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Onscreen Manual

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Wilcom Pty Ltd. makes no representation or results generated through its use and without any
warranties with respect to the contents of this implied warranty of merchantability or of fitness for any
publication and specifically disclaims any implied particular purpose for which the software is being
warranties of merchantable quality or fitness for any acquired. The purchaser relies on its own skill and
particular purpose. judgement in selecting the software for its own use
and assumes the entire risk as to the results and
Further, Wilcom Pty Ltd. reserves the right to revise performance of the software. Wilcom Pty Ltd.
this publication and to make changes in it from time to specifically does not warrant that the software will
time without obligation of Wilcom Pty Ltd. to notify any meet the purchaser’s requirements or operate without
person or organization of such revisions or changes. interruption or error.
The screen illustrations in this publication are intended
to be representations, not exact duplicates of the
screen layouts generated by the software.
Some artwork for design samples in the DecoStudio
User Manual and Help File kindly provided by Digital
Art Solutions.

Rev 1 Jan 2008


Introduction

Welcome to Wilcom DecoStudio© e1, the leading embroidery design


software application for the decorated goods industry. No other product on
the market provides the flexibility of DecoStudio in building designs for
multi-decoration screen printing and embroidery.
DecoStudio is tailored to new business startups who require uncomplicated
software capable of professional quality results. It will also suit the market
entrant, such as screen printers who wish to add embroidery to their design
capabilities. DecoStudio offers an elegantly simple design solution which
provides basic embroidery lettering and digitizing, is easy to learn and use,
and does not require specialist embroidery skills. It provides seamless
integration with CorelDRAW®, the most popular vector-based drawing
package for the decorated goods industry. Many screen printers who use
CorelDRAW® also do embroidery. These users will be pleased with an
embroidery design solution which integrates fully with existing screen
printing processes, enabling swift inter-conversion of screen printing and
embroidery designs, as well as full integration of multi-decoration designs.
DecoStudio presents a job-based approach, well suited to decorated goods
companies, in an intuitive, easy-to-use interface. The package provides a
wide range of design capabilities, allowing you to create, edit, and output
multi-decoration screen printing and embroidery, including appliqué and
monogramming. Leveraging Wilcom’s proven quality in embroidery design
and manufacture, DecoStudio provides truly professional stitch and
object-generation quality, producing designs suitable for professional
manufacture.

Product overview
DecoStudio is a job-based application where you select the type of
decoration you wish to make and the software provides the appropriate
templates and settings to assist you in creating the design. Closely
integrated with CorelDRAW®, DecoStudio is not reliant on any other
software and is fully functional as a standalone system. Capabilities can be
summarized as follows:
 DecoStudio offers a simple, controlled approach to embroidery design.
You do not require extensive embroidery knowledge or need to be an
experienced embroidery ‘digitizer’.

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 Through its integration with CorelDRAW®, you can convert vector
designs directly to embroidery designs.
 Templates, wizards and structured functionality ensure you are not lost
during the design process and assist you to produce designs of adequate
professional quality.
 DecoStudio is intuitive, prompting and guiding you through a job-based
process in constructing your design.
 Pre-set templates for various fabric and garment types provide the
correct settings to optimize the quality success of the design.
 Wizards prompt and guide you in the design creation process.
 Automatic conversion of artwork including CorelDRAW® files eliminates
the need for manual digitizing.
 A simple and intuitive interface makes the system easy to learn and use.

Note DecoStudio is protected by a dongle security device. If a security key


is not detected when you attempt to launch the application, the system will
not run.

DecoStudio documentation and training


DecoStudio provides various ways to access information about the software
and how to use it via the Help menu.

Quick Start Guide


The DecoStudio Quick Start Guide contains an overview of the DecoStudio
application together with introductory tutorial material.

Introduc tion 2
Onscreen Tutorials
DecoStudio provides a number of fully worked tutorial projects which can
be accessed from the DecoStudio Startup screen. While these projects do
not cover all product features, they provide a useful starting point.

Access onscreen
tutorials

Onscreen Manual
The Onscreen Manual contains hundreds of step-by-step instructions
together with samples and screen images. These are intended to be used as
a reference, not a tutorial. Before you begin working with the product, read
Designing Embroidery with DecoStudio. This chapter outlines the basic
concepts of digitizing with Wilcom DecoStudio© e1 and provides important
guidelines on how to use the software for best results.
You should also familiarize yourself with Basic Procedures. This chapter
explains how to start the application and how to use some of the essential
tools and features that Wilcom DecoStudio© e1 provides. The chapters
Viewing Designs and Selecting Embroidery Objects contain essential
information about the many ways of viewing designs in Wilcom
DecoStudio© e1 as well as selecting and manipulating design ‘objects’.

Note Screen illustrations in the user documentation are intended to be


representations, not exact duplicates of the screen layouts generated by the
software. Procedural descriptions may vary slightly from particular
installations depending on which default system settings are activated.

Onscreen Help
Onscreen Help provides quick access to general information on DecoStudio
features and step-by-step instructions. There are two types available –
Embroidery Help and Graphics Help. See Viewing onscreen help for details.

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Viewing onscreen documentation
Onscreen documentation can be accessed from the Wilcom DecoStudio© e1
Programs folder. You can read it with Adobe Acrobat™ Reader which can be
downloaded from the Adobe website. Quickly search for the information you
need using standard Adobe Acrobat™ Reader features.

Note DecoStudio includes as standard the entire suite of CorelDRAW®


drawing tools which offer many techniques for drafting outlines and shapes
on screen. For a detailed description of the CorelDRAW® interface, refer to
the electronic User Guide available via the Windows Start > Programs
group. Alternatively, use the onscreen help available from the Graphics
mode Help menu.

To view onscreen documentation


1 From Windows Start, go to the All Programs > Wilcom >
Documentation folder.
You will find the following onscreen documents:
 Help Topics: DecoStudio Help. See Viewing onscreen help for
details.
 Wilcom DecoStudio Learning Center: launches the Wilcom
DecoStudio Learning Center Web Page which includes links to
various help resources.
 Wilcom DecoStudio Onscreen Manual: contains hundreds of
step-by-step instructions together with samples and screen images.
Alternatively, access onscreen documentation via the Help menu.

Access onscreen
documentation

2 Select the DecoStudio Onscreen Manual to open in Adobe Reader.

Introduc tion 4
Fit in Window
Zoom dropdown Actual Size Fit Width

Bookmarks Page turning controls Paging settings

Tip You can open your onscreen documentation directly from


DecoStudio. Go to the Help menu and select the document you want
from the dropdown list.
3 Select the topic you want by clicking on its ‘Bookmark’.
4 Change the view magnification in any of the following ways:
 Click the Actual Size, or Fit in Window, or Fit Width buttons.
 Select the Zoom In tool, then click anywhere on the page – each
click increases the magnification.
 Click the Reader Zoom dropdown and select a setting – try 200%
if you want to look closely at screen diagrams.
5 Use the page turning controls at the bottom of the window to scroll
backwards and forwards through the book or return to previous views.

Tip Select Help > Reader Guide from the top of the Reader screen for
comprehensive information about using Reader.

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Viewing onscreen help
Onscreen Help provides quick access to general information on DecoStudio
features and step-by-step instructions. Two types are available –
Embroidery Help and Graphics Help.

To view onscreen help


1 Select Help from the menu bar.
Depending on which mode you are in – Graphics or Embroidery –
different options are available:
 In Graphics mode you have sub-menus – Embroidery Help and
Graphics Help:

Access onscreen
help in Graphics
mode

 In Embroidery mode you are presented with Embroidery Help only:

Access onscreen
help in Embroidery
mode

2 Choose Help Topics from the dropdown list.


The DecoStudio Help window opens.

Introduc tion 6
3 Click Contents to display the main list of topics.
Topics are grouped under high-level headings with ‘book’ icons.
4 Double-click a book to view the list of topics, then double-click a topic.
Alternatively, click Index or Search and enter keywords to search on a
specific subject.

Tip Context-Sensitive Help is available for dialogs by pressing the 1


key.

Accessing online support


You can access sales and support information easily from within the
software.

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To access online support
 From the Startup screen, simply click the Web icon to access the
Wilcom website.

Access Wilcom
website

 Alternatively, once inside the program, click the Quick Launch button
on the Universal toolbar.

Access online support

 Select an option from the dropdown list:


 Learning Center: launches the Wilcom DecoStudio Learning Center
Web Page which includes links to various help resources.
 Wilcom.com.au: launches the Wilcom web page.
 Corel.com: launches the Corel web page.
 EmbroideryStartup.com: launches the Embroidery Startup web
page. This valuable resource provides registered users with
embroidery discussion forums for digitizing, software, machines,
suppliers, pricing, marketing, and much more. It also provides
valuable information about setting up and running your business.
 DecoNETWORK.com: launches the DecoNetwork web page. This is
another extremely valuable resource for decorations industry
professionals.

Introduc tion 8
 Alternatively, select Help > Wilcom on the Web for the same set of
options.

Access online support

Note You must have a correctly configured web browser on your system
together with web access.

Conventions used in the documentation


The documentation adopts the following conventions:

Commands
Commands on a submenu are referred to by both the submenu and
command name. For example the command ‘Open’ on the submenu
‘Embroidery Disk’ is referred to as Embroidery Disk > Open.

Dialog boxes
Dialog boxes are referred to as ‘dialogs’ and are displayed only if they
provide important information on using DecoStudio. The screen images
provided may differ slightly to the layouts generated by the software and
operating system you are using.

Mouse conventions

Instruction Symbol Description


Click [ Click the left mouse button.
Right-click ] Click the right mouse button.
Double-click . Click the mouse button twice without moving the
mouse.
Shift-click V+[ Hold down Shift and click left mouse button.
Click OK [ or j Click OK with the mouse or press the Enter key on
the keyboard to complete the action.

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Keyboard conventions

Shortcut Description
C+S While holding down the Control key (Ctrl), press the lowercase
letter S key.
C+V+H While holding down the Control key (Ctrl), press Shift and the
H key.
For a complete list of keyboard shortcuts, see Keyboard Shortcuts.

Introduc tion 10
Chapter 1
Designing Embroidery with DecoStudio

Embroidery design with DecoStudio consists of turning basic artwork


shapes into embroidery designs. DecoStudio gives you the flexibility of
creating embroidery objects using artwork as backdrops, or of directly
converting digital artwork. You can take a mixed mode approach as well,
doing the bulk of the design by means of automatic conversion, followed by
touch-ups and edits using the suite of DecoStudio embroidery digitizing
tools.

Planning designs
High quality embroidery starts with good design and forward planning.

Artwork
Electronic artwork in both bitmap and vector formats can be inserted,
pasted or scanned into DecoStudio for use as digitizing templates or
‘backdrops’. Likely sources include:
 Internet and CD clipart libraries
 Business cards, post cards and wrapping paper
 Samples in the DecoStudio Design folder
 Books of embroidery patterns
 Children’s story books
 Printed table cloths or tea towels
 Original artwork – e.g. children’s drawings.

Tip Unless you are an experienced digitizer, do not use complicated


artwork. Also, be sure to check the copyright of any images you have not
created yourself. If unsure, contact the relevant supplier to seek their
permission.

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Characteristics of good design
Good design is enhanced by the use of correct backing, tension and a good
quality embroidery machine. Keep the following points in mind when
digitizing your design and assessing the final output:

Design looks good – Details are clearly


shapes, colors, balance defined

Shapes are filled with


correct fill and outline
stitches
Stitches angles follow
design shapes

Lettering is clear and


easy to read

The stitched-out design should also have the following characteristics:


 The design stitches out efficiently on the machine.
 Stitches are neat, smooth and even.
 Shapes are stitched correctly – no unwanted gaps.
 The fabric has not puckered around the stitched areas.
 The design is free of loose ends.

Design shapes and stitching sequence


The embroidery objects comprising a design form a stitching sequence.
Before manual digitizing, it is good practice to analyze and plan design
shapes and stitching sequence in advance. Shapes need to be clearly
defined to make them easy to embroider. The best shapes have relatively

Cha pter 1 Designing Embroider y with Deco Studio 12


constant width, with smooth edges, no sharp turns and no small, protruding
details. Details should always be stitched last.

1
5

If you are digitizing manually, objects are stitched out in the order they were
created. In other words, the digitizing sequence defines the stitching
sequence. If you have converted an electronic design, DecoStudio uses
powerful automatic sequencing to create the optimum stitching sequence
for a visually appealing stitchout. Auto-sequencing attempts to generate
embroidery designs which are economical to produce, with minimal down
time, and accurate registration of textures and colors. The advantage of
DecoStudio automatic conversion and sequencing of electronic artwork is
that less time is required for planning, allowing more time to be spent on
artistic choices.
If you take a mixed mode approach, you may do the bulk of the design by
means of automatic conversion, and touch-ups and edits using the suite of
DecoStudio embroidery digitizing tools. In addition, you can always
manually adjust the stitching sequence to improve the stitchout, for
example, to minimize color changes.

Creating embroidery from artwork


There are two fundamental design modes in DecoStudio:
 Graphics: This mode allows you to create and edit vector objects using
the CorelDRAW® toolset.
 Embroidery: This mode allows you to create and edit embroidery
objects using an embroidery digitizing toolset.
DecoStudio Graphics mode includes the entire suite of CorelDRAW®
drawing tools which offer many sophisticated techniques for drafting

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outlines and shapes on screen. Vector graphics can then be converted to
embroidery designs.

Alternatively, using Graphics mode, you can insert or paste third-party


vector graphics such as clipart for use in embroidery designs. Or, insert,
paste or scan bitmap artwork for use as digitizing templates or ‘backdrops’.

Artwork can be used in the following ways:


 Digitize shapes manually: You trace shapes and lines over the artwork
using appropriate input methods. Using a bitmap image in this way is
like using an enlargement drawing on a digitizing tablet, except that
everything is done on screen. See Digitizing for Embroidery for details.
 Convert bitmaps to vector graphics: CorelDRAW® lets you trace
bitmaps to convert them to fully editable and scalable vector graphics.
You can trace scanned sketches, artwork, digital photos, and logos and
integrate them into your designs. See Converting between embroidery
objects for details.
 Convert vector graphics to embroidery objects: The resulting object
takes the current stitch type, color and object properties set for the
associated input method. You can also convert embroidery designs or

Cha pter 1 Designing Embroider y with Deco Studio 14


objects to vector graphics. Vector graphics can also be converted to
appliqué. See Converting between vector and embroidery objects for
details.

Note For a full description of the CorelDRAW® tools, refer to the electronic
User Guide available via the Windows Start > Programs group.
Alternatively, use the onscreen help available from the Help menu.

Object-based embroidery
Designs created in DecoStudio are composed of ‘embroidery objects’. They
are called ‘objects’ because they are discrete entities which can be
manipulated independently of each other. Each object has certain defining
characteristics or ‘properties’ such as color, size, position, and so on. The
most important property of an embroidery object is its stitch type.

Working with design objects


DecoStudio provides various ways to select objects in embroidery design.
Modify the design as a whole or select individual objects for more precise
modification. The Color-Object List provides a convenient way to select
objects and colors in designs and access their properties. Use it to group and
ungroup, lock and unlock, and show and hide objects as well. See Selecting
Embroidery Objects for details.

Viewing designs
DecoStudio provides many viewing modes to make it easier to work with
your designs. Zoom in on an area for more detail or view a design at actual
size. Pan the design to move it across the design window instead of scrolling,
and quickly change between one view and the last.

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Show or hide various design elements with
the available display settings. You can show
or hide outlines, needle penetration points,
and stitches themselves. You can also view
designs in TrueView.
When working with embroidery designs, you
need to understand the stitching sequence.
Check this by ‘traveling’ through the design
stitch-by-stitch. You can also check it by Normal view
simulating the stitchout on screen. You can
also preview a design in different colors on
different fabrics by selecting from among
any number of pre-defined colorways.
DecoStudio gives you comprehensive
information about your designs. Even before
opening a design, you can check the
software version number and other design
information for EMB files directly from
Windows Explorer. View stitching details in TrueView
the Design Properties dialog. The
production worksheet also provides essential production information,
including a design preview, the size of the design, color sequence and any
special instructions. See Viewing Designs for details.

Digitizing for embroidery


In DecoStudio, you build designs from basic shapes or ‘embroidery objects’.
These are like ordinary vector objects in that they have certain defining
characteristics or ‘properties’ such as color, size, position, and so on. They
also have properties unique to embroidery such as stitch type and density.

Embroidery digitizing methods


The process of creating embroidery objects on screen is called ‘digitizing’.
Like the creation of vector graphics, this involves the use of input or

Cha pter 1 Designing Embroider y with Deco Studio 16


‘digitizing’ tools. These are similar to drawing tools except that the end
result is an embroidery rather than a vector object.

Large irregular shape Outlines (Run)


(Complex Fill)

Narrow columns (Input C)

Different tools are suited to creating different shapes or design elements.


There are specific tools for digitizing larger complex shapes, columns of
fixed width, and outlines. See Digitizing for Embroidery for details.

Fill and outline stitches


The most important property of all embroidery objects is stitch type.
DecoStudio uses object outlines and associated stitch type to generate
stitches. Whenever you reshape, transform or scale an object, stitches are
regenerated according to associated stitch type and settings.

Run for lines

Tatami for large


shapes

Satin for narrow


shapes

Stitch types divide broadly into two categories – outline and fill. Satin fills
are generally suited to columns and borders. Tatami stitch is used to fill
larger shapes with solid fields of stitching. Run stitch is considered both a
digitizing method and stitch type. Both Zigzag and E Stitch are used as
outline stitches. Zigzag is frequently used for tacking down appliqués, while
E Stitch is sometimes used as a cover stitch. Both can also be used for
decorative effect. See Stitch Fills and Outlines for details.

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Colorways and thread charts
When digitizing, you select thread colors for each object you create from the
color palette. This contains a selection of thread colors tailored for each
design or color scheme. See Threads and Colorways for details.

Colorway 1 Colorway 2

The particular ‘colorway’ represents the actual thread colors in which a


design will be stitched. In fact you can define multiple color schemes and
switch between them. This has important implications for sales
presentations as well as production. You can also print multiple colorways,
design backgrounds, and icons of color blocks together with the production
worksheet. See Printing production worksheets in Embroidery mode for
details.
For each colorway you define, you can
1 select colors from commercial thread
charts or define your own. Search for
2
particular threads by various criteria.
3 Automatic thread color matching helps
you locate thread colors based on
4
closest match across one or several
5 thread charts. See Customizing thread
charts for details.

Improving stitch quality


DecoStudio includes many automated techniques for achieving smooth,
even placement of stitches, and eliminating gaps in your designs.

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Strengthen and stabilize designs with automatic underlay. See Applying
automatic underlay for details.

With underlay Without underlay

Advanced digitizing techniques


DecoStudio provides specialized productivity features as well as special
effects and digitizing techniques.

Motif fills
Motifs are pre-defined design
elements, such as hearts,
leaves or border patterns. They
generally consist of one or more
simple embroidery objects, and
are stored in a special motif set.
Use Motif Fill to create
ornamental fills. Motif fills can
be scaled, rotated and mirrored
in the same way as other
objects types. See Creating Motif fills for details.

Appliqué
DecoStudio lets you generate all the stitching you
need for appliqué using a dedicated Auto Appliqué
tool. Up to four layers of stitching – guide runs,
cutting lines, tack stitches and cover stitches – can
be generated for any appliqué object. You can also
extract appliqué shapes from a design to output to
a cutter or separate file. See Creating Appliqué
Designs for details. See also Outputting appliqué.

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Monogramming
A monogram is a design composed of one or
more letters, typically the initials of a name,
used as an identifying mark. The
Monogramming tool offers a simple way to
create personalized monograms using a
selection of pre-defined monogramming
styles, border shapes and ornaments,
together with a set of tools to help you place
these elements in creative and decorative
ways. See Monogramming for details.

Embroidery lettering
Create top-quality lettering quickly and simply. DecoStudio provides a large
range of scalable alphabets to choose from. See Standard Alphabets for
details.

Creating embroidery lettering


Add lettering directly to designs using current settings or with the aid of the
dialog. With object-based operation, you can type and manipulate your text
directly on screen, changing the size or spacings to fit. Apply formatting just
like a word processor, including italics, bolding, and right/left justification.
Change values for the whole text or for individual letters. See Creating
Embroidery Lettering for details.

Editing Embroidery Lettering


DecoStudio gives you both interactive and precise numeric control over
many settings affecting lettering objects. Adjust both individual letters and
lettering objects as a whole. Apply horizontal, vertical, and curved
baselines. Modify baseline type, length, radius and angle, as well as

Cha pter 1 Designing Embroider y with Deco Studio 20


position. You can even define the rotation angle of letters relative to the
baseline or the design itself. See Editing Embroidery Lettering for details.

Advanced Embroidery Lettering


Add special characters and symbols to your lettering as required. When it
comes to stitching, you can change stitch types, fine-tune stitch density,
adjust the stitching sequence. Like all embroidery objects, each lettering
object has its own stitch properties. Adjust settings at any stage. See
Advanced Embroidery Lettering for details.

Modifying embroidery designs


After digitizing a design, either automatically or manually, you can modify it
as a whole or edit individual embroidery objects.

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Combining and resequencing objects
DecoStudio provides techniques for
combining and resequencing
objects. You can add to designs by
duplicating and copying objects.
Combine designs. Split objects into
smaller ones and remove overlaps
between objects. See Combining
and Sequencing Objects for details.
If you are digitizing manually in
Embroidery mode, objects are
stitched in the order in which they were created. If you have converted a
design directly from Graphics mode to Embroidery mode, DecoStudio
uses powerful automatic sequencing to create the optimum stitching
sequence for a visually appealing stitchout.
If you take a mixed mode
approach, you may do the
bulk of the design by means
of automatic conversion, and
touch-ups and edits using the
suite of DecoStudio
embroidery digitizing tools. In
addition, you can always
manually adjust the stitching
sequence to improve the
stitchout, for example, to minimize color changes. The Color-Object List
displays a sequential list of embroidery objects grouped by object and color.
It provides an easy way to group, cut, copy and paste, and resequence
selected objects and color blocks. See Selecting objects with the
Color-Object List for details. See also Resequencing colors and objects with
the Color-Object List.

Arranging and transforming objects


DecoStudio also provides techniques for
arranging and transforming embroidery objects.
Change the position, size and orientation of
objects by moving, scaling, rotating, skewing,
and mirroring them. Group objects together to
apply universal changes, or lock them to avoid
unintentional modification. Modify objects
directly on screen or using the Object
Properties dialog. Access commonly used

Cha pter 1 Designing Embroider y with Deco Studio 22


functions via the Color-Object List. See Arranging, Scaling and Transforming
Objects for details.

Reshaping objects
There are also techniques available for reshaping
objects. The points you mark when digitizing a
shape become its ‘control points’. These vary
slightly with the object type. Use them to edit or
transform objects – e.g. reshaping, scaling, letter
spacing, changing entry and exit points. Modify
stitch angles of selected objects. Add multiple
stitch angles as required. See Reshaping Objects
for details.

Files, machines, and design processing


Design processing and encoding involve all the important, back-end
operations of embroidery design and manufacture. This is where you
actually output your designs to machine, disk, printer, cutter, and so on. For
this, you will need an understanding of embroidery file types as well as
different machine formats. Depending on your setup, you will also need an
understanding of traditional storage media such as embroidery disks.

Printing designs
From the same design file, you can
output a production worksheet for
the embroidery machine operator.
Designers frequently want to
distribute their designs for viewing
in real colors, in TrueView or
otherwise, with or without fabric
backgrounds. In DecoStudio you
can save both design images and
production worksheets to disk or
email them direct. You can also
output appliqué designs by printing appliqué patterns or by sending them
directly to a cutter. See Printing Designs for details.

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Outputting designs for machine
You can output embroidery designs for actual stitchout in a variety of ways
– saving to specific machine formats, to embroidery disk, or sending directly
to machine for stitching. See Outputting Designs for Machine for details.

Reading files of different formats


By default DecoStudio saves to its native file format, EMB. This format
contains all information necessary both for stitching a design and for later
modification. When opening designs created or saved in other formats,
DecoStudio converts the design internally to EMB format. You can then
modify it using the full range of DecoStudio features. Depending on the file
type, you may need to provide additional information to assist DecoStudio
in the conversion process. See Reading Files of Different Formats for details.

Machine formats
Different embroidery machines
speak different languages. They
have their own control commands
for the various machine functions.
Before you can stitch a design, it
must be in a format which can be
understood by the embroidery
machine. When you select a
machine format, DecoStudio
translates the digitized design into
machine functions that can be
understood by that machine. If required, you can customize machine
formats to meet specific machine requirements. See Machine Formats for
details.

Cha pter 1 Designing Embroider y with Deco Studio 24


PART I
OBJECT-BASED
EMBROIDERY
Designs created in DecoStudio are composed of embroidery objects. They
are called ‘objects’ because they are discrete entities which can be
manipulated independently of each other. Each object has certain defining
characteristics or ‘properties’ such as color, size, position, and so on. The
most important property of an embroidery object is its stitch type.

Basic procedures
This section describes how to start DecoStudio, how to open designs, start
new ones, use the basic commands, and save designs. It also explains how
to display the grid and rulers, and measure distances on screen. It also
covers how to select machine formats for different output. See Basic
Procedures for details.

Creating embroidery from artwork


This section describes how to choose suitable artwork for digitizing purposes
as well as tips on scanning and editing before use. See Creating Embroidery
from Artwork for details.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 25


Viewing designs
This section explains the design viewing modes available in DecoStudio as
well as the various design viewing settings. It also describes how to view
designs by ‘traveling’ through the stitching sequence. Design colorways are
explained, as well as how to obtain and modify design information and
preview production worksheets. See Viewing Designs for details.

Selecting embroidery objects


This section describes how to select objects using the selection tools and
keyboard. It also shows how to select while traveling through designs and
by means of the Color-Object List. See Selecting Embroidery Objects for
details.

Par t I Objec t-Based Embroider y 26


Chapter 2
Basic Procedures

Wilcom DecoStudio© e1 software is an MS Windows-based product


incorporating many of the conventions with which most PC users are already
familiar. To start using DecoStudio, you need to understand something
about the organization of the graphical user interface (GUI) as well as a few
basic procedures such as opening and saving designs, displaying the grid,
and selecting machine formats.

This section describes how to start DecoStudio, how to open designs, start
new ones, use the basic commands, and save designs. It also explains how
to display the grid and rulers, and measure distances on screen. It also
covers how to select machine formats for different output.

Starting DecoStudio
DecoStudio has a clean, uncomplicated user interface, guiding and
prompting wherever possible via an intuitive graphical and wizard-based

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 27


layout. Open the application using the desktop icon or the Windows Start
menu. DecoStudio offers two fundamental design modes:
 Graphics: This mode allows you to create and edit vector objects using
the CorelDRAW® toolset. See also Converting between vector and
embroidery objects.
 Embroidery: This mode allows you to create and edit embroidery
objects using an embroidery digitizing toolset. See also Embroidery
digitizing methods.

Opening DecoStudio

Double-click to start DecoStudio.

Whenever you start DecoStudio, you are guided through a job-based setup
procedure according to the type of design work you want to carry out. You
can always by-pass the Startup dialog altogether to open a blank design in
Embroidery mode based on the default fabric.

Note DecoStudio is a single document interface (SDI) application,


meaning that it is limited to showing a single window, giving a single view
of a document at a time. When you invoke the New command in
Embroidery mode, the system prompts you to save the current design.
This must be closed before a new one can be opened.

To open DecoStudio
 Double-click the DecoStudio shortcut icon on the Windows desktop.
Alternatively, select All Programs > Wilcom > Wilcom DecoStudio
from the Start menu.

Chapter 2 Basic Proced ures 28


A Startup dialog displays each time DecoStudio is launched or when
File > New is selected unless the feature is turned off.

Click to close

Startup options

Prompt box

Deactivation checkbox

 Choose the Startup option you require – New, Open, Tutorials or


Web. See Startup options for details.
 To deactivate the Startup dialog, uncheck the checkbox.
The checkbox is checked by default. When unchecked, the Startup
dialog will not display the next time DecoStudio launches or when you
select File > New. The wizard can be turned back on via the Options
dialog. See Setting other general options for details.
 You can by-pass the Startup dialog altogether by clicking the Close
button. A blank design opens in Embroidery mode based on the default
fabric.

Graphics mode
DecoStudio Graphics mode includes the entire suite of CorelDRAW®
drawing tools which offer many techniques for drafting outlines and shapes
on screen. Vector objects can then be converted to embroidery designs.
Alternatively, using Graphics mode, you can insert or paste third-party

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 29


vector graphics such as clipart for use in embroidery designs. See also
Converting between vector and embroidery objects.

Depending on options chosen during startup, you are presented with the
Graphics mode or Embroidery mode design window. Here is the Graphics
mode design window:

Menu bar
Universal toolbar
Standard toolbar
Properties bar

Docker window
Toolbox

Design window

Color Palette

Status bar

Note If a document in Graphics mode contains more than one page, when
switching to Embroidery mode, the design window will only display the
contents of the currently active page.

Chapter 2 Basic Proced ures 30


Graphics mode consists of the following interface elements:

Element Description
Menu bar This contains application menus such as File, Edit, View, etc.
Universal toolbar This contains the universal tools and icons which are visible in both
Embroidery and Graphics modes. It also contains tools which are
only available in a particular mode but in some way influence how
objects behave in the alternate mode.
Standard toolbar This contains commonly used tools and commands which are
specific to and only visible in Graphics mode.
Properties bar This contains the commands and controls that relate to the active
tool in the Toolbox or active object in the design window in
Graphics mode.
Toolbox This contains the creation/editing tools specific to and visible in
Graphics mode.
Design window This contains the main work area where you create and edit
graphics objects as well as embroidery objects when you switch to
Embroidery mode.
Color Palette This contains the graphics color palette which is specific to and
only visible in Graphics mode.
Docker Window In Graphics mode, this contains the graphics-specific ‘docker
windows’.
Status bar This contains the status bar information which is only visible in the
Graphics mode.

Embroidery mode
DecoStudio Embroidery mode offers digitizing methods or ‘tools’
specifically suited to the creation of embroidery shapes or objects. Digitizing
methods divide broadly into two categories – outline and fill. See
Embroidery digitizing methods for details.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 31


Different stitch types are suited to different digitizing methods. See also
Stitch Fills and Outlines.

When you create an embroidery object, you can accept default settings for
a particular tool, or apply new ones. Default settings are based on the
selected fabric. See also Changing fabrics.

Tip By default, rulers and guides are switched on. When they are switched
off, guides are hidden but are stored in the design and will reappear when
switched back on. See Displaying grids, rulers and guides for details.

Chapter 2 Basic Proced ures 32


Depending on options chosen during startup, you are presented with the
Graphics mode or Embroidery mode design window. Here is the
Embroidery mode design window:

Menu bar
Universal toolbar
Standard toolbar
Arrange toolbar
Transform toolbar
Stitch Types toolbar

Docker window

Toolbox
Tab buttons

Design window

Color Palette

Status bar/Prompt line

Embroidery mode consists of the following interface elements:

Element Description
Menu bar This contains the application menus such as File, Edit, View, etc.
Universal toolbar This contains the universal tools and icons which are visible in both
Embroidery and Graphics modes. It also contains tools which are
only available in a particular mode but in some way influence how
objects behave in the alternate mode.
Standard toolbar This contains commonly used tools and commands which are
specific to and only visible in Embroidery mode.
Arrange toolbar This contains tools for moving, aligning and distributing objects,
including grouping and locking tools.
Transform This contains tools for mirroring, rotating and skewing objects.
toolbar
Stitch Types This contains a variety of tools which determine the stitch types
toolbar which can be applied to embroidery objects, including automatic
underlay.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 33


Element Description
Toolbox This contains the creation/editing tools specific to and visible in
Embroidery mode.
Color Palette This contains the embroidery color palette which is specific to and
only visible in Embroidery mode.
Status bar This contains the status bar information and prompts which are
/Prompt line only visible in Embroidery mode.
Docker Window In Embroidery mode, this contains the Object Properties, the
Color-Object List and Color Palette Editor dockers. Then can be
open at the same time (tiled) and viewed interchangeably via tab
controls.
Design window This contains the main work area where you create and edit
embroidery objects as well as graphics objects when you switch to
Graphics mode.

The Status bar/Prompt line includes a General Properties panel for


continuous display and routine modification of general object properties.
See also Accessing object properties.

Stitch type and General properties


Stitch count current settings permanently available
Status bar
Prompt line
Coordinates of current Length and angle of Current object
needle position current stitch

Switching between design modes

Use Graphics (Universal toolbar) to switch to Graphics mode.

Use Embroidery (Universal toolbar) to switch to Embroidery mode.

The two design modes in DecoStudio are accessed by clicking the Graphics
or Embroidery buttons:

Click to switch to Embroidery mode

Click to switch to Graphics mode

Chapter 2 Basic Proced ures 34


DecoStudio also lets you convert between vector and embroidery objects of
different types at all stages of the design. For example, you can convert
vector graphics directly to embroidery objects and vice versa. You can also
convert between embroidery object types. See Converting between vector
and embroidery objects for details.

Embroidery > Graphics mode


When changing from Embroidery to Graphics mode, the following rules
apply:
 Any existing embroidery objects are displayed as TrueView embroidery
objects.

Tip You can turn off embroidery objects by toggling off the Show
Embroidery button on the Universal toolbar.
 Any existing vector objects are displayed.
 You are able to create and edit vector objects.

Note DecoStudio includes as standard the entire suite of CorelDRAW®


drawing tools which offer many techniques for drafting outlines and shapes
on screen. For a detailed description of the CorelDRAW® interface, refer to
the electronic User Guide available via the Windows Start > Programs
group. Alternatively, use the onscreen help available from the Graphics
mode Help menu.

Graphics > Embroidery mode


When changing from Graphics to Embroidery mode, the following rules
apply:
 Any existing vector objects or bitmap images are displayed.

Tip You can turn off vector objects by toggling off the Show Graphics
button in the Universal toolbar.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 35


 Any existing embroidery objects are displayed.

Startup options
When activated, the Startup dialog displays each time DecoStudio is
launched or when File > New is selected. It gives you the option of starting
a new project, opening an existing design, accessing the DecoStudio
tutorials – particularly useful for new users – or accessing the DecoStudio
website. See also DecoStudio documentation and training.

Click to close

Startup options

Prompt box

Deactivation checkbox

Opening designs

Use Open (Standard toolbar) to open an existing design.

DecoStudio opens a comprehensive range of both outline and stitch files.


By default the Open function shows the contents of the dedicated
DecoStudio design folder. When a design is selected, it opens in
Embroidery mode. See Starting DecoStudio for details.

Chapter 2 Basic Proced ures 36


Note Opening embroidery designs and creating new can only be performed
in Embroidery mode.

To open a design
1 Click the Open icon on the Startup dialog or on the Standard toolbar,
or select File > Open.
The Open dialog opens.

Preview
panel

Design
data

Preview
on/off

2 Select a folder from the Look In list.


3 If the design is not in EMB format, select a file type from the Files of
Type list. See Supported Machine, File and Disk Types for details.
4 Select a design.
5 Select the Preview checkbox to preview the design (for supported file
formats) together with the design data. This includes stitch and color
numbers, design height and width, and software version number (V6.0
onwards).

Tip For more information about a selected file, right-click and select
Properties from the popup menu. See Viewing design information for
details.
6 For file types other than EMB or ESD, click Options and change the
recognition options. See Reading Files of Different Formats for details.
7 Click Open.

Tip You can also open designs from proprietary embroidery disks. See
also Reading and writing to embroidery disk.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 37


Creating new designs

Use New (Standard toolbar) to start a new design with the default settings.

Whenever you open a fresh design file, a blank design opens in the design
window with artwork pre-loaded as you choose. The file uses pre-defined
settings according to the project you have chosen to work on. A ‘generic’
option allows you to work with a blank design based on default settings. See
also Creating Embroidery from Artwork.

Note You can change project types at any stage. You can also change
fabrics and machine types at any stage. See Changing project types for
details. See also Changing fabrics.

To choose a project type


 Click the New icon on the Startup dialog or on the Standard toolbar,
or select File > New.
If the Startup option is activated, the Choose Project dialog displays.

Click to close

Startup options

Prompt box

 If you want to be guided through the project setup process, choose a


project type:

Project Description
Garment Use this option if you want to start a new design using presets
suitable for garment work. See below for details.
Emblem Use this option if you want to start a new design using presets
suitable for emblem work. See below for details.

Chapter 2 Basic Proced ures 38


Project Description
Generic Use this option if you want to start a new design using presets
suitable for non-specific (generic) purpose. Fabrics and machine
types can be set at any stage. See below for details.

To set up a project for garment work


 If you want to start a new design using presets suitable for garment
work, click the Garment icon.
The Choose Fabric Type dialog displays.

Select fabric
type
Choose color
or pattern for
fabric

Previous and Click to apply


Next buttons and close

Tip If you want to change your selection, you can go back to the
previous screen any time by clicking the Back button. If you want to
apply current selections and go straight to the design window, click
Apply and Close.
 From the dropdown list, choose a fabric type matching or nearest to the
fabric you intend to work with – this will ensure optimum quality for your
embroidery.
DecoStudio provides a set of optimized fabric settings so that the
software will take into account the type of fabric you are stitching on.
See also Threads and Colorways.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 39


 If you want to work on a patterned background resembling the actual
fabric, choose Pattern and click Choose Pattern. Use the Choose
Pattern dialog to choose a color swatch corresponding to the chosen
fabric.

Choose color swatch


for selected fabric

 If you want a plain background to work on, choose Solid Color and click
Choose Color. Use the Color dialog to choose or mix a suitable color
for your background. See Mixing your own thread colors for details.

Choose or mix
color for the
background

Note Pre-defined settings for the selected fabric are applied to all
embroidery objects in the design. The current fabric is displayed in the
Status bar.

Chapter 2 Basic Proced ures 40


To set up a project for emblem work
 If you want to start a new design using presets suitable for emblem
work, click the Emblem icon. The Choose Background Color dialog
displays.

Choose
background
color

Click to apply
and close

Tip If you want to change your selection, you can go back to the
previous screen any time by clicking the Back button. If you want to
apply current selections and go straight to the design window, click
Apply and Close.
 When you have made your selection, click the Next button to proceed
to the next screen. Clicking the Back button returns you to the Choose
Project dialog.

Note The color selected here is displayed in the background of the


design window in Embroidery mode once the new design is created.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 41


To set up a project for general work
 If you want to start a new design using presets suitable for non-specific
(generic) purpose, click the Generic icon. The Choose Background
Color screen displays.

Choose
background
color

Click to apply
and close

Tip If you want to change your selection, you can go back to the
previous screen any time by clicking the Back button. If you want to
apply current selections and go straight to the design window, click
Apply and Close.
 When you have made your selection, click the Next button to proceed
to the next screen. Clicking the Back button returns you to the Choose
Project dialog.

Note The color selected here is displayed in the background of the


design window in Embroidery mode once the new design is created.

To choose the machine format for your project


 When you click the Next button in Choose Fabric or Choose
Background Color dialog, the Machine Format dialog displays.

Chapter 2 Basic Proced ures 42


Different embroidery machines speak different languages. They have
their own control commands for the various machine functions.

Choose
machine format
for your project

Click to apply
and close

Tip If you want to change your selection, you can go back to the
previous screen any time by clicking the Back button. If you want to
apply current selections and go straight to the design window, click
Apply and Close.
 Select your required machine format.
When you select a machine format, DecoStudio translates the digitized
design into machine functions that can be understood by that machine.
The machine format can be changed at any stage. See Machine Formats
for details.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 43


To choose artwork for your project
 When you click the Next button in Machine Format dialog, the
Choose Graphic Source dialog displays.

Choose graphic
source for your
project

Options include:

Option Description
From File The Open dialog, showing the contents of the dedicated stock
graphics folder, displays by default. Use one of these, or graphic
of your choice, as your starting point.
From New design is created in Graphics mode with the last item
Clipboard copied into the Clipboard inserted in the center of the design
window.
New Graphic New design is created in Graphics mode.
New New design is created in Embroidery mode.
Embroidery

Tip Whenever you create a new design, save it with a new name. See
Saving designs for details.

Changing project types


If you want to adapt an existing project to another purpose, you can change
project types at any stage. When you first choose a project type,
DecoStudio uses corresponding settings. Whenever you change project
types, changed settings affect all object types other than motif fills,
appliqué, and run stitches. Where properties are different to defaults, these

Chapter 2 Basic Proced ures 44


are not cancelled by new settings but are adjusted ‘intelligently’. See also
Changing fabrics.

To change a project type


1 Open a design.
2 Select Edit > Change Project Type.
The Change Project Type dialog opens.

Choose project
type

3 Choose a project type.


Depending on the project type selected, the Change Background
Color or Change Fabric Type dialog opens.

Change
background color

4 Select a color for fabric or background and click Apply and Close. See
also Changing background colors.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 45


The project type for the design changes and background color or fabric
color is set according to selection.

Saving designs

Use Save (Standard toolbar) to save the current design. Right-click to open
the Save As dialog.

Saving an embroidery design in Embroidery mode records its file name,


location and format, and updates it with any changes you make. When you
save a design under a new name, to a different location or format, you
create a copy of the original. DecoStudio lets you save designs in EMB as
well as other outline and ‘stitch’ file formats. You can also save designs to
proprietary embroidery disk. See Embroidery design formats and Reading
and writing to embroidery disk in the Online Manual. See also Saving
designs for machine.

Tip Save your design early and often. Do not wait until you finish working.
You can also set DecoStudio to save automatically while you work. See
Setting automatic save and backup options for details.

To save a design
1 Click the Save icon in Embroidery mode.
If this is the first time you have saved the design, the Save As dialog
opens.

Chapter 2 Basic Proced ures 46


Tip To save changes to an existing file but preserve the original, use
Save As.

Folder containing
designs

Design name

Format list

2 Select the folder where you want to save the design from the Save In
list.
3 Enter a name for the design in the File name field.
4 Select a file format from the Save as type list. See Supported
embroidery file formats for details.
5 Click Save.

Tip Files saved in EMB format are automatically compressed when


saved and decompressed when re-opened. This reduces the storage
space required, and makes it possible to save large files to floppy disk,
or send them as email attachments.

Using commands and tools


Once you start DecoStudio, you use commands or tools and dialogs to
complete your tasks. You select commands in DecoStudio in the same way
as other Windows applications – from menus, toolbars, or popup menus.
Dialogs provide the other principal way of engaging with the system. They
come in two forms – modal and modeless. Modal dialogs effectively lock the
system until you have finished with them. The idea of the ‘modeless’ dialog
is that you can keep it open as long as you need to while working
interactively with different settings. Keyboard shortcuts are also available
for the most frequently used commands. See Quick Reference for details.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 47


Selecting commands from menus
Menus provide access to most DecoStudio commands. Some commands
are ‘toggles’ which turn on or off related functions.

To select commands from menus


 Click a menu to access a dropdown list of commands.
Alternatively, press Alt + the access key indicated for each menu by an
underlined character – e.g. Alt+F invokes the File menu.

Keyboard Shortcut

 Invoke a menu command by any of the following means:


 Scroll down the list and select it.
 If you are using the Alt + access key method, press the underlined
character associated with the command – e.g. Alt+F+S invokes the
Save function.
 Without opening the menu, use the keyboard shortcut associated
with the command – e.g. Ctrl+P invokes the Print function. See
Keyboard Shortcuts for details.

Tip Menu items for which there exist corresponding toolbar icons
display the associated icon next to them – e.g. the New command.

Chapter 2 Basic Proced ures 48


 For access to information about any of the menu commands, toolbar
tools, or dialogs, use the Help menu. See DecoStudio documentation
and training for details.

Access onscreen
documentation

Access online support

Using popup menus


Generally speaking, popup menus of context-specific commands can be
accessed from the design window as well as some modeless dialogs.

To use popup menus


1 Right-click a selected object or objects in the design window or modeless
dialog such as the Color-Object List.
A popup menu opens.

Design window
popup menu

Color-Object List
popup menu

2 Select a command from the menu.

Tip A frequently used command is Properties. This opens the Object


Properties dialog for selected objects. See Accessing object properties
for details.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 49


Selecting commands from toolbars
Toolbars provide quick and easy access to DecoStudio commands. Click a
toolbar button to activate a command or, where applicable, right-click to set
its properties. Some icons are ‘toggles’ which turn on or off associated
functions.

To select commands from toolbars


 Rest the pointer over a tool icon to invoke its ‘tooltip’.

 Click the icon to activate the command.


 Right-click to adjust settings or activate any secondary command.
If the icon has both left and right-click commands, the name is split with
a slash (/). For example, the Reshape Object / Values tool lets you
reshape selected objects when you click it, or invokes Options >
Reshape dialog to change reshape options when you right-click.

Adjust Object Properties


for current settings or
selected objects

Note For all stitch type tools except Auto Underlay and all input method
tools in the Toolbox, both left-clicking and right-clicking simultaneously
activate the tools and invoke the Object Properties docker. See also
Accessing object properties.
 Reposition toolbars and change between the docked and floated
statuses by doing the following:

Chapter 2 Basic Proced ures 50


 Float toolbars individually by clicking and dragging the left-hand
edge away from the docked position.

Double-click title bar to


return to docked state

Click and drag title bar


to position toolbar

Click and drag Click and drag edges to


vertical dots to float reshape toolbar

 Click and drag title bars to position floating toolbars or dock them in
any of the four quadrants of the design window.
 Click and drag the edges of the toolbar to reshape it as required.

Toggling toolbars on or off


Toolbars provide quick and easy access to most DecoStudio commands. To
increase your working area, you can show or hide them at your
convenience. As you get more familiar with the system, you may tend to use
the menu and keyboard commands instead. See also Quick Reference.

To toggle toolbars on or off


1 Select View > Toolbars.
The Toolbars dialog opens.

Select toolbars
to display

2 Select the toolbars you want to display and click OK.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 51


Working with modeless dialogs

Click Color-Object List (Standard toolbar) to display the Color-Object List


docker. Use this tool to select and view objects in a design.

Click Object Properties (Standard toolbar) to display the Object Properties


docker. Use this tool to adjust properties of selected objects.

Click Color Palette Editor (Color toolbar) to display the Color Palette Editor
docker. Use this tool to assign thread colors to color blocks in the design.

In DecoStudio, there are three important ‘modeless dialogs’ – meaning that


they stay open as long as you need them – known collectively as ‘dockers’:

Docker Description
Object The most important dialog in DecoStudio is the Object Properties
Properties docker. Use it together with the General Properties toolbar to adjust
properties of selected embroidery objects. See Accessing object
properties for details.
Color-Object The Color-Object List provides a sequential list of embroidery
List objects as digitized, grouped by color block. It offers an easy way to
selectively view color blocks and objects. See Viewing color blocks
with the Color-Object List for details.
Color Palette When you create a new design, it includes a single default colorway
Editor called ‘Colorway 1’. This contains 15 default colors, unassigned to
any thread chart. The Color Palette Editor allows you to edit these
default colors, add extra color slots as required, and set up additional
colorways. See Setting up colorways for details.

Chapter 2 Basic Proced ures 52


To work with modeless dialogs
 Access these by means of their respective toolbar toggles or via the
View menu. By default, these dialogs dock to the right side of the
screen.

Color Palette Editor

Object Properties Color-Object List

 Click the tab buttons at the side of the docker panel to change. The tabs
only appear when more than one window is open.

Enable/disable Close docker


auto-hide window

Click and drag


tab to float
Object docker window
Properties
docker

Object
Click tab Properties
to open docker hidden

 Click the X button at the top right corner of the docker to close
individually.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 53


 Activate the auto-hide function by clicking the Auto Hide button next to
the X button – docking panes automatically retract when not in use
freeing up more design window space. Click the button again to
deactivate.
 Float dockers individually by clicking and dragging the tab panel away
from the docking area.
 Alternatively, float dockers as a group by clicking and dragging the title
bar away from the docking area.

Double-click title bar


to return to docked
state

Click tabs to toggle


between docker
windows

 Double-click the title bar of a docker to toggle between floating and


docked states.

Chapter 2 Basic Proced ures 54


 Drag and drop a floating docker over the title bar of either a floating or
docked one.

Hover another docker


window over title bar

Shadow tab
indicates window
is ready to be
tabbed

Shadow outline
indicates window
is ready to be
tiled

Floating docker window Docked docker window

If you want to tab dockers, adjust until a shadow tab appears. If you
want to tile dockers side-by-side, adjust until the shadow outline only
partially covers the window.

Floating docker windows tabbed Docked docker windows tiled

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 55


Accessing object properties

Use Object Properties (Standard toolbar) to set properties of selected


objects.

The most important dialog in DecoStudio is the Object Properties docker


window. This is a ‘modeless’ window, meaning that it stays open as long as
you need it. Use it together with the General Properties toolbar to view
and adjust properties of selected embroidery objects. See also Changing
object properties.

To access object properties


1 Open the Object Properties docker by any of the following means:
 Select View > Object Properties.
 Click the Object Properties icon.
 Double-click an object in the design window.
 Right-click an object in the design window and select Properties
from the popup menu.
 Right-click an object in the Color-Object List and select Properties
from the popup menu.

Click to close

Object Properties tabs

Dropdown list

Adjust settings as
required

Click to close

2 Select a tab to access the object properties you want to adjust. See
Changing object properties for details.
3 Close the Object Properties docker by either of the following means:
 Click the Object Properties icon.

Chapter 2 Basic Proced ures 56


 Click the X icon in the top right corner of the Object Properties
docker.
 Click the Close button at the bottom of the Object Properties
docker.
4 Adjust general object properties – width, height, position – by means of
the General Properties controls at the bottom of the screen where
they are permanently available.

General properties permanently


available on right side of status bar

Click or press Enter to apply

Undoing and redoing commands

Use Undo icon (Standard toolbar) to undo an action and Undo Arrow to undo
a range of actions.

Use Redo icon (Standard toolbar) to redo an action and Redo Arrow to redo
a range of actions.

You can undo the effects of most commands. If you change your mind, you
can redo them again.

To undo and redo commands


 To undo a previous command, simply click the Undo icon or press
Ctrl+Z.
When DecoStudio cannot remember more commands, Undo is
dimmed.
 Click Redo or press Ctrl+Y to re-apply an ‘undone’ command.

Displaying grids, rulers and guides


DecoStudio provides a set of grid lines to help accurately align or size
embroidery objects. The Show Rulers and Guides feature improves
usability by allowing you to accurately position stitches and align objects in
the design.

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Displaying the grid

Click Show Grid (Standard toolbar) to show or hide the grid. Right-click to
change the Grid settings.

Use grid lines to help accurately align or size embroidery objects. You can
show or hide the grid at any time. Default grid spacing is 10 mm x 10 mm.

To display the grid


 Toggle grid display by any of the following means:
 Toggle on the Show Grid icon.
 Select View > Design Options > Grid and Guides tab and select
the Show Grid option.

Show Grid

 Select View > Grid and Guides and select the Show Grid option.
 Press Shift+G.
 To turn off the grid, toggle off the Show Grid icon or press Shift+G
again.

Tip You can change grid spacing, select a reference point and turn Snap
to Grid on or off in the Options dialog. You can also change the color
of the grid lines. See Setting display colors for details. See also Setting
grid options.

Displaying rulers and guides

Click Show Rulers and Guides (Standard toolbar) to show or hide rulers and
guides. Right-click to change the Guides settings.

Drag the Ruler Zero Point to reset a new ruler zero point.

Rulers are located to the top and left side of the design window. The unit of
measurement – mm or inches – depends on the regional settings in the
Windows Control Panel. The ruler scale, illustrated with numbers and ticks,
depends on the zoom setting. Guides are dotted vertical and horizontal lines
placed across the design window to help you align objects. Each guide has
a yellow guide handle on the ruler that can be used to move or delete it.

Chapter 2 Basic Proced ures 58


Guides are displayed ‘on top’ of the grid, if present, but ‘beneath’ vector
objects and embroidery objects. Rulers must be displayed before a guide
can be created.

Note By default, rulers and guides are switched on. When they are
switched off, guides are hidden but are stored in the design and will
reappear when switched back on.

To display rulers and guides


 Toggle ruler display by any of the following means:
 Click the Show Rulers and Guides icon or press Ctrl+R.
 Select Special > Options > Grid and Guides tab and select the
Show Rulers and Guides option.

Show Rulers and


Guides

 Select View > Grid and Guides and select the Show Rulers and
Guides option.

Click-and-drag to
reset ruler zero
point

Click-and-drag to
reposition guides

Click ruler to
create new guide

Drag guide off


ruler to remove

 Reset the ruler zero point by clicking and dragging the box in the top
left-hand corner of the design window to the required point in the
design.
The point where you release the mouse becomes the new zero point –
X,Y (0,0). The grid always lines up with the rulers. Whenever the ruler
zero is changed, the Set Reference Point checkbox in Options > Grid
and Guides tab is deselected. See Setting grid options for details.

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 To create a guide, click on either ruler – horizontal or vertical – and
click-and-drag it into position. Multiple guides can be created and just as
easily removed.
 For more accurate positioning of guides, double-click the yellow handle.
In the Guide Position dialog, enter a precise distance from the zero
point, and click OK.

Enter precise
position

Note The ruler zero and the design zero are not the same and in
general do not coincide. When the zero point of the rulers is changed,
the guides maintain their current displacement from the zero point of
the design, not the zero point of the rulers.
 To remove a guide, drag the yellow guide handle off the design window.

Tip You can turn Snap to Grid and Snap to Guide on or off in the
Options dialog. You can also change the color of grid and guidelines.
See Setting display colors for details. See also Setting grid options.

Measuring distances on screen


Measure the distance between two points on screen using the Measure
command. This command displays coordinates, distance and angle of the
mouse pointer from a point corresponding to the center of a hoop in an
empty design. View the measurements in the Status bar or in a tooltip.

Tip For more accurate results, zoom in before you measure. The
measurement is always the actual size, and is not affected by the zoom
factor.

To measure a distance on screen


1 Select View > Measure or press M.
2 Click the start point.
3 Move the pointer to the end point and hold the mouse still.

Chapter 2 Basic Proced ures 60


The mouse pointer changes with a small ruler and a straight line is
connected to the mouse from the point you clicked. The following
information displays in the Status bar:
 Position coordinates of the end point (X=, Y=)
 Length of the measured line (L=)
 Angle of the line relative to the horizontal (A=).
Measurements are shown in millimeters or inches, depending on the
option selected in the Windows Control Panel. See your Windows
documentation for more information.

Tip If activated, length and angle measurements also appear in a


tooltip. See Setting other general options for details.

Measurements
appear as tooltip

4 Press Esc.
The connecting line disappears but the mouse still shows the
measurements from the center of the design in a tooltip.
5 Press Esc again to exit the command.

Changing machine formats


You normally decide which machine format to use before you start digitizing
unless you choose the Generic option when setting up. However, machine
formats can be changed at any time in order to stitch a design to another
machine type or save to embroidery disk.

To change machine formats


1 Select Machine > Select Machine Format.

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The Select Machine Format dialog opens.

Select machine
format

2 Select a machine format from the list.

Note You can customize or add formats to suit the embroidery machine
you will use to stitch the design. See Machine Formats for details.
3 Click OK.

Chapter 2 Basic Proced ures 62


Chapter 3
Creating Embroidery from Artwork

DecoStudio Graphics mode includes the entire suite of CorelDRAW®


drawing tools which offer many sophisticated techniques for drafting
outlines and shapes on screen. Vector graphics can then be converted to
embroidery designs.

Alternatively, using Graphics mode, you can insert or paste third-party


vector graphics such as clipart for use in embroidery designs. Or, insert,
paste or scan bitmap artwork for use as digitizing templates or ‘backdrops’.

Bitmap images can be used in the following ways:

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 Digitize shapes manually: You trace shapes and lines over the artwork
using the appropriate input methods. Using a bitmap image in this way
is like using an enlargement drawing on a digitizing tablet, except that
everything is done on screen. See Digitizing for Embroidery for details.
 Convert bitmaps to vector graphics: CorelDRAW® lets you trace
bitmaps to convert them to fully editable and scalable vector graphics.
You can trace scanned sketches, artwork, digital photos, and logos and
easily integrate them into your designs. See Converting between
embroidery objects for details.

Note For a full description of the CorelDRAW® tools, refer to the electronic
User Guide available via the Windows Start > Programs group.
Alternatively, use the onscreen help available from the Help menu.
This section describes how to choose suitable artwork for digitizing purposes
as well as tips on scanning and editing before use.

Choosing suitable artwork


For both manual and automatic embroidery digitizing purposes, ‘clean’
images, sometimes referred to as ‘cartoons’, work best. Such images have
a limited number of solid colors which in turn have well-defined outlines.
Ideally, they are:
 Well defined, where each shape is made up of pixels of the same color
 Clearly ‘blocked’, where each shape is a stitchable size, at least 1 sq mm
 Saved at a color depth of at least 256 colors (8 bit), or preferably
millions of colors (16 bit). (Images are automatically reduced to 256
colors or less when loaded into DecoStudio.)

Clean image with Clean image with Complex image, needs editing
well-defined outlines well-defined color blocks to remove background and
improve outlines

Best results are produced with images of the type found in clipart libraries
or created from scratch in CorelDRAW®. DecoStudio can work with images

Chapter 3 Creating Embroide r y from Ar t work 64


from other sources but they require some preparation. This is because most
commonly available images are not made up of solid colors. Scanners
introduce noise, while graphics packages perform ‘dithering’ and
‘anti-aliasing’ to improve image print quality. Embroidery digitizing works
least effectively with photographic images which may contain many dithered
colors and complex forms. With photographs, however, you can pick out
shapes that you want to embroider, leaving out unnecessary detail.

Scanned images
Images scanned from hardcopy drawings or
existing embroidery typically contain a lot of
introduced ‘noise’. While they can be used as
input to embroidery digitizing, once again, best
results are achieved with relatively clean images
consisting of solid color blocks. Typically, logos
and simple drawings scanned from business
cards, letterheads, books, magazines, cards all
fall into this category.
Noisy images typically need to be prepared by
reducing the color count and sharpening the
outlines. Image containing a lot of
scanner ‘noise’

Dithered images
Dithering is a software technique which combines existing colors in a
checkerboard arrangement of pixels. It is typically used to simulate colors
that are missing from an image palette.

Dithered color blocks

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Like noisy images, dithered images need to be color-reduced before use. Be
aware, however, that while DecoStudio can process dithered colors within a
defined outline, it does not work so well with non-outlined images.

Anti-aliased images
Anti-aliasing is a software technique similar to
dithering which is used to soften hard outlines
where color blocks intersect. It produces
smoother outlines by ‘blurring’ the pixels
where colors join.
Where anti-aliasing is deliberately used to
blur outlines, these need to be ‘sharpened’
before use with automatic digitizing.

Scanning artwork into DecoStudio


If you have existing artwork, you can scan it in Graphics mode with a
TWAIN-compatible scanner using the CorelDRAW® scanning function. It is
important to scan your artwork properly if you intend to use one of the
automatic digitizing techniques – the scanned image quality will affect the
quality of the final embroidered design.

Note For a full description of how to scan images into CorelDRAW®, refer
to the electronic User Guide available via the Windows Start > Programs
group. Alternatively, use the onscreen help available from the Help menu.

Preparing artwork for scanning


With embroidery design, less is more. You don’t need every detail in an
image to create a design. You use the ‘structure’ of the image rather than
the fine details of texture and color. To simplify artwork, you can cover it
with tracing paper and draw only the essential shapes and lines which will
be filled with stitches. When scanning, take away the original artwork and
put white paper behind the tracing paper. Shiny surfaces, such as glossy
photographs, may not scan well. Cover them with tracing paper. If the
artwork has very light colors, highlight outlines with a fine black felt-tip pen.

Scanning resolution
Most scanners require you to enter scanning resolution information.
Resolution determines the number of dots per inch (dpi) used to create an
image. Generally speaking, the smaller the source image and/or more detail

Chapter 3 Creating Embroide r y from Ar t work 66


it contains, the higher the resolution needs to be. Use the following table as
a guide.

Type of artwork Scanning resolution


Business cards, letter heads 150 - 300 dpi
Hand sketches 150 - 300 dpi
Photos and images 150 - 300 dpi
Commercial art, line drawing 72 - 150 dpi

Color mode
Most scanners also require you to enter color mode information. First decide
whether your image is line art (black and white drawing), sketch, color
picture, or black and white or color photograph, then choose an appropriate
mode. Black and white mode produces the smallest files. Color photograph
and grayscale modes generate 256 color images and produce similar sized
files. ‘RGB’, ‘True Color’ or ‘millions of colors’ modes generate 16.7 million
colors and produce the biggest files. Use the table below to decide which
mode is suitable for use with your image.

Recommended No. of colors in


Source image Example Description
color mode * scanned image
Line art Two colors – Black/white drawing 2
usually black and Line art 2
white

Drawing/sketch Sketch or drawing Grayscale 256


with shades of gray Line art 2

Black & white Shades of gray Black/white photo 256


photograph Grayscale 256

* Different scanning software uses different terms for the equivalent mode.

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Recommended No. of colors in
Source image Example Description
color mode * scanned image
Color photograph Many colors Color RGB 16 million
Color photo 256

Color picture Two colors or more Color RGB 16 million


Millions of colors 16 million
Color drawing 2 - 256

* Different scanning software uses different terms for the equivalent mode.

Scanning tips
 Do not scan line art images in grayscale mode – grayscale scanning
produces fuzzy edges.
 Scan color images in RGB mode (millions of colors) rather than 256 color
mode. You may not notice any difference on screen. The color count can
be reduced once the image is loaded into the software. DecoStudio can
use the extra information to produce a better image than one scanned
at 256 colors.

Scanned in 256
color mode

Scanned in RGB color


mode (millions of
colors)

 Do not scan color images in CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black)
mode as this is only used for images that will be printed – colors may be
different to RGB colors.
 If the image needs to be rotated, do so while scanning. Rotating
afterwards may distort the image.

