UserManual:Creating Layouts: Difference between revisions
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====Layout options==== |
====Layout options==== |
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This is the second most important part of the Layout generator after paper size. To effectively use it you should have some understanding how the Layout generator works. So, let's see which options do we have and how to effectively use them. |
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Some options need more detailed explanation. |
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⚫ | * '''Rotate workpiece''' |
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* '''Gap Width''' - distance between workpieces on layout. Imagine this as additional layout allowance around a workpiece. So, actual distance between workpieces will be twice bigger than the gap width. If you don't use an automatic seam allowance at least check if it is correct. If it is not Valentina will create incorrect layout allowance and thus will produce an incorrect layout. |
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* '''Layout width'''. Width of space around workpiece, ie, layout allowance. To calculate width between two workpieces multiply current value by 2. |
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* '''Shift/Offset length''' - very important option that controls how accurate will work the Layout generator. The algorithm sees any workpiece as list of nodes. Any two nodes create an edge. Because it uses only vertices of edge as control positions sometime this is not enough. This option says how long should be an edge before it will be cutted on pieces. This process creates more positions to check and in some cases this make result better. But this also dramatically increase number of positions to check and make process of arrangement longer. |
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* '''Shift length'''. Shift length value helps create additional points on workpieces edge. If length of edge is less than shift program then the left edge is untouched. These additional points Valentina uses for moving workpiece along contour edge. The more points on an edge the more chance to find best position. '''Warning.''' Sub-optimal length (too small) will increase time for searching best position for workpiece. |
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* '''Save length of the sheet''' - use this option if you prefer saving length of paper sheet. This is especially useful in case of roll paper format. |
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All calculation program do in pixels. |
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⚫ | * '''Rotate workpiece''' - help avoid situations with workpieces that have convex shape. Those shapes can't be handled by basic algorithm. Rotation value sets angle value for single workpiece rotation around vertex point. For example: 180 means two rotations by 180 degree each. Numbers of rotations can be calculated from the expression 360/angle_value. '''Warning.''' Increasing rotation number will increase time for searching best position for workpiece. |
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# Create or open file that already have [[Manual/Valentina next/Basics#markdown-header-creating-workpieces|'''workpieces''']]. |
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* '''Rules for choosing the next workpiece''' - there are three possible strategies selecting workpieces for arrangement: '''three groups: big, middle, small''', '''two groups: big, small''' and descending area. Valentina will calculate area of each workpiece and arrange them according to selected strategy. |
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# Click on button '''Create Layout''' or select '''File->Export pattern (layout)'''. |
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* '''Auto crop unused length''' - select if you need to crop unused length of paper sheet. Usually used in combination with option ''Unite pages''. |
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# Click on button and set creation options. |
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* '''Unite pages (if possible)''' - unite all pages in one if possible. Use it if you want to get one paper sheet from many smaller. The max length is restricted. |
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# Click OK for start generation. |
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# Wait until generation finished. |
Revision as of 11:49, 8 April 2017
Before you will be able to export or print pattern you should create a layout. Valentina supports the automatic creation of layouts. The most common mistake users do is to think that a layout creation has something to do with printing. No, printing (and export) is separate steps that proceed after you create a layout.
Valentina's Layout generator was not designed to create a fabric layout. It doesn't obey grainline. Right now you can use it only for preparing workpieces for export or printing.
To create a layout you must pass at least one workpiece to Layout generator. If you have at least one workpiece, but still can't start creating because Valentina doesn't see any please check if at least one is selected in section Group. This section control which workpieces will be passed to Layout generator the next time. To begin creating switch to the Layout mode. If there is no previously rendered layout then Valentina will automatically show you a dialog with options.
Layout options
Paper format
This is a dropdown box from which you can choose the format of the paper size used by the Layout generator. As was mentioned previously this has nothing to do with your printer or plotter capabilities. The Layout generator will fail to create a layout if at least one workpiece can't be arranged.
The common recommendation in this case is to select a paper size big enough to arrange the biggest workpiece in pattern.
Some words about predefined options you can find in the dropdown list. Valentina exports data with resolution 96 dpi. You should take into account this value if want to export a pattern image and continue work with it. If you cannot find needed size from the list of predefined switch to Custom and edit size manually. Note. First time you will switch to Custom size Valentina will not change previous size values and you will not see difference from previous option. Fields Width and Height help you edit your custom size. Also you can choose between portrait or landscape sizes.
When you want print your layout latter you should also take care of printer margins.
Valentina will show you all printers it can find on you PC and retrieve minimal margin fields required by selected printer. The more space you will get for printer margins the less will be left for the Layout generator to find position for workpieces.
The margin fields have the same units as the paper size have.
Check option Ignore fields if don't want take printer margins into account.
Layout options
This is the second most important part of the Layout generator after paper size. To effectively use it you should have some understanding how the Layout generator works. So, let's see which options do we have and how to effectively use them.
- Gap Width - distance between workpieces on layout. Imagine this as additional layout allowance around a workpiece. So, actual distance between workpieces will be twice bigger than the gap width. If you don't use an automatic seam allowance at least check if it is correct. If it is not Valentina will create incorrect layout allowance and thus will produce an incorrect layout.
- Shift/Offset length - very important option that controls how accurate will work the Layout generator. The algorithm sees any workpiece as list of nodes. Any two nodes create an edge. Because it uses only vertices of edge as control positions sometime this is not enough. This option says how long should be an edge before it will be cutted on pieces. This process creates more positions to check and in some cases this make result better. But this also dramatically increase number of positions to check and make process of arrangement longer.
- Save length of the sheet - use this option if you prefer saving length of paper sheet. This is especially useful in case of roll paper format.
- Rotate workpiece - help avoid situations with workpieces that have convex shape. Those shapes can't be handled by basic algorithm. Rotation value sets angle value for single workpiece rotation around vertex point. For example: 180 means two rotations by 180 degree each. Numbers of rotations can be calculated from the expression 360/angle_value. Warning. Increasing rotation number will increase time for searching best position for workpiece.
- Rules for choosing the next workpiece - there are three possible strategies selecting workpieces for arrangement: three groups: big, middle, small, two groups: big, small and descending area. Valentina will calculate area of each workpiece and arrange them according to selected strategy.
- Auto crop unused length - select if you need to crop unused length of paper sheet. Usually used in combination with option Unite pages.
- Unite pages (if possible) - unite all pages in one if possible. Use it if you want to get one paper sheet from many smaller. The max length is restricted.