> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://armorsmith-designer.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Foam patterns in 2.1.1.0

> Create closed cut outlines, promote them to foam, and compose formed armor with raised layers.

> [!NOTE]
>
> These instructions are for **Armorsmith Designer 2.1.1.0**. Earlier versions, including 2.1.0.10, can show different panels and labels.

Start with the shape you want to cut from a flat foam sheet. Promote a closed outline to a foam pattern, set its thickness, and inspect the formed result in Workshop's 3D view. The flat outline stays available for cutting and paper layout.

## Start a foam pattern

1. Open Workshop and select or create a workspace.
2. Use **Create** above the pattern view to draw a line, rectangle, or circle.
3. Use **Edit Shape** to finish a closed, non-crossing outline.
4. Right-click the selected outline and choose **Promote To Foam Pattern**.
5. Click **Edit Foam** above the 3D view. Its controls open in **Workbench → Edit**.

An open path is drawing geometry. Close it and give it a valid area before promoting it to foam.

## Use Pattern and Layers

![Formed gray chest armor with two orange raised chevrons beside flat outlines and expanded foam layer controls.](https://mintcdn.com/armorsmith-designer/7y9yUVTZaoXwpVC7/images/foam-layer-stack-2110.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=7y9yUVTZaoXwpVC7\&q=85\&s=077ea7ccfd84ef4c5340a6705096c121)

*A formed foam stack and its flat cutting outlines share geometry while retaining separate placement.*

The **Pattern** tab holds thickness, forming, triangle budget, edge finish, preview color, and placement controls. The **Layers** tab composes smaller patterns over a base. A layer member inherits its base's forming while keeping its own thickness and edge finish.

Use **Done** when you finish the editor. A flat paper-layout move and a formed 3D placement are separate edits.

## Choose a guide

| Task | Guide |
| - | - |
| Refine the cut outline | [Draw and edit](https://armorsmith-designer.mintlify.site/foam-preview/drawing-and-editing.md) |
| Set thickness, forming, and costume geometry | [Thickness and forming](https://armorsmith-designer.mintlify.site/foam-preview/thickness-and-forming.md) |
| Compose raised pieces | [Layers and preview colors](https://armorsmith-designer.mintlify.site/foam-preview/layers-and-materials.md) |
| Preview an angle cut or rounded edge | [Edge finish](https://armorsmith-designer.mintlify.site/foam-preview/edge-style.md) |
| Complete an example | [Layered bracer tutorial](https://armorsmith-designer.mintlify.site/foam-preview/tutorial-layered-bracer.md) |
| Recover an invalid or missing preview | [Troubleshooting](https://armorsmith-designer.mintlify.site/foam-preview/troubleshooting.md) |

## Understand the limits

Forming is a geometric design preview. It does not predict heating, foam stretch, glue behavior, or springback. Test a physical sample, especially for spherical forming.

The **Printable Details** control can appear in the editor, but decorative detail placement is not covered by this guide. Decorative hardware placement is not part of this documented workflow. Foam build sheets and automatic model-derived Create Patterns are also unavailable through their release entry points. Use [ordinary pattern printing](https://armorsmith-designer.mintlify.site/patterns/printing.md) for the flat cut outlines and record construction notes separately.


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