CardistryGridNotation Documentation
CardistryGridNotation Documentation
2 2 8
L
B 5 6 6
8 8
7sh
6 5
2 8
hm
hm
6 5
2 8
hm
hm
6 5
8 5
1ll
6 6
hm
hm
X
2
1sh
X
8 8
7ll
6
2 - FINGERS AND PACKETS (Basics)
It’s important to be able to differentiate every finger easily. For that we use numbers. Everytime you’ll
see a simple number next to a packet, it will refer to a certain finger.
Right handed
3 8
2 4 7 9
5 10
1 6
On the grid, a packet is represented by a square and if the “packet” happens to be a single card, just
place an apostrophe on top of its column.
To illustrate a grip, simply note the fingers where they’re suppose to be around the square.
If the finger is on or under the packet, use this notation: Just put the top finger above
the cross, and the bottom finger under it.
axis
& view point
Here are a few more examples for you to get the idea:
In a few cases, the axis of the rotation has to be outside the packet.
Simply use the same rules as above and place the axis where it actually is. Here’s an example:
Just like 3D rotation, we do need a direction for the axis to make sure that we’re seeing the rotation
from the right angle. The black dot indicates that the axis is going though the packet from back to face.
If you wish to have the axis going from face to back, simply use a circle instead of a dot.
2D Translation
The translation of a packet is its movement in a certain direction without any rotation. To define
it, we need the direction and the distance of the movement.
1/2
3D Translation
To define a 3D translation (out of plane), we also need the distance and the direction. For the distance,
we also use numbers in a circle, but this time we add a little cross outside the circle. The unit is the
short edge of the deck.
This time there are only two directions: up and down. We use positive numbers for up, and negative
numbesr for down. Here are a few examples:
1 -2
8rl
1 2
When the force is not specified, it’s usually a logical “hand movement”. You can still note it as “hm”.
5 - THE GRID
This is the main part of the CGN system. All your items, fingers and movements will be noted
on the grid.
Each item has its own column, so create a new column for every new
packet or single card. On the “creating” line, only note the 2 packets involved:
the one it is created from, and the new one.
2 2 8
L
B 5 6 6
8 8
7sh
6 5
8 5
1ll
6 6
?
movement or action. note all the items in
You can decompose each line.
complex actions into Just note the ones
multiple lines, we’ll see 1
that are important
how to link them in 5 to the motion you’re
chapter 8. describing.
hm
hm
X
2
1sh
X
8 8
7ll
To close a packet, just place an “X” on the box of its last motion.
On the “closing” line, only note the 2 packets involved: the one closing,
and the one it is closed on.
6 - GRIPS
To make it more convenient, we can use “shortcuts” for very basic grips. We usually use those to
indicate the starting grip of a move. We note them using capital letters and indicators. Here are
the most common ones:
S Straddle grip
B Biddle grip
D Dealer’s grip
The grip is placed on the left side of the grid. it is usually the first thing we read. Here’s an exemple of
an actual grip as it would be used in the CGN system. This is a deep straddle grip in the let hand:
Sometimes (especially in two handed cuts, the starting grip can be defined with both hands. For this,
we can simply note the two grips one after the other. Here’s the starting grip of the Sybil:
L
SB
The second grip is in2sh
the right hand
The first grip is in left hand, (no need to specify since it has to be
as it is specified with the “L”. the opposite hand as the first one).
7 - ANNOTATIONS
Sometimes, in the middle of a grid, you will see a line with informations inbetween parenthesis: those
are annotations. Their goal is to give you extra information on the current aspect of a move. You can
think of it as a “check point” to make sure that everything is the way it’s suppose to be.
Order
This annotation helps you visualize the order of the packets in space, from top to bottom. (bottom
being the closest to your “bottom hand”.) Here’s an example:
2D Orientation
This annotation helps you visualize the orientation of the packets as a flat display. For convenience, a
“reference packet” is chosen by the author and marked with a dot. Here’s an example:
<
o
(out)
<
<
I
(in)
<
hm
hm
This horizontal line indicates that even though the two actions
hm are executed in one “beat” as a continuous flow, they still need
to be performed one after the other.
6
hm
Those 90° angles in the “timeline” indicates a break in the
flow: they are used to pause a move in a certain moment to
6
showcase a display.
X
8
7ll
9 - FIRST MOVES
You should now be able to read and write simple cuts using the CGN without to much troubles.
Here’s the Charlier cut.
