Digitizing Tools

Sfumato Stitch

(C) BALARAD, s.r.o.

Rev. 26 Jun 2012

Embird Studio
Digitizing Tools (optional part)

Sfumato Stitch (optional part)

Optional Parts

Embird Studio is an additional plug-in for Embird, available in a separate installation file. It allows user to digitize
her/his own, custom designs. Studio contains two parts: Sfumato Stitch and Digitizing Tools. Both Sfumato
and Digitizing Tools parts are optional, which means that it is not necessary to purchase them both.

Digitizing Tools serve to fancy designs, lettering and company logos digitizing. Design is
digitized so that user creates outline (vector) objects either on a blank background or on an
image used as a template. Vector objects are then filled with stitches. Vector objects are created
manually node-by-node, with free-hand or trace tool and from vector graphic files (EMF,
WMF, CMX). All these approaches can be combined one with another.

Sfumato Stitch allows user to create photo-realistic designs from digital images. It can be
combined with Digitizing Tools to add lettering, borders, etc. Sfumato uses similar vector
objects like the Digitizing Tools, but they are filled with different type of stitches. Sfumato
stitches form meanders of variable density to approximate the underlying picture while leaving
the fabric show through.

Basic Concept - Vector Objects

While basic Embird program works mostly with stitch files, Studio uses vector objects for easier creation of
design. Therefore, Studio uses other tools than the basic Embird program. Stitch files are the end product of
embroidery software, because stitch files are used by embroidery machines as a list of commands to produce
embroidery. Stitch files contain coordinates of each stitch and some color and trim commands. However, creation
of design with stitch-by-stitch method would be very tedious and time consuming process.

Fortunately, most objects in design can be filled with more or less unif
sufficient to draw vector outlines of the object and fill it with stitches in
color in a graphic program. Tools available in Studio are very similar t
programs. There is a big difference between embroidery design and ve
difference is that order of objects and their overlapping is much more
graphics. Moreover, objects in embroidery design should be connecte
low number of trims as possible.

Vector files generated by Studio are kind of "source files". When comp
produc e stitch files ready for saving in appropriate file format compati

Please read "Get Started" chapter. There are also special tutorials
Vector object (left) filled with stitches (right). menu/ Help.
Vector objects can be easily resized,
because stitches can be re-generated.
Get Started
Designs (patterns) are digitized in Studio as outline (vector) objects with stitches layout based on the object type
and parameters. The finished design is compiled and put into Embird Editor for final adjustment and save in
appropriate embroidery format. Compilation involves generation of stitches for all vector objects, including those
that were not filled with stitches by user.

General Rules of Embroidery Digitizing

To make embroidery design that looks good and sews out smoothly, follow these
general rules:

Create objects so that jumps occur only where you want to have them. Remember to use connections to
connect objects with running stitch paths.
The order of objects in an embroidery design is very important to minimize number of jumps and color
changes. Good designs have as few color changes and trims as possible.
When making design composed of several neighboring areas, it is useful to make zig-zag underlay under
whole design first, to stabilize the fabric. Use Fill object without cover stitches for this purpose.
Thread tension always causes the real stitches to be a little bit shorter than how they look on the screen.
Use pull compensation to prolong the stitches. Design for elastic fabric needs more pull compensation.
When doing complex design, digitize it from center out if possible, to prevent fabric puckering.
Edge underlay for broad objects and center-walk underlay for thin objects helps to avoid edge distortion
on elastic fabric. Zig-Zag underlay adds 3D effect. Underlay should be used only for objects that are large
enough to hide the underlay stitches.
Neighboring areas should overlap one another slightly to prevent gaps caused by pull effect of thread.

Specific Rules of Digitizing with Embird Studio

There are also some rules specific for the Embird Studio:

Do all resizing of designs digitized in Studio directly in Studio, not in Embird Editor. While in Studio, design
is in outline format that resizes with much higher quality than stitch files in Editor.
Studio allows to put image into background of work area and digitize objects on it. If you do not scale
image to fit into hoop, Studio displays images so that 100 pixels corresponds to 1 centimeter of design size
 (254 pixels corresponds to 1 inch). It is useful to make an empty border around your image, so that you
will not have to work near the edge of image.

