Grade Patterns Tool

What it Does

Creates a grading set: one pattern in all of its sizes. For instance, a top might have one set for the bodice front, another for the bodice back and a third for the sleeve. You tell the tool how many sizes there are, which one is the base pattern and which one is the vector pattern. It then matches the points on the two patterns by name and creates every size in between.

The base is the pattern you drafted. The vector is a second drafting of the same pattern in a different size, and it shows the tool where each point moves to. The distance between each base point and its vector point is spread evenly across the sizes, so you never enter grade rules or increments.

info

Your original drafts are not used or changed. The tool copies only the geometry it needs into a new "Grading Master" layer and hides your original layers.

Before You Start

The base and vector patterns must be in the same draft, each on its own layer. See Grading Explained for the easiest way to get them there.

• Both patterns need the same points, lines and curves. Drafting both from the same memorized draft with two different measurement sets does this for you.
• Points are matched by name. Name your points before you start; a point with the name false (no name) cannot be matched automatically.

How to Use

1. Activate the tool by clicking the Grade Patterns icon
2. Enter a name for the set, such as Bodice Front, and select Continue
3. Enter the total number of sizes in the set, including the base and vector sizes, and select Continue
4. The next steps repeat for each size, starting with the smallest, size #1:
   • Select the Pattern Type: Base, Vector or Intermediate
   • Select Continue
   • Enter a name for the size
   • Select a style/color that will show this size
   • For the base and vector, select the layer that contains that pattern
   • Select Continue
5. Check the list of sizes. Each shows its name, style and type. Select Save & Continue if it is right, or Cancel to start over
6. The tool matches base and vector points that have the same name. If every point was matched, select Continue
7. If some points could not be matched, they are handled one at a time. The base point is shown in red:
   • Select the matching vector point from the list. Hover over a name in the list to see that point in the workspace
   • If the base point has no match, select Remove Base Point
   • When all the points are done, select Apply Pairings
8. Select Continue to grade the sizes
9. Select Save to keep the graded sizes or Cancel to abort

If the Patterns Don't Match

After the points are paired the tool compares the lines and curves. If the base and vector are not built the same way, it lists the differences and you cannot continue:

• A base line or curve has no matching vector line or curve
• A base curve has a different number of curve points than its vector curve
• A vector line or curve has no base match (this one is ignored)

Select Cancel, fix the vector pattern and start again.

tip

Choose a vector that is a few sizes from the base so the movement is easy to see and the sizes in between are accurate. Sizes smaller than the base are graded in the opposite direction.

warning

Nothing is kept until you select Save at the end. Select Cancel at any step to abort.

🧠Memorization

Grading is not a memorizable process. Do not memorize the draft you are grading; it cannot be recalled in its graded state.