Chapter 3 Creating Embroide r y from Ar t work 68


Sharpening
Some scanning software lets you apply what is called ‘sharpening’ as you
scan. Sharpening compensates for the slight blurring in a scanned image by
looking for any differences between colors in the image. Sharpening
accentuates these differences which makes the image edges more defined.
It does not increase image details but makes them more obvious. In
general, use sharpening with images that have well-defined outlines. Don’t
use it with non-outlined images.

Scanned with
sharpening

Scanned without
sharpening

Image preparation techniques


Before converting artwork to vector graphics, you frequently need to clean
it up. To work effectively, the Convert function requires solid color images
as input. You can improve artwork with the bitmap editing tools.

Note For a full description of the editing tools in CorelDRAW®, refer to the
electronic User Guide available via the Windows Start > Programs group.
Alternatively, use the onscreen help available from the Help menu.

Outlined vs non-outlined images


Before preparing your image you need to know what type you are using. For
the purposes of automatic digitizing, there are two categories – outlined and
non-outlined. Outlined images ideally have a solid black outline around each
colored area. Non-outlined images ideally consist of solid areas of color.
Outlined and non-outlined images require different methods of preparation.

Image with outlines Image without outlines

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Image clean up
In practice, cleaning up scanned images may involve any one or a
combination of the following techniques:
 Reducing the number of colors
 Adding or emphasizing outlines
 Removing noise, dithering or anti-aliasing
 Eliminating unnecessary detail
 Cropping sections
 Eliminating backgrounds.

Color reduction
Sometimes an image looks clean but extra colors have been introduced
during scanning or in a graphics package. Color reduction means reducing
the actual number of image colors in order to eliminate unnecessary detail
and reduce each block to a single color. Color reduction also cleans the
image, removing any noise and anti-aliasing present. This in turn helps
minimize the number of trims and color changes required in the resulting
embroidery design. Color reduction should only be applied if the loss of
detail does not affect the image shapes. Before reduction, the colored areas
in the image below include many colors. After reduction, each area is
reduced to a single color. The detail is preserved.

Before color reduction After color reduction

Chapter 3 Creating Embroide r y from Ar t work 70


If you are scanning images, make sure you scan them correctly for best
results. See also Scanning artwork into DecoStudio.

Image scanned in
RGB color mode, then
colors reduced to 6

Image scanned in 256


color mode, then
colors reduced to 6

Be aware that some techniques are better for removing noise and
anti-aliasing but not so good for processing dithering in non-outlined
images. See also Choosing suitable artwork.

Non-outlined image – Outlined image –


dithered color blocks not dithered color blocks
completely cleaned, edges cleaned, edges sharp
fuzzy

Outline sharpening
Outline sharpening means more clearly defining the outlines bordering
distinct color blocks or shapes in the artwork. These may have been
indistinct in the original or made so by the scanning process. Outline
sharpening is important for vectorizing because it makes it easier for

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DecoStudio to identify the areas to become embroidery objects in the
resulting design.

Image before outline Image after outline


sharpening sharpening

Some images have solid outlines but they may be indistinct or incomplete.
These need to be rectified with the CorelDRAW® bitmap editing tools prior
to vector tracing. Refer to the electronic User Guide available via the
Windows Start > Programs group. Alternatively, use the onscreen help
available from the Help menu.

Noise filtering
Noise filtering means restoring the solid color blocks of the original artwork
in scanned images. This is achieved by merging different shades into one
solid color. Noise filtering is important for vectorization because it makes it
easier for DecoStudio to identify solid color blocks to become embroidery
objects in the resulting design. It also cleans up blurred or mottled areas of
color.

Image before noise


filtering, mottled
color

Image after noise


filtering, single colors

Image preparation summary

Action Outlined images Non-outlined images Photographs


Scan artwork • Scan in RGB mode • Scan in RGB mode Scan in RGB mode
• Use sharpening • No sharpening

Chapter 3 Creating Embroide r y from Ar t work 72


Action Outlined images Non-outlined images Photographs
Scan line drawing Scan in two color mode - -
Prepare images • Crop • Crop • Crop
• Add or edit outlines • Edit image shapes • Convert to grayscale
• Edit colors • Edit colors • Remove background
• Remove noise • Remove noise • Lighten or darken
• Adjust contrast
Vectorize DecoStudio Graphics mode provides the entire suite of CorelDRAW®
drawing tools which offer many sophisticated techniques for drafting
outlines and shapes on screen. Refer to the electronic User Guide
available via the Windows Start > Programs group. Alternatively, use the
onscreen help available from the Help menu.
Digitize DecoStudio provides techniques for both converting vectors directly to
embroidery as well as manual digitizing of prepared artwork. See Digitizing
for Embroidery for details.

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Chapter 4
Viewing Designs

DecoStudio provides many viewing modes to make it easier to work with


your designs. View a design at actual size or zoom in for more detail. Pan a
design instead of scrolling, or quickly change between one view and the last.
Show or hide outlines, stitches themselves, or view designs in TrueView.

When working with embroidery designs, you need to understand the


stitching sequence. You can check a design’s stitching sequence by
‘traveling’ through it by color blocks, embroidery objects, or even
stitch-by-stitch. Alternatively, simulate the actual embroidery design
stitchout on screen. You can also preview a design in different colors on
different backgrounds by selecting from pre-defined colorways.
DecoStudio gives you comprehensive information about your designs. Even
before opening a design, you can check the software version number and
other design information for EMB files directly from Windows Explorer. View
stitching details in the Design Properties dialog. The production
worksheet also provides essential production information, including a design
preview, the size of the design, color sequence and any special instructions.
This section explains the design viewing modes available in DecoStudio as
well as the various design viewing settings. It also describes how to view
designs by ‘traveling’ through the stitching sequence. Design colorways are
explained, as well as how to obtain and modify design information and
preview production worksheets.

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Displaying artwork and embroidery

Use Show Graphics (Universal toolbar) to show and hide vector


objects in Embroidery mode.

Use Show Embroidery (Universal toolbar) to show and hide vector


objects in Graphics mode.

In DecoStudio, artwork can be inserted, pasted or scanned for use as


digitizing ‘backdrops’ via Graphics mode. You can show or hide artwork
temporarily in Embroidery mode. Depending on the view options set up in
the Options dialog, the image displays in full color, or dimmed. Conversely,
in Graphics mode, you have the option of turning on or off the embroidery
display.

To display the artwork and embroidery


 Toggle on or off the Show Graphics icon in Embroidery mode.

Embroidery objects
showing with vector
objects

Only embroidery
objects showing

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 Toggle on or off the Show Embroidery icon in Graphics mode.

Vector objects
showing with
embroidery objects

Only vector
objects showing

Design viewing modes


DecoStudio provides many viewing modes to make it easier to work with
your design. View a design at actual size or zoom in for more details. Pan
across the design instead of scrolling, or quickly change between one view
and the last.

Note To make sure your design is being displayed at the correct size, you
might need to calibrate your monitor. See Calibrating the monitor for details.

Viewing outlines and TrueView stitches

Use TrueView (Standard toolbar) to change between normal view and


TrueView.

Click Show Outlines (Standard toolbar) to show or hide object outlines.

Chapter 4 Viewing Desi gns 76


You can show or hide design elements with a variety of display settings –
show or hide outlines, or view designs in TrueView. TrueView offers a
graphical representation of what the final embroidery will look like.

Tip Use TrueView together with a background fabric to see how your design
will look when stitched out. See Changing background colors for details.

To view stitches and outlines


 Click the TrueView icon to switch between TrueView and Normal view.

Normal view

TrueView ON

Tip Change TrueView settings for different effects. See Setting


TrueView options for details.
 In Normal view, click the Show Outlines icon to turn outlines on or off.

Outlines OFF

Outlines ON

Tip Depending on the color of your background, you can change display
colors for Unsewn (stitches), Selected (objects), Object Outline, Grid
and Guide. See Setting display colors for details.

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Zooming and panning designs

Click Show All (Standard toolbar) to display the whole design in the design
window.

Click Zoom 1:1 (Standard toolbar) to display a design at actual size.

Click Zoom (Standard toolbar) to invoke zoom mode – zoom in or out via left
and right mouse clicks.

Select a Zoom Factor (Standard toolbar) from the dropdown list


to display the design at a particular scale.

Magnify your view of the design by zooming in on individual stitches or


details, or zoom out to view more of the design. In addition to the scroll
bars, panning provides a quick way to view design elements which are not
currently visible in the design window.

Tip Use Auto Scroll to scroll the design automatically while you are
digitizing. This can be more convenient than using panning or the scroll
bars. See Setting auto scroll options for details.

To zoom and pan a design


 To invoke Zoom Mode, click the Zoom icon – the cursor turns into a
magnifying glass. Alternatively, select View > Zoom Box or press B.
Left-click to zoom in, right-click to zoom out.
 While in Zoom Mode, drag a selection marquee around an area to zoom
in.

Drag selection marquee


around area to zoom

Chapter 4 Viewing Desi gns 78


 To display a design at twice its current size, select View > Zoom In 2X
or press Z or F9.
 To display a design at half its current size, select View > Zoom Out 2X
or press Shift+Z or F10.

 To display a design at actual size, click the Zoom 1:1 icon or press 1.
 To return to the previous view, select View > Previous View or
press V.
 To view the entire design in the design window, click the Show All icon
or press 0 (zero).

Tip To fit selected embroidery objects in the window, select


View > Show All > Selected Objects. Alternatively, press Shift+0
on the keyboard.
 Select a Zoom Factor from the dropdown list to display the design at a
particular scale or key it directly into the field. Alternatively, select
View > Zoom Factor or press F on the keyboard. In the Zoom Factor
dialog, enter a viewing scale and click OK.

Enter viewing
scale

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 To pan across a design in the design window, use the scroll bars.
Alternatively, select View > Pan or press P. Move the ‘pan box’ over
the part of the design you want to view and left-click to center the design
window around the point you clicked.

Viewing selected parts of a design


DecoStudio provides many techniques for quickly hiding or showing
selected embroidery objects in the design window. You can set your system
to display all objects, or hide all but selected objects. You can also turn off
all objects in order to see backdrop images more clearly. You can also switch
quickly between current and last selected views. After certain operations,
such as editing thread colors, you may also redraw the screen for clearer
display.

Tip The Color-Object List and Color Palette Editor also provide
techniques for the selective viewing of color blocks. See Selectively viewing
color blocks for details.

Chapter 4 Viewing Desi gns 80


To show or hide selected objects
 To view a selected object in isolation, press Shift+S.

Press
Shift+S

 To display the selected object full-screen, press Shift+0 (zero).


 To return to the previous view, select View > Previous View or
press V.
 To re-display the entire design, press Esc followed by press Shift+S.
 To redraw the screen, select View > Redraw or press R.
 Select View > Design Options > View Design tab.

Select viewing
options

This tab also provides options for selective display of embroidery


objects:

Option Description
No Change The display remains the same as before.
Show Whole All embroidery objects in the design are visible.
Design
Show Selected Only objects that are currently selected are visible. This
Objects option is only available when objects are selected.

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Option Description
Show Unselected The reverse of the above option. This option is only
Objects available when objects are selected.
Hide Whole Design All embroidery objects in the design are hidden.

Tip From this dialog you can also control the display of design elements
such as stitches, outlines, etc. See Setting design element view options
and Setting TrueView options for details.

Note Display settings apply to both the design window and production
worksheet. See also Design viewing modes and Previewing production
worksheets.

Viewing design objects by color


To help you isolate individual design elements for checking or manipulation,
the View By Color function lets you view embroidery objects by color. This
is particularly useful when you are reseqencing objects by color. See also
Resequencing objects by color.

Tip The Color-Object List provides another way to view color blocks. See
Selecting objects with the Color-Object List for details.

To view design objects by color


1 Create or open a design.
2 Select View > View By Color.
The Select By Color dialog opens.

3 Select the colors you want to view.

Chapter 4 Viewing Desi gns 82


 To select a range of items, hold down Shift as you select.
 To select multiple items, hold down Ctrl as you select.

4 Click OK.
The design appears with only those colors you selected in view.

Note The View By Color command will not work with grouped objects.

Tip To see all other objects again press Esc followed by press Shift+S
or select Unhide All from the popup menu in the Color-Object List.
See Viewing color blocks with the Color-Object List for details.

Viewing design colorways


In DecoStudio, you can define multiple colorways for the one design. This
means you can preview or stitch out the same design in different colors to
different fabrics. Background colors and fabrics are treated as part of the
colorway rather than design window settings. In addition, display colors for
borer holes, unsewn and selected stitches, outlines and grid are part of the
colorway definition.

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Viewing colorways

Use Multi Colorway Box (Color toolbar) to open or close the modeless
Multi-Colorway Box dialog which allows you add and edit colorways.

Use the Colorways dropdown (Color toolbar) to select a new color


scheme for design.

A ‘colorway’ is a color scheme or palette of thread colors. It may also include


a background color or fabric sample. This means you can preview or stitch
out the same design in different colors to different fabrics. In DecoStudio,
you can also print multiple colorways, icons of color blocks, and design
backgrounds with the production worksheet. See also Setting up colorways.

Tip When you start a new design, Colorway 1 appears as the default color
palette. You can change it by selecting from among any number of
pre-defined colorways saved to the current template.

To view a colorway
 Open a design.

Select
colorway

 Select a colorway from the Colorways dropdown list.

Tip Select View > Redraw to refresh your screen.


 Alternatively, click the Multi-Colorway Box icon.

Chapter 4 Viewing Desi gns 84


The Multi-Colorway Box dialog opens.

Select
colorway

 Select a colorway by clicking the name.


The selected name is highlighted and the colorway of the design
automatically updates.

Tip You can change the background color or fabric color by clicking the
Change Background Color icon next to the colorway name. See
Changing background colors for details.

Changing background colors

Use Change Background Color (Color toolbar, Multi-Colorway Box dialog) to


change background color.

DecoStudio lets you set the background color of the current colorway for
more realistic previews and presentations. The background color is saved
with the colorway. For the Garment project type you can select different
color for a background fabric. See also Setting up colorways.

Note This tool can be assessed via the Multi-Colorway Box dialog.

To change the fabric color


1 Open the design.

2 Click Change Background Color.

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 For the Generic or Emblem project type, the Change
Background Color dialog opens as shown.

Current project type

Change background Background


color color preview

 For the Garment project type, the Choose Background Color


dialog opens.

Current project type

Selected fabric type Background


fabric color
Change color or preview
pattern for fabric

Click OK or Cancel

3 Select a color for background.

Chapter 4 Viewing Desi gns 86


 For the Garment project type, click the Choose Pattern button,
choose a color swatch corresponding to the chosen fabric and click
OK.

Choose color
swatch for
selected fabric

 For the Garment project type, select Solid Color and click Choose
Color. For the Generic or Emblem project type, click Choose
Color. Use the Color dialog to choose or mix a suitable color for
your background. See also Creating new designs.

Choose or mix
color for the
background

Tip You can mix your own background color. See Mixing your own
thread colors for details.

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4 Click the OK button in the bottom right corner.

Viewing stitching sequence


When working with embroidery designs, you need to understand the
stitching sequence. You can check a design’s stitching sequence by
‘traveling’ through it by color blocks, embroidery objects, or even
stitch-by-stitch. Alternatively, simulate the actual embroidery design
stitchout on screen. Use it to view design stitching and color sequence in
slow motion.

Note The stitching sequence can only be viewed in stitch view, not
TrueView. You can change the display color of unsewn stitches. See Setting
display colors for details.

Traveling through designs

Click Start/End Design (Toolbox) to travel to start of the design. Right-click to


go to the end of the design.

Click Travel by Object (Toolbox) to travel to the previous object. Right-click


to go to the next object.

Click Travel by Color (Toolbox) to travel to the previous color. Right-click to


go to the next color.

Chapter 4 Viewing Desi gns 88


Click Travel 1000 Stitches (Toolbox) to travel backwards 1000 stitches at a
time. Right-click to travel forwards 1000 stitches at a time.

Click Travel 100 Stitches (Toolbox) to travel backwards 100 stitches at a


time. Right-click to travel forwards 100 stitches at a time.

Click Travel 10 Stitches (Toolbox) to travel backwards 10 stitches at a time.


Right-click to travel forwards 10 stitches at a time.

Click Travel 1 Stitch (Toolbox) to travel backwards 1 stitches at a time.


Right-click to travel forwards 1 stitches at a time.

It is useful to be able to view the stitching sequence of a design


color-by-color, object-by-object, or even stitch-by-stitch. Traveling can be
initiated from any stitch in the design. Travel quickly to the start or end of
the stitching sequence. The current needle position is marked by a white
cross or ‘needle position marker’ as you travel through stitches. The current
stitch number is displayed in the Status Bar.

Tip You can also use keyboard shortcuts to travel through the design by
object. See also Quick Reference.

To travel through a design


 Press the Esc to ensure no object is selected.
 To travel to the start or end of the design, click or right-click Start/End
Design, or press Home or End keys.

 To travel to the next or previous object, click or right-click Travel by


Object.

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 To travel to a next or previous color, click or right-click Travel by Color.

 To travel forwards or backwards by 1000 stitches, click or right-click


Travel 1000 Stitches.
 To travel forwards or backwards by 100 stitches, click or right-click
Travel 100 Stitches.

Travel by
individual stitches

Tip You can also select the object you are currently traveling through
by pressing Shift+O or right-clicking the Select Object tool.
 To travel forwards or backwards by 10 stitches, click or right-click
Travel 10 Stitches, or press t or b arrow keys.
 To travel to the previous or next stitch, click or right-click Travel 1
Stitch, or press l or r keys.

Travel to previous stitch Travel to next stitch

Chapter 4 Viewing Desi gns 90


Tip Slow Redraw lets you view the stitching and color sequence of a
design in slow motion. See Simulating design stitchout for details.

Simulating design stitchout

Use Slow Redraw (Toolbox) to view the stitching and color sequence of a
design in slow motion.

The Slow Redraw tool lets you simulate the actual embroidery design
stitchout on screen. Use it to view design stitching and color sequence in
slow motion. Redrawing can be started from any stitch in the design. Hide
previously stitched parts of the design as required. With larger designs, you
can choose to scroll automatically so that the area being stitched remains
on screen.

Half-stitched
design

Note Slow Redraw cannot be used with TrueView.

To simulate the design stitchout


1 Click Slow Redraw or press Shift+R.
The Slow Redraw dialog opens.

Adjust display
options

Go Back to Start
Pause Stop

Tip To redraw only a section of the design, travel to the point where
you want to start Slow Redraw. See Traveling through designs for
details.

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2 Use the slider bar to adjust the redraw speed.
3 Select the options as required:
 Hide Before: Hide all sections of the design prior to the current
cursor position.

Only areas being


redrawn are displayed,
the rest are hidden

Travel to middle of
design, then start Slow
Redraw

 Auto Scroll: With larger designs, scroll automatically so that the


area being stitched remains on screen.
4 Click Go.
The design is redrawn on screen according to the stitching sequence and
selected speed.
5 Click the control buttons as required:

Button Function
Pause Pauses the redraw, letting you resume where you left off.
Stop Stops the redraw and returns to the beginning of the design.
Back to Start Redraws from the beginning of the design.

Tip Depending on the color of your background, you can change display
colors for Unsewn (stitches), Selected (objects), Object Outline, Grid
and Guide. See Setting display colors for details.

Selectively viewing color blocks


DecoStudio provides techniques with both its Color-Object List and Color
Palette Editor for selectively view color blocks in a design and naming them.
You can assign names to color blocks of sequential, same-color embroidery

Chapter 4 Viewing Desi gns 92


objects, also known as ‘elements’. Element names appear on production
worksheets. See also Printing production worksheets in Embroidery mode.

Viewing color blocks with the Color-Object List

Use Color-Object List (Standard toolbar) to toggle the Color-Object List


display on and off. Use it to select and view objects in a design.

The Color-Object List provides a sequential list of embroidery objects as


digitized, grouped by color block. It offers an easy way to selectively view
color blocks and objects. See also Selecting objects with the Color-Object
List. See also Viewing color blocks with the Color Palette Editor.

Note You can use the Color-Object List to group and lock objects. Use it
also to cut, copy and paste, as well as resequence objects. See also
Grouping and locking with the Color-Object List, Copying and pasting
objects, and Resequencing colors and objects with the Color-Object List in
the Online Manual.

To view color blocks with the Color-Object List


1 Click the Color-Object List icon.

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The Color-Object List opens. It can be docked to the right side of the
design window, or floated in any position.

Total color block count

Total objects in design

Object icon

Color block node Consecutive objects


in color block

2 Select the items you want to view in isolation, and hold down Locate.

Hold down Locate to


quickly view selected
items

Select color
block to view

3 Hide selected color blocks and embroidery objects via the popup menu
commands.

Chapter 4 Viewing Desi gns 94


 Right-click a color block or object icon and apply Hide from the
popup menu.

 To show all items, right-click any object or color block, and select
Unhide All from the popup menu.
 To view selected items only, select Hide Others from the popup
menu.

Select to view only


selected color
blocks

Viewing color blocks with the Color Palette Editor

Use Color Palette Editor (Color toolbar) to assign thread colors to color
blocks in the design.

You can assign names to color blocks of sequential, same-color embroidery


objects, also known as ‘elements’. Element names appear on production
worksheets. The Usage field in the Color Palette Editor shows a list of
selected color blocks which correspond to design elements. By default, the
number in the stop sequence is displayed. However, each color block can
also be given a descriptive name for easy identification. See also Printing
production worksheets in Embroidery mode.

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To view color blocks with the Color Palette Editor
1 Use the Color Palette Editor to set up a new palette or edit an existing
colorway. See Setting up color palettes for details.
The Color Palette Editor dialog opens displaying the current colorway.

Select color
block

Click and hold to locate


Enter descriptive selected color block
name for selected
color

2 Select a color slot.


3 To view the color block, click Locate and hold.

Tip When more than one element appears in the Usage list, you can
select and locate them singly or as a group.
4 To name the design element, click the Usage field and key in a
descriptive name – e.g. ‘Angel Legs’.

Chapter 4 Viewing Desi gns 96


5 To check the naming of all design elements, select File > Design
Properties > Stop Sequence.

Named design
elements listed
here

Tip You can also name design elements in this dialog. See Naming
design elements for details.

Viewing design information


You can obtain design information in a variety of ways and formats – before
opening the EMB file via Windows Explorer and from the Design Properties
dialog. See also Previewing production worksheets.

Viewing design information in Windows Explorer


Before opening EMB files, you can check the software version number and
other design information through Windows Explorer. The Properties dialog
displays a design preview together with design information such as stitch
count, number of stops and color changes, as well as machine format. You
can also view general file information, such as file size and modification
dates.

Note This same dialog can be accessed from within the Open dialog in
DecoStudio. See also Opening designs.

To view design information in Windows Explorer


1 In Windows Explorer, select a file.
2 Right-click the file and select Properties from the popup menu.

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The Properties dialog opens and displays the EMB tab.

Dedicated EMB
properties tab

3 Check the design information, or click the other tabs for general file
information.

Use Custom tab to


provide additional file
information

Tip The Custom tab provides some of the same information entered in
the Design Properties > Summary dialog in DecoStudio. See
Viewing design information in DecoStudio for details.
4 Click OK.

Chapter 4 Viewing Desi gns 98


Viewing design information in DecoStudio
You can check the software version number and other design information
through the Design Properties dialog. Stitching details are also provided.
Most of the fields cannot be modified directly except for stitch counts,
summary information, Colorways, and Elements.

Note An element, in software terms, is a color block consisting of


sequential, same-color objects. You can assign names to elements which
then appear on the production worksheet. The operator generally uses these
to make sure colors are correct during production. See Naming design
elements for details.

To view design information in DecoStudio


1 Select File > Design Properties.
The Design Properties > Information dialog opens.

Design properties
extracted from file –
not editable

This tab contains information about the design height, width, stitch
count and colors. The data is extracted from the design and, except for
stitch count, cannot be modified.

Note This tab also provides important information about the file source
– Native Design, Imported Outlines, Processed Stitches, or
Imported Stitches. See Embroidery design formats for details.
2 Click Length Calculation to revise stitch counts according to target
fabric thickness. See Estimating total thread usage for details.

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3 Select the Stop Sequence tab to view the color sequence and stitch
counts for each design ‘element’.
The data in this tab is extracted from the design and, except for
Element, cannot be modified. See also Naming design elements.

Note There is a stitch count for each element in the design. You can
show this as a stitch count for each element or a cumulative stitch count.
See Setting other general options for details.
4 Select the Summary tab to view or enter summary information about
the design.

5 Click a field and enter any text which will help you identify the design at
a later date.

Note Information from this tab is included on the production


worksheet. See Previewing production worksheets for details.
6 Click OK.

Chapter 4 Viewing Desi gns 100


Estimating total thread usage
In order to get more precise thread usage estimates, you can adjust the
fabric thickness setting to suit the target fabric.

To estimate total thread usage


1 Select File > Design Properties.
The Design Properties > Information dialog opens.

Click to calculate thread


and bobbin length

2 Click Length Calculation.


The Length Calculation dialog opens.

Enter target fabric


thickness in mm
Enter bobbin thread
length as a%

3 Enter the thickness of the target fabric in millimeters.


4 Adjust the bobbin thread length according to the mixture of thread types
in the design.
This factor provides a simple mechanism for a more accurate bobbin
thread length estimate. The default value (100%) is suitable for a design
with a mixture of stitch types. If the design is all Run stitches or all
Tatami, more bobbin thread will be used and the factor can be
increased say to 125%. If the design is all Satin stitch, the factor can
be reduced to say 65%.
5 Click OK.

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The Total Thread and Total Bobbin values are adjusted to take into
account fabric thickness on total thread requirement.

Tip Click Save to save the revised settings to the current template.

Naming design elements


You can assign names to color blocks of sequential, same-color embroidery
objects, also known as ‘elements’. Each color block can be given a
descriptive name for easy identification. Element names appear on the
production worksheet. See also Printing production worksheets in
Embroidery mode.

Tip The Usage field in the Color Palette Editor shows a list of selected
color blocks which correspond to design elements. See Viewing color blocks
with the Color Palette Editor for details.

To name design elements


1 Select File > Design Properties.
The Design Properties > Information dialog opens.
2 Select the Stop Sequence tab.

Enter element
names for each
color block

3 In the Element fields, enter names for each color block as required. To
do so, click the field, type the name, and press Enter.

Note This information may be included on the production worksheet.


See Customizing production worksheet information for details.
4 Click OK.

Chapter 4 Viewing Desi gns 102


Previewing production worksheets

Click Print Preview (Standard toolbar) to preview the production worksheet


on screen.

The production worksheet is the link between the designer and the
embroidery machine operator. It contains a design preview and essential
production information, including the size of the design, color sequence and
any special instructions. See also Printing production worksheets in
Embroidery mode.

To preview a production worksheet


1 Click the Print Preview icon.
The production worksheet displays in a preview window.

Click to display one or Click Close to return to


two pages design window

Click to print
production
worksheet

Production
information and
threadup details

2 Adjust the view as required:


 To change the orientation of the paper, click Landscape or Portrait.
 To change the information that displays, and set printing/plotting
preferences, click Options. See also Setting production worksheet
print options.
 To print the design, click Print.

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 To close the production worksheet preview, click Close.

Tip Zoom in to read the production information or view the design


preview more closely. Large designs may be displayed over a number of
pages.

Chapter 4 Viewing Desi gns 104


Chapter 5
Selecting Embroidery Objects

DecoStudio provides various ways to


select the objects in an embroidery design.
Modify the design as a whole or select
individual objects for more precise
modification. The Color-Object List
provides an easy way to select objects and
colors in designs and access their
properties. Use it also to group and
ungroup, lock and unlock, and show and
hide objects.
This section describes how to select
objects using the selection tools and
keyboard. It also shows how to select while traveling through designs and
by means of the Color-Object List.

Selecting and deselecting objects


DecoStudio provides various means for selecting embroidery objects. You
can select all embroidery objects in a design, cancel all selections, or
remove individual objects from a selected group. DecoStudio supports point
& click, selection marquee selection and, in conjunction with Shift and Ctrl
keys, multiple object selection. DecoStudio also allows precise selection of
object outlines or fill stitches. See also Quick Reference.

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Tip Depending on the color of your background, you can change display
colors for Unsewn (stitches), Selected (objects), Object Outline, Grid and
Guide. See Setting display colors for details.

Selecting and deselecting multiple objects


Select all embroidery objects to apply changes to a whole design. You can
cancel all selections or remove individual embroidery objects from a group
of selected objects. See also Quick Reference.

To select or deselect multiple objects


 Select Edit > Select All or press Ctrl+A.
Selection handles appear around the entire design.

No objects
selected

All objects
selected

 Deselect an object/s by any of the following means:


 Click an empty area of the background.
 Select a different object.
 Press Esc or X to deselect all.
 Select Edit > Deselect All to deselect all.
 Remove an object from a group of selection by holding down Ctrl and
clicking the object to deselect.

Selecting objects by point & click

Click Select Object (Toolbox) and click the object to select.

The simplest way to select an embroidery object is by pointing and clicking


with the mouse with the Select Object tool activated. Using Shift and Ctrl
keys, you can select multiple objects. Both outlines and/or filled areas can

Chapter 5 S ele c ting Embroid er y Objec ts 106


be selected. Clicking an outline selects an object even if another is above it.
Where you have a mixture of closed-curve objects, you can select object
outlines or fill stitches.

Note DecoStudio allows a degree of ‘selection tolerance’ around stitches


and outlines when selecting. Selection tolerance does not apply to color or
fabric fills. With low-density stitching and/or at high zooms, it is actually
possible to click between stitches and not select the object.

To select objects by point & click


 Click the Select Object icon.
 Click the object you want to select.
Selection handles appear around it. You can move the cursor anywhere
within these extents to click-and-drag the object.
 To select multiple items, hold down Ctrl as you click.

OR

Click first object Ctrl + Hold down Ctrl and Shift + Hold down Shift and
click another object click last object

 To select a range of items, hold down Shift as you click.

Tip It helps to know the design stitching sequence for this method. See
Viewing stitching sequence for details.

Note Clicking within the object’s extent box but outside its outline does
not select it.

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 Where you have a mixture of closed-curve objects with or without fills,
you can select outlines or fill stitches.

Clicking fill selects the object Clicking fill behind an object Clicking outline of object
even if it is within the bounds without fill selects the object selects the object
of a larger object

Tip To select an object which is sitting behind another object, zoom in


and position the cursor over the area where they overlap, and holding
down the 2 key, click until the second object is selected. Each click
selects the next overlapping object.

Selecting objects by selection marquee

Click Select Object (Toolbox) and drag a selection marquee around the
object to select.

With the Select Object tool activated, you can select embroidery objects
by dragging a selection marquee around them. The selection tool is
generally activated by default.

To select objects by selection marquee


 Drag a selection marquee around the objects you want to select.
Objects are selected when you release the mouse button.

Drag a selection marquee Objects are selected


around the objects

Chapter 5 S ele c ting Embroid er y Objec ts 108


Note Only objects completely within the selection marquee will be
selected when you release the mouse button. See also Grouping and
ungrouping objects.

Selecting next or previous object

Click Select Object (Toolbox) and press Tab or Shift+Tab to select next or
previous objects.

If an object is already selected, you can select the object before or after it
in the stitching sequence using Tab or Shift+Tab with the Select Object
tool activated. With no object selected, you can select the first or last object
in the design sequence.

To select next or previous object


1 Click the Select Object icon.
2 Select an object as required.
3 Do one of the following:
 Press Tab to select the next object in the stitching sequence.
 Press Shift+Tab to select the previous object in the stitching
sequence.

Press Shift Press Tab key


+Tab keys

Tip Hold down Ctrl and press Tab or Shift+Tab to add the next or
previous objects to the selection.

Selecting related objects


You can select all embroidery objects of the same color or stitch type with a
single command. Use this feature to apply a change across all objects of the
same type.

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Selecting objects by color
You can select all embroidery objects of the same color with a single
command. Use this feature to apply a change across all objects of the same
color. See also Selectively viewing color blocks.

To select objects by color


1 Select Edit > Select By > Color.
The Select By Color dialog opens.

2 Select a thread color from the list.

 To select a range of colors, hold down Shift as you click.


 To select multiple colors, hold down Ctrl as you click.
3 Click OK.
Objects using the selected thread colors are selected in the design.

Selecting objects by stitch type


You can select all embroidery objects of the same stitch type with a single
command. Use this feature to apply a change across all objects of the same
stitch type.

Chapter 5 S ele c ting Embroid er y Objec ts 110


To select objects by stitch type
1 Select Edit > Select By > Stitch type.
The Select By Stitch Type dialog opens.

Select stitch type

2 Select a stitch type from the list.

 To select a range of stitch types, hold down Shift as you click.


 To select multiple stitch types, hold down Ctrl as you click.
3 Click OK.
Objects using the selected stitch types are selected in the design.

Selecting objects with the Color-Object List

Use Color-Object List (Standard toolbar) to toggle the Color-Object List


display on and off. Use it to select and view objects in a design.

The Color-Object List provides a sequential list of embroidery objects as


digitized, grouped by color block. It offers an easy way to select objects and
selectively view them. It is synchronized with the design window,
dynamically updating whenever you manipulate objects. It is normally
docked on the right but can be dragged to any position you require.

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Note You can use the Color-Object List to group and lock objects. Use it
also to cut, copy and paste, resequence, as well as branch objects. See also
Grouping and locking with the Color-Object List, Copying and pasting
objects and Resequencing colors and objects with the Color-Object List in
the Online Manual.

To select objects with the Color-Object List


1 Click the Color-Object List icon.
The Color-Object List opens. It can be docked to the right side of the
design window, or floated in any position. A separate icon for each color
block and each object in the design appears in order of stitching
sequence.

Total color block count

Total objects in design

Object icon

Color block node Consecutive objects


in color block

Chapter 5 S ele c ting Embroid er y Objec ts 112


2 Click a ‘node’ icon to open or close a color block and see its component
objects.

Click to
open/close all
color block nodes

Click to open/close Blue border appears


individual color around selected objects
block node

3 Click an icon to select a color block and/or individual objects.


When a color block is selected, all of its component objects are selected
as well. A blue border appears around each.
 To select a range of items, hold down Shift as you click.
 To select multiple items, hold down Ctrl as you click.
 To select all items, right-click any object or color block, and choose
Select All from the popup menu.

Right-click any object or


color block, and select
Select All

 To deselect all objects, click away from objects and color blocks.

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PART II
QUICK START PROJECTS
This section of the Onscreen Manual provides fully worked sample projects
for some of the key features of the software. The training projects assume
a certain familiarity with basic techniques such as zooming and displaying
stitches. Read through Part I of the Onscreen Manual before starting. For
further details of procedures used here, you are referred to the Online
Manual. It’s also a good idea also to familiarize yourself with the Quick
Reference at the back of the guide. See Quick Reference for details.

Multi-decoration project
In this project we explore the powerful support DecoStudio provides for
multi-decoration design. Here you will combine digital print with embroidery
to create a multi-decoration design. This design is to be both printed on a
digital printer and stitched on an embroidery machine. See Multi-Decoration
Project for details.

Appliqué project
Get the most out of DecoStudio with its purpose-built support for appliqué.
In this project, you will create a large back appliqué using the tools available
both in DecoStudio Graphics and Embroidery modes. Tips, hints and
suggestions provided here will help you along the way in understanding the
techniques used to create professional-looking appliqué with DecoStudio.
See Appliqué Project for details.

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Tip DecoStudio comes with a range of embroidery designs in the installed
Design folder that you can use as a starting point for your own projects.
You also have the CorelDRAW® clipart collection at your disposal. You are
encouraged to work your way through the tutorial projects provided before
starting on your own projects. The final result of this and other projects is
also located in the Design folder. View the completed project file before
and/or after completing the tutorial. See also Opening designs.

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Multi-Decoration Project

In this project we explore the powerful support All steps required to complete the project are
DecoStudio provides for multi-decoration provided here. For further information, however,
design. Here you will combine digital print with you are referred to the Onscreen Manual.
embroidery to create a multi-decoration design.

Getting started

Double-click to start DecoStudio.

The first step in this and all projects is to specify


the design type, the fabric, the machine, and
the artwork you wish to use. DecoStudio has a
clean, uncomplicated user interface, guiding
and prompting wherever possible via an
intuitive graphical and wizard-based layout. See
also Basic Procedures.

To get started
This design is to be both printed on a digital 1 Open DecoStudio using the desktop icon or
printer and stitched on an embroidery machine. the Windows Start menu.
Printed and sewn sections of the design will be
perfectly aligned. It is intended for a soccer
team called the Pirates. It will be digitally
printed and embroidered in the center of a white
jersey polo shirt. The customer has asked for a
soccer ball and the team name to be included in
the logo. They have also specified the following:

Element Requirements
Digital print • Background graphic of flag with ship
• Text ‘PIRATES’ at the bottom
Embroidery • Pirate head in the middle
• Soccer ball in the left bottom corner 2 When DecoStudio loads, choose New to
create a new design on the Startup screen.

Mul ti-Deco ration Proj ec t 116


The Choose Project screen displays.
3 Choose Garment to create a ‘garment Note You can at any time switch between
design’. Graphics and Embroidery modes via the
The Choose Fabric screen displays. Universal toolbar. See Switching between
design modes for details.
4 For this particular design, we’re doing a
white jersey polo shirt so choose ‘Jersey’
from the fabric list. Importing and placing design
5 Choose whether to have a background of
solid color or in a pattern resembling the
elements
chosen fabric. See Creating new designs for Once in Graphics mode, we’re going to start
details. building our design by importing clipart graphics
6 Click Next. that we have purchased or downloaded from the
The Machine Format screen displays, internet.
prompting you to select a machine type for
your project. To import and place the design
7 In this case, we’re sewing the design on a elements
Tajima machine so we select Tajima from 1 First, click Import on the Standard toolbar.
the list of machine types supported by
The Import dialog opens.
DecoStudio.
8 Click Next to continue.
Navigate to
The Choose Graphic Source screen the Designs
displays. folder
On this final screen, we’re prompted to Choose artwork
choose a graphics source. There are four to import
options:
 Open from file.
 Copy from the Clipboard.
 Start a brand new graphic in Graphics
mode.
 Start a new design from scratch in
Embroidery mode. 2 Navigate to the C:\Designs folder of
9 In this case, we want to start building the DecoStudio installation and choose the
project in the CorelDRAW® graphics suite ‘Flag.cdr’ artwork file from the Projects
so we choose New Graphic. folder.

DecoStudio takes you directly to


CorelDRAW® Graphics mode screen. We’re
ready to create the design. See also
Opening designs.

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3 Click Import and press Enter to center the The Import EPS dialog opens.
imported artwork on the page.

Note size of Import Digital Art Solutions


artwork pirate artwork

Note Check the size of the flag in the Import text as


curves
Object(s) Size fields in the Graphics
Property bar – it should be approximately
142 x 86 mm. This fits nicely in the center of
the polo shirt.
4 Again click Import and import the ‘Ship.cdr’ Note The ‘MSC34.EPS’ pirate artwork,
file. located in your project folder, is provided
courtesy of Digital Art Solutions from the
5 This clipart is much too large for our design,
clipart CD ‘Ready Art Vol 1’.
so using the sizing handles, click and drag to
rescale the artwork to an appropriate size 8 Since the pirate artwork is provided as an
for our design. See also Scaling objects. EPS file, you are prompted to import text as
pure text or as vector curves – choose
Place ship in top left Curves.
corner of flag
9 Click OK and press Enter to center the
imported artwork.
10 Adjust the size of the pirate head using the
sizing handles and position as shown.

6 Now click and drag the pirate ship to sit in


the top left-hand corner of the flag.

Tip Using the Zoom tool, zoom in closer to


study the design better. Position and size pirate
7 Again click Import, select the ‘MSC34.EPS’ and soccer ball artwork
file and click Import.
11 Since the design is to include a soccer ball
and the name of the soccer team in the logo,
import, position and size the ‘Soccer
Ball.cdr’ in the same way.

Mul ti-Deco ration Proj ec t 118


Adjusting the artwork Adding text to design
brightness We’re now ready to add text to the design.

Now we’ll reduce the brightness of the ship by


making it semi-transparent. To add text to the design
1 Using the CorelDRAW® Text tool, click on
To adjust the artwork brightness screen and, with the Caps Lock key on, key
in the word ‘PIRATES’.
1 With the ship selected, select the
Interactive Transparency tool from the
Toolbox.

Add the
name of the
soccer team

2 With the text selected, choose a


college-style font from the dropdown menu
2 Following the instructions on the Prompt – e.g. College-Black.
line at the bottom of the screen, click and
drag a guideline from the top left of the
pirate ship to the bottom right. Choose
college-style font
Click and drag for team name
to adjust
transparency

Transparency
effect increases
at bottom
3 Again using the sizing handles, adjust the
lettering size so that it matches the original
Note Notice that the transparency effect artwork.
increases along the length of the guideline,
meaning that the bottom right blends more
with the dark background of the flag.
3 Adjust the transparency effect as you like by
clicking and dragging the guideline.

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4 Adjust the color as specified in the design 2 To convert to embroidery, simply click
brief by selecting red from the color palette. Convert.
Hey presto! DecoStudio switches to
Embroidery mode and automatically
converts all selected objects to embroidery.
See also Converting between vector and
embroidery objects.
3 Switch back to Graphics mode to view
embroidery and digital art graphics together
Resize and apply in the one design window.
red color to text

Converting design to
embroidery
Digital art and
Use Convert (Universal toolbar) to convert embroidery combined
vector objects to embroidery objects. in the same design
Use Graphics (Universal toolbar) to switch
to Graphics mode.
Aligning embroidery and digital
We’re now ready to convert parts of the design
to embroidery. In this particular design, we print
want the flag, the ship, and the text to be a
digital print. We’ll print this onto the garment Use Embroidery (Universal toolbar) to
first. After this, we over-stitch the pirate head switch to Embroidery mode.
and soccer ball as embroidery. See also Use Auto Start and End (Standard
Digitizing for Embroidery. toolbar) to toggle the Auto Start and End
function on/off according to the current
settings. Right-click to open the Auto
To convert design to embroidery Start and End dialog.
1 Holding down the Shift key, select the pirate Use TrueView (Standard toolbar) to
head and soccer ball together. change between normal view and
TrueView.

To ensure you get perfect alignment between


embroidery and digital print, you need to tell
Select pirate
head together DecoStudio where to start sewing the
with soccer ball embroidery part of the design. To do this, you
need to select an easily identifiable point in the
design that is digitally printed and that the
embroidery machinist can use as a reference
point when aligning the needle. See also Setting
automatic start and end points.

Mul ti-Deco ration Proj ec t 120


tool. See Viewing stitching sequence for
To align embroidery and digital print details.
1 Click back to Embroidery mode.
2 Right-click Auto Start and End.
The Auto Start and End dialog opens.

Needle starts and ends


sewing at this point
Choose to digitize
Auto Stat/End
point Sending design to production
Click to set start and end on
left bottom corner of letter P
Use Graphics (Universal toolbar) to
switch to Graphics mode.
3 Choose Digitize Auto Start/End Point
and click OK. Use Embroidery (Universal toolbar)
to switch to Embroidery mode.
DecoStudio prompts you to click on screen
Use Show Graphics (Universal
where you want the design to start and
toolbar) to show and hide vector
finish. objects in Embroidery mode.
4 Click the bottom left corner of the letter ‘P’. Use Show Embroidery (Universal
This manually sets the start and end point of toolbar) to show and hide vector
the embroidery design. When it stitches out, objects in Graphics mode.
the needle starts and ends at this point. Use Stitch to Stitch Manager
(Standard toolbar) to send a design to
5 Turn off TrueView and check the start and a machine for stitching.
end points by traveling through the design
using the Travel functions or Slow Redraw To send this design to production, you first need
to print the digital art design of the background.
To do this, you first need to hide the embroidery
because you don’t want it printing on the digital
art printer.

To send the design to production


1 Switch back to Graphics mode and toggle
off the Show Embroidery icon.

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The graphics-only part of the design The embroidery-only part of the design is
displays on screen. displayed on screen.

Print-only part of
design displays

2 Click the Print icon on the Standard Embroidery-only part


toolbar to open the Print dialog. of design displays

6 Hoop the printed design and align the


needle on the machine with the manually
digitized start and end point – i.e. the
bottom left corner of the letter ‘P’.

Click to preview
printable parts of
design

3 For a realistic view click the Print Preview Machinist aligns needle with
button. this point on the P

4 Using the standard CorelDRAW® print 7 To sew out the design, click Stitch to Stitch
options, you can now digitally print the Manager.
design onto your garment. The Stitch to Stitch Manager dialog
5 To sew the design over top of the printed opens.
part, switch to Embroidery mode and
toggle off Show Graphics.

Choose target
machine

Mul ti-Deco ration Proj ec t 122


8 Confirm the target machine and format – in
this case Tajima – and click OK.
DecoStudio stitches the design directly to
that machine. If you have aligned the needle
with the manually digitized start and end
point, the stitching should align perfectly on
the garment with the digitally printed part of
the design.

Stitching aligns on the


garment with digitally printed
part of design

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Appliqué Project

Get the most out of DecoStudio with its built-in Element Requirements
support for appliqué. In this project, you will
Bottom layer • Fabric: red
create a large back appliqué using the tools
• Cover: red zigzag
available both in DecoStudio Graphics and
Center • Effect: pattern cross hash
Embroidery modes. Tips, hints and
• Color: grey
suggestions provided here will help you along
the way in understanding the techniques used
All steps required to complete the project are
to create professional-looking appliqué with
provided here. For further information, however,
DecoStudio.
you are referred to the Onscreen Manual.

Getting started

Double-click to start DecoStudio.

The first step in this and all projects is to specify


the design type, the fabric, the machine, and
the artwork you wish to use. DecoStudio has a
clean, uncomplicated user interface, guiding
and prompting wherever possible via a graphical
and wizard-based format. See also Basic
The customer has provided us with a sketch of Procedures.
the appliqué and jacket style that they want.
They want a double-layer appliqué which means
that we will have one layer on the top and one
layer at the bottom. They also want a center
pattern fill inside the appliqué for more artistic
effect. They want the overall design to be
approximately 150mm in height. The customer
has also specified the following:

Element Requirements
Top layer • Fabric: white
• Cover: blue zigzag

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5 Click the Choose Pattern button and select
To get started the black color swatch. See also Creating
new designs.
1 Open DecoStudio using the desktop icon or
the Windows Start menu.

Choose the
black color
swatch

When DecoStudio loads, you are presented


with four options: 6 Click Next when you have made your
selection.
 Create a new design.
The Machine Format screen displays,
 Open an existing design. prompting you to select a machine type for
 Open one of the DecoStudio tutorial your project.
projects. 7 In this case, we’re sewing the design on a
 Access the DecoStudio website. Tajima machine so we select Tajima from
2 In this case, we are creating a new design so the list of machine types supported by
we select New. DecoStudio.

The Choose Project screen displays. You 8 Click Next to continue.


are presented with three options: The Choose Graphic Source screen
displays.
 Create a ‘garment design’.
On this final screen, we’re prompted to
 Create an ‘emblem design’.
choose a graphics source. There are four
 Create a ‘generic design’. options:
3 In this case, we choose Garment since the
 Open from file.
appliqué will be attached to the back of a
jacket.  Copy from the Clipboard.
The Choose Fabric screen displays.  Start a brand new graphic in Graphics
mode.
4 For this particular design, we’re doing a
black denim jacket so choose ‘denim’ from  Start a new design from scratch in
the fabric list. Embroidery mode.
9 In this case, we want to start building the
project in the CorelDRAW® graphics suite
so we choose New Graphic.

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DecoStudio takes you directly to 3 Using the CorelDRAW® text tool, type a
CorelDRAW® Graphics mode screen. We’re capital ‘C’ on screen.
ready to create the design. See also
Opening designs.

Note You can at any time switch between


Graphics and Embroidery modes via the
Universal toolbar. See Switching between
design modes for details.
Click and drag sizing
handle to resize
Creating the top layer
Once in Graphics mode, we’re ready to create 4 Select the object and resize it using the
the top layer of our appliqué. sizing handles to approximately 150mm in
height as specified on the customer’s
sketch.
To create the top layer
1 First, change the page layout to landscape.
Tip Note the size in the Object Size fields
on the Property Toolbar. These update
dynamically as you resize the design.
5 Zoom into the lettering for a better view and
select the object.
Change to
Landscape

Select
College-Black
font from the
Font list

2 Zoom out by selecting the Zoom tool and


clicking Zoom Out on the Property
Toolbar.
The artwork provided by the customer called
for a capital ‘C’ in a College-like block font.

Ap pliq ué Proj ec t 126


6 Select a College like font (i.e. College-Black The Property toolbar changes to show the
font) from the Font list or something of options available for this tool.
similar appearance.

Select Interactive
Contour tool

7 The artwork specifies that the center of the


2 In this case we want a single offset set to
appliqué be white with a blue outline, so
6mm on the outside of the object.
with the object selected:
 Left-click the white color swatch on the
Color Palette to set the fill color. Select outside of object
 Right-click the blue to set the outline. Set offset
to 6mm
Set single offset
Creating the second layer
The next step is to create the second layer. We
do that with the CorelDRAW® Contour tool.

To create the second layer


1 With the object selected, from the 3 Change the second layer, as per the artwork
interactive toolbar, select the Interactive request, to have a red outline and fill.
Contour tool.

Set second
layer outline
and fill to red

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 127


4 Now we need to separate the second layer 3 As per the artwork request, set the fill to
from the white top layer – with the red gray.
object selected, select Break Contour
Group Apart from the Arrange menu.
This allows you to separate the two layers
and edit them separately.

Select third layer

Layers exist as
separate
editable objects
4 In order to change the outline color of the
third layer, again separate it from the
second layer using the Break Contour
Group Apart command in the Arrange
menu.
Creating the third layer The allows you to edit the third layer as an
independent object.
Now we’re ready to create the third layer which 5 Select Outline Pen dialog from the Pen
is the center pattern fill of the ‘C’. flyout menu.

To create the third layer


1 Select the top layer and, from the
Interactive toolbar, again select the Select no
Interactive Contour tool. outline

2 This time specify the contour to be on the Red outline


inside, 8mm offset from the original object. removed

Specify single contour


on the inside, offset
8mm
6 Set the outline thickness to none and click
OK.
The red outline is removed from the gray fill.

Ap pliq ué Proj ec t 128


Converting artwork to appliqué The design is now ready to be converted to
embroidery.

Use Tag as Appliqué (Universal toolbar) to


tag a vector object for conversion to
appliqué.
Select red layer
Use Convert (Universal toolbar) to convert and tag as
vector objects to embroidery objects. appliqué

Now we’re ready to convert the white fill and red


fill to appliqué.

To convert artwork to appliqué


1 Select the white top layer and, from the
Universal toolbar, click Tag as Appliqué.
The object is tagged for conversion to 4 Select all objects in the design by choosing
appliqué, appearing with a thick dotted Select All Objects from the Edit menu.
outline. The Status bar at the bottom of the 5 To convert the design to embroidery, simply
screen indicates that it is an appliqué object, click Convert.
in this case, 4mm in thickness. DecoStudio switches to Embroidery mode
and automatically converts all selected
objects to embroidery. Note that only those
tagged as appliqué in Graphics mode are
Select white converted to appliqué embroidery objects.
top layer

Red object converted to


Object appears red fabric with red
with thick dotted appliqué outline
outline White object to be stitched
as white fabric with blue
appliqué outline
2 To modify the thickness of the appliqué
cover stitching, again open the Outline Pen Gray object converted
to gray fill
dialog and set the width, in this case, to
6mm.
3 Similarly, to specify the red object as
appliqué, select it and click Tag as 6 In this case, we want the gray fill to be a
Appliqué. pattern – double-click the gray object.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 129


The Object Properties docker opens to the The Motif Fill is resized as shown.
side of the design window.

Select Fills tab

Select Motif Fill


from the list

Gray object selected

7 Select the Fills tab and choose Motif Fill


from the dropdown fill stitch list.
The fill type changes immediately to Motif
Fill and we can see that there is a pattern Adjust width and
height settings –
effect running through the design.
8mm each

Tip Try out the different Motif Fill patterns


to see what is available.

Examining and adjusting


Motif Fill applied to generated stitches
the gray object
Use TrueView (Standard toolbar) to change
between normal view and TrueView.
Click Zoom (Standard toolbar) to invoke zoom
Tip You can also select Motif Fill or any mode – zoom in or out via left and right mouse
other fill stitch from the Stitch Types clicks.
toolbar. Use Zigzag (Stitch Types toolbar) for long,
8 The cross-hatches are a little small for this narrow columns of slanted, side-by-side
stitches in a zigzag pattern.
design, so let’s adjust the width and height
settings as shown – 8mm for both. With all required stitching generated for
appliqué, all that remains to be done is a final
check of the stitching and minor adjustments.

Tip To view stitches better for the purposes of


the tutorial, the background color is set to

Ap pliq ué Proj ec t 130


white. You can change fabric colors at any time. We now have a zigzag stitch on top as well
See Changing background colors for details. as a zigzag tackdown stitch beneath. The
tackdown stitch actually interferes with the
effect we are trying to achieve with the
To examine and adjust generated
zigzag cover stitching.
stitches
1 In order to examine the stitching more
closely, click the Zoom tool or press B and
drag a selection marquee to zoom into a
Zigzag on top and
corner of the design. Zigzag underneath
for tackdown

Zigzag stitch
generated to hold
down fabric

5 Double-click the object to open the Object


Properties dialog.
The dialog opens at the Special >
Appliqué tab. In this case, we’re doing a
‘pre-cut’ appliqué which means that we’ve
2 Turn off TrueView in order to study the already cut the fabric to shape on a cutting
generated stitching. machine. If you wanted to cut the appliqué
We can see that DecoStudio has generated directly on the sewing machine, you would
a zigzag stitch to hold down the appliqué choose the Trim in Place option. This
fabric in preparation for the satin cover causes DecoStudio to generate extra
stitching.
3 In this case, we want the cover stitching to
be zigzag, so we select the object, and click
the Zigzag icon.

Change cover
stitch to Zigzag

Select object to
change cover
stitch

4 Turn TrueView back on in order to look at the


generated result.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 131


cutting line stitches which allow you to cut  Change the cover stitch to Zigzag.
the fabric by hand on the sewing machine.  Make sure the Appliqué Style is set to
Pre-Cut.
 Change the tack stitch to None.
 Change the zigzag spacing to 4mm.

Select
Pre-Cut

Cover stitch to
zigzag with 4mm
Choose none spacing and no
to remove tack tack stitch
stitch
Tack stitch
removed

Carrying out a final check


6 Currently the tack stitch is set to zigzag –
remove the tack stitch by selecting None
Use Slow Redraw (Toolbox) to view the
from the dropdown list. stitching and color sequence of a design in
7 Now we want to open up the zigzag fill of the slow motion.
cover stitch a little – right-click the Zigzag
icon. We can now do a final check prior to stitching
out the design on the machine.
The Object Properties > Fills > Zigzag
docker opens.
8 Change the spacing to 4mm. To carry out a final check
1 Zoom out to gain a better view of the
design.

Zigzag fill spacing Change spacing


increased to 4mm to 4mm

9 Now we do the same to the red appliqué –


select the object and make the following
adjustments:

Ap pliq ué Proj ec t 132


We now have a zigzag red appliqué with a  It then moves the machine out of the
blue zigzag appliqué and a pattern fill in the way by moving to the frame-out position
middle. allowing you to place the fabric.
 It then does the all-important zigzag
cover stitch.
 It then repeats the same process with
the white appliqué.
 Finally it stitches out the patterned fill
area at the center of the design.
6 Finally, select File > Save As, give the
design a name, and save as an EMB design.
The design is now ready to be sewn out on
the machine.

2 To check the actual stitching sequence, turn


off TrueView and press 0 (zero) on the Tip For a realistic view of the design apply
keyboard to view all stitching in the design. the black denim fabric again and turn on
TrueView.
3 Click the Slow Redraw.
The Slow Redraw dialog opens.

Adjust speed and


press Go button

Press 0 (zero) to
show all stitching Note The EMB file type retains all elements
of the design to a single file – i.e. the design
vectors and all stitch settings together.

4 Adjust the machine speed as required and


click Go to watch the design sew out.
5 Study the stitching sequence carefully:
 First it will stitch a single-run guide run
to show where the fabric should be
placed.

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PART III
DIGITIZING DESIGNS
In DecoStudio, you build designs from basic shapes or ‘embroidery objects’.
These are like ordinary drawing objects in that they have certain defining
characteristics or ‘properties’ such as color, size, position, and so on. They
also have properties unique to embroidery such as stitch type and density.

Digitizing for embroidery


This section discusses the different design modes and digitizing methods
provided by DecoStudio. It explains how to convert vector graphics directly
to embroidery. It also describes how to digitize shapes manually with the
available digitizing tools and to adjust input settings for best results. It also
explains how to convert between embroidery objects. See Digitizing for
Embroidery for details.

Stitch fills and outlines


This section explains how to apply fill and outline stitch types to your
embroidery objects, as well as how to change stitch settings to obtain the
best results. See Stitch Fills and Outlines for details.

Colorways and thread charts


This section describes how to select colors from the color palette as well as
how to set up different colorways and split color blocks. It also explains how
to customize and create your own thread colors and charts. See Threads and
Colorways for details.

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Creating appliqué designs
This section describes different techniques for creating appliqué including
how to convert vector graphics to appliqué, how to digitize appliqué objects
from scratch, as well as how to convert Fusion Fill objects to appliqué. It also
covers adjusting guide run, tack stitch, and cover stitch settings, as well as
changing frame-out positions. See Creating Appliqué Designs for details.

Monogramming
This section details the creation of monogram lettering with initials or with
a name, how to add ornaments to monograms, and how to create ornament
layouts. It also covers adding and creating your own borders. See
Monogramming for details.

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Chapter 6
Digitizing for Embroidery

In DecoStudio, you build designs from


basic shapes or embroidery objects.
These are like ordinary vector graphics
in that they have certain defining
characteristics or ‘properties’ such as
color, size, position, and so on. They
also have properties unique to
embroidery such as stitch type and
density. The most important property of
an embroidery object is in fact its stitch
type. Different stitch types are suited to different shapes. See also Stitch
Fills and Outlines.

This section discusses the different design modes and digitizing methods
provided by DecoStudio. It explains how to convert vector graphics directly
to embroidery. It also describes how to digitize shapes manually with the
available digitizing tools and to adjust input settings for best results. It also
explains how to convert between embroidery objects.

Converting between vector and embroidery objects

Use Convert (Universal toolbar) to convert between vector and


embroidery objects.

Use Retain Graphics (Universal toolbar) to retain the original vector


objects during conversion.

DecoStudio lets you convert vector objects directly to embroidery objects.


In fact, entire vector drawings can be quickly and easily converted to
embroidery designs in DecoStudio. The resulting objects take the current
stitch type, color and object properties set for the particular object type
(usually Fusion Fill). You can modify these properties as required. You can
also convert embroidery designs or objects to vector objects. See also
Creating Embroidery from Artwork.

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Note DecoStudio includes as standard the entire suite of CorelDRAW®
drawing tools which offer many techniques for drafting outlines and shapes
on screen. For a detailed description of the CorelDRAW® interface, refer to
the electronic User Guide available via the Windows Start > Programs
group. Alternatively, use the onscreen help available from the Graphics
mode Help menu.

To convert between vector and embroidery objects


1 Create a new design with a graphic or open an existing one. See
Creating new designs for details.

2 Prepare the artwork as necessary. See Creating Embroidery from


Artwork for details. See also the CorelDRAW® User Guide.
The Convert tool is located on the Universal toolbar as shown:

Graphics mode

Convert tool Click to keep


originals

Embroidery mode

The tool behavior depends on the mode in which it is invoked and


objects selected in the design window:
 In Graphics mode, selected vector objects are converted to
embroidery and displayed in Embroidery mode. Unselected objects
are displayed but can’t be selected.
 In Embroidery mode, selected embroidery objects are converted to
vector objects and displayed in Graphics mode. Unselected objects
are displayed but can’t be selected.
3 If you want to keep a copy of the original vector objects, click the Retain
Graphics toggle in Graphics mode.

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4 Select the vector objects you want to convert and click Convert.
Embroidery mode opens in a few moments and the converted
embroidery objects display.

Note You can hide embroidery objects in Graphics mode or vector


objects in Embroidery mode by toggling off Show Embroidery or
Show Graphics in the Universal toolbar. See Displaying artwork and
embroidery for details.
5 To convert embroidery objects to vectors, simply do the reverse – select
the embroidery objects and click Convert.
Graphics mode opens in a few moments and the converted vector
objects display.

Tip Vectors can also be converted to appliqué. See also Converting


vector graphics to appliqué.

Embroidery digitizing methods

Use Fusion Fill (Toolbox) to digitize filled shapes with turning stitch angles.
Right-click to adjust settings for new or selected objects.

Use Input C (Toolbox) to digitize columns or borders of fixed width.


Right-click to adjust settings for new or selected objects.

Chapter 6 D igitizing for Embroider y 138


Use Run (Toolbox) to place a row of single run stitches along a digitized line.
Right-click to adjust settings for new or selected objects.

Use Auto Appliqué (Toolbox) to digitize appliqué objects.

The process of creating embroidery objects on screen is called ‘digitizing’.


Like the creation of designs in Graphics mode, this involves the use of
certain input methods. These are similar to drawing tools except that the
end result are embroidery objects rather than vector objects.

Digitizing methods divide broadly into two categories – outline and fill.
Fusion Fill is used to create almost any filled shape. Input C is used to
create filled column shapes of fixed widths. Run is used to digitize outlines
and details. You can adjust the settings of most of these digitizing tools by
right-clicking the associated icon and setting options in the Object
Properties docker.

Note After digitizing, you can convert between Run and Input C objects,
as well as between Fusion Fill and Auto Appliqué. Of course, you can also
convert between vector objects and embroidery objects. See Converting
between embroidery objects for details.

Control points
Once you have selected a digitizing method, you create shapes by marking
points along an outline. DecoStudio uses automatic Bézier curves to create

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 139


object outlines. This produces objects much faster than traditional Bézier
methods.

