Playing with 60º in PatchDraw

These instructions require you to use the Advanced Drawing tools so that you can toggle certain tools off and on.  Please read all about adding them to the toolbar and their particular uses in your EQ4 Help files. OR buy Barb Vlack's book, "EQ Magic". :->

1. Snap to Grid ON.  From the Polygon tool flyout menu select the hexagon.  Point the mouse to the top center grid point of the block and then holding the mouse button down, draw/drag the shape ending at the opposite center point on the bottom. of the block  The hexagon shape will snap into place.  Tada...one perfect hexagon! Now remove the block outline so that your hexagon will be a free floating motif. Save in the sketchbook. This hexagon will be your drawing board now, to make more 60º shapes.
2. Now let's fill the hexagon with triangles....Snap to Grid OFF/Snap to Node ON/Auto Align ON.  From the simple shapes flyout menu, select the equilateral triangle (second one). Point the mouse to the top point of the hexagon and while holding the mouse down, swing the triangle over to the left releasing it at the next point. The triangle will snap into place.  Repeat the above, going counterclockwise until you have filled you hexagon with triangles.  NOTE: It's easy to loose track... so always go the same direction!
Now do you begin to see the possibilities?  Let's try filling out hexagon with 60º diamonds now.
3. Same as above: Snap to Grid ON, Snap to Node ON, Auto Align ON.  From the Simple Shape tools select the 60º diamond (fourth one).  Start at top point, but this time skip the next point and stop the "swing" at the third point of the hexagon. Snap.  Your diamond snaps into place. Repeat two more times to fill the hexagon with diamonds.
Now let's try something a little harder....
4. How about a trapezoid? Snap to settings are the same as in #3.  This time we have to draw the shape with the line tool. ( I tried editing a square, but it's not as accurate.)  With the line tool, draw a straight line from one point to the opposite. Continue to draw the shape, following the lines of the hexagon until the trapezoid is complete.  Make sure the nodes are closed by selecting your new shape and moving it off the hexagon slightly. When you move it back, it will snap back into place.
Footnotes: You can save any of these shapes as individual motifs. You can use any of these shapes and break them down into even more 60º parts. Just remember to CLOSE the shape. You can use them in Country Set quilt layout or on Layer 2 of any layout.
Hope you enjoyed this lesson and let me know if you create a masterpiece! For some more three sided patchwork fun in EasyDraw, CLICK HERE. 10/15/00