DAP XV

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Design-A-Pattern is the original knitter-friendly charting program for Windows computers. First introduced in 1987 as a DOS-based program, it became the standard of value for home-based and professional machine knitters. Personal service and customer satisfaction have been Design-A-Pattern hallmarks as programs have been continually updated using customer suggestions for new capabilities.

Design-A-Pattern XV7 runs on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10 (including touchscreen systems).
Key features from classic DAP programs were retained while expanding or adding new capabilities such as diagonal knitting, styling alterations and freestyle design using MS Paint. Design-A-Pattern uses your finished measurements and yarn gauges to draw customized patterns on the screen. Starter sizing is available with numerous adjustable measurements to accurately shape garments for infant to 'mature' figures. Rows and stitches are still calculated directly from on-screen pattern drawings for precise row-by-row stitch directions using your measurements and desired shaping. Extra features such as Knit Contour and Cut-n-Sew templates, Collar/Neckline Trim designer and Yarn Estimator features are also expanded.

All Design-A-Pattern printouts utilize standard Windows WordPad and MS Paint programs to insure compatibility with customer Windows computers and printers. Text and graphic outputs can be copied or saved for use with other word processors or graphics software. Pattern printouts work for any knitting machine since Design-A-Pattern is a stand-alone charting program without special connections between computer and knitting machine.

PROGRAM INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

Design-A-Pattern XV7 is recommended for 32- and 64-bit computers using Windows (VISTA to Windows 10). Each Windows system has unique file structures and User Account settings that can affect program installation and operation. User Accounts are designed to improve security on shared computers by limiting hard drive file access between multiple users. Since Design-A-Pattern XV7 must access the hard drive to run properly, installation varies for different systems.

Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista and XP (Service Pack #3)
Default Windows User Account settings are active to protect all folders and files from changes unless they are in the Public directory. Therefore, "C:/Users/Public/DAP XV" is the default installation path to avoid User Account restrictions. This default folder can be changed during installation, but the computer's Public directory should be used for the path. Installation to other "non-Public" directories are possible if User Accounts are deactivated (via Control Panel), but this is not recommended due to security issues.

Windows XP (pre-Service Pack #3)
Extra support files may be needed if they were not included with update installations from Windows or other programs. The Design-A-Pattern installation program indicates if correct .NET Framework folder files are present. The required installation file ("dotnetfx.exe" version 2.0) is a free download from Microsoft's website. It can also be found on the Design-A-Pattern installation CD if needed. Another file (" WindowsInstaller-KB884016-v2-x86.exe ") may be needed to install " dotnetfx.exe ". This file is also a free Microsoft download and can be found on the Design-A-Pattern CD if needed. After running " dotnetfx.exe " to install .NET Framework files, the Design-A-Pattern installation program must be run again.

TAB #1: Information Screen
Three types of information are entered on TAB #1. The Style Selection panel is required for initial garment and neckline styles. Default values will give a capsleeve set-in pullover with crew necklines, but 9 pattern styles and 14 neckline styles are available for selection. Selecting "Pullover" gives directions for a symmetric front panel printout while "Cardigan" gives directions for left and right front panels as well as back and sleeve panels. Selecting "Cardigan" provides more design flexibility since the front panels can be made asymmetrical using PaintBrush adjustments.

TAB #2: Measurements Screen
More than 20 measurements are used by Design-A-Pattern to create pattern designs, and these can be added in three ways. The simplest way to enter new measurements is with Starter Sizing drop-down boxes to select predefined measurements from a variety of Men, Women, Misses and Children sizes. These measurements can be customized on Tab #3. The Get Measurements button retrieves existing measurements from a previous design. New measurements are best entered with the New Sizing panel as detailed descriptions for taking accurate body measurements are provided .

TAB #3: Design Screen
This screen displays panel shaping for design refinements and calculating pattern rows and stitches. Panels are redrawn immediately in proportioned scale as displayed body, neckline or sleeve measurements are adjusted with the numeric boxes. Pattern style selections can also be changed using drop-down boxes. The "Calculate" menu is used to determine rows and stitches for any or all panels by scanning panel pictures for black pixels. The screen menu also includes buttons to send/retrieve any panel or freestyle measurement grid for shaping in Windows Paintbrush.

