How to Use Sketch and Inscription

[Screenshot: Sketch & Inscription step showing the decedent fields and the Sketch Builder below]

The Sketch & Inscription step is where you enter the decedent's information and create a visual sketch of the monument. Think of it as your pen and paper drawing board, but digital. This step only appears for monument orders.

Decedent Information

[Screenshot: Decedent 1 fields showing first name, middle name, last name, date of birth, date of death, and epitaph]

For each decedent, fill in:

First Name, Middle Name, and Last Name. If you already entered decedent names in the Cemetery & Logistics step when adding plot information, these fields will be pre-filled automatically.

Date of Birth and Date of Death. Type the month, day, and year with your keyboard, or click the calendar icon to select from a calendar.

Epitaph. Enter any inscription text that goes on the monument.

Multiple decedents

You can Duplicate a decedent to copy all the fields into a second entry, or click Add Another Decedent to add a blank set of fields. You can also Delete a decedent if you no longer need it.

The Sketch Builder

[Screenshot: The Sketch Builder canvas showing the toolbar with all shape buttons, a monument shape on the canvas, and the front/back toggle]

The Sketch Builder is where you create a visual sketch of the monument with your customer. There are two views: Front Side and Back Side. Click the buttons at the top to switch between them.

Sketch Builder tools

The toolbar gives you the following tools:

Monument places a headstone shape on the canvas. When selected, you can choose the Stone Profile: Flat Top, Oval Top, Triangle Top, Serpentine, or Wave Top. You can also toggle on Fill Shapes before adding elements so they appear filled instead of outlined.

Rectangle adds a rectangle shape to the canvas.

Circle adds a circle shape.

Heart adds a heart shape.

Line adds a straight line.

Arrow adds a red arrow pointing to the right. To use it, select it and hold down one of the blue circles with your mouse to stretch the arrow to where you want it to point. This is useful for pointing at specific parts of the monument and combining it with text so your designer knows what to draw. Arrows only appear on the side you add them to. If you add an arrow on the Front Side, it will not show on the Back Side. They behave the same way as text elements.

Text adds a text element. Click it to type your inscription or notes on the sketch.

Image Upload lets you upload a picture directly onto the sketch canvas.

Working with elements

[Screenshot: An element selected on the canvas showing the up/down layer buttons]

When you select any element on the canvas, you can drag it to reposition it or drag the corners to resize it.

On the right side of the toolbar, you'll see two arrow buttons (up and down). These control the layer order. Press the up arrow to bring an element to the front. Press the down arrow to send it behind other elements. This is useful when you have multiple elements stacked on top of each other.

Fonts and text styling

[Screenshot: A text element selected showing the font dropdown, size field, and font color picker]

When you select a text element, you can customize it:

Font lets you choose from Times Roman, Arial, Optima, Trajan, Corporate, Futura, Minion, and Adobe Garamond.

Size can be changed by typing a number into the size field, clicking the arrow buttons next to it, or simply dragging the text element to make it bigger or smaller.

Font Color lets you change the color of the text.

Exporting your sketch

[Screenshot: The export button showing the file format options]

You can export your sketch by clicking the export button. Available formats are PNG, DLT, and DXF.

When you're done, click Next to continue to Billing & Payment.

Related articles:

• How to Set up Billing & Payment