Basic Tutorials (recommended order)

To get started, please read the tutorials included in this help file. They are accessible from the left panel of this
window. Tutorials are sorted in a recommended order of reading. Also, this help file contains other chapters like
description of a main menu items and object parameters. Please refer to the index at the left side of this window
for a specific topic.

Technical Notes

Understanding the stitch files and vector files

Embird works with embroidery designs stored in two types of files: 1. stitch files, which can be loaded to
embroidery machine but they are hard to edit and scale, 2. outline files, which are easy to edit and scale but
they cannot be loaded directly into embroidery machine.

Difference between stitch and outline files can be compared to difference between raster (pixel) pictures, which
cannot be enlarged very much because of decreasing quality, and vector graphic, which can be easily resized
and edited.

Outline files are used to create and edit design. Then these outline files are converted (compiled) into stitch files
for use with embroidery machine. There are many stitch file formats (with various file extensions) supported by
Embird, because many embroidery machines use their own, native stitch file format. Basic Embird works mostly
with the stitch files. Outline files are created and edited mostly in Embird Studio. These files have *.eof
extension.

1. Stitch files contain list of individual stitches and optional commands like trims and color changes. These files
are actual input data for all embroidery machines. However, designs in such format are hard to edit and resize,
because only individual stitches are available and there is no information about what objects they form. If such
design is displayed on a screen, the human brain easily identifies the parts of design like outlines, fills, etc.
However, it is not so easy to identify these objects automatically with use of software program. Therefore, many
editing functions and resizing may not work with 100% reliability on stitch files. Although the stitch file is the end
product of embroidery software, designs are not created directly in this format.

2. Outline files are easy to edit and resize, because design in this format contains outlines of all objects with
information for the software program how to generate stitches for each object. Design in this format does not
necessarily contain stitches. The most important part are the outlines and parameters for filling the objects with
stitches.

Understanding the thread flow

Embroidery designs should be created so that number of thread trims is minimal. To achieve this when working
with vector objects, user must keep 3 basic rules on her/his mind:

1. Create objects in proper order (to allow their connection).

2. Add connections between objects whenever possible (where they are hidden under other objects or
where they do not spoil the look of design).

3. Define start and end points of objects properly (to allow continuous flow of the thread).
There are 2 objects in above example. The first one (left) is column. The second one (right) is plain fill object.
They are connected by connection, which is in fact an object too, and must be inserted between the column and
the fill (see below list of objects from the object inspector window).

Column has start point A. Each column ends on the opposite side, which is point B, in this case. To avoid thread
trim, connection was added from point B to C - the start point of the fill. End point of the plain fill can be defined
anywhere on the fill boundary, even in hole (if the fill has any). It is point D, in this case.

When stitches are generated for above

objects, thread fills continuously all objects.
It starts in point 1. Then it fills whole column
with zig-zags and ends in point 2. Then it
fills connection with series of running stitches
(3) until it reaches point 4, which is start
point of the plain fill objects. To cover
complete area of the object, the thread must
start filling in point 6, in this case. Therefore,
connection (5) is automatically generated
from point 4 to 6. After filling the whole
object, thread stops in the end point 7.

Running and jump stitches

Running stitches are 'normal' stitches embroidered by machine. They form continuous series of stitches, usually
0.5 mm ~ 5 mm long. Some objects in design are separate and machine must move needle to a new position.
To define such move (without stitching), the jump 'stitch' is used.

The jump can be regarded as a very long and loose stitch. Although it is just move of the needle, we call it
'stitch', because needle penetrates the fabric at the end of previous running stitch, i.e. at beginning of the jump,
and at beginning of the next running stitch, i.e. at the end of the jump. From this point of view, the jump is the
same stitch like the 'normal' stitches, but usually much longer. This fact is used for embroidering very broad satin
stitches (see below).

