Pattern Pixel-Per-Stitch Graphics (Generate Menu)
Modes: K U

Keyboard Shortcut! press 'g' on the keyboard


If you want to shape garments (for either knitting, weaving or for space-planning in sewing), Garment Designer will create what we call a ‘pixel per stitch’ graphic of all garment pieces or selected pieces. In other words, each pixel of the image represents a unit or stitch of your garment. The size and shape of this image depends upon the size, style options and gauge/sett/count you input. Prior to requesting this command, you will need to input a gauge/sett or count. If you do not, Designer will prompt you to do so. Once this is done, you will see a new window appear on the screen. In this window you will see a blue graphic of each garment piece. The graphic images in this window may be sent to the clipboard (using the Edit/Copy menu command) and pasted into any other application that accepts bit-mapped images. An explanation of how to move this graphic to Stitch Painter is explained in Appendix B.
As mentioned above, the first step to creating an accurate graphic (where each pixel equals an inch), is to set your units/gauge/sett/count. The number you use will be dictated by your textile medium and the test swatch (if necessary) that you created. This is entered into the software using the Units/Gauge/Sett/Count command of the Options menu.
 
Next, you will request the graphic of the body pieces. This is done by choosing the Garment Pixel-Per-Stitch Graphics command (or by pressing 'g' on the keyboard). A new window with blue graphics will appear. Each piece is labeled. If you choose the Copy command of the Edit menu, you will copy this window to the clipboard, and you may go to another program (such as a paint program) and paste the various pieces into the program for further design. If you only want to copy one of the pieces to the clipboard, you will need to select this piece by clicking on it.
 
Once a graphic is displayed, this becomes the active window in the front. If you want to make a change to the main schematic window, you will need to click on this window somewhere to make it your active window.
 
The following is a summary of how the graphics window works:

  • If you do not click on any piece, all pieces are ‘selected’ and thus all pieces will copy to the clipboard, and shaping instructions (when requested) will be created for all pieces.
  • If you click on a piece, it becomes selected and therefore outlined. Now, it is the only piece that can be copied to the clipboard, and if shaping instructions are requested, they will be given for this piece only. If you want to deselect one piece, click ‘away’ which means click away from the garment piece, but still within the Graphics window (it’s easiest to click above the piece, near the labeling).
  • If you want to select two out of the three pieces, you can shift + click on them. Alternately, you can use shift + click to deselect a piece from a group.
  • You are able to flip or rotate any selected piece. You may do this in one of two ways. First, you can select a piece and then use the Flip Horizontal or Vertical or Rotate Right or Left commands from the Edit menu to alter the positioning of the piece. You would do this to control how pieces are displayed, how they are sent to the clipboard (e.g. to go into Stitch Painter) and how shaping instructions will be given.
  • Garment pieces can be rotated or flipped for sideways or top down knitting.
  • X, y and z on the keyboard are the shortcuts for flip horizontal, flip vertical and rotate. These are the same shortcuts as in Stitch Painter (Cochenille's Stitch Design Software, a grid-based program).