1 3 5 7
14 8 Click for
corner points
13 2 4 6 9
Right-click for
curve points
12 10
11

Unlike the traditional method, you do not need to click-and-drag to create


a curved line. Simply use the left mouse button for a cusp or corner point or
right mouse button for a smooth curve point – DecoStudio automatically
curves the line for you. Bézier control handles are available to you, however,
when you come to modify a shape. See Reshaping Objects for details.

2 90° 60°
Connect corners and 45°
curves with a corner point
Curve 30°
point
1 3 180° 0°
Curve Curve
point point Hold down Ctrl to
constrain the line to
270° 15° increments

 To constrain the line to 15° increments, hold down Ctrl as you digitize.
This is useful for digitizing straight lines.
 For a perfect circular arc, mark three points with a right-click.
 Where curves connect – either to a straight line or another curve – click
to mark the connection point.

Entry point

Exit point

Corner reshape node

Curve reshape node

Control handle

Stitch angle points

The reference points you mark when digitizing a shape become its ‘control
points’. These vary slightly with the object type. You use control points to
edit or transform objects. Most control points can be added, deleted, or

Chapter 6 D igitizing for Embroider y 140


moved. Corner and curve points can be interchanged. Some control points
such as entry and exit points have a specific function and cannot be deleted.
See Reshaping embroidery objects for details.

Digitizing complex shapes


In DecoStudio, you can digitize complex shapes with turning stitches with
the all-purpose Fusion Fill tool. Many shapes can be digitized with this tool.
By digitizing further boundaries within shapes, you can create complex
shapes with holes in them.

Tip You can quickly switch from Fusion Fill digitizing method to Run by
pressing the Spacebar. See also Keyboard Shortcuts.

Creating shapes with turning stitches

Use Fusion Fill (Toolbox) to digitize filled shapes with turning stitch angles.
Right-click to adjust settings for new or selected objects.

With the Fusion Fill tool, you can eliminate the need to digitize multiple
objects. This all-purpose digitizing tool allows you to create a single complex
object with multiple stitch angles.

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To create shapes with turning stitches
1 Create a new design with a graphic or open an existing one. See
Creating new designs for details.

2 Switch to Embroidery mode. See Switching between design modes for


details.

Tip Make sure Show Graphics on the Universal toolbar is toggled on


or press 0 (zero) to see the all vector objects on screen.
3 Select a color and stitch type. See Changing thread colors for details.
See also Selecting stitch types.
4 Click Fusion Fill and mark points around the outline of the shape. See
Embroidery digitizing methods for details.

Tip Use the prompts in the Prompt line to help you digitize. If you make
a mistake, press Backspace to delete the last point. Press Esc to undo
all new points. Press Esc again to exit digitizing mode.

Chapter 6 D igitizing for Embroider y 142


5 Close the shape by pressing Enter.

To close the shape, you don’t need to mark the last point on top of the
first. Simply press Enter after marking the last point and the shape
automatically closes itself. Depending on the type of first and last points
– i.e. corner or curve – the closing line is either curved or straight.

8 9 4 8 9
4
5 5 7
7
6 6 10
3 10 3

ht
ig 11 2 11
2 t ra e 12 ve 12
s lin r
cu
1 Press Enter – the object is Last point marked on top of
1
closed automatically 13 first with right button

Tip Digitize any additional holes in the same way. See Adding holes to
complex shapes for details.
6 Press Enter to confirm.
You are prompted to accept or discard calculated stitch angles.
7 Press Enter to accept stitch angles.
Alternatively, press Spacebar to discard these stitch angles and accept
a single default stitch angle.

Stitch
angle 2
Stitch angle 1 Stitch angle

Press Enter to accept Press Spacebar to accept


stitch angles single default angle

Tip You can adjust and/or add stitch angles to embroidery objects using
the Reshape Object tool. See Adjusting and adding stitch angles for
details.

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Stitches are generated.

Stitches with artwork Artwork toggled off

Tip To view stitches better, turn off vector objects by toggling off Show
Graphics in the Universal toolbar. See Displaying artwork and
embroidery for details.

Adding holes to complex shapes

Use Fusion Fill (Toolbox) to digitize filled shapes with turning stitch angles.
Right-click to adjust settings for new or selected objects.

DecoStudio lets you quickly add holes to Fusion Fill objects.

Holes in complex shapes should not overlap or intersect each other. A hole
should not overlap itself and should not have a second hole inside (hole
within a hole). The shapes below cannot be successfully digitized with
Fusion Fill. Where they occur, overlapping holes are ignored and stitches
only generated for the largest defined area.

Holes overlap Hole overlaps itself Hole within hole

Chapter 6 D igitizing for Embroider y 144


To add holes to complex shapes
1 Select the object to modify and click Fusion Fill.
Points display around the object outline.

2 Digitize additional holes making sure they do not overlap. Press Enter
each time. See Embroidery digitizing methods for details.

Tip Use the prompts in the Prompt line to help you digitize. If you make
a mistake, press Backspace to delete the last point. Press Esc to undo
all new points. Press Esc again to exit digitizing mode.
3 When you have digitized all additional holes, press Enter again.
Stitches are regenerated. To view stitches better, turn off vector objects
by toggling off Show Graphics in the Universal toolbar. See Displaying
artwork and embroidery for details.

Stitches with artwork Artwork toggled off

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Tip To remove unwanted holes, select the object and use the Reshape
Object tool to delete control points around the hole. See Reshaping
embroidery objects for details.

Adjusting segment overlaps

Use Fusion Fill (Toolbox) to digitize filled shapes with turning stitch angles.
Right-click to adjust settings for new or selected objects.

Where segments within an object meet, the push-pull effect on the fabric
during stitching may cause gaps to appear. These gaps can be prevented by
adding overlapping rows. An overlap of ‘1 row’ means no real overlap. An
overlap of ‘2 rows’ means that the first segment is extended by the addition
of one extra row of stitches.

To adjust segment overlaps


1 Select a Fusion Fill object.
2 Double-click the object or right-click Fusion Fill.
The Object Properties > Special dialog opens.

Enter required
number of rows

3 Adjust the number of overlapping rows where segments join.

No overlap row Overlap rows 5

4 Press Enter.

Chapter 6 D igitizing for Embroider y 146


Digitizing columns and borders
Use Input C to digitize columns and borders of fixed width. This tool is
typically used to digitize borders and outlines of larger shapes. Input C is
usually used with Satin stitch but you can use any fill stitch type except Motif
Fill. See Stitch Fills and Outlines for details.

Tip You can quickly switch from Input C to Run by pressing the Spacebar.
You can also easily convert between Input C and Run objects. See
Converting between embroidery objects for details.

Creating columns and borders

Use Input C (Toolbox) to digitize columns or borders of fixed width.


Right-click to adjust settings for new or selected objects.

Digitize columns and borders of fixed width with the Input C tool. You can
leave the shape open, or create an enclosed border by joining the first and
last points. Left and right mouse clicks create reference points – corner
points and curve points respectively.

To create columns and borders


1 Create a new design with a graphic or open an existing one. See
Creating new designs for details.
2 Select a color and stitch type. See Changing thread colors for details.
See also Selecting stitch types.
3 Click Input C.

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4 Digitize the shape of the column by marking points. See Embroidery
digitizing methods for details.

Tip Use the prompts in the Prompt line to help you digitize. If you make
a mistake, press Backspace to delete the last point. Press Esc to undo
all new points. Press Esc again to exit digitizing mode.
5 Press Enter to finish the line.

Tip To make a border, ‘close’ the shape by entering the last point
exactly on top of the first. If points do not align, stitches will not turn
smoothly around the corner.
6 Specify the column width.
 To use the default width (as set in the Object Properties > Special
> Input C docker), press Enter.

Digitize column
width anywhere in
design window

 To specify the width, mark two additional points. The distance


between these points is the width of the column. (You can mark the
column width anywhere on the screen.)

Chapter 6 D igitizing for Embroider y 148


Stitches are generated.

Stitches with artwork Artwork toggled off

Tip To view stitches better, turn off vector objects by toggling off Show
Graphics in the Universal toolbar. See Displaying artwork and
embroidery for details.

Adjusting column width

Use Input C (Toolbox) to digitize columns or borders of fixed width.


Right-click to adjust settings for new or selected objects.

You can set the exact width of Input C columns in the Object Properties
dialog.

To adjust column width


1 Select an Input C object.
2 Double-click the object or right-click Input C.
The Object Properties > Special > Input C docker opens.

Adjust column width

3 Enter a width in the Column Width field.


4 Press Enter.

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Stitches are regenerated.

Tip You can also change the width of Input C objects by selecting the
Reshape tool, and moving the width control points. See Reshaping
embroidery objects for details.

Digitizing outlines and details


Use the Run tool to place a row of single Run stitches along a digitized line.
This tool is typically used to add borders and pickout runs to designs.

Tip DecoStudio lets you convert between Run and Input C objects. See
Converting between embroidery objects for details.

Creating stitch runs

Use Run (Toolbox) to place a row of single run stitches along a digitized line.
Right-click to adjust settings for new or selected objects.

Use the Run tool to digitize lines of Run stitching. Left and right mouse clicks
create reference points – corner points and curve points respectively.

Chapter 6 D igitizing for Embroider y 150


To create stitch runs
1 Click Run.
2 Digitize the shape of the line by marking points. See Embroidery
digitizing methods for details.

Tip Use the prompts in the Prompt line to help you digitize. If you make
a mistake, press Backspace to delete the last point. Press Esc to undo
all new points. Press Esc again to exit digitizing mode.
3 Press Enter to finish the line.
Stitches are generated.

Tip To view stitches better, turn off vector objects by toggling off Show
Graphics in the Universal toolbar. See Displaying artwork and
embroidery for details.

Adjusting stitch length

Use Run (Toolbox) to place a row of single run stitches along a digitized line.
Right-click to adjust settings for new or selected objects.

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For Run stitch, set the stitch length to suit the digitized shape. Where the
object has tight curves, select a shorter stitch length. To reduce the stitch
count for flatter curves, increase the stitch length. These values only apply
to objects created with the Run tool. They do not affect underlay stitching.

To adjust stitch length


1 Select a Run object.
2 Double-click the object or right-click Run.
The Object Properties > Outlines > Run docker opens.

Adjust stitch length

3 Enter a number for stitch length in the Length field.

Run length Run length

Not enough stitches to Stitches follow the curve


follow tight curve more closely

Note If a line has tight or sharp curves, varying stitch length is


automatically applied so the stitches follow the line more closely.

Converting between embroidery objects


DecoStudio lets you convert vector graphics directly to embroidery objects
using a variety of techniques. Similarly, you can convert embroidery designs
or objects to vector graphics. You can also convert between different Run

Chapter 6 D igitizing for Embroider y 152


and Input C objects. This is useful when scaling designs – e.g. for creating
thicker or thinner columns and borders.

Converting between Run and Input C

Use Run (Toolbox or Convert popup menu) to convert objects from Input C
to Run.

Use Input C (Toolbox or Convert popup menu) to convert objects from Run
to Input C.

You can quickly inter-convert objects digitized with Run and Input C. This is
useful for creating thicker or thinner columns and borders when scaling
designs.

To convert between Run and Input C


1 Select a Run or an Input C object.
2 Click the complementary Toolbox icon.
Alternatively, right-click and select Convert and a complementary icon
from the popup menu.

Run object selected Input C object selected

3 Follow the instruction in the Prompt line:


 For Run stitch, mark the entry point.
 For Input C, mark the column width with two points.

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The object is converted and stitches regenerated.

Converted to
Run object

Enter width Converted to


point1 and point2 Input C object

Tip Alternatively, press Enter to accept defaults at each step. You can
edit the results with the Reshape tool.

Converting between Fusion Fill and Auto Appliqué

Use Fusion Fill (Toolbox or popup menu) to convert objects from Auto
Appliqué to Fusion Fill.

Use Auto Appliqué (Toolbox or popup menu) to convert objects from


Fusion Fill to Auto Appliqué.

You can quickly inter-convert objects digitized with Fusion Fill to Auto
Appliqué. This is useful when scaling designs and/or adapting the same
design for different purposes.

To convert between Fusion Fill and Auto Appliqué


1 Select a Fusion Fill or an Appliqué object.
2 Click the complementary Toolbox icon.
Alternatively, right-click and select Convert and a complementary icon
from the popup menu.

Fusion Fill object selected Appliqué object selected

3 Follow the instruction in the Prompt line:

Chapter 6 D igitizing for Embroider y 154


 For appliqué, click the outline to set the stitch entry and exit points.
Mark the frame-out position if prompted. See also Creating Appliqué
Designs.
 For Fusion Fill, mark as many stitch angles as required – points 1 and
2 for each – and press Enter. See also Digitizing complex shapes.
The object is converted and stitches regenerated.

Frame-out position

Fusion Fill object with


single stitch angle

Appliqué object

Fusion Fill object with


multiple stitch angle

Tip Alternatively, press Enter to accept defaults at each step. You can
edit the results with the Reshape tool.

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Chapter 7
Stitch Fills and Outlines

All embroidery objects in DecoStudio contain defining settings or ‘values’.


The values stored with an object become its ‘properties’. All objects have
certain properties in common such as size and position. There are other,
more specific properties of objects which depend on the object type.

The most important property of all embroidery objects is stitch type. The
software uses object outlines and the associated stitch type to generate
stitches. Whenever you reshape, transform or scale an object, stitches are
regenerated according to its stitch type and other settings.
This section explains how to apply fill and outline stitch types to your
embroidery objects, as well as how change stitch settings to obtain the best
results.

Selecting stitch types

Use Satin (Stitch Types toolbar) for narrow columns and shapes.

Use Tatami (Stitch Types toolbar) for large, irregular shapes.

Use Zigzag (Stitch Types toolbar) for long, narrow columns of slanted,
side-by-side stitches in a zigzag pattern.

Use E Stitch (Stitch Types toolbar) for a ‘comb’ effect with long, narrow
columns.

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Use Motif Fill (Stitch Types toolbar) to apply Motif Fill to objects using current
settings. Right-click to change settings.

Stitch types divide broadly into two categories – outline and fill. Different
stitch types are suited to different shapes. When you digitize an embroidery
object, it uses the currently selected stitch type. However, you can change
stitch types at any stage. Satin fills are generally suited to columns and
borders. Tatami stitch is used to fill larger shapes with solid fields of
stitching. Both Zigzag and E Stitch are used as outline stitches. Zigzag is
frequently used for tacking down appliqués, while E Stitch is used as the
cover stitch. Both can also be used for decorative effect.

Note Run stitch is considered both a digitizing method and a stitch type.
See Digitizing outlines and details for details.

To select a stitch type


1 Select the digitizing method you want to use – e.g. Input C. See
Embroidery digitizing methods for details.
2 Select an available stitch type.
3 Create the embroidery object.

Alternatively, select a suitable existing embroidery object and select an


available stitch type for that object.

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The new stitch type is applied to the object.

Creating Satin fills


Satin stitch is well-suited to stitching narrow columns and shapes, where the
length of each stitch forms the width of the column. Satin stitches are
almost parallel, with every second stitch slightly slanted. Because there are
generally no needle penetrations breaking up the fill, Satin stitch creates a
glossy, high-quality effect.

If an object is too wide, stitches may be loose and not cover the fabric
properly. Conversely, in very narrow columns for example, the stitch density
can be too high, and the needle penetrations can damage the fabric. Stitch
density can be adjusted by setting a fixed spacing value or letting Auto
Spacing calculate the spacing for you.

Applying Satin stitch with auto-spacing

Use Satin (Stitch Types toolbar) to apply Satin stitch to new or selected
narrow columns and shapes. Right-click to adjust Satin settings.

Stitch spacing is the distance in millimeters between two needle


penetrations on the same side of a column. Where a column is narrow,
stitches are tight, thus requiring fewer stitches to cover the fabric. Too many
needle penetrations can damage the fabric. The Auto Spacing option
automatically adjusts stitch spacing according to column width. For columns

Chapter 7 Stitch Fills and Ou tlines 158


of varying width, Auto Spacing automatically adjusts the stitch spacing
wherever the column changes width.

To apply Satin stitch with auto-spacing


1 Select the digitizing method you want to use – e.g. Input C. See
Embroidery digitizing methods for details.
2 Click the Satin stitch icon.
3 Create the embroidery object.
Alternatively, select a suitable existing embroidery object and click the
Satin stitch icon.

4 Right-click the Satin icon.


The Object Properties > Fills > Satin docker opens.

Select Auto Spacing

Adjust density
percentage

5 If Auto Spacing checkbox is not selected by default according to


current fabric settings, click the checkbox.

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6 Adjust Stitch Density as required.

>100% – fewer stitches 100% – no adjustment <100% – more stitches

Density is given as a percentage of the preset values:


 To decrease stitch density, increase the percentage – e.g. to
110-115%.
 To increase stitch density, decrease the percentage – e.g. to
90-85%.

Tip 75% generally produces high quality embroidery. An increased


stitch count means the design will take longer and be more expensive
to stitch.

Applying Satin stitch with fixed spacing

Right-click Satin (Stitch Types toolbar) to adjust Satin spacing.

In DecoStudio, the Auto Spacing option is turned on by default. For most


purposes, this option avoids thread breaks and creates visually appealing
columns of Satin stitches. Sometimes, however, you may want to control
the exact spacing of Satin columns. Fixed spacing is sometimes used, for
example, for decorative effects – e.g. very open spacing over, say, a Tatami
background. These effects cannot be achieved with Auto Spacing. You
change stitch density in Satin fills by adjusting the stitch spacing setting in
the Object Properties docker. The larger the spacing between stitches, the
lower the density. The smaller the spacing, the higher the density.

To apply Satin stitch with fixed spacing


1 Select the digitizing method you want to use – e.g. Input C. See
Embroidery digitizing methods for details.
2 Click the Satin stitch icon.

Chapter 7 Stitch Fills and Ou tlines 160


3 Create the embroidery object.
Alternatively, select a suitable existing embroidery object and click the
Satin stitch icon.

4 Right-click the Satin icon.


The Object Properties > Fills > Satin docker opens.

Adjust stitch spacing

Deselect Auto Spacing

5 Deselect the Auto Spacing checkbox.

Note If Auto Spacing is selected, the Adjust Spacing field is not


available. See Applying Satin stitch with auto-spacing for details.
6 In the Adjust Spacing field, enter the fixed spacing.
 To increase stitch density, enter a smaller value.
 To reduce the density for more open stitching, enter a larger value.

Stitch Spacing 0.5 mm Stitch Spacing 0.7 mm Stitch Spacing 0.9 mm

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Creating Tatami fills

Click Tatami (Stitch Types toolbar) to apply Tatami stitch to selected large,
irregular shapes. Right-click to adjust Tatami settings.

Tatami stitch consists of rows of run stitches and is suitable for filling large,
irregular shapes. Stitches are laid in rows going back and forth across the
shape. You can control stitch density in Tatami objects by adjusting stitch
length, and row spacing.

To create a Tatami fill


1 Select the digitizing method you want to use – e.g. Fusion Fill. See
Embroidery digitizing methods for details.
2 Click the Tatami stitch icon.
3 Create the embroidery object.
Alternatively, select a suitable existing embroidery object and click the
Tatami stitch icon.

4 Right-click the Tatami icon.

Chapter 7 Stitch Fills and Ou tlines 162


The Object Properties > Fills > Tatami docker opens.

Adjust stitch spacing

Adjust stitch length

Tatami density is determined by the distance between rows of stitches.

Row spacing

Stitch length

Tip Sometimes row spacing is increased to create more open stitching


for backgrounds and special effects. In such instances, Auto Underlay
should be turned off. If too open, you may also find that travel runs and
overlapping segments compromise the effect. See also Creating Motif
fills.
5 In the Spacing field, enter a spacing value.
For increased density, enter a smaller value. For more open stitching,
enter a larger value.

Spacing: 0.4 mm Spacing: 0.6 mm Spacing: 0.8 mm

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6 Enter a stitch length in the Length field.

Length: 4.5 mm Length: 2 mm Length: 1 mm

Creating Motif fills

Use Motif Fill (Stitch Types toolbar) to apply Motif Fill to objects using current
settings. Right-click to change settings.

Motif Fill is a decorative stitch suitable for filling large, irregular shapes. It
is generally use to less dense stitching for backgrounds and for special
effects. Motifs are repeated in parallel rows to fill a shape. They can only be
applied to Fusion Fill objects. Auto Underlay is deactivated with this feature
and stitch angle has no effect on motif layout. Select from a wide range of
motifs in the Object Properties docker.

To create a Motif fill


1 Select the Fusion Fill tool. See Digitizing complex shapes for details.
2 Click the Motif Fill stitch icon.
3 Create the embroidery object.

Chapter 7 Stitch Fills and Ou tlines 164


Alternatively, select a suitable existing embroidery object and click the
Motif Fill stitch icon.

Note The stitch angle has no effect on motif layout.


4 Right-click the Motif Fill icon.
The Object Properties > Fills > Motif Fill docker opens.

Select motif

Adjust width

Adjust height

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5 Select a motif from the motif library.

6 Adjust the width and height settings of the selected motif as required.

Width increased Width & Height increased Height increased

Tip You can generate layers of colored motifs by duplicating an object


and selecting a different color. For example, after filling a shape one
motif, you can create duplicate it and apply a different color and motif.

Creating Zigzag outlines

Click Zigzag (Stitch Types toolbar) to apply Zigzag stitch to new or selected
objects. Right-click to adjust Zigzag settings.

Chapter 7 Stitch Fills and Ou tlines 166


Zigzag stitch is similar to Satin in that the
needle penetrates each side of the
column. But while Satin gives a straight
line followed by a diagonal, Zigzag
produces two diagonal lines, thereby
producing a more open stitch. Zigzag is
frequently used for tacking down
appliqués, while E Stitch is used as the
cover stitch. It can also be used for
decorative effect or where fewer stitches
are required. See also Creating Appliqué
Designs.

To create outlines with Zigzag stitch


1 Select the digitizing method you want to use – e.g. Input C. See
Embroidery digitizing methods for details.
2 Click the Zigzag stitch icon.
3 Create the embroidery object.
Alternatively, select a suitable existing embroidery object and click the
Zigzag stitch icon.

4 Right-click the Zigzag icon.


The Object Properties > Fills > Zigzag docker opens.

Adjust stitch spacing

5 Enter a spacing value in the Spacing field.

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This value is the distance in millimeters between two needle
penetrations on the same side of the column.

Stitch spacing: 2.0 mm Stitch spacing: 3.0 mm Stitch spacing: 4.5 mm

Creating E Stitch outlines

Click E Stitch (Stitch Types toolbar) to apply E Stitch stitch to new or


selected objects. Right-click to adjust E Stitch settings.

E Stitch, sometimes referred to as ‘blanket stitch’, produces long, narrow


columns with a ‘comb’ effect. It is often used to stitch borders around
appliqués. The needle penetrates both sides of the column, and then
penetrates the second side again, laying the thread along the side.
E stitches are usually more open than Satin or Zigzag stitches. See also
Creating Appliqué Designs.

To create outlines with E Stitch


1 Select the digitizing method you want to use – e.g. Input C. See
Embroidery digitizing methods for details.

Chapter 7 Stitch Fills and Ou tlines 168


2 Click the E Stitch stitch icon.
3 Create the embroidery object.
Alternatively, select a suitable existing embroidery object and click the
E Stitch stitch icon.

4 Right-click the E Stitch icon.

The Object Properties > Fills > E Stitch docker opens.

Adjust stitch spacing

5 Adjust the spacing value as required.


This determines the distance between each perpendicular stitch.

Stitch Spacing: 1.0 mm Stitch Spacing: 2.0 mm Stitch Spacing: 3.5 mm

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Chapter 8
Threads and Colorways

When digitizing, you select thread colors for objects from the color palette.
This contains a selection of colors tailored to each design or ‘colorway’. The
particular color scheme represents the actual thread colors in which a design
will be stitched. In fact you can define multiple colorways and switch
between them. This has important implications for sales presentations as
well as production.

For each colorway you define, you can select colors from commercial thread
charts or define your own. Search for particular threads by specific code.
Automatic thread color helps you locate thread colors based on closest
match across one or several thread charts.

Tip You can also print multiple colorways, design backgrounds, and icons
of color blocks in the production worksheet. See Printing production
worksheets in Embroidery mode for details.
This section describes how to select colors from the color palette as well as
how to set up different colorways and split color blocks. It also explains how
to customize and create your own thread colors and charts.

Changing thread colors


When you digitize a new object, it automatically takes the color selected in
the color palette of the Color toolbar. This is the ‘current’ color. You can
change the current color at any time. You can also change the color of
selected objects at any time. If the color you want is not available in the
palette, you can add it to the colorway. See also Modifying colorways.

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Tip If the color palette itself does not appear, you need to select it from the
Toolbars dialog. See Toggling toolbars on or off for details.

To select a color
 Deselect all objects, and then select a color from the palette.
This color becomes current for all new objects.

Current color Color Palette Editor Current Multi-Colorway


Color Palette Split Palette Color Colorway Box

Add Color To Palette Compact Palette


Remove Color From Palette Change Background Color

 To change the color of a selected object/s, simply select a new color


from the palette.

Object selected Color changed

Note While the selected object/s change color, the ‘current’ color does
not change.

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Setting up colorways
DecoStudio lets you define multiple color schemes, or ‘colorways’, for the
one design. Change them to preview an existing design in different colors
on different fabrics.

When you start a design, Colorway 1 appears as the default color palette.
Colorways are saved automatically with the design when saving in EMB
format. Colorways cannot, however, be saved with stitch files. See also
Viewing design colorways.

Note While colorways give you different color schemes for a given fabric,
these have no bearing on the fabric settings. As dark-colored threads cover
light-colored fabrics better than vice versa, different densities may be
required when changing from one colorway to another. Colorways do not
automatically compensate for different densities. These have to be adjusted
manually to compensate for light or dark fabrics. See Optimizing Stitch
Quality for details.

Setting up color palettes

Use Add Color To Palette (Color toolbar) to add a new color slot to the
palette. This can be edited by means of the Color Palette Editor.

Use Remove Color From Palette (Color toolbar) to remove the unused last
color slot from the palette.

Use Color Palette Editor (Color toolbar) to assign thread colors to slots in the
color palette.

Use Compact Palette (Color toolbar) to remove all unused colors from
palette.

Chapter 8 Th reads and Co lor ways 172


When you create a new design, it includes a single default colorway called
‘Colorway 1’. This contains 15 default colors, unassigned to any thread
chart. The Color Palette Editor allows you to edit these default colors, add
extra color slots as required, as well as set up additional colorways. See also
Viewing color blocks with the Color Palette Editor.

To set up a color palette


1 Open a new design.
2 Click Add Color To Palette or Remove Color From Palette to add or
remove color slots as required.
The docked color palette displays 15 colors, 56 when the Color toolbar
is floated. The maximum number of colors in the color palette is actually
128.
3 Click Color Palette Editor.
The Color Palette Editor docker opens.

Click to select
thread chart/s

4 Click the Thread Charts button.

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The Active Thread Charts dialog opens.

Select tread
chart/s to use

5 Select the thread chart/s to use and click OK.


All color definitions from the selected chart/s are transferred to the Color
Palette Editor.

Click Match to match


selected color

Search color list manually


for suitable colors

Enter exact color


code if known

6 Select a color slot in the Color Palette Editor and match it to a suitable
thread by one of the following means:
 Simply click the Match button at the top of the color list to find the
nearest equivalent thread color in the selected charts.
 Enter an exact color code in the Find Code field.
 Click-and-drag the selection handle and scroll down the color list to
locate a color you want to use.
 Click the arrow buttons on top and at the bottom of the color list.

Note The current selection in the Color Palette Editor is not linked to
the current selection in the color palette itself.
7 Select the thread color in the list by clicking the color or the code.
The selected color is highlighted, ready for use.

Chapter 8 Th reads and Co lor ways 174


8 Click Assign.
The selected thread is assigned to the color slot and the next color slot
is selected.
9 Optionally, click Compact Palette to display only those colors used in
the design once all colors are assigned to objects. See also Viewing color
blocks with the Color Palette Editor.

Palette colors compacted

Note The Compact Palette tool is disabled for machine formats that
use needle addressing – i.e. that have Color Change set as Needle No
in the Machine Format Values dialog. See also Setting color change
functions.

Adding and deleting colorways

Use Multi-Colorway Box (Color toolbar) to open or close the modeless


Multi-Colorway Box dialog which allows you add and edit colorways.

It is often difficult to imagine your designs stitched out on different fabric


colors and textures, using different combinations of thread colors. When you
create a new design, the design contains a single default colorway called
‘Colorway 1’. You can define up to 100 colorways for each design.

Tip Certain other settings are included as part of the colorway definition –
background color or fabric, as well as display colors for borer symbols,
unsewn stitches, selected objects, object outlines and the grid. See Viewing
design colorways for details.

To add or delete a colorway


1 Create a new design or open an existing one.
2 Click Multi-Colorway Box.
The Multi-Colorway Box dialog opens.

Click to add new


colorways

3 Click New.

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The New Colorway dialog opens.

Enter new colorway name

Select colorway to base on

4 Select a colorway to base on and enter a new colorway name.

Tip By default, the Based on Colorway field contains the current


colorway. Select from the dropdown list to change colorways. If you
want to base the new colorway on default settings, select the blank in
the list.

Click to choose
colorway

Click to delete colorway

5 Click OK.
The new colorway displays with the colorway you selected to base on.
6 Edit the colors and background of the new colorway using the Color
Palette Editor. See Modifying colorways for details.
7 Select a colorway in the list to view.
This has the same effect as selecting the colorway from the dropdown
list on the Color toolbar.
8 To delete a colorway, select it and click Delete.
You are prompted to confirm the deletion.
9 Click OK.

Modifying colorways

Use Multi-Colorway Box (Color toolbar) to open or close the modeless


Multi-Colorway Box dialog which allows you add and edit colorways.

Use Change Background Color (Color toolbar, Multi-Colorway Box dialog) to


change background color.

Use Add Color To Palette (Color toolbar) to add a new color slot to the
palette. This can be edited by means of the Color Palette Editor.

Chapter 8 Th reads and Co lor ways 176


Use Remove Color From Palette (Color toolbar) to remove the unused last
color slot from the palette.

Use Color Palette Editor (Color toolbar) to assign thread colors to slots in the
color palette.

Use Compact Palette (Color toolbar) to remove all unused colors from
palette. Unused slots appear gray.

You can modify a colorway by adding or changing colors. New colors can be
selected from any available thread chart. Any modifications to thread colors
only affect the selected colorway. All others remain unchanged. The
modified colorway is saved with the design.

To modify a colorway
1 With a design open, click Multi-Colorway Box.
The Multi-Colorway Box dialog opens.

Select colorway
to edit

Click to change colorway background

2 Select the colorway you want to edit.


3 To edit the name, click the field, key in a new name, and press Enter.
4 To add or remove color slots, click Add Color To Palette or Remove
Color From Palette on the Color toolbar.
5 To change the colorway background or fabric color, click Change
Background Color. See Changing background colors for details.

Note Background or fabric colors and are treated as part of the


colorway rather than design window settings. In addition, display colors
for Unsewn (stitches), Selected (objects), Object Outline, Grid and
Guide are part of the colorway definition. See Viewing design colorways
for details. See also Setting display colors.
6 To modify the thread colors of the selected colorway, click Color
Palette Editor. See Modifying thread colors for details.

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The Color Palette Editor docker opens displaying the current colorway.

Search color list manually for


suitable colors

Enter exact color code if known


Click to assign color to
selected color slot

Click to locate selected color


Enter descriptive name for
selected color element

7 Assign colors from the current thread chart to selected color slots. See
Setting up color palettes for details.
8 Optionally, click Compact Palette to display only those colors used in
the design once all colors are assigned to objects. See also Viewing color
blocks with the Color Palette Editor.

Modifying thread colors

Use Color Palette Editor (Color toolbar) to modify threads in existing charts.

Change the code, description, brand, thickness or display color of existing


threads by means of the Color Palette Editor.

To modify a thread color


1 Click the Color Palette Editor icon.

Chapter 8 Th reads and Co lor ways 178


The Color Palette Editor docker opens.

Select color slot


Click to edit
selected thread

2 Import threads from the thread chart of your choice. See Setting up
color palettes for details.
3 Select the color slot you want to edit and click the Edit Thread button.
The Edit Thread dialog opens.

Click to select
or mix color

Edit thread
details

4 Click Mix to mix your own thread color. See Mixing your own thread
colors for details.
5 Edit thread details as required. See Adding your own colors to thread
charts for details.
6 Click OK.

Splitting color blocks

Use Multi-Colorway Box (Color toolbar) to open or close the modeless


Multi-Colorway Box dialog which allows you add and edit colorways.

Use Color Palette Editor (Color toolbar) to assign thread colors to slots in the
color palette.

Use Split Palette Color (Color toolbar) to create a new color slot with the
same thread specification as the selected slot.

A color block corresponds to a color stop in the design. It may be comprised


of a single object or group of like-objects – e.g. ‘ropes’ – or more – e.g.
‘ropes and birds’. In one colorway you may want to assign the same thread

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color to all items in the color block, while in another you may want to assign
different colors. The Split Palette Color tool makes this easy – simply
create a new color slot with the same thread specification as the selected
slot. This is added to the palettes of all colorways. Selected objects are
assigned to the new palette position. See also Selectively viewing color
blocks.

Note The design needs to contain at least two colorways and two objects.
The button is disabled when objects of different colors are selected.

To split a color block


1 With a design open, click Multi-Colorway Box.
The Multi-Colorway Box dialog opens.

Select colorway
to edit

2 Select the colorway you want to modify.


3 Select the object/s within the color block which you want to split away
and recolor.
The Split Palette Color button is activated.

Select object/s to change

4 Click the Split Palette Color icon.

Chapter 8 Th reads and Co lor ways 180


A new color slot of the same color is added to the palette in all
colorways. Selected objects are assigned to the new palette position.

Color block New color slot added to all colorways


split based on selected color (#4)

5 Via the Color Palette Editor, assign a new thread color to the new color
slot in the selected colorway. See Setting up color palettes for details.
The colors of the other colorways remain unaffected.

New color assigned to slot in


selected colorway

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Note By default, the new color slot is placed at the end of the color
palette. This, however, does not affect the stitching sequence.

Consecutive
blocks of same
color remain
separate

Customizing thread charts


Thread charts are lists of pre-defined thread colors. They may be based on
commercially available thread charts, or charts you define yourself. When
you create a thread chart, you are creating a store of colors to use in future
use. You may use pre-defined thread colors from existing charts or define
your own. You may also want to update existing thread charts by modifying
thread details or removing threads.

Creating new thread charts

Use Color Palette Editor (Color toolbar) to create new thread charts.

DecoStudio lets you define your own thread charts. When you create a
thread chart, you are creating a store of colors to use in future use.

To create a new thread chart


1 Click the Color Palette Editor icon.

Chapter 8 Th reads and Co lor ways 182


The Color Palette Editor docker opens displaying the current
colorway.

Click to select
thread chart/s

Click to modify thread charts

2 Click the Thread Charts button.


The Active Thread Charts dialog opens.
3 Click Modify.
The Modify Thread Chart dialog opens displaying the current thread
chart.

Click to create new chart

4 Click New.
The New Thread Chart dialog opens.

My Thread Chart Enter new name

5 Enter a name for the chart and click OK.

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You return to the Modify Thread Chart dialog. The new chart is
created, ready for you to add thread colors.

My Thread Chart

Click to add your


own threads

Click to copy
threads from
other chart

6 Click Add to add your own colors. See Adding your own colors to thread
charts for details.
7 Click Copy From to add colors from an existing chart. See Copying
colors between charts for details.
8 Click Close to finish.
The new chart is created and ready for use.

Modifying existing thread charts

Use Color Palette Editor (Color toolbar) to modify existing charts.

Use the Modify Thread Chart dialog to rename existing thread charts and
remove them entirely from the system. Select names that will help you
remember the charts you need or to help you sort frequently-used charts to
the top of the list.

Warning Be careful when deleting thread charts. If you delete the wrong
chart you will need to reinstall DecoStudio to restore it.

Chapter 8 Th reads and Co lor ways 184


To modify an existing thread chart
1 Open the Active Thread Charts dialog. See Creating new thread charts
for details.

Select
thread chart

Click to modify
selected thread chart

2 Click Modify.
The Modify Thread Chart dialog opens displaying the current thread
chart.

My Thread Chart

Click to rename Click to delete

3 From the Name list, select the chart to modify.


4 Click Delete to remove the entire chart.
You are prompted to confirm the deletion.
5 Click Rename to change names.
The Rename Thread Chart dialog opens.

My Thread Chart

My New Thread Chart Enter new thread


chart name

6 Enter the new name for the thread chart and click OK.

Modifying threads in charts

Use Color Palette Editor (Color toolbar) to modify existing charts.

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Remove obsolete thread colors from a thread chart using the Modify
Thread Chart dialog. Change the code, description, brand, thickness or
display color of existing threads.

To modify threads in charts


1 Open the Active Thread Charts dialog. See Creating new thread charts
for details.
2 Select the required thread chart and click Modify.
The Modify Thread Chart dialog opens displaying the current thread
chart.

Select
thread chart

Select color
Click to remove
to modify
selected thread color
Click to edit selected
thread details

Click to remove ALL


colors from chart

3 From the Name list, select the chart to modify.


4 In the Threads list, select the thread to modify.
5 Click Remove to remove the selected thread from the chart.

Tip To delete all the threads from the thread chart, click Clear All.
6 Click Edit to change thread details.

Chapter 8 Th reads and Co lor ways 186


The Edit Thread dialog opens.

Click to select
or mix color
Edit thread
details

7 Edit thread details as required. See Adding your own colors to thread
charts for details.
8 Click OK.

Copying colors between charts

Use Color Palette Editor (Color toolbar) to modify existing charts.

You can copy colors between different thread charts to create your own
charts from existing colors.

To copy colors between charts


1 Open the Modify Thread Chart dialog. See Creating new thread charts
for details.

Select Click to create


existing chart new chart

Click to copy
threads from
other charts

2 Create a new chart or open an existing one from the Name list.
3 Click Copy From.

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The Copy From dialog opens.

Select
thread chart

Select color
to copy

4 Select the source thread chart from the Name list.


5 Select the color/s you want to copy.

Tip Use Ctrl or Shift keys to copy a group or range of colors.


6 Click OK.
All colors are copied to the new thread chart.

Adding your own colors to thread charts

Use Color Palette Editor (Color toolbar) to modify existing charts.

You can add colors to thread charts using colors from other charts or colors
you mix yourself.

Chapter 8 Th reads and Co lor ways 188


To add your own colors to a thread chart
1 Open the Modify Thread Chart dialog. See Creating new thread charts
for details.

Select Click to create


existing chart new chart

Click to add
own colors to
thread chart

2 Create a new chart or open an existing one from the Name list.
3 Click Add to add your own colors.
The Add Thread dialog opens.

Click to select
or mix color
Enter thread 1234
details
My Brand

Deep Purple
Select thread
thickness

4 Enter code, brand, and description details for the new thread color.
Code is the identification number of a thread color in a brand.
5 Select the appropriate thread thickness:

Thickness Description

A Normal embroidery thread (thickness 120/2, or 40)

B Thicker than normal

C Finer than normal

D Very fine

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Note This setting determines the Auto Spacing setting used with the
thread. See also Applying Satin stitch with auto-spacing.
6 Click Mix to mix the thread color. See Mixing your own thread colors for
details.
7 Click OK.
The new color appears in the Threads list.

Mixing your own thread colors


You can change the color that displays for a particular thread, or create new
thread colors using the Color dialog.

To mix your own thread colors


1 Add your own colors to a thread chart or modify threads in an existing
chart. See Adding your own colors to thread charts or Modifying threads
in charts for details.
2 Click Mix.
The Color dialog opens – this may vary slightly with the operating
system you are using.

Click an area to
select color

Drag arrow to
adjust brightness
Click to
select color

Enter exact values


if known
Click to add selected
color to Custom Colors

3 From the Basic colors palette, select a color that approximates the one
you require.
4 To further refine your color choice, drag the crosshairs on the color
spectrum.
5 To adjust color brightness, drag the arrow on the slider bar.
6 Alternatively, set the exact HLS or RGB values you require.

Chapter 8 Th reads and Co lor ways 190


7 Click Add to Custom Colors to add mixed color to Custom Colors
palette for future use.
8 Click OK.

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Chapter 9
Creating Appliqué Designs

DecoStudio lets you generate all the stitching you need for appliqué using
a dedicated Auto Appliqué tool. Up to four layers of stitching – guide runs,
cutting lines, tack stitches and cover stitches – can be generated for any
appliqué object, depending on current settings. You can also extract
appliqué shapes from a design to output to a cutter or separate file. See
Cutting appliqué shapes for details.

Tip Print a copy of appliqué patterns to use in cutting out fabric pieces. Each
appliqué pattern piece is numbered according to the stitching sequence. See
Printing appliqué patterns for details.
This section describes different techniques for creating appliqué including
how to convert vector graphics to appliqué, how to digitize appliqué objects
from scratch, as well as how to convert Fusion Fill objects to appliqué. It also
covers adjusting guide run, tack stitch, and cover stitch settings, as well as
changing frame-out positions.

Converting vector graphics to appliqué

Use Tag as Appliqué (Universal toolbar) to tag a vector object for


conversion to appliqué.

Use Convert (Universal toolbar) to convert vector objects to embroidery


objects.

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In Graphics mode, the Tag as Appliqué button allows you to tag selected
vector objects for conversion to appliqué. The button is disabled until an
applicable object is selected in the design window. When an object which
has been tagged as an appliqué object is selected in the design window the
Tag As Appliqué button is pressed in. When the Convert tool is clicked,
all tagged objects are converted to appliqué using the current appliqué
property settings. See Adjusting appliqué settings for details.

Tip The CorelDRAW® Object Manager also indicates which objects have
been tagged as appliqué objects. All objects tagged as appliqué objects have
the text ‘Appliqué’ in the object name preceding the object description.

To convert a vector graphic to an appliqué object


1 Create a vector object in Graphics mode and select it.
The Tag As Appliqué icon appears.

2 Click Tag As Appliqué.

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The object is tagged for conversion to appliqué, appearing with a thick
dotted outline. The original outline and fill color of the object remains
unchanged.

Object appears with


thick dotted outline

3 Click Convert.
DecoStudio switches to Embroidery mode and automatically converts
the vector object to an appliqué object.

Red appliqué cover


stitch generated

Fill color remains the


same

Note When the Convert command is applied to objects tagged as


appliqué, the vector fill properties are maintained in Embroidery mode,
where possible, to give the appearance of a fabric patch. Where the
properties cannot be maintained – e.g. Fountain, Pattern, Postscript or
Texture filled objects – a grey uniform fill is applied to the converted
appliqué.

Pattern fill Grey fill Texture fill

Cha pter 9 Creating Ap pliqué Desi gns 194


Digitizing appliqué objects

Use Auto Appliqué (Toolbox) to digitize appliqué objects.

Use Auto Appliqué to produce all the stitching you require for appliqué
objects. Up to four layers of stitching – guide runs, cutting lines, tack
stitches and cover stitches – can be generated for each appliqué object,
depending on current settings. When you stitch out an appliqué object, the
machine stops between layers. When the guide run has been stitched, lay
the appliqué patch over the design and re-start the machine. Or, if using a
cutting line, place the fabric over the guide run then trim in position after
the cutting line has been stitched. Start the machine again for tack and
cover stitching.

To digitize appliqué objects


1 Click the Auto Appliqué icon.
2 Digitize the boundary of the appliqué. See Embroidery digitizing
methods for details.

Tip Follow the prompts in the Prompt Line to help you digitize. If you
make a mistake, press Backspace to delete the last reference point,
then continue digitizing.
3 Press Enter to close the shape.

Tip You can create another appliqué object at this stage by digitizing
and pressing Enter.
4 Press Enter again.
5 Click the outline to set the entry and exit points or press Enter to accept
the defaults.
6 Click a Frame Out position or press Enter to accept the default.

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Up to four layers of stitching – guide runs, cutting lines, tack stitches and
cover stitches – are generated for the appliqué object, depending on the
current Auto Appliqué settings.

Satin cover stitch


Zigzag tack stitch
Guide run and cutting line

7 Double-click the appliqué object to check its settings.


The Object Properties > Special > Auto Appliqué docker opens.

Adjust settings as
required

8 Adjust settings as required:


 Guide run: See Adjusting guide run settings for details.
 Tack stitch: See Adjusting tack stitch settings for details.

Cha pter 9 Creating Ap pliqué Desi gns 196


 Cover stitch: See Adjusting cover stitch settings for details.

Tip Run Slow Redraw or the travel tools to check the appliqué
stitching sequence. See Viewing stitching sequence for details.

Converting Fusion Fill objects to appliqué

Use Auto Appliqué (Toolbox or popup menu) to convert objects from


Fusion Fill to Auto Appliqué.

You can quickly convert Fusion Fill objects to appliqué by adding entry, exit
points and frame-out position. See also Cutting appliqué shapes.

To convert Fusion Fill objects to appliqué


1 Select a Fusion Fill object.
2 Click the Auto Appliqué icon.
Alternatively, right-click and select Convert and the icon from the
popup menu.

Select to convert to
appliqué object

3 Click the outline to set the stitch entry and exit points or press Enter to
accept the defaults. See also Digitizing appliqué objects.
4 Mark a frame out position or press Enter to accept the default.

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The object is converted and stitches regenerated.

Entry and exit


points
Frame-out
Fusion Fill
position
object

Tip Follow the prompts in the Prompt line to help you digitize.

Adjusting appliqué settings


Whether you create appliqué from scratch using the dedicated Auto
Appliqué tool, or convert existing vector graphics or Fusion Fill objects,
DecoStudio produces all the stitching you need for the job. Up to four layers
– guide runs, cutting lines, tack stitches and cover stitches – can be
generated for each appliqué object, depending on current settings.

Satin cover stitch

Zigzag tack stitch

Guide run and cutting line

Each of these layers can be adjusted via the Object Properties dialog.
When you stitch out an appliqué object, the machine stops between layers.
DecoStudio also allows you to pre-set a frame-out movement which shifts
the hoop out from under the needle, making it easier to place and trim
appliqué shapes.

Adjusting guide run settings

Right-click Auto Appliqué (Toolbox) to adjust guide run settings.

Cha pter 9 Creating Ap pliqué Desi gns 198


A guide run is a layer of run stitches around the outline of an appliqué
object. This is the first appliqué layer to be stitched and is used to position
the appliqué fabric on the background material. An extra line of stitching can
be added if the appliqué fabric is to be trimmed in position. If it has been
pre-cut, this cutting line is not needed. You can also specify a frame-out
movement in order to place and/or trim the appliqué patch.

To adjust guide run settings


1 Select and double-click the appliqué object.
The Object Properties > Special > Auto Appliqué docker opens.

Select cutting
method

Note If you want to pre-set appliqué settings, right-click the Auto


Appliqué icon with no objects selected. When property values are
changed, settings will apply to all newly created appliqué objects in the
current session. Otherwise, if one or more appliqué objects are selected,
settings only apply to those objects.
2 If you want to trim the appliqué patch in position, select an appliqué
cutting method:

Option Purpose
Pre-Cut No cutting line is generated. This option assumes you have
a pre-cut appliqué patch ready to be placed in position.
Trim in Place An additional cutting line is generated.

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Tip A cutting line is only generated if Trim in Place is selected. This
allows you to place the fabric patch after the guide run has been
stitched, then trim after the cutting line has been stitched.

Guide run

Cutting line

Tack stitches

Cover stitches

3 Select a Frame Out option to insert a Stop or Color Change function


after the guide run. See also Changing frame-out positions.

Adjusting tack stitch settings

Right-click Auto Appliqué (Toolbox) to adjust tack stitch settings.

Tacking is used to fix appliqué shapes to a background fabric before cover


stitching is applied. You can change the stitch type and settings used to
generate tacking, or choose to omit this layer altogether.

To adjust tack stitch settings


1 Select and double-click the appliqué object.

Cha pter 9 Creating Ap pliqué Desi gns 200


The Object Properties > Special > Auto Appliqué docker opens.

Select tack stitch type

Adjust tack stitch


spacing

Note If you want to pre-set appliqué settings, right-click the Auto


Appliqué icon with no objects selected. When property values are
changed, settings will apply to all newly created appliqué objects in the
current session. Otherwise, if one or more appliqué objects are selected,
settings only apply to those objects.
2 In the Tack Stitch Settings panel, select a tack stitch type.

Run tacking E Stitch tacking Zigzag tacking

Note If you do not require a tacking layer, select ‘None’.


3 Select the tack stitch settings. Depending on the selected stitch type,
you can set different stitch properties:
 Stitch Length: Stitch length value for Run stitch only.

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 Spacing: Stitch spacing value for E Stitch and Zigzag.

Zigzag spacing: 3mm Zigzag spacing: 1.5mm

4 Select a Frame Out option to insert a Stop or Color Change function


after the guide run. See Changing frame-out positions for details.

Adjusting cover stitch settings

Right-click Auto Appliqué (Toolbox) to adjust tack stitch settings.

The cover stitch is the Satin border around the appliqué shape.

To adjust cover stitch settings


1 Select and double-click the appliqué object.
The Object Properties > Special > Auto Appliqué docker opens.

Adjust cover stitch


width

Cha pter 9 Creating Ap pliqué Desi gns 202


Note If you want to pre-set appliqué settings, right-click the Auto
Appliqué icon with no objects selected. When property values are
changed, settings will apply to all newly created appliqué objects in the
current session. Otherwise, if one or more appliqué objects are selected,
settings only apply to those objects.
2 In the Cover Stitch Settings panel, adjust the cover stitch Width as
required.

Cover Stitch Width:


3.0mm

Cover Stitch Width:


1.5mm

Changing frame-out positions

Right-click Auto Appliqué (Toolbox) to adjust frame-out settings.

Use Reshape Object (Toolbox) to reshape selected objects by means of


control points.

When you stitch out appliqué objects, you can set a frame-out movement.
This shifts the hoop out from under the needle, making it easier to place and
trim appliqué shapes. Depending on the type of machine you are working
with, the frame-out command needs to be specified as either a Stop
function – multi-head machine – or Color Change function – single-head
machine. The distance and direction of the frame-out hoop movement is
pre-set. However, if you need to move it, you can do so by means of the
Reshape Object tool.

Note If you select ‘None’ as the frame-out option for both guide and tack
stitching, the machine will continue stitching without pause.

To change the frame-out position


1 Select the object and click the Reshape Object icon.

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Control points appear around the object and the Reshape toolbar
appears. By default, reshape nodes, stitch angles and entry/exit points
display together. Appliqué objects include a special frame-out position
marker. See also Reshaping embroidery objects.

Click and drag frame-out


position marker

2 Click and drag the frame-out position marker to the required position.

Combining appliqué components

Use Combine Appliqué Components (Arrange toolbar) to break apart


multiple appliqué objects into component objects and combine and
resequence them for efficient stitchout.

The Combine Appliqué Components tool breaks apart multiple appliqué


objects into their components – guide runs, cutting lines, tack stitches and
cover stitches – and combines and resequences them for efficient stitchout.
The end result is that the guide run of all appliqué objects is stitched in one
pass, followed by the tack stitch and then cover stitch. A single frame-out
movement occurs after guide run and tack stitch components.

To combine appliqué components


1 Select a group of appliqué objects.

Cha pter 9 Creating Ap pliqué Desi gns 204


The Combine Appliqué Components tool is activated.

Each appliqué object


digitized and stitched out
in its entirety

Note The Combine Appliqué Components tool is disabled when


non-appliqué objects are included in the selection.
2 Click Combine Appliqué Components.
A message box warns that the appliqué objects will be broken apart and
recommends that you save the design before proceeding.
3 Click OK to confirm.

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The selected appliqué objects are broken apart and same components –
guide runs, cutting lines, tack stitches and cover stitches – are combined
and resequenced.

Thread colors of each


appliqué object recombined
and resequenced for
efficient stitchout

Cha pter 9 Creating Ap pliqué Desi gns 206


Chapter 10
Monogramming

A monogram is a design
composed of one or more letters,
typically the initials of a name,
used as an identifying mark. The
Monogramming feature offers a
simple way to create personalized
monograms using a selection of
pre-defined monogramming
styles, border shapes and
ornaments, together with a set of
tools to help you place these
elements in creative and
decorative ways.

This section details the creation of monogram lettering with initials or with
a name, how to add ornaments to monograms, and how to create ornament
layouts.

Creating monogramming designs

Use Monogramming (Toolbox) to create personalized monograms using a


selection of pre-defined monogramming styles, border shapes and
ornaments.

The Monogramming feature offers a simple way to create personalized


monograms with minimal manual digitizing, using a selection of pre-defined
monogramming styles, border shapes and ornaments, together with a set
of tools to help you place these elements. The Monogramming feature
creates a single ‘monogramming object’ comprising some or all of the
following elements:
 Lettering: a single lettering object (initials or name)

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 Ornaments: up to ten ornament sets (each of which may comprise
multiple copies of a motif or embroidery design)
 Borders: up to four concentric borders.

Borders stitched
first – 1, 2, 3
Ornaments
stitched next

Lettering
stitched last

Assuming that all elements are present, the monogram is stitched in the
following order: borders (1, 2, 3, and 4), ornament sets, and lettering
object(s).

To create a monogramming design


1 Click the Monogramming icon.

Chapter 10 Monogrammi ng 208


The Monogramming dialog opens with the Lettering tab selected.
This tab allows you to specify the characters in the lettering component
of a monogram. Two options are available: Initials and Name.

Zoom and Undo/Redo buttons

The Monogramming dialog is ‘modal’ meaning that you are not able
to select objects or operate any controls outside the dialog while it is
open. However, elements specified in the dialog are displayed instantly
in the design window, and any changes made to settings inside the
dialog are immediately visible. The dialog also contains Undo, Redo
and Zoom buttons. Undo reverses any changes made since the dialog
was opened. The normal shortcut keys – Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+Y, Z, Shift+Z –
can also be used while the dialog is open.
2 Select the type of lettering object you want to make:
 Initials: Up to three initials can be entered, including special
characters and symbols. See Creating monogram lettering with
initials for details.

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 Name: This option allows unlimited lines of characters to be
entered. See Creating monogram lettering with names for details.

3 Click the Ornaments tab and specify the type of ornamentation you
want by clicking Add.
You can add up to ten ornament sets around a monogram. See Adding
ornaments to monograms for details.

4 Click the Borders tab and specify the type of border you want by
clicking Add.
You can add up to four borders of the same shape to a monogram
design. See Adding borders to monograms for details.

5 Click OK to complete.

Tip You can modify selected monograms at any time by adjusting their
settings in the Monogramming dialog. The dialog can be opened with
a single monogram, and no other object, selected. Any modifications to
the settings are applied directly to the selected monogram.

Chapter 10 Monogrammi ng 210


Creating monogram lettering
The Monogramming tool allows you to create personalized monograms
with up to three initials, including special characters and symbols, or
unlimited lines of characters.

Creating monogram lettering with initials

Use Monogramming (Toolbox) to create personalized monograms using a


selection of pre-defined monogramming styles, border shapes and
ornaments.

Up to three initials can be entered into your monogramming design,


including special characters and symbols. Change settings for each one or
all together, or apply pre-defined layout styles.

To create monogram lettering with initials


1 Click the Monogramming icon.
The Monogramming dialog opens with the Lettering tab selected. The
Initials option is selected by default.

Enter initials in
each field

Note The All Letters option is selected by default. This means that any
changes to lettering properties will affect all initials in the monogram. If
you want to specify different settings for each one, select the button
corresponding to the letter you want to modify before proceeding. This
step is repeated for each letter.
2 Enter the first initial for the monogram in the Letter #1 field.

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The letter simultaneously appears in the design window.

Note When using a single letter, it should be placed in the Letter #1


field.
3 Tab to the next fields and enter second and third initials as required.
These letters appear in the design window.

Enter initials in each field

Select layout style from


flyout menu

4 Optionally, click the Style button and select the style you want from the
flyout menu – drag mouse to the desired item and release the mouse
button.
The current height of Letter #1 is used as the ‘base setting’ for the style.

Style 15

Style 1 Style 7

Note The Style button is only applicable to initials. (Style 1 is applied


by default.) When the Name option is selected, this button is disabled.
See also Creating monogram lettering with names.
5 Select a thread color from the Color palette.

Select alphabet

Adjust letter height


Select thread color

6 Use the Alphabet dropdown list to change alphabets and adjust the
Letter Height as required.

Chapter 10 Monogrammi ng 212


Note The default values for monogram lettering Alphabet and Height
are distinct from those for conventional lettering.
7 Define any ornaments and/or borders you want:
 Click the Ornaments tab to specify monogram ornamentation. See
Adding ornaments to monograms for details.
 Click the Borders tab to specify a monogram border or borders. See
Adding borders to monograms for details.
8 Click OK to complete.

Creating monogram lettering with names

Use Monogramming (Toolbox) to create personalized monograms using a


selection of pre-defined monogramming styles, border shapes and
ornaments.

The monogram Name option allows unlimited lines of characters to be


entered.

To create monogram lettering with a name


1 Click the Monogramming icon.
The Monogramming dialog opens with the Lettering tab selected. The
Initials option is selected by default.
2 Click the Name option.
The Initials option is disabled.

Initials option
disabled

Select Name
option

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3 Enter your text in the Name field.
Pressing Enter starts a new line. When more than one line is created,
the default baseline type is used.
4 Click the Select Character button if you want to add special characters
and symbols. See Adding special characters and symbols for details.
5 Select a thread color from the Color palette.

Click to create lettering

Click to add special character

Select alphabet

Click to adjust lettering settings

6 Use the Alphabet dropdown list to change alphabets and adjust the
Letter Height as required.

Note The default values for monogram lettering Alphabet and Height
are distinct from those for conventional lettering.
7 Click Create Lettering.
The monogram lettering object is added to the design window, replacing
any that might already be there.

8 Define any ornaments and/or borders you want:


 Click the Ornaments tab to specify monogram ornamentation. See
Adding ornaments to monograms for details.
 Click the Borders tab to specify a monogram border or borders. See
Adding borders to monograms for details.
9 Click OK to complete.

Chapter 10 Monogrammi ng 214


Adding ornaments to monograms
Ornaments can be added to a monogram either from pre-defined patterns
or from any design file.

Adding ornament patterns or designs


You can add up to ten ornament sets to a monogram design and change
them at any time. There is a dedicated monogram ornaments pattern set
although any available pattern set can be used.

To add ornament patterns or designs


1 Create the lettering object you want to use in your monogram:
 Initials: Up to three initials can be entered, including special
characters and symbols. See Creating monogram lettering with
initials for details.
 Name: This option allows unlimited lines of characters to be
entered. See Creating monogram lettering with names for details.
2 Click the Ornaments tab.

Click to add
ornament set

3 Click the Add button.

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The Select Source dialog opens.

Add pre-defined pattern

Add design ornament

Note Up to ten ornaments can be added to the selection list. Any


combination of positions can be used.
4 Choose an ornament source:
 If you choose the From Motifs option, the Select Motif dialog
opens offering a library of pre-defined ornamental patterns. Select
a motif set from the dropdown list.

Select motif
set

Select motif

Chapter 10 Monogrammi ng 216


 If you choose the From Design option, the Open dialog opens onto
the Designs folder.

Choose design
as ornament

5 Select a motif, ornament or design and click OK.


A new ornament set is created using the selected pattern and a new
entry added to the list box.

6 Use the Positions checkboxes to add up to eight instances of a selected


ornament.
The checkboxes are arranged to illustrate ornament placements relative
to the lettering. Excluding Position #5, any combination of checkboxes
can be used.

1 2 3 Anchor position

4 6

7 8 9

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Note The first position selected serves as the ‘anchor’ position
(highlighted in bold). All settings in the dialog relate to this ornament
and all other ornaments are sized, rotated and mirrored in relation to it.
See also Creating single ornament layouts and Creating multi-ornament
layouts.
7 Use the Width and Height fields to change ornament dimensions.

Tip A Resize Proportionally checkbox (selected by default), forces


width and height settings to resize in proportion to each other.
8 Use the Rotate By field to specify a rotation angle for the anchor object.
All other ornaments are sized, rotated and mirrored in relation to this
object. See also Creating multi-ornament layouts.

9 Use the Color Blocks palette to change ornament colors.

Chapter 10 Monogrammi ng 218


The colors in the palette are shown in the sequence they occur in the
ornaments. To change colors, select a slot in the Color Blocks list and
select a color from the Color palette.

Note The Sequence this Set by Color checkbox is enabled whenever


the current ornament set has two or more color blocks. When checked,
the current ornament set is sequenced so that all corresponding colors
are stitched together. When unchecked, each ornament is stitched out
completely before the next. This will result in a lot of thread color
changes. See also Viewing color blocks with the Color-Object List.

Two or more color


slots filled

Sequenced so that all same


colors are stitched together

10 Add other ornament sets and repeat the process.

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Note If you choose a pattern for the ornament set, the Pattern Set
and Pattern fields give you the pattern identity. If you choose a design
as the ornament set, the Design Name field appears.

11 Change any ornament set any time by clicking the ornament set and the
Change button.
12 Click the Borders tab if you want to specify a border or borders for your
monogram. See Adding borders to monograms for details.
13 Click OK to complete.

Creating single ornament layouts


You can insert an ornament as a standalone element within an ornament
set. This single ornament can be used on its own or combined with other
ornaments or patterns. See also Creating multi-ornament layouts.

To create a single ornament layout


1 Create the lettering object you want to use in your monogram. See
Creating monogram lettering with initials and Creating monogram
lettering with names for details.
2 Add the ornament you want to use. See Adding ornaments to
monograms for details.

Chapter 10 Monogrammi ng 220


Tip Usually for a single ornament layout, you will want to use one of the
ornamental designs included in the Designs folder.

Choose design
as ornament

3 Select Position #5 to insert an ornament as a standalone element within


a set.
All other checkboxes are unchecked automatically. Width, Height, and
Rotate By fields remain available and an Offset panel appears.