Longest stitch

Most embroidery machines have 12.7 mm limit for longest possible running stitch. Some machines have even
shorter limit ~ 12.1 mm. It is possible to use satin stitches longer than this limit. Such stitches Embird codes as
series of short starting running stitch and single or multiple jump stitches. Please note that such stitches look
queer on the screen, because of the jump stitches in the middle (displayed with dashed line). However, stitches
on the actual sew-out are all right.

Embroidered design with long satin stitches (longer than 8~10 mm) may be easily damaged by washing because
of the loose stitches. We recommend to use pattern (texture), which splits long stitches into shorter ones.

Blue arrow marks the normal running stitch, i.e. running stitch shorter than limit.

Longer stitches are automatically divided into short running stitch (green arrow) and series of jump stitches (red
arrow). When embroidered on a fabric, all stitches look the same. There are no needle points in the series of
jump stitches.

Smallest needle step

The shortest possible move of needle on most embroidery

machines is 0.1 mm in both axes. Stitches in stitch files are
coded with use of 0.1 mm grid. Therefore, if you open stitch file
in Embird Editor and zoom-in the stitches sufficiently, you will
discover very small steps on edges which seemed to be smooth
at a small zoom. These little steps are caused by 0.1 mm grid.

Stitch density

The stitch density in Embird is defined as distance between needle

points in above mentioned 0.1 mm grid. Density 4.0 means four
steps of 0.1 mm, i.e. 0.4 mm. The commonly used density of satin
and fill stitches is approximately 3.0 - 4.0, according to weight of
thread used for actual embroidering. 0.1 mm step cannot be
further divided into smaller steps. Therefore, density 3.5 does not
mean that distance of all needle point pairs is 0.35 mm. It means
that some pairs have 0.3 mm distance and some pairs have 0.4
mm distance. The average distance is 0.35 mm.

Studio uses the same density definition as basic Embird, but the 0.1 mm grid affects only exported stitch files.
Outline file format allows to put stitches anywhere, not just to 0.1 mm grid. However, when you compile outline
file into stitch file in Embird Editor, above mentioned effects appear. It is not an error. This is the way how it is
supposed to work.
Object Types
Digitizing in Embird Studio means drawing of objects, which are filled with stitches according to parameters set
individually for each object. This approach was chosen because embroidery design usually contains areas of the
same type of stitches - plain fill (2), satin stitches (3), outline (1), etc. Such areas can be digitized as a
separate objects of respective type and color. Program fills them with appropriate stitch type and user does not
need to care about each individual stitch.

Stitches order within object is controlled by program, with a single exception: object's beginning and end point,
which are defined by user. Stitching starts at beginning point and stops at the end point of the object. Definition
of these points is important for correct connection to previous and next object.

Objects are listed in Object Inspector list (right side picture). They are listed in the actual sewing order from
top to bottom.

Objects have vector (curve or straight line) edges, which means that they can be resized without loss of quality.
Edges are defined by points called nodes. Straight line edge has two nodes - start and end node. Curves in
Studio have three nodes - start, middle and end point. Node in the middle of curve defines arch of the curve.

Straight line (left) is defined by 2 points. Curve (right) is defined by 3 points.

Object usually contains several line and/or curve elements.

Studio uses these types of objects:

Fill
Sfumato
Column
Column with Pattern
Connection
Manual Stitch
 Outline
Appliqué

Each type has specific stitches layout (described below) and adjustable parameters like density, angle, etc. (see
Parameters chapter).

Fill Object
The edge of a fill object is composed of lines and curves. Small rectangles are end points of lines and curves.
Small circles are middle points of curves. The cross at the top is beginning of the edge. Diagonal lines at the
bottom indicates the place of last fill stitch and angles of cover stitches (longest line) and zig-zag underlays
(short and medium length line). Small cross in the object is the 'Focus point' for effects like Circular fill.

