Kit-O-Mat New feature

Our programmer, Jim, has gone overboard fixing a bug and added a great new feature. The image shown is an example of what can be scored into walls or decking. There are several different patterns:

• rows: a set of parallel horizontal lines at a specified interval


• columns: a set of parallel vertical lines at a specified interval


• grid: a set of horizontal AND vertical lines from edge to edge


• horizontal stagger: horizontal lines, then staggered verticals between them; for brick walls, etc.


• vertical stagger: similar to horizontal stagger only vertical

All layout can be done from an origin point, which will vary based on the part and material. For example, block or brick walls can "start at the bottom", with any truncated rows hidden under the roof. Or planks in decking can start from an outer edge (farthest from the building).

He also tossed in some "jitter", essentially a little variation in the placement of each line. It maintains proper intersections even if heavy jitter is used, as in the decking example, which has jitter in both directions. Subtle use of jitter values will result in some subtle, rough-hewn effects.

You can specify a "margin" for each edge, essentially a safe zone where divisions won't occur. This is to eliminate "orphans" (tiny slivers of wood, or 1/10 of a brick) where appropriate.

I'll need to revise the materials section and training movie but I think it is well worth it.