Last updated on February 5th, 2024 at 02:56 pm
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Learn how to use Xodo to project patterns from a phone or tablet for projector sewing.
Do you want to use a phone when projecting sewing patterns? Then, Xodo is the app to keep in mind.
Xodo is the preferred choice for mobile phone and tablet sewing because it has a free version and you can view and select layers on a pattern file. The annotation tools are handy for projector sewing as well!
Keep in mind that using a mobile phone for projector sewing is considered a “second choice” to using a computer. If you have access to a computer/laptop, I recommend using those if possible.
However, for those wanting to use a phone, it is doable! Make sure to check out the article “How to Use a Phone for Pattern Projecting.” It will go over options for connecting your phone to your projector.
How to Download Xodo onto your Phone
Xodo is available for both iPhone and Android phones. Go to the app store and type in Xodo PDF Reader and look for the colorful icon.
How to Access Patterns on Xodo
In order to access sewing patterns using Xodo, you will need to store your patterns in a cloud storage service. This may include Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.
If you do not currently store your patterns on the “cloud”, I recommend doing that now.
This will allow you to easily access your patterns on your phone using Xodo.
On the Home screen select “Browse”. Then, click on “Browse”. Now you can select where you have your files stored.
Calibration Using Xodo
If you haven’t calibrated your projector yet, you will need to download the calibration tool and follow the steps to calibrate your projector for sewing.
You will not be able to “type” a zoom into Xodo. Instead, you will use your fingers to zoom. You will also be unable to “save” your zoom.
When calibrating your projector for sewing, you will be looking to make sure all the lines on the mat are straight, level, and square.
Start with downloading the “Calibration Tool” and saving it to your cloud storage or phone. If you do not have a copy of the calibration tool, you can download it for FREE below!
How to Use a Pattern in Xodo
Now that your projector is calibrated for sewing, you can get to work opening sewing patterns in Xodo. Most projector pattern files will have a “calibration” layer. This is usually a 1-inch or centimeter grid.
You can use this layer to finger zoom until it measures accurately on your projection.
To use a projector pattern file in Xodo, zoom to the correct level and cut!
If you do not have a projector pattern file that is one page, you will need to use PDF Stitcher (computer only) or Sedja.com (online) to piece the patterns together before projecting.
How to Ensure Accurate Zoom Without a Calibration Layer
You will use the “Measure” feature in Xodo to draw a line on the document and measure on your projection. Select the “View” dropdown menu and choose “Measure”. Click on the ruler on the left and drag your finger to draw a line on your pattern.
When you first draw it, the line can be difficult to see. Click on the line and choose “Style”. Increase the thickness of the line and change the color as desired. Make sure your scale is set to 1 inch = 1 inch (or 1 cm = 1 cm for metric users). I like to leave “snapping” on so that it snaps to the nearest inch. Have the precision on to the nearest whole number to make measuring easier.
Draw a line about 10-15 inches to give you a good measurement check on your projection. After you have drawn your line, go to view mode and you can select it and make it bigger as needed. The measurement number on the line will remain accurate.
Now look at your projection image and measure the projected line that you drew. Finger zoom on your mobile until that line measures accurately on the projection. Once it does, you are ready to cut! Use the video below and play it “picture in picture” to follow along with
How to Access Layers in Xodo
On the bottom on the screen you will see an outline symbol. Click on the symbol and if the pattern has layers, you will see four choices. The choices are outline, annotations, bookmarks, and layers.
In the layers panel, you can turn on and off layers you need, including the calibration layer if the pattern has one.
How to Increase Line Visibility
Some pattern lines can be difficult to see. In this case, check if the pattern includes a “Black Background” layer.
If your pattern doesn’t have that, then you can change the view settings in Xodo. In View mode, select the three dots.
To switch to night mode in Xodo, make sure you are in “View” mode on your pattern. Next, select the three dot button on the top corner and choose “View settings” with the reading glasses image. Under color mode select “dark mode”. This will invert the colors to have a black background.
You can also go to your phone settings and change the phone to dark mode under view settings. Another way to do this is go to “Accessibility” in phone settings. Under “Display and Text size” choose “Smart Invert” or “Classic Invert”. This will invert the colors and make the lines easier to see.
How to Rotate Pages in Xodo
To rotate a page in Xodo, click on the three dots on the top right corner to go to “view settings”. In View Settings you will find “Rotate Pages” on the bottom. Click rotate until the pattern is oriented the way you want to project.
Full Screen Mode in Xodo
To enter full screen mode for pattern projecting in Xodo, rotate your phone to landscape. In view mode, tap once on the image. You will enter full screen.
Tap the image again and the menu bars will appear again.
Conclusion
The free version of Xodo works well for pattern projecting from a phone, tablet, or Chromebook. While you won’t have access to programs such as PDF Stitcher, it is a great program for projecting patterns.
One of the best features of using Xodo is the layers feature. Unfortunately other PDF reader apps do not include this feature.
One of the downsides of Xodo is that you need to finger zoom the correct amount on each pattern. You are unable to type in a zoom percent or save a default zoom.
However, Xodo is a great option for projecting most projector pattern files. Make sure you are using a projector that can connect to a phone, or add a casting device such as AnyCast, Chromecast, Apple TV, or Roku.
Now you can confidently know how to use Xodo for pattern projecting!
Happy Sewing!
Can you project directly from Affinity designer from an iPad without using Xodo? Thanks!
Yes! I have an article on using Affinity Designer for the iPad! https://projectorsewing.com/affinity-designer-ipad-get-started/
Thank you for the helpful tips. If you use the Browser version of XODO (not the app), you can type-zoom. It’s whole numbers only, but much easier than finger zooming. All the functions you discuss here are available from the browser version. Everything I’ve ever done in the browser version has been free. I use it on my Chromebook and Android phone.
Thank you for the reply! I haven’t used the browser version much, but it sounds like it has some useful features. That’s too bad they are not available in the app version.