Select Position #5

4 Size, rotate or flip the ornament as required. See Adding ornaments to


monograms for details.
5 Use the X and Y fields in the Offset panel to position the ornament
horizontally or vertically relative to the lettering object.

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These settings specify the position of the ornament center relative to the
center of the lettering object.

Adjust settings

6 Click the Borders tab if you want to specify a border or borders for your
monogram. See Adding borders to monograms for details.
7 Click OK to complete.

Creating multi-ornament layouts


You can add up to eight instances of a selected ornament to your
monogram. Any combination of ornaments and ornament positions can be
used.

Choose from a range of pre-defined layout styles, including Mirrors,


Duplicates, and Cycle. You also have the option of flipping the anchor
ornament horizontally or vertically.

To create a multi-ornament layout


1 Create the lettering object you want to use in your monogram. See
Creating monogram lettering with initials and Creating monogram
lettering with names for details.
2 Add the ornaments you want to use. See Adding ornaments to
monograms for details.

Chapter 10 Monogrammi ng 222


3 Use the Positions checkboxes to add up to eight instances of a selected
ornament.
The checkboxes are arranged to illustrate ornament placements relative
to the lettering. Excluding Position #5, any combination of checkboxes
can be used.

Adjust
settings Distance from
lettering

Anchor
position

1 2 3

4 6

7 8 9

Note The first position selected serves as the ‘anchor’ position


(highlighted in bold). All settings in the dialog relate to this ornament
and all other ornaments are sized, rotated and mirrored in relation to it.
4 Size, rotate or flip the anchor ornament as required. See Adding
ornaments to monograms for details.
5 Use the Distance From Lettering field to specify the distance
ornaments are offset from the lettering object.

Tip The software allows you to enter a negative offset.


6 Use the Layout Style dropdown list to select a style for the ornament
arrangement – Mirrors, Duplicates, or Cycle.

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Positions are laid out for each layout style in relation to the anchor
object, regardless of any positions omitted from the set.

Mirrors Cycle

Duplicates

7 Flip the entire configuration horizontally and/or vertically as required.

Flip horizontally or vertically

Horizontally flipped Vertically flipped

8 Click the Borders tab if you want to specify a border or borders for your
monogram. See Adding borders to monograms for details.
9 Click OK to complete.

Chapter 10 Monogrammi ng 224


Adding borders to monograms
You can add up to four borders of the same shape to a monogram design.
The Select Border dialog offers a list of pre-defined border shapes.

To add borders
1 Create the lettering object you want to use in your monogram:
 Initials: Up to three initials can be entered, including special
characters and symbols. See Creating monogram lettering with
initials for details.
 Name: This option allows unlimited lines of characters to be
entered. See Creating monogram lettering with names for details.
2 Add any ornaments you want. See Adding ornaments to monograms for
details.
3 Click the Borders tab.

4 Click the Add button.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 225


The Select Border dialog opens offering a library of pre-defined border
shapes.

Select border

5 Choose a border from the dialog and click OK.


A new entry is added to the border list box and the selected border
appears in the design window.

Note Borders completely enclose the lettering object but not


ornaments. Edit borders as required.
6 Use the Offset field to adjust space between lettering and border.

Adjust border
offset

Offset from
lettering object

Tip The software allows you to enter a negative offset. This allows you
to create multiple overlapping borders.
7 Click the Add button again to add up to four more borders.

Chapter 10 Monogrammi ng 226


Each time you click, a new entry is added to the list box and another
border of the same shape is added to your design.

Click to add
more borders

Click to change
border shapes

Adjust offset and


aspect ratio

Tip If you want to change the border shape, click the Change button
and select a different border from the Select Border dialog. Any change
affects all borders in the design.
8 Use the Offset field to adjust spacing between borders.

2nd border offset: 4 mm


3rd border offset: 6 mm

2nd border offset: 4 mm


3rd border offset: 2 mm

9 Use the Color palette to adjust the colors of selected borders.

Change stitch
type of each
border

Change color
of each border

10 Use the Outline and Fill tool buttons to change outline or fill stitch type
for selected borders.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 227


By default, Satin Outline is the default stitch type. When Fill is selected,
Tatami is selected as the default fill stitch. All outline and fill stitch types
available in the software can be used as borders.

Fourth border:
Pattern Run

First border:
Pattern Fill

11 Use the Aspect Ratio field to change the ratio of height to width for all
borders.
By adjusting this value, you adjust height and width in relation to one
another and thereby make the border fatter or taller. The default is 1.00
which means that the border height and width are as per the original.

Aspect Ratio: 1.30

Aspect Ratio: 0.70

12 Click OK to complete.

Chapter 10 Monogrammi ng 228


PART IV
EMBROIDERY LETTERING
Create top-quality lettering quickly and simply. DecoStudio provides a large
range of scalable closest-join alphabet styles and multi-color and fancy
stitching alphabets to choose from.

Creating embroidery lettering


This section describes how to add and edit lettering, change formatting
settings, and adjust lettering size and spacing. See Creating Embroidery
Lettering for details.

Editing embroidery lettering


This section describes how to edit lettering text. It also explains how to scale
and transform lettering objects. It also covers adjusting individual letters as
well as reshaping baselines on screen. See Editing Embroidery Lettering for
details.

Advanced embroidery lettering


This section describes how to add special characters and symbols to
lettering as well as change lettering stitch types. It also covers how to adjust
the lettering stitching sequence for a smoother stitchout. See Advanced
Embroidery Lettering for details.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 229


Chapter 11
Creating Embroidery Lettering

Create high-quality embroidery lettering quickly and simply. DecoStudio


provides a large range of scalable alphabets to choose from. Add
embroidery lettering directly to designs or convert from Graphics mode.
Apply formatting just like a word processor, including italics, bolding, and
right/left justification. Change values for the whole text or individual letters.

This section describes how to add lettering, apply baselines, change


formatting settings, and adjust lettering size and spacing.

Creating lettering in Graphics mode

Use Tag as Turning Satin Lettering (Universal toolbar) to convert vector


lettering to Satin embroidery lettering with turning stitching.

Use Tag as Parallel Tatami Lettering (Universal toolbar) to convert vector


lettering to Tatami embroidery lettering with parallel stitching.

Use Tag as Wilcom Lettering (Universal toolbar) to convert vector lettering


to native Wilcom embroidery lettering.

Use Convert (Universal toolbar) to convert vector objects to embroidery


objects.

DecoStudio includes as standard the entire suite of CorelDRAW® drawing


tools which also allow you to add and format TrueType lettering on screen.
Vector lettering can then be converted to embroidery lettering with aid of
the Convert tool located on the Universal toolbar. Conversion to
embroidery lettering can involve one of three types:

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 230


 Turning Satin lettering
 Parallel Tatami lettering
 Native (Wilcom) embroidery lettering.

Note For a detailed description of the CorelDRAW® interface, refer to the


electronic User Guide available via the Windows Start > Programs group.
Alternatively, use the onscreen help available from the Graphics mode
Help menu.

To create lettering in Graphics mode


1 Switch to Graphics mode. See Switching between design modes for
details.
2 Create a CorelDRAW® text object and select it.

A set of icons appears on the Universal toolbar.

Lettering objects selected Set of icons appears

3 Click one of the tools:


 For turning Satin lettering, click Tag as Turning Satin Lettering.
 For straight Tatami lettering, click Tag as Parallel Tatami
Lettering.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 231


 For native embroidery lettering, click Tag as Wilcom Lettering and
select an embroidery alphabet from the dropdown list.

The text object is now tagged for conversion.

Note When the text object is tagged for conversion to a Wilcom


embroidery alphabet, a red dotted outline is added to the text object.

4 Click Convert.
Embroidery mode opens in a few moments and the converted
embroidery lettering displays.

Turning Satin
lettering

Parallel Tatami
lettering

Native Wilcom
lettering

Chapter 11 Creating Embroider y Lette ri ng 232


Tip You can create lettering along any shape of baseline in Graphics
mode and convert to embroidery lettering. See also Reshaping
baselines.

Tip If you are not satisfied with the results of lettering conversion and
want to preserve the precise appearance of the original text, try
converting to curves first. This technique, however, causes the lettering
properties to be lost.

Adding embroidery lettering


You can add lettering to a design by typing it directly on screen or entering
it via the Object Properties docker.

Creating lettering in Embroidery mode

Use Lettering (Toolbox) to add lettering directly on screen.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 233


If it is not essential to fit letters precisely to a certain area, you can type
them directly on screen as with a word processor. Current lettering settings
are used. You can change these before or after you digitize. You can also
modify lettering objects directly on screen to achieve various artistic effects.

To create lettering in Embroidery mode


1 Click Lettering.
2 Select a color from the color palette.
3 Click where you want to insert the text and start typing.

Tip To start a new line, press Shift+Enter.


4 Press Enter to complete.

Note Appearance and layout depend on current settings in the Object


Properties docker. Baselines determine the shape of lettering objects
in a design. You can place lettering on a straight horizontal or vertical
line, curve lettering around a circle or arc, or digitize your own baseline.
See Applying baselines for details.

Creating lettering with Object Properties

Right-click Lettering (Toolbox) to enter text in the docker and adjust settings
for embroidery lettering.

Using the Object Properties docker, you can specify letter formatting
before adding it to the design. This is the more traditional method and is
useful with more complex designs. DecoStudio provides an alphabet range
suitable for many applications. Select from the supplied alphabets or
convert any TrueType font installed on your system. See also Standard
Alphabets.

To create lettering with Object Properties


1 Right-click Lettering.

Chapter 11 Creating Embroider y Lette ri ng 234


The Object Properties > Special > Lettering docker opens.

Edit text
Select baseline

Click to create text

Select alphabet

Adjust formatting

Set justification

2 Enter the text you want to embroider in the text entry panel in Text
Options.
To start a new line of lettering, press Enter.

Tip You can insert a color change between two letters by keying a caret
(^) symbol. Subsequent letters default to the next color in the palette.
3 Select an alphabet from the dropdown list. See Selecting alphabets and
fonts for details.

Scroll to preview
available alphabets

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 235


Tip Consider letter size before you change alphabets. Some alphabets
look best in a smaller size. Others can be stitched at a larger size. See
also Adjusting letter height and width.
4 Adjust formatting and baseline settings for the lettering as required. See
Applying baselines for details. See Formatting lettering for details.
5 Click Create Text and click in the design window to create the text on
screen.

Note Appearance and layout depend on current settings in the Object


Properties docker. Baselines determine the shape of lettering objects
in a design. You can place lettering on a straight horizontal or vertical
line, curve lettering around a circle or arc, or digitize your own baseline.
See Applying baselines for details.

Selecting alphabets and fonts


DecoStudio offers a range of purpose-built embroidery alphabets optimized
for embroidery design work. A table in the appendix includes all alphabets
that are standard with your DecoStudio software. See Standard Alphabets
for details.

Scroll to preview
available alphabets

Some alphabets look best in a smaller size. Others can be stitched at a


larger size. Consider letter size before you change alphabets. See also
Adjusting letter height and width.

Recommended sizes
For best results when stitching, do not exceed the recommended maximum
or minimum sizes. Note, however, that recommended maximum and
minimum heights refer to UPPER CASE letters. Most embroidery fonts are
digitized from an original TrueType Font (TTF), some of which have
lower-case letters – e.g. ‘a’ and ‘c’ – which are about 70% the height of a

Chapter 11 Creating Embroider y Lette ri ng 236


capital letter. As a result, these letters may be too small to embroider
neatly. You may need to increase the size of the lower-case characters to
suit the embroidery. See also Standard Alphabets.

Special characters
You can create special characters in each alphabet by holding down the Alt
key on your keyboard and typing 0 (zero), its code, using the numbers on
the keypad. For example, to type ê with the code 234, type Alt+0234. The
accented letter will appear when you release the Alt key. See also Adding
special characters and symbols.

Note Not all characters are available in all alphabets.

Conversion of TrueType fonts


In addition to dedicated embroidery alphabets, DecoStudio also converts
any TrueType font installed on your system on-the-fly into an embroidery
alphabet. This is an important feature for Asian alphabets which may
contain several thousands of characters.

Scroll to preview
available TrueType
fonts

The process is fully automatic. The result is similar to manually digitized


alphabets although the quality may not be quite as high. The quality greatly
depends on the original shapes, narrower serif type alphabets producing
better results than blocked alphabets.

It is also possible to select TrueType fonts in CorelDRAW® and convert them


on-the-fly via Convert mode. See Creating lettering in Graphics mode for
details.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 237


Applying baselines
Baselines determine the shape of lettering objects in a design. You can place
lettering on a straight horizontal or vertical line, curve lettering around a
circle or arc, or digitize your own baseline. Different reference points are
needed depending on the baseline you use. You can digitize baselines on
screen or, if you are working from an enlargement drawing, on a digitizing
tablet.

Baselines use default settings to determine their size, spacing and angles.
DecoStudio gives you both interactive and precise numerical control over
many baseline settings. Techniques are available to modify baseline type,
length, radius and angle, as well as baseline position. You can numerically
define the rotation angle of letters relative to the baseline or the design
itself.

Tip You can also create lettering along any shape of baseline in Graphics
mode and convert to embroidery lettering. See Creating lettering in
Graphics mode for details.

Applying horizontal baselines


Free Line and Fixed Line baselines are straight, horizontal baselines. Free
Line does not have a fixed or pre-determined length – the baseline extends
as long as you keep adding letters. Fixed Line has a fixed length which you
can digitize or specify numerically. If the text extends beyond the baseline,
letter spacing is reduced and letters may overlap. The letter width, however,
does not change.

To apply horizontal baselines


1 If not already open, open the Object Properties > Special >
Lettering docker.
2 Enter the text you want in the text entry panel in Text Options.
3 Click Set Baseline to open.

Chapter 11 Creating Embroider y Lette ri ng 238


4 Select Set Baseline and choose one of the horizontal baseline types –
Free or Fixed:
 For variable-length horizontal lines, use Free Baseline. Click the
screen to establish the start-point of the baseline.
 For fixed-length horizontal lines, use Fixed Baseline. Click the
screen to establish the start and end points of the baseline. This
option constrains the lettering to fit within a specified length.

Click to open

Select horizontal
baseline – free or fixed

5 Change other settings as required and click Create Text.


6 Define lettering orientation by marking reference points.
The lettering is generated.

Fixed – Click on
screen to mark start
and end points

Free – Click on
screen to mark
start point

Tip You can adjust baseline settings at any stage. See Reshaping
baselines for details.

Applying arched baselines


Use Arc Clockwise and Arc Counter Clockwise baselines to place
lettering objects in a curved arc. You can place the lettering clockwise or

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 239


counter clockwise along an arc. By default, letters are positioned above the
clockwise arc and below the counter clockwise arc baseline. They are also
centered by default.

To apply arched baselines


1 If not already open, open the Object Properties > Special >
Lettering docker.
2 Enter the text you want in the text entry panel in Text Options.
3 Click Set Baseline to open.
4 Select Set Baseline and choose one of the arc baseline types –
Clockwise or Counter Clockwise.

Click to open

Select arc baseline – clockwise


or counter clockwise

5 Change other settings as required and click Create Text.


6 Mark the start and end points of the arc.

Tip Hold down the Ctrl key to constrain the line to 15° increments.

Chapter 11 Creating Embroider y Lette ri ng 240


7 Move the pointer up or down to increase the radius of the arc.

Arc clockwise
1 2
Arc counter
clockwise

8 Mark a third point above the first two points for Arc Clockwise, and
below for the Arc Counter Clockwise baseline.
The lettering is generated.

Tip You can adjust baseline settings at any stage. See Reshaping
baselines for details.

Formatting lettering
You can control lettering appearance by changing formatting settings in the
Object Properties docker. Change current formatting settings before or
after adding lettering. You can slant letters to left or right for an italic effect.
Use the justification setting – left, right, center, or fully justified – to align
lettering along the baseline.

To format lettering
1 Create a new lettering object and select it. See Creating lettering with
Object Properties for details.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 241


2 If not already open, open the Object Properties > Special >
Lettering docker.

Adjust lettering height


in millimeters

Adjust lettering width


as percentage

Enter italic angle

Set lettering justification

3 Adjust lettering height and width using the slider controls.

4 Enter an angle, ±45°, in the Italic field to create slanted lettering – 0°


is equivalent to no italics.

Italic angle 25° Italic angle 0° Italic angle -10°

Chapter 11 Creating Embroider y Lette ri ng 242


5 Select a justification setting as required – Left, Centered, Right or
Full.

Left Centered Right

Adjusting letter spacing


Letter, word and line spacings can be determined before or after creating
lettering objects and placing them in your design. You can edit spacing
directly on screen or via the docker. Letter spacing is calculated
automatically according to justification – left, right, centered, or fully
justified. See also Formatting lettering.

Adjusting overall letter spacing on screen

Click Reshape Object (Toolbox) to change letter spacing.

The spacing between letters is calculated automatically as a percentage of


the letter height. In most cases the default spacing is adequate. Sometimes,
however, you may want to change the overall letter spacing.

To adjust overall letter spacing on screen


1 Select the lettering object and click the Reshape Object icon.

Drag letter spacing


control point

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2 Drag the letter spacing control point left or right to adjust the spacing of
all letters along the baseline.

3 Release the mouse button to complete and press Esc.

Adjusting individual letter spacing on screen

Use Reshape Object (Toolbox) to change individual letter spacing.

Spacing between letters is calculated automatically as a percentage of letter


height. In most cases the default spacing is adequate. Sometimes, however,
spacing between certain letters may appear too large or too small,
depending on the shape of neighboring letters. To compensate for this visual
effect, you can move one or several selected letters closer or further apart
along the baseline to improve spacing.

To adjust individual letter spacing on screen


1 Select the lettering object and click the Reshape Object icon.
2 Click the diamond control point in the center of the letter.

Hold down Ctrl and


click diamond
control points

Tip To select multiple letters or a range of letters, hold down Ctrl or


Shift as you select.

Chapter 11 Creating Embroider y Lette ri ng 244


3 Drag selected letter/s along the baseline or use arrow keys to adjust the
spacing.

Tip Alternatively, to move multiple letters, right-click the diamond


control point of the first letter and drag. All letters to the end of the line
move as one.
4 Release the mouse button to complete and press Esc.

Adjusting line spacing on screen

Use Reshape Object (Toolbox) to change line spacing.

Change the space between lines in a multiple-line lettering object using the
Reshape Object tool.

To adjust line spacing on screen


1 Select the lettering object and click Reshape Object.
2 Drag the line spacing control point up or down to change line spacing.

Drag line spacing


control point

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3 Release the mouse button to complete and press Esc.

Line spacing
increased

Chapter 11 Creating Embroider y Lette ri ng 246


Chapter 12
Editing Embroidery Lettering

DecoStudio gives you interactive and precise numeric control over many
settings affecting lettering objects. Adjust both individual letters and
lettering objects as a whole. Apply horizontal, vertical, and curved
baselines. Modify baseline type, length, radius and angle, as well as
position. You can even define the rotation angle of letters relative to the
baseline or the design itself.

This section describes how to edit lettering text. It also explains how to scale
and transform lettering objects. It also covers adjusting individual letters as
well as reshaping baselines on screen.

Editing lettering text


When you have created a lettering object, you can select it and make
changes to it directly on screen or by adjusting object properties.

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Editing lettering text on screen

Use Lettering (Toolbox) to edit lettering on screen.

With DecoStudio you have the option of editing lettering directly on screen.

To edit lettering text on screen


1 Click Lettering and then click inside the lettering object.
An I-beam appears where you click.

I-beam

2 Edit the text as required.


The lettering shows its wire frame.

Tip Press Shift+Enter to start a new line.


3 Press Enter to complete.

Editing lettering via object properties


When you have created a lettering object, you can select it and make
changes to it by adjusting object properties.

To edit lettering via object properties


1 Double-click the lettering object.

Chapter 12 Editing Embroider y Lette ri ng 248


The Object Properties > Special > Lettering docker opens.

Edit text

Select baseline
Click to update text

Select alphabet

Adjust formatting

Set justification

2 Make any other adjustments you require. See Formatting lettering for
details.
3 Click the Update Text button.
Letters are updated according to current settings. See also Changing
lettering stitch types.

Scaling lettering
When you first create lettering, it may be too big or too small. Size can be
adjusted in three ways:
 By scaling on screen with the Select Object or Reshape Object tools
 By adjusting width and height settings in the Object Properties >
Special > Lettering dialog

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 By adjusting width and height settings in the General Properties bar.

Scaling lettering with Select Object

Use Select Object (Toolbox) to scale lettering objects on screen.

You can scale your lettering objects vertically, horizontally and


proportionally with the Select Object tool. See also Transforming lettering
with Select Object.

To scale lettering with Select Object


1 Click Select Object and select the lettering object.
Selection handles appear around the lettering object.

Drag to resize Vertically Drag to resize


Proportionally

Drag to resize
Horizontally

2 Click-and-drag one of the selection handles to resize the object


horizontally, vertically or proportionally.
A shadow outline shows the new size of the lettering object as you drag.

Drag

3 Release the mouse to complete.

Chapter 12 Editing Embroider y Lette ri ng 250


Scaling lettering with Reshape Object

Use Reshape Object (Toolbox) to scale lettering objects on screen.

You can scale your lettering objects vertically, horizontally and


proportionally with the Reshape Object tool. See also Rotating lettering
with Reshape Object.

To scale lettering with Reshape Object


1 Select the lettering object.
2 Click Reshape Object.

Drag to resize Vertically


Drag to resize Proportionally

Drag to resize Horizontally

3 Click-and-drag one of the dark triangular control points to resize the


object horizontally, vertically or proportionally.
A bounding box shows the new size of the lettering object as you drag.

Drag

4 Release the mouse to complete and press Esc.

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Adjusting letter height and width

Use Lettering (Toolbox) to adjust letter height and width.

You can scale your lettering objects vertically, horizontally and


proportionally via the Special tab of the Object Properties.

To adjust letter height and width


1 Double-click the lettering object.
The Object Properties > Special > Lettering docker opens.

Adjust lettering height


in millimeters

Adjust lettering width


as percentage

2 In the Height field enter the height of your lettering object in


millimeters.

Note Letter height can vary between roughly 5mm and 200mm. For
recommended sizes, see Standard Alphabets.
3 Enter the width of your lettering object in the Width field as a
percentage of the height.
 For wide letters, increase the percentage – e.g. 140%.
 For narrow letters, decrease the percentage – e.g. 70%.

Width 100% Width 70% Width 140%

Tip Change the appearance of an alphabet by changing the letter width


in proportion to the height. The original width value is 100%.

Adjusting lettering dimensions


You can scale your lettering objects vertically, horizontally and
proportionally using the general properties.

Chapter 12 Editing Embroider y Lette ri ng 252


To adjust lettering dimensions
1 Select the lettering object.
The current dimensions of the selected object appear in the General
Properties bar.

Adjust width and Click Apply to


height settings accept changes

2 Adjust width and height settings either as absolute values (mm) or as a


percentage of the current settings.

Tip Change the appearance of an alphabet by changing the letter width


in proportion to the height. The original width value is 100%.
3 Click the Apply button.

Original

Width and
height 125%

Tip When you enter a value in either width or height field, the
percentage is automatically calculated. To resize proportionally, copy
this value to the other field and click the Apply button.

Transforming lettering objects


Apart from scaling, you can use the Select Object and Reshape Object
tools to skew and rotate lettering objects. See also Scaling lettering.

Transforming lettering with Select Object

Use Select Object (Toolbox) to transform lettering objects on screen.

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You can transform lettering objects by manipulating control points on screen
with the Select Object tool. See also Scaling lettering with Select Object.

To transform lettering with Select Object


1 Click Select Object and select the lettering object.
The selection handles appear. See also Scaling lettering with Select
Object.
2 Click the lettering object again.
Another set of control points appears. These let you rotate and skew the
lettering object.

Rotation point Drag to skew

Drag to rotate

3 Click-and-drag one of the diamond-shaped control points to skew the


lettering object horizontally.
A shadow outline shows the skewed lettering object as you drag.

Drag

4 Click-and-drag one of the hollow square control points to rotate the


lettering object.
A shadow outline shows the rotated lettering object as you drag.

Rotation Drag
point

Chapter 12 Editing Embroider y Lette ri ng 254


Tip Click-and-drag the rotation point itself to a new position before
rotating.

Drag
Rotation
point

5 Release the mouse to complete.

Rotating lettering with Reshape Object

Use Reshape Object (Toolbox) to rotate lettering objects on screen.

You can rotate lettering objects by manipulating control points on screen


with the Reshape Object tool. See also Scaling lettering with Select
Object.

To rotate lettering with Reshape Object


1 Select the lettering object.
2 Click Reshape Object.
Control points appear around the lettering object.
3 Click-and-drag up or down one of the solid square control points on the
baseline to rotate the lettering object.

Click and drag up or down

A baseline shows the rotated position of the lettering object as you drag.

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4 Release the mouse to complete and press Esc.

Adjusting individual letters


As well as scaling and rotating
lettering objects, the Reshape
Object tool is used to manipulate
individual letters. You can reposition
letters in relation to each other, scale,
rotate and skew them, as well as
reshape them. You can also recolor
letters individually.

Repositioning letters on screen

Use Reshape Object (Toolbox) to reposition individual letters on screen.

You can reposition individual letters in a lettering object using the Reshape
Object tool. See also Adjusting individual letter spacing on screen.

To reposition letters on screen


1 Select the lettering object.
2 Click Reshape Object.

Chapter 12 Editing Embroider y Lette ri ng 256


3 Click the diamond control point in the centre of the letter.

Click diamond control points

Tip To select multiple or a range of letters, hold down Ctrl or Shift as


you select.
4 Click-and-drag the letter to the new position:
 To move the letter horizontally, drag it along the baseline. See
Adjusting individual letter spacing on screen for details.
 To move the letter vertically, hold down Shift as you drag.
 To move the letter freely, hold down Ctrl as you drag.

5 Release the mouse to complete and press Esc.

Transforming individual letters on screen

Use Reshape Object (Toolbox) to transform individual letters on screen.

You can transform individual letters by manipulating control points on


screen with the Reshape Object tool.

To transform individual letters on screen


1 Select the lettering object.

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2 Click Reshape Object.
Control points appear.

3 Click the diamond control point of a letter.


Another set of reshape nodes appear around the letter.

Drag to scale
letter height Drag to scale letter proportionally

Drag to skew
Drag to scale letter width

Drag to rotate

4 Click-and-drag a reshape node around the letter to transform it.

Drag to
skew

5 Press Esc to finish.

Reshaping individual letters on screen

Use Reshape Object (Toolbox) to reshape individual letters on screen.

Create special lettering effects by reshaping letter outlines with the


Reshape Object tool.

Chapter 12 Editing Embroider y Lette ri ng 258


To reshape individual letters on screen
1 Select the lettering object and click Reshape Object.
Control points appear around the lettering object along with the
Reshape toolbar.
2 Click the letter outline.
Control points appear around the outline. You can turn on or off reshape
nodes, control handles, stitch angles, and entry/exit points as required.

Click letter outline

3 Select reshape nodes by any of the following means:


 Drag a selection marquee around the reshape nodes you require.
 Holding down Ctrl, select individual nodes.
 Holding down Shift, left- or right-click start and end nodes.

Draw selection marquee Hold down Ctrl and click to Hold down Shift and left- or
to select group of nodes select individual nodes right-click to select range

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4 Reshape the letter by adding, deleting and dragging the reshape nodes,
and press Enter. See Reshaping embroidery objects for details.

Reshape by adding,
deleting and dragging
reshape nodes

5 Modify control handles by clicking-and-dragging. See Reshaping objects


with Bézier control handles for details.
6 Adjust the stitch angles as required and press Enter. See Adjusting and
adding stitch angles for details.

Tip Holding down the Ctrl key, click the outline wherever you want to
place an additional stitch angle line.
7 Adjust the entry/exit points as required and press Enter. See Adjusting
entry and exit points for details.

Adjust
entry/exit points

Chapter 12 Editing Embroider y Lette ri ng 260


Tip You can select and delete multiple nodes on a single segment. If
there are fewer than four nodes remaining, the segment itself is deleted.
However, if the letter includes more than one segment, those remaining
are still viable.
8 Press Esc to finish.

Tip The Stitch Angle and Reshape Object tools let you add, delete,
or adjust stitch angles in lettering objects. See Adjusting and adding
stitch angles for details.

Recoloring letters on screen

Use Lettering (Toolbox) to recolor letters on screen.

DecoStudio lets you change the color of individual letters within a lettering
object.

Tip You can also insert a color change between two letters by keying a caret
(^) symbol. Subsequent letters default to the next color in the palette. See
Creating lettering with Object Properties for details.

To recolor letters on screen


1 Click Lettering then click within the lettering object.
2 Select a letter (or letters) by dragging the cursor over the letter.

Drag cursor over


letter to select

3 Click a color on the color palette.

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4 Press Enter.

Reshaping baselines

Use Reshape Object (Toolbox) to reshape lettering baselines.

Baselines can be adjusted on screen with the Reshape Object tool.


Depending on the baseline type you are working with, you can adjust
baseline angles, lengths, and sizes. You can change curve radii and
justification points.

Tip As a baseline is filled with letters, letter spacing decreases. Eventually,


letters may overlap. If so, you can adjust the baseline length to
accommodate them, or change the lettering width in the Object
Properties > Special > Lettering dialog. See Adjusting letter height and
width for details.

To reshape a baseline
 Select the lettering object and click Reshape Object.

Chapter 12 Editing Embroider y Lette ri ng 262


Different control points display for different baselines. You can turn on
or off reshape nodes, control handles, stitch angles, and entry/exit
points as required.

Baseline control
points

Control handles

 Change angles of straight baselines by dragging the square control


points at either end.

Drag up or down to
change baseline angle

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 Change lettering orientation of arc baselines by dragging the square
control point at either end.

Drag along circumference

 Change the radius of curved baselines by dragging the square control


point in the center of the circle.

Drag up or down to
change radius of curve

 Alternatively, change the radius of curved baselines by dragging the


round control point in the center of the baseline.
 Change the length and the position by dragging the control handle of the
baseline.

Drag control handles

Chapter 12 Editing Embroider y Lette ri ng 264


 Press Esc to finish.

Tip The exact letter positions depend on the justification – left, center,
or right justified. If the baseline becomes too short, letter spacing is
reduced, and letters may overlap.

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Chapter 13
Advanced Embroidery Lettering

Add special characters and symbols to your lettering as required. When it


comes to stitching, you can change stitch types, fine-tune stitch density,
adjust the stitching sequence. Like all embroidery objects, each lettering
object has its own stitch properties. Adjust settings at any stage.

This section describes how to add special characters and symbols to


lettering as well as change lettering stitch types. It also covers how to adjust
the lettering stitching sequence for a smoother stitchout.

Adding special characters and symbols


Embroidery and TrueType fonts generally contain many more characters
than are available via your keyboard. In DecoStudio, you can add special
characters and symbols directly through the Select Symbols dialog or by
means of the Windows Character Map.

Inserting symbols

Use Lettering (Toolbox) to add special characters and symbols. Right-click


to select lettering options.

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You can quickly add special characters and symbols to your lettering
designs.

To insert symbols
1 Right-click Lettering.
The Object Properties > Special > Lettering dialog opens.

Click to insert
symbols

Tip If you already know the keyboard shortcut for a symbol, you can
add it to your lettering by entering the combination on screen or in the
Object Properties > Special > Lettering dialog.
2 Click Insert Symbols.

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The Symbol Selection dialog opens.

Show characters
Show pictures and
Show pictures characters

Select alphabet
or symbol set

Select
symbols

Selected characters
displayed
Click to add

3 Select an alphabet or symbol set from the Symbol Set list.


4 Select the symbols you want to use.
The selected symbols are displayed in the Selection field.
5 Click OK.
The selected symbols are displayed in the text entry panel of the Object
Properties > Special > Lettering dialog.
6 Continue creating the lettering object in the normal way. See Creating
lettering with Object Properties for details.

Using the Character Map


Use the Windows Character Map to provide quick access to common
symbols and letters. The Character Map is usually installed as part of the
Windows setup. See your Windows documentation for more details.

To use the Character Map


1 Open the Windows Character Map.

C hapter 13 Advanced Embroider y Lette ri ng 268


By default, you will find it under Start > Programs > Accessories >
System Tools > Character Map.

Select font

Select symbols
or double-click

Tooltip shows
keyboard
shortcut

Selected symbols Click to copy to


displayed clipboard

2 Select a font from the Font list.


3 Double-click a character, or select it and press Select.
The character/s appear in the Characters to copy field.
4 Click Copy to copy the character to the clipboard.
5 Paste it into the text entry panel of the Object Properties > Special
> Lettering dialog.
To do this, click inside the text entry panel and press Ctrl+V.

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Changing lettering stitch types
By default, lettering objects are filled with Satin stitch. You can also apply
other basic fill stitch types, such as Tatami or Zigzag, as with other
embroidery objects. See Selecting stitch types for details.

Adjusting Satin settings for lettering

Right-click Satin (Stitch Types toolbar) to adjust Satin values for lettering
objects.

By default, lettering objects are filled with Satin stitch. Where a letter is
narrow, stitches are tight, thus requiring fewer stitches to cover the fabric.
Where a column is very narrow, stitches need to be less dense because too
many needle penetrations can damage the fabric. See also Creating Satin
fills.

To adjust Satin settings for lettering


1 Double-click the selected lettering object.
The Object Properties > Special > Lettering dialog opens.

2 Select the Fills tab and Satin stitch from the Stitch Type list.

C hapter 13 Advanced Embroider y Lette ri ng 270


Alternatively, right-click the Satin icon with the lettering object
selected.

Select Satin

Adjust stitch settings

3 Select the type of stitch spacing you want for your lettering.
 For Fixed Spacing, clear the Auto Spacing checkbox and select a
value (in millimeters) in the Stitch Spacing field. For more open
stitching, select a higher value for decreased stitch density. See
Applying Satin stitch with fixed spacing for details.
 For Auto Spacing, select the Auto Spacing checkbox and specify
the amount of adjustment to make to the spacings as a % value.
See Applying Satin stitch with auto-spacing for details.

Auto Spacing ON
Stitch Density 100 %
Auto Spacing OFF
Stitch Spacing 0.6 mm

Auto Spacing ON
Stitch Density 60 %

4 Press Enter.

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Adjusting Tatami settings for lettering

Right-click Tatami (Stitch Types toolbar) to adjust Tatami values for lettering
objects.

You can fill lettering shapes with Tatami stitching. It is suitable for filling
large, irregular lettering shapes. See also Creating Tatami fills.

To adjust Tatami settings for lettering


1 Double-click the selected lettering object.
The Object Properties > Special > Lettering dialog opens.

2 Select the Fills tab and Tatami stitch from the Stitch Type list.
Alternatively, right-click the Tatami icon with the lettering object
selected.

Select Tatami

Adjust stitch values

3 Adjust stitch spacing to increase or decrease density.

C hapter 13 Advanced Embroider y Lette ri ng 272


4 Adjust stitch length to increase or decrease needle penetrations. See
Creating Tatami fills for details.

Stitch Spacing 0.4 mm


Stitch Length 5 mm

Stitch Spacing 0.4 mm


Stitch Length 2 mm

Stitch Spacing 0.6 mm


Stitch Length 3 mm

5 Press Enter.

Adjusting Zigzag stitch settings for lettering objects

Right-click Zigzag (Stitch Types toolbar) to adjust Zigzag values for lettering
objects.

Zigzag stitch is similar to Satin in that the needle penetrates each side of
the column. But while Satin gives a straight line followed by a diagonal,
Zigzag produces two diagonal lines, thereby producing a more open stitch.
It is generally used for decorative effect or where fewer stitches are
required. The density is determined by the stitch spacing setting. See also
Creating Zigzag outlines.

To adjust Zigzag stitch settings for lettering objects


1 Double-click a selected lettering object.

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The Object Properties > Special > Lettering dialog opens.

2 Select the Fills tab and Zigzag stitch from the Stitch Type list.
Alternatively, right-click the Zigzag icon with the lettering object
selected.

Select Zigzag

Adjust stitch spacing

3 Enter a value in the Stitch Spacing field.

Stitch Spacing 1 mm

Stitch Spacing 3 mm

Stitch Spacing 2 mm

4 Press Enter.

C hapter 13 Advanced Embroider y Lette ri ng 274


Setting letter stitching sequence

Click Lettering (Toolbox) to adjust the lettering stitching sequence.

You can specify the sequence in which letters are stitched to minimize
registration problems such as on caps or difficult fabrics. For example,
center-out stitching is especially useful when stitching on caps.

To set the letter stitching sequence


1 Right-click the Lettering icon or double-click selected lettering
object/s.
The Object Properties > Special > Lettering dialog opens.

Click to open

Set stitching sequence

2 Click Set Stitch Sequence to open.


3 Select a stitching sequence. Options include:

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 Start At Left or Start At Right: Select whether you want the
lettering to be stitched left-to-right or right-to-left in each line.

Stitched right-to-left Stitched left-to-right

 Start At Center: Select this checkbox if you want the lettering


stitched from the center out. Specify which side of the center is
stitched followed by the other – Right, then Left or Left, then
Right.

Right, then Left Left, then Right

Tip Travel through your design to check the stitching sequence. See
Viewing stitching sequence for details.

C hapter 13 Advanced Embroider y Lette ri ng 276


PART V
MODIFYING DESIGNS
After digitizing a design, you can modify it as a whole, edit individual objects
or even individual stitches.

Combining and resequencing objects


This section describes how to combine objects and designs by copying and
pasting, duplicating, and inserting techniques. It also describes how to
resequence objects by cut-and-paste, by color, and with the Color-Object
List. See Combining and Sequencing Objects for details.

Arranging and transforming objects


This section describes how to position objects, how to lock and group, align
and space objects, as well as how to scale, rotate, skew, and mirror objects
in a design. See Arranging, Scaling and Transforming Objects for details.

Reshaping objects
This section describes how to reshape objects with control points, how to
adjust and add stitch angles, as well as how to change entry and exit points
of objects in a stitching sequence. See Reshaping Objects for details.

Optimizing stitch quality


This section describes how to change fabrics as well as adjusting object
properties, including automatic underlay. It also covers automatic removal
of small stitches as well as setting automatic start and end points for the
overall design. See Optimizing Stitch Quality for details.

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Chapter 14
Combining and Sequencing Objects

DecoStudio provides various techniques for combining and sequencing


objects. You can add to designs by duplicating and copying objects. Combine
designs. Resequence objects in designs to minimize color changes and
optimize production.

The stitching sequence naturally occurs in the order in which an embroidery


design is digitized or assembled. When converting a graphic design to an
embroidery design, DecoStudio decides the stitching sequence according to
its own internal logic. Either way, you may, for reasons of aesthetics or
production efficiency, want to adjust the stitching sequence. The
Color-Object List displays a sequential list of objects grouped by object and
color. It provides an easy way to group, cut, copy and paste, and resequence
selected objects and color blocks.
This section describes how to combine objects and designs by copying and
pasting, duplicating, and inserting techniques. It also describes how to
resequence objects by cut-and-paste, by color, and with the Color-Object
List.

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Combining objects and designs
You can copy or cut a design or design objects to the Windows clipboard for
temporary storage. These can then be pasted any number of times to the
same or another design until replaced on the clipboard. You can also cut,
copy, paste and clone objects within and between designs.

Inserting designs
DecoStudio lets you insert one design into
another. The two (or more) designs can
then be saved as a combined design. When
you insert a design in another, the two
color palettes are combined. Colors with
the same RGB values are automatically
identified as having the same thread color.
If you want to preserve these as separate
colors, you need to change one or other
before merging. See Modifying colorways
for details.

To insert designs
1 Open the first design.
2 Travel to the position in the stitching sequence where you want to insert
the design. See Viewing stitching sequence for details.
You can insert a design between objects in the sequence, or ‘nest’ the
design within an object. See Nesting objects for details.
3 Select an Insert Embroidery File option as required. See Setting
inserted embroidery file options for details.

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By default, when you insert a design, colors are matched to the current
color palette.

Colors added to Colors matched to


palette palette

4 Select Insert > Embroidery File.


 To select a design from any available DOS drive, select DOS Disk.
 To select a design from an embroidery disk, select Embroidery
Disk.
The Open dialog opens.

5 From the Look In list, select the folder where the design you want to
insert is stored, and select the required format from the Files of type
list.
6 Select the design file to insert, and click Open.
The design is inserted at the current needle position.
7 Move the second design into the required position. See Moving objects
for details.

Cha pter 14 Co mbining and S equencing Objec ts 280


Tip To ensure that all the objects in the inserted design stay together,
group the design while working with it. See Grouping and ungrouping
objects for details.
8 Save the combined design under the original or different name.
The designs you have inserted are now combined into one design.

Copying and pasting objects

Click Cut (Standard toolbar) to remove selected objects to the clipboard.

Click Copy (Standard toolbar) to copy selected objects to the clipboard.

Click Paste (Standard toolbar) to paste copied objects to a design.

You can copy objects to create multiple, identical objects, or to insert


objects from other designs.

Note Cut-and-paste changes the stitching sequence in the design. See


Resequencing objects with cut-and-paste for details.

To copy and paste objects


1 Select the object (or objects) to copy.
2 Click the Copy icon.
The selected object is copied to the clipboard.
3 Select an Insert Embroidery File option as required. See Setting
inserted embroidery file options for details.

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By default, when you insert a design, colors are matched to the current
color palette.

Colors added Colors matched


to palette to palette

4 Travel to the position in the stitching sequence at which you want to


paste the object. See Viewing stitching sequence for details.
Alternatively, use the Color-Object List to locate the required position in
the stitching sequence. See Selecting objects with the Color-Object List
for details.

Tip You can paste between other objects in the sequence, or ‘nest’ the
copied object within an object. See Nesting objects for details.
5 Click the Paste icon.
The object is pasted in the design, according to the current paste
options. Alternatively, use the popup menu to override the current paste
options.

Override current
paste options

Tip Change the default paste option as required. See Setting paste
position options for details.
6 Make sure that there is only one copy of an object at any one position.

Cha pter 14 Co mbining and S equencing Objec ts 282


If an object is pasted twice into the same position, it will be stitched
twice.

Note The object remains on the clipboard and can be pasted repeatedly
until the next Copy or Cut command.

Duplicating objects
Objects can be duplicated rather than copied. When an object is duplicated,
it is not copied to the clipboard. This leaves the clipboard free for you to cut
or copy other objects. See also Mirroring objects.

To duplicate objects
1 Select the object (or objects) to duplicate.
2 Travel to the position in the stitching sequence at which you want to
place the object. See Viewing stitching sequence for details.
You can place the duplicate between other objects in the sequence, or
‘nest’ it within an object. See Nesting objects for details.
3 Select Edit > Duplicate.
The duplicate object is placed directly on top of the original, in the
specified position in the stitching sequence.
4 Move the duplicate object to the required position.

Cloning objects

Use Select Object (Toolbox) to select and clone objects.

The Quick Clone feature lets you quickly duplicate selected objects by
right-clicking, dragging and releasing at a new position. See also Mirroring
objects.

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To clone objects
1 Select an object or objects.
2 Holding down the right mouse button, drag the object(s) to a new
position.
A black outline of the object appears. The cursor icon includes a plus
symbol.

Drag-and-drop

Right-click object Object duplicated

Tip For more precise positioning, hold down the Ctrl key while dragging
– movement is thereby constrained to X or Y axes.
3 Release the mouse.
A duplicate object(s) is created at the release point.

Tip Clone objects to another window by the same method. To


temporarily deactivate automatic scrolling, hold down the Shift key
while dragging. An identical copy of the selection is created at the same
coordinates as the first window, no matter where the mouse is released.

Deleting objects
Various methods are available for deleting objects.

To delete objects
 Select the object (or objects) to delete, and do one of the following:
 Press Delete.
 Select Edit > Delete.
 Right-click and select Delete from the popup menu.

Nesting objects
DecoStudio lets you ‘nest’ one object inside another at an exact point of the
stitching sequence. This feature is particularly useful with motifs and other

Cha pter 14 Co mbining and S equencing Objec ts 284


designs where long connectors may be generated. It also helps reduce the
overall numbers of objects, minimizing trims and tie-offs.

To nest objects
1 Travel through the first object until the needle position marker is
positioned where you want to insert the second object. See Traveling
through designs for details.

Travel to insertion
point and paste object

2 Insert the second object. To do this, either digitize the object, or copy
and paste, or cut-and-paste it.
The second object is ‘nested’ in the stitching sequence of the first object.
All required functions are automatically inserted for the second object.
3 Move the copied object into the required position.

Sequencing embroidery objects


The embroidery objects comprising a design form a ‘stitching sequence’.
Before digitizing, it is good practice to analyze and plan design shapes and
stitching sequence in advance. Shapes need to be clearly defined to make
them easy to embroider. The best shapes have relatively constant width,

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with smooth edges, no sharp turns and no small, protruding details. Details
should always be stitched last.

1
5

If you are digitizing manually in Embroidery mode, objects are stitched in


the order in which they were created. If you have converted a design directly
from Graphics mode to Embroidery mode, DecoStudio uses powerful
automatic sequencing to determine the stitching sequence for a visually
appealing stitchout. Auto-sequencing attempts to generate embroidery
designs which are economical to produce, with minimal down-time and
accurate registration of textures and colors. The advantage of DecoStudio
automatic conversion and sequencing of electronic artwork is that less time
is required for planning, allowing more time to be spent on artistic choices.
If you take a mixed mode approach, you may do the bulk of the design by
means of automatic conversion, and touch-ups and edits using the suite of
DecoStudio embroidery digitizing tools. In addition, you can always
manually adjust the stitching sequence to improve the stitchout, for
example, to minimize color changes.

Note The entry and exit points should also be checked when you are
resequencing objects in a design. See also Adjusting entry and exit points.

Resequencing objects with cut-and-paste

Click Cut (Standard toolbar) to cut a selected object or objects and place
them on the clipboard.

Click Paste (Standard toolbar) to paste copied objects in the design.


o

You can resequence objects by cutting an object from the design and
pasting it back at a different point in the sequence. This does not change
the physical location of the object. See also Nesting objects.

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To resequence objects with cut-and-paste
1 Select the object (or objects) to resequence.
2 Click the Cut icon.
The selected object is removed from the design and moved to the
clipboard.

Completed design – Object cut to


center stitched first clipboard

3 Travel to the position in the stitching sequence where you want to paste
the object. See Viewing stitching sequence for details.
You can paste between other objects in the sequence, or ‘nest’ the cut
object within another object. See Nesting objects for details.
If you do not move the current needle position marker, the object is
pasted at the end of the sequence.
4 Click the Paste icon.

Cursor inserted at Object pasted


end of design

The object is pasted back in the design according to the current paste
options. See also Setting paste position options.

Note The object remains on the clipboard and can be pasted repeatedly
until the next Copy or Cut command.

Resequencing selected objects


You can resequence objects by selecting them in the required stitching
order.

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To resequence selected objects
1 Select the first object in the range you want to resequence.
2 Holding down Ctrl, select the subsequent objects to resequence.

Note Select each object in the order you want it to stitch out in.
3 With the objects still selected, select Edit > Resequence > By
Selects.
The objects are resequenced in the order they were selected.

Resequencing objects by color


The Resequence By Color feature lets you resequence all objects in a
design by color. This reduces the number of color changes required.

Note This technique resequences all color blocks of the same color in the
stitching sequence. If, for any reason, you want to maintain separate color
blocks, you should use the Color-Object List. See Resequencing colors and
objects with the Color-Object List for details.

To resequence objects by color


1 Select the objects to resequence.
2 Select Edit > Resequence > By Color.

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The Sequence By Color dialog opens listing the colors used in the
selected objects.

Select color
block

Use buttons to
resequence

3 Select a color and click Move Up or Move Down to change its position
in the sequence.
4 Click OK.

Resequencing colors and objects with the Color-Object List

Use Color-Object List (Standard toolbar) to resequence objects.

The Color-Object List provides an easy way to select objects in designs and
access their properties. You can resequence color blocks and objects easily
by changing their position in the Color-Object List.

Tip You can also use it to group and ungroup, lock and unlock, and show
and hide objects. Use it also to cut, copy and paste, as well as branch
objects. See also Grouping and locking with the Color-Object List and
Copying and pasting objects.

To resequence objects with the Color-Object List


1 Click the Color-Object List icon.

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The Color-Object List opens.

Click-and-drag object
to new position

2 Select the color block or object to resequence.


 To select a range of items, hold down Shift as you click.
 To select multiple items, hold down Ctrl as you click.
3 Click-and-drag selected objects to reposition them.

Note You cannot move an object between colors in a manual color


change. However, you can move an object between consecutive
members of a grouped object.

Drop object into new


position

Tip The entry and exit points should also be checked when you are
resequencing objects in a design. See also Adjusting entry and exit
points.

Resequencing objects by number

Use Color-Object List (Standard toolbar) to resequence objects.

You can resequence objects numerically in the Color-Object List. Use it to


move an object to a position between consecutive members of a color block.
See also Selecting objects with the Color-Object List.

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To resequence objects by number
1 Click the Color-Object List icon.
The Color-Object List opens.
2 Select the object to resequence.
3 Right-click the object to resequence in the list.
4 Select Resequence By Number from the popup menu.

Enter number of
target object

5 In the Object # field, enter the number of the object before which you
want to position your selected object.

Note If you prefer to position the selected object after a selected


number – e.g. to make it the last object in the list – select the After
Position option.
6 Click OK.
The selected object will be placed in the new position and all other
objects resequenced accordingly.

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Chapter 15
Arranging, Scaling and Transforming
Objects

You can change the position, size and orientation of objects in a design by
moving, scaling and transforming them. Group objects together to apply
universal changes, or lock them to avoid unintentional modification. Modify
objects directly on screen or using the Object Properties dialog. Access
commonly used functions via the Color-Object List.

Note The scalability and stitching quality of a design ultimately depend on


its original source – Native Design, Imported Outlines, Processed
Stitches, or Imported Stitches. Only EMB designs contain the complete
set of design information required for 100% perfect scaling and
transformation. See also Embroidery design formats.
This section describes how to position objects, how to lock and group, align
and space objects, as well as how to scale, rotate, skew, and mirror objects
in a design.

Positioning objects
Position objects in your design using the mouse to drag them to a new
position, nudging them with the arrow keys or by specifying the X:Y
coordinates in the General Properties bar. DecoStudio lets you align

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objects to position them relative to each other, or distribute them evenly in
your design.

Moving objects
The simplest way to move an object in your design is to click-and-drag it to
a new position. Use the arrow keys to ‘nudge’ objects into position.

Note If no objects are selected, using the arrow keys moves the current
needle position.

To move objects
 Select the objects to move and click-and-drag it to a new position. See
Selecting and deselecting objects for details.

Use cross-hair cursor


to center object

 For more accurate positioning, use the arrow keys to ‘nudge’ the object
into the required position.
 For even more accurate positioning, enter the X:Y coordinates in the
General Properties bar.

Enter exact
coordinates

The object is centered above the coordinates you set.

Tip Zoom in to make small adjustments. The distance the object moves
depends on the current zoom factor. The greater the zoom factor, the
smaller the distance moved.

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Aligning objects

Use Align Left (Arrange toolbar) to left-align selected objects.

Use Align Horizontal Centers (Arrange toolbar) to align selected objects


through their horizontal centers.

Use Align Right (Arrange toolbar) to right-align selected objects.

Use Align Top (Arrange toolbar) to top-align selected objects.

Use Align Vertical Centers (Arrange toolbar) to align selected objects


through their vertical centers.

Use Align Bottom (Arrange toolbar) to bottom-align selected objects.

You can align selected objects in a design to the left, right, top, bottom or
center of a specific object. The Arrange toolbar offers a set of buttons to
trigger functions of the same name found in the Arrange menu. The tools
all become enabled when two or more objects are selected.

To align objects
1 Select the objects you want to align. See Selecting and deselecting
objects for details.
2 Select the object you want to align with.

Note Objects are aligned with the last object selected. When all the
objects in the design are selected by using Ctrl+A or a selection
marquee they are aligned with the last object in the sequence.

Chapter 15 Arranging, S c aling and Transformi ng Objec ts 294


3 Click an alignment tool or select Arrange > Align > ...

Align center

1 Align left
2

Align bottom

Note The Align Center tool is only accessed via the Arrange menu.

Distributing objects evenly

Use Space Evenly Across (Arrange toolbar) to distribute selected objects


evenly across the screen.

Use Space Evenly Down (Arrange toolbar) to distribute selected objects


evenly down the screen.

You can automatically distribute selected objects with even spacing between
them, both vertically or horizontally. The Arrange toolbar offers a set of
buttons to trigger functions of the same name found in the Arrange menu.
The tools all become enabled when three or more objects are selected.

To distribute objects evenly


1 Select the objects you want to space. See Selecting and deselecting
objects for details.
2 Click a spacing tool or select Arrange > Space Evenly > ...

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Grouping and locking objects
DecoStudio lets you group objects together for group modifications.
Ungroup whenever you need to work with the component objects. You can
also lock objects to prevent them from being moved or modified by accident.

Grouping and ungrouping objects

Click Group (Arrange toolbar) to group selected objects.

Click Ungroup (Arrange toolbar) to ungroup selected objects.

You can group selected objects, or an entire design, to keep them together
for moving, scaling and transforming actions. With grouped objects you can
also apply global changes, saving time and ensuring consistency. When you
have finished making changes to a group, you can ungroup and work with
the component objects.

Note You need to ungroup before you can set properties for any individual
object in the group.

To group or ungroup objects


 Select the objects. See Selecting and deselecting objects for details.
 Click the Group icon or press Ctrl+G.

Select, move, resize, or


transform grouped objects as
single object

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Selected objects are combined into a group. This can be selected,
moved, resized and transformed as a single object.
 To ungroup, select the grouped object and click the Ungroup icon or
press Ctrl+U.

Objects ungrouped
and deselected

Tip To select with a selection marquee, simply drag the mouse over one
or more objects and any objects completely within the selection
marquee are selected when you release the mouse button. See
Selecting objects by selection marquee for details.

Locking and unlocking objects

Click Lock (Arrange toolbar) to lock selected objects.

Click Unlock All (Arrange toolbar) to unlock all locked objects in a design.

Lock objects to prevent them from being moved or modified by accident. For
example, locking backdrop images holds them in place as you digitize,
transform or reshape the embroidery objects near them. Locked objects can
be unlocked for modification at any time.

To lock or unlock objects


 Select the objects to lock and click the Lock icon or press K.
The selection handles disappear, indicating that the object can no longer
be selected or modified.
 To unlock objects, click the Unlock All icon.
All locked objects in the design are unlocked.

Grouping and locking with the Color-Object List

Use Color-Object List (Standard toolbar) to group and/or lock objects.

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The Color-Object List provides an easy way to select objects in designs and
access their properties. You can use it to group and ungroup, lock and
unlock, and show and hide objects.

Tip Use the Color-Object List also to cut, copy and paste, resequence, as
well as branch objects. See also Copying and pasting objects and
Resequencing colors and objects with the Color-Object List.

To group or lock with the Color-Object List


1 Click the Color-Object List icon.
The Color-Object List dialog opens.
2 Click a node to open or close a color block and see its component
objects.

Click to open
or close node
Group/Lock
objects

3 Select color blocks or objects and right-click to invoke the popup menu.
4 Group and/or lock selected color blocks and objects via the popup menu.

Scaling objects
You can scale objects by dragging selection handles, specifying the exact
dimensions in the General Properties bar, or by setting the distance

Chapter 15 Arranging, S c aling and Transformi ng Objec ts 298


between reference points on the design. As an object is scaled, the stitch
count changes to preserve the current stitch spacing.

Note Only EMB designs contain the complete set of design information
required for 100% perfect scaling and transformation.

Scaling objects using click-and-drag


You can change the height and width of an object, or scale it proportionally
using selection handles. Scale objects individually, or select multiple objects
and scale them together.

To scale objects using click-and-drag


1 Select the objects to scale.
Eight selection handles appear around the object.
2 Click-and-drag a selection handle to resize the object.
 To scale height and width proportionally, use a corner handle.

Scale proportionally Scale freely in both Ctrl + drag


Drag
directions

Tip By default, objects scale proportionally. To scale freely in vertical


and horizontal planes, hold down Ctrl as you drag.

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 To change the height, use the handles at the center-top or
center-bottom.

Drag

Scale
vertically

Scale
vertically
Drag

 To change the width, use the handles at the center-sides.

Scale
horizontally

Drag

 To resize proportionally around a central anchor point, hold down


Shift as you drag.

Shift + drag

Scale horizontally in Shift + drag


both directions Scale proportionally
about center

Scaling objects by an exact amount


You can scale artwork, selected objects or a whole design by means of
object properties. With normal outline (EMB) files, this allows stitches to be
regenerated while preserving the original stitch density.

Note If you scale a stitch design by more than 5%, changes to stitch
density will affect the design quality. See Embroidery design formats for
details.

Chapter 15 Arranging, S c aling and Transformi ng Objec ts 300


To scale objects by an exact amount
1 Select the objects to scale.
2 In the General Properties bar, either:
 Enter exact height and width values.
 Enter the new height and width as a percentage of the current
dimensions.

Enter dimensions as exact


values or as a percentage

Click Apply

Tip To preserve aspect ratio, copy the calculated percentage from one
field to the other.
3 Click the Apply button.

Vase scaled Shadow scaled


Width: 120% Height: 140% Width: 140% Height: 120%

Note After scaling, the new object size is reset to 100%.

Scaling objects using reference points


You can scale an object or design by marking reference points and
specifying the required length of the line between them. For example, to
resize a design to a specific width, select all objects, then mark the
reference points across the width of the design.

To scale objects using reference points


1 Select the objects to scale.
2 Select Edit > Transform.

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The Transform dialog opens.

Select Size Specify size


checkbox

3 Select the Size checkbox, and enter the required distance between the
reference points.
4 Click OK.
You are prompted to enter the start and end points of the reference line.
You will have already decided which two points in the object or design
will form the reference line.

Click to mark the


reference points

5 Click to mark the reference points on the design.


The object is scaled so that the distance between the points is the value
you entered in the dialog.

Tip Press Ctrl to constrain the angle of the axis to 15° increments.
Press Enter twice to use the default reference line.

Making objects the same size

Click Make Same Width (Arrange toolbar) to scale an object or design to the
same width as a reference object.

Click Make Same Height (Arrange toolbar) to scale an object or design to the
same height as a reference object.

Click Make Same Width and Height (Arrange toolbar) to scale an object or
design to the same size as a reference object.

You can scale objects to the same size as a reference object. Resize the
height or width separately or both.

Chapter 15 Arranging, S c aling and Transformi ng Objec ts 302


To make objects the same size
1 Select the objects to resize.
2 Select the object that is the size you require.
3 Click a sizing tool or select Arrange > Make Same Size > ...

Make same
width

1 Make same
3 height

2
Make same
width and height

Note Objects are resized with reference to the last object selected.
When all the objects in the design are selected by using Ctrl+A or a
selection marquee they are resized with reference to the last object in
the sequence.

Rotating objects
You can rotate objects directly on screen or by setting an exact rotation
angle.

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Rotating objects by click-and-drag
When you select an object, selection handles display at its extremities.
When you click the object again, the handles change to rotation handles.

To rotate objects by click-and-drag


1 Select the objects to rotate.
2 Click the objects a second time.
Rotation handles appear at the corners and an anchor point at the
center.

Rotation handle

Anchor point
Click second
time Skew handle

Note If you click too quickly, the Object Properties docker opens.
3 Drag the anchor point to any position required.

Drag corner point to rotate Anchor point Drag corner point to rotate
about the anchor point repositioned about the anchor point

4 Click-and-drag a rotation handle clockwise or anti-clockwise.


An outline displays as you rotate.

Rotating objects by an exact amount

Click Rotate 45 degrees CW (Transform toolbar) to rotate selected objects


by 45° in a clockwise direction.

Click Rotate 45 degrees CCW (Transform toolbar) to rotate selected objects


by 45° in a counter-clockwise direction.

Chapter 15 Arranging, S c aling and Transformi ng Objec ts 304


Use Rotate (Transform toolbar) to rotate selected objects by an exact
amount (in degrees).

You can rotate selected objects in 45° increments or by entering an exact


value using the Transform toolbar.

To rotate objects by an exact amount


1 Select the objects to rotate.
2 To rotate in 45° increments, click one of the Rotate 45 icons.

3 To rotate by an exact amount, enter the exact angle in the Rotate field
and press Enter.

Rotating objects by reference line


The Transform Special tool lets you rotate selected objects with the aid of
reference points alone.

Tip This technique is particularly useful to duplicate and rotate objects


around an anchor point – e.g. the petals of a flower.

To rotate objects by reference line


1 Select the objects to rotate.
2 Select Edit > Transform Special.
3 Follow the instruction in the prompt line:
 Click the first reference point. This becomes the anchor point for the
rotation.

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 Click a second reference point. An outline attaches to the pointer.

Move the pointer

Tip Press Ctrl to constrain the angle of the axis to 15° increments.
 Click the anchor point. The pointer then aligns itself with the second
reference point.
 Click a guide point for the required rotation position. Use the
coordinates on the Status bar for exact alignment.

Rotating objects by reference line and angle


The Transform tool provides another method for transforming selected
objects using a combination of reference points and numeric values. This
provides a very accurate technique for rotating selected objects. The
technique is particularly useful when you want to align objects precisely with
a common reference line.

To rotate objects by reference line and angle


1 Select the objects to rotate.
2 Decide which two points in the object or design will form the reference
line. This should be a significant line – e.g. one which must be perfectly
horizontal or vertical in the final design.
3 Select Edit > Transform.
The Transform dialog opens.

Select Angle Enter absolute


rotation angle in
degrees

Chapter 15 Arranging, S c aling and Transformi ng Objec ts 306


4 Select the Angle checkbox, and enter the rotation angle of the
reference line.
For example, to rotate the image so that it aligns with the horizontal
axis, enter a value of 0°.

Select rotation angle – Digitize reference line – align Reference line set to angle
e.g. 0° with base of object specified in dialog

5 Click OK.
6 Click to mark the start and end points of the reference line.

Tip Press Ctrl to constrain the angle of the axis to 15° increments.
Press Enter twice to use a horizontal reference line by default.

