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Instruction Tools Explained

In addition to the PatternMaker Pro software and manual, I am also authoring the PatternMaker Pro Academy. The goal of the Academy is to teach people how to draft. It was necessary to include many drafting images that assist in illustrating different points.

The illustrations needed to include numbering that would correspond to Academy step-by-step instructions. The step number is placed next to the corresponding geometry in the illustration. The number is red when it is initially done and then turns to black with a smaller font size in subsequent illustrations. I created all of the drafting instructions tools to facilitate this process. I decided to add them to PatternMaker Pro, as others may be interested in using them, too.

There are seven tools that are part of this system:

  • Add Pro Number Layer
  • Add Number at Point
  • Change Number to Black
  • Toggle Number Color
  • Highlight Items
  • Remove Highlight
  • Export SVG Image

The Pro Number Layer is necessary to allow quick color changes later. Numbers are added to the draft that correspond to the steps using the Add Number at Point tool.

Any lines or curves that belong to the step are turned red using the Highlight Items tool.

The Export SVG Image tool is used when all the steps for one illustration are complete. This tool will create an SVG that is easily incorporated into your instructions. This is better than a jpg or png, as it can be resized without losing resolution.

Once you've exported your image, you can use the Change Number to Black tool to change all the numbers to black, resize them and remove the red coloring from all lines and curves.

The Toggle Number Color works in a similar fashion, allowing you to toggle the color of selected numbers.

The Remove Highlight tool will remove the red from lines and curves on all or only selected items.

Using these tools, you can create comprehensive images for your written instructions that are easy to follow and understand.