Measuring patterns in Adobe Illustrator - Digital pattern cutting

Part 3 in a series of tutorials that demonstrate digital pattern cutting in Adobe Illustrator.
Watch the tutorial & get downloadable content here: patternlab.london/home/projec...
Like manual paper pattern cutting, the ruler is possibly the most important tool in your arsenal. Having the ability to measure straight and curved lines, and mark points on those lines is a fundamental part of pattern cutting. It’s the same for digital pattern cutting, although, the tools we use are slightly different. In this tutorial, we show you which tools we use to do this and how to use them effectively.
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[@lotita123]

Your trick to measure curves with the document infos has just changed my life !

[@PatternLabLondon]

That's great news! I'm glad we could help :)

[@XxBunnytailxX]

It's such a relief to see that pattern drafting can be legitimately done on Ai since I already love using that software, and so comfortable with it. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@PatternLabLondon]

You're very welcome. Enjoy the process!

[@tajfu9626]

I've opened Adobe Illustrator for the first time ever and this tutorial was extremely useful for me! Thank you. Also, I like the voice))

[@PatternLabLondon]

Ah, amazing! I'm glad you like the tutorials! Adobe is an amazing platform for Pattern cutting once you get the hang of it.

[@janinnas.4632]

This is amazing, especially the dart manipulation which I've only ever done manually. Thank you for your content, subscribed!

[@PatternLabLondon]

Hi Janinna, you're very welcome! Thanks for the subscription.

[@lenkasturmankinova6547]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!! Much appreciated

[@PatternLabLondon]

Any time!

[@sprainha]

ive just discovered you and this has been a godsend. clear and precise information and explanations . thank you : 😊 🙏

[@PatternLabLondon]

You are so welcome

[@olgami-surfacepatterndesig9204]

Thank you so much about this video! I found what I was looking!

[@PatternLabLondon]

I'm so glad!

[@Gelliny]

This was really helpful. Thanks!

[@exincident]

Excellent . This was exactly I was looking for . Thank you !

[@PatternLabLondon]

No worries! Enjoy.

[@esmeraldavink3780]

@@PatternLabLondon thankyou for free knowledge

[@karienterprise]

😮❤❤❤ wow just stumbled over this! That’s amazing! Can’t wait to try! Used to work with Grafis, i am curious if i can make it with this

[@PatternLabLondon]

Go for it! I'm sure you can!

[@PeteseantisiRonaldoTR]

Thank you

[@PatternLabLondon]

You're welcome

[@gorillacels3834]

you know if you just draw a circle from the shoulder point with 5cm radius, the circle with intercept all lines in a 5cm radius.

[@PatternLabLondon]

That's a great tip thanks for sharing it!

[@wearwhatyoumake]

Thank you! I'm enjoying this series and was able to navigate these tools in illustrator a lot easier than I thought I could. I wanted to ask...is the measuring process how you confirm that your pattern pieces are true to size and accurate according to the original physical pattern? Or do you use your points to do this?

[@PatternLabLondon]

Generally I don't measure my points or pattern after drafting because i've never had an issue with the scale. I know Adobe is quite reliable when it comes to measurements. However, if you are new to Adobe and drafting patterns, then it's best to check, so you become reassured or comfortable with the process of drafting on a computer screen and not on paper. In addition. When I move a point. by a set amount, I know for a fact that it has moved that distance. I don;t often check to make sure. This tutorial is simply to showcase how you might measure a distance.

[@AlexandriaPerel]

These videos are great, my only thing is that the information comes at you really fast, which makes it a little harder to follow along.

[@nadiaseelbach1854]

You can slow down the speed of the video in case, very useful

[@PatternLabLondon]

Thanks for the tip! We'll keep that in mind next time we create another tutorial

[@TheDressmakersCloset]

Hi if I was to add one of your notches to my bodice piece does it need joining or grouping onto the line ...... what I mean is if I move the line would the notch move with it too? Thanks

[@PatternLabLondon]

Hi Loopy. The best way to add a notch is to draw it in the location you need it. Next, select the pattern and the notch with the big selection tool (black arrow). Finally group the pattern and the notch: Menu bar: object> group. This will lock the notch to the pattern so you can move it without losing the notch. I hope this helps!

[@seekertosecrets]

Hi. First time coming across your channel. I was looking for a tutorial on the net about digitally making a clothing pattern online. I have experience with Illustrator, but I wasn't sure on how to approach this subject. So here is my question. If I were to get my personal body measurements and draw them out on Illustrator, can I print them out using an inkjet printer? I know it 's going to take up a lot of sheets, but I was wondering if that's possible.

