Frequently asked

Questions, answered

PeriTrace requires an iPhone that supports ARKit.

iPhone models with LiDAR are strongly recommended for significantly more precise captures and a smoother experience.

PeriTrace supports iOS 18.6 and later.

PeriTrace provides a pattern-oriented management system. Adding a new pattern means adding a pattern set that may later contain up to 40 pattern pieces. The limited pattern piece quantity preserves smooth user experience. If your physical pattern contains more than 40 pieces, consider splitting it into multiple patterns in PeriTrace.

On the Home screen:

  • Add a new pattern: Tap the Add New note_add button at the bottom of the screen.
  • Rename or delete: Swipe a pattern left or right to reveal the Rename edit and Delete delete buttons.
  • Rearrange the list: Long-press a pattern and drag it to a new position.
  • Open a pattern canvas: Tap a pattern to enter its canvas, where its pieces live.

Open a pattern from the Home screen, then tap the Trace filter_center_focus button at the bottom right to open the AR camera. You may be asked to grant camera access.

PeriTrace currently allows you to trace one pattern piece each time you open the AR tracing camera.

In the camera view, move your phone slowly back and forth over a flat, horizontal surface until the reticle appears flat on the surface. You can now start tracing your pattern piece.

IMPORTANT:

* The reticle must be perfectly flat on the surface for accurate tracing.

iPhone models with LiDAR are strongly recommended for significantly more precise captures and a smoother experience.

The current version of the app supports two tracing features:

  • Vertex tracing: Aim the reticle at the outline or seam line and tap the Trace Vertices Trace Vertices button at the bottom right of the screen, to capture vertices one by one. Vertices will connect automatically. A dashed line will close the shape between your first and last vertices, so you do not need to close it manually.
  • Marking: Aim the reticle at a mark on the physical pattern piece and tap the Mark Trace Mark button. Marks stand alone and never connect to vertices or other marks.

NOTES:

* Optimizing camera position and angle:

PeriTrace uses AR to make pattern tracing effortless. You do not need to point the camera perfectly perpendicular to the surface.

However, iPhone models without LiDAR can sometimes struggle with surface calibration, which may cause captured contours and points to drift.

To maximize precision, follow these best practices:

  • Maintain distance: Keep your iPhone between ~0.5 and ~2 meters directly above the pattern.

  • Verify calibration: Ensure the reticle perfectly aligns with your physical surface before tracing.


Finishing or Cancelling a Trace:

  • Finish tracing: Tap the Done check button at the top right of the screen. You will return to pattern canvas, and the new pattern piece will appear at the center of the screen. If it overlaps with existing pieces, it will automatically move to the right of them.

    • Minimum vertices: A new piece can only be saved when it has at least three vertices. The Done button will remain disabled until this requirement is met.

  • Cancel tracing: Tap the Dismiss keyboard_arrow_down button at the top left of the screen. You will return to pattern canvas without saving a new piece.

Contour detection: PeriTrace features automatic pattern contour detection as part of Vertex Tracing feature. It automatically detects the outline of a pattern piece and quickly plots simplified vertices.
  • Activate contour detection: Point the camera at a pattern piece and long-press the pattern piece (for at least 0.5 seconds) to capture the outline's vertices. It may take a moment to capture the outline; moving your finger or releasing the press early will cancel the detection.

  • One at a time: The app can only detect one outline at a time.

  • High contrast: The pattern piece must contrast significantly with the background (e.g., a light pattern piece on a dark background, or vice versa). This ensures capture accuracy and prevents the camera from freezing due to vertex overloading.

High-resolution image capture:

From version 1.1, PeriTrace can automatically capture a high-resolution image of the pattern piece during contour detection.

  • Automatically: Image capture is automatically triggered during contour detection. You do not need to adjust the camera to a specific angle or perform any additional actions. The captured image is processed on-device and added to the pattern piece in the canvas.

  • Image visibility: The captured image is fitted to the detected pattern contour. You can show or hide captured images using the image visibility setting in the top-right menu of the canvas screen. Exported files will include or exclude captured images according to this setting.

NOTES:

By default, PeriTrace does not play a shutter sound when capturing a high-resolution image. However, a shutter sound may still be played by the system depending on your device and region.


Finishing or Cancelling a Trace: Proceed the same as you do when tracing manually.

When tracing a pattern piece, you can undo your last action by tapping the Undo undo button at the bottom right of the screen.

You can also redo the undone action by tapping the Redo redo button next to the Undo undo button.

Undo/Redo all trace actions:

Long-press the Undo or Redo undo redo button for 1.5 seconds to undo or redo all trace actions.

NOTES:

A contour detection action is counted as one action.

PeriTrace offers an intuitive vector canvas featuring gesture support. Your layout arrangements are automatically preserved when exporting files.

Canvas Navigation:

  • Zoom & pan: Use pinch and drag gesture to move around the workspace.

Managing pattern pieces:

  • Move & rotate a piece: Drag a pattern piece to reposition it, or use two fingers to rotate it.
  • Delete a piece: Long-press a pattern piece, then tap the Delete button in the tooltip Canvas Tooltip

Pro tip for high precision:

When doubting a traced pattern piece's accuracy, try capturing it a few times. Stack all the captured pieces on top of each other on the canvas to find the average outline.

NOTES:

A single pattern canvas can hold up to 40 pattern pieces. If your physical pattern has more than 40 pieces, split the project across multiple separate patterns on PeriTrace.

PeriTrace exports your final pattern layout at an exact 1:1 scale, completely preserving your canvas arrangement.

How to export:

  • Export button: On the pattern canvas screen, the Export ios_share button is located at the bottom left of the screen. This button will remain disabled until there's at least one piece on the canvas.
  • Select your format: Tap the Export button to bring up the export sheet. Select your desired format to generate the file.
  • Choose a destination: A standard iOS Share Sheet will appear after you select a format. Choose where to send, save, or share your file.
  • Instant local backup: No matter what you choose in the Share Sheet, PeriTrace automatically saves or overwrites the file locally to:
    On My iPhone → PeriTrace → Exports
  • Preview your file: Tap Quick Look visibility Quick Look button after exporting to instantly preview your exported file.

Supported export formats:

PDFUniversal layout format. Ideal for standard printing, vector graphics software, or apparel CAD systems.
DXFIndustrial-standard CAD format. Dedicated specifically for pattern drafting and garment CAD software.
SVGScalable vector graphics format. Best for web use or editing in mainstream vector design programs.

PeriTrace offers 10 free exports for all users. To get unlimited exports, you can upgrade to a premium plan at any time.

How to upgrade to a premium plan:

  • When free exports are exhausted: Tap any format in the export sheet to open the paywall.
  • Immediately: Tap the Guest Trial eco Guest Trial button to open the paywall.

PeriTrace currently offers one premium plan for unlimited exports, which charges a monthly fee of $3.99 and bills monthly. Payment will be charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period. You can manage and cancel your subscription at any time in your Apple Account Settings.

NOTES:

To access the paywall, ensure your pattern contains at least one pattern piece to enable the export button. The link to the paywall is located in the export sheet.


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