Repeater, Scatter, Hatch and the maker tools in Vectornation
Seven maker tools in Vectornation by Zaweba: Repeater, Scatter, Wave line, Connector, Hatch, Crop and Offset drag, for patterns, diagrams and texture.
Some drawing jobs are less about drawing and more about making: repeating an element, scattering it, connecting things up or filling an area with lines. Vectornation by Zaweba gathers seven tools for these jobs, Scatter, Repeater, Wave line, Connector, Hatch, Crop and Offset drag.
Each is simple on its own. Together they cover a surprising amount of everyday design work.
Repeater and Scatter
Repeater repeats artwork in a row, a grid or a circle. A row of fence posts, a grid of tiles, the numbers round a clock face or petals around a flower centre are all quick with it. Draw one element, choose the arrangement and let the tool lay out the copies.
Scatter scatters copies. Where Repeater is orderly, Scatter is loose: stars across a night sky, confetti over a party invitation, leaves across a lawn, speckles on a texture. Scattered copies feel natural in a way that a grid never does.
Used together, they cover both ends of pattern making, from strict geometry to organic spread.
Wave line, Connector and Hatch
These three draw particular kinds of line. Wave line draws wavy lines, which suit water, decorative dividers, sound waves and playful borders. Drawing an even wave by hand is tricky, so a tool for it saves time.
Connector draws connector lines, the kind used to join boxes in a diagram, flowchart or organisation chart.
Hatch draws hatch lines, the parallel strokes used for shading in technical drawings, engraving styles, maps and comic art. Hatching is a classic way to show tone with line alone, and is useful for one colour print work, screen printing and line art that should look hand engraved.
Crop and Offset drag
Crop clips or trims artwork. When an illustration spills over the edge of the space it should fill, crop it to the frame. Clipping hides the excess while keeping it, so you can adjust later; trimming removes it.
Offset drag drags an offset of a path. Rather than setting a distance in a dialog, you drag to create an outline a distance from the original, judging it by eye. It is quick for outlines around stickers, borders inside shapes and inline effects on lettering.
Combining them
The maker tools work well together and with the rest of the app. Repeat a shape around a circle, then crop the result into a frame. Scatter elements over a background, then hatch a shadow area beneath them. Build a diagram with shapes, link them with connectors, and add a wave line as a decorative divider.
They also pair with the live repeats under Object, Repeat (Radial, Grid and Mirror), which keep a repeated design editable, and with Step and repeat for print layouts such as label sheets.
Tips for good results
With Repeater, design the single element carefully first, because every flaw is repeated. With Scatter, vary the result: a scatter that is too even looks mechanical. With Hatch, think about the final size; fine hatching that looks lovely on screen may fill in when printed small. With Crop, prefer clipping while the design is still changing so nothing is lost.
Where they help most
These tools earn their place in pattern design, illustration backgrounds, diagrams, maps, packaging and print. They turn jobs that would be tedious by hand into a few moments' work in Vectornation by Zaweba, and leave you more time for the parts of a design that need real attention.