Skewing objects

Use Skew (Transform toolbar) to skew selected objects by an exact


amount (in degrees).

You can skew objects directly on screen or by setting an exact skew angle.

To skew objects using click-and-drag


1 Select the objects to skew.
2 Click the object a second time.

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Rotation and skew handles appear around the object. Skew handles are
diamond-shaped and appear at the center-top and bottom of the object.

Rotation handle

Anchor point
Click second
time Skew handle

3 Drag the skew handles left or right.


The object skews along the horizontal plane.

Drag skew handle left


or right

4 To skew by an exact amount, enter the exact angle in the Skew field
and press Enter.

Mirroring objects
In DecoStudio you can mirror objects horizontally or vertically by means of
the Transform toolbar. You can also mirror around a defined axis using a
reference line. See also Duplicating objects. See also Cloning objects.

Chapter 15 Arranging, S c aling and Transformi ng Objec ts 308


Flipping objects

Click Mirror Horizontally (Transform toolbar) to flip selected objects in the


vertical plane.

Click Mirror Vertically (Transform toolbar) to flip selected objects in the


vertical plane.

You can mirror selected objects horizontally or vertically using the Mirror
tools.

To flip objects
1 Select the objects to mirror.
2 Click a Mirror icon.

Mirrored horizontally Starting object

Mirrored in both axes Mirrored vertically

Mirroring objects around an axis


You can mirror objects around a defined axis using a reference line. Using
this method you mark the start and end points of the line around which the
object mirrors.

To mirror objects around an axis


1 Select the objects to mirror.
2 Select Edit > Transform.

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The Transform dialog opens.

Select Mirror

3 Select the Mirror checkbox.


4 Click OK.

Starting object

Mirrored

5 Click to mark the reference points of the mirror axis.


After the second click, the selected object is mirrored in the reference
line.

Tip Press Ctrl to constrain the angle of the axis to 15° increments. If
you just want to mirror your selection around a horizontal axis, press
Enter twice. The mirror axis defaults to zero.

Chapter 15 Arranging, S c aling and Transformi ng Objec ts 310


Chapter 16
Reshaping Objects

DecoStudio offers a number of techniques for reshaping embroidery objects


all with the one Reshape Object tool. As well as reshaping object outlines,
you can add and adjust stitch angles, a property unique to embroidery
objects. You can also change the entry and exit points of individual objects
which is important if you are digitizing manually or resequencing
embroidery objects.

This section describes how to reshape objects with control points, how to
adjust and add stitch angles, as well as how to change entry and exit points
of objects in a stitching sequence.

Reshaping embroidery objects


The reference points you mark when digitizing a shape become its ‘control
points’. These vary slightly with the object type. You use control points to
edit or transform objects. Most control points can be added, deleted, or
moved. Corner and curve points can be interchanged. Some control points

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such as entry and exit points have a specific function and cannot be deleted.
See also Digitizing for Embroidery.

Entry point

Exit point

Corner reshape node

Curve reshape node

Control handle

Stitch angle points

The Reshape Object tool is an important tool in DecoStudio. Use it to add


or delete reshape nodes on the object outline. For some objects, you can
also change corner reshape nodes to curves. You can click and drag reshape
nodes to reshape object outlines or use the Bézier control handles to change
outline shapes. DecoStudio also lets you select a range of reshape nodes in
open and closed objects, making reshaping operations quick and simple.

Tip Before modifying any design, it is good practice to save a copy under a
new name and keep the original in case you want to discard changes and
start again.

Viewing control points

Use Reshape Object (Toolbox) to reshape selected objects, edit stitch


angles, and adjust entry/exit points.

Use Show Reshape Nodes (Reshape toolbar) to toggle reshape node


display when using the Reshape Object tool.

Use Show Handles (Reshape toolbar) to toggle Bézier handle display when
using the Reshape Object tool.

Chapter 16 Reshaping Objec ts 312


Use Show Stitch Angles (Reshape toolbar) to toggle stitch angle display
when using the Reshape Object tool.

Use Show Entry/Exit (Reshape toolbar) to toggle entry/exit point display


when using the Reshape Object tool.

The Reshape Object tool is an important tool in DecoStudio. It invokes its


own Reshape toolbar which allows you to selectively view reshape nodes,
Bézier control handles, stitch angles, as well as entry and exit points. Use
the tool whenever you want to change object shapes by adding, deleting, or
manipulating reshape nodes or control handles on the object outline. Use it
also to edit stitch angles as well as entry and exit points.

To view control points


 Select the object and click the Reshape Object icon.
Control points appear around the object and the Reshape toolbar
appears. By default, reshape nodes, stitch angles and entry/exit points
display together.

Entry point Corner reshape node

Curve reshape node

Stitch angle line


Stitch angle point

Bézier control handle

Exit point

Note Corner and curve points can be interchanged. Most control points
can be added, deleted, or moved. Entry and exit points, however,
cannot be deleted.

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 Click icons on the Reshape toolbar to selectively display control points
depending on what you want to edit.

Show Reshape Nodes Show Handles Show Stitch Angles Show Entry/Exit

 Use Show Reshape Nodes to toggle reshape node display. See


Reshaping objects with reshape nodes for details.
 Use Show Handles to toggle control handles display – works in
conjunction with Show Reshape Nodes toggle. See Reshaping
objects with Bézier control handles for details.
 Use Show Stitch Angles to toggle stitch angle display. See
Adjusting and adding stitch angles for details.
 Use Show Entry/Exit to toggle entry/exit point display. See
Adjusting entry and exit points for details.

Tip The Show Reshape Nodes button can be toggled using the hotkey
combination Alt+N. The Show Stitch Angles button can be toggled
using the hotkey combination Alt+A.
 To view the next or previous objects, press Tab or Shift+Tab keys.

Shift + Tab Tab

Chapter 16 Reshaping Objec ts 314


Note Pressing Tab or Shift+Tab also causes all changes to the object
to be accepted.

Reshaping objects with reshape nodes

Use Reshape Object (Toolbox) to reshape selected objects by means of


control points.

Use Show Reshape Nodes (Reshape toolbar) to toggle reshape node


display when using the Reshape Object tool.

Change object shapes with the Reshape Object tool. Use it to add, delete,
or move reshape nodes on the object outline. For some objects, you can also
change corner reshape nodes to curves.

Note The Reshape Object tool lets you modify shapes without affecting
the stitch angles and entry and exit points.

To reshape objects with reshape nodes


1 Select the object to reshape.
2 Click the Reshape Object icon.
Control points appear around the object and the Reshape toolbar
appears.
3 Toggle on only Show Reshape Nodes to view these control points and
toggle off other icons.
4 To add extra nodes on the outline:
 Left-click to add a corner reshape node.
 Right-click to add a curve reshape node.

Right-click

Left-click

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5 Select reshape nodes as required:

OR

Click to select – hold Drag selection marquee Hold down Shift and right
down Ctrl to select around reshape nodes or left-click to select range
multiple nodes to select of nodes

 Click to select a single reshape node.


 Use the Ctrl key to select multiple reshape nodes.
 Click-and-drag a selection marquee around a group of reshape
nodes to select.
 Use the Shift key to select a range of reshape nodes. Left-clicking
or right-clicking in closed shapes changes the direction of the
selection.
6 Adjust the position of selected reshape nodes by clicking and dragging
them along the outline.
Stitches are generated automatically as soon as the reshape nodes are
moved.

Drag reshape
nodes

Chapter 16 Reshaping Objec ts 316


Tip Use the arrow keys to ‘nudge’ selected reshape nodes.

Original curve ‘Smoothed’ curve ‘Unsmoothed’ curve

Tip You can right-click and drag a node to perform what is called
‘unsmoothed’ node dragging. Generally, ‘smoothed’ node dragging
preserves the shape of the curve more nearly on both sides of the node.
7 Press Delete to delete unwanted reshape nodes.

Delete reshape
nodes and toggle
between corners
and curves

8 Press Spacebar to toggle between selected corner and curve reshape


nodes.

Tip If you make a mistake, press Esc to remove the changes, press Esc
again to exit Reshape mode.

Note You can also adjust stitch angles as required, as well as change
entry and exit points. See Adjusting and adding stitch angles for details.
See also Adjusting entry and exit points.

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Reshaping objects with Bézier control handles

Use Reshape Object (Toolbox) to reshape selected objects by means of


control points.

Use Show Reshape Nodes (Reshape toolbar) to toggle reshape node


display when using the Reshape Object tool.

Use Show Handles (Reshape toolbar) to toggle Bézier control handle display
when using the Reshape Object tool.

When DecoStudio converts a vector graphic, it preserves the nodes and


control points of the original. CorelDRAW® uses Bézier curves in the
creation of vector objects. These are vectors produced according to
principles invented by French engineer, Pierre Bézier. In Embroidery mode
you have the option of working with reshape nodes and/or Bézier control
handles. See also Reshaping objects with reshape nodes.

To reshape objects with control handles


1 Select the object to reshape.
2 Click the Reshape Object icon.
Control points appear around the object and the Reshape toolbar
appears.
3 Toggle on Show Reshape Nodes together with Show Handles to view
both reshape nodes and Bézier control points.
4 Drag the control handle to reshape the curve around the reshape nodes.

Bézier control
handle

Curve point
Drag control handle
to reshape curve

Tip Press Spacebar to toggle between corner and curve reshape


nodes.

Chapter 16 Reshaping Objec ts 318


Adjusting and adding stitch angles

Use Reshape Object (Toolbox) to add stitch angles to selected objects.

You can adjust and/or add stitch angles to embroidery objects using the
Reshape Object tool. See also Reshaping embroidery objects.

To adjust and add stitch angles in Reshape mode


1 Select the object and click the Reshape Object icon.
2 Toggle on only Show Stitch Angles to view these control points.

Show stitch angles

3 Click-and-drag stitch angle points to their required positions.


The mouse pointer changes and a tooltip shows the current stitch angle.

Click-and-drag stitch
Add stitch angle
angle points

4 Holding down the Ctrl key, click the outline wherever you want to place
a stitch angle line.
5 Press Enter.
The stitch angles change accordingly.

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Adjusting entry and exit points

Use Reshape Object (Toolbox) to adjust the entry and exit points of selected
objects.

Use Show Entry/Exit (Reshape toolbar) to toggle entry/exit point display


when using the Reshape Object tool.

DecoStudio allows you to change entry and exit points of individual objects.
This is important if you are digitizing manually using the embroidery input
methods. You should always aim to place exit points adjacent to entry points
of adjoining objects in order to minimize connecting stitches and reduce the
number of travel runs. Entry and exit points should also be checked if you
are resequencing objects in a design. See also Sequencing embroidery
objects.

To adjust entry and exit points


1 Select the object and click the Reshape Object icon.
2 Toggle on only Show Entry/Exit to view the entry and exit points.
3 Select the entry or exit point as required, and drag it to a different
position on the object outline.

Tip To view the next or previous objects, press Tab or Shift+Tab keys.
Pressing these keys also causes all changes to the object to be accepted.

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Chapter 17
Optimizing Stitch Quality

Embroidery stitches pull fabric inward where needles penetrate. This can
cause fabric to pucker, stitch bunching, and/or unsightly gaps to appear in
the embroidery. DecoStudio includes many techniques for achieving
smooth, even placement of stitches, and the elimination of gaps in designs.

For an object to sew out correctly, it must have correct stitch spacing,
sufficient pull compensation, together with a suitable underlay for the
particular combination of cover stitch type, object type, object shape, and
fabric. DecoStudio provides a set of optimized fabric settings that take into
account the type of fabric you are stitching on. These settings are all object
properties, some of which are entirely automated and some which you have
control over.
This section describes how to change fabrics as well as adjusting object
properties, including automatic underlay. It also covers automatic removal
of small stitches as well as setting automatic start and end points for the
overall design.

Changing fabrics
Normally you choose the required fabric when you first set up the design.
You can, however, change fabric settings at any stage. Choose from a set
of pre-defined fabrics aimed at minimizing stitching defects when designs
are sewn out. These make any necessary changes to object properties such
as stitch spacing and pull compensation. Changed settings affect all object

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types other than motif fills, appliqué, and run stitches. Where properties are
different to fabric defaults, these are not cancelled by the new settings but
are adjusted ‘intelligently’ in accordance with the new fabric. Some
properties can be manually adjusted. See also Changing object properties.

Note While colorways allow you to set up different colors for a given fabric,
these have no bearing on fabric settings. Conversely, if you change fabrics,
all colorways are updated to include the new fabric. See also Setting up
colorways.

To change the fabric


1 Select Edit > Change Project Type.
The Change Project Type dialog opens

Choose
Garment project
type

2 Choose the Garment project type.

Chapter 17 O ptimizing Stitch Qu alit y 322


The Change Fabric Type dialog opens.

Change fabric type

Choose fabric
pattern or color

Click Apply and Close

3 From the dropdown list, choose a fabric type matching or nearest to the
fabric you intend to work with – this will ensure optimum quality for your
embroidery.
DecoStudio provides a set of optimized fabric settings so that the
software will take into account the type of fabric you are stitching on.
See also Threads and Colorways.
4 Choose either a pattern or color for the selected fabric. See Creating new
designs for details.
5 Click Apply and Close.
Pre-defined settings for the selected fabric are applied to all embroidery
objects already current in the design. The selected fabric is displayed in
the Status bar.

Changing object properties


Properties of embroidery objects include general characteristics such as size
and position together with embroidery-specific ones such as stitch type and
density. The particular stitch settings determine how stitches will be
regenerated when you reshape, transform or scale an object. When you
start a new design, DecoStudio uses the default settings associated with the
chosen fabric. However, you can override some of these on an
object-by-object basis. For this reason, DecoStudio distinguishes two sets
of object properties – default and actual.

Object Properties Description


Default Default properties are stored with the fabric and become the
starting settings used when creating new objects in a design.

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Object Properties Description
Actual Actual object properties are those settings stored with each
object in the design. These may or may not be the same as the
defaults.

Object Properties docker

Use Object Properties (Standard toolbar) to set properties of selected


objects.

When the Object Properties docker is first opened, it is docked by default.


The window contains four tabs – Special, Fills, Outlines and Stashing–
represented by names and icons. The Special and Fills tabs contain a
dropdown list. See also Accessing object properties.

Object Properties tabs

Dropdown list

Adjust settings as
required

 Tools that invoke the Object Properties docker include all digitizing
tools in the Toolbox, i.e. Fusion Fill or Lettering and all stitch type
tools in Stitch Types toolbar, i.e. Satin or Motif.
 If the Object Properties docker is open while a tool is left-clicked or
right clicked, a corresponding panel in the Object Properties docker
opens.
 If the Object Properties docker is open while an object is selected, a
panel in the Object Properties docker for the corresponding digitizing
tool opens – e.g. selecting a Fusion Fill object with Tatami stitch type
opens Fusion Fill panel.

Chapter 17 O ptimizing Stitch Qu alit y 324


 If the Object Properties docker is not open, double-clicking an object
opens the corresponding digitizing tool. Right-clicking an object and
selecting Properties from the popup menu has the same effect as
double-clicking it.
 If multiple objects with different digitizing and/or stitch types are
selected, an empty panel displays.
 If the Object Properties docker is invoked with no tool or object
selected, it opens the last-opened panel.
 The Object Properties docker for embroidery objects is hidden in
Graphics mode.

Changing properties of selected objects


You can change the properties of a selected object or objects. If you select
more than one object, the Object Properties docker only displays a panel
that includes settings relevant to all selected objects. Otherwise a blank
panel is displayed. If selected objects have different actual values for the
same setting, the field shows blank. If you enter a new value, it applies to
all selected objects.

Note Some object properties can be modified on screen – for example, you
can change size properties by scaling the object with the selection handles.
Other properties, such as stitch spacing or length, are modified in the
Object Properties docker.

To change properties of selected objects


1 Select the object/s whose properties you want to change.

2 Use any of the interactive technique for arranging, scaling and


transforming the selected object/s. See Arranging, Scaling and
Transforming Objects for details.

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3 Use any of the interactive technique for reshaping the selected object/s.
See Reshaping Objects for details.
4 Adjust general object properties – width, height, position – by means of
the General Properties controls at the bottom of the screen where
they are permanently available.

General properties permanently


available on right side of status bar

Click or press Enter to apply

5 Open the Object Properties docker corresponding to the selected


object. See Accessing object properties for details.

Click to close

Object Properties tabs

Dropdown list

Adjust settings as
required

Click to close

6 Select a tab and item from the dropdown list – e.g. Special tab >
Appliqué – to access the object properties you want to adjust.

Chapter 17 O ptimizing Stitch Qu alit y 326


7 Use dropdown lists, radio buttons and checkboxes to choose options.
Adjust settings by keying in precise values or by using the popup slider
control.

‘Radio’ buttons are


mutually exclusive

After clicking
‘swivel’ button, drag Click ‘swivel’ button
popup slider to set to invoke slider
control

Tip The slider control has two operating modes – Normal and
Accelerated. Holding down the Ctrl key puts it in Accelerated mode.

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8 Press Enter to accept the changes to the selected object/s.

Note Changing the properties of existing objects does not affect the
default settings, nor the properties of objects not currently selected.
See also Changing fabrics.

Applying automatic underlay

Use Auto Underlay (Stitch Types toolbar) to apply automatic underlay to


selected objects. Right-click to change settings.

Embroidery appearance and quality depends a lot on underlay which serves


as a foundation for cover stitching. Without an underlay, embroidery lies flat
on the underlying fabric which can often show through. The Auto Underlay
tool is a toggle button that allows you to apply automatic underlay to
selected objects. Although it increases the stitch count, underlay helps to
stabilize fabrics and reduce puckering and pulling especially on larger
designs. It also provides ‘loft’, raising cover stitches and preventing them
from sinking into soft fabrics. It can also prepare a napped fabric by
flattening it.

Larger areas and stretchy fabrics such as knits and pique generally need
more underlay than smaller areas and firm fabrics such as drill or leather.
DecoStudio adjusts these values automatically according to the selected

Chapter 17 O ptimizing Stitch Qu alit y 328


fabric. Underlay settings are stored with each object in the same way as
other object properties. They are regenerated whenever the object is scaled
or transformed.

To apply automatic underlay


 Select object/s and click Auto Underlay.
Underlay stitches are automatically generated based on current fabric
settings, and the Object Properties > Stitching docker opens.

Without
underlay

Click to toggle
underlay on/off

With
underlay

 To turn off the effect, click the icon again or deselect the Use Underlay
checkbox.

Compensating for fabric stretch

Use Pull Compensation (Stitch Types toolbar) to automatically compensate


for fabric stretch. Right-click to adjust pull compensation settings.

Embroidery stitches tend to pull fabric inwards where needles penetrate.


This can cause fabric to pucker and gaps to appear. Experienced digitizers
can manually compensate for the ‘push-pull’ effect by overlapping objects
as they digitize. Automatic pull compensation, however, counters the effect

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by ‘overstitching’ outlines of filled shapes on the sides where the needle
penetrates.

Digitized outline

Calculated outline
Pull compensation

Adjust the amount of overstitching you need by varying the pull


compensation setting in the Object Properties docker. Appropriate
settings vary with the type of fabric – stretchy, pile, etc – hooping method
– tight or loosely hooped – and size of embroidery object – wide or narrow
columns. Use the following table as a guideline.

Fabric Pull compensation (mm)


Aida 0.50 - 0.60
Chiffon 0.40 - 0.80
Corduroy - Velvet 0.45 - 0.65
Crepe 0.40 - 0.80
Denim 0.40 - 0.57
Fleecy 0.55 - 0.65
Hand Knits 0.50 - 0.60
Jersey 0.40 - 0.60
Leather - Suede 0.55 - 0.65
Linen 0.40 - 0.60
Lycra 0.45 - 0.60
Microfiber 0.40 - 0.57
Pique 0.40 - 0.60
Poly Cotton 0.40 - 0.60
Polyester 0.40 - 0.60
Pure Cotton 0.40 - 0.60
Rayon 0.40 - 0.60
Silk 0.40 - 0.80
Stretch Knit 0.45 - 0.60
Stretch Terry Towelling 0.45 - 0.65
Terry Towelling 0.45 - 0.65
Thai Silk 0.40 - 0.80

Chapter 17 O ptimizing Stitch Qu alit y 330


Fabric Pull compensation (mm)
Wool 0.40 - 0.57
Lettering 0.20 - 0.40
Emblem 0.40 - 0.60
Generic 0.40 - 0.60

Tip Applying underlay stitching, and using appropriate backing and topping
when stitching out can also reduce the push-pull effect. See also Applying
automatic underlay.

To compensate for fabric stretch


 Select object/s and click Pull Compensation.
Stitches are automatically overstitched according to current fabric
settings, and the Object Properties > Stitching docker opens.

Adjust setting as
required

 To adjust the amount of overstitch, enter the value in millimeters and


press Enter.

No Pull Comp Pull Comp: 0.4 mm

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 To turn off the effect, click the icon again or deselect the Pull
Compensation checkbox.

Removing small stitches automatically


The Small Stitches feature is not an object property, but it is a quality
setting that affects the design stitchout. Very small stitches can damage
fabric and cause thread or needle breakage. Before you stitch out a design,
unwanted small stitches can be automatically removed.

To remove small stitches automatically


1 Select Stitch > Small Stitches.
The Small Stitches dialog opens.

Enter minimum stitch


length to keep

2 Enter the minimum stitch length you want to preserve.


3 Click Ok.
All stitches shorter than the specified length are removed from the
design. Check the Status bar for the new stitch count.

Tip If you want small stitches to be removed automatically whenever


you output a design, select the Run Small Stitch Filter on Output
checkbox in the Options dialog. See Setting other general options for
details.

Setting automatic start and end points

Use Auto Start and End (Standard toolbar) to toggle the Auto Start and End
function on/off according to the current settings. Right-click to open the Auto
Start and End dialog.

The Auto Start and End feature is not an object property, but it is a quality
setting that affects the design stitchout. Before stitching, some embroidery
machines require you to position the starting needle exactly above the first

Chapter 17 O ptimizing Stitch Qu alit y 332


needle penetration point. Use Auto Start and End to connect the first and
last stitches in the design. This makes it easy to position the needle before
stitching, and reduces the chance of the needle hitting the side of the frame.

To set automatic start and end points


1 Right-click Auto Start and End.
The Auto Start and End dialog opens.

Select Use Auto


Start and End
Select centering
method
Select preset end
point

Click to manually
set start-end
point

2 Select the Use Auto Start and End checkbox to connect the first and
last stitches in the design.
3 Select a centering method:

Method Description
Use Preset End By default, connectors – travel runs or jumps – are created
Point from the start and end points to the center of the design.
Select any one of the nine preset end points.
Digitize Auto Allows you to create connectors from start and end points to
Start/End Point a point you define. If you select this, you are prompted to
select the point after you click OK.

4 Click OK.
Connectors – travel runs or jumps – are inserted as specified before first
and after last stitches of the design.

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PART VI
FILES, MACHINES, AND
DESIGN PROCESSING
Design processing and encoding involve all the important, back-end
operations of embroidery design and manufacture. This is where you
actually output your designs to machine, disk, printer, cutter, and so on. For
this, you will need an understanding of embroidery file types as well as
different machine formats. Depending on your setup, you will also need an
understanding of traditional storage media such as embroidery disks.

Printing designs
This section describes how to create production worksheets. It explains how
to send designs as email attachments, as well as how to output designs as
images. Sending appliqué shapes to printer and cutter are also covered. See
Printing Designs for details.

Outputting designs for machine


This section describes how to saving designs for machine, how to read and
write to embroidery disk, as well as how to stitching designs out with Stitch
Manager. See Outputting Designs for Machine for details.

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Reading files of different formats
This section describes the different conversion options for opening and
saving stitch and outline design formats. It also provides details about the
processing of Melco CND outline files, including color merging, as well as
reassigning colors to both stitch and Melco CND files. See Reading Files of
Different Formats for details.

Machine formats
This section describes how to select a machine format for a design, output
it using other formats, and customize machine formats to meet your
machine’s specific requirements. See Machine Formats for details.

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Chapter 18
Printing Designs

From the same design file, you can output a production worksheet for the
embroidery machine operator. Designers frequently want to distribute their
designs for viewing in real colors, in TrueView or otherwise, with or without
fabric backgrounds. In DecoStudio you can save both design images and
production worksheets to disk or email them direct. You can also output
appliqué designs by printing appliqué patterns or by sending them directly
to a cutter.

This section describes how to create production worksheets. It explains how


to send designs as email attachments, as well as how to output designs as
images. Sending appliqué shapes to printer and cutter are also covered.

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Printing designs in Graphics mode
To send a multi-decoration design to production, you generally print the
digital art design before stitching the embroidery. To do this, you first need
to hide the embroidery because you don’t want it printing on the digital art
printer.

Note DecoStudio includes as standard the entire suite of CorelDRAW®


drawing tools which offer many techniques for drafting outlines and shapes
on screen. For a detailed description of the CorelDRAW® interface, refer to
the electronic User Guide available via the Windows Start > Programs
group. Alternatively, use the onscreen help available from the Graphics
mode Help menu.

To print a design in Graphics mode


1 Switch to Graphics mode. See Switching between design modes for
details.
2 Toggle off Show Embroidery to hide any embroidery objects. See
Displaying artwork and embroidery for details.
3 Click the Print icon on the Standard toolbar.
The Print dialog opens.
4 Adjust print settings as required and click Print Preview button to
preview. Otherwise click Print button to print.
The design is printed with or without embroidery objects showing
depending on whether the Show Embroidery button is toggled on or
off.
5 To sew embroidery over top of the printed design, switch to
Embroidery mode and toggle off Show Graphics. See Stitching
designs with Stitch Manager for details.

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Tip Make sure you align the needle on the machine with a manually
digitized start and end point to ensure that stitching aligns perfectly on
the garment with the digitally printed part of the design. See Setting
automatic start and end points for details. See also Multi-Decoration
Project.

Stitching should align on


garment with digitally
printed part of design

Printing production worksheets in Embroidery mode


The production worksheet is the link between designer and embroidery
machine operator. It contains a design preview as well as essential
production information, including the design size, the color sequence and
any special instructions. You can customize production worksheets before

Chapter 18 Pri nting Desi gns 338


printing. You can also print multiple colorways, icons of color blocks, and
backgrounds.

Note If certain thread colors are not available on your printer, they may be
mapped to a different color, including white. If a color is mapped to white,
it will be invisible on the worksheet. Print the design in TrueView color, or
black and white, or turn off color mapping. See your printer manual for more
information.

Printing or plotting production worksheets

Use Print (Standard toolbar) to print production worksheets for the current
design using the current settings.

Create a hard copy of the production worksheet using a printer or plotter.


Set worksheet and printer options before you print, or use the current
options.

Tip Preview the production worksheet before you print to check whether it
is correct. See Previewing production worksheets for details.

To print or plot a production worksheet


1 Switch to Embroidery mode. See Switching between design modes for
details.
2 Toggle on or off Show Graphics to display or hide any graphics objects.
See Displaying artwork and embroidery for details.

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Note This is really only for onscreen viewing purposes – graphics in
Embroidery mode are never printed, whether or not they are currently
displayed.
3 Select File > Print.
The Print dialog opens.

Click to customize Click to preview


worksheet worksheet

Tip If you want to print the production worksheets without reference to


this dialog and just using current settings, simply click the Print icon.
4 Select the printer or plotter you want to use, and enter the number of
copies of the worksheet you require.

Note To customize the worksheet, click Options, and change the


settings as required. See Setting production worksheet print options for
details.
5 If you are using a plotter, click Properties, and set the pen colors to
correspond with the thread colors in the design.
Refer to your plotter’s manual for information on setting up pen colors.
6 Click OK.

Setting production worksheet print options


Set production worksheet options to show the information you want in the
format you require. You can specify the data to print, graphics to include,
zoom factor, and general options such as company name. You can use a
color printer or a plotter to produce production worksheets. If you are using
a color printer, you can print in TrueView.

Chapter 18 Pri nting Desi gns 340


To set production worksheet print options
1 To access the Print Options dialog, either select File > Print or File >
Print Preview.
2 Click Options.
The Print Options dialog opens.

Select
Production Print Select Production
Summary

Select Set zoom


information type factor
to include

Select graphical Select other


features to general options
include

3 Select Production Print to print a production worksheet or Appliqué


Patterns for appliqué designs.
When Appliqué Patterns is selected, all other options are grayed out.
See Printing appliqué patterns for details.
4 Select Production Worksheet and/or Production Summary.

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Production worksheet prints according to the settings in the panels
below and Production Summary prints 2 summary tables of the
design and the colorways.

Design Summary
table

Colorway Summary
table

5 In the Information to Print panel, select the information type to


include:

Info Type Description


Full information Shows details specified in the Customize Worksheet dialog.
When selected, the Customize button for customizing
worksheets becomes available. See Customizing production
worksheet information for details.
Short Shows summary information about the design. This and the
information previous options include some of information provided in the
Summary tab of the Design Properties dialog. See Viewing
design information in DecoStudio for details.
Stop sequence Lists all stops in the design together with the stitch number at
which they occur, color number, and thread color name and
brand. See also Printing multiple colorways.
None Shows the design preview, file name and stitch count only.
Current Prints the design in the current colorway only.
Colorway
Selected Prints multiple colorways. When selected, the Colorways
Colorways button for printing multiple colorways becomes available. See
Printing multiple colorways for details.

Chapter 18 Pri nting Desi gns 342


6 In the Zoom panel, set the zoom factor for the design preview. This
controls the size of the preview on the worksheet:

Zoom factor Description


1.0 Shows the design at its actual size.
Show All Scales the design to fill the available space on the worksheet.
Custom Lets you set a specific zoom factor.

7 In the Embroidery panel, select the embroidery options to include.

Option Description
Outlines Shows design outlines. See also Viewing outlines and
TrueView stitches.
Stitches Shows stitches.
Connectors Shows connectors used in design.
Functions Shows machine functions.
Background Prints design with colored background or fabric color. When
selected, the Crop to Design option becomes available.
TrueView Prints design in TrueView. When selected, the Draft Quality
option becomes available.
Standard Resets printing options to original values.

8 In the General panel, select the other options you require:

Option Description
Print in English Deselecting this checkbox prints worksheets in the same
language as the Windows operating system. This feature is
useful when printing to plotters where the device driver does
not support the character set you require.
Extents Box Places an outline around the design.
Around Design
Company Name Prints a specified company name on the worksheet. Select a
company name from the list, or enter a new one.
Color Film Prints color blocks in the design as they appear in the Color
List. Consecutive objects of the same color form a single ‘color
block’. See Printing color film for details.

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9 Click OK.

Customizing production worksheet information


You can fine-tune production worksheet information when Full
Information option is the selected.

To customize production worksheet information


1 To access the Print Options dialog, either select File > Print or File >
Print Preview.
2 Click Options.
The Print Options dialog opens.
3 In the Information to Print panel, select Full Information.
4 Click Customize.
The Customize dialog opens.

Customize
production worksheet
information

Chapter 18 Pri nting Desi gns 344


5 In the Blocks to Print panel, select the design statistics to include on
the worksheet:

Blocks Description
Left / Right / Up / The margins between the edges of the design and the edges
Down of the design area.
End X / Y The coordinates of the last stitch.
Max / Min Stitch The maximum and minimum stitch lengths, and maximum
jump stitch length in the design.
Thread Chart The thread chart name used in the design.
Type
Thread Usage Thread usage statistics by color.
Total Bobbin Total bobbin thread length.

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Here is a sample production worksheet with all options selected:

Left / Right / Up / Down

End X / Y

Max / Min Stitch

Thread Chart Type

Thread Usage

Total Bobbin

6 In the Columns in Stop Sequence panel, select the statistics for each
color block:

Stop Sequence Description


Stitch Count Number of stitches per color.
Needle Number The needle number stitching each color block.
Brand Brand name of threads used.

Chapter 18 Pri nting Desi gns 346


Stop Sequence Description
Element Name User-defined name to identify each color block. See Naming
design elements for details.
Show Colors in Includes actual color samples in the production colorway
Summary summary table. See also Printing multiple colorways.

Here is a sample production worksheet with all options selected:

Stitch Count

Needle Number

Brand

Element Name

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Note The Show Colors in Summary option works in conjunction with
the Production Summary option in the Print Options dialog. Select
the option to print color blocks in the Colorway Summary table. See
Setting production worksheet print options for details.

Colors display in
Colorway
Summary table

7 Select the Use Left Side checkbox to include the full information
column on the left side.
By default, this column displays on the right of the page.
8 Click OK.

Printing multiple colorways


You can print your design in the current or multiple colorways. See also
Setting up colorways.

To print multiple colorways


1 To access the Print Options dialog, either select File > Print or File >
Print Preview.
2 Click Options.

Chapter 18 Pri nting Desi gns 348


The Print Options dialog opens.

Select Selected
Colorways

3 Select Selected Colorways to print multiple colorways.


The Colorways button becomes available.
4 Click Colorways.
The Colorway Options dialog opens.

Select one or more


colorways from the list

5 Select Selected Colorways and then select one or more colorways


from the list.
 To select a range of items, hold down Shift as you select.
 To select multiple items, hold down Ctrl as you select.
Alternatively, select All Colorways to print out all the colorways in the
design.
6 Click OK to return to the Print Options dialog.
Each colorway is printed on a separate sheet.

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7 In the Embroidery panel, select Background if you want to include the
background or fabric color with the colorway.

Select to include
background on
worksheet

Tip Select Crop to Design to crop the space around the design.
8 Click OK.
9 Click OK in the Print dialog or Print Now in the Print Preview dialog.

Tip If the Production Summary option in the Print Options dialog is


selected, the Colorway Summary table is printed together with the
Design Summary table. You can also print color blocks in the

Chapter 18 Pri nting Desi gns 350


Colorway Summary table by selecting the Show Colors in Summary
option in the Customize dialog. See also Customizing production
worksheet information.

Design Summary
table

Colorway Summary
table

Printing color film


The Color Film option lets you print color blocks in the design as they
appear in the Color-Object List. Consecutive objects of the same color form
a single ‘color block’. See also Selecting objects with the Color-Object List.

To print color film


1 To access the Print Options dialog, either select File > Print or File >
Print Preview.
2 Click Options.
The Print Options dialog opens.

Select Color Film

3 Select the Color Film checkbox.


4 Click OK.
5 Click OK in the Print dialog or Print Now in the Print Preview dialog.

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A separate color film prints for selected colorways on the last page of the
worksheet. See also Printing multiple colorways.

Sending designs as email attachments

Use Open (Standard toolbar) to send a design as an email attachment.

You can attach designs to emails from the design window or via the Open
dialog.

To send designs as email attachments


1 Do one of the following:
 With the design open in the design window, select File > Send, or
 Click the Open icon to display the Open dialog. Select the file to
send, then right-click it. The popup menu appears. Select Send To
> Mail Recipient.

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Your default email system is launched and a new email created with the
design file attached.

Select Send To >


Mail Recipient

2 Enter mailing details and send.

Outputting designs as images


Once a design is digitized in DecoStudio, you can output it as a vector file.
This can then be downloaded to a laser cutter through a program such as
CorelDRAW®. This can serve various purposes such as appliqué cutting,
multimedia, screen printing, and so on.
Designers frequently want to distribute their designs for viewing in real
colors, in TrueView or otherwise, with or without fabric backgrounds. This
might be for stock design sales purposes, for approval of digitized designs,
or for presentation on the web or in catalogs. DecoStudio lets you save both
design images and production worksheets to disk or email them direct.

Saving designs as vector images


You can copy embroidery outlines directly to the Windows clipboard. Using
the Microsoft Clipboard Viewer, you can then save them to CLP format.

Note You may need to install Microsoft Clipboard Viewer from your
Windows operating system installation CD.

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To save designs as vector images
1 Select the object/s you want to copy.

2 Press Ctrl+C to copy them to the clipboard.


3 Open Microsoft Clipboard Viewer.
The copied objects appear in the Clipboard Viewer window.
4 Save the outlines as CLP file format.

Save outlines as
CLP format

This file can now be opened in any program that supports CLP format.

Capturing designs as bitmap images


You can save design images to disk or email them direct. This might be for
stock design sales purposes, for approval of digitized designs, or for
presentation on the web or in catalogs. The image can be captured as a
bitmap with or without background color or fabric. It can be captured in
TrueView or otherwise, and can include connectors, outlines and any other
display options provided in DecoStudio.

Chapter 18 Pri nting Desi gns 354


To capture a design as a bitmap image
1 Open the embroidery design.
2 Select File > Capture Design Bitmap.
The Capture Design Bitmap dialog opens.

Select image
selection option
Select Output
option

Select to include
background color or Select Output
fabric format

3 Select a Selection option:

Option Description
Whole Design Captures the screen image in a ratio of 1:1.
(1:1)
Current design Captures the screen image at the currently selected zoom
window factor.
Custom Lets you specify a capture area. After clicking OK, you are
prompted to enter a ‘rectangle origin’ and ‘rectangle corner’ to
define the area to capture.

Click to enter
rectangle origin

Click to enter
rectangle corner

Custom option – only


specified area is captured

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4 Select an Output option:

Option Description
Save to Disk Lets you save the screen capture to disk. After clicking OK, the
Save Capture Screen dialog opens, allowing you to select a
location, name and format for the captured design image.
Send via Email Lets you send the screen capture as email. After clicking OK,
a new email message opens with the image attached.
Both Save and Lets you both save to hard disk and send as an email
Send attachment.

5 Select an output format for the screen image from the dropdown list –
BMP, JPG, etc.
6 Select Include Background/Fabric to include the background color or
fabric with the screen capture.
7 Click OK.

Image captured as
Whole Design (1:1) with
background fabric

Outputting appliqué
DecoStudio lets you generate all the stitching you need for appliqué using
the Auto Appliqué tool. When you digitize an object with Auto Appliqué,
the guide run, tacking and cover stitches are automatically generated using
the current settings. You can print a copy of appliqué patterns to use in
cutting out fabric pieces. You can also extract appliqué shapes from a design

Chapter 18 Pri nting Desi gns 356


to output to a cutter or to a separate file. See also Creating Appliqué
Designs.

Printing appliqué patterns


Print a copy of appliqué patterns to use in cutting out fabric pieces. Each
appliqué pattern piece is numbered according to the stitching sequence.
One copy of the placement outlines is printed to show how their positions
relate to each other. This copy is printed to fit one page. A second copy of
the placement outlines is printed at 100% scaling, with each outline
separated for use in cutting the fabric.

Note Automatically create all the stitching you need for appliqué using the
Auto Appliqué input method. See Creating Appliqué Designs for details.

To print an appliqué pattern


1 Select File > Print Preview.
2 Click Options icon.

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Print Options dialog opens.

Select Appliqué
Patterns

3 Select Appliqué Patterns.


All other options are grayed out.
4 Click OK.
Each appliqué pattern is numbered according to the stitching sequence.

5 Click Print Now.

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Cutting appliqué shapes
Use the Cut Appliqué feature to send appliqué shapes from a design file to
a laser cutter. DecoStudio extracts outlines from the design and sends them
to the cutter. Only closed outlines are extracted. DecoStudio also lets you
output objects as a vector file. This can then be downloaded to a laser cutter
through a program such as CorelDRAW®. See Saving designs as vector
images for details.

Note Before you send appliqué shapes to a cutter, make sure it is set up
on your system with the correct Windows (printer) driver. Some cutters –
e.g. Ioline – use a standard driver for HP-7475 plotters. Once the driver is
installed in Windows, there is no need for a separate hardware setup in
DecoStudio.

To output appliqué shapes


1 Open an appliqué design or create appliqué objects. See Digitizing
appliqué objects for details.

2 Select File > Cut Appliqué.

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The Print Cut Appliqué dialog opens.

Click to preview
worksheet

3 From the Name list, select the appliqué cutter. For more information,
refer to the User Manual for the particular cutter you are using.
4 Click Preview to preview the worksheet.
The Print Preview dialog opens with every appliqué shape in the
design in the order of the stitching sequence.

5 Click Print Now to output the appliqué shapes.

Chapter 18 Pri nting Desi gns 360


Chapter 19
Outputting Designs for Machine

You can output embroidery designs for actual stitchout in a variety of ways
– sending directly to machine for stitching, or saving to specific machine
formats and/or to embroidery disk.

This section describes how to save designs for machine, how to read and
write to embroidery disk, as well as how to stitch designs out with Stitch
Manager.

Stitching designs with Stitch Manager

Use Stitch to Stitch Manager (Standard toolbar) to send a design to a


machine for stitching.

Once a design is complete, you can stitch it out to any supported


embroidery machine without changing the original design format via Stitch

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Manager. If a selected machine does not support a particular function
included in the design, it is simply ignored. When you send several designs
in a row, they are automatically queued and stitched out one at a time. See
also Setting up embroidery machines.

Note Some newer machines are supplied with propriety connection


software – e.g. Janome MB-4 and Barudan LEM. DecoStudio supports
connection to these machines via the Stitch to Connection Manager
option. See Stitching designs with Connection Manager for details.

To stitch a design with Stitch Manager


1 Ensure that the target machine is correctly connected to your PC – see
your machine documentation for details.

Note Before you can send designs for stitching, you must configure the
machine in DecoStudio. See Setting up embroidery machines for direct
connection for details.
2 Open a design.
3 Click the Stitch to Stitch Manager icon.
The Stitch to Stitch Manager dialog opens.

Select embroidery
machine

Select machine
format

4 From the Machine Identification list, select an embroidery machine.


Click Setup to modify the machine’s settings as required. See Setting
up embroidery machines for direct connection for details.
5 From the Output as Machine format list, select the correct machine
format.
Click Values to modify the machine format settings as required. See
Adjusting standard machine format settings for details.

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Note This field is automatically updated if the target machine format is
different to the current format. Select the Prompt Changing Machine
Format checkbox if you want to be prompted when the Output as
Machine Format field updates.
6 Click OK to return to the Stitch to Stitch Manager dialog.
7 Click OK.
The Stitch Manager dialog opens listing the files to be stitched out.

Tip To delete a design from the queue, select it and click Cancel.

Stitching designs with Connection Manager

Use Stitch to Connection Manager (Standard toolbar) to connect to


supported machines via proprietary machine software.

Some newer machines are supplied with propriety connection software –


e.g. Janome MB-4 and Barudan LEM. DecoStudio supports connection to
these machines via the Stitch to Connection Manager option. To
integrate with DecoStudio, the relevant software needs to be installed on
the same machine. Discuss with your machine supplier for details.

To stitch a design with Connection Manager


1 Ensure that the target machine is correctly connected to your PC – see
your machine documentation for details.
2 Open a design.
3 Click Stitch to Connection Manager.

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The Stitch to Connection Manager dialog opens.

Select connection
manager

4 From the Connection Manager dropdown list, select the machine type
or relevant propriety connection management software for your
particular machine.
5 Click OK.
The Stitch to Connection Manager dialog closes and the design is
passed with the corresponding machine connection software. For
details, refer to your machine documentation.

Saving designs for machine


Different embroidery machines understand different languages. Each has its
own control commands for the various machine functions. Before you can
stitch a design, it must be in a format which can be interpreted by the
machine. Stitch or ‘expanded’ designs are low-level formats for direct use
by embroidery machines. They contain only stitch coordinates and machine
functions. They are generally created on-the-fly when sending designs to
machine. They can also be output to embroidery disk. See Reading and
writing to embroidery disk for details. See also Supported Machine, File and
Disk Types.

Saving designs in Melco CND format


You can save files to Melco CND format from DecoStudio. Designs originally
created in DecoStudio generally give the best results. Other file types may
not have all the data necessary for successful conversion. Some stitch
quality features, stitch types, and decorative fills and effects do not convert
well to CND format. If you intend to save a file in CND format, you should
only use input methods, stitch types and effects that are compatible with
Melco EDS-III software.

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Note For details of how each CND stitch type is converted, see Conversion
of Melco CND format to Wilcom EMB.
DecoStudio has two save as CND output options – Superstar Compatible
and Output Tatami as Complex Fill. Superstar-compatible machines do
not have trimmers. The Output Tatami as Complex Fill option is for
controlling Turning Tatami fills.

Trim functions
If you want to stitch a design to a machine without trimmers, then set
machine values to not output Trim codes. Then digitize the design for
manual trimming. Early versions of CND do not support Melco Trim codes.
In this case, set the machine format values to output Trims as Jumps. See
also Adjusting standard machine format settings.

Turning Tatami fills


When you save to CND format, you need to specify how to convert turning
Tatami stitches. Objects with curving Tatami stitches – e.g. Input A objects
– are not supported by early versions of CND format. For
Superstar-compatible machines, turning Tatami stitches are simply
converted to Walk stitches, the EDS equivalent of Manual. For earlier
machines, Turning Tatami fills need to be converted to normal Tatami – i.e.
with a single stitch angle – then to Normal Fill, the EDS equivalent of normal
Tatami.

To save designs in Melco CND format


1 Select File > Save As.
The Save As dialog opens.
2 Select Melco (CND) from the Files of Type list.
3 In the File name field, enter a name for the design.
4 Click Options.
The Save Options dialog opens.

Select required
option

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5 Select the required option for converting Turning Tatami fills:

Option Description
Superstar Converts Turning Tatami to Walk (EDS equivalent of Manual).
Compatible Complex Fill Tatami is output as Normal Fill (EDS equivalent
of Tatami).
Output Tatami Converts Turning Tatami fills to normal Tatami – i.e. with a
as Complex Fill single stitch angle – then to EDS Normal Fill.

Note These functions are also available when you send a CND design
for stitching.
6 Click OK.
7 Click Save.

Saving designs in CSD format


The CSD Save Option allows you to select between CSD Type I and Type II.
Type II was introduced in CS 1.2B software for the POEM machine. It is also
used by the Singer EU software for the POEM machine. Type II CSD files
additionally store the thread color RGB values and also an icon of the design.
See also Opening stitch files in DecoStudio.

To save designs in CSD format


1 Select File > Save As.
The Save As dialog opens.
2 Select CSD from the Files of Type list.
3 In the File name field, enter a name for the design.
4 Click Options.
The Save Options dialog opens.

Select CSD file


type option

5 Select the required CSD file type option.


6 Click OK and then Save.

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Reading and writing to embroidery disk
Paper tape is the traditional medium for storing designs in stitch data
format. Embroidery disks, which have now largely replaced paper tape, are
specially formatted floppy disks used to transfer designs from computer to
embroidery machine. You can format embroidery disks and save designs to
them from within DecoStudio. The format you use will depend on the
selected embroidery machine. You can also open designs from embroidery
disk directly into DecoStudio.

Designs are generally stored in stitch data format, although Melco CND, for
example, is a ‘condensed’ file format. You can open designs from
embroidery disks of various formats directly into DecoStudio. Once read,
you can output designs without change, modify them and output them in
the original format, or save them as an EMB file. You can optionally convert
them into objects. After conversion, a design can be scaled and changed.
See also Opening stitch files in DecoStudio.
This section describes how to read from and write embroidery design files
to embroidery disk.

Reading designs from embroidery disk

Use Embroidery Disk Open (Standard toolbar) to open a design from


embroidery disk.

You can open designs of other formats from specially formatted 1.44 Mb
DS/HD (Double-Sided High-Density) embroidery disks. See also Supported
embroidery disk formats.

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To read designs from embroidery disk
1 Insert the embroidery disk in your computer’s floppy disk drive.
2 Click the Embroidery Disk Open icon.
The Open Embroidery Disk dialog opens.

Select drive

Select format

3 From the Look In list, select the floppy disk drive.


4 Select the disk format. Either:
 Select the format from the Diskette Format list.
 Select the Auto Detect checkbox and let DecoStudio automatically
determine the format. This generally takes longer.
5 Click OK.
The Open From Embroidery Disk dialog opens.

Select design
type

6 From the Designs of Type list, select a design type.


Any designs saved on disk are listed in the panel. If no designs are listed,
make sure that the correct drive and disk format are selected.

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Note If the Options button is available, you can set recognition options
for the design. See Opening Melco CND outline files, Opening stitch files
with object/outline recognition and Opening stitch files without
object/outline recognition.
7 Click Open.

Formatting embroidery disks


Embroidery disks must be formatted to suit the embroidery machine you
intend to use or the machine will not be able to read the design. Older
computers generally have a High Density 1.44 Mb drive. Most embroidery
machines use High Density disks so there is usually no problem with
transferring designs. See your embroidery machine’s manual for details of
the appropriate disk type.

To format embroidery disks


1 Insert a 3.5" floppy disk of the correct density in your computer’s floppy
disk drive.

Note Use the disk type required by the embroidery machine, not the
computer.
2 Select File > Embroidery Disk > Format.
The Format Embroidery Disk dialog opens.

Select drive

Select format

3 From the Drive list, select the floppy disk drive.


4 From the Diskette Format list, select the required disk format.
5 Click OK.
A confirmation message appears.
6 Click OK to confirm.

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The Format dialog opens.

Select disk
format

Enter disk
label
Select format
option

Warning This is a Windows system dialog and may vary with the
particular operating system you are using.
7 From the Capacity list, select the disk storage capacity.
8 In the Format Options panel, select the ‘full format’ option:
Quick Format erases all data from the disk but does not reformat it.
Uncheck the option to reformat a blank disk. See your Windows manual
for details.
9 Click Start.
A progress bar appears. You are prompted when formatting is complete.

Note If you have trouble with formatting a Melco embroidery disk,


check if your floppy disk drive can read and write single density floppy
disks.

Writing designs to embroidery disk

Use Embroidery Disk Save As (Standard toolbar) to save a design to an


embroidery disk.

Save designs to embroidery disk to stitch out on a specific machine. When


you save to a new format, the design is converted to encode the machine
functions and commands supported by the particular machine.

Note Embroidery disks must be correctly formatted before you save


designs to them. See Formatting embroidery disks for details.

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To write designs to embroidery disk
1 Insert the embroidery disk in your computer’s floppy disk drive.
2 Click the Embroidery disk Save As icon.
The Save to Embroidery Disk dialog opens.

Select drive
Select format

3 From the Look In list, select the floppy disk drive.


4 Select the disk format. Either:
 Select the format from the Diskette Format list.
 Select the Auto Detect checkbox and let DecoStudio automatically
determine the format.
Any designs already saved on disk are listed in the panel.

Note If the disk is not formatted, or its format is not correct, click
Format. See Formatting embroidery disks for details.
5 In the Design Name field, enter a name for the design.
6 In the Filename field, enter a name for the design file.

Enter design name


Enter file number
if required Enter file name
Click to view or
Enter machine
modify settings
format and
design file type

7 If the Number field is enabled, enter a file number.


Not all machine formats require this information. This option is greyed
out if the file naming mechanism is not supported by the particular
embroidery disk type. Tajima uses a free-form file name, so both a
numbering system and a text file name system are supported, as seen
in the dialog.
8 From the Machine Format list, select a machine format.
Some machines can read different formats. For example, some Tajima
machines can read Barudan as well as Tajima.

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Tip To view or modify machine format settings, click Values. See
Adjusting standard machine format settings for details.
9 From the Design Type list, select the file type to save to embroidery
disk. Only one file type is generally available.
10 If available, select the Save Icon checkbox to include a thumbnail
image of the design with the design file.
This icon appears in the machine control panel during stitch-out.
11 Click Save.

Warning Wait until the light on the floppy disk drive stops flashing
before removing the disk.

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Chapter 20
Reading Files of Different Formats

By default DecoStudio saves to its native file format, EMB. This format
contains all information necessary both for stitching a design and for later
modification. When opening designs created or saved in other formats,
DecoStudio converts the design internally to EMB format. You can then
modify it using the full range of DecoStudio features. Depending on the file
type, you may need to provide additional information to assist DecoStudio
in the conversion process.
This section describes the different conversion options for opening and
saving stitch and outline design formats. It also provides details about the
processing of Melco CND outline files, including color merging, as well as
reassigning colors to both stitch and Melco CND files.

Embroidery design formats


Embroidery designs are saved in one of two formats – ‘outline’ or ‘stitch’
format.

Note For details of specific formats supported by DecoStudio, see


Supported embroidery file formats.

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Outline files
Outline or ‘condensed’ files are high-level formats which contain object
outlines, object properties and stitch data. When you open an outline file in
DecoStudio, corresponding stitch types, object types and effects are
applied.

Complex
Fill object

Outline files can be scaled, transformed and reshaped without affecting


stitch density or quality. After modification, you can choose to save your
design to EMB format, or to a different format altogether.

Note Some outline files, such as Wilcom INP and Gunold PCH, contain
incomplete information. Old format ESD designs are somewhere between an
outline and a stitch file. They contain stitch data, information about selected
stitch types, densities, and machine functions. They do not, however,
contain information about shapes and lines. ESD files require object/outline
recognition if you want to perform object editing in DecoStudio. See
Opening stitch files in DecoStudio for details.

Stitch files
Different embroidery machines understand different languages. Each has its
own control commands for the various machine functions. Before you can
stitch a design, it must be in a format which can be interpreted by the
machine. Stitch or ‘expanded’ designs are low-level formats for direct use
by embroidery machines. They contain only stitch coordinates and machine
functions. They are generally created on-the-fly when sending designs to
machine. They can also be output to embroidery disk. See Reading and
writing to embroidery disk for details. See also Supported Machine, File and
Disk Types.
When they are read into DecoStudio, stitch files do not contain object
information such as outlines or stitch types, but present the design as a
collection of stitch blocks called ‘manual objects’. Manual objects are

Chapter 20 Read ing Fi les of D iffere nt Formats 374


created wherever machine functions – e.g. color changes or trims – are
detected in the design. They have only General and Connector properties.
Manual objects, in turn, consist of individual stitches, called ‘manual
stitches’.

Manual
object

Stitch designs are generally not suited to modification because stitches are
not regenerated. However, DecoStudio patented Stitch Processor
technology can interpret object outlines, stitch types and spacing from stitch
data with some success. In this way, you can re-constitute old tape format
files and other stitch file format designs for modification in DecoStudio.
These recognized designs can be scaled with stitches recalculated for the
new outlines. Processing is effective for most stitch designs but cannot
produce the same level of quality as original outlines and may not handle
some fancy stitches.
By default, stitch files are converted to outlines and objects upon opening
but you can also choose to open them without recognition. Designs opened
in this way can be output for stitching in another format. Or you can edit
stitches and add new elements. For such purposes, you do not need to
retrieve information about how the design was created.
You can scale stitch format designs which have been opened without
object/outline recognition. However, because the stitch count does not
change, the density increases or decreases with the design size. Thus you

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should not scale stitch designs by more than ±5% or some areas may be
too thickly or too thinly covered.

Original stitch Scaled stitch design


design opened without
object/outline
recognition

Note With or without object/outline recognition, stitch files can be saved in


EMB format once they are opened in DecoStudio.

File sources
While embroidery files are broadly classified as ‘outline’ (condensed) or
‘stitch’ (expanded), DecoStudio internally tags files as belonging to one of
four types – Native Design, Imported Outlines, Processed Stitches, or
Imported Stitches.

File source Description


Native Design Designs created in DecoStudio (or equivalent).
Imported Outlines Designs read from non-EMB outline – CND or PCH –
where stitches have been generated in DecoStudio (or
equivalent) from original outlines and stitching data.
Processed Stitches Designs read from stitch files where stitches have been
regenerated by processing.
Imported Stitches Designs read from stitch files, where outlines may or may
not have been recognized, but stitches have not been
regenerated through stitch processing.
Note, however, that if you change a stitch design – e.g. add
a lettering object – the status changes to ‘Processed
Stitches’ even though the imported stitches may not have
been regenerated.

For information about the source of a design file, refer to the Design
Properties dialog. See Viewing design information in DecoStudio for
details.

Chapter 20 Read ing Fi les of D iffere nt Formats 376


Opening stitch files in DecoStudio
If you want to scale a design, edit an outline or change a stitch type, then
the design or selected elements must be first converted into ‘objects’. By
default, stitch files are converted to outlines and objects upon opening. If
you do not want to scale the design by more than ±5%, or only want to
make minor stitch edits, or output in another format, you can choose to
open the stitch file without object/outline recognition. The design is then
presented as a collection of manual objects. If you only want to convert
selected parts of a design, you can open the file without object/outline
recognition and process only the required stitch blocks.

Tip To ensure object outlines, stitch types, stitch density and colors are
correct, it is always a good idea to check and edit designs after conversion.
To improve the quality of a stitch file, it is often better to edit stitches before
conversion.

Object/outline recognition
When you convert a stitch file to outline format, DecoStudio reads stitch
data stitch-by-stitch according to the needle penetration points. It
recognizes stitch types, spacing and length values, stitch effects, and can
determine object outlines. Stitch types are assigned as Satin, Tatami, or
Program Split depending on the pattern of needle penetrations. With
Tatami, DecoStudio recognizes stitch spacing and length, and applies a
random factor. If a design is converted from ESD format, Zigzag and Triple
Run objects are also recognized. If an object is not recognized, it becomes
(or remains) a manual object with general and connector properties only.
As such, it will not scale well.
Recognized object outlines and stitch values are stored as object properties
in DecoStudio. This means you can scale and transform recognized designs
in the usual way. You can also change the stitch density of the whole or
selected parts of a design, and/or of certain stitch types.

Opening stitch files with object/outline recognition


When you open stitch files with object/outline recognition, you can set open
options to determine how to convert the design. Options vary with the type
of stitch file you select.

Note Open options should reflect how the design was originally digitized,
not how you want it now. Experiment with the settings to get the best
results.

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To open stitch files with object/outline recognition
1 Open a file from your hard disk, or read it from embroidery disk. See
also Reading and writing to embroidery disk.
The Open dialog opens.

Select file

Select format Click


Options

2 Select a stitch format from the Files of Type list and select the file to
open.
3 Click Options.
The Open Options dialog opens.

Select machine
format

Enter number of
jumps as trims
Select output type
for stop codes

Select
Objects/Outlines

Note Depending on the file type selected, different options are


available.
4 Select the Objects/Outlines checkbox.
5 Select a different machine format from the Machine Type list as
required.

Chapter 20 Read ing Fi les of D iffere nt Formats 378


6 Enter the number of jumps to recognize as trims.
When DecoStudio encounters this number of consecutive jumps, it will
convert them to a trim function.

Warning If this value is different from the original design, trim


functions will be not be inserted correctly.
7 Use the Stop Code as panel to select the output type for stop codes as
required:

Stop Code Purpose


Color Change Stop codes are interpreted as ‘Next Color’ commands. The
next color is selected from the default color palette.
Stops Stop codes are interpreted as ‘Explicit Stop’ commands. The
machine stops stitching.
Custom Lets you map thread colors to every stop code in the file.
This means you can color code stitch file designs which do
not contain needle addressing information before opening
the file. See Reassigning colors to stitch and Melco CND
files for details.

8 Toggle the Automatic Connectors checkbox as required.

Auto Connectors Purpose


On Open appropriate designs with automatic connectors
without having to use object/outline recognition.
Off Open designs with connectors recognized as manual
objects. This avoids stitch editing problems caused by
automatic connectors – recommended for open fills.

9 Check the status of your embroidery machine as required, then select


the correct setting – Speed1 or Speed2 – from the list (if available).

Select required speed

On some Barudan machines there is a speed switch. Depending on its


position, fast is assigned as either Speed1 or Speed2. For example, if
you select Speed1, each fast speed function will be translated into a
Speed1 command.
10 Click Advanced to set advanced recognition options. See Adjusting
advanced recognition settings for details.

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11 Click OK.
12 Click Open.
The selected design is processed and converted to embroidery objects
with fill or outline stitch properties as well as general and connector
properties. If an object is not recognized, it becomes a manual object
with general and connector properties only.

Manual
object

Embroidery
object

Opening stitch files without object/outline recognition


By opening a stitch file without object/outline recognition, you can output
the design without change or perform minor scaling and transforming
actions without losing the original stitch information.

To open stitch files without object/outline recognition


1 Open a file from your hard disk, or read it from embroidery disk. See
also Reading and writing to embroidery disk.

Select file

Select format Click


Options

Chapter 20 Read ing Fi les of D iffere nt Formats 380


2 Select a stitch format from the Files of Type list and select the file to
open.
3 Click Options.
The Open Options dialog opens.

Deselect
Objects/Outlines

4 Deselect the Objects/Outlines checkbox.


5 Set other open options as required.
Depending on the file type selected, different options are available. See
Opening stitch files with object/outline recognition for details.
6 Click OK.
7 Click Open.
The design opens as a collection of manual objects with only general and
connector properties.

Manual
object

Tip At this point, you can output the design without change or perform
minor scaling and transforming actions without losing the original stitch
information.

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Adjusting advanced recognition settings
You can fine-tune how DecoStudio converts stitch files using the advanced
recognition settings. By default, DecoStudio converts stitches as Tatami,
Satin, or Run stitches according to the settings in the Recognition -
Advanced Options dialog. You can change these values, or choose not to
convert certain stitch types at all. Generally, the default settings provide the
best results for the most frequently used fill styles – Tatami and Satin – their
properties – stitch length and spacing – and edge effects, such as stitch
shortening. Default settings, however, cannot always guarantee the best
results as the variety of embroidery designs is virtually unlimited.

Original design
opened without stitch
recognition

Opened with stitch


recognition -
pattern splits recognized
as Tatami

Tip When using the advanced object/outline recognition options, select


only those options you want to be recognized. This will minimize the time
taken to process the design and ensure stitches are preserved.

To adjust advanced recognition settings


1 Access the Open Options dialog. See Opening stitch files with
object/outline recognition for details.
2 Click Advanced.

Chapter 20 Read ing Fi les of D iffere nt Formats 382


The Recognition - Advanced Options dialog opens.

Select to
recognize Tatami
stitches
Select to recognize
random needle Select to
penetrations recognize Jagged
Select to Edges
recognize Satin
stitches
Select to
recognize Splits
Select to
recognize Run
stitches

Select Segments
Set space and Resolution and
stitch length Merging Factors
rounding

3 In the Tatami panel, select Recognize Tatami in order to process


Tatami fills, and adjust conversion options as required:

Setting Purpose
Stitch Spacing Enter spacing range to recognize. If the row spacing falls
outside this range it will not be converted to Tatami.
Min Stitch Length Enter minimum stitch length to recognize as Tatami.
Random Factor Select to allow for random needle penetrations. Deselect
the Recognize Splits checkbox to detect Random Factor
more accurately.

