2D Pattern Editor
A guide to Niche Studio's 2D pattern editor: flattening 3D designs into cuttable pieces, editing curves, and preparing pieces for grading and export.
Updated January 8, 20267 min read
From 3D design to 2D pieces
Pattern Flatten unwraps a simulated 3D garment into flat 2D pieces the way a pattern maker would trace a draped toile: each panel is unrolled along its natural grain, keeping curved seam lines and dart intake intact rather than approximating them as straight edges.
Pattern Construct is the direct-drawing counterpart — draft pieces from measurements and construction lines when you are not starting from a 3D simulation, or when you need to hand-correct a flattened piece.
Editing tools
- Point and curve editing on every pattern piece, with grainline and fold-line indicators.
- Dart manipulation: rotate, split, or convert a dart into ease or a seam.
- Seam walking — matching the length of two seam lines that will be sewn together, with notches inserted at match points.
- Internal lines for pockets, topstitching, and placement guides that carry through to the tech pack's construction page.
Checks before exporting
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Seam allowance present on every cut edge | Missing allowance produces a garment that comes back undersized |
| Notches at every match point | Notches are how a sewing line matches two pieces without measuring each time |
| Grainline set on each piece | Wrong grain changes drape and can cause twisting after washing |
| Seam lengths matched by seam walking | Mismatched seam lengths force easing or puckering during sewing |