[@PatternLabLondon]

You could draft your own block using your measurements to create a custom fitting basic block but you would need a set of instructions to draft the pattern from scratch. Once drafted you could print them out on multiple sheets of A4. So, yes absolutely. That would take some time and skill! You could always use our software platform to do that for you. We draft basic blocks that fit your measurements accurately and output it as either as a multipage PDF or as an ePattern - digital version of your block. Take a look at our site to start drafting a block that fits you like a glove. patternlab.london/lab

[@gitasararata2]

You’re video really help me alot, i’m thankful for that, however i’m strugling with connecting the point because it joined automatically, i’m using ctrl+2 everytime i make a line to prevent it from joining together, but it’s tiring 😢 i want it to separate when i’m connecting them, please i need your help

[@ArvindKumar-yu2uj]

i dont know ...who the hell is that people who dislike your video...once i will get them...i will kick them. your videos are really amazing..and helpful...for me..i love your video.

[@PatternLabLondon]

Please don’t kick anyone! We certainly don’t condone that, but thank you for your other really nice comments. I’m glad you like the tutorials!

[@ArvindKumar-yu2uj]

@@PatternLabLondon yess...because you are the best.

[@PatternLabLondon]

Thanks! That means a lot to us.

[@chloezheng3069]

Great video. When I try to cut on a curve, I can't see the length on the document info until I click again using the small selection tool. Then when I undo cut to reposition, the marker is lost. Is there something wrong with my settings? Or am I suppose to hold down certain key when I click.

[@PatternLabLondon]

First, select the line tool and place your cursor at the cut point on the line. Next, hit CTRL+Z keys on your keyboard to undo the previous cut. Your cursor will be in the correct location and the line will be restored. Finally, draw line from that location to make the existing cut point. Give it a try!

[@Madebyroe_]

So measuring the full armhole I need to do the last step multiple times and add the measurements together?

[@PatternLabLondon]

Yes that's correct!

[@TiRekSza]

Hello! Thank you, it was very useful! :) One question: Can I draw an X length (10 cm) line in Illustrator and then bend it withouth changing it's length? Not the width and height. I would like to change it's shape and make it curve, but keep it 10 cm long, no matter how tall or wide it is. Or haven't the developers solved this yet? :(

[@PatternLabLondon]

This is not something that we've come across and after doing some research it does not look like it is possible. What are you trying to do exactly using this technique? Possibly there is a work around?

[@eliseorodriguez1083]

Hello, how do you get that tool? What is it called In AI... I am new to this software... thanks

[@PatternLabLondon]

Hi Eliseo, Which tool or part of the tutorial are you referring to? All of the tools used in this tutorial are all present in the Adobe Illustrator CC software. We have a tutorial that shows you how to set up your workspace with all the tools you will need for pattern making in Ai. Possibly that will help you find the tool you need. You can watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXfXdatpiMqYgck . I hope this helps!

[@krilzmanstudios]

Gr8 tut. This is what i looking for. It just that when it come to measure on the curve line, is there any way that we put specific measurement instead of pin point guess (scissor & undo) ?

[@PatternLabLondon]

Yes absolutely. You can pin point a measurement along a line by using the dashed line tool (stroke toolbar). Select the line you want to measure along, navigate to stroke (left menu bar) and tick the dashed line option. In the first dash input box add your measurement, but make sure you add the units of measure after the number e.g. "7 CM", in the next input box add 20cm. Your line will now have a dash of whatever measurement you added and a space of 20cm. You can now mark a point where that dash ends. To change the direction of your measurement, select the line, navigate to Object>Path>Reverse path direction. Hopefully that helps. This concept is demonstrated in one of our recent tutorials but I can't find it right now.

[@krilzmanstudios]

@@PatternLabLondon thanks for prompt reply. i'll try this.

[@krilzmanstudios]

Hi, i tried this method on my project. Somehow, the measurement doesnt appeared correctly. Its almost but didnt exact. For instance, i inserted 1168 mm on the dash & gap, but when i check on document info for path lenght, it shows 1198 mm.. Not sure where my mistake is.

[@khulood.0]

I am struggling with Pathfinder 😢. Can you make a video on how to use it correctly

[@PatternLabLondon]

Pathfinder can be trick to use. If you email us at [e-mail] wI can help you further :)

[@christinelee6477]

Hello, I don’t have the key. How do we access it?

[@PatternLabLondon]

You need the cutting table. You can download it here: patternlab.london/home/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Cutting-table-new.zip

[@houseofdenham1615]

Why do you use the line segment tool to measure, what's wrong with the measuring tool?

