X's SCRIBBLED ONE CUTS


A few months ago I found myself surprised that I was posting instructions about One Cut flakes at this site.  After all, MisterX.ca was originally planned to be a place where I could describe the processes of animation, which I originally "discovered" and totally "x"ploited!

Many flakers, however, were totally addicted to One Cuts,  (for reasons I couldn't imagine), and there were some discrepancies about what "x"actly a "One Cut" flake was.  So I recruited a few One Cut "stars" and asked their opinions and invited them to share any info. they had to offer.

I created the One Cut page that can be seen HERE.  There is some VERY important information on this page about several different styles and also THE OFFICIAL RULES of One Cuts, so be sure you have read it before deciding to try these "One Cut Patterns" that I am about to "x"plain.

SO WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL, X?

I'm really not quite sure!  Shortly after publishing the above page I decided to try a few One Cuts, utilizing Shalina's swiping technique.  The first few I made were crap, so I simply deleted them and tried again.  Suddenly, it just "clicked" and I was on my way!  As I type this sentence, I now have made more than 4000 of these "ApeXed One Cuts".  They are SOOO addictive that I can hardly find time to do the animated flakes that I am so famous for.  Hmmm, lets see...spend 20 minutes on a flake that flashes and moves, or 20 seconds on a flake that "radiates" and "sparkles" as it falls?  The latter option usually wins~

WHY SHOULD I MAKE THESE FLAKES?

1st of all, they ARE beautiful, (as far as I am concerned), as they capture light and truly radiate it with a "glow" as seen on no other flakes.  Most of them will fall opened in a most delightful way.  They "sparkle" because of all the fine lines and some will actually "pulse" if created correctly.  Definitely "eye candy"!
2nd, they are soooo quick to make!  I can literally "pump out" 3 or 4 per MINUTE when I am on a role!!!  Honestly, it takes me longer to type my information on the flake afterwards than it does to make the flake, and that makes for a rapidly increasing "flake count" beside your name :)
3rd, easy on the hands!  These flakes are created so quickly that there is little time to injure yourself!
4th, the all important APEX!!!  These flakes incorporate the ApeX, which is an important feature that gives ANY flake, (not just One Cuts), a "life" and keeps a flake from looking flat and dull.  It is important for all serious flakers to learn about the ApeX!
5th, no ugly flakes!  These are quickies, so an "ugly baby" can be deleted with no sadness!  You only send out the pretty ones!  I have probably deleted nearly as many 1-cuts as I have sent to the masses!
6th, BECAUSE I SAID SO!!!  Honestly folks, if you can master this "style" it will change your flaking FOREVER!!!

GETTING STARTED
These flakes all use Shalina's swiping technique as well as her well named ApeX. 
If you have not already done so, be sure to read SHALINA'S SECRETS.

YOUR EQUIPMENT
How you accomplish the "swiping technique" will depend on what you are using to do so.  For instance, if you have a fast puter with an optical mouse, (like I do), you can get rid of your mouse pad altogether and swipe away on your desktop.  However, if you have a slow puter with a ball mouse, (like I used to use), you will most likely want to make sure you ARE using your mouse pad, that your mouse has a "clean ball" with no hair or lint stuck in or around it, and will most likely have to "pause" between swipes (until the line you are cutting catches up to the cursor).  This can actually be beneficial as you can "scribble" your lines with more control and accuracy.  This incredible technique will most likely take a bit of "x"perimentation on your part, but is well worth it!

X's SCRIBBLED ONE CUTS - THE BASIX
All of these flakes have a few things in common.  They ALL are "scribbled" out with the best control possible.  They ALL finish where the cut started, or at least on the same side as it was started.  They all have an ApeX, which I shall describe in a moment.

X's SCRIBBLED ONE CUTS
the "APEX"

Before getting into the more complicated "patterns", it is important to understand the ApeX of a snowflake.  The ApeX is what gives these flakes 'life" and also plays a large part in the "glow" and how it is radiated.  It almost always appears in the flake's center, but is not limited only to that area.  For the purpose of these flakes, we will discuss the center ApeX only.  Once you understand it and how it worX, you can "x"periment with placing it in other areas of a flake.

Go to SNOWDAYS and use the Find-a-Flake search engine.  Type in MISTERX (no space) into the NAME boX and click on SEARCH.  Take a look at any of the Scribbled One Cuts that fall and take note of the flake's center.  IT IS WHITE and THIS IS THE APEX!  It is difficult to "x"plain the ApeX, as all white centered flakes do not possess it.  It is the use of positive (white) space versus negative (black) space.  Too much white in the center will give an unfinished look to the flake.  Too little white in the center will give you a dull and "bland" looking flake.  It is a fine line where the ApeX "x"ists, but once discovered it will radiate light and "glow" with life.

The ApeX "shines" best when it is made with fine jagged "back and forth" lines.  A white circle in the center of the flake will most likely NOT give you an ApeX, however, if the lines go up & down and gradually move from the left to right (or vise versa) across the flake to the other side, the ApeX often appears with GREAT results.

Here are some "x"amples of "ApeX Only" flakes that I made.  This is the "center shine" of my Scribbled One Cuts, as you will see later.  However, the ApeX really doesn't "glow" as it does on one of my finished flakes where I place other lines on it.  These are only for "display" purposes to "x"plain how they are created.





As you can see, the ApeX can take MANY forms, but is created essentially the same way each time.  Also note that my lines are NOT straight!  The straighter you make these lines the better, but there will be many other lines on the flake later that will help hide any imperfections in the ApeX.  It is important to get to this point in the making of these flakes.  I suggest you go to SNOWDAYS and do some practicing before going to the neXt step.  Make MANY until you get the "feel" for them.  Just hit reset each time to try again or, if you luck out and make pretty "ApeX only" 1 cuts, send them off to the masses!  Below is how the above flakes were created.

Start at the "S" pointer and begin your "up & down" cuts.  Create "points" and make a gradual design that travels to the opposite side of the flake and "x"its out the right side.  Take your cut under the outside of the flake and end it at the "F" pointer.

Now go "practice" these ApeX Only One Cuts at Snowdays.  Once you feel comfortable with them you are ready for the neXt lesson located HERE.