What is Macro Generator?

MacroGenerator (MacroGen) is a companion drafting tool for the Professional Studio, Grading Studio, or Marker Studio products from PatternMaker Software.

Instead of drafting a pattern in a specific size, as you do with PatternMaker, MacroGen lets you create a pattern that can be reused by any number of people with a wide range of sizes. The pattern is drafted with variables instead of fixed numbers, and the user is prompted for their measurements that replace the variables.

Program Overview

Compare a custom-made garment with ready-to-wear (RTW). The RTW garment uses more or less standardized measurements for each size. The center back measurement, for example, is a fixed number for size small, for size medium, and for size large. However, when the same garment is custom-made, the dressmaker or tailor will measure the subject and then use the person’s actual center back measurement, ensuring a much better fit.

The process of creating a macro is similar to drafting a pattern for a specific person—use the person’s body measurements to determine the distance from one point to another. However, in MacroGen, since you don’t know what the user’s measurement will be, you use a variable called “Center Back” to define the length from neck to waist.

MacroGen does make the assumption that you are familiar with the concepts and techniques of flat pattern drafting. It will not tell you, for example, how to determine where a point should be added, but it will help you with how to add it, once you have determined where.

MacroGen 4 offers the following features:

• Turn your own designs into a macro that can be used with the PatternMaker Basic Viewer or editing software
• Garments you design can be custom-drafted for each customer
• Customers can sew your designs using their own measurements
  
  

How does this work?

Set up the necessary measurements

• Create a list of variables that reflect the measurements you would take on a “live” subject
• Use any measurements you want!
• The end-user plugs her measurements into your list of variables, and your pattern is drafted using her measurements

Enter points that outline the pattern piece

• Add points using X,Y coordinates in a grid system
• Use your measurement variables to position new points (Point B is “center back length” away from Point A)
• Draft any pattern using named variables instead of fixed body measurements
• Extensive “Add Point” options let you draft the same way you do on paper: find a midpoint, continue a line, draw right angle, etc.
• Use any drafting system/fitting system you want to lay out your pattern

Organize advanced macro features:

• Set up style options like neckline or sleeve variations
• Set up conditions to automatically change the patterns:
  • based on measurements (if Waist Circumference is between xx and yy, draw one dart instead of two)
  • based on previously-selected options (skip the “Sleeve Cuff Style” option if the user selected short sleeves)

Create pattern objects and edit in PatternMaker

• Connect the dots to create pattern objects
• Send the objects to PatternMaker and move points, cut objects, slash-and-spread, etc.
• Save time by creating your basic pattern in MacroGenerator and then editing the details in PatternMaker

Customize the appearance

• Add your own style pictures to your design options
• Add a translation table so that your macro will run in your own language
  
  

Watch the movie:

One of the PatternMaker drafting programs (Professional Studio, Grading Studio, or Marker Studio) must be installed first in order for MacroGen to work properly. If you already own PatternMaker v7, you should update to the newest release (at no charge).

MacroGen 3 users receive a free upgrade to MacroGen 4. Include the date and dealer from whom you purchased MacroGen 3, and we will send you a new MacroGen 4 serial number.

A free 30-day trial of MacroGen is available. Contact us (support@patternmakerusa.com ) for a trial serial number.

Macro Generator Purchase and Download

Buy Macro Generator $499.00

Download Macro Generator