRED to be your printer's paper size.
The background size must be big enough to hold your largest pattern piece. A multisheet Layout Image is created when
the background size can hold your largest pattern piece but can't hold ALL pattern pieces.
A Layout Image can be printed:
directly from Seamly2D
to a single sheet of paper if your single sheet Layout Image fits within your printer paper
across multiple sheets of paper:
as a tiled PDF if your single sheet Layout Image is bigger than your printer paper,
as shown in your multi-sheet Layout Image if each sheet matches or is smaller than your printer paper
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Credits
Cover Picture – The elements are the property of Seamly2D.
This is a combined effort mostly taken from the Wiki Tutorials which has been created by people using and developing
Seamly2D for everyone to use when learning to use the software.
To all who contributed, whether by asking a question in the forum, by adding to the Wiki, by developing the software, by
creating a video tutorial or just by using the software, we offer our most sincere thanks.
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Glossary – Angles
Angles
Degrees 90ᵒ
Clockwise direction
0ᵒ
180ᵒ
360ᵒ
Trigonometric sense
270ᵒ
Straight
45ᵒ
90ᵒ 90ᵒ
45ᵒ
Tangent
Point at Tangent
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Seamly2D
Annexure A
Keyboard Shortcuts
Seamly2D provides various keyboard shortcuts to speed up the process of creation pattern. As the software is still in
development, this list is not completed and will be extended in future.
A keyboard shortcut may conflict with a shortcut that a Window manager uses for its own purpose - in this case the
Seamly2D shortcuts will not work. On some systems, an application based on Qt keyboard shortcuts will not work either.
Action Keyboard Shortcut
New file Ctrl+N
Save Ctrl+S
Save all Ctrl+Shift+S
Export pattern (layout) Ctrl+L
New pattern piece Shift+Ctrl+N
History Ctrl+H
Zoom in Ctrl++
Zoom out Ctrl+-
Fit to best Ctrl+=
Fit to best current pattern piece (since Ctrl+M
v0.6.0)
Original zoom Ctrl+0
Undo Ctrl+Z
Redo Shift+Ctrl+Z
Table of variables Ctrl+T
Delete selected item Del
Exit Seamly2D Ctrl+Q
Activate last used tool L
Mouse Shortcuts
Action Keyboard shortcut
Zoom In Ctrl+Scroll up
Zoom Out Ctrl+Scroll down
Drag Middle mouse button
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o Collection Devenir modéliste / Become a pattern drafter Book Series — Claire Wargnier (Français /
English)
Online instruction
The following is a list of free online sources for patternmaking instruction.
Leena's Pattern Drafting Lessons This site is frequently down and the server times out. When the site is available it does
contain good reference material on basic patternmaking techniques.
Pattern Design Guides – Notes by Don McCunn The notes section of this website provides supplemental information that
is intended to be used with Mr. McCunn's books or ebooks.
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