Tatami Spacing range 0.4 mm


to 1.5 mm, Random Factor not
selected

Tatami Spacing range


0.4 mm to 1.5 mm,
Random Factor selected

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4 In the Satin panel, select Recognize Satin in order to process Satin
stitching, and adjust stitch spacings as required – if the row spacing falls
outside the specified range it will not be converted to Satin.

Satin Spacing range


0.5 mm to 5.0 mm

Satin Spacing range


0.1 mm to 2.0 mm

5 In the Run panel, select Recognize Run in order to process Run


stitching, and adjust conversion options as required:

Setting Purpose
Max Stitch Length Enter maximum stitch length to recognize.
Length Variation Enter percentage by which stitch length can vary in Run
objects.

Run, Max Stitch Length


4 mm Length Variation 10%

Run, Max Stitch Length 4 mm


Length Variation 90%

6 In the Parameter Consistency panel, set options for Complex Fill


segment recognition:

Setting Purpose
Spacing Rounding Enter rounding value for stitch spacings – ‘snaps’ spacing
values in Tatami and Satin fills to specified increments.
Stitch Length Enter rounding value for stitch lengths – ‘snaps’ stitch length
Rounding values in Tatami fills to specified increments.

Chapter 20 Read ing Fi les of D iffere nt Formats 384


For example, if the Tatami minimum stitch length is 4 mm, and the
Stitch Length Rounding is 0.4 mm, stitches from 3.80 to 4.20 mm are
‘snapped’ to 4.0 mm, and recognized as Tatami.

Tatami Spacing range: 0.4 mm to 1.5 mm,


Spacing Rounding: 0.01 mm,
Stitch Length Rounding: 0.2 mm

Tatami Spacing range: 0.4 mm to 1.5 mm,


Spacing Rounding: 0.05 mm,
Stitch Length Rounding:0.5 mm

7 In the Effects panel, select Jagged in order to recognize the Jagged


Edge effect. Specify a minimum range in millimeters – anything
variation greater than this value will be recognized as Jagged Edge.

Jagged not selected, border


object recognized as manual

Jagged selected, border object


recognized as jagged edge

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8 In the Splits panel, select Recognize Splits to recognize splits in
Tatami fills, and adjust conversion options as required:

Setting Purpose
Program Splits as Recognize split patterns as user-defined splits. Note,
User Defined however, that user-defined splits are scaled when the
Splits design is scaled. This results in stitch lengths getting longer
as the design is enlarged, thus limiting scaling. With native
program splits, on the other hand, patterns – shape, size
and spacing – remain the same after objects are scaled.
Recognize Auto Recognize Auto Splits in Satin objects. Otherwise, patterns
Splits created with Auto Split will be recognized as Tatami.
Recognition Level Restrict recognition of Program Splits by increasing
percentage. Decrease to increase recognition. A low
percentage number will detect more areas as Satin with
User Defined Split than Tatami.

User Defined Split

Auto Split

Tip Program splits are reliably recognized when patterns are not
overlapping.

Warning Split patterns can be complex, so the recognition process can


take up to five times longer with this option. Do not use it unless the
design contains s, User Defined Splits with Tatami or Satin, or Auto
Splits.

Chapter 20 Read ing Fi les of D iffere nt Formats 386


9 In the Segments Resolution/Merging Factors panel, enter values to
fine-tune the recognition of segments and objects:

Setting Purpose
Spacing This value expresses the ratio between stitch spacings in adjacent
stitch blocks – e.g. adjacent spacings of 0.6 mm and 1.0 mm
gives a ratio of 1.67. A value of 2.0 in the Spacing field means that
these stitch blocks will be recognized as one segment or object. A
value of 1.5 means that they will not. The default value is 3.0.
Normal Satin and Tatami stitching ranges in spacing from 0.3 to
0.6 mm, so most continuous sections of stitching of the same type
will not be split. To preserve spacing variations for color-blended
designs and more artistic designs, you may need to reduce the
spacing factor. In manually punched designs which include
stitching with irregular spacing, segment breaks can be reduced
by increasing the factor.
Height This value expresses the ratio between heights of stitch blocks. It
is important in recognizing Complex Fill shapes, particularly with
holes.

Tip Generally, the lower these values, the larger the number of
segments/objects likely to be identified. Normally you want to obtain
design information with a minimum number of identified
segments/objects. In practice there is always a compromise between
design recognition quality and the minimum number of correctly
identified segments/objects.

Spacing: 0.5 mm,


Height: 2 mm

Spacing: 3 mm,
Height: 4 mm

Recognized objects
shown in different colors

10 Click OK.

Tip To revert to the original conversion settings, click Reset.

Opening Melco CND outline files


Melco Condensed (CND) is the native file format of Melco embroidery
digitizing software. CND files store only digitized outlines and stitch values.

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When you open CND designs in DecoStudio, these outlines are scaled and
stitches recalculated to preserve density. DecoStudio recognizes all Melco
machine functions and stitch types, including Partition Lines and Complex
Fill, and automatically converts them to EMB format. However, CND files do
not contain specialty features such as Pull Compensation or Auto Spacing,
nor do they include actual stitches, thread colors, or design icons.
There are several versions of CND, all of which can be read by DecoStudio.
While these designs scale accurately, the number and placement of stitches
may differ somewhat from the original design. You may notice some
difference (±5%) in the stitch counts between original and converted files.
This is because of differences in the software methods used to calculate
stitches. DecoStudio cannot interpret certain specialty features of CND
design objects because there is no direct equivalent. However, stock
designs do not normally use these features and will generally convert
without problem.

Tip Before CND designs are stitched out, an EXP format file is created. The
EXP stores the actual stitches and can be stitched directly. This file too can
be opened in DecoStudio. See Opening stitch files in DecoStudio for details.
When you open Melco CND files, the Melco stitch types used in the design
are converted to DecoStudio stitch types – Satin, Run, Tatami, etc. You can
change conversion settings to adjust the spacing, stitch length, effects and
defaults applied to DecoStudio stitch types. You can also set scaling values
to open the design at a different size to the original. See also Saving designs
in Melco CND format.

Note For details of how each CND stitch type is converted, see Conversion
of Melco CND format to Wilcom EMB.

To open a Melco CND outline file


1 Open the file from your hard disk, or read it from tape or embroidery
disk.

Chapter 20 Read ing Fi les of D iffere nt Formats 388


The Open dialog opens.

Select file

Select CND
format

2 Select Melco (CND) from the Files of Type list and select the file to
open.
3 Click Options.
The Condensed File Input Values dialog opens.

Enter scale Select effects


values to apply

Adjust stitch
values

Adjust default
values
Select Auto
Color Merge
option

4 In the Scale Factor panel, enter the scale at which you want to open
the design.

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New dimensions are expressed as a ratio of the original design size. For
example, to scale to 120% of the original, enter a scale factor of 1.2 in
each field.

Scale Factor Scale Factor


X: 1.00 X: 0.50
Y: 1.00 Y: 1.00

5 In the Adjust panel, enter the spacing and length values to apply to the
design as a percentage of the original values.
You can adjust Satin spacing, Run stitch length as well as Tatami spacing
and length.
6 In the Auto Color Merge panel, choose whether you want to read
thread color information from CND files.
This ensures that stitches are displayed in the correct colors when
converted to EMB. See Color merging Melco CND files and Reassigning
colors to stitch and Melco CND files for details.
7 In the Effects panel, select the effects you want to apply to the design.
For information about these effects, see the relevant sections of the
manual:

Auto Spacing Auto Spacing automatically adjusts stitch spacing wherever


a column changes width. See Applying Satin stitch with
auto-spacing.
Short Stitches Standard stitch spacing is calculated at the outside edge of
a shape. With sharp curves, spacing which provides
adequate coverage on the outside edge may cause
bunching along the inside edge. Stitch shortening reduces
the length of some stitches in sharp turns so that the needle
penetrations are distributed evenly, creating smoother
stitching.

Chapter 20 Read ing Fi les of D iffere nt Formats 390


Fractional Spacing With Fractional Spacing, DecoStudio calculates spacing
settings from a specified point called the offset fraction.
This lies between the outside and inside edges of the
shape. You can change the offset fraction to adjust stitch
spacing at inside and outside edges.

8 In the Default Values panel, adjust the default values for Satin
Spacing, Stitch Length and Maximum Stitch Length as required.
If the CND design was created with values different to the factory
settings, you can override them in these fields.
 To save new settings as defaults, click Save.
 To revert to the Melco factory settings, click Reset.
9 Click OK.
10 Click Open.
The selected design opens in the Design window. You can scale the
design directly on screen, or via the Object Properties dialog. You can
also rotate, mirror and skew the design. See Modifying Designs for
details.

Color merging Melco CND files


The Auto Color Merge feature reads thread color information for CND files
from an associated TXT file so that stitches are displayed in the correct
colors when they are converted to EMB.

Setting up the color merge TXT file


Auto Color Merge reads and interprets a TXT file that contains color names
from a thread chart. You can create this text file manually with a text editor
such as MS Notepad. The text file must have the same file name as the CND
file – e.g. Fish.TXT and Fish.CND. Both files must also reside in the same
folder. For the Auto Color Merge function to work correctly, information in
the text file must be entered in a certain format.

Example text file: Fish


A typical text file might look like this:
Fish
Uses curve effects
File: Fish
55.9mmW X 74.5mmH
ST: 6,780
Colors: 8
1. Tropical Sunset

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2. Saffron
3. Pale powder Blue
4. Tropical Sunset
5. Pale powder Blue
Curve effect
6. Tropical White
7. Tropical Sunset
8. Pale powder Blue

Text file structure


All text files contain some or all of the following elements.

Text file element Mandatory Description Example


Design name This is the name of the design as it appears Fish
in File > Information > Design Properties >
Subject.
Comments Lines inserted here appear under File > Uses curve effects
Information > Design Properties >
Comments.
File name This is the file name of the CND design file. File: Fish
z
The file extension should not be included.
Design size Enter the expected design size for the 55.9mmW X 74.5mmH
design. The actual design size is derived
from the software.
Stitch count Enter the expected stitch count for the ST: 6,780
design. The actual stitch count is derived
from the software.
Number of colors States the total number of colors in the Colors: 8
z
design.
Thread name 1 Enter the first thread name. The name of the 1. Tropical Sunset
thread is searched against the Thread Chart.
z
The thread name is shown in the File >
Design Properties > Stop Sequence tab.
Thread name 2 z Enter the second thread name. 2. Saffron
Thread name 3 z Enter the third thread name. 3. Pale Powder Blue
Thread name 4 z Enter the fourth thread name. 4. Tropical Sunset
Thread name 5 z Add any extra threads to this list. 5. Pale Powder Blue
Thread comments Place comments below the relevant thread Curve effect
number.
Thread name 6 z 6. Tropical White
Thread name 7 z 7. Tropical Sunset
Thread name 8 z 8. Pale Powder Blue

Chapter 20 Read ing Fi les of D iffere nt Formats 392


Reading Melco CND files with Auto Color Merge
When opening a CND file which has a TXT file associated with it, you must
specify the thread chart used when the design was originally created in EDS
(or other design software). The thread colors nominated in the text file will
correspond to the selected thread chart. Alternatively, you can assign colors
manually to every Color Stop code in the file. See also Reassigning colors to
stitch and Melco CND files.

To read Melco CND files with Auto Color Merge


1 Select File > Open.
The Open dialog opens.
2 Select a CND design.
3 Click Options.
The Condensed File Input Values dialog opens.

Select thread
chart
Assign colors
manually

4 Select a color merge option from the Auto Color Merge panel.
 If you want to read thread color information for the selected CND file
from an associated TXT file, select From File and follow the steps
below.
 If you want to assign colors manually to every Color Stop code in the
file, select Custom and click Define Stop Sequence. See
Reassigning colors to stitch and Melco CND files for details.
5 If you have chosen to associate a text file with your CND file, select a
corresponding thread chart from the Auto Color Merge dropdown list.

Note Any thread color named in the text file must correspond to a color
in the selected thread chart. If not, it will default to black.

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6 Click OK.

No chart selected – default One color not correctly matched – Original colors correctly
colors assigned defaults to black assigned from text file

The design opens, the stitches appear in the correct thread colors, and
the color palette displays the selected thread chart.

Reassigning colors to stitch and Melco CND files


When you open a stitch file or CND file, a design without color code
assignment automatically uses the default color palette. You can, however,
map thread colors to every Color Stop code in the file. This means that
before opening the file you can color-code designs which do not contain
needle addressing information.

without color code with color code


assignment assignment

Note In order to assign colors correctly, you need to consult a production


worksheet for the necessary color sequence information.

To reassign colors to a stitch or Melco CND file


1 Select File > Open.
The Open dialog opens.
2 Select a stitch file or CND design and click Options.

Chapter 20 Read ing Fi les of D iffere nt Formats 394


If you’ve selected a stitch file, the Open Options dialog opens. If CND,
the Condensed File Input Values dialog opens. This procedure is the
same.

Stitch file

Select Define Stop


Sequence

CND file
Select Define Stop
Sequence

3 Select Custom and click Define Stop Sequence.


The Define Stop Sequence dialog opens. Initially the Building Stop
Sequence grid is empty.

Select thread
chart

Select color

4 Select a thread chart and first color.

Click to
assign color

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5 Click Assign Color.
The color and the description are entered at the current Stop in the
Building Stop Sequence grid.

Note The selection moves to the next color in the thread chart. Two
consecutive same colors are not allowed and Assign Color is disabled.
6 Click Assign Stop to enter an explicit Stop code.
Stop is entered in the Description field.

Click to
assign stop

Note A Stop Sequence Warning message displays if a redundant


color function is assigned. Press Delete to delete a selected entry in the
stop sequence. Click Reset to delete all the entries.
7 Use the Extra Stop codes as panel to select the output type for extra
stop codes:

Setting Purpose
Color Changes Extra Stop codes are interpreted as ‘Next Color’ commands.
The next color is selected from the default color palette.
Stops Extra Stop codes are interpreted as ‘Explicit Stop’
commands. The machine stops stitching.
Repeat Sequence If you select fewer colors than the design requires, the
selected colors are repeated. For example, if your design
requires four colors and you’ve only selected two in the
Building Stop Sequence list, colors 3 & 4 will be the same as
original colors 1 & 2.

Choose how
extra stops are
to be interpreted

Chapter 20 Read ing Fi les of D iffere nt Formats 396


8 Repeat the operation as many times as indicated in the production
worksheet.
9 Click OK.
The design will have the desired colors and the correct number of Color
Changes.

Note You can convert color changes to an explicit Stop Code. You can
also remove Color Stops by assigning the same color number to
consecutive color blocks.

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Chapter 21
Machine Formats

Different embroidery machines speak different languages. They have their


own control commands for the various machine functions. Before you can
stitch a design, it must be in a format which can be understood by the
embroidery machine. When you select a machine format, DecoStudio
translates the digitized design into machine functions that can be
understood by that machine. If required, you can customize machine
formats to meet specific machine requirements.

This section describes how to select a machine format for a design, output
it using other formats, and customize machine formats to meet your
machine’s specific requirements.

Selecting machine formats


When you create a design, you need to select a format corresponding to the
embroidery machine you intend to use. You don’t, however, need to change

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the design’s ‘native machine format’ in order to output to a different
machine. See Outputting to different machines for details. See also
Supported machine types.

Note You can change the machine format itself if machine values do not
correspond precisely to your particular machine. You can even change the
machine format for a particular design. You should, however, only modify
existing formats if you no longer require the original values. See also
Creating custom formats.

To select a machine format


1 Select Machine > Select Machine Format.
The Select Machine Format dialog opens.

Select machine Click to create


format new format

Click to adjust
format

2 From the Available Machine Formats list, select the required machine
format.
3 Adjust machine formats as required:
 To check or modify settings for the selected format, click Values.
See also Adjusting standard machine format settings.
 To create a new format based on the selected one, click Create. See
also Creating custom formats.
4 Click OK.

Note If a selected machine format does not support a particular


function in the design – either automatically or manually inserted – it is
simply ignored.

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Outputting to different machines

Use Stitch to Stitch Manager (Standard toolbar) to send a design to a


supported machine for stitching.

Use Stitch to Connection Manager (Standard toolbar) to connect to


supported machines via proprietary machine software.

Use Embroidery Disk Save As (Standard toolbar) to save a design to an


embroidery disk.

Once a design is complete, you can stitch it out to any supported


embroidery machine without changing the original design format. If a
selected machine does not support a particular function included in the
design, it is simply ignored. Some newer machines are supplied with
propriety connection software – e.g. Janome MB-4 and Barudan LEM.
DecoStudio supports connection to these machines via the Stitch to
Connection Manager option. To integrate with DecoStudio, this software
needs to be installed on the same machine. Discuss with your machine
supplier for further details.

To output to a different machines


 Click Stitch to Stitch Manager, then select a different format from the
Output as Machine Format list. See Stitching designs with Stitch
Manager for details.

Select machine
format

C h a p ter 2 1 M a c h i ne For m at s 400


 Click Stitch to Connection Manager, then select the machine type or
relevant propriety connection management software – e.g. Janome
MB-4, Barudan LEM, etc – for your particular machine. See Stitching
designs with Connection Manager for details.

Select connection
manager

 Click Embroidery Disk Save As, then select a different machine


format from the dropdown list. See Writing designs to embroidery disk
for details.

Select machine
format

Adjusting standard machine format settings


Different machines require different settings. When you select a machine
format, you only modify values relevant to that machine. Typical modifiable
values are stitch and jump length, trim functions and color change

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functions. Use the Machine Format Values dialog to define values to allow
when outputting to a specific machine format.

Note Not all values described here are available for all machine formats.
Use these instructions to enter values that apply to your selected format.
See your embroidery machine manual for details.

Setting stitch and jump length values


With some machines you can set the maximum frame movement, minimum
stitch length to recognize, and automatic jump length.

To set stitch and jump values


1 Access the Machine Format Values > Standard dialog. See Selecting
machine formats for details.

Adjust stitch and


jump settings

Note Only fields relevant to the selected machine format will appear.
2 In the Maximum Stitch field, enter the maximum stitch length to allow.
The value you enter depends on the tape code used by your machine:
 Binary coding system: 12.7 mm – e.g. Barudan machines
 Ternary coding system: 12.1 mm – e.g. Tajima machines.
3 In the Minimum Stitch field, enter the minimum stitch length to allow.
This sets the default Small Stitches value. See Removing small stitches
automatically for details.

Tip Generally the minimum stitch length is increased for dense


materials and thick threads to prevent thread breakage.
4 In the Maximum Jump field, enter the maximum jump length to allow.
This sets the default Auto Jump value.

Tip Shorter jump values generally improve stitch quality and reduce
wear on the machine but may increase stitch-out time.
5 Click Save then Close.

C h a p ter 2 1 M a c h i ne For m at s 402


Setting trim functions
With some machine formats you can specify how to format and interpret
trim commands. Some machines understand specific trim codes. Other
machines interpret multiple jumps as a trim command. Machines without an
automatic trimmer may not know how to interpret trim commands, and may
even shift the design when a trim code is encountered. For these machines
you need to deselect the Output Trims checkbox so that trim functions are
ignored when the design is stitched.

To set trim functions


1 Access the Machine Format Values > Standard dialog. See Selecting
machine formats for details.

Note Only fields relevant to the selected machine format will appear.

Select to output
trim functions
Select trim
function format

2 In the Trim panel, select the Output Trims checkbox to include trim
functions when outputting to the selected machine format.

Note If you deselect the Output Trims checkbox, the trim functions
are not removed from the design but simply ignored for the selected
machine format.
3 Specify the trim function format to use:

Trim Function Purpose


Jumps For machines that interpret multiple jumps as trims. You also
need to enter the required number of jumps.
Trim Code For machines that require specific trim codes.

4 Click Save then Close.

Setting color change functions


Machines interpret the Color Change function differently – either as a
Needle Number or Stop command.

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Needle number commands
Needle Number commands tell the machine to move to the next needle
whenever a Color Change function is encountered. Each color in the design
corresponds to a needle number in the order listed in the Colors list. See
Changing thread colors for details.

Note The machine must have the correct thread colors loaded for each
needle to stitch out correctly.
For needle addressing machines, you need to specify how many needles are
on the machine. This tells the machine how often it needs to stop for the
operator to change threads. For example, for a design with 25 colors to be
stitched out on a machine with five needles, it must stop after every five
color changes in order for the operator to change threads. Needle Number
commands are sometimes combined with Jump commands to indicate color
changes.

Stop commands
Stop commands allow the operator to manually change threads whenever a
Color Change function is encountered. They are generally used with
machines that only have one needle or do not support needle addressing.
Stop commands are sometimes combined with Jump commands to indicate
color changes.

To set color change functions


1 Access the Machine Format Values > Standard dialog. See Selecting
machine formats for details.

Note Only fields relevant to the selected machine format will appear.

Select method to interpret


color change functions
Enter number of needles

Select optional
functions as required

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2 In the Color Change panel, select a method to use to interpret color
change functions:

CC Function Converts color change functions to ...


Needle No Needle Number commands.
Stops Stop commands.
Stop & Jump Stop and Jump commands.
Needle No and Needle Number and Jump commands.
Jumps

3 For needle-addressing machines, enter the number of needles on the


machine in the No of Needles field.
4 Select the Use Group Addressing checkbox as required.
Some machines can group two heads together so you can stitch a design
using needles from both heads. For example, if a machine has two heads
and nine needles per head, the machine moves the hoop from the first
head under the second head, which allows you to stitch 18 colors
without a manual change.

Note If this is the case, enter the combined number of needles on the
machine in the No of Needles field.
5 Select the First CC required checkbox as required.
Some machines require a First CC code to initialize the machine and
bring the head back to the first color change needle position.
6 Select the Return to Start checkbox as required.
This returns the needle to the start of the design, preparing the machine
for the next run of the same design.
7 Click Save then Close.

Setting borer functions


Some embroidery machines are equipped with a borer. The borer often
replaces one of the needles. You need to specify the needle position of the
borer and its offset value. Borers are often ‘knife’ attachments where the
cutting position is offset 12 mm from the main needle. Before the machine
starts, the frame moves so that the borer is in the correct position. This
extra frame movement compensates for the borer offset. Some machines
automatically adjust for this offset when a Borer In function is encountered.
These machines should have an offset value of 0. Similarly, if you are using
a boring needle (instead of a knife), you do not need an offset value. See
your embroidery machine’s manual for details.

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To set borer functions
1 Access the Machine Format Values > Standard dialog. See Selecting
machine formats for details.

Note Only fields relevant to the selected machine format will appear.

Enter borer offset


Enter needle number of borer

2 In the Boring panel, enter the required borer offset.


 If your machine automatically inserts an offset when a Borer In
function is encountered, enter an offset of 0 mm.
 If your machine requires an offset value, enter an offset of 12.0 mm.
3 Enter the needle number to which the borer is attached.
4 Click Save then Close.

Setting end-of-design functions


Some machines require an explicit End of Design function code in order to
recognize when the end of the design has been reached. Some machines do
not understand the End of Design function code, requiring a Stop code
instead. For example, Tajima machines recognize the explicit End of
Design function code while Happy machines require a simple Stop. See also
Setting the Start of Design/End of Design sequence.

To set end-of-design functions


1 Access the Machine Format Values > Standard dialog. See Selecting
machine formats for details.

Note Only fields relevant to the selected machine format will appear.

Select relevant
option

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2 In the End of Design panel, select the appropriate option for your
machine:

Code Description
End of Design Some machines require an explicit End of Design function
code – e.g. some Tajima machines.
Stop Some machines require a Stop code instead – e.g. Happy
machines.

3 Click Save then Close.

Adjusting advanced machine format settings


The Advanced tab lets you set additional machine format options. Again,
the available settings depend on the selected machine format. You can set
the color change sequence, insert special codes for the start or end of a
design, and enter speed settings. There are also miscellaneous settings,
including whether to change the fabric tension during boring, and whether
to rewind tape when stitching is complete. Use the Machine Format
Values dialog to define values to allow when outputting to a specific
machine format.

Note Not all values described here are available for all machine formats.
Use these instructions to enter values that apply to your selected format.
See your embroidery machine manual for more information about machine
formats.

Tip Only change Advanced values if you are familiar with the codes used
by your embroidery machine.

Setting the color change sequence


Some machines cannot interpret Color Change commands unless they
form part of a ‘color change sequence’ made up of empty stitches and empty
jumps before and after each Color Change command. Check the
requirements of your machine to determine whether you need to enter color
change sequence values. In the Advanced tab, the Color Change
Sequence panel reads from top to bottom, in the order the codes appear
in the sequence. The first two fields show the number of Empty Stitches
and Empty Jumps to insert before the Color Change command. The

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other fields show the Empty Jumps and Empty Stitches to insert after
the command.

Color Change Sequence in Stitch List


matches sequence defined in Machine
Format Values Advanced tab

To set the color change sequence


1 Access the Machine Format Values > Advanced dialog. See
Selecting machine formats for details.

Note Only fields relevant to the selected machine format will appear.

Enter number of Empty


Stitches and Jumps to insert
before Color Change

Enter number of Empty


Jumps and Stitches to insert
after Color Change

2 In the Color Change Sequence panel, enter the color change


sequence:
 In the first 0:0 field, enter the number of empty stitches to insert
before the Color Change.
 In the first 0:0 Jump field, enter the number of empty jumps to
insert before the Color Change.
 In the second 0:0 Jump field, enter the number of empty jumps to
insert after the Color Change.
 In the second 0:0 field, enter the number of empty stitches to insert
after the Color Change.
3 Click Save then Close.

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Setting the Start of Design/End of Design sequence
In addition to any End of Design function, some machines require extra
more empty stitches and empty jumps in order to stitch the start and end
of a design. Other machines require a Stop function. Depending on the
machine type, you may also require commands to initialize the machine or
trigger the frame-out command after stitching.

Note Remember that these fields show the number of extra codes you
want to insert in addition to the default settings.

To set the Start of Design/End of Design sequence


1 Access the Machine Format Values > Advanced dialog. See
Selecting machine formats for details.

Note Only fields relevant to the selected machine format will appear.

Enter number of Empty


Jumps and Stitches to insert
at start of design

Enter number of Empty


Stitches and Jumps to insert
at end of design

2 In the Start of Design panel, enter the start of design sequence:


 In the 0,0 Jump field, enter the number of empty jumps to insert
at the start of the design.
 In the 0,0 field, enter the number of empty stitches to insert at the
start of the design.
3 In the End of Design panel, enter the end of design sequence:
 In the 0,0 field, enter the number of empty stitches to insert at the
end of the design.
 In the 0,0 Jump field, enter the number of empty jumps to insert
at the end of the design.
4 Select the Set Needle Number checkbox as required.

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Where available, this option initializes the machine and brings the head
back to the first color change needle position.

Select to initialize machine


and bring head back to first
needle position

5 Select the Frame Out checkbox as required.


Where available, this option triggers the frame to exit after stitching the
design.

Select to trigger frame


to exit after stitch out

6 Click Save then Close.

Setting speed options


Some machines can stitch at different speeds. Depending on your machine,
you may then be able to select different speeds to use when you start
stitching or for when the borer is engaged. You need to first assign the
speeds as Speed 1 and Speed 2 in the Machine Format Values dialog.

To set speed options


1 Access the Machine Format Values > Advanced dialog. See
Selecting machine formats for details.

Note Only fields relevant to the selected machine format will appear.

Select and adjust


speed options

2 In the Speed panel, select the Boring Auto Speed Changes checkbox
as required.
This option slows the machine automatically whenever the borer is
engaged.
3 From the Start list, select the preferred starting speed – Fast or Slow.

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4 From the Fast list, select the faster setting on your machine – Speed 1
or Speed 2. Check your machine manual for details.
5 Click Save then Close.

Setting miscellaneous advanced options


Depending on the selected machine format, you may also be able to select
whether to reduce the tension on the fabric while boring, and indicate
whether to rewind the tape when stitching is complete.

To set miscellaneous advanced options


1 Access the Machine Format Values > Advanced dialog. See
Selecting machine formats for details.

Note Only fields relevant to the selected machine format will appear.

Set miscellaneous
speed options

2 Select the Tension Control for Boring checkbox as required.


This option reduces the fabric tension when the borer is engaged.
3 Select the Stop before rewind at end checkbox as required.
This option stops the machine at the end of the design and rewinds the
tape.
4 Select the Rewind with jump at end checkbox as required.
This option inserts a jump at the end of the design and rewinds the tape.
5 Click Save then Close.

Creating custom formats


DecoStudio provides standard formats for most machines. However, if your
machine is different, you may need to customize the machine format
settings. For example, if you have different models of the same type of
embroidery machine, different functions may require different values. There
are two ways to customize machine formats:
 Create a new format, based on the original, and make it available to all
designs. See Creating custom machine formats for details.

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 Modify the format for a specific design, creating a custom format to use
only with that design. See Customizing machine formats for specific
designs for details.

Note If necessary, you can update the standard machine format itself.
However, you should only do this if the original values are no longer used.
See Adjusting standard machine format settings for details.

Creating custom machine formats


You can create a new machine format based on a standard machine format,
and make it available to all designs.

To create a custom machine format


1 Select a machine format on which to base the new format. See Selecting
machine formats for details.
2 Click Create.
The Machine Format Values > Standard dialog opens.

Enter format name

Adjust settings

3 In the Format Name field, enter a name for the new format.
The name of the format you based it on and a number appear as the
default – e.g. Melco-1.
4 In the Comment field, enter any information that will help you identify
the machine format – e.g. No Trim.
5 Adjust the machine format settings as required. See Adjusting standard
machine format settings for details.
6 Click the Advanced tab and adjust the settings as required. See
Adjusting advanced machine format settings for details.
7 Click Save then Close.
The new format appears in the Available Machine Formats list.

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Customizing machine formats for specific designs
You can create a custom machine format for use with the current design.
Use this feature if you need to modify machine format values for a design
without changing the original format. The custom format appears in the
selection list.

Note The custom format is based on the selected machine format for the
design. If you want to base it on a different machine format, select it from
the Select Machine Format dialog. See Selecting machine formats for
details.

To customize machine format for a specific design


1 Select Machine > Machine Format Values.
The Machine Format Values > Standard dialog opens.

Adjust settings

2 Adjust the machine format settings as required. See Adjusting standard


machine format settings for details.
3 Click the Advanced tab and adjust the settings as required. See
Adjusting advanced machine format settings for details.

Note You cannot change the Name or Comment fields. The custom
machine format is automatically named using the original machine
format and design name – e.g. Melco-Design1.
4 Click OK.
A new machine format is created for the design. It appears in the Select
Machine Format dialog and is saved with the design.

Removing custom machine formats


You can remove custom machine formats from your system when they are
no longer required.

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To remove custom machine formats
1 Access the Select Machine Format dialog and select a machine format
to remove. See Selecting machine formats for details.

Note You cannot remove machine formats that come with the software.
You can only remove a custom format which you created.
2 Click Remove.
A confirmation box appears.
3 Click Yes to confirm the deletion, then click OK.

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PART VII
HARDWARE & SOFTWARE
SETUP
Setting up hardware
This section describes how to set up peripheral device connection settings
as well as how to set up embroidery machines. It also describes how to
calibrate the monitor. See Setting up Hardware for details.

Changing system settings


This section describes how to change the TrueView display, grid spacing and
positioning, and design window scrolling options. It also describes how to
save designs automatically as you work. There is also information about how
to adjust the pointer position display, paste position options, and other
general options. See Changing System Settings for details.

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Chapter 22
Setting up Hardware

You will need to connect peripheral devices for use with DecoStudio. These
may include printers, appliqué cutters, scanners and embroidery machines.
Different devices are set up in different ways – some in Windows, via the
Control Panel, others within DecoStudio itself.

Multi-Port
Serial Card

UTP or STP UTP or STP


cables cables

This section describes how to configure embroidery machines for direct


connection to your PC. It also describes how to calibrate the monitor.

Note For instructions on connecting devices to your computer and setting


up in Windows, see the documentation for the device as well as your
Microsoft Windows documentation.

Serial port settings


PC serial COM ports are male connectors, and can be either 9-pin or 25-pin.
They are named COM1, COM2, COM3, etc. You must be able to identify the
ports on your computer. (If in doubt, consult a PC technician.) When you set
up a device that is connected via a serial port, you need to enter the serial

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port settings in DecoStudio as part of the setup procedure. See Setting up
embroidery machines for direct connection for details.

Tip The number of available ports limits the number of devices you can
connect. If additional ports are required, you can add them. Multi-port serial
cards can also be used. See a PC technician about your requirements.

To enter serial port settings


1 Select Special > Hardware Setup.
The Hardware Setup dialog opens.

Select device

Click to access
device settings

2 Select Direct Machine Connection from the Type list and select an
item in the Name column, then click Values.
The Direct Machine Connection dialog opens.

Click Setup
Select serial port

3 Select a serial port from the Port list in the Connected To panel.
4 Select the protocol from the Protocol list for the connection between
the computer and embroidery machine.
See the documentation supplied with the embroidery machine to
determine the appropriate connection.
5 Click Setup.

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The Serial Port Setup dialog opens.

Enter port settings for


embroidery machine or
selected device

6 Enter the Baud rate, Data Bits, Stop Bits and Parity and
Handshaking settings for the device.

Note The port settings must match those of the embroidery machine
or selected device. The type of handshaking must match the type of
cable you are using. Check the communications setup section of the
documentation that came with the device.
7 Click OK to return to the Direct Machine Connection dialog.
8 Click OK and click Close in the Hardware Setup dialog.

Setting up embroidery machines


Before you can send designs for stitching via DecoStudio direct connection,
you must first configure the machine in the software. You can add machines,
change settings for machines already set up, or delete machines that are no
longer used. DecoStudio provides alternative means for sending designs
directly to machine. Depending on your machine type, you can stitch to
machine using the built-in Stitch Manager. See also Stitching designs with
Stitch Manager.

Note Some newer machines are supplied with propriety connection


management software – e.g. Janome MB-4 and Barudan LEM. DecoStudio
supports connection to these machines via the Stitch to Connection
Manager option. These machines do not need to be configured in
DecoStudio. See also Stitching designs with Connection Manager.

Setting up embroidery machines for direct connection


To set up a machine you need to define a name, the port it is attached to,
and the protocol it uses. You can select whether to download directly to the
selected machine or to receive a confirmation message each time. For every

Chapter 22 S etting u p Hardware 418


machine, you need to select the machine formats it supports. You can select
from among standard formats, or create new formats if necessary. See
Creating custom formats for details.

To set up embroidery machines for direct connection


1 Ensure that the target machine is correctly connected to your PC – see
your machine documentation for details.
2 Run DecoStudio.
The identical port settings must now also be entered in DecoStudio
Hardware Setup.
3 Select Special > Hardware Setup.
The Hardware Setup dialog opens.

Select Direct Click to add


Machine machine
Connection

Select machine Click to access


connection to machine settings
delete

4 From the Type list, select Direct Machine Connection.


 To add a new machine, click New.
 To change the settings of an existing machine, select it, then click
Values.
The Embroidery Machine Connection dialog opens.

Enter machine
name

Select COM Click to


port and access serial
protocol port settings

5 If creating a new connection, enter a name for the machine in the Name
field.
6 In the Comment field, enter a comment if desired.

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7 From the Port list, select the COM port to which the machine is
connected.

Tip See Connecting Melco Embroidery Machines to Wilcom


DecoStudio Embroidery software for more information. This
document is available on the Wilcom website
http://www.wilcom.com.au.
8 From the Protocol list, select the protocol for the connection between
the computer and embroidery machine.
See the documentation supplied with the embroidery machine to
determine the appropriate connection.
9 Click Setup to access the serial port settings.
These settings must be the same as those set on the embroidery
machine, or DecoStudio will not be able to communicate with it. See
Serial port settings for details.
10 Select Auto Download to directly download designs to the assigned
machine. Deselect it to confirm before sending.
11 In the Machine Type panel, select the compatible machine formats.
To do this, select compatible machine types in the Available list, and
click > to move them to the For this machine list.

Select Machine types


machine type supported by your
machine

Click arrow buttons to swap


machine types between fields

Note Machine format values can be added or changed if required. See


Creating custom formats for details.
12 Click OK to return to the Hardware Setup dialog.
13 Click Close.

Deleting embroidery machines from Stitch Manager


Delete embroidery machines from your system setup if they are no longer
required.

To delete embroidery machines from Stitch Manager


1 Select Special > Hardware Setup.

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The Hardware Setup dialog opens.

Select Direct
Machine
Connection Click Delete to
remove the
Select machine machine
connection to
delete

2 From the Type list, select Direct Machine Connection.


3 Select a machine connection and click Delete.
4 Click OK.

Calibrating the monitor


You need to calibrate your monitor so that designs at 1:1 scale appear at
real size. Do this when you first install DecoStudio or whenever you change
your monitor.

To calibrate the monitor


1 Select Special > Hardware Setup.
The Hardware Setup dialog opens.

Select Display
Monitor

Click to access
screen calibration
settings

2 From the Type list, select Display Monitor.


3 Click Values.

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The Screen Calibration dialog opens.

Measure
height

Measure width

4 Measure the height and width of the dialog box.


5 Enter the measurement in the Width and Height fields.
6 Click OK to return to the Hardware Setup dialog.
7 Click Close.

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Chapter 23
Changing System Settings

DecoStudio lets you adjust various system settings controlling the


appearance of designs on screen, display of design information, the
behavior of the design window, and other settings.
This section describes how to change the TrueView display, grid spacing and
positioning, and design window scrolling options. It also describes how to
save designs automatically as you work. There is also information about how
to adjust the pointer position display, paste position options, and other
general options.

Adjusting design viewing settings


DecoStudio lets you preset options to show or hide design elements such
as stitches, outlines, and background fabric. You can also change TrueView
settings for different effects. See also Viewing outlines and TrueView stitches.

Setting design element view options


DecoStudio lets you preset options to show or hide design elements such
as stitches, outlines, and background fabric. You can also toggle TrueView
on/off from the Options dialog.

To set design element view options


1 Select View > Design Options.

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The Options > View Design dialog opens.

Select design
elements to display

2 Select the options to display:

Option Function
TrueView Shows what the embroidery will look like. See Setting TrueView
options for details.
Stitches All stitches in the design are visible.
Outlines All outlines in the design are visible. See also Viewing outlines
and TrueView stitches.
Fabric Show fabric background display in the design window. See also
Changing background colors.

Setting TrueView options

Right-click to set TrueView (Standard toolbar) options.

Change TrueView settings for different effects. You can:


 Change the thickness of the pictured thread
 Change the direction of the light source
 Set the maximum number of colors to use.

To set TrueView options


1 Right-click TrueView.

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The Options > View Design dialog opens.

Select Click to access


TrueView TrueView 0ptions

2 Select the TrueView checkbox and click TrueView Options.


The TrueView Options dialog opens.

Select thread thickness

Select light source

Select maximum number of colors

3 Select a thread thickness from the Thread Thickness list.


If you display a design at a zoom factor larger than actual size, select
thick thread for good coverage. This only affects the TrueView display,
not the actual thread thickness values. See also Modifying threads in
charts.
4 Select the lighting direction from the Light Source list.

TrueView – thick thread, light above TrueView – thin thread, corner light

5 Enter the maximum number of colors to display in TrueView from the


Max Number of Colors list.
6 Click OK.

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Setting display colors
Depending on the color of your background, you can change display colors
for unsewn stitches, selected objects, object outlines, and grid and guides.

To set the display colors


1 Open the design.
2 Select View > Display Options.
The Display dialog opens.

Select display
items

Edit color

3 Select an item from the Selection list – Unsewn (stitches), Selected


(objects), Object Outline, Grid and Guide.
4 Click Edit to mix your own color. See Mixing your own thread colors for
details.
5 Click OK.
The display color is changed.

Black outline

Red outline

Setting grid options


You can change grid spacing, select a reference point and turn Snap to Grid
on or off in the Options dialog.

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Setting grid reference point and spacing

Right-click Show Grid (Standard toolbar) to set grid reference point and
spacing.

You can align the grid with to a reference point in the design – for example,
when you want a grid line to intersect the center of the design, or to sit
under a particular object. You can also adjust grid spacing. See also Setting
display colors.

To set grid reference point and spacing


1 Right-click Grid.
The Options > Grid and Guides dialog opens.

Select to display grid


Select to align grid to point

Enter spacing
Click to save for current template

2 Select the Show Grid checkbox to display the grid.


3 Select the Set Reference Point checkbox to align a significant point of
the design with a grid line or grid point.
For example, you can set the grid reference point to the design center.
This is easier and faster than moving the whole design.
4 Enter Grid Spacing values for horizontal and vertical grid lines.

Tip To use these settings as defaults for the current template, click
Save.
5 Click OK.
If you selected Set Reference Point, mark the reference point on your
design. The grid aligns so that horizontal and vertical grid lines intersect
at this point.

Setting Snap to Grid/Guides

Right-click Show Grid (Standard toolbar) to set the Snap to Grid and Snap to
Guides options.

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Right-click Show Rulers and Guides (Standard toolbar) to set the Snap to
Grid and Snap to Guides options.

Use the improved Snap to Grid and/or Snap to Guides feature to align
objects in your design with the nearest grid or guide lines. Reference points,
control points or leading edges of objects snap to grid and/or guides during
digitizing, sizing, reshaping, or positioning operations. When any of these
operations is taking place, grid or guide lines change color temporarily to
indicate that ‘snap to’ is active.

Snap to Grid Snap to Grid


in X only in X and Y

Note Each design has its own set of guides and its own zero point for the
rulers. When a design is saved, the ruler zero point and positions of the
guides, if any, are saved with it.

To set Snap to Grid/Guides


1 Right-click Grid or Rulers and Guides.
The Options > Grid and Guides dialog opens.

Select
Show Grid

Select Snap
to Grid

Select Show
Select Snap Rulers and
to Guides Guides

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2 Select the Show Grid checkbox if not already activated.
3 Select the Snap to Grid checkbox as required.
4 Select a snapping method in the Method list.

Element Description
In X and Y Snaps objects to the nearest horizontal and vertical grid line
intersection.
In X Snaps objects to the nearest horizontal grid line.
In Y Snaps objects to the nearest vertical grid line.

5 Select the Show Rulers and Guides checkbox if not already activated.
6 Select the Snap to Guides checkbox as required.
7 Click OK.

Tip To temporarily disable Snap to Grid/Guides as you digitize, hold


down Alt.

Setting auto scroll options


Use Auto Scroll to scroll the design automatically while you are digitizing.
This can be more convenient than using panning or the scroll bars.

To set auto scroll options


1 Select View > Design Options.
The Options > View Design dialog opens.
2 Select the Auto Scroll tab.

Select Auto Scroll and Move


Pointer After Scroll

Adjust auto-scroll speed


and pointer position

3 Select the Auto Scroll checkbox to apply Auto Scroll.


4 Select the Move Pointer After Scroll checkbox to move the position of
the pointer after each scroll.
5 Adjust the Autoscroll Response field as required.

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Enter smaller values to increase scrolling speed.
6 Select the pointer position after scrolling from the Move Input Point
To list:

Position Description
Center Center of the window. Use this setting for large movements.
Midway Halfway between the original pointer position and the center of
the window. Use this setting for smaller movements – e.g. when
zooming into a small area of the design.
Corner The edge of the screen. Use this setting for slow scrolling.

7 Click OK.
The effect of this setting only becomes apparent when you start to
digitize. The design window automatically scrolls to follow the current
cursor position.

Tip Hold down the Shift key to temporarily deactivate Auto Scroll.

Setting reshape options

Right-click Reshape Object (Toolbox) to set reshaping options.

Stitch generation during reshaping operations can slow down your system,
depending on your computer specification. The Reshape options let you
choose whether stitches are generated immediately or only after Enter is
pressed.

To set reshape options


1 Right-click Reshape Object.
The Options > Reshape dialog opens.

Select object types for


immediate stitch
generation

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2 Select a reshaping option for generating stitches immediately:

Position Description
For Lettering Generates stitches for lettering objects immediately after
reshaping.
For Other Objects Generates stitches for other objects immediately after
reshaping.

3 Click OK.
If left unchecked, any reshaping changes made are not updated until
Enter is pressed.

Setting automatic save and backup options


Save your work automatically at regular intervals using Auto Save. This
protects you from losing work in the event of hardware or software failure.
Auto Save creates a temporary file with the extension EMA in the RECOVER
folder. This is automatically restored when DecoStudio is loaded after a
computer crash. It contains the last changes made to any design open at
the time. With the Always Create Backup Copy option selected, a backup
copy of the current design file is also automatically created in its previously
saved form. This protects you from overwriting the design with unintended
changes – e.g. using the Save option instead of Save As to save a modified
design while preserving the original.

To set automatic save and backup options


1 Select View > Design Options.
The Options > View Design dialog opens.
2 Select the General tab.

Select to auto-save designs

Select to auto-backup designs

3 Select the Auto Save Design Every checkbox if not already activated.
4 Enter the auto-save frequency in the Minutes field.

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Tip Current designs are saved to the RECOVER folder with the extension
EMA. You can access these files manually by browsing to the folder
C:\Program Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio\RECOVER and renaming
files from EMA to EMB.
5 To create a backup every time you save a design, select the Always
Create Backup Copy checkbox.
The design will be saved in the BACKUP folder of your Wilcom
DecoStudio© e1 installation. It has the same name as the original file
with the extension BAK. Access backup files manually by browsing to the
C:\Program Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio\BACKUP folder and
renaming the file from a BAK to EMB.

Warning Backup files remain in the BACKUP folder until you delete
them. To prevent the folder from using too much hard disk space, delete
unwanted files regularly.
6 Click OK.

Tip Backup files should be kept in a separate physical location,


preferably off-site.

Setting pointer position display


When you move the mouse or digitizer puck, the pointer position is
displayed in the Status bar at the bottom of the screen. You can optionally
display the pointer position relative to the last digitized point or stitch point,
or as an absolute value from the first needle point of the design.

Interpreting pointer position values


The X and Y values show the horizontal and vertical distance of the pointer
from the relative or absolute point. The L value is the length of the line

Chapter 23 Changing System S e tti ngs 432


connecting two points, while A is the angle of that line, relative to the
horizontal.

Length = 33.47 mm 2 Length = 33.47 mm 1

Y = 17.38 mm Y = -17.38 mm

X = 28.61 mm X = - 28.61 mm
1 2

X: horizontal Y: vertical L: length A: angle

Status bar

A negative X value indicates that the second point was placed to the left of
the first point, while a negative Y value displays when the second point is
below the first. Negative angles indicate angles of more than 180º – e.g. an
angle of -60º is equal to 300º.

90º
2 135º 45º

180º 0º

A = 30º
1 -135º -45º
-90º

Tip You can measure onscreen distances using the values in the Status bar.
See Measuring distances on screen for details.

Setting pointer position display options


You can optionally display the pointer position relative to the last digitized
point or stitch point, or as an absolute value from the first needle point of
the design.

To set pointer position display options


1 Select View > Design Options.
The Options > View Design dialog opens.

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2 Select the General tab.

Select relative or
absolute pointer
position

3 Select a Relative or Absolute setting for the pointer:

Pointer Position Description


Relative Shows pointer position relative to the last digitized point or
stitch point. Useful while digitizing or editing stitches.
Absolute Shows pointer position as an absolute value from the first
needle point of the design. Useful for checking that the
design fits a given area.

4 Click OK.

Tip You can change the appearance of the pointer, so it displays as a


cross-hair. See Setting other general options for details.

Setting inserted embroidery file options


Whenever you copy and paste or insert an embroidery design or element
from one file to another, the respective color palettes are merged. You have
the option of adding the source palette to the target palette or of matching
the source palette to the nearest colors in the target palette.

To set inserted embroidery file options


1 Select View > Design Options.
The Options > View Design dialog opens.
2 Select the General tab.

Select inserted
embroidery file option

Chapter 23 Changing System S e tti ngs 434


3 Select an inserted embroidery file option:

Option Description
Add to Palette Unique colors in the design are added to the current color
palette.
Match to Palette When you insert a design, colors are matched to the current
color palette. The system finds the nearest match based first
on RGB values, and then on Brand and Code.

Colors added Colors matched


to palette to palette

4 Click OK.

Setting paste position options


You can control where an object is positioned when pasted into a design. If
you are pasting within the same design, the default is the same position
from which the object was copied or cut. Other paste position options are
available.

Note Paste options control the physical position of the object in the design,
not its position in the stitching sequence.

To set paste position options


1 Select View > Design Options.
The Options > View Design dialog opens.
2 Select the General tab.

Select paste position


setting

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3 Select a Paste position setting:

Option Description
Object Property Position Objects are pasted according to the coordinates in
the Object Properties dialog.
Shift Pasted Objects Objects are pasted slightly offset from their original
position.
Center at Current Stitch Objects are centered at the current needle position
marker.
Start at Current Stitch Objects are positioned after the current needle
position marker.

4 Click OK.

‘Shift Pasted Objects” - pasted


object offset from original

Setting other general options


Use the View > Design Options > General dialog to:
 Set stitch counts to display as cumulative totals
 Turn the small stitch filter on and off
 Change cursor type
 Check design integrity
 Display design source when opening designs that may not scale well
 Display measure tooltip when using the Measure command.

To set other general options


1 Select View > Design Options.
The Options > View Design dialog opens.

Chapter 23 Changing System S e tti ngs 436


2 Select the General tab.

Select other
general options

3 Select one or more of these options:

Option Description
Cumulative Displays stitch count as a cumulative total in the Stop
Stitch Count Sequence tab of the Information dialog. See also Viewing
design information in DecoStudio.
Run Small Stitch Automatically removes small stitches when the file is output to
Filter on Output disk or machine.
Cross Hair Changes the default cursor pointer to cross-hairs for more
Cursor precise positioning. It is best used together with the grid.
Always Check Checks design integrity when opening a design and during
Design Integrity digitizing.
Show Welcome A Startup screen displays each time DecoStudio is launched
Screen or when File > New is selected unless this option is turned off.
See Starting DecoStudio for details.
Show Measure Shows length and angle in a tooltip when measuring distances
Tooltip on screen. See Measuring distances on screen for details.
Show Design Issues a warning dialog when opening designs that may not
Source scale well – i.e. where the design is a converted stitch or
non-EMB outline format.

Tip Use the tooltip with the crosshair cursor on for a more accurate
measurement.
4 Click OK.

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PART VIII
QUICK REFERENCE

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Quick Reference
Note For a detailed description of the
DecoStudio has a clean, uncomplicated user CorelDRAW® interface, refer to the electronic
interface, guiding and prompting wherever User Guide available via the Windows Start >
possible via an intuitive graphical and Programs group. Alternatively, use the
wizard-based layout. Open the application using onscreen help available from the Graphics
the desktop icon or the Windows Start menu. mode Help menu.
DecoStudio offers two fundamental design
modes:
Embroidery mode
 Graphics: This mode allows you to create
DecoStudio Embroidery mode offers digitizing
and edit vector objects using the
methods or ‘tools’ specifically suited to the
CorelDRAW® toolset.
creation of embroidery shapes or objects.
 Embroidery: This mode allows you to Digitizing methods divide broadly into two
create and edit embroidery objects using an categories – outline and fill.
embroidery digitizing toolset.

Menu bar
Universal toolbar
Standard toolbar
Arrange toolbar
Transform toolbar
Stitch Types toolbar

Docker window

Toolbox
Tab buttons

Design window

Color Palette

Status bar/Prompt line

DecoStudio menu bar


Note Standard MS Windows® Alt key shortcuts
The DecoStudio design window menu bar
apply. Use the Alt key with the letter underlined
contains the pulldown menus described below.
Some are also available as toolbar buttons.

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in the menu. To cancel an operation, press Esc Delete Delete selected objects.
twice. Resequence > Resequence selected objects in
By Selects order selected.
File menu Resequence > Resequence all objects in design by
By Color color to reduce number of required
New Open new empty design. color changes.
Open Open existing design. Select All Select all objects in design.
Close Close current design window. Deselect All Deselect all objects in design.
Save Save current design. Select By > Select all embroidery objects of same
Save As Save current design with a different Color color.
name, location or format. Select By > Select all embroidery objects of same
Design Show information about a design Stitch Type stitch type.
Properties such as size or number of stitches, Transform Transform selected objects using
and add comments about design for combination of reference points and
printing on worksheet. numeric values.
Print Preview Show design worksheet. Print Transform Rotate selected objects with aid of
worksheet from this window. Special reference points alone.
Print Print design. Change Change project type – settings affect
Cut Appliqué Send appliqué shapes from design Project Type all object types other than motif fills,
file to laser cutter. appliqué, and run stitches. Properties
Capture Save design image as bitmap. different to defaults are adjusted
Design Bitmap Resulting image is exactly as it ‘intelligently’.
appears on screen.
Send Send design as email attachment. View menu
Stitch to Stitch Send design to machine for stitching. Measure Measure distance between two
Manager points on screen.
Stitch to Connect to supported machines via Show All > Display whole design in design
Connection proprietary machine software. Design window.
Manager
Show All > Display only selected embroidery
Embroidery Open from, save to, or format Selected objects in design window.
Disk proprietary embroidery disk. Objects
Recent File List Most recently used files listed – Previous View Return to previous view.
select to open file.
Pan Move ‘pan box’ over part of design
Exit Close all open designs and exit you want to view, and left-click.
program.
Center Current Center design in design window
Stitch around current stitch.
Edit menu
Redraw Redraw screen to refresh display.
Undo Undo preceding action. Slow Redraw View stitching and color sequence of
Redo Redo proceeding action. design in slow motion.
Cut Remove selected objects to Zoom Box Drag selection marquee around an
clipboard. area to zoom in.
Copy Copy selected objects to clipboard. Zoom 1:1 Display design at actual size.
Paste Paste copied objects to design. Zoom Factor Enter precise viewing scale in Zoom
Factor dialog.
Duplicate Duplicate selected objects within a
design (rather than copy to Zoom In Display design at twice current size.
clipboard).

440
Zoom Out Display design at half current size. Special menu
Grid and Turn on or off grid and guidelines for
Hardware Use to configure any device
Guides accurate sizing and alignment of
Setup connected to PC via a serial port.
objects.
View By Color View embroidery objects by color –
Arrange menu
e.g. when resequencing objects.
Color-Object Toggle Color-Object List on/off – use This menu provides access to the same tools
List to select and view objects in a available on the Arrange toolbar. See Arrange
design. toolbar for details.
Object Toggle Object Properties docker
Properties on/off – use to adjust properties of Machine menu
selected objects.
Color Palette Display Color Palette Editor – use to Select Machine Select machine format
Editor assign thread colors to slots in color Format corresponding to embroidery
palette. machine you intend to use.
Multi- Use Multi-Colorway Box to change Machine Define values to allow when
Colorway Box design color schemes. Format Values outputting to a specific machine
Toolbars Show or hide toolbars at your format.
convenience to optimize working
area. Help menu
Design Options Access Options dialog to hide or DecoStudio provides various ways to access
show embroidery objects in design information about the software and how to use
window. it via the Help menu. See Viewing onscreen
Display Adjust display colors of unsewn help for details.
Options stitches, selected objects, object
outlines, and grids and guides.
DecoStudio toolbars
Insert menu
The design window contains the toolbars
Embroidery Activate embroidery input method. described below. Some are shortcuts to the
Object See Embroidery digitizing methods pulldown menu commands.
for details.
Embroidery Insert design from proprietary Universal toolbar
File embroidery disk.
This toolbar contains the universal tools and
Stitch menu icons which are visible in both Embroidery and
Graphics modes. It also contains tools which
Stitch Type Apply stitch type to selected object. are only available in a particular mode but in
See Stitch Types toolbar for details. some way influence how objects behave in the
Object Display Object Properties docker – alternate mode.
Properties use to adjust properties of selected
objects.
Switch to Graphics mode.
Auto Start and Access Auto Start and End function
End and change current settings.
Switch to Embroidery mode.
Small Stitches Use to automatically remove
unwanted small stitches. Convert between vector and
embroidery objects.

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Tag vector lettering for conversion to Remove selected objects to
Cut
Satin embroidery lettering with turning clipboard.
stitching. Copy selected objects to
Copy
Tag vector lettering for conversion to clipboard.
Tatami embroidery lettering with Paste copied objects into
parallel stitching. Paste
design.
Tag vector lettering for conversion to
native Wilcom embroidery lettering. Undo Undo an action.
Retain the original vector objects
during conversion. Redo Redo an action.

Change between normal view


TrueView
and TrueView.

Access online support. Show Outlines Show or hide object outlines.

Show or hide grid. Right-click to


Show Grid
adjust settings.
Show and hide vector objects in Show Rulers Show or hide rulers and guides.
Embroidery mode. and Guides Right-click to adjust settings.
Show and hide embroidery objects in Display whole design in design
Show All
Graphics mode. window.
Toggle Auto Start and End
Standard toolbar Auto Start and function on/off according to
End current settings. Right-click to
The Standard toolbar contains commonly used change settings.
tools and commands which are specific to and Toggle display of Color-Object
Color-Object
only visible in Embroidery mode. List
List on/off – use to select and
view objects in design.
New Open new empty design. Toggle display of Object
Object Properties docker on/off – use
Properties to adjust properties of selected
Open Open existing design. objects.

Save Save current design. Zoom 1:1 Display design at actual size.

Embroidery Open design from embroidery Invoke zoom mode – zoom


Zoom
Disk Open disk. in/out via left/right mouse clicks.
Embroidery Select a Zoom Factor from the
Save design to embroidery disk. dropdown list to display design
Disk Save As
Print design using current print at particular scale.
Print
settings.
Show design worksheet – print
Print Preview
worksheet from this window.
Stitch to Stitch Send design to machine for
Manager stitching.
Stitch to Connect to supported machines
Connection via proprietary machine
Manager software.

442
Arrange toolbar Transform toolbar
The Arrange toolbar contains tools for moving, The Transform toolbar contains tools for
aligning and distributing objects, including mirroring, rotating and skewing objects.
grouping and locking tools.
Mirror Flip selected objects in horizontal
Horizontally plane.
Group Group selected objects.
Mirror Flip selected objects in vertical
Vertically plane.
Ungroup Ungroup selected objects.
Rotate 45
Rotate selected objects by 45° in
Degrees
Lock Lock selected objects. counter-clockwise direction.
CCW
Unlock all locked objects in Rotate 45 Rotate selected objects by 45° in
Unlock All Degrees CW clockwise direction.
design.
Rotate selected objects by exact
Align Left Left-align selected objects. amount (in degrees).
Align Skew selected objects by exact
Align selected objects through amount (in degrees).
Horizontal
horizontal centers.
Centers
Stitch Types toolbar
Align Right Right-align selected objects.
The Stitch Types toolbar contains a variety of
Align Top Top-align selected objects. tools which determine the stitch types which can
be applied to embroidery objects, including
Align Vertical Align selected objects through automatic underlay.
Centers vertical centers.
Apply to narrow columns and
Align Bottom Bottom-align selected objects. Satin shapes. Right-click to change
settings.
Space
Distribute selected objects evenly Apply to large, irregular shapes.
Evenly Tatami
across design window. Right-click to change settings.
Across
Space Distribute selected objects evenly Apply to long, narrow columns of
Evenly Down down design window. slanted, side-by-side stitches in a
Zigzag
zigzag pattern. Right-click to
Make Same Scale object or design to same
change settings.
Width width as reference object.
Use for a ‘comb’ effect with long,
Make Same Scale object or design to same
E Stitch narrow columns. Right-click to
Height height as reference object.
change settings.
Make Same
Scale object or design to same Apply to large, irregular shapes.
Width and Motif Fill
size as reference object. Right-click to change settings.
Height
Apply automatic underlay to
Break apart multiple appliqué Auto
Combine selected objects. Right-click to
objects into component objects Underlay
Appliqué change settings.
and combine and resequence
Components Use to automatically compensate
them for efficient stitchout.
Pull Comp. for fabric stretch. Right-click to
change settings.

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Toolbox Color Palette toolbar
The Toolbox contains the creation/editing tools The Color Palette contains the embroidery
specific to and visible in Embroidery mode. color palette which is specific to and only visible
in Embroidery mode.
Select Select embroidery objects to
Object transform or modify settings. Add new color slot to palette –
Add Color To
Reshape selected objects, edit edit by means of Color Palette
Reshape Palette
stitch angles, and adjust Editor.
Object
entry/exit points. Remove Color Remove unused last color slot
Digitize filled shapes with turning From Palette from palette.
Fusion Fill stitch angles. Right-click to Compact Remove all unused colors from
change settings. Palette palette.
Digitize columns or borders of Split Palette Create new color slot with same
Input C fixed width. Right-click to change Color thread spec as selected slot.
settings.
Color Palette Assign thread colors to slots in
Place row of single run stitches Editor color palette.
Run along digitized line. Right-click to
change settings. Use Current Colorway
dropdown to display different
Lettering Add lettering directly on screen. color scheme for design.
Auto Open or close modeless
Digitize appliqué objects. Multi Colorway
Appliqué Multi-Colorway Box dialog to
Box
Create personalized monograms add or edit colorways.
using a selection of pre-defined Change
Monogram.
monogramming styles, border Background Change background color.
shapes and ornaments. Color
Start/End Click to travel to start of design.
Design Right-click to go to end of design.
Travel by Click to travel to previous object.
Object Right-click to go to next object.
Travel by Click to travel to previous color.
Color Right-click to go to next color.
Click to travel backwards 1000
Travel 1000
stitches. Right-click to travel
Stitches
forwards 1000 stitches.
Click to travel backwards 100
Travel 100
stitches. Right-click to travel
Stitches
forwards 100 stitches.
Click to travel backwards 10
Travel 10
stitches. Right-click to travel
Stitches
forwards 10 stitches.
Click to travel backwards 1 stitch.
Travel 1
Right-click to travel forwards 1
Stitch
stitch.
View stitching and color
Slow Redraw sequence of design in slow
motion.