Studio automatically generates edge underlay and two zig-zag underlays as well as overlays and connections. Fill
object can contain openings. User can adjust various parameters of Fill object, including stitch density at
beginning and end of object and effects like the wave, contour or circular fill. Fill objects may be filled also with
automatic column (satin) stitch.

Fill object may be followed with Carving object. Plain fill (left) and automatic column fill (right)

Fill object with opening (left) and carving lines (right).

Single fill object can have multiple openings and/or carvings

Fill witch circular stitches and gradient, Fill witch circular stitches and gradient,
contour fill with gradient contour fill with gradient
Direction of stitches in automatic column fill can be controlled to some degree with direction lines.

Most common error message: "Compilation Failed. The sequence is probably not correct. Adjust sequence
outlines."

Solutions:
1. Do not use too many nodes. The curves allow you to create smooth edges even with small number of nodes.

2. Make sure that all edge element are correctly drawn and that middle points of curves are placed correctly. No
edge element should cross other elements.

Sfumato Object
Sfumato objects are used for creation of photo-like embroidery
designs. Sfumato object is drawn exactly like the Fill object, but the
stitches inside of object are generated in other way. Thread creates
meanders of various size to approximate the picture/photo under
object.

Sfumato is an optional part of the Studio. It is included in the

installation file of the Studio (no separate download needed), but it
must be purchased and registered separately.

Column Object
Satin stitch object is called column in the Studio. Column is composed of two edges. Each edge can have
different number of parts (lines and curves). Dashed line indicated the End of Segment inserted by user.
Segments ends define direction of stitches. Beginning and end of Column are automatically Segment Ends.
Program generates small gap at beginning and end of Column to prevent stitches bulging.

Too long cover stitches are replaced by jump stitches ended with short running stitch. Program generates center
walk, edge and zig-zag underlays and it also automatically shorts stitches in curved parts. Too sharp corners of
Column object are automatically replaced by roof, folded or split corner.
Column object may be followed with Carving object.

Most common error message: "Unable to compile so twisted object. Please insert some segment end into
object or adjust edges." Solution:

1. Do not use too many nodes. The curves allow you to create smooth edges even with small number of nodes.

2. Make sure that two sides of column do not cross each other.

3. Use Segment Ends inside of column now and then to define direction of stitches. When making circle or
rectangle border with column object, there should be about 4 or more segments inside of column.

Column with Pattern Object

Column with Pattern is the same object as Column, but user can define also the pattern, according to which
stitches are split. User can define also her/his own patterns.

Both Column and Column with Pattern can be used with Envelope.

Column with Pattern object may be followed with Carving object.

Connection Object

Objects that do not touch each other are automatically connected

by jump stitches, when compiling the finished design. If you do
not want jump stitch between objects, use Connection Object to
make running stitches path between objects.

Manual Stitches Object

Manual Stitches are composed of series of lines. Use them to produce fine details.
Outline Object
Outline is composed of one edge that may or may not be closed. User can use various stitch samples for the
outline. Typically, this object is used for running stitch outlines added on top of fill or column. Outline may be
turned to sketch, satin stitches, border or to appliqué and vice versa.

Appliqué Object
Appliqué Object is similar to Column object, but it must be closed. It serves for stitching down the piece of fabric
instead of filling the area with stitches. Appliqué Object automatically generates marking, tack-down and cover
stitches. Tack-down stitches have separate color in order to stop machine and allow user to cut off the fabric.

Appliqué can also have openings, which are another appliqué objects inside.
Marking stitches, tack-down and cover stitches of main appliqué and its
openings are automatically arranged so that they sew all at once: all
marking stitches first, all tack-down stitches next, and all cover stitches at
end.

If you need to work with individual layers of Appliqué object, use main
menu > Convert > Split Appliqué into Layers command. Result is
separate marking stitches (outline), tack-down (column) and cover stitches
(column) objects.
Main Window

Controls

1. Hoop (Work Area). When starting a new design, the work area is blank. User can import image into
background of work area. Default colors of work area and grid lines are specified and can be changed in
Edit/Preferences.

