Shaping Instructions (Generate Menu)
Modes: K U

Keyboard Shortcut! Ctrl/Cmd + I

 
This command allows you to generate shaping instructions for your garments. You would use these if you are knitting or weaving a shaped garment. You may choose to go directly from the schematic window to the Shaping Instructions, or you may view the Pixel-Per-Stitch Graphics first. Knitters and Weavers are the primary textile people who would be interested in this shaping information. Instructions are presented currently in a Chart format. Appendix C explains how to read the Shaping Charts.
 
Creating Sideways or Top Down Shaping Instructions
If you want to create sideways or top-down shaping instructions, it will be necessary to create the Pixel-Per-Stitch Graphics window prior to requesting the Shaping Instructions. Once the graphic window is open, you may flip or rotate all, or selected pieces.

To do this:

  • Click on a piece to be flipped or rotated.
  • Press 'x' on the keyboard to flip horizontally.
  • Press 'y' on the keyboard to flip vertically.
  • Press 'z' on the keyboard to rotate the piece 90 degrees.


You may use any combination of the above to move a piece to its desired position. Garment Designer is intelligent enough to adjust the gauge, etc., accordingly. If you choose to knit a garment sideways or top-down, it will be important to set the '0' point on your garment prior to requesting the shaping instructions. The '0' point controls where Row 1 will be on your garment. This is discussed more fully in Appendix C and in the discussion on Dimensions and Counts later in this chapter.
 
The Shaping Instructions that are created are affected by the settings you choose via the Knit command of the Options menu. Refer back to the discussion of these on page 23 of this chapter.
 
Once you request Shaping Instructions, a chart will appear. This chart breaks the knitting instructions down into an easy-to-read diagram. At first, this may seem strange to you, but if you take a few moments to examine and understand the chart you will realize the flexibility it offers over standard Shaping Instructions.
 
As Garment Styler owners will realize, a slightly new chart format was developed for Garment Designer. This was done for a few reasons;
• Sideways and Top-Down shaping demanded a more versatile chart.
• Asymmetrical bodies result in garments which are asymmetrical, and therefore the garment shaping differs from left to right.
• Asymmetrical Styles require shaping instructions which differ, left to right.
 
Instructions for shaping the garment will appear in a separate Instructions window which may be printed or saved (using the Print and Save commands in the File menu). Appendix C explains the shaping chart and how to read it. Please refer to this for a full explanation.