I am completely frustrated with PatternMaker. Thinking of checking out other pattern drafting software mentioned in current (March 2012) Threads, but tend to trust Kim’s assessment that PatternMaker is the best there is. If this is true, why oh why can’t it be more user-friendly and intuitive? I’m completely stumped on how to do things, even with tutorials (it took me two hours to do a basic sloper just for practice).. And I I’m not sure whether or not I would be able to import the patterns I get from the project into these other programs. Does anyone know about that??
Kim’s waaay too busy administering details of the project for me to demand her time. Is there anyone else out there who can convince me that this is worth mastering?. Seems, at this time, to be too much trouble to be worth it.
But, if I give up on Patternmaker, are there patterns coming out that will be too complicated for me to deal with them as manual re-drafting projects? I don’t want to give up, but don’t want to waste my time either. I really want to continue with the project.
(I am posting here rather than on Facebook as I understand there are many folks not following the group there…) Advice, please.
I still prefer doing everything by hand myself. I’ve been lucky to work with wonderful drapers/patternmakers in the film and theatre world who I’ve picked up some tips from – I find that computer programs eat more time than doing it the old-fashioned way (and I’m quite good with computers!). I can’t say I’ve ever personally known anyone who uses computer patterning software professionally.
Don’t know if this will help you, but I’ve found this book by Helen Joseph Armstrong wonderful. It’s a bit expensive (as all text books tend to be), but it is totally worth it! It is my go-to when I have a question or need a formula or measurement chart. The link is for the 3rd edition that I have – I know there’s a newer one but the older edition has a “look-inside” feature on amazon.
Just dug this pattern grading link out of my favorites – I had forgotten about it! =)
I share some of your frustrations. Another issue for me is our temporary access to Patternmaker. I hesitate to spend a lot of time figuring it out if it’s going away.
Send me an email and maybe I can help with the frustration. I have done A LOT of tutorial writing on PatternMaker and most of it isn’t posted here because I didn’t want to hijack this.
But it isn’t mandatory. Some people get it easily and some don’t. It is kind of like using Photoshop, it can be very powerful, but if it isn’t for you – DON’T SWEAT IT!
As far as temporary, the free version of PM is permanent as long as you want it. So you will always have access to the saved patterns, just not be able to do anything new.