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Practice Basics

Every practice run is written the same way, so read this page once and the rest will feel familiar. If you haven't used the demo yet, start with Using the PMP Demo.

Start From the Download​

Most practice runs offer a starting draft you can download as an SVG file. You don't have to use it, but here is why it helps:

  • You practice the new skill, not the old ones. The pieces from earlier lessons are already drawn, so you can go straight to what the lesson teaches.
  • The names match. Every point and curve in the download has the same name the instructions use. When a step says to select FR Shoulder Line Front, you'll find exactly that in your workspace.
  • A slip doesn't follow you. If something goes wrong, import the file again and start the practice fresh.

Your own draft works too, as long as you can match your geometry to the instructions. If they don't, you'll spend more time hunting than drafting.

To bring the file in, follow Importing Assets on Using the PMP Demo. The manual explains the tool in detail: Import PMP SVG.

Reading a Step​

Here are two steps, written the way every practice run writes them.

Points > Add Point on Line/Curve
1Pre Side Nk Fr
Select: FRShoulder Line Front
End: FCShoulder Front
Distance: 2" or 50 mm
Save & Split
Points > Add Point Perpendicular
2Side Nk Fr
Origin: 1Pre Side Nk Fr
Vector: FCShoulder Front
Distance: 0.25" or 6 mm
Save
  • The tool. The grey line at the top of a step shows the tool's menu and name, with the same icon you see in PatternMaker Pro, so you can find it quickly.
  • The number and name. The numbered name is what the step makes. Give the new item that name in PatternMaker Pro so the later steps can refer to it.
  • The details. One line for each setting, in the order the tool asks for them. The words before the colon are the labels in the toolbox.
  • A code and a name, like FR Shoulder Line Front. This is something already in the starting draft. The code is the letters at the start of its name in the workspace.
  • A small raised number and a name, like 1 Pre Side Nk Fr. This is something you made in an earlier step. In the second example, Origin is the point you made in step 1.
  • Two units, like 2" or 50 mm. Use the one that matches your draft.
  • Curly braces, like {Center Length Back}, are a measurement from your measurement set, used in a formula.
  • Square brackets, like [Measure 1 Center Neck Back to 4 Armhole Ht], are selections which are also used in formulas. This may be the Measure Between Points tool or the Measure Lines/Curves tool.
tip

Mind your parentheses in a formula. Where they sit decides the order the math is done.

Movement and Direction​

The instructions use X and Y for direction.

  • X is horizontal. A positive X moves right. A negative X moves left.
  • Y is vertical. A positive Y moves down. A negative Y moves up.

Your Measurements​

Some practice runs list the measurements they use near the top, so you can have them ready. Setting up a measurement set is covered in Using the PMP Demo.