Practice?

[Jabbie]

I'm having a very hard time distinguishing between the positive and negative in any given pattern. If I see it cut I'm fine but it doesn't just jump out at me. Will this come with practice or is there a general rule of thumb I should be applying?

[dgman]

Hey Jason, first, take a pencil and lightly shade the parts of the pattern that will be cut out. Doing this before you cut will help you keep track of the waste.

As a scroll saw instructor, I teach my students to pick a side of the blade that will be the waste. For me, the waste is always on the right side of the blade. By doing this, you will always know which side of the line is waste and which side is the project.

[Gordster]

Hi Jason, not really sure of what you mean of pos and neg.I assume

the black and white in a pattern. A lot of patterns come with a photo

of project.I have been scrolling forever it seems and I still have to refer

to the photo a lot of times.age thing maybe lol.But yes practice helps the most.

Jump right in, keep focused and you will enjoy your project.

You will get more feedback here shortly I am sure.

There are lots of good patterns here and free for taking.

[SCROLLSAW703]

well, like zen, I'm not sure of what you're askin'. As a rule, the waste side is the right side of the blade as you're lookin' at it. Every pattern has different shaded areas & white areas. Most will tell you what areas to cut. If you're just beginning, try to pick patterns that shy away from the shaded areas, it'll be less confusing until ya get a few miles under your belt. And pick patterns that don't have alot of tight turns. The reason I'm suggesting this is because until you get to know different saw blades, tension boundries, & how your saw & you work together, the easier the patterns will teach you patience, & about your saw. 

[WayneMahler]

If I understand your question correctly. The positive will be what is left once cut. The negative will cut and removed. ( Waste Areas ) Positive areas will be connected all the way through the pattern and negative will be like islands . You will drill your holes in the negative spaces. The part above with shading the negative space with a pencil is a great way to learn how to read a pattern and help keeping you focused on cutting while you learn. At any rate, welcome to the wonderful world of scrolling and to the Village. Your off to a great start. 

[amazingkevin]

If I understand your question correctly. The positive will be what is left once cut. The negative will cut and removed. ( Waste Areas ) Positive areas will be connected all the way through the pattern and negative will be like islands . You will drill your holes in the negative spaces. The part above with shading the negative space with a pencil is a great way to learn how to read a pattern and help keeping you focused on cutting while you learn. At any rate, welcome to the wonderful world of scrolling and to the Village. Your off to a great start. 

Well said Wayne,i forget and get confused myself at times ,Yes look for islands to cut out.

If I understand your question correctly. The positive will be what is left once cut. The negative will cut and removed. ( Waste Areas ) Positive areas will be connected all the way through the pattern and negative will be like islands . You will drill your holes in the negative spaces. The part above with shading the negative space with a pencil is a great way to learn how to read a pattern and help keeping you focused on cutting while you learn. At any rate, welcome to the wonderful world of scrolling and to the Village. Your off to a great start. 

 

 

I'm having a very hard time distinguishing between the positive and negative in any given pattern. If I see it cut I'm fine but it doesn't just jump out at me. Will this come with practice or is there a general rule of thumb I should be applying?

Even since 2004 i forget,you''ll catch on quick enough!

[lawson56]

A Lot of Great advice,They have seemed to answer your question pretty darn good, Perfect I,d say.When you get some more sawdust in your shoes and on your clothes it will be almost 2nd nature to ya,

[JimErn]

I'm having a very hard time distinguishing between the positive and negative in any given pattern. If I see it cut I'm fine but it doesn't just jump out at me. Will this come with practice or is there a general rule of thumb I should be applying?

 

In print try using any graphics program, and try using the fill/bucket function to change the color or contrast.  Try gray for black, or a pastel color

 

On screen about all you can do is try adjusting contrast and brightness on the monitor

[David Lehner]

I guess if you are referring to the area to be cut out:   if it is a lot of small detail to cut I will sometimes take a highlighter and color in all the areas to remove....makes it easier to see sometimes

[blights69]

Question you asked has been well answered so Ill not add to it but good question though for others just starting to get tips from me included    Frank