TAB #4: Pattern Output Screen
After completing row/stitch calculations on Tab #3, pattern printouts are created on this screen using the Pattern Preview Editor and buttons to manipulate the output. The Pattern Preview Editor is a simple word processing tool to preview and edit pattern directions which can be printed to take to your knitting machine, or read directly from screen if using a portable computer at your knitting machine. In addition to printing patterns, directions can be saved or copied for use with other programs.

TAB #7: Help Screen
The final tab displays program support information. The user manual is shown by default when the HELP Tab is clicked. Buttons switch between the manual and Needle Nook website as well as send an email to Ileen's Needle Nook with program questions or suggestions (if internet access is available). Buttons are also provided to visit other web addresses with forward and backward paging. In addition, Help menu items navigate to a complete sample printout and list of frequently asked questions within the manual.

TAB #6: Collars Screen
This screen calculates trims or collars using garment neckline sizing, but different yarn gauges and tension settings can be used for garments and collars. The preview box shows pattern text and graphic directions for collars or trim selected from drop-down boxes for rounded and angled neckline shapes. A collar / trim graphic can be added to text d irections before p rinting via WordPad. Cut, Copy and Paste Buttons are available for combining collar patterns with garment patterns.

Volume #4
Advanced Cardigan Sweaters

Double-breasted Top
Crossover Top
Bolero Vest
Concave Bottom Vest
Convex Bottom Vest
Pointed Bottom Vest
Round Bottom Vest
Angle Bottom Vest

6 Armhole Styles
12+ Neckline Styles
9 Collar Trim Styles

Diagonal Knitting
Freestyle Designs

Volume #5
Outfits for Dolls and Children

1-piece top/briefs
1-piece top/shorts
1-piece top/leggings
1-piece top/skirt
1-piece top/sack
Small Sweater Tops
Small A-line Skirts
Small Leggings

6 Armhole Styles
12+ Neckline Styles
9 Collar Trim Styles

Freestyle Designs

TAB #5: Graphics Screen
After designing the garment on Tab #3, this screen is used to overlay grids onto any displayed panel. Clicking any panel graphic loads that panel into the large picture box for adding overlay grids. These include rows and stitches (with or w/o sizing), Cut-N-Sew grids to print full size panel sections, and 25-50% scale printouts to use with Knit Contour & Radar accessories. Overlay graphics can be printed, saved or copied individually or added to text printouts on Tab #3. Patterns are printed via Windows Wordpad or MSPaint to insure printer compatibility.

Volume #4
Advanced Cardigan Sweaters

Double-breasted Top
Crossover Top
Bolero Vest
Concave Bottom Vest
Convex Bottom Vest
Pointed Bottom Vest
Round Bottom Vest
Angle Bottom Vest

6 Armhole Styles
12+ Neckline Styles
9 Collar Trim Styles

Diagonal Knitting
Freestyle Designs

Volume #5
Outfits for Dolls and Children

1-piece top/briefs
1-piece top/shorts
1-piece top/leggings
1-piece top/skirt
1-piece top/sack
Small Sweater Tops
Small A-line Skirts
Small Leggings

6 Armhole Styles
12+ Neckline Styles
9 Collar Trim Styles

Freestyle Designs

SCREEN OVERVIEW

All Design-A-Pattern XV7 volumes consist of multiple screen tabs to guide users logically through the pattern design process. After clicking "START" on the opening screen, basic pattern and yarn information are entered on Tab #1. New or saved measurements are input on Tab #2 before customizing garment designs to calculate rows and stitches on Tab #3. A variety of text and graphic pattern outputs are provided on Tabs #4 and #5. Knitting directions for optional collars and neckline trims can be created on Tab #6. A final tab provides customer support via the html-based user manual as well as email and web-access to Ileen's Needle Nook. Tab screens are selected by clicking Tab names or using green-colored screen buttons.

Descriptions of each tab are shown below for Design-A-Pattern Volume #1. Other volumes have similar tabs, but garment styles and shaping options differ