ID Scribe: A closer look
An overlay mosaic pattern designer’s take
on the software created by David Q. Orth
For the last few years of designing overlay mosaic patterns, I have constantly searched for a program that would not only shorten the whole process, but also provide an easier drawing platform to create in. While ID Scribe by David Q. Orth is still a work in progress, it hits many areas on my software wish list.
The first thing you should note is that this software is a work in progress. I began my trial on July 13, 2022, and in this almost month long venture, Orth added and tweaked and evolved his program in real time. If you read my previous post regarding designing, you will already know that Orth was the first designer who was actually nice to me and provided a little guidance at the beginning of my designing venture, so I was excited when he announced he was building a pattern program. While there is still a way to go before he meets his vision, the program already has some great features.
Starting Up
When I first began using ID Scribe, I kind of felt as though I was going to need a lot of hours of time investment before getting to create a pattern file. Things are laid out a little differently from the programs I have tried and used before, but it just seemed more streamlined without the unnecessary things added in. That made it easily navigable and quick to learn instead! From the main menu, you can choose whether you are opening a saved pattern file, a made from scratch graph, or a graph from a picture. Once your file is loaded, you simply choose between interlocking or mosaic, size of your piece, and can begin drawing.
This is where I had to put in extra time. The drawing dynamic was awesome once I got accustomed to how it worked, but it did take a little time to adjust. I am used to drawing in pixels in Excel charts, but this program allowed for me to actually draw without having to think about mosaic layout restrictions. Where I felt so limited in excel, I was now able to freehand draw and doodle. One of the first patterns I drew was actually a doodle that I began drawing on my notes when I was in middle school and continued
drawing throughout the years all the way through my notes from my last teachers’ meeting. To be honest, this is what sold me on the program. I was no longer restricted to drawing square by square! And being able to use my tablet’s pen to draw is awesome!
After spending a few days just obsessively drawing, I began trying out other features already implemented. The second thing you should note is that if you are easily annoyed by bugs, or program crashes, or that the program is a wip, then you may want to wait to subscribe. Also, just like any other program, ID Scribe is not going to do all the work for you. Because Orth is continuously working on and improving the program, you will still have to do some things to get to finish a pattern file to sell. While you can import images and get some pretty impressive results depending on your picture resolution, editing will be needed. Please remember not to just import clip art/svgs/vectors someone else has drawn and market it as your own personal creation. It’s not cool and you could get in trouble. Instead, use this program to really solidify your own style and brand.
This is a picture of my nephew’s birthday party about 16 years ago. I only uploaded to the program and made no changes, so it can definitely be edited to look even better.
What you need in addition to ID Scribe
Since ID Scribe is a wip, there are some features not available yet. This means that you will need to use other programs to complete a pattern file.
While in your pattern file in the program, you can see the gridded and marked up versions of your graph and the pattern key, downloading these is not possible yet.
A program like GIMP will be needed to download the small, non-gridded, unmarked graph into. You do need to have some basic knowledge of the photo program you choose to use and how to convert pictures like the graph you download from ID Scribe.
In addition to a photo editor, you will also still need to use Excel, or another program like it to open the graph from your photo editing software.
Once you have loaded the graph into excel, it is already laid out as one pixel per square and all mine were in black and white, though Hue Saturation and Lightness are available. So, you may have to change the color of the graph.
Since the feature is not yet ready, you will need to manually add in the Xs to your chart.
Once you have your chart formatted to your liking, marked up, and numbered, you will need to create your pattern file in Word, or another similar program before converting to pdf.
While the directions can be downloaded, I have had to do some pretty heavy editing with row numbering and deleting/adding some rows to make it overlay mosaic compatible.
Mosaic vs Interlocking
While the program also allows you to switch between mosaic and interlocking, it is more skewed toward interlocking and the formatting those charts require. Each layout begins with a frame around the canvas that can’t really be changed at the moment- if you color it in, it is not going to transfer into your photo editing software colored in.
You will also notice that for overlay mosaic, the chart begins on Color (B) instead of Color (A). This means that if left as is, your first row would begin the design instead of the background. This can be easily fixed in Excel by adding in your first and last rows of Color (A). As you may have guessed, this does mess up the numbering of the directions you can download from the program. The written rows also come with the label of DKC and LC after the row number. Though this stands for dark color and light color, this is not relevant to mosaic patterns. So, I have made a couple pattern files- 1 where I just renumbered due to the necessary addition of a Color (A) row 1 and last row, and relabled with Color (A), (B). For the other pattern files, I decided to delete he automatic frame around the picture I drew since it couldn’t be colored in, so I basically had to write the directions from scratch. The directions may cause some confusion for some crocheters because they include a new, or different abbreviation. Instead of writing (dc1, sc1), it uses DS1 instead. In some places in the written row directions, it may look a little weird even though it is technically correct. For instance, the program will write: Row 4 -- LC BS, S75, DS2, D22, DS1… Instead of Row 4(B): bs, s75, (d,s)x 2, d23, s1…. This can be remedied by making sure it is explained in the pattern key you use.
ID Scribe allows you to toggle between the 2 styles so that you can see and compare your charts in different versions and use them for pattern files. Before you do this, make sure you have saved your file already because what you drew will change when toggling and may not change back from interlocking to mosaic correctly. I lost a couple designs that way. This is because interlocking has different requirements from overlay, some stitches are changed since they won’t translate perfectly between the two. So for me, I probably won’t be creating the pattern in both styles since I focus on overlay and switching to interlocking would require more editing that I’m not putting time into yet.
Final Verdict and Checklist
Is it worth it? You can try ID Scribe for $10 a month, or subscribe for one year at $100. While I really dislike sub services, this is the way most things are going these days. For me, just the fact that I can freehand draw in this program makes it worth it. I have not used another program that has been streamlined to these specific pattern types with this same ability at continuous drawing. In just a couple weeks, I have amassed well over 100 drawings- about half will be scrapped, some need tweaking, and others, like the pics you see in this post- are already in testing. Though only my drawing time has been affected by this program (I draw way more in less time), I am not bothered that I currently still have to add Xs to the charts, or edit/write the directions myself. Like I’ve stated, the drawing component sold me on the program. So, as long as you are willing to put in some effort while realizing that this program is constantly evolving, and can check off the items listed below, I would highly recommend you subscribe. If you are looking for a program that will do everything for you, you may want to wait until more of the designer’s visions have been implemented and tested for awhile.
Checklist for Success
This is what I needed to successfully create finished pattern files.
Have prior knowledge of mosaic, and/or interlocking pattern creation and drawing
Make sure you have GIMP, or similar software and are familiar with at least some basics
Have a program like Excel, or comparable and know how to use it
Choose your sub service and log into ID Scribe (Note that it best functions in Opera or Chrome)
Find the program and more info here: https://www.dqorthdesigns.com/
Join the new ID Scribe Facebook Support Group
Start learning and using the program and its current features
Be aware that there are still bugs, a chance for new bugs as more features are added in, and that the program is continuously evolving and those bugs are definitely being addressed quickly
Finally- create! Bring your vision to life on screen and in yarn!
Have you already tried ID Scribe? What are your thoughts, or tips for beginners?
Pictures of patterns you see in this post will be available soon!