Slash & Spread Tool

What it Does

Opens up a pattern piece to add fullness. You pick the slash point, which is where the pattern is cut open. You also pick the points that move and a pivot point. The pivot point stays fixed while the pattern swings open by the amount you enter.

Use this when you want to add flare or volume, or move a dart's fullness to a new spot. To learn when and why to slash and spread, see the Academy page on Fullness Types.

How to Use

1. Activate the tool by selecting the Slash & Spread icon
2. Select one or more slash points, then select Continue. These are the points where the pattern is cut open. If you select more than one, the tool treats them as a set
3. Select all the other points that will move. These are the points on the part of the pattern that swings open
4. Select the pivot point last, then select Continue. The pivot point stays fixed
5. Enter the Spread Value, in the unit shown. This is how far the pattern opens at the slash point. It must be greater than 0
6. Select Preview. If the value is greater than 0, the pattern is spread and the prompt tells you so
7. Select Save to keep the result, or Cancel to leave without changing anything

If you select Preview with a value of 0 or less, the tool asks you to enter a value greater than 0.

warning

The order you select points in matters. Select the points that move in order around the pattern, and select the pivot point last. If the pattern opens in a way you did not expect, select Cancel and start again.

info

You can type a number or a formula for the Spread Value. See Entering Values.

Important

You cannot select curve points to move during this process. Use the Curve to Line tool to convert curves to lines before applying slash and spread.

🧠Memorization

When you memorize a draft, the slash and spread is remembered along with the spread value you entered.