[@PatternLabLondon]

You can use both, but I like to reduce the number of tools that I use and have present on the toolbar. I use the line tool often for both measuring and drawing lines. It's a personal preference and quick to use one tool rather than two.

[@nablomkpatternmaking5649]

do you have a course teach how to design Block in AI? thank you

[@PatternLabLondon]

We don't currently have any tutorials that demonstrate how to draft a block from scratch in Adobe illustrator but we are putting that course together as we speak. We'll update people when the course is ready for Launch.

[@silversagapatterns]

How do you create your point?

[@PatternLabLondon]

I use the ellipse tool. With the ellipse tool selected, hold down the SHIFT key and click & drag anywhere on the page. Next, select the type tool, Click anywhere on the page and type "0". Next, using the selection tool, move the text close to the top right of the circle. Using the selection tool, click and drag around the circle and the type to select them both. Finally hit the Command+G keys on your keyboard to group the point. You can now select the point, copy and paste it as many times as you like. Change the type each time you make a new point. Point:1, 2, 3, 4 etc. Hopefully that helps!?

[@Ourfirma]

Thank you so much, do you have any online course

[@PatternLabLondon]

Hi S.O.B, We have many online courses that you can follow and learn from. Check out our KZbin channel and playlist to see the full array of courses on offer. Thanks!

[@shereenpillay8828]

is it possible for measurements to be displayed?

[@PatternLabLondon]

These tutorials have already been created and therefore we can't go back and add those measurements, however, we will endeavour to add these measurements to future tutorials. Thanks for your suggestion :D

[@mohamedshahatAhmed]

MR:HOW CAN IMPORT PDF PATTERN TO GERBER ACCUMAK? THANKSSSSS

[@PatternLabLondon]

You need to export your digital pattern as a .DXF file from Adobe illustrator. File> export>

[@eileendover3938]

Ok what am I doing wrong? Every time I click in the little circle to try to put a line, it moves the circle. Is it not a circle? What is the dot made of that yours doesn’t move and mine does?

[@PatternLabLondon]

It sounds like you are using the selection tool. The selection toll will select the circle and move it. To draw a line from the circle, you need to select the line tool on the left menu. You can also use "\" on your keyboard to select the line tool. Once the line tool has been selected, click in the centre of the circle and drag from one point to another. I hope that helps?!

[@eileendover3938]

@@PatternLabLondon thank you I will try again!

[@fiverrlogodesigner361]

What should be the artboard size brother?

[@PatternLabLondon]

Hi Fiverr, The artboard can be as big as you like. I usually use 500cm x 500cm to give plenty of space.

[@fiverrlogodesigner361]

@@PatternLabLondon so if we keep it 800 600px, there will be no problem in measurement? So simply the artboard size doesn't matter?

[@fiverrlogodesigner361]

Actually I did a sketch for swim shorts and when I did the measurements, the measurements were very very small. The client needed exact measurements and now he's gone...

[@PatternLabLondon]

Hi Fiverr, Can you explain more? I'm not sure what the issue is? We do not currently have basic trouser or shorts blocks, so i'm assuming the pattern was not ours? If you can elaborate, possibly I can help?

[@fiverrlogodesigner361]

@@PatternLabLondon actually the client sent me pic of swimshort. I drew vector from the pic. Then I placed the logo in the bottom of left leg. Now O had to do measurements like how much width is from logo to both sides. When I created lines(for purpose of measurement) and measured from Properties, the width in cm was very less which was not practically possible... So please guide me above and also tell me should buyer have given me some measurements and then I had to draw from the given measurements or what else is tje process?

[@fiverrlogodesigner361]

@@PatternLabLondon?

[@ArvindKumar-yu2uj]

@@fiverrlogodesigner361 hi..I think the pattern you had created....may be not exact size of the client.......

[@Dolleemixtures]

＞googles price of adobe illustrator. cries

[@PatternLabLondon]

You can also use free platforms like Inkscape, but we don’t provide tutorials on that software platform. There should be plenty of tutorials online on how to find the various tools though.

[@Dolleemixtures]

@@PatternLabLondon omg!! Thank you so much for the advice. I really want to be able to make doll clothes patterns for free! That's a great help 💚

[@jcopp100]

i am soo confused...lol i am soo new to illustrator it is very confusing

[@PatternLabLondon]

Keep reviewing the tutorials. You’ll get it!

[@101Falak]

This person sounds like my ex boy friend omg hahaha

[@PatternLabLondon]

Hope it's not weird!