2. Rulers. Press left button on vertical or horizontal ruler and drag mouse to Work Area to create a Guide
Line.

3. Status Bar. The mouse cursor coordinates, zoom and tool hint or other information are displayed here.
When an object is selected, the status bar displays its size and number of stitches. If editing/creating Fill
object, the status bar displays angles of cover stitches and underlays.

4. Transform, Edit, Zoom and Pan tools. Use Transform tool to move, rotate, or change parameters of an
object. Use Edit tool to switch an existing object to edit mode.

5. Creation tools. From top to bottom: Fill, Sfumato, Opening, Carving, Column, Column with Pattern,
Outline, Manual Stitches, Connection, Appliqué, Appliqué Opening. Use these tools to create new objects.
Read more about available objects here. Parameters of objects are described in a separate Parameters
help file (Help/Parameters).

6. Main menu. Read about main menu here.

7.
 6.

7. Palette of Colors. Click right mouse button on any color to adjust this color. To change color of an existing
object, press left mouse button on color and drag and drop it on the object icon in Objects Inspector
window (see 11 below). To set color that will be used for newly created objects click left mouse button on
any color.

8. Active Color. The Color that will be used for new objects is outlined in black and white.

9. Button bar. The most used functions from main menu and pop-up menus are accessible through these
buttons.

10. Object Inspector window. All objects created on work area are displayed here in order of creation. It
shows order of objects, their type, visibility and whether they are connected to previous object by jump or
not.
When composing complex design with many objects, it is sometimes difficult to isolate desired object in
the work area. Use Object Inspector in this case. To change order of objects, select them with right mouse
button, drag them to their new position, and release mouse button. To Hide/Show object click the eye icon
to the left of each object.

To access menu to duplicate, delete, or change parameters, click right mouse button on selected objects in
Object Inspector window.

A red scissors icon left to the object type icon indicates that there will be jump before this object, because
it does not touch the previous object.

To change color of object in Object Inspector, press left mouse button on any color in Palette (7) and
drag it to this object. Then release the button. Another way is to double click the object icon to access the
color dialog box, or use the Color command from the pop-up menu.

Color can be dragged and dropped from object in the list onto the palette.

To select non-contiguous subset of objects, depress the Ctrl key and left click on each object. In the
editing mode the Object Inspector and Part Inspector windows (11) are replaced with basic parameters of
the object.

11. Part Inspector window. Openings (holes) of fill objects are displayed here as well as parts of joined and
grouped objects. This window serves to select holes and parts for further manipulation, because they
cannot be selected in work area and in Objects Inspector.

12. Magnifying window. This window displays enlarged area around mouse cursor. It aids precise
12.
placement of nodes, allowing user to maintain view of design in the Work Area. To hide this window, use
View/Zoom Window; this will enlarge the Parts Inspector window. When cursor moves over Object
Inspector, this window displays enlarged object icon.

13. Work area scroll bar.

14. Display mode tabs. Click here to read mode about the display modes. Please note the Sim tab. Clicking
on this tab starts the sew simulator.

15. Button for sending the finished design to Embird Editor.

16. Splitter for adjustment of Object Inspector / Parts Inspector size.

17. Splitter for adjustment of size of the right panel.

18. Buttons for browsing in Object Inspector (10). Buttons with arrow icons serve to skip objects of the
same color or connected by connection. They help to browse the objects list faster when you need to find
and select next or previous group of objects.

Check box at the left side allows to use 'refined search' for browsing, which means that selection moves
not only to items containing a jump stitch or change in the object color, but also to items containing a
change in the object type.

Options and Parameters

20. Width of column object created with C column mode. When starting a new object with C
method, this parameter is automatically set according to distance between first two point placed by user.
User can adjust this parameter at any time.

21. Column Mode combo box - choose method of column type objects creation: A - each side
separately, B - alternate sides, C- both sides at once (constant width).