444
Keyboard Shortcuts Selecting objects (cont)
To .. Press
You select commands in Wilcom activate Select Object tool o
DecoStudio© e1 in the same way as other deactivate Select Object tool E
MS Windows® applications – from menus or select multiple objects C+[
toolbars. Keyboard shortcuts are also available select range of objects V+[
for the most frequently used commands. select next object T
select previous object V+T
General functions
select object beneath 2+[
To .. Press add next object to selection C+T
start new design C+N or add previous object to selection C+V+T
A+F+N
open design C+O or A+F+O
Viewing designs
close design A+F+C
save design C+S or A+f+S To .. Press or
save as A+f+A toggle TrueView on/off T
print design C+P or A+f+p show/hide outlines L
show/hide Grid V+G show whole design (after show E, V+s
show/hide Rulers and Guides C+R selected objects only)
show/hide Color-Object List V+L or A+V+J fit design to window 0 (zero) 2
open Object Properties > A fit selected objects to window V+0 (zero)
Special > Lettering docker hide others V+s
measure distance on screen M or zoom in 2X Z 9
A+V+m zoom out 2X V+Z 0
undo command C+Z zoom to 1:1 scale (100%) 1
redo command C+Y specify zoom factor F 3
cancel command E zoom box B 8
open online help 1 activate panning P 7
exit application A+4 or A+F+x deactivate Auto Scroll V (hold down)
center current stitch in design C 6
Digitizing functions window
To .. Press return to previous view V 5
redraw screen r 4
finish digitizing Fusion Fill boundary R
delete last input point B Viewing stitching sequence
apply Satin stitch V+I
To travel .. Press or †
apply Tatami stitch V+M
apply Run stitch V+N to start of design h 7
switch between fill and run stitch s to end of design e 1
toggle Auto Underlay on/off u to next color d 3
deactivate Snap to Grid/Guides A (hold down) to previous color u 9
to next object C+T
Selecting objects to previous object V+T
To .. Press 100 stitches forward ^ +
100 stitches backward ^ -
select all objects C+A
deselect all objects E or X ^ No object selected † Keypad, Num Lock off * Turn TrueView off

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Viewing stitching sequence
To travel .. Press or †
10 stitches forward ^ b 2
10 stitches backward ^ t 8
1 stitch forward ^ r 6
1 stitch backward ^ l 4
activate Slow Redraw * V+R
^ No object selected † Keypad, Num Lock off * Turn TrueView off

Cutting and pasting objects


To .. Press or click
cut object C+x
copy object C+c
paste object C+v
duplicate object C+d
clone object * ]+:
delete selected object D
* Drag object

Manipulating objects & stitches


To .. Press or click
group selected objects C+G
ungroup selected objects C+U
lock selected object K
unlock all locked objects V+K
nudge selected object tblr
move selected object horizontally or * C+:
vertically
maintain proportions while resizing † V+:
change reshape node type ^ [+M
activate Reshape Object tool H
toggle Show Reshape Nodes tool ‡ A+N
on/off
toggle Show Handles tool on/off ‡ A+T
toggle Show Stitch Angles tool on/off ‡ A+a
* Drag object † Drag handle ^ Select control point ‡ with
Reshape Object tool selected

446
PART IX
APPENDICES

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Appendix A
Supported Machine, File and Disk
Types

This section provides details of the file and disk types supported by Wilcom
DecoStudio© e1. Details are also provided about the conversion of Melco
CND, Wilcom INP, and Gunold PCH design formats to and from EMB. The
section also provides details of supported paper tape formats, as well as
vector and bitmap (raster) formats.

Supported machine types


The table shows the machine types currently supported by Wilcom
DecoStudio© e1. Make sure you first check the recommended connection
settings for your particular machine. If you don’t have a record of the
connection settings required to set up your embroidery machine, a list can
be found at the Wilcom Support Center. This provides connection
information for all the machines listed in this table.

Machine Format Description


Tajima This format is used for main types of Tajima machines.
Tajima TMCE-100 This format is used for Chenille-enabled Tajima machines.
Tajima TMCE-600 This format is used for Chenille-enabled Tajima machines.
Barudan This format is used for many Barudan machines. It supports up
to 9 needles. The Barudan format is suitable for paper tape,
FMC disks, and the DSB file format.
Barudan FDR-II This format is currently used for BED* series lockstitch
Lockstitch machines and is the standard for all new Barudan lockstitch
machine models. It supports up to 15 needles and optional
sequin attachments.
Barudan FDR-II This format is used for newer models of Barudan Chenille
Chenille machines supporting 6 chenille colors such as the BEDYH and
Combination BEDSH. Using this format, you can digitize pure Chenille or
even a combination of Chenille and Lockstitch in the one
design.

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Machine Format Description
Barudan Chenille This format is used only for the older BELM - A3C series of
Barudan Chenille Machines with 5 Chenille colors. Newer
models use Barudan FDR-II Chenille Combination.
Barudan Z Series This format is used for Barudan Z series machines with 10 or
more needles.
SWF This format is used for main types of SWF machines.
Melco This format is used for main types of Melco machines.
Melco Chenille This format is used for Melco-enabled Chenille machines.
Pfaff This format is used for main types of Pfaff machines.
Toyota This format is used for main types of Toyota machines.
Zangs This is the format for Zangs and Marco brand machines and
pre-1988 ZSK machines without trimmers.
ZSK 1 This format is for ZSK machines that have 7 or fewer
needles—generally those older than 1991.
ZSK 2 This format is for ZSK machines that have more than 7 needles
and those characterized by a single top thread trimmer.
ZSK TC This format is for ZSK machines that accepts Transport Code
Disks (DOS format disks).
Inbro This format is used for main types of Inbro machines.
Schiffli This format is used for Schiffli machines.

Note If not already a member of the WSC, you will need to register as a
licensed user of Wilcom software. See www.wilcom.com.au/support for
details.

Supported image formats


Artwork can be imported into DecoStudio in both vector and bitmap (raster)
formats. For a full description of supported image file formats, refer to the
CorelDRAW® electronic User Guide available via the Windows Start >
Programs group. Alternatively, use the onscreen help available from the
Help menu. See also Creating Embroidery from Artwork.

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Supported embroidery file formats
There are two types of embroidery file format:

File format Description


Outline Outline or ‘condensed’ files usually contain digitized shapes and
lines, selected stitch types and stitch values and effects.
Stitch Stitch or ‘expanded’ files generally contain stitches and machine
functions and are only suited to specific embroidery machines.

Wilcom file formats


Wilcom DecoStudio© e1 uses its own native EMB embroidery file format
which combines the advantages of outline files and stitch files. Outlines,
stitches, thread colors, and other data are stored together. Outlines mean
the file can be scaled and manipulated on an object basis while the stitch
data preserves manual stitch-by-stitch edits and touchups. Features of most
third-party products are supported. Variants and precursors of the EMB file
format are also shown in the table below.

Extension Format Read Write


AMT artista template z
AMT42 Explorations template z
ART V4.0 artista design file z
ART42 Explorations project file z
EMB Wilcom ES design file (up to e1) z z
EMC Clipart Files z z
EMT Wilcom ES templates z z
ESD † Wilcom DOS format z
INP ‡ Wilcom condensed format z

Note † ESD is the native file format of DOS ES, the precursor to the current
DecoStudio. It is actually a stitch file format with stitch blocks, stitch types
and parameters, and an icon. It has few of the advantages of the current
EMB file format.

Ap pe nd ix A Sup por ted Machine, File and Disk Types 450


Note ‡ Wilcom INP is the native file format of Wilcom Computer Embroidery
Design software. It is an outline file format but it contains no stitch data.
Wilcom INP designs can be directly converted to EMB files although
DecoStudio interprets some of the stitch types differently. See Conversion
of Wilcom INP format to Wilcom EMB for details.

Supported outline file formats


Wilcom DecoStudio© e1 supports the following outline file (condensed)
formats:

Extension Format Read Write


CND Melco condensed file z z
PCH Gunold APS z

Note See below for conversion details when reading these files into EMB
format or writing to CND format. See Melco CND format and Conversion of
Gunold PCH format to Wilcom EMB.

Supported stitch file formats


Wilcom DecoStudio© e1 supports the following stitch file (expanded)
formats:

Extension Format Read Write


10O Toyota z z
ARX artista cross stitch files z
BRO Bits & Volts z
CSD POEM/Singer/Huskygram z z
DAT Hiraoka DAT z z
DSB † Barudan z z
DST Tajima z z
DSZ ¥ ZSK—Tajima machine format z z
EMX ‡ Wilcom Cross Stitch z
ESL Wilcom ESL z z
ESS Wilcom ESS z z

† includes needle addressing data ¥ Two options—ZSK1 and ZSK2 (see note) ‡ Can only be written by
ES Cross Stitch application § TAP and MON files are written together—TAP is the stitch file, MON the
header file.£ Used with Transport Code Disks (see note)

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 451


Extension Format Read Write
EXP Melco z z
HUS Husqvarna/Viking z z
INB Inbro Files z z
JEF Janome/Elna/Kenmore format (V1.0) z z
KSM Pfaff z z
MJD Time & Space MJD z z
PCD Pfaff z z
PCQ Pfaff z z
PCS Pfaff z z
PEC Deco, Brother, Babylock z z
PES Deco, Brother, Babylock z z
PMU Proel z
PUM Proel DOS z
SAS Saurer SLC z z
SEW Janome/Elna/Kenmore z z
STC Gunold z
STX Datastitch z
TAP / MON § Happy z z
T01 Tajima—Wilcom DST format z z
T03 Barudan—Wilcom DSB format z z
T04 Zangs z z
T05 ZSK—Wilcom DSZ format z z
T09 Pfaff—Wilcom KSM format z z
T10 Wilcom Plauen z z
T15 Wilcom Saurer z z
U?? † Barudan z z
VEP Hiraoka VEP z
XXX † Compucon z z
Z?? £ ZSK TC machine format z z

† includes needle addressing data ¥ Two options—ZSK1 and ZSK2 (see note) ‡ Can only be written by
ES Cross Stitch application § TAP and MON files are written together—TAP is the stitch file, MON the
header file.£ Used with Transport Code Disks (see note)

Ap pe nd ix A Sup por ted Machine, File and Disk Types 452


Note ZSK1 format is used with older ZSK machines, generally those older
than 1991 which have no more than 7 needles. ZSK2 is for newer ZSK
machines, those characterized by a single top thread trimmer. The trim is
the most significant differentiating factor between the two types. If the ZSK
machine accepts Transport Code Disks, then ZSK TC Machine Format must
be used.

Melco CND format


Melco Condensed (CND) is the native file format of the Melco embroidery
digitizing software. CND files store only digitized outlines and stitch values.
See also Opening Melco CND outline files.

Conversion of Melco CND format to Wilcom EMB


When you open CND designs in DecoStudio, outlines are scaled and stitches
recalculated to preserve density. DecoStudio recognizes all Melco machine
functions and stitch types, including Partition Lines and Complex Fill, and
automatically converts them to EMB format. This table details how Melco
features are converted.

Melco CND EMB Notes

Stitch Types
Column Stitches Input A, Satin stitch
Simple Fill Complex Fill, Tatami The stitch angle is determined by
the longest stitchline.
Complex Fill Complex Fill Melco EDS Complex Fill are
recognized and converted to
Wilcom DecoStudio© e1 Complex
Fill.
Column Fill Input A, Tatami fill
Walk Run
Bean Stitch Triple Run
Singleline Column Input C
Input, Centerline
Singleline Column Input C
Input, Left Line / Right Side 1 / Side 2
Line

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 453


Melco CND EMB Notes
Partition Lines Tatami partition lines
Underlays
Complex Underlay Tatami underlay in
Complex Fill object
Edge Walk Edge Run
Center Walk Center Run Column Stitches only
Narrow Column Zigzag
Machine functions
Needle Up Jump, Begin Jump
Reset Stitch End Jump
Manual Lock Stitch Added in Tie Off
Automatic Lock Stitch Tie In, Tie Off If Automatic Lock Stitch is set for
every Color Change, and at the start
and end of the design, tie off and tie
in stitches are inserted in the EMB
design.
Chain Chain
Moss Moss
Needle Height Needle Height
Slow Slow
Fast Fast
Borer In/Out Borer In/Out
Sequin On/Off Sequin On/Off

Conversion of Wilcom EMB format to Melco CND


You can save files to Melco CND format from DecoStudio. Designs originally
created in DecoStudio generally give the best results. Other file types may
not have all the data necessary for successful conversion. This table details
how DecoStudio stitch types and effects are converted to CND format.

Ap pe nd ix A Sup por ted Machine, File and Disk Types 454


Note When you convert to CND, many Wilcom DecoStudio© e1 effects will
be lost. If it is important to preserve the effects, save in Melco EXP stitch
format instead. Alternatively, turn off all effects before saving to CND
format. See also Best Wilcom DecoStudio© e1 input methods for Melco CND
output.

EMB Melco CND Notes

Stitch types
Manual Walk
Run Walk
Triple Run Bean Stitch Only if the design is an original
Wilcom EMB design
Triple Run Bean Stitch Reverts to Triple Run (run count = 3).
(run count > 3)
Satin stitch Column Fill
Tatami - standard Fill Stitch Use Complex Fill to make sure that
the stitch lines are parallel.
Tatami - with random Walk
factor applied
Tatami - with sharply Walk or Complex Fill Changes to Walk if Superstar
turning stitches compatible, otherwise Complex Fill
with a fixed angle.
Tatami - with slightly Fill Stitch, several The shape is divided into several
turning stitches sections sections, filled with parallel Fill Stitch.
There may be small gaps between
these sections.
Zigzag Walk Density is not preserved when the
design is scaled.
E Stitch (Inputs A, B & Column Stitches
C)
E Stitch (Complex Fill) Walk
Stitch settings
Run length Set length CND Walk stitch length is the same as
EMB Run stitch length.
Tatami length and Fill or Complex Fill The length and density of Fill Stitches
spacing settings will be the same as EMB Tatami
length and spacing.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 455


EMB Melco CND Notes

Underlays
Center Run
Edge Run
Walk Uses CND Auto Underlay.
Zigzag
Double Zigzag
Zigzag (for objects Narrow Column
with Satin cover only)
Effects
Accordion Spacing Not preserved The effect is lost.
Motif Fill Not preserved The effect is lost.
Contour Stitch Not preserved The effect is lost.
Flexi Split Not preserved The effect is lost.
Auto Split Not preserved The effect is lost.
Jagged Edge Not preserved The effect is lost.
Trapunto style Not preserved The effect is lost.
Program Split Not preserved The effect is lost.
User Defined Split Not preserved The effect is lost.
Photo Flash Walk Density is not preserved when the
design is scaled.
Quality features
Pull Compensation Not preserved The original shape is preserved. The
effect is lost.
Fractional Spacing Not preserved In DecoStudio, turn on Fractional
Spacing and set it to 0.5mm. Although
there is no direct equivalent in CND,
effectively it uses a fixed fractional
spacing with a value equal to 0.5.
Stitch Shortening Not preserved Outlines are more accurately
recognized if Stitch Shortening is
turned off.
Auto Spacing Not preserved Auto Spacing is converted to fixed
spacing, based on the average space
value. It is best to turn off Auto
Spacing when digitizing a design for
CND.
Smart Corners Not preserved Avoid digitizing pointed ends.

Ap pe nd ix A Sup por ted Machine, File and Disk Types 456


EMB Melco CND Notes

Machine functions
Color Change / Stop Color Change / Stop Functions inserted on stitches inside
functions objects are not converted.
Empty Walk Two MK1 points are repeated at the
current position.
Jump Needle Up
Needle Up Needle Up
Tie In (Lettering) Walk
Tie Off Walk
End Jump Reset Stitch
Begin Jump Needle Up
Needle Height Needle Height
Moss Moss
Chain Chain
Trim Trim The ability to output without Trim
function does not apply to this
version.

Best Wilcom DecoStudio© e1 input methods for Melco CND


output
This table details which input methods give the best results when digitizing
a design for Melco EDS-III CND output.

Input method Compatibility Notes


Input A, B, C OK Use with Satin only.
Complex Fill OK Only use with Tatami fill. Do not digitize
pointed ends as they will be ‘squared off’
during conversion. Cut off pointed ends with a
straight line, parallel to the stitch angle, to
avoid conversion problems.
Fusion Fill Not Fusion Fill objects are separated into a single
recommended object per segment. Conversions may
produce undesired results.
Circle OK
Ring Not The exit point will be on the wrong side of the
recommended shape.
Star Not The stitches are output as Walk.
recommended

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 457


Input method Compatibility Notes
End - Keep Last OK The exit point should always be on the
Stitch opposite side to the entry point.
End - Omit Last Do not use Start digitizing the next shape on the opposite
Stitch side instead.

Conversion of Gunold PCH format to Wilcom EMB


PCH ‘Punch and Stitch’ is the native file format of the Gunold Embroidery
Design software. Gunold PCH designs can be directly converted to EMB files
although DecoStudio interprets some of the stitch types differently. This
table details how Gunold PCH features are converted to EMB format.

Gunold PCH EMB

Outline types
Parallel Input A
Serial Input C
Block Outline Complex Fill
Run Run
Incline Run
Manual Manual
Stitch types
Satin Satin
Ceding Tatami
Random Ceding Tatami with random factor applied
Step Tatami
Piping Contour
OBI Tatami
Zigzag Zigzag
Cross not supported
Photo not supported
Satin underlays
none none
Single Center Run
Edge Edge Run
Zigzag Zigzag

Ap pe nd ix A Sup por ted Machine, File and Disk Types 458


Gunold PCH EMB
Cross Zigzag
Edge Zigzag Edge Run + Zigzag
Edge Cross Edge Run + Zigzag
Netting Double Zigzag
Double Zigzag Double Zigzag
Triple Zigzag Double Zigzag
Step / block fill levels
Complex Fill Holes in Complex Fill
Form Fill User Defined Split in Complex Fill
Vector Fill User Defined Split in Complex Fill
Block Fill Program Split in Complex Fill
Miscellaneous
Branches Grouped object (uses lettering sequence
algorithm)
Random - side 1 / Jagged Edge effect
side 2
Pitch Stitch Spacing
Length Stitch length
Stitch angle Complex Fill stitch angle
U turn Backtrack
Compensation Pull Compensation
Corner mode Smart Corners
Short / Long Stitch Shortening
Square
backstitch Straight stitch
Satin Trapunto
Step
Styles Motifs
Patterns none

Conversion of Wilcom INP format to Wilcom EMB


Wilcom INP is the native file format of Wilcom Computer Embroidery Design
software. Wilcom INP designs can be directly converted to EMB files

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 459


although DecoStudio interprets some of the stitch types differently. This
table details how Wilcom INP features are converted to EMB format.

Wilcom INP EMB Notes


Auto Spacing Auto Spacing Values are different. Can be
changed before stitching.
Backtrack/Repeat Separate objects are Functions are supported correctly.
section/marked added.
Backup Lock Satin tie off
Borderline Tatami Borderline Tatami
Borer In/Out Borer In/Out
CED Block lettering Block2 alphabet Font can be changed after
conversion.
CED Block, Jump out Block2 alphabet Manual edits and trimming
Circle Circle
ES Cross Stitch Paths imported as Run Change the stitch type to Motif
objects only Run to generate cross stitch.
Delete Stitch Manual only, ignored Can be edited
for other stitch types
Family of Curves Split Satin, single curve as Noticeably different from Satin.
split line You can copy imported curve to
get multiple curves.
Alternating number is ignored.
Geflecht Standard Tatami Can be edited
Matching Tatami Non-matching Tatami Complex Fill will have matching
Tatami.
Motifs Patches Normal objects
Needle In/Out End/Begin Jump
Other Multihead Stop (with info label) For example, Insert Appliqué is
Machine Functions converted to Stop.
Program Stitch Manual stitch
Ring Ring
Scattered Tatami Tatami with random Will look slightly different
factor applied
Schiffli Functions Stepp/Blatt only, others
are ignored
Slow/Fast Slow/Fast
Split Alternate Tatami
Split Stitch Standard Tatami Looks different but can be edited
Tajima style Lock Tajima tie off OK most of the time

Ap pe nd ix A Sup por ted Machine, File and Disk Types 460


Wilcom INP EMB Notes
Tourenblat E Stitch Looks different, so that it is easy to
locate and edit
Trim/Tie In/Tie Off Connector properties
Turn fill (spacing Wilcom Will look different but can be
measured along shape DecoStudio© e1 turn fill re-digitized in smaller sections
boundary) (generally fewer
stitches)
Underlays—slant Zigzag underlay Can be added manually
Underlays, 3 or 4 layers Two underlays only Can be edited

Supported embroidery disk formats


You can write a design to a disk which is formatted for a specific embroidery
machine. The disk can then be read through the machines’s Floppy Disk
Reader. The following disk formats are supported:

Format Density Read Write


Barudan 2HD DS/HD z z
Barudan S-FMC DS/HD z z
DOS DS/HD z z
Happy DS/HD z z
Tajima DS/HD z z
Toyota DS/HD z z
ZSK TC DS/HD z z

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 461


Appendix B
Standard Alphabets

The table below includes all alphabets that are standard with your
DecoStudio software. For best results when stitching, do not exceed the
recommended maximum or minimum sizes. Note, however, that
recommended maximum and minimum heights refer to UPPER CASE letters.
Most embroidery fonts are digitized from an original TrueType Font (TTF),
some of which have lower-case letters – e.g. ‘a’ and ‘c’ – which are about
70% the height of a capital letter. As a result, these letters may be too small
to embroider neatly. You may need to increase the size of the lower-case
characters to suit the embroidery.

TrueType Font
Embroidery Letters
You can create special characters in each alphabet by holding down the Alt
key on your keyboard and typing 0 (zero), its code, using the numbers on
the keypad. For example, to type ê with the code 234, type Alt+0234. The
accented letter will appear when you release the Alt key. See also Adding
special characters and symbols.

Note Not all characters are available in all alphabets.

Recommended Sizes
Alphabet Sample Min Max
in. mm in. mm

Arial Rounded 0.3 7 1.8 45

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 462


Recommended Sizes
Alphabet Sample Min Max
in. mm in. mm

Avant Garde 0.2 5 2.4 60

Ballantines Script 0.5 12 2.0 50

Blacklight 0.25 6 2.4 60

Block1 0.25 6 2.4 60

Block2 0.25 6 2.4 60

Block Caps 0.2 5 2.0 50

Book Script 1.0 25 2.2 55

Carla 0.4 10 2.0 50

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 463


Recommended Sizes
Alphabet Sample Min Max
in. mm in. mm

Castle 0.25 6 2.0 50

Casual Serif 0.5 13 2.2 55

College 0.25 6 1.4 35

Copperplate 0.25 6 1.6 40

Energy 0.3 8 2.4 60

Folio Condensed 0.3 7 2.0 50

Hobo 0.25 6 1.6 40

Kindergarten
0.4 10 3.6 90
Block

Ap pendix B Standard Alphabets 464


Recommended Sizes
Alphabet Sample Min Max
in. mm in. mm

Mandarin 0.3 8 2.0 50

Old English 0.4 10 2.0 50

Script1 0.5 12 3.0 75

Script2 0.3 8 2.0 50

Script3 0.5 12 4.0 100

Serif1 0.25 6 1.2 30

Serif2 0.3 8 1.2 30

Serif3 0.25 6 2.4 60

Small Block1 0.2 4 0.25 6

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 465


Recommended Sizes
Alphabet Sample Min Max
in. mm in. mm

Small Block2 0.2 4 0.25 6

Small Serif 1 0.2 4 0.25 6

Times Roman 0.25 6 1.6 40

Ap pendix B Standard Alphabets 466


Appendix C
Troubleshooting

This section provides advice for solving problems in DecoStudio. If you


encounter a problem, refer in the first instance to the following references:
 Wilcom DecoStudio User Manual – available from the Windows Program
Menu > Wilcom > Documentation
 Wilcom DecoStudio© e1 Online Help – select Help > Help Topics
 Windows Online Help – select Start > Help or Help and Support
 Microsoft Windows knowledge base
 Documentation supplied with your hardware, if the problem is
hardware-related.
For information about other Wilcom products, check the relevant
Supplement or Online Help. For the most up-to-date support information
about DecoStudio and other Wilcom products, visit the Wilcom Support
Center at www.wilcom.com.au/support. You will need to register in order to
obtain access.

System requirements
Before you install, or if you experience operating problems of any sort, make
sure that your computer/s meet the system requirements.

PC requirements
Check that your PC meets the system requirements. Check CPU/RAM as well
as hard disk space. The table below provides minimum and recommended
system requirements.

Hardware Item Minimum Requirements Recommended


CPU 1 GHz Intel or AMD 32-bit (x86) processor 2 GHz + Intel or AMD 32-bit (x86)
processor
Operating System ‡ Windows XP SP2 Windows Vista Business
Browser I.E. 6.0 or Later I.E. 7.0 or Later
Memory 512 MB 1 GB (More if running multiple apps)

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 467


Hardware Item Minimum Requirements Recommended
Hard Disk Size 20 GB 40 GB or More
Free Disk space † At least 2 GB after installation (non At least 15GB after installation
double-spaced)
Graphics Card Support for Highest Color (32bit) and Support for DirectX 9 graphics with:
resolution (1024 X 768) • WDDM Driver
• 128 MB of graphics memory
• Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware
• "32 bits per pixel
Monitor ¥ 17" at 1024 X 768 20" at 1152 X 864
Scanner, Printer and Windows-compatible (any connection method e.g. parallel, USB)
Plotter
USB Ports Dedicated USB port for a USB Dongle (V1.0 or V2.0)
Mouse PS/2 or USB mouse PS/2 or USB mouse
Data drives DVD-ROM Drive for software installation Backup device - e.g CD/DVD Burner, Tape
Backup, removable hard drive
Sound card Not required Required for multimedia training

Supported operating systems ‡


 DecoStudio does not support Win98 or Windows NT/2000.
 DecoStudio requires IE 6.0 or higher

Free hard disk space †


DecoStudio occupies up to 1Gb of hard disk space, depending on the
options installed.

Screen resolution ¥
Some controls may be hidden on the user interface if you run your monitor
at low resolutions. The physical size of your monitor will have a bearing on
the optimum screen resolution.

Internet connection
Required for product registration and access to software updates.

Check CPU/RAM specifications


Check your CPU and RAM specifications, and the version of Windows you are
running to ensure they meet DecoStudio requirements.

Ap pendix C Troubleshooti ng 468


To check CPU/RAM specifications
1 On the Windows desktop, right-click the My Computer icon and select
Properties.
The System Properties > General dialog opens.
2 Check the Windows version, the CPU and the amount of RAM.

Check your hard disk space


Check that your hard disk has enough space to run DecoStudio effectively.
This must be greater than 3Gb before installation. After installation you will
need 2Gb of free space.

To check your hard disk space


1 Double-click the My Computer icon on your Windows Desktop.
The My Computer window opens.
2 Right-click the hard-disk drive icon (usually C:) and select Properties.
The Properties > General dialog opens.
This tab shows the hard-disk capacity as well as any free space.

Security device messages


This section describes the messages related to the Wilcom security device.
Most security device messages are caused by incorrect connection, access
codes, interference or conflict with other hardware devices. To prevent
security device errors, enter all access codes as soon as you receive them.
If you miss any, some features may become unavailable, or DecoStudio
may stop working altogether. Consult your computer technician if more
assistance is required.

Tip If you need to provide security device information to Wilcom Support


or your reseller, send a screengrab of the Security Device dialog. This
saves you transcribing the information and ensures that accurate details are
sent. See Quick Start Guide.

Hardware key driver not found

Message Error: Hardware key driver not found


Cause The dongle driver is not installed, or an incorrect driver is installed.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 469


Suggestion 1. Click on OK to close the error message window.
2. Reinstall the Hasp HL device drivers using the command line
Haspdinst.exe /i /kp from the installation bin directory. The driver
installation program will inform you if a reboot is required.
3. Run the embroidery software again.

Security device not found

Message Error: Security device not found


Cause The dongle can not be detected by the computer or the dongle is
faulty.
Suggestion 1 1. Check that the dongle is plugged in correctly. The light in the
dongle will be on if it is detected by the computer.
2. Click OK to close the error message window.
3. Exit the software.
4. Restart the software.
5. If the error message persists, test the dongle on another PC
with the same DecoStudio version installed if possible.
Suggestion 2 Log on to the Wilcom Support Center and download and install the
latest dongle driver. If this does not solve the problem, the dongle
maybe faulty. Please contact your local Wilcom reseller /
distributor. See also Installing the dongle driver.

Missing Files

Message Some files may be missing.


Cause Corrupted hard disk, virus attack or security violation
Suggestion Re-install the software. If the problem persists, further diagnose
the problem. For example, run a virus checking program and scan
the disk to check that the hard disk is not corrupted.

Unrecoverable errors
The system may generate unrecoverable errors when opening designs or
DecoStudio itself.

Unrecoverable error when opening design

Problem When opening a design, the message ‘unrecoverable error,


shutting down’ displays.
Cause The design is corrupt.
Solution Email the design to your local reseller/distributor for further
analysis.

Ap pendix C Troubleshooti ng 470


Unrecoverable error when starting DecoStudio

Problem When starting DecoStudio the message ‘unrecoverable error,


shutting down’ displays.
Cause A design in the Recover folder is corrupt.
Solution Use the Purge Recovery utility to delete any corrupted files.
Alternatively, delete them manually using Windows Explorer. See
also Deleting files with Purge Recovery.

Device connection problems


The following section relates to any embroidery machine and digitizing
tablet connection problems you may experience in DecoStudio.

Machine connection suddenly stops working

Problem The machine connection suddenly stops working. Nothing has


changed on the PC or the embroidery machine, and no machine
connection settings have changed in DecoStudio.
Cause The physical connection from the PC to the embroidery machine
has been broken, or there is a conflict with another device.
Suggestion Check that the cable connections are all sound. Check that the
cable has not been damaged. For digitizing tablets, run the
connection test.
If you have recently installed new hardware – e.g. a soundcard –
disable or remove the device. If that resolves the problem, consult
a PC technician to determine how to assign Windows resources
so that they don’t conflict with the machine connection setup.

Missing connection settings

Problem You don’t have a record of the connection settings required to set
up your embroidery machine or digitizing tablet.
Suggestion See Setting up Hardware for details of how to set up the device.
Visit the online Wilcom Support Center. This lists connection
information for most popular devices. If not already a member of
the WSC, you will need to register as a licensed user of Wilcom
software.

General problems
The following section relates to general problems you may experience in
DecoStudio.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 471


Units of measurement in DecoStudio

Problem Units of measurement in DecoStudio are not what you want – e.g.
measurements are in inches instead of millimeters, or vice versa.
Cause The units of measurement are set in Windows Regional options.
Suggestion Change the units of measurement via the Windows Control Panel
> Regional/Language options. See your MS Windows
documentation for details.

Designs appearing distorted

Problem Designs aren’t displayed at actual size on screen or appear


distorted.
Cause Your screen needs to be calibrated to match your monitor.
Suggestion Go to Special > Hardware Setup > Display Monitor and customize
your settings to match your monitor. When pressing ‘1’ on the
keyboard, designs should then appear at actual size. See
Calibrating the monitor for details.

Inconsistent output results

Problem There are problems when reading and punching paper tapes, or
sending designs to embroidery machines for stitching.
Cause These are caused by serial communications problems.
Inconsistent reading and writing may be caused by wrong port
settings in the operating system or by incorrect settings In ES in
the connection setup for the device.
Suggestion Change the port settings in DecoStudio and/or the device. Check
the Wilcom Support Center for machine connection details.

Stitches not displaying

Problem No stitches are displayed in a design even though there is a stitch


count in the status bar. Only the shape outlines are shown for the
whole design, or for some objects.
Cause The View option Show Stitches is turned off, or stitches were not
generated for the design or for some objects during digitizing, or
the stitches were removed subsequently from selected objects.
Suggestion Select the Show Stitches tool. If some objects still don’t have
stitches, select them and re-generate the stitches using the
keyboard shortcut G. Slight reshaping of the object may also allow
stitches to be regenerated.

Ap pendix C Troubleshooti ng 472


TrueView always turned on or off

Problem TrueView is always turned on or off.


Cause The TrueView display setting is saved when closing DecoStudio
in the mode you are currently using.
Suggestion Open any design and click the TrueView button on or off as
required and exit (File > Exit) with the design still open. When you
restart DecoStudio, the design will open in the mode you selected
when you closed DecoStudio. See also Setting TrueView options.

Missing toolbars

Problem Some toolbars are missing.


Cause The toolbars have been closed or set not to display.
Suggestion Select View > Toolbars and select the toolbar you want to
display.

Missing toolbar buttons

Problem Buttons are missing from toolbars.


Cause The screen resolution is set too low.
Suggestion Change the screen resolution to 1024x768 or higher.

Control points missing

Problem The control points on selected objects are missing.


Cause This problem is related to the display adapter.
Suggestion Check the display adapter manufacturer's website or a software
driver download site for the latest display adapter driver for your
display adapter. If there is a more recent driver available,
download and install it. These are normally free. For a listing of
popular display adapter websites, see Locate the latest display
adapters.

Design integrity errors

Problem Some designs generate ‘Design Integrity’ errors.


Cause In most cases the problem is caused by a resequencing error in
the design, caused when stitches become 'unsequenced' from
their objects. This normally happens only when grouped objects
are resequenced.

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 473


Suggestion Avoid resequencing grouped objects. Leave the Design Integrity
checker on when digitizing designs. Whenever you receive a
Design Integrity error message, click Undo and work around the
problem. Even if a design does generate errors, DecoStudio will
continue to work normally in most cases.

Beeping sound when digitizing

Problem DecoStudio generates a beeping sound when digitizing.


Cause This is normal behavior and is a feature of DecoStudio.
Suggestion To disable, overwrite the C:\Program
Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio\RES\button*.wav files with blank wav
files. Use the Windows Sound Recorder utility as follows:
• Select Start > Programs > Accessories > Entertainment >
Sound Recorder.
• Click File > New.
• Click File > Save As.
• Browse to the location and save the file as button1.wav.
• Repeat the process for button2.wav.
Note: Just deleting or renaming the C:\Program
Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio\RES\button*.wav files will not stop the
beeps.

Problem recovering design files from backup folder

Problem You cannot find your backup design – e.g. DesignName.BAK – in


the backup folder or you need to change the file extension.
Cause If you have the DecoStudio 'Auto Save' option enabled, backups
of EMB design files will be saved to the C:\Program
Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio\BACKUP folder. This is a basic way of
backing up your files although manual backups are highly
recommended through File > Save or Save As.
Suggestion Start Windows Explorer and browse to the C:\Program
Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio\BACKUP folder. Select the file and
select File > Rename. Change the file extension to EMB – e.g.
DesignName.EMB. Move the EMB file to your c:\design folder.
You can now open the file normally in DecoStudio.
Note: If you cannot see the file extension BAK, you need to
change your view settings in Windows Explorer. Refer to
Windows Help for more details.

Embroidery lettering problems


The following section relates to embroidery lettering problems you may
experience in DecoStudio.

Ap pendix C Troubleshooti ng 474


Problem embroidery letters

Problem Some embroidery letters display or stitch badly.


Cause You may be using the particular alphabet incorrectly.
Suggestion Ensure you are using the alphabet within Wilcom's recommended
sizes and sequence settings as specified in Standard Alphabets.

Installed bonus alphabets not available

Problem Some installed optional alphabets don’t show in the alphabet


dropdown list.
Cause This occurs when there is more than one copy of the alphabet in
one of the subfolders of the Wilcom DecoStudio© e1 installation
folder C:\Program Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio\. For example, there
is a copy of the alphabet S324.esa in both the C:\Program
Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio\wletter and C:\Program
Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio\userletw folders.
Suggestion • Search the hard drive for multiple copies of the alphabet file in
question.
• Search the C: drive for *.ESA files.
• If there is more than one copy of any file, delete the extra copy
from the hard drive.
• Ensure the remaining copy of the file is in the C:\Program
Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio\wletter folder.
• Restart DecoStudio.

Installing the dongle driver


If your dongle driver was not installed correctly or you have an updated
version of the driver, you will need to reinstall it. Use the following procedure
to install or reinstall your dongle driver. Adding extra switches to the
command line as shown below may help.

Note To install the dongle driver, you need to be logged into Windows with
Administrator privileges. If not, you will receive an error message ‘User has
no access to the registry’.

To install the dongle driver


1 Close all Wilcom applications.
2 From the Windows taskbar, select Start > Run.

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The Run dialog opens.

Enter command
line

3 In the Open field, enter the following command line, including quotation
marks and any spaces:
“C:\Program Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio\bin\haspdinst.exe” -kp
-i -av

Note If you installed DecoStudio to a different folder than C:\Program


Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio, modify the command line accordingly. If you
have downloaded a newer dongle driver from the Wilcom Support
Center site, copy the file to the appropriate folder.
4 Click OK.
If the installation is successful, the message ‘The operation was
completed successfully’ or ‘HASP driver successfully installed’ appears.
5 Restart your PC, if prompted.
6 Start DecoStudio.

Reverting to factory settings


If you have made changes to the default settings or they have become
corrupted, use the Revert utility to revert to factory settings.

Warning Reverting to the original settings removes any changes you have
made to templates and hardware settings. Note down any settings you want
to preserve – e.g. machine connection settings – before running the utility.

To revert to factory settings


1 Close DecoStudio.
2 On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button and select Programs >
Wilcom > Wilcom Tools > Revert.

Ap pendix C Troubleshooti ng 476


The Revert to Factory Settings dialog opens.

Select items to be
restored

3 Select the items you want restored to factory defaults.


4 Click OK.
The selected items are restored to factory settings.

Note There is no confirmation message.

Deleting files with Purge Recovery


Delete corrupt files from the C:\Program
Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio\RECOVER and C:\Program
Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio\BACKUP folders using the Purge Recovery
utility.

To use Purge Recovery


1 Close DecoStudio.
2 On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button and select Programs >
Wilcom > Wilcom Tools > Purge Recovery.
The Purge Recovery and Backup Directories dialog opens.

Tip To delete backup files as well, select Delete Backup files.


3 Click OK.
If some files cannot be deleted, a message will display. Using Windows
Explorer, delete any remaining files from the C:\Program
Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio\RECOVER and \BACKUP folders.

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Tip If the errors persist, try reverting to factory settings. See Reverting
to factory settings for details.

Resolving Exception Access Violation errors


The error message ‘Exception Access Violation’ can appear when zooming,
using lettering, printing or scanning, saving designs, or viewing the
Color-Object List. This problem generally relates to the display adapter
driver and/or the display adapter itself. Try each of the following solutions
in sequence.

Error messages

Exception access violation when starting DecoStudio

Problem An ‘Exception Access Violation’ error message appears when


starting DecoStudio.
Cause A corrupt design file in the Recover folder or a corrupt C:\Program
Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio\res\defaults.dfl file.
Suggestion Delete any files in the C:\Program
Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio\Recover folder. If DecoStudio still will
not start, use Windows Explorer to copy the default C:\Program
Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio\bin\defaults.dfl file to the C:\Program
Files\Wilcom\DecoStudio\res folder, overriding the corrupt
defaults.dfl file. This will reset DecoStudio to ‘new installation’.

Other exception setting violations

Problem An ‘Exception Access Violation’ error message appears when


zooming, using lettering, printing or scanning, saving designs, or
viewing the Color-Object List.
Cause This problem generally relates to the display adapter driver and/or
the display adapter itself.
Suggestion Try each of the listed solutions in sequence. See Resolving
Exception Access Violation errors for details.

Check the display adapter

Use the System utility in the Control Panel to check your display adapter
and drivers.

Ap pendix C Troubleshooti ng 478


Use the following procedure to determine which display adapter make and
model you have, and what drivers are installed for the display adapter.

To check the display adapter


1 From the Windows taskbar, select Start > Control Panel.
2 Double-click the System icon.

Note Vista users System is under System and Maintenance option.


3 Select the Device Manager option.

Note Windows XP users select the Hardware tab and choose Device
Manager.
4 Click to open the Display Adapters node.

Note display
adapter

5 Note down the display adapter listed.


6 Right-click the adapter and select Properties.
7 Select the Driver tab and note the date of the driver.
8 Click Driver Details.

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9 Note down Provider and File Version details.

Note provider and


file version

10 Cancel out of the dialogs and close the Control Panel window.
11 Check the display adapter manufacturer’s website for a more recent
version of the driver. See Locate the latest display adapters for details.

Locate the latest display adapters


Some common problems are related to your PC’s display adapter. These
occur more frequently with on-board graphics chipsets. Check the display
adapter manufacturer’s website or a software driver download site for the
latest display adapter driver. If there is a more recent driver available,
download and install it. These are normally free from the provider. Some
popular display adapter websites are:
 www.ati.com
 www.nvidia.com
 www.matrox.com
 www.intel.com
 www.s3graphics.com
 www.sis.com
If your video card is integrated to your system board, please check the
system board manufacturers website.

Reduce graphics acceleration


If you already have the latest driver installed, or if installing a newer driver
does not solve the problem, you can reduce the Windows graphics
acceleration.

Ap pendix C Troubleshooti ng 480


To reduce graphics acceleration
1 Access the Hardware Acceleration option in your system settings as
follows:
For Windows XP:
 Right-click the Desktop and select Properties.
 Select the Settings tab and click Advanced.
 Select the Troubleshoot tab.
For Vista:
 Right-click the Desktop and select Personalize.
 Select the Display Setting option and click Advanced Settings.
 Select the Troubleshooting tab.

Reduce hardware
acceleration

2 Reduce the hardware acceleration a ‘notch’.


3 Click OK.
You will be prompted to restart your computer.
4 When Windows has restarted, see how the software runs. If it has not
improved, try dropping the acceleration another notch.
Usually you should not need to reduce the acceleration by more than two
notches to correct the problem. However, in extreme cases, you may
need to reduce it to ‘None’.

Install a different model display adapter


In a very few cases updating the display adapter driver and/or reducing
graphics acceleration will not solve the problem. The only solution is to
install a different brand/model of display adapter. Wilcom can advise on the
type of display adapter to use. If you have another computer with a different
display adapter, we recommended swapping the two. Often a ‘problem’
display adapter will work fine in another computer.

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Glossary

Active window: The active Artwork: Bitmap image or vector of the needle hitting the side of the
window is one to which the next drawing used as a digitizing frame.
command or action will apply. If a template. See also Bitmap image
window is ‘active’, its title bar and Vector drawing. Automatic color change: Ability
changes color to differentiate it of multi-needle embroidery
visually from other open windows. Artwork preparation: See machine to follow a command to
Image preparation. change to a specified needle with a
Alphabet: A set of characters of different thread color.
the same design or style including Auto Appliqué: Auto Appliqué is
letters, numbers and typographical an embroidery object associated Automatic pull compensation:
symbols. with an appliqué which provides Embroidery stitches pull the fabric
automatic stitching to place it, tack inwards where the needle
Anchor point: A fixed point used it down, and cover its edges. penetrates. This can cause the
when rotating, scaling, skewing or fabric to pucker, and gaps to
mirroring a design. Auto Center: Auto Center appear in the embroidery.
automatically centers the start and Automatic pull compensation
Anti-aliasing: A software end points of a design. counters this effect by
technique similar to dithering ‘overstitching’ outlines of filled
which is used to soften hard Auto Jump: Preserves long shapes on the sides where the
outlines where color blocks stitches in an object by splitting needle penetrates. This means the
intersect. It produces smoother them into a series of jumps. This design can be optimized for
outlines by ‘blurring’ the pixels prevents the machine from different fabrics. See also Pull
where colors join. inserting unwanted needle compensation.
penetrations when the maximum
Appliqué: Decoration or trimming frame movement is exceeded. Back appliqué: A fabric piece
cut from one piece of fabric and used behind a design where the
stitched to another to add Auto Scroll: The Auto Scroll front fabric will be cut away to
dimension and texture. Designs feature automatically scrolls the reveal the fabric beneath it.
with appliqué can be more screen while you are digitizing.
economical than embroidery alone, Backdrop: An electronic image
if appliqué occupies a significant Auto Spacing: Auto Spacing only used as a guide for digitizing
amount of the design, thereby affects Satin stitch. It adjusts stitch designs on screen. Two types are
lowering stitch count. In Schiffli spacing according to column width. used—vector or bitmap. Insert
embroidery, appliqué refers to an them from various file sources, or
embroidered motif, hand-cut or Auto Start and End: Before copy and paste them via the
aetzed away from base fabric. stitching, some embroidery Windows clipboard.
machines require you to position
Appliqué cutter: A device that the starting needle exactly above Background: DecoStudio lets
can cut fabric along a line, the first needle penetration point. you change the background color
somewhat like old pen plotters. It Use Auto Start and End to connect of the design window to match the
requires a vector file as input. In the first and last stitches in the color of your fabric. Or you can
MS Windows they can be set up as design. This makes it easy to select a background fabric for more
a type of printer device. position the needle before realistic previews and
stitching, and reduces the chance

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presentations. The background is generated by cubic functions. Each Bounding box: The dotted
saved with the colorway. segment is bounded by nodes, and rectangle that appears when you
its curvature is affected by a select a range of items.
Backing: Also known as control point associated with the
‘stabilizers’, backings are woven or node at each end. The Cascade: A way of arranging
non-woven materials placed displacement and direction of the open windows on the desktop so
beneath the item or fabric being control point from the node are that they overlap each other, with
embroidered for stability and parameters from which the cubic the title bar of each window
support. A backing can be hooped curve shape is derived. remaining visible.
with the item or placed between
the machine throat plate and Bitmap: Also known as raster Checkbox: A small square box
hooped garment. The more images, bitmaps are electronic that appears in a dialog box and
stitches a design has, the heavier images made up of dots or ‘pixels’, that can be selected or cleared.
the backing required. Backings are in contrast to vector ‘outlines’. Each When selected, a tick or a cross
available in various weights and pixel is mapped to a location in an appears. A checkbox represents an
types such as cut-away, tear-away image and has numerical color option that you can set.
and wash-away (soluble). values. Typically created in paint
Professional embroiderers use programs, bitmaps have file Click: Press and release the left
tear-away stabilizers for woven extensions such as BMP, JPG, GIF, mouse button. See also
fabrics and cut-away stabilizers for TIF and PCX. When enlarged or Right-click.
knits. See also Topping. scaled down, vector drawings
preserve image quality while Click-and-drag: Click to select,
Backup: The copying of files onto bitmap images generally cause hold down the left mouse button,
floppy disk or other storage media problems of pixilation and image move the cursor and release.
in order to duplicate and secure degradation. See also Pixels.
data. Usually two copies are made Clipboard: A temporary storage
and kept separately. Blending: See Color Blending. area in PC memory for what was
last cut or copied. Images on the
Baseline: The notional line on BMP: Windows bitmap image clipboard can be pasted into
which the letters of an alphabet sit. format. See also Bitmap. designs any number of times.
Only descenders extend below it.
Baselines determine the shape of Bobbin: Spool or reel that holds Close button: Used to close a
lettering objects in a design. Place the bobbin thread, which helps window or an application. In MS
it on straight horizontal or vertical form stitches on the underside of Windows, it appears as a small box
lines, curve it around a circle or the fabric. with an ‘X’ in it at the top-right of
arc, or digitize your own baselines. the title bar.
Bobbin embroidery: Designs
Baseline Angle: The baseline worked with the fabric hooped CND: Melco Condensed (CND) is
angle determines the absolute facedown and the specialty thread the native file format of the Melco
angle of the baseline relative to the or ribbon wound onto the bobbin. embroidery digitizing software.
horizontal axis. You use it to align Most effective for simple designs CND files store only digitized
letters to a significant part of the such as leaves and vines, or special outlines and stitch values.
design. effects with threads too heavy to
be threaded through the needle. Color block: A color block or
Batting: A layer of padded ‘element’ corresponds to a color
material between the front and Bonding: Permanently joining change in the design. It may be
back fabric to add thickness and two fabrics together with a bonding comprised of one or more
substance. agent. Heat sealing. same-color objects. These may
form a single group – e.g. ‘ropes’ –
Bézier curve: Vector shape Border: Single closed-curve or more – e.g. ‘ropes and birds’.
produced according to principles object which can be optionally Each color block, or element, can
invented by French engineer, Pierre added to a monogram. Also, a strip be given a descriptive name for
Bézier. A Bézier curve consists of a of fabric that is joined to an inner easy identification. These then
series of segments with shapes quilt to enhance it. appear on the production

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worksheet. The operator generally Command: An instruction issued Copy: To place a copy of a
uses them to ensure correct colors to the software in order to carry out selection onto the clipboard. See
are used during production. The an action. It may be as simple as also Duplicate.
Color-Object List provides a ‘paste an object’ or as complex as
sequential list of objects as ‘regenerate stitches’. It is usually Control points: Control points
digitized, grouped by ‘color block’. activated via a menu item, toolbar are used to modify object shapes,
This list shows a separate icon for icon, or command button in a stitch angles and entry and exit
all color blocks and objects used in dialog. points. You can change the shape
the design. The Color Palette Editor of an object by moving, adding or
also shows a list of color blocks. Command button: A button in a deleting control points on the
dialog which executes or cancels outline. For most objects, you can
Color depth: Color depth, also the selected action. Two common also change control points from
called ‘pixel depth’, refers to the command buttons are Cancel and corner points to curves.
amount of color information OK.
available to each pixel in an image. Copyright: A right granted by the
An image with a color depth of 1-bit Complex Fill: Input method, government or by international
can display only two colors. As the used to digitize large and complex agreement giving the owner the
color depth increases, more colors shapes. Allows holes to be exclusive privilege to publish and
are available – 16 Colors (4 bit), designated at the same time the sell artistic work during the life of
256 Colors (8 bit), High Color (16 object outline is digitized. The the creator plus 50 years.
bit), True Color (24 bit). object is thus digitized as one fill
area, instead of being broken down Cover stitch: Cover stitch is the
Color palette: The color palette into multiple sections. Objects so border around an appliqué shape.
contains a selection of thread created are known as Complex Fill You can control various settings
colors tailored for each design. This objects. including cover stitch type – Satin
color scheme, or ‘colorway’, or E Stitch – width, stitch spacing,
represents the actual thread colors Condensed file: See Outline as well as the offset.
in which a design will be stitched. file.
See also Thread chart. Crest: An embroidered motif like
Configuration: The size and type an emblem, an insignia or a Coat of
Color Reduction: See Image of computer hardware. Can also be Arms.
Preparation. used to mean the options provided
with your software. CPU: Central Processing Unit.
Colorways: Colorways are
multiple color schemes for the Confirmation message: A Custom designs: Designs
same design. They are made up of message displayed by the software created by digitizing artwork or
colors defined in ‘color books’ asking you if you are sure you want manipulating existing patterns.
which may be created in Wilcom to proceed—e.g. when you want to
DecoStudio or similar design delete a design. Cut: An editing function. To
program, or may be selected from remove a selection from a design.
a patent color system such as Connector stitches: Connector The cut selection is stored in
Chromatone or Pantone. stitches link objects in a design. memory (on the ‘clipboard’) and
They can be run stitches or jumps. can be pasted into the same or
Column: Narrow, long, curving You can use automatic settings to different design.
shape. generate connectors, trims and
tie-offs, or add them manually. Cut appliqué: See Back
COM port: A standard serial port appliqué.
used as a connection point for Connectors: Hardware devices to
peripherals. Other ports may be connect cables to ports. If the Cutter: See Appliqué cutter.
present if the appropriate internal connection is male, the port is
option cards have been installed. female, and vice versa. The wiring Cutting lines: A second line of
The computer must be informed configuration of each device is run stitches that forms a guide
which port is being used by which determined by its function. when trimming the fabric of an
peripheral—e.g. COM1, COM2, etc. appliqué patch.

Glossar y 484
Default object properties: See internally tags files as belonging to series of ‘embroidery objects’ to be
Default values. one of four types–Native Design, read and manipulated by a
Imported Outlines, Processed specialist CAD/CAM application.
Default values: Pre-defined Stitches, or Imported Stitches. See Before outputting to embroidery
settings which determine object also Design properties. machine, it is converted into ‘stitch
properties such as stitch spacing, data’. See also Punching.
as well as certain system settings. Design template: See
These are stored in the design Template. Digitizing tool: Digitizing tools,
template. They are automatically sometimes referred to as ‘input
applied to any newly created Design window: The design methods’, are similar to drawing
objects. They remain ‘current’ window is where designs are tools except that the end result is
unless you override them with new displayed for viewing and an embroidery object rather than a
settings. See also Current modification. vector object. Different digitizing
property settings. tools are suited to creating
Desktop: MS Windows different shapes or design
Defects: See Stitching defects. terminology for the screen elements.
background on which program
Density: See Stitch density or icons are displayed. Disk: See Floppy disk.
Thread density.
Destination folder: The folder Disk drive: Computers usually
Design: A ‘design’ is a file in the (directory) where you intend to have three types of disk drive: a
native embroidery format—e.g. copy or move one or more files. hard disk (or fixed disk) which
EMB, JAN, ART—of embroidery usually supports the mass storage
digitizing software. The design Detail: An outline, a border, a of information and applications, a
source may be a stitch format pickout run, or a small area of the floppy disk drive, and a CD ROM
design. The design contains design you want to be stitched out drive.
stitching information such as fabric last when using Smart Design.
type in addition to stitched shapes. Display: A screen used to display
Diagonal backstitch: The the output of a computer. Also
Design card: Disk containing backward rows are diagonal, known as the monitor.
computerized embroidery designs directly connecting the forward
read by the embroidery machine’s rows. Diagonal backstitch is Dithering: A software technique
computer. suitable for turning shapes, and which combines existing colors in a
gives good results with Jagged checkerboard arrangement of
Design file: See File. Edge. See also Backstitch. pixels. It is typically used to
simulate colors that are missing
Design object: See Objects. Dialog: An onscreen box that from an image palette. A type of
either requests or provides optical illusion created by placing
Design properties: Designs information. Many dialogs present two pixels of different color next to
themselves have properties, some options to choose among before a each other. The human eye
of which can be modified, others command is carried out. Some automatically resolves the two
not. The most important design dialogs present warnings or explain colors into a third color.
property is its source—Native why a command cannot be
Design, Imported Outlines, completed. Dongle: A security hardware
Processed Stitches, or Imported device required to run protected
Stitches. Other properties include Digitizer: Usually refers to the software. Some are attached to a
the software version number, stitch person punching or digitizing the parallel port, others to a USB port.
count, and so on. Colorways too design. Digitizer can also refer to
are properties of the whole design. the digitizing tablet used by the Dots Per Inch (DPI): A
digitizer. See also Digitizing measurement of screen or printer
Design source: While tablet. resolution; the number of dots in a
embroidery files are broadly line of 1".
classified as ‘outline’ (condensed) Digitizing: Process of encoding a
or ‘stitch’ (expanded), DecoStudio design. Artwork is converted into a

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 485


Double-click: Click the left move aspects of the design around, You can format embroidery disks
mouse button twice without combine designs and insert or edit and save designs to them from
moving the mouse. Double-clicking machine commands. within DecoStudio. The format you
carries out actions such as opening use will depend on the selected
a program from an icon. Element: An element, in software embroidery machine. You can also
terms, is a color block consisting of open designs from embroidery disk
Download: The process of sequential, same-color objects. directly into DecoStudio.
transferring a copy of a file from a You can assign names to elements
remote computer or the internet to which then appear on the Embroidery objects: In
a computer or other device such as production worksheet. The embroidery design, you build
an embroidery machine. operator generally uses these to designs from basic shapes or
make sure colors are correct during ‘embroidery objects’. They are
Drag: An operation of the mouse. production. See also Production called ‘objects’ because they are
Holding the (left) mouse button worksheet. discrete entities which can be
while moving the mouse. Typically selected and manipulated
used for moving something on the EMB: Outline file format native to independently of each other. They
screen. Wilcom ES. EMB designs contain a are like ordinary vector objects in
complete set of design information that they have certain
Drawing object: See Vector in a single ‘all-in-one’ file – object characteristics or ‘properties’ such
object. outlines and properties, actual as color, size, position, and so on.
stitches and machine functions, They also have properties unique
Drawing package: Software thread colors, a picture icon and to embroidery such as stitch type
application that creates or allows comments. Even the original and density. See also Vector
you to edit vector drawings made design bitmap image can be objects.
up of separate individual vector included in EMB format. Only
objects. Vector drawings can be native EMB files provide 100% Embroidery thread: See
scaled with no loss of sharpness. perfect scaling and transformation. Thread.
Examples of vector editing
programs are Adobe Illustrator, Emblem: Embroidered design Empty jump: You create empty
MacroMedia Freehand and Corel with a finished edge, applied to a jumps (0,0) manually in
Draw. See also Graphics garment after stitching, commonly DecoStudio by digitizing with
application. an insignia of identification. Also Penetrations Out. This prevents the
known as a ‘crest’ or ‘patch’. needle from penetrating the fabric,
Dropdown list : A single-line forcing the machine to move across
dialog box control that opens to Embroidery: Decorative stitching the design in a series of jumps.
display a list of choices. on fabric. Generally involves Also, use empty stitches or empty
non-lettering designs, but can also jumps when required by the
Duplicate: When an object is include lettering and/or selected machine format. See also
duplicated, it is not copied to the monograms. Evidence of Empty stitch.
clipboard. This leaves the clipboard embroidery exists during the reign
free for you to cut or copy other on Egyptian pharaohs, in the Empty stitch: Empty stitch is a
objects. writings of Homer and from the tight (zero length) lockstitch, used
Crusaders of the 12th century. Has together with, or as an alternative
E Stitch: Widely used for tacking evolved from hand-work to manual to, tie-in and tie-off stitches,
down appliqués as a decorative sewing machines and from particularly in objects filled with
border. The stitches form a comb hand-looms and Schiffli machines light density stitching where
pattern. with hundreds of needles to standard tie-ins and tie-offs may
high-speed, computerized be visible. Also, use empty stitches
Editing: Changing aspects of a multihead machines. or empty jumps when required by
design via a computerized editing the selected machine format. See
program. Most programs allow you Embroidery disk: Embroidery also Empty jump and Empty
to scale designs up or down, edit disks are specially formatted floppy function.
stitch-by-stitch or block-by-block, disks used to transfer designs from
merge lettering with the design, computer to embroidery machine.

Glossar y 486
Entry point: The entry point is particular design, the system Filename: The name of a file,
the point where the thread enters pre-loads settings optimized for including the extension, e.g.
the embroidery object. This should that fabric. These can be Cat.BMP.
coincide with the exit point of the overridden on an object-by-object
preceding object. basis. See also Fabric settings. Fill stitch: Series of running
stitches commonly used to cover
EPS (Encapsulated Fabric settings: Pre-defined large areas. Different fill patterns
PostScript): A standard file fabric settings include settings for can be created by altering the
format for importing and exporting all full-coverage stitch types. For angle, length and repeat sequence
PostScript language files among each stitch type, spacing is preset. of the stitches. Also known as
applications in a variety of Additionally, the quality effects of Geflect stitch.
environments. An ESP file is a pull compensation and underlay
PostScript file which describes a are also preset for each stitch type. Finishing: Processes done after
single page, usually an illustration. Decorative effects such as Motif Fill embroidery is completed. Includes
In general, the purpose of the EPS are not affected when fabric trimming loose threads, cutting or
file is to be included (encapsulated) settings are changed. tearing away excess backing,
in another PostScript file and can removing facing or topping,
contain any combination of text, Fabric stretch: Embroidery cleaning any stains, pressing or
graphics and images. EPS files stitches pull the fabric inwards steaming to remove wrinkles or
normally include a small, where the needle penetrates. This hoop marks and packaging for sale
low-resolution TIFF, or can cause the fabric to pucker, and or shipment.
vector-based Windows metafile gaps to appear in the embroidery.
image preview as it will appear on Use automatic pull compensation Flagging: Up and down motion of
a printed page. to counter this effect by fabric under action of the needle,
‘overstitching’ outlines of filled so named because of its
Exit: To leave a current window or shapes. resemblance to a waving flag.
application. Often caused by improper framing
Facing: See Topping. of goods. Flagging may result in
Exit point: The exit point is the poor registration, unsatisfactory
point where thread leaves the Factory settings: These are the stitch formation and birdnesting.
embroidery object. This should initial system settings as installed.
coincide with the entry point of the They are a standard known setting Floppy disk: A flexible disk
next object. that you can return to. Some permanently sealed in a square
customers want to create custom plastic jacket—e.g. HD/DD 3.5"
EXP: Stitch or ‘expanded’ file settings tailored to the exact fabric floppy disk. Used for information
format native to Melco machines. they are using most frequently. The storage ‘off-line’ for security and/or
‘My Fabric’ settings are those infrequently used data. Also used
Expanded file format: See retained in the design and can be for transferring punched
Stitch file. saved to the template file. embroidery design (stitch file) data
from computer to embroidery
Extension: See File extension. File: A named collection of machine.
specifically related information
Fabric: Fabrics have many stored on a disk. Designs that have Folder: A collection of files and
properties, the main one being been saved are stored as files. subfolders that are stored together
elasticity or ‘fabric stretch’. Surface on a disk. Part of structure for
texture, if present, is another File extension: The dot and organizing files on a disk.
property that requires different three letters at the end of a
underlay types. The system can filename such as ‘.BMP’. The Font: A set of characters,
automatically compensate for the extension identifies the file as a including letters, numbers and
pull-push effect of different fabrics. certain type, readable by certain other typographic symbols, of the
Push, warping, and shearing are applications. same design and style. Also called
also reduced by suitable underlay Alphabet, even if it includes
for the stitch type and fabric. When non-letter characters. See also
you choose a fabric for use with a Alphabets and Lettering.

