X's original FREE HAND instructions

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE STRAIGHT LINE AT SNOWDAYS:
Nowadays, MisterX.ca has AMAZING techniXes for creating straight lines.  The ALT+TAB & RIGHT CLICK techniXes are sensational "x"amples of what determined flakers will go through to achieve this awesome "trick".  However, it certainly was not always like this in Flakeville!  Once upon a time, the ONLY way known to make a straight line was by cutting them freehand.  I was the first flaker to achieve this and gained MUCH flaking popularity by doing so.  I was accused of "cheating" to do it on a regular basis, but it really IS possible to cut PERFECTLY STRAIGHT lines with your mouse, and the following directions will "x"plain how it is done.  It is, (as far as I know), still the only way to make TRUE 90 degree cuts on your flakes.  Also, I think I should mention that I STILL make all of my flakes this way.  Unless otherwise stated, ALL my straight lined flakes are cut FREEHAND!  Here are the ORIGINAL directions I posted....

Mastering the straight line freehand is NOT an easy feat.  I used to continuously have people accuse me of using some secret program or apparatus in making my flakes because they are too "perfect and precise" to have been done by hand.  THIS IS NOT TRUE!!!  I've worked VERY hard at mastering straight lines and have the wounds to prove it.  The only thing I might have that other flakers do not, is patience.

If you look at my older GEOMETRIX flakes closely, you will see they were FAR from perfect.  I was still learning and was less inclined to use the "undo" button because I had a difficult time getting the straight lines "perfect" in those days.  With MUCH practice and several hundred flakes later I can honestly say I have the move mastered, getting the cut straight and spaced correctly about 90% of the time.

I'm not sure how big of a difference my mouse and pad make.  I have a difficult time making the straight lines on other computers but have found if I work at it long enough they will eventually come to me there as well.  I tend to apply quite a lot of pressure on the mouse as I cut the line, it seems to help me with the accuracy, but I think the most important thing of all is patience and the "undo" button!   (UPDATE! I now use an optical mouse and NO mouse pad.  I also no longer need to apply pressure!)

There is a little trick that many flakers are unaware of.  I "x"plained it in a message to the "Group"....

(Originally published at Snowflake Maker's Group as:
a PERFECT straight line~ (mssg#1954)

Fellow fanatical flakers;

Here's a juicy tid-bit that many of you have been dying to know!

In my defense, I would like to say that I assumed EVERYONE knew this, and have NOT been holding out on the group!  However, after talking to a few "Grand Master Flakers" recently, I  was surprised to learn that they were unaware of this simple trick.

Now don't get too "x"cited, because this will NOT enable you to make yourself an "X-flake", at least not without a lot of practice!  But I've been watching SJH's progress with her straight lines and thought I'd better post this move before someone else gets credit, LOL!

OK, here goes...
If you want to make a triangle, square, or any other geometric shape that my feeble mind is currently unable to think of, the LAST line is a cinch!  Simply draw the 1st 2 lines of your triangle freehand, (or 3 lines of your square, etc.) and then release your mouse button.  The program will automatically fill in the last line, and it'll be PERFECTLY straight!

Now see why I thought you'd all know this?  It's just so dang simple that how could you NOT know it?  Of course the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or more lines are STILL your problem, this only worX with the last one.  As I mentioned before, the straight lines come with a LOT of practice.  It doesn't hurt to have an agreeable mouse & mouse pad as well, and let's not forget my friend Steve, who is the result of pushing on my mouse way too hard to achieve them!

Hope these hints and triX have been helpful for some of you...

Flake On!!!
"X"