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ZOMG This thing doesn't work!
The ACNL pattern tool is completely written in HTML5 and JavaScript. As such, it requires a decently standards-compliant browser. The latest versions of Chrome / Chromium / Firefox work. No promises on anything else. Internet Explorer will probably choke on this entire page.
How do I use this thing?
Click a color on the 3x5 palette and then just "draw" on one of the pattern representations. All of the zoom levels are drawable and they will all update at the same time. When you want to import to ACNL, simply scan the QR code at the bottom using the QR machine at the Able Sisters in-game. Don't have the QR machine yet? Talk to the quiet sister in the back for 10 days in a row to unlock it. The download ACNL file button lets you save the pattern to your computer for later use. You can also upload ACNL files or images containing QR codes. Don't upload images containing multiple QR codes - multi-part codes need to be uploaded one at a time, in order.
How did you make this?
Mostly magic. It helped that I made the ACWW pattern tool, and ACNL patterns are mostly in the same format. As to how exactly it works - HTML5 and JavaScript.
I make use of the following JavaScript libraries from others (some with my own modifications or fixes), everything else is my work:
Wait if you made the ACWW Pattern tool - does that mean ACWW patterns can be imported?
Yeah, I plan to add that as a feature in the future.
This is open source? So I can re-use this code for my own projects?
Yes. Please don't claim you wrote it all yourself, and try to include a notice "Based on the ACNL Pattern tool by Thulinma" somewhere. You don't *have* to include a notice like that, but I will be very very disappointed in you if you don't.
Is there an offline version I can use without an internet connection?
I made something better / fixed something / added more browser support!
That's not a question! But - yay! Drop me a line with your code changes and if I like them I'll migrate them into the main project.
Can I make a suggestion?
If you think you can program your suggestion yourself - go ahead, and see the "question" above this one. If you can't - I probably don't have interest in implementing it myself unless your idea is truly awesome (and/or I'm already working on it) - but you can always suggest it and who knows.
Why isn't my QR code being read? It works in the game!
I'm using the jsqrcode port from the zxing QR libraries. Unfortunately this port isn't very accurate and it has trouble with some QR codes. In fact, I had to make some fixes to get it to read ACNL QR codes at all (I've submitted the needed fixes to the author of the port, so everyone can benefit from them). Feel free to improve the library yourself and let me know if/when more fixes become available and I'll integrate them as soon as I can.
What are ".ACNL" files?
A small binary format storage for ACNL patterns. Similar to ACWW files, they contain the pattern and nothing more. For ACNL files I used the exact binary contents of the QR codes - so any QR code can be decoded into an ACNL file and any ACNL file encoded into QR.
What features are you still working on?
Some of the stuff I have in mind includes:
What is the changelog?
How do I contact you?
You can e-mail me at thulinma@thulinma.com - but please keep in mind I'm a busy guy so don't e-mail me unless you have a worthwhile contribution or something similar. :-)