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Folder: A collection of files and Graphics Mode: An operating machine bed for embroidering, it
sub-folders that are stored mode in which the CorelDRAW® attaches to machine’s frame.
together on a disk. Part of structure application is active.
for organizing files on a disk. Hooping: The process of placing
Grayscale: A grayscale picture is the fabric and/or stabilizer into the
Font: A set of characters, made up of 254 different shades of embroidery hoop. One of the most
including letters, numbers and gray, plus solid black and solid common reasons for a poorly
other typographic symbols, of the white for a total of 256 different stitched design is improper
same design and style. Also called tones. Black and white hooping.
Alphabet, even if it includes photographs are grayscale.
non-letter characters. I-beam: One shape taken by the
Grid: Grid lines provide visual PC pointer, it indicates that text can
Frame: Holding device to secure cues to help you accurately place a be input at the point selected. The
fabric under an embroidery head design. When you start the shape is like the capital letter ‘I’.
for stitching. May employ a number software for the first time, grid
of means to maintain stability lines appear by default. Icon: Miniature picture used in
during the embroidery process, the screen display instead of, or as
including clamps, vacuum devices, Guide runs: Series of stitches well as, text. The file list can be
magnets, or springs. See also used to align embroideries in displayed as icons with the
Hoop. multi-hooping situations or to filenames underneath; the
assist in fabric placement for toolboxes which appear in the left
Frame-out position: When you appliqué. It is the first appliqué of the screen are composed of
stitch out appliqué objects, you can layer stitched and is used to icons.
set a frame-out position. This shifts position the pre-cut appliqué
the hoop out from under the patches on the background Image editing program: See
needle, making it easier to place material. See also Appliqué. Graphics application.
and trim the appliqué shapes. The
frame out settings determine the Hard disk: A device for mass Image preparation: Cleaning up
distance and direction of the hoop information storage. Usually the scanned images as input to
movement. disk is fixed inside the system unit, embroidery digitizing. This may
and a second hard disk can be involve any one or a combination of
Fringe: Threads that are cut and added. When you store information the following techniques: reducing
hang loosely from the edge of a on the hard disk it will remain there the number of colors, adding or
design. until you delete it. As it has a finite emphasizing outlines, removing
capacity, file management is noise, dithering or anti-aliasing,
Fusion Fill: Fusion Fill is an input required. eliminating unnecessary detail,
method used to digitize complex cropping sections or eliminating
shapes with turning stitches. Many Hardware: Computer backgrounds.
shapes can be digitized with this componentry, including monitor,
tool. Create objects using left and keyboard, digitizing tablet, printer, Imported outlines: Designs
right clicks to mark reference scanner, sewing machine, etc. read from non-EMB outline—CND
points to form the boundary or PCH—where stitches have been
outlines. By digitizing boundaries Heirloom embroidery: generated in DecoStudio (or
within shapes, you can create filled Embroidered goods designed to be equivalent) from original outlines
objects with holes. passed down from generation to and stitching data.
generation.
Graphics application: Software Imported stitches: Designs read
application that creates or allows Hoop: Device made from wood, from stitch or ‘expanded’ files, with
you to edit bitmap images and/or plastic or steel used to tightly grip or without outline recognition, but
vector drawings. See also Paint fabric and stabilizer between an stitches have not been regenerated
package and Drawing package. inner and outer ring. Designed to through stitch processing. Note
hold fabric taut against the that if you change a stitch
design—e.g. add a lettering

Glossar y 488
object—the status changes to Letters: Initials or name making must be in a format which can be
‘Processed Stitches’ even though up a monogram. Letters of an understood by the target machine.
the imported stitches may not have alphabet or font. Common formats include Barudan,
been regenerated. Brother, Fortran, Happy, Marco,
Lettering: Embroidery using Meistergram, Melco, Pfaff, Stellar,
Input A: An input method used to letters or words. Lettering Tajima, Toyota, Ultramatic and
digitize columns of varying width commonly called ‘keyboard ZSK.
and stitch angle. Digitized pairs of lettering’ may be created from
reference points define the outline, pre-defined alphabet styles or Machine function: Machine
while lines connecting the pairs fonts, allowing variance of size, functions are commands for a
define the stitch angles. height, spacing, density and other specific embroidery machine.
characteristics. These include color changes,
Input B: An input method used to thread trims, jumps, machine
digitize shapes where one side is Line art: A drawing with only two stops, needles in/out, and boring
different to the other, especially colors—usually black and white. begin/end.
where one side requires more
reference points than the other. List box: A single-line dialog that Machine setup: Before you can
Stitches turn evenly throughout opens to display a list of choices. send designs for stitching, you
the entire shape. You can use any must configure the machine in
fill stitch type except Motif Fill. Lockstitch: Commonly referred DecoStudio. You can add
to as a lock-down or tack-down machines, change settings for
Input C: An input method used to stitch, a lockstitch is formed by machines already set up, or delete
digitize columns of fixed width. It is three or four consecutive stitches machines that are no longer
typically used for digitizing borders of at least a 10-point movement. It required.
and outlines of larger shapes. You should be used at the end of all
can digitize columns to create thick columns, fills and at the end of any Manual object: When you open a
lines or borders. Input C is typically element in your design where jump stitch format file without outline
used with Satin stitch. stitches will follow, such as color recognition, it becomes a single
changes or the end of a design. ‘manual’ object. This object
Input method: See Digitizing May be stitched in a triangle, star consists of a series of individual
tool. or in a straight line. Lock stitch is needle penetration points and has
also the name of the type of stitch only general and connector
JPG: JPEG file interchange bitmap formed by the hook and needle of properties. When you transform
image format. home sewing machines, as well as (scale, rotate, mirror) a manual
computerized embroidery object, the original stitch density
Jump: A frame or hoop machines. does not change.
movement without a needle
penetration, commonly used to get Logo: Name, symbol or Max/Min stitch length: The
from one point in a design to trademark of a company or minimum and maximum stitch
another. organization. Short for logotype. lengths allowable in a design
determine the outside limits as
Justification: The position of Looping: Loops on the surface of measured between needle
lettering on the embroidery embroidery generally caused by penetration points. They are
baseline. poor top tension or tension governed by the minimum and
problems. Typically occurs when maximum frame movements that
Lacework: Lacework involves the polyester top thread has been the machine can make.
use of threads to produce overall improperly tensioned.
embroidery of full-length fabrics. Maximize button: For Windows,
Most often used to embellish Machine format: Different the small box in the center of the
women's apparel and home embroidery machines understand group of three at the right of the
fashions. Such work typically uses different languages. They have title bar. Click the Maximize button
boring. It is the most widely used their own control commands for to enlarge a window to its
application for Schiffli machines. the various machine functions. maximum size.
Before you can stitch a design, it

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Memory: The place in the Modem: Unit to telegraphically Multihead lockstitch machine:
computer’s system unit that stores send computer information from Multihead lockstitch machines have
information while you are working one computer to another. a horizontal frame. The needles are
with it. If you exit without saving vertical, and are grouped in heads.
information in memory, it will be Monitor: The screen on which They are mainly used for stitching
lost. punching or stitching progress can individual items—e.g. badges,
be followed, stitch by stitch. garments, which are stretched in
Menu bar: The menu bar separate hoops attached to the
contains dropdown menus of Monogram: Embroidered design frame under each head. A
commands. Some of the same composed of one or more letters, multihead machine can have up to
commands are available on the usually the initials of a name. Can 24 heads, and each head can have
toolbar. also consist of borders or designs up to 20 or more needles. Thread
to mark ownership of items such as change and trims can be done
Menu chart: The menu chart clothing, caps, handkerchiefs, etc. automatically. See also Lockstitch
provided with the software lets you machine.
select commands directly from the Motif: Pre-defined design
digitizing tablet using the puck. You elements, such as hearts, leaves or Multi-appliqué: A type of
need to ‘register’ it before use. border patterns, that can be appliqué object composed of more
quickly inserted into a design. than one piece of fabric and
Minimize button: For Windows, Motifs generally consist of one or bordered by various types of
the small box to the left of the more simple objects, and are embroidery objects.
group of three at the right of the stored in a special motif set.
title bar. Click the Minimize button Native designs: Native designs
to reduce a window to its minimum Motif Fill: Motif Fill is a decorative refer to designs created in Wilcom
size. fill stitch with which you can fill ES software (or equivalent).
larger shapes. Depending on your
Mirror: Duplication of an object in software’s capabilities, you can Native file format: A design
the Y and/or X axis. The location also create special or three saved in the original format of the
and orientation of the mirrored dimensional effects. application you are working with is
stitches are determined by location said to be the ‘native’ file format. It
and angle of the axis of reflection Motif set: Motifs in DecoStudio can also refer to the stitch file
relative to the position of the are stored in ‘motif sets’ similar to format required by a specific
original stitches. alphabets of characters. ES embroidery machine. When saved
Designer provides two pre-defined to another format, it is known as a
Modal dialog: A dialog which, motif sets. One contains single non-native format.
while open, prevents the user from motifs for fills which use the same
selecting any control or object pattern in both forward and Needle: Small, slender piece of
outside it. Changes made to backward rows. The other set is steel with a hole for thread and a
settings inside the dialog are not intended for use with two-part point for piercing fabric. A machine
effective until it is closed. motifs which use complementary needle differs from a handwork
patterns for forward and backward needle; the machine needle’s eye is
Modeless dialog: A dialog which, rows. You can also define your own found at its pointed end. Machine
while open, allows the user to ‘motif sets’ to organize and classify embroidery needles come with
select objects freely. Controls in motifs of your own creation. sharp points for piercing heavy,
the dialog change to conform to the tightly woven fabric; ball points
values of selected objects, or show Mouse: A device, equipped with which glide between fibers of knit;
relevant system information when control buttons and designed to roll and variety of specialty points,
no object is selected. Changes about on the table next to the such as wedge points, which are
made to settings in the dialog may keyboard. As the mouse moves, its used for leather.
be applied while it remains open. circuits relay signals that move a
Other dialogs and commands may pointer on the screen. Needle points: You can view
be opened and used while the needle points in a design to check
modeless dialog remains open.

Glossar y 490
density or, for instance, to select common such as size and position. Paint package: Software
stitches for editing. There are other, more specific application that creates or allows
properties of objects which depend you to edit image files. You can
Nesting: Nesting lets you create on the object type. The most create lines and filled areas as well
or insert an object at an exact point important property of all as edit the image pixel-by-pixel
of the stitching sequence. You can embroidery objects is stitch type. using paintbrushes, erasers and
‘nest’ an object in the middle of spraypaint tools. Examples of
another object’s stitching sequence Object recognition: See Outline image editing programs are Adobe
to prevent long connectors being recognition. Photoshop, Jasc PaintShop Pro and
generated. Corel PHOTO-PAINT®. See also
Object type: An object has a Graphics application.
Network: To link embroidery type, shape, thread type and color,
machines via a central computer stitching settings and a position in Pan: Use Pan to view parts of a
and disk-drive system, usually via the stitching order. The object type design which are not currently
a modem or network card. A group may or may not determine the visible in the design window.
of machines linked via a central intended final appearance of the
computer. stitching. Paper tape: Traditional recording
media used in the embroidery
Noise filtering: Noise filtering Outline file: Outline or industry is the paper tape. The tape
means restoring the solid color ‘condensed’ files are high-level coding process produces the final
blocks of original artwork in formats which contain object design in stitch format—a
scanned images. This is achieved outlines, object properties and stitch-by-stitch interpretation of
by merging different shades into stitch data. When you open an the design—exactly as the
one solid color. Noise filtering is outline file in DecoStudio, embroidery machine will read it.
important for automatic digitizing corresponding stitch types, input Now largely replaced by floppy
because it makes it easier for the methods and effects are applied. disk, tapes are still used by older
software to identify solid color Outline files can be scaled, machines. More specifically, stitch
blocks which become embroidery transformed and reshaped without data paper tapes are eight-channel
objects in the resulting design. It affecting stitch density or quality. paper tapes which, in effect, are
also cleans up blurred or mottled See also Stitch file. hard copies of 8 bit binary code.
areas of color.
Outline recognition: When you Parallel port: A connection on a
NORMAL template: Default convert a stitch file to outline computer, usually LPT1, where you
template. See also Template. format, DecoStudio reads the data plug in the cable for a parallel
stitch-by-stitch according to the printer and/or a dongle. Parallel
Objects: In computer science, needle penetration points. The ports are used to connect some
‘objects’ are regarded as any software then ‘recognizes’ stitch embroidery machines. They are
discrete item that can be selected types, spacing and length values, named LPT1, LPT2, etc. When you
and manipulated, such as an stitch effects, and can determine set up a parallel machine
onscreen graphic. In object outlines. connection, select the parallel port
object-oriented programming, and the required protocol, and
objects include data and the Outline stitch: Stitch such as complete the machine setup
procedures necessary to operate Run or Satin used to outline an procedure.
on that data. See also Embroidery embroidery object.
objects. Partition Lines: Partition Lines is
Overview window: Use the a method for offsetting needle
Object outline: See Outline file. Overview window to view a penetrations in Tatami fills, used,
thumbnail of the design. The like Tatami Offset Fractions, to
Object properties: All window is updated whenever you create needle penetration patterns
embroidery objects in DecoStudio make a change, and can be used to or textures in stitched embroidery.
contain defining settings or zoom in or pan across the design
‘values’. The values stored with an window. Paste: To insert an object, which
object become its ‘properties’. All has previously been placed on the
objects have certain properties in

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clipboard by cutting or copying to make selections and indicate Protocol: The communications
selected objects, into a design. You points for input. It also indicates protocol depends on the
can paste from the clipboard as when the computer is working and connection type between the
many times as you like. no input is possible. computer and the embroidery
machine. This will be one of:
Patch: The fabric piece use in Point: Unit of measurement, with standard serial, parallel, serial to
appliqué. 10 points equal to 1 mm. parallel converted (DCi), or
interface card.
PCX: PC Paintbrush bitmap image Port: A connection on a computer
format. where you plug in the cable that Puckering: Result of the fabric
carries data to another device. being gathered by the stitches.
PDF: Portable Document Format. Ports which are used to attach Many possible causes include
Used to view the Online Manual in peripherals have names like COM1 incorrect density, loose hooping,
Acrobat Reader. or LPT1 so that you can specify lack of backing, incorrect tension or
where the peripherals are dull needle.
Pattern outline: See Motif Run. attached.
Pull compensation: Digitizing
Pencil rub: Low-cost way of Position: The Position indicator technique that takes into account
producing an embroidery design shows position of the design (X, Y) the distortion of a design that will
sample. Consists literally of a piece in the design window. occur because of the interaction of
of tracing paper placed over a thread with fabric. ‘Push and pull’
stitchout and rubbed lightly with a Print Preview: Use to preview will cause a circle digitized
pencil to produce an impression of design and design information perfectly round to sew with the
the embroidery. before printing a Production sides pushed out, resulting in an
Worksheet. The design is displayed egg shape. Generally, it is
Peripheral: Any device as it will be printed. necessary to extend horizontal
connected to a computer which is elements and reduce vertical
to some degree controlled by the Production worksheet: The elements. See also Automatic pull
computer—e.g. an embroidery production worksheet is the link compensation.
machine or printer. between the designer and the
embroidery machine operator. It Push-Pull: When any stitch is
Pixel: A dot. For example, dots of contains a design preview as well sewn into fabric, the tension in the
light that make up the image on a as essential production thread between needle
computer screen. The more pixels information, including the design penetrations can build up and
in a given area—that is, the smaller size, the color sequence and any result in a ‘push-pull’ effect. This
and closer together they are—the special instructions. can cause distortions in your sewn
higher the resolution. designs, poor stitch registration
Program: A computer program or and even the bunching of the
Pixilation: An effect which occurs ‘application’ is generally used for a fabric. The degree of distortion can
when a bitmap image is enlarged particular kind of work, such as be affected by the following
so that the individual pixels are word processing or database factors: stitch density, fabric type,
obvious to the eye. management. underlay, backing type, thread type
and garment orientation. See also
Placement lines: See Guide Program Split: A decorative fill Stitch-Pull.
runs. stitch which can be applied to
various object types where needle RAM: Random Access Memory,
PNG: Portable Network Graphics penetrations form a tiled pattern. computer chip maintaining
vector drawing format. Different preset patterns are memory.
available for use.
Pointer: A part of the screen Read: To open a design which has
display, the pointer can take Properties: See Object been written on a design card or to
various shapes. It is moved by properties. an embroidery machine.
moving the mouse and can be used
to point to anything on the screen

Glossar y 492
Recognition: See Outline skew handles appear around the because stitch count and density
recognition. object. Rotation handles appear at may be varied.
the corners of the object and an
Redraw: The screen display is anchor point displays at the Scale factor: This option allows
refreshed. This is useful when parts object’s center. Skew handles are you to automatically scale CND
of the display have become diamond-shaped and appear at the designs as you load them. For
obscured in the course of editing. center-top and bottom of the example, to scale the imported
See also Slow Redraw. object. See also Selection design to 120% of the original, you
handles. would enter a scale factor of 1.2.
Reduce colors: See Image
preparation. Run stitch: Run stitch, also Scaling: Ability to enlarge or
known as ‘Walk stitch’, places a reduce a design in size. In stitch or
Reference point: A point that single row of stitches along a ‘expanded’ format, most scaling is
can be aligned with the grid. For digitized line. The needle limited to ±5% because the stitch
example, you can set the grid penetrations are placed in count remains constant despite
reference point to the design consecutive order. Run is generally final design size. In outline or
center. This is easier and faster used for stitching outlines and ‘condensed’ formats, scale changes
than moving the whole design. connector stitches. Run stitch may be more dramatic because
length can be set to automatically stitch count and density are
Refresh: See Redraw. vary in order to follow tight curves. recalculated.

Relative: The distance the Satin stitch: Type of fill stitch. Scanner: A device that converts
pointer is from a previously marked Formed by closely arranged zigzag physical images into digital form so
point, or from the previous stitch stitches, it can be stitched at any that they can be stored and
point. angle and with varying lengths. manipulated by computer.
The thread is laid across a shape Scanning allows you to take
Resequence: You can change the with a zigzag sewing action where scanned images as a basis for
position of a selected object by two stitches form a column. Hence embroidery design.
cutting it, then pasting it it is only suitable for small or
somewhere else in the stitching narrow shapes. As the stitches are Scanning resolution: Most
sequence, or by using the almost parallel, Satin provides scanners require you to enter
Resequence command. You can good coverage. It is often used for scanning resolution information.
also resequence objects by color or lettering, outlining, and details. Resolution determines the number
using the Color-Object List. Because there are generally no of dots per inch (dpi) used to create
needle penetrations breaking up a drawing. The higher the value,
Resizing: See Scaling. the fill, Satin stitch creates a glossy the clearer the image but larger the
effect. file. For digitizing purposes, use a
Resolution: Resolution maximum resolution of 300 dpi
determines the number of dots per Save: To store (design) (dots per inch). A resolution of 72
inch (dpi) used to create an image. information in a file. Each time you dpi (screen resolution) will usually
The higher the value, the clearer save a design, you replace the be sufficient. Generally speaking,
the image, but the more storage previous version using the the smaller the source image
space required. A resolution of 75 filename. You should save your and/or more detail it contains, the
dpi generally produces good design frequently. higher the resolution needs to be.
results.
Scalability: Ability to enlarge or Schiffli machine: Commercial
Right-click: To press and release reduce a design. In expanded embroidery machine that utilizes
the right mouse button. See also format, most scaling is limited to the combination of needle and
Click. 10 to 20%, because the stitch shuttle to form a stitch. Massive in
count remains constant despite size. Some schiffli machines—also
Rotation handles: When you final design size. In condensed known as looms—weigh 10 tons
select an object, selection handles formats, on the other hand, scale and have up to 1024 needles. Most
display at its extremities. If you changes may be more dramatic, Schiffli machines do not have
click the object again, rotation and automatic thread trim or automatic

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color change. Excellent for emblem selected object. Use them to Skew handles: See Rotation
production, the creation of lace, position and resize objects. See handles.
embroidery production on also Rotation handles.
oversized items and production Slow Redraw: Use to redraw
orders of very large quantities. Sequence: See Stitching your design slowly. Slow Redraw
Sequence. lets you view the stitching and
Screen calibration: You need to color sequence of a design in slow
calibrate your monitor so that Sequins: Sequins, also known as motion.
designs at 1:1 scale appear at real ‘spangles’, are small plastic disks
size. Do this when you first install with a hole in the centre. The Small stitches: Use the Small
DecoStudio, whenever you change spangles are stored on rolls, each Stitch Filter to remove unwanted
your monitor, or adjust your one joined to the next by a weak small stitches from a design
monitor’s horizontal or vertical link. They are stitched onto fabric automatically.
controls. by placing a spangle in front of the
needle whilst needles are out of the Software: Programs, such as MS
Screen resolution: See Pixels. fabric. Windows and Wilcom
DecoStudio© e1, which run your
Scroll bar: The bar at the bottom Serial port: A connection point computer.
and right edge of a window whose on a computer where you plug a
contents are not entirely visible. serial communications device such Specialty threads: Threads
Each scroll bar contains a small as a modem. PC serial COM ports designed for effects such as shine,
box, called a scroll box, and two are male connectors, and can be glitter, iridescence or thickness.
scroll arrows to allow different either 9-pin or 25-pin. They are The threads often are made from
types of scrolling. named COM1, COM2, COM3, etc. synthetic materials including
The number of available ports rayon, mercerized cotton, metallics
Security code: Options in limits the number of devices you and textured nylon.
DecoStudio are controlled by a can connect. If additional ports are
security device installed on the required, you can add them. Stabilizer: See Backing.
computer. Security access codes Multi-port serial cards can also be
entered into the software are sent used. Status bar: Provides information
to this security device. Each about the whole design: number of
security device has a unique serial Serial Port Setup: Here you can stitches, position of the design (X,
number and identity code. adjust Baud, Data Bits, Stop Bits, Y), number of colors (C), number
Parity values. These settings must of stops (S), etc.
Security Device: See Dongle. be identical to those of the
embroidery machine. The type of Stitch: A stitch is one needle
Segments: Filled embroidery handshaking must match the type penetration; also used to refer to
objects are generally built as of cable you are using. the thread laid down from one
several discrete ‘segments’. Travel needle penetration to the next.
runs are typically used to connect Short stitch: Digitizing technique
them. All segments, however, form that places shorter stitches in Stitch angle: The stitch angle is
part of the same object. Where curves and corners to avoid an the angle the overall stitching
they meet, the push-pull effect on unnecessarily bulky build-up or follows within a shape. The shape
the fabric during stitchout may stitches. may have a fixed stitch angle—e.g.
cause gaps to appear. 45° to the horizontal—or multiple
Shortcut key: A key stroke or a stitch angles.
Select: To highlight an object or series of keystrokes you can use to
group of objects for the purpose of perform a task instead of using the Stitch bunching: Standard stitch
editing. Only selected items can be mouse. For example, Ctrl+C spacing is calculated at the outside
edited. actions the Copy command. edge of a shape. With sharp
curves, spacing which provides
Selection handles: Eight small Sizing handles: See Selection adequate coverage on the outside
squares that appear symmetrically handles. edge may cause bunching along
at the corners and edges of a

Glossar y 494
the inside edge. This may cause Type and Garment Orientation. See Stock designs: Embroidery
thread breakage when stitching also Push-Pull. designs readily available on disk or
out. proprietary embroidery card.
Stitch type: Three basic stitch Digitized embroidery designs that
Stitch count: Stitch count refers types are available with lockstitch are commercially available for
to the number of stitches in a machines – Run, Satin and Tatami general use by embroiderers.
design. In DecoStudio one stitch is (Weave). Wilcom DecoStudio© e1
considered one machine provides many variants of these. System requirements: What
revolution. See also Design your computer’s hardware and
properties. Stitch shortening: When a software, operating together, can
shape takes a sharp turn, the support. System requirements are
Stitch density: The number of spacing of stitches on the inside of printed on software packages,
stitches per given area (or stitch the shape decreases rapidly. This design disk cards and packs, CDs
lines per distance in a fill). results in bunching on the inside and other computer accessories.
and gaps on the outside of the You need to know what your
Stitch editing: Digitizing feature shape; the longer the stitch, the system can and cannot support, as
that allows one or more stitches in worse the problem. Automatic sometimes a system is not capable
a pattern to be deleted or altered. Stitch Shortening solves this of handling new software without
problem by eliminating thread adding memory or disk space.
Stitch file: Stitch or ‘expanded’ bunching. The embroidery has
designs are low-level formats for smooth, even, stitch spacing Tackdown: Zigzag stitch, placed
direct use by embroidery throughout. It also reduces thread after placement and cutting lines,
machines. They contain only stitch breakages during production. and used to fix appliqué patches to
coordinates and machine the background fabric before cover
functions. Stitch designs are Stitch spacing: Spacing between stitching is applied.
generally not suited to scaling two consecutive needle
because stitches are not penetrations on the same side of a Tatami stitch: Series of run
regenerated during rescaling. See column. The smaller the value, the stitches, commonly used to cover
also Outline file. greater the stitch density. For more large, irregular shapes. Stitches
open stitching, use larger values. are laid in rows traversing back and
Stitch length: The distance forth across the shape. These can
between two needle penetration Stitching defects: Stitching be parallel or slightly turning.
points. For maximum stitch length, defects may appear in the form of Different fill patterns can be
the length is measured according gaps between filled areas, fabric created by varying the stitch
to the X and Y co-ordinates, show-through and thread breaks. length, angle or sequence. Also
whichever is greater. Run stitch These are often caused by incorrect known as Weave stitch.
length can be set to automatically stitching settings—e.g. setting pull
vary in order to follow tight curves. compensation too small for the Template: Special files used to
See also Max/Min stitch length. fabric stretchiness. store styles and default property
settings. Use templates when
Stitch-Pull: When any stitch is Stitching sequence: The digitizing frequently-used design
sewn into fabric the tension in the embroidery objects in a design types to save time re-adjusting the
thread between needle form a stitching sequence. Initially, current property settings.
penetrations can build up and objects are stitched in the order in
result in Stitch-Pull. Stitch-Pull can which they were created or the Tension: Tautness of thread when
cause distortions in your sewn design assembled. You can change forming stitches. Top thread
designs, poor stitch registration the position of a selected object by tension, as well as bobbin thread
and even the bunching up of fabric. cutting it, then pasting it tension, need to be correctly set.
The amount of Stitch-Pull that somewhere else in the sequence, Proper thread tension is achieved
results in your design can be or by using the Resequence when about one third of the thread
affected by the following factors: command. You can also showing on the underside of the
Stitch Density, Fabric Type, resequence objects by color or with fabric on a column stitch is bobbin
Underlay, Backing Type, Thread the Color-Object List. thread.

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Thread: Fine cord or natural or stitches from unraveling. You can this reason, they are less
synthetic material made from two adjust connector settings to commonly used as connectors
or more filaments twisted together automatically add tie-offs under between objects than jumps. If
and used for stitching. Machine certain conditions, or add them objects are adjacent and
embroidery threads come in rayon manually. You can also include trim connectors will be hidden, they can
(high sheen), cotton (duller finish), functions so machines with be used.
polyester (strong and colorfast), trimmers cut the thread
metallics (synthetic core wrapped automatically. Traveling: You generally check a
with metal foil or thin slivers of design’s stitching sequence by
metal foil) and acrylic (sheen Title bar: The horizontal bar ‘traveling’ through it by stitches,
similar to rayon). located at the top of a window and segments, functions or objects.
containing the title of the window.
Thread chart: Thread charts are On many windows, the title bar Trims functions: If you are using
lists of pre-defined thread colors. also contains the Control menu box a machine with an automatic
They may be based on and Maximize and Minimize trimmer, the trim code causes the
commercially available thread buttons. thread to be cut after a tie-off. In
charts, or charts you define the software, trims are represented
yourself. You can copy colors Toolbar: Toolbars provide quick by a triangle with a small circle at
between different thread charts to and easy access to DecoStudio the point where stitching starts
create your own charts from commands. Click a toolbar button again. The trimmed connector
existing colors. See also Color to activate a command or, where appears as a dotted line. You can
palette. applicable, right-click to view and adjust connector settings to
adjust its settings. automatically add trims, or add
Thread code: Code is the them yourself.
identification number of a thread Topping: Material hooped or
color in a brand. placed on top of fabrics that have Trimmers: Devices built into an
definable nap or surface texture, embroidery machine to
Thread density: Different thread such as corduroy and terry cloth, automatically trim or cut remaining
density systems are used by prior to embroidery. The topping thread when the design jumps
different thread manufacturers. compacts the wale or nap and from one area to another or
Density A is normal embroidery holds the stitches above it. It performs a color change.
thread (density 120/2, or 40). includes a variety of substances,
Density B is thicker, Density C is such as plastic wrap, water-soluble Trimming: Action of cutting loose
finer, and Density D is very fine. plastic ‘foil’ and open-weave fabric thread, removing backing, etc,
that has been chemically treated to from the final embroidered
Thread thickness: See Thread disintegrate with the application of product.
density. heat. Also known as ‘facing’. See
also Stabilizer. TrueType Font: Digital font
Thread type: Embroidery thread technology designed by Apple
varies in thickness. Types are A, B, Trapunto: Trapunto is a general Computer and now used by both
C and D. Stitch density should be term for very open fill stitching, Apple and Microsoft in their
set according to the thread type. often used as a background or for operating systems.
See also Thread thickness. filling large shapes. In DecoStudio,
Trapunto effect forces travel runs TrueView: TrueView provides you
Tie-ins: Tie-in stitches are to the edges of objects so they do with a preview of how your
inserted at the start of objects to not show through open or loose embroidery will look when stitched
prevent stitches from unraveling. stitching. out. It gives the screen image a
They are inserted inside the shape three dimensional look.
on the second stitch. You generally Travel runs: Travel runs are
use them when the previous typically used to connect segments TWAIN: Industry standard which
connector is trimmed. of complex shapes. They can also allows devices (such as scanners)
connect adjacent objects. Because to communicate directly with
Tie-offs: Tie-offs are generally runs are not trimmed, they may be design and layout programs. Both
placed before trims to prevent visible in the final embroidery. For device and program must be

Glossar y 496
TWAIN-compliant. This lets you CorelDRAW® – custom artwork, Zigzag stitch: Zigzag stitch is
use any TWAIN-compliant scanner logos, posters, newsletters, etc. similar to Satin but is generally
with your software. used where fewer stitches are
Vector graphics: Unlike raster required. The needle penetrates
Underlay: Stitches sewn before images, vector graphics contain each side of the column, laying the
other design elements to help vector data. This is a collection of thread across in an open zigzag
stabilize fabrics. The stitching geometric shapes and lines that pattern. The density is determined
action that will attach the backing combine to make an image. Rather by the stitch spacing setting. The
to the fabric being embroidered. It than pixels, such data is recorded settings for Zigzag fill stitches are
also supports the top embroidery as a set of mathematical formulas stored separately from Zigzag and
for a more lofty, dimensional look. defining shapes such as rectangles, Double Zigzag underlay settings.
Underlay stitches are made up of a ellipses, curves, polygon stars, etc.
series of single run stitches, usually These are created using vector Zoom factor: The scale at which
with a very short stitch length, and graphics programs such as the design is currently displayed.
are digitized manually or placed CorelDRAW®. Vector graphics are
automatically under the column scalable without distortion, and are
(satin) or fill stitch areas of your usually much smaller than bitmap
embroidery design. images. See also Bitmap image.

Underlay margin: The distance Vector object: Vector objects are


between an object outline and the derived from vector graphics and
edge of the underlay. Increase this can be created in DecoStudio or
margin to prevent underlay imported. In DecoStudio they can
stitches from extending outside the be converted to and from
cover stitches. embroidery objects. You can set
general properties such as size and
USB port: Universal Serial Bus position, and arrange and
Connector, a connection on a transform them in the same way as
computer where you plug in the other objects. See also Vector
dongle. graphics.

Values: The actual Vector text: A text object


settings—letters and created using the CorelDRAW®
numbers—that you enter into Text tool.
dialogs. See also Object
Properties. Weave stitch: See Tatami
stitch.
Variable sizing: Ability to scale a
design to different sizes. Weight: When referring to
T-shirts, the three standard weight
Variable stitch length: The divisions are mid-weight/value,
software can automatically heavyweight/premium, and super
calculate the best length for each heavyweight.
stitch with the Variable Run Length
option. A chord gap value controls Write: To send design information
how closely the stitches follow the to an embroidery disk, design card
digitized lines. or embroidery machine for
immediate stitchout or storage.
Vector drawing: Vector drawing
is often used synonymously with X/Y coordinates: The horizontal
vector graphic but it usually refers (X) and vertical (Y) distances on a
to the artwork produced by vector graph or computer screen. Use X
graphics programs such as values to measure width, and Y
values to measure height.

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Index

Arrange menu, Embroidery


A mode 441
B
Active Thread Charts dialog 173, Arrange toolbar backdrops 11
182, 185 Align Bottom 294 backgrounds
Add Color To Palette tool 172, 176 Align Horizontal Centers 294 changing colors and fabrics 85
Add Thread dialog 189 Align Left 294 printing on production
adjusting Align Right 294 worksheets 348
column width 149 Align Top 294 baselines
E stitch outline spacing 168 Align Vertical Centers 294 adjusting 262
Motif fill width and height 164 Combine Appliqué arc 239
run stitch length 151 Components 204 horizontal 238
Satin stitch spacing with Group 296, 443 moving letters along 244
auto-spacing 158 Lock 297 reshaping 262
Satin stitch spacing with fixed Make Same Height 302 bitmap images
spacing 160 Make Same Width 302 anti-aliasing 66
stitch angles 319 Make Same Width and dithered 65
Tatami stitch length 162 Height 302 outputting designs as 354
Tatami stitch spacing 162 quick reference 443 scanned 65
Zigzag outline spacing 166 Space Evenly Across 295 borders
Align Space Evenly Down 295 digitizing with Input C 147
Bottom tool 294 Ungroup 296 setting width 149
Horizontal Centers tool 294 Unlock All 297 with monograms 207
Left tool 294 arranging objects brands, thread 189
Right tool 294 grouping 296
Top tool 294 locking 296
Vertical Centers tool 294 artwork
aligning objects 294 anti-aliased images 66 C
anchor points, rotation 304 choosing 64
Capture Design Bitmap dialog 355
angles creating embroidery from 13
Center Out, letter sequencing 275
rotating by exact angle 304 dithered images 65 centering object, with cross-hair
skewing by exact angle 307 preparing for scanning 66 cursor 293
anti-aliasing 66 scanned images 65 Change Background Color tool 85,
Any Shape baselines, scanning 66 176
reshaping 262 Auto Appliqué 19 Change Project Type dialog 45
appliqué tool 139, 154, 195–203 changing entry point 320
adding appliqué 19 Auto Center 332 changing exit point 320
adjusting settings 198 Auto Scroll 429 Character Map dialog 268
combining components 204 Auto Spacing charts, See thread charts
converting Fusion Fill setting values 158
objects 197 checking sequence 88
Auto Start and End Choose
converting vector graphics 192 dialog 333 Background Color dialog 41, 42
cover stitch values 202 tool 120, 332 Fabric Color dialog 322
cutting shapes 359 Auto Underlay tool 328 Fabric dialog 39
digitizing 195 automatic Graphic Source dialog 44
digitizing for 192 backup 431
Project dialog 38
guide run values 198 color matching 172
cloning objects 283
outputting 356 pull compensation 329 CND
printing patterns 357 save 431 CND files, color merging 391
tacking values 200 spacing, See Auto Spacing compatible input methods 457
arched baselines 239 underlay 328
conversion options 387

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conversion tables 453 charts 178, 185 between embroidery objects 152
saving as 364 resequencing by 288 between Fusion Fill and Auto
saving to 454 selecting for an object 170 Applique 154
codes, thread 189 selecting objects by color 110 between Run and Input C 153
color blocks selecting the current color 170 See also conversion tables
printing 351 thread colors 170 See also converting file formats
split 179 traveling by 88 vector objects to
viewing in Color-Object List 93 Colorway Options dialog 348 embroidery 136
color change functions 403 converting file formats
colorways 172
CND conversion options 387
Color dialog 190 basing on existing 175
CND conversion tables 453
color film, printing 351 changing backgrounds 85
PCH conversion table 458
color matching 172 changing display colors 426 converting outline designs
Color Merge utility 391 changing display settings 83 EMB conversion limitations 364
Color Palette Editor Colorways dropdown 84 EMB to CND 364
docker 53, 173 creating 175 EMB to CSD 366
tool 52, 95, 172–188 default settings 176 converting stitch designs
Color Palette toolbar 444 modifying 176 recognize Jumps as Trim 379
color reduction 70 multiple 172 recognize Objects/Outlines 377
Color toolbar printing 348 coordinates
Add Color To Palette 172, 176 viewing 84 length 60
Change Background Color 85, columns setting for objects 293
176 digitizing with Input C 147 Copy From dialog 187
Color Palette Editor 52, 95, setting width 149 Copy tool 281
172–188 Combine Appliqué Components copying
Colorways 84 tool 204 cloning objects 283
Compact Palette 172, 177 combining colors across thread charts 187
Multi-Colorway Box 84, 175–179 objects (nesting) 284 duplicating objects 283
Remove Color From Palette 172, objects and designs 279 objects 281
177 commands corner points 139
Split Palette Color 179 popup menus 49 corrupt files, deleting 477
Color-Object List undo/redo 57 cover stitches, digitzing
displaying hidden objects 112 using 47 appliqué 195
docker 53, 93, 112, 289, 298 using menus 48 cover stitches, setting values 202
grouping/locking objects 297 using toolbars 50 CPU/RAM specifications 468
locating objects 93 Compact Palette tool 172, 177 creating
printing color film 351 compensating for stretch, See pull columns and borders 147
resequencing objects 289, 290 compensation E stitch outlines 168
resequencing objects by complex shapes
Zigzag outlines 166
number 290 adding holes 144
cross-hair cursor 293
selecting objects 111 digitizing 141
Condensed File Input Values CSD format, saving as 366
tool 52, 93, 111, 289, 290, 297 current
viewing color blocks 93 dialog 388, 393
color, changing 170
colors condensed files 387
See also outline files needle position marker 88
adding to thread charts 188 curve points 139
changing background 85 Connection Manager, using 363
connection settings, serial Customize dialog 344
changing for an object 170 cut and paste
changing grid display 426 ports 416
consecutive objects, selecting 106 objects 281
changing object outlines 426 resequencing 286
control handles, reshape
changing stitch display 426 shortcuts 446
objects 311
Color palette 170 Cut tool 281, 286
control points 139
copying across thread cutting lines, digitzing
reshape objects 311
charts 187 appliqué 195
viewing 312
creating thread charts 182
conversion tables
deleting thread charts 184 digitizing for CND format 457
display colors 426 opening CND files 453
merging Melco CND files 391 opening Gunold PCH files 458 D
modifying colorways 176 saving to CND format 454
modifying thread charts 182 DecoStudio
supported stitch file formats 450 menu bar 439
modifying thread values 178, 185
Convert tool 120, 129, 136, 192, 230 starting 28, 116, 124
removing from thread converting default, object details 323

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Define Stop Sequence dialog 394 Device Manager 479 Stitch Manager 362
deleting Digitizer Setup 417 Stitch to Connection
colors from thread charts 178, Display 426 Manager 363
185 Edit Thread 178, 186 Stitch to Stitch Manager 362
objects 284 Embroidery Machine Symbol Selection 267
thread charts 184 Connection 419 Toolbars 51
deselecting objects 105 Format 369 Transform 301–309
design elements, naming 95 Format Embroidery Disk 369 TrueView Options 424
design formats Guide Position 59 Zoom Factor 78
Gunold PCH 374 Hardware Setup 417–421 Digitizer Setup dialog 417
old format ESD 374 Length Calculation 101 digitizing
Wilcom INP 374 Machine Format 42 appliqué objects 195
Design Properties dialog Machine Format Values 402–411 columns and borders 147
Information 99 Machine Format Values > complex shapes 141
Stop Sequence 99, 102 Standard 412–413 input methods 136
Summary 99 Modify Thread Chart 178–189 lines with Run 150
designs Monogramming > Borders 208, digitizing methods
Auto Start and End 332 225 Input C 147
checking 99 Monogramming > Lettering 208, Run 150
combining 279 211, 213 selecting 138
converting formats 335, 373 Monogramming > shortcuts 445
converting formats (tables) 448 Ornaments 208, 215, 220, 222 display
creating 38 Multi-Colorway Box 175–180 changing display colors 426
opening 36 New Colorway 175 changing display settings 83
opening stitch designs 377 New Thread Chart 182 grid 58
outputting 361 Open 37, 352, 378, 388 setting display options 80
planning a design 11 Open Embroidery Disk 368 display adapters
redrawing slowly 91 Open From Embroidery Disk 368 checking 478
resequencing 286 Open Options 378–380, 394 locating drivers 480
saving 46 Options > Auto Scroll 429 Display dialog 426
device connections, Options > General 431–436 distances, measuring
troubleshooting 471 Options > Grid and Guides 427, on-screen 60
Device Manager dialog 479 428 dithering 65
devices, security messages 469 Options > Reshape 430 dockers
dialogs Options > View Design 423, 424 Color Palette Editor 53, 173
Active Thread Chart 182 Print 339 Color-Object List 53, 93, 112, 289,
Active Thread Charts 173, 185 Print Options 341–357 298
Add Thread 189 Properties (Windows Object Properties 53, 56
Auto Start and End 333 Explorer) 97 Object Properties > Fills > E
Capture Design Bitmap 355 Purge Recover and Backup Stitch 168
Change Project Type 45 Directories 477 Object Properties > Fills > Motif
Character Map 268 Recognition - Advanced Fill 164
Choose Background Color 41, 42 Options 382 Object Properties > Fills >
Choose Fabric 39 Rename Thread Chart 185 Satin 159, 160, 270
Object Properties > Fills >
Choose Fabric Color 322 Resequence By Number 291
Tatami 162, 272
Choose Graphic Source 44 Revert to Factory Settings 476 Object Properties > Fills >
Choose Project 38 Save As 46, 354 Zigzag 167, 273
Color 190 Save Options 365 Object Properties > Outlines >
Colorway Options 348 Save to Embroidery Disk 371 Run 152
Condensed File Input Screen Calibration 421 Object Properties > Special >
Values 388, 393 Select Border 225 Auto Appliqué 195–202
Copy From 187 Select By Color 82, 110 Object Properties > Special >
Customize 344 Select By Stitch Type 111 Fusion Fill 146
Define Stop Sequence 394 Select Machine Format 61, 399 Object Properties > Special >
Design Properties > Select Motif 215 Input C 149
Information 99 Select Source 215 Object Properties > Special >
Design Properties > Stop Sequence By Color 288 Lettering 234–241, 248, 252,
Sequence 99, 102 Serial Port Setup 417 267, 275
Design Properties > Slow Redraw 91 DOS disks, opening designs 367
Summary 99 duplicating
Small Stitches 332

Index 500
cloning objects 283 Embroidery tool 34, 120, 121 Group tool 296, 443
objects 283 End of Design functions 406 grouping objects 296
entry and exit points, with the Color-Object List 297
changing 320 Guide Position dialog 59
Exception Access Violation, guide runs
E resolving errors 478 digitizing appliqué 195
offsetting 199
E Stitch tool 156, 168, 443
setting values 198
Edit menu, Embroidery mode 440
guidelines, changing color 426
Edit Thread dialog 178, 186 F guides and rulers 57
editing lettering
on-screen 248 fabric stretch, see pull Gunold, opening PCH files 458
with Lettering dialog 248 compensation
editing objects 311 fabrics
reshaping 311 changing background 85
editing stitches, removing small show/hide 423 H
stitches 332 File menu, Embroidery mode 440 handles, see selection handles
EDS-III file types, stitch files 450 hard disk space, checking 469
conversion table 453 fill stitches hardware
digitizing for 457 types 156 acceleration, reducing 480
saving to CND format 454 fill stitches, types 156 setting up display monitor 421
elements, naming 95, 99 fills setting up embroidery
Satin 158 machines 418
email attachments 352
Embroidery Disk Tatami 162 Hardware Setup dialog 417–421
Open tool 367 Format dialog 369 height, make objects same
Save As tool 370, 400 Format Embroidery Disk size 302
embroidery disks dialog 369 help
formats 369 formats, machine types 448 accessing 6
formatting 369 frame out position, setting for viewing the onscreen manual 4
appliqué 203 See also troubleshooting
opening designs 367
functions Help menu, Embroidery mode 441
Embroidery Machine Connection
End of Design 406 hidden objects, display 112
dialog 419
embroidery machines Stop 406 hiding
automatic download 418 Fusion Fill graphics 75
connections 418 converting to appliqué 197 outlines 76
feedback 418 tool 138–154 holes, adding to complex
setting up 418 shapes 144
See also machine formats hoops, frame out (appliqué) 203
Embroidery mode 31 horizontal baselines, lettering 238
Arrange menu 441 G
Arrange toolbar 443 general functions, shortcuts 445
Color Palette toolbar 444 General Properties
creating lettering 233 dimensions 300 I
Edit menu 440 panel 56 images
File menu 440 positioning using cleaning up 70
Help menu 441 coordinates 293 color reduction 70
Insert menu 441 graphics displaying 75
Machine menu 441 converting to appliqué 192
noise filtering 72
quick reference 439 displaying 75
outline sharpening 71
Special menu 441 graphics acceleration,
outlined vs non-outlined 69
Standard toolbar 442 reducing 480
outputting designs as 353
Stitch menu 441 Graphics mode 29
preparation 69
Stitch Types toolbar 443 creating lettering 230
sharpening 69
switching 34 switching 34
initials, monogram lettering 211
Toolbox 444 Graphics tool 34, 120, 121
Input C
Transform toolbar 443 grid digitizing columns and
changing display color 426
View menu 440 borders 147
embroidery objects display 58
tool 138–153
convert to vector 136 rulers and guides 57 input methods
displaying 75 setting options 426 digitizing 136
inter-converting 152 snap to 427 selecting 138

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Insert menu, Embroidery selecting symbols 266 Mirror
mode 441 special characters and Horizontally tool 309
inserting symbols 266 Vertically tool 309
one design into another 279 stitching sequence 275 mirroring objects
one object inside another 284 transforming with Reshape around a specified axis 309
inter-converting objects 152 Object tool 257 around X or Y axis 309
italics, lettering 241 transforming with Select Object horizontally 309
tool 253 vertically 309
troubleshooting 474 mode
See also alphabets Embroidery 31
J See also baselines Graphics 29
Lettering tool 233, 234, 248–261, switching 34
justification, lettering 241 266, 275 Modify Thread Chart
line spacing, adjusting dialog 178–189
lettering 245 modifying designs 21
lines, digitizing with Run 150 moving objects 292
K Lock tool 297 with the Color-Object List 111
keyboard shortcuts 445 locking objects 296 modifying objects
with the Color-Object List 297 aligning 294
changing entry point 320
changing exit point 320
L M
grouping 296
locking 296
Length Calculation dialog 101 mirroring 308
letter sequencing, setting 275 Machine Format dialog 42
Machine Format Values resequencing objects by
letter spacing number 290
adjusting 243 dialog 402–411
Standard 412–413 resequencing with Color-Object
individual letters 244 List 290
lettering machine formats
advanced values 407 rotating 303
adding to designs 20 scaling 298
adjusting individual letters 256 changing 400
color change sequence 407 skewing
adjusting Satin stitch spacing evenly 295
settings 270 creating custom 412
viewing by color 82
adjusting spacing 243 creating custom format 412
customizing for specific monitor, setting up 421
adjusting Tatami stitch monogram borders 225
settings 272 designs 413
modifying values 406 monogram lettering
adjusting Zigzag stitch initials 211
settings 273 removing 413
name 211
arched baselines 239 selecting 398
Monogramming
changing line spacing 245 start of design/end of
design 409 Borders dialog 208, 225
color changes between Lettering dialog 208, 211, 213
letters 235 machine functions, speed 410
Machine menu, Embroidery Ornaments dialog 208, 215, 220,
coloring 261
mode 441 222
coloring on-screen 261
machine types, supported tool 207–213
creating in Embroidery
formats 448 monograms
mode 233
machines, see embroidery creating 207
creating in Graphics mode 230
machines lettering with initials 211
creating monograms 207 Motif Fill
Make Same
editing 247 applying 164
Height tool 302
entering via Object Properties filling shapes with 164
Width and Height tool 302
docker 234 tool 157, 164
Width tool 302
formatting 241 moving objects
measuring distances on screen 60
horizontal baselines 238 nudging 293
Melco
I-beam 261 CND conversion tables 453 positioning with X:Y
individual letter spacing 244 CND files, color merging 391 coordinates 293
reshaping baseline 262 CND format, saving as 364 with click-and-drag 293
reshaping curved baselines 262 digitizing for CND (tables) 457 Multi-Colorway Box dialog 175–180
reshaping on screen 258 menus Change Background Color 85,
rotating with Reshape tool 255 Embroidery mode 439 176
scaling with Select Object selecting commands 48 Multi-Colorway Box tool 84,
tool 253
minimum stitch, Tatami 162 175–179

Index 502
multiple colorways, see colorways mirror-merging 308 Object Property Position 435
moving 292 Shift Pasted Objects 435
nesting 284 Start at Current Stitch 435
positioning 292 Paste tool 281, 286
N resequencing 285 peripheral devices
names, monogram lettering 211, reshaping 311 setting up 416
rotating 303 See also hardware
213 planning
needle position marker 88 selecting 105
selecting colors 170 design shapes 12
New Colorway dialog 175 stitching sequence 12
new designs, starting 11 skewing 307
See also modifying objects pointer position display 432
New Thread Chart dialog 182 popup menus, using 49
New tool 38 objects & stitches, shortcuts 446
online help 6 ports, serial 416
noise filtering, images 72 position coordinates 60
nudging objects into position 293 Open dialog 37, 352, 378, 388
Open Embroidery Disk dialog 368 Print
Open From Embroidery Disk dialog 339
dialog 368 Options dialog 341–357
Open Options dialog 378–380, 394 Preview tool 103
O Open tool 36, 352 tool 339
object outlines opening designs printing
changing display color 426 converting stitch designs 377 backgrounds 348
hide/show 76 from DOS disk 367 multiple colorways 348
Object Properties Open tool 36 production information 103
docker 53, 56 other formats 367 production worksheets
Fills > E Stitch docker 168 preview window 36 customizing 344
Fills > Motif Fill docker 164 opening files print options 340
Fills > Satin docker 159, 160, 270 object/outline recognition 377 printing 337, 338, 339
Fills > Tatami docker 162, 272 scaling 377 printing backgrounds 348
Fills > Zigzag docker 167, 273 Options viewing 103
Outlines > Run docker 152 Auto Scroll dialog 429 project types, changing 44
Special > Auto Appliqué General dialog 431–436 properties
docker 195–202 Grid and Guides dialog 427, 428 of objects 56
Special > Fusion Fill docker 146 Reshape dialog 430 See also object properties
Special > Input C docker 149 View Design dialog 423, 424 Properties dialog
Special > Lettering Windows Explorer 97
ornament layouts 220
docker 234–241, 248, 252, 267, properties, lettering 234
multi-ornaments 222
pull compensation
275 ornaments
tool 52, 56, 324 creating monograms 207 applying 329
object properties with monograms 215 Pull Compensation tool 329, 443
accessing 56 Purge Recover and Backup
outline files 374, 387
Directories dialog 477
applying/managing 323 outlines
push-pull effect, compensating
changing 325 changing display color 426 for 146
changing stitch type 156 control points 139
defaults 323 displaying 76
lettering 234 show/hide 423
overview 156 outputting designs R
Object Properties dialog as bitmap images 354
Auto Appliqué 199 as vector drawings 353 reassigning colors, to stitch
object-based embroidery 15 to different formats 400 files 394
objects overlaps, stabilizing segments 146 Recognition - Advanced Options
changing colors 170 overstitching, pull dialog 382
cloning 283 compensation 329 recoloring objects 170
converting 152 Redo tool 57
copying and pasting 281 redoing commands 57
deleting 284 redrawing designs slowly 91
deselecting 105 P reference lines
duplicating 283 mirroring objects 309
palette, see also color palette rotating by specified angle 306
editing 311 panning designs 78
locking and unlocking 297 rotating relative to 305
paste options
mirroring 308 reference points
Center at Current Stitch 435
rotating using 305

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 503


rotating using (exact angle) 306 overview 158 with the Color-Object List 111
scaling objects with 301 tool 156, 158, 160, 270 selection
Remove Color From Palette Save As dialog 46, 354 handles, scaling 293
tool 172, 177 Save Options dialog 365 marquee, selecting objects 108
Rename Thread Chart dialog 185 Save to Embroidery Disk sequence
Resequence By Number dialog 291 dialog 371 appliqué components 204
resequencing Save tool 46 checking 88
appliqué components 204 saving resequencing 286
by color 288 CSD format 366 traveling 88
by selection 287 designs 46 Sequence By Color dialog 288
objects 285 Melco CND format 364 serial devices, recommended
objects by Color-Object List 290 Save tool 46 settings 416
objects by number 290 scaling objects Serial Port Setup dialog 417
using cut and paste 286 by click-and-drag 299 settings
using the Color-Object List 289 make same size 302 Always Check Design
reshape nodes on screen 299 Integrity 436
reshape objects 311 to an exact size 300 changing display 83
Reshape Object tool 203, 243–245, using Object Properties Cross Hair Cursor 436
251–258, 312–320, 430 panel 300 Cumulative Stitch Count 436
reshape options 430 using reference points 301 other options 436
Reshape toolbar scanning pointer position display 432, 433
Show Entry/Exit 313, 320 artwork 66 Run Small Stitch Filter on
Show Handles 312, 318 color mode 67 Output 436
Show Reshape Nodes 312, 315, preparing artwork 66 Show Design Source 436
318 resolution 66 shapes, with turning stitches 141
Show Stitch Angles 313 sharpening 69 shortcuts, keyboard 445
reshaping objects 311 tips 68 Show
bézier control handles 318 Screen Calibration dialog 421 All tool 78
lettering 262 security, device messages 469 Embroidery tool 75, 121
reshape nodes 315 segments, adjusting overlap 146 Entry/Exit tool 313, 320
Retain Graphics tool 136 Select Border dialog 225 Graphics tool 75, 121
Revert to Factory Settings Select By Color dialog 82, 110 Grid tool 58, 427
dialog 476 Select By Stitch Type dialog 111 Handles tool 312, 318
Rotate 45 degrees Select Machine Format dialog 61, Outlines tool 76
CCW tool 304 399 Reshape Nodes tool 312, 315, 318
CW tool 304 Select Motif dialog 215 Rulers and Guides tool 58, 428
Rotate tool 305 Select Object tool 106–109, 250, Stitch Angles tool 313
rotating objects 303 253, 283 Show Grid tool 427
by an exact amount 304 Select Source dialog 215 show outlines 76
by click-and-drag 304 selecting Skew tool 307
on screen 304 alphabets 234 skewing objects
using a reference line 305 selecting objects by click-and-drag 307
using a reference line and by color 110 by exact angle 307
angle 306 by selection marquee 108 with rotation handles 307
Rotation handles by stitch type 110 Slow Redraw
rotating 304 changing display color 426 dialog 91
rulers and guides 57 grouping 296 tool 91, 132
Run resequencing by selection 287 Small Stitches dialog 332
setting stitch length 151 Select Object tool 105 snap to grid 427
stitch length 151 selecting all 106 Space Evenly
tool 139–153 selecting consecutive Across tool 295
runs, creating 150 objects 106 Down tool 295
selecting first and last 109 spacing
selecting multiple objects 106 lettering 243
selecting the next or previous objects evenly 295
S object 109 using Auto Spacing 158
shortcuts 445 Special menu, Embroidery
same size, objects 302 mode 441
Satin using point and click 106
using SHIFT to select a Split Palette Color tool 179
appliqué cover stitch 202 Standard toolbar
range 106
automatic spacing 158 Auto Start and End 120, 332

Index 504
Color-Object List 52, 93, 111, 289, dialog 362, 400 tool 230
290, 297 tool 121, 361, 400 Tag as Turning Satin Lettering
Copy 281 stitch types tool 230
Cut 281, 286 changing 156 Tag as Wilcom Lettering tool 230
Embroidery Disk Open 367 fill 156 Tatami
Embroidery Disk Save As 370, overview 156 stitch length 162
400 Satin 158 stitch spacing, length and
New 38 selecting 156 minimum length 162
Object Properties 52, 56, 324 Tatami 162 tool 156, 162, 272
Open 36, 352 Stitch Types toolbar values 162
Paste 281, 286 Auto Underlay 328 text, editing lettering 247
Print 339 E Stitch 156, 168, 443 thread charts
Print Preview 103 Motif Fill 157, 164 adding colors 188
quick reference 442 Pull Compensation 329, 443 copying colors 187
Redo 57 Satin 156, 158, 160, 270 creating 182
Save 46 Tatami 156, 162, 272 deleting 184
Show All 78 Zigzag 130, 156, 166, 273 modifying 182
Show Grid 58, 427 Stitch Types toolbar, quick modifying threads 178, 185
Show Outlines 76 reference 443 renaming 184
Show Rulers and Guides 58, 428 stitch values thread colors 170
Stitch to Connection Auto Spacing (Satin) 158 adding to thread charts 188
Manager 363, 400 guide runs (appliqué) 198 copying across thread
length (Tatami) 162 charts 187
Stitch to Stitch Manager 121,
setting Tatami values 162 creating thread charts 182
361, 400
tacking (appliqué) 200 matching 172
TrueView 76, 120, 130, 424
stitches mixing your own 190
Undo 57
appliqué cover 202 modifying threads 178, 185
Zoom 78, 130
appliqué tacking 200 See also colors
Zoom 1-1 78 threads
create turning stitches 141
Zoom Factor 78, 442 brands 189
digitizing Run 150
Start/End Design Tool 88 code 189
estimating total 101
starting DecoStudio 28, 116, 124 density 189
selecting a stitch type 156
Status Line, measurements 60 type 189
stitch angles show/hide 423
stitch types 156 toolbars
adding 319 selecting commands 50
adjusting 319 traveling by 88
stitching designs showing/hiding 51
stitch designs using 50
conversion options 377 using Connection Manager 363
using Stitch Manager 361 Toolbars dialog 51
opening 377 Toolbox
processing into objects 377 See also Stitch Manager
stitching sequence 88 Auto Appliqué 139, 154, 195–203
stitch recognition 377 Fusion Fill 138–154
stitch files lettering 275
See also sequence Input C 138–153
overview 374 Lettering 233, 234, 248–261, 266,
shortcuts 445
reassigning colors 394
styles, monogram lettering 211 275
supported formats 450 Monogramming 207–213
Stitch Manager switching modes 34
deleting embroidery Symbol Selection dialog 267 quick reference 444
machines 420 system preferences Reshape Object 203, 243–245,
dialog 362 automatic backup 431 251–258, 312–320, 430
setting up embroidery automatic save 431 Run 139–153
machines 418 setting 423 Select Object 106–109, 250, 253,
using 361 viewing options 424 283
Stitch menu, Embroidery Slow Redraw 91, 132
mode 441 Start/End Design 88
stitch recognition 377 Travel 1 Stitches 89, 444
advanced options 382 T Travel 10 Stitches 89, 444
stitch runs, creating 150 tacking Travel 100 Stitches 89, 444
Stitch to Connection Manager digitzing appliqué 195 Travel 1000 Stitches 89, 444
dialog 363 setting values 200 Travel by Color 88, 444
tool 363 Tag as Appliqué tool 129, 192 Travel by Object 88, 444
Stitch to Stitch Manager Tag as Parallel Tatami Lettering total stitch count, estimating 101

Wilcom D ecoStu dio© e1 Onscre en Ma nu al 505


Transform dialog 301–309 show/hide 423 colorways 84
Transform toolbar thread thickness 424 control points 312
Mirror Horizontally 309 tool 76, 120, 130, 424 designs 76
Mirror Vertically 309 viewing designs 76 graphics 75
quick reference 443 turning stitches, creating objects by color 82
Rotate 305 shapes 141 viewing designs
Rotate 45 degrees CCW 304 displaying hidden objects 112
Rotate 45 degrees CW 304 outlines 76
Skew 307 panning 78
transforming letters, on U redrawing slowly 91
screen 257 setting display options 80
transforming objects Undo tool 57
undoing commands 57 setting options 424
mirroring (reference line) 309 shortcuts 445
rotating (reference line and Ungroup tool 296
ungrouping objects 296 TrueView options 424
angle) 306 zooming 78
rotating (reference line) 305 with the Color-Object List 297
scaling (reference points) 301 Universal Embroidery toolbar
Travel Convert 120, 121, 129
1 Stitches tool 89, 444 Graphics 120, 121
10 Stitches tool 89, 444 Show Graphics 121 W
100 Stitches tool 89, 444 Universal Graphics toolbar width, make objects same 302
1000 Stitches tool 89, 444 Convert 120, 129 worksheets, see production
by Color tool 88, 444 Embroidery 120, 121 worksheets
by Object tool 88, 444 Show Embroidery 121
traveling Tag as Appliqué 129
by 1 stitch 88 Universal toolbar
by 10 stitches 88 Convert 136, 192, 230 X
by 100 stitches 88 Embroidery 34
Graphics 34 X and Y coordinates, setting 293
by 1000 stitches 88
by color 88 quick reference 441
by stitches 88 Retain Graphics 136
Show Embroidery 75
by stitches tools 88
Show Graphics 75
Z
overview 88
trims functions 403 Tag as Appliqué 192 Zigzag tool 130, 156, 166, 273
troubleshooting 467 Tag as Parallel Tatami Zoom 1-1 tool 78
beeping sound 474 Lettering 230 Zoom Factor dialog 78
deleting files with purge Tag as Turning Satin Zoom Factor tool 78, 442
Lettering 230 zoom in/out 78
recovery 477
Tag as Wilcom Lettering 230 Zoom tool 78, 130
design integrity 473
Unlock All tool 297
device connections 471
unlocking objects 297
embroidery lettering 474
with the Color-Object List 297
exception access violations 478
unrecoverable errors,
general problems 471 troubleshooting 470
missing files 470 unsewn stitches
missing toolbars 473 changing display color 426
output 472
recovering backups 474
reverting to factory settings 476
security device messages 469 V
stitch display 472
TrueView™ 473 values
units of measurement 472 selecting stitch types 156
Unrecoverable error when See also object properties
opening DecoStudio 471 vector drawings
unrecoverable error when outputting designs as 353
opening design 470 vector graphics, converting to
unrecoverable errors 470 appliqué 192
TrueView vector objects
convert to embroidery 136
Options dialog 424
View menu, Embroidery mode 440
selecting options 424
viewing

Index 506

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