UserManual:Introduction: Difference between revisions

== What is ValentinaSeamly2D? == <!--T:6-->

[http://valentina-project.org/ ValentinaSeamly2D] is a cross-platform patternmaking program which allows designers to create and model patterns of clothing. This software allows pattern creation using either standard sizing tables or an individual’s set of measurements.

Currently, there is a lack of affordable software tools for creating patterns. Some people resort to using CAD tools or graphical editors designed for other purposes. These tools are inadequate when performing certain pattern making tasks (e.g. adding seam allowance, truing a dart, walking a seam). These programs can create a pattern in a single size, but when you want to make the pattern for a specific person then you must re-create the pattern from scratch. Also, making changes to the design of thea paper or CAD pattern is difficult and time consuming. This is where traditional methods of pattern drafting can be very useful. Why can't you tell a program how to change the pattern so you don't need to do it ever again?

== WhyWhat useis thePattern traditional methodMaking? == <!--T:8-->

'''Pattern Making''' or '''Pattern drafting''' is a system of pattern making where the lengths and positions of the pattern lines are calculated using mathematical formulas. These formulas depend on a set of body measurements either from a standard size or an individual's measurements. The better the formulas, the better the fit of the resulting garment.

Contemporary pattern makers rarely use drafting methods because they find it inefficient to startcreate eachbasic papersimple pattern fromshapes, scratchcalled "blocks". Instead, theyThey use existinga patterns, called "blocks",block as a starting pointbase to create new styles. They modify the blocks using '''flat pattern making''' techniques. These techniques consist of cutting sections of the patternblock and manipulating the pieces to relocate darts, add fullness, add tucks or other design elements, and shape the pattern to fit the hollows of the human body (i.e. contouring). A complex pattern created withfrom thesea techniquesblock stillwill fitsfit the standard figuresize or the individual's body for which the original block was created. However, paper patterns and CAD patterns do not adjust to a different set of measurements.

The advantage of recreating pattern drafting techniques in software is that the resulting formula-based patterns can be automatically custom-fitted to an individual's measurements. However, in orderor to createa patternsdifferent that are more complex than the traditional sloper, it is necessary to translate the flat pattern manipulations into formulas as wellsize. We believe that, using a bit of ingenuity and computing power, we can accomplish this task.

===What's wrong with ready-to-wear clothing sizes?===

Why is it important to make the pattern fit an individual's measurements? Because the standard sizes used in industrial production and home sewing patterns are [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/the-shape-of-things-to-wear-scientists-identify-how-womens-figures-have-changed-in-50-years-516259.html inadequate for a large part of the population]. Women, in particular, deviate greatly from the [http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/design/2012/01/clothing_sizes_getting_bigger_why_our_sizing_system_makes_no_sense_.html standard figure]. In America, for example, only 8 percent of women posses the hourglass figure that has long determined the proportions of clothing. It is no wonder that soan manyestimated clothes60% goof clothing goes unsold each year, even after multiple discounts, [http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/04/02/what-happens-to-all-of-those-clothes-retailers-cant-sell/ ending up in landfills].

Recently there has been an increase in demand for made-to-measure clothing and re-defined standard measurements within the 'slow fashion' and 'eco fashion' movements. Tools optimized for made-to-measure clothing and special sizes are needed to meet this demand. These tools can be used in the effort to promote local and regionally based garment manufacturing, small batch textile manufacturing, 'slow fashion', and 'eco fashion'. We hope ValentinaSeamly2D helps people all over the world promote local and slow manufacturing of clothing.

When people hear about ValentinaSeamly2D some of them think it is a program like Blender or a 3D pattern making application. They ask questions like the following: