Pleats or folds can be created by moving each line of cells alternately to create a zig-zag type movement in the grid. This method develops the process further by adding extra cells to the grid to make the curves smoother and more natural.
To place a design on a pleated area of fabric, you need to make the grid follow the flow of the fabric. If there are any sharp corners or flat edges on the grid, the design will not look realistic when it is transferred to the scene.
- Open a scene which contains an area of pleated, or draping fabric.
- Draw a grid over the area and manipulate it until you have basic folds in the grid.
This grid was created using a rectangular grid. It was drawn horizontally first, and then twisted using the Grid Selection Tool with the ⌥ (option key) held down.
Approximate pleats were made with the Grid Selection Tool and the finger icon, moving each vertical line of points up, down or slightly across.
Note: It is important that the grid covers the whole area required and doesn’t leave gaps round any of the edges, so that when the design is transferred, it covers the whole area needed.
- Go to Grid Menu > Smooth to create smoother curves in each grid cell.
- Enter the Grid Refinement Factors to be used in the selected grid. Do not click Subdivide Only.
The Grid Refinement Factor will be multiplied by the total number of cells across and down the grid, refining the curves and making them smoother. A factor of 2 used for both Across and Down, will double the number of cells across and down.
The grid will be redrawn with the extra cells added.
If you have already set the scale of your grid at this point, you will need to reset it at this point.
Note: You do not have to make the original grid particularly accurate before smoothing it, because smoothing is designed to even out any sharp points or bumps in the grid.