L
1
12 3 1 3
4 sh 4
2sh
gr
gr
10 - FINGERS AND PACKETS (Advanced)
Hands and fingers
Sometimes, it is useful to be very specific about the part of the finger you are using. Here’s a way to
note the different knuckles and be specific about “front” or “back” of the finger:
2,,, 2,, 2,
#L #R
Packets notation
In some situations, you need to be able to define a packet as we define fingers: with moves like
“outpost”, or in some corner spin moves, a packet is sometimes clipped between other packets. To note
them in the grid, simply assign a lettre to a column. You can then use that letter to refer to a packet, as
you would do with a finger.
C
C
C A
B
A
bl
A
6 6 6 6
11 - THE
C GRID D(Advanced)
8
A C D
Opening and closing packets
C D
8 2 8
L
B
As the moves get longer and more complicated, it is sometimes a good idea to save a few lines. Here’s
how you can have two new packets in one single line: the small square indicates one new packet, and
6
the letter next to it
A is the packet it is created
B from.
6
A B
8 6
8 1 6 7
1 7 A B
A C D
2 8
X X
2 8
L
B
1 7
In this example, the packet “C” is create
6 from the packet “A”, and the packet “D”
6 6
6 from the packet “B”.
6 6
6 6
A B
6 6 2 8
6 1 6 7
C D
8
C D 6 6 6 6
8 A C D
6
2 8
L
B
A B
X X
8
1 7
A C D
The exact same
2 principe can8 apply to closing packets.
L
B
6
A B
6 6 X 6 6 X 6
8 A B
1 7 6 6
2 8 A B
1 X 7 X
2 8
1 7
C D
In
8
some case, you will need additionnal information about this new packet. Sometimes it’s not obvious if
the new packet has to be create from the top, or the bottom of the initial packet. In other cases, the size
6 of the new packet
6 matters. Here’s how
6 you can note those informations:
6 6 6 6
6 6 6 6
6
A B
8 A line “under”
1 the square indicates
7 that the
A
new packet isCcreate from the bottom (face) If the square is divided inChalf, simply split
D
half
of the initial packet.
A D 2 8 C D
the packet, if it’s in quarter, split about 1/4th.
L
B
8
A line “over” means it’s from2the top. 8
L
B
6 6 6
6 6
A B
C D 2 8
1 7
6 8 6
A 6 B A B
8 2 8
1 7 1 7
6 6 6 6
6
A B
8
1 7
A C D
2 8
6
L
B
6 6 6 6 6 6
6 6 6
6 6
C D A B
2 8
8 1 7
12 - INTERPOLATION
You’re probably thinking... CGN is cool and all, but it’s only for cuts! What about fans, spreads & spring?
Would I need 52 columns? Well no. For these types of moves, we use “interpolations”. This means that
we describe the motion of 1 packet in relation to another, and note that every single card
inbetween should follow. We note them by linking the new packet to the initial one.
Position A Position B
interpolation
Compound actions
Sometimes, multiple packets are following the same movement at the same time. To make it easier to
read, we use this notation:
12 2sh
B C D
8
‘‘C’’ hm ‘‘C’’
XC
1sh
hm
6 3
3
6sh
8 4
9 3
8
9 4
hm
2sh
13 - TEMPO (Advanced)
Improvisation
Sometimes, you might want to give the performer a chance to express his creativity and his own style.
For this we use the notation “Ad Lib”, just like the one used in music. This comes from Latin “Ad Libi-
tum”, and basically means “at one’s pleasure”.
Ad lib
Ad lib
PANDORA
by Daniel Buck
A C D
89
L
DB 1,,, 6
B B
8 8 8
7hm
1,,, 6
9
8
1,,,
9
7rl
3
4
1,,,
3.4tw
4.3tw
9 10
4
35
1,,,
10
9sh
1,,,
XB
4cr
35cr
1/2 5ll
3ll
35ex
4ex
hm
XB
4cr
35cr
9ll 10
1,,,
10
5sh
1,,,
9ll 10
1,,,
C
8 7ll
3
4
6 6
3.4tw
4.3tw
6 4
12 2sh
‘‘C’’ hm ‘‘C’’
6
C
X
1sh
hm
6 3
3
6sh
8 4
9 3
8
9 4
hm
2sh
XC
7
4.3tw
3.4tw
8 3
6 6sh
2sh
12
3
8
7ll
6 6sh
1
3
12
hm 4
7ll.sh 8
3.4tw
4.3tw
XD
1.23tw
7sh 23.1tw
hm
6
78
XD
78sh
This is just the beginning. CGN will evolve and change with time,
and we hope to hear your feedback to help us make it better!
Have fun ;)