The stitch preview (F6)
View ▸ Stitch preview (F6) draws each stitch as thread: a shaded ribbon at the thread's real width, with the twist visible when you zoom in, a shadow where it enters each hole, and small arrows showing the direction.
- With saddle stitch the stitches alternate between the front (even) and the back (odd). = steps through both → front → back.
- + / − make the drawn thread thicker or thinner (1–10; 3 is true size).
- A legend at the bottom left lists the threads used; click it to open the thread catalogue.
- To keep one seam stitched while the stitch preview is off, right-click one of its holes and choose Always show the stitch preview.
Multicolour threads: a gradient thread changes colour gradually along its length; a banded thread in steps. Where the colour falls depends on how much thread each stitch uses: File ▸ Options… ▸ Stitch preview sets the colour cycle length, the leather thickness, and the colour at the first hole.
The thread catalogue
Stitch ▸ Thread catalogue… or click the legend.
- Brands on the left: PatinaCAD Basic (30 colours, built in) and your own brands.
- Colours of the chosen brand, with swatches.
- Gauge: the thread diameter.
- Use for drawing: the drawing's stitches use this colour and gauge.
- Apply to selected holes: the stitches leaving the selected holes use it (to mix colours in one drawing).
- Use drawing's thread on selected holes: removes their own thread.
Your own brands: + adds a brand; set its name, twist (S or Z) and gauges (for example 0.45, 0.55). Add colours with a code, a name, one or more colours (#8b5a2b, or several separated by spaces for multicolour threads) and a colour mode (Solid, Gradient, Bands). Import… / Export my brands… exchange them as .pcadthreads files.