22. Edge Mode combo box - choose line or curve edge as default when creating new objects.

23. Middle Point First check box - if checked, new curve element is created so that on first click, line is
created. On a second click line turns to a curve using the previous point (end of line) as middle point of
curve. If it is not checked, the curve is created on a first click, but the middle point must be dragged to
proper position.

24. Curvature of the rectangle with rounded corners.

25. Check boxes for snapping of nodes options (snap to nodes, snap to Work Area edges, snap to guide
lines). Same options can be accessed in editing/creation mode via main menu > Nodes.

26. Basic parameters of the newly created object. More parameters can be accessed with use of
Objects/Parameters menu after finishing the object.
Tools
Basic tools for creation and editing of vector objects in Studio are located on a left-side panel. The tools in the
top section of the panel serve to manipulate the finished objects and to control the work area (zoom and pan).
The next section contains tools for creation of new objects. The last one is a Measurement Tool.

1. Select and Transform Tool

2. Edit Edges Tool
3. Zoom Tool
4. Zoom 1:1 Tool
5. Lasso Selection Tool
6. Pan Tool

7. Create Fill Object Tool

8. Create Sfumato Object Tool. Sfumato is an optional part of the Studio.
9. Create Opening Tool
10. Create Carving Tool

11. Create Column Object Tool

12. Create Column with Pattern Tool
13. Create Outline Object Tool
14. Create Manual Stitches Tool
15. Create Connection Object Tool
16. Create Appliqué Object Tool
17. Create Appliqué Opening Tool

18. Freehand Tool

19. Trace Tool
20. Measurement Tool

Use zoom tool to zoom in (left mouse button click) or zoom out (right mouse button click). If you want to zoom
in a specific area, depress the left mouse button and drag mouse to make selection. Then release the mouse
button and selected area will be enlarged so that it fits on the screen.

Create Opening can be used only after Create Fill or Sfumato object or previous Opening object. It does not
appear in Object Inspector window as a separate object and cannot be selected directly on the Work Area. To
select the Opening object for transformation, use the Part Inspector window. The same thing applies for
Appliqué Opening object.
To add Opening to Fill or Sfumato, the Fill or Sfumato must be either selected or it must be the last object in the
Object Inspector list.

Create Carving has effect only if used after the Fill, Sfumato, Column, Column with Pattern or Opening object.

The Fill, Sfumato, Opening, Carving, Outline, Connection and Manual Stitches objects have just one side (edge).
Fill, Sfumato and Opening edge must form a closed loop, which means that their last point must be placed on
top of their first point.

The Column Object, Column with Pattern and Appliqué Object always have two sides (edges). If Finish Object or
editing functions are not available (grayed out) more than likely the second side of object has not been drawn.

When Appliqué Opening object is used after main Appliqué object, program generates stitches this way: 1.
marking stitches of both main object and hole, 2. tack-down stitches of both main object and hole, 3. cover
stitches of both main object and the hole. If there would be another Appliqué object instead of Appliqué Opening
object, program would generate all three layers for first object and then all three layers for second object. The
opening would be covered by fabric.

Measurement Tool measures distances and angles in design. It allows to create one or two measuring
lines. If there are two lines, tool measures also the angle between the two lines. Measured parameters are
displayed on panel at right side of the screen.

Button Bar
From left to right:

1. Compile design and put it into Embird Editor

2. Text tool (pre-digitized Alphabets)
3. Text tool (Font Engine - text from TrueType and OpenType fonts)
4. Edit Text (object with text must be selected in the work area or object inspector)
5. New design
6. Open design
7. Merge design
8. Import image into background
9. Import vector file
10. Save design

1. Select all objects

2. Deselect
3. Zoom to selected object(s). Useful when you select object(s) in object inspector. Scrolls and
zooms object(s) to center of the screen.
4. Zoom to selected object(s) and switch to editing mode
5. Delete selected object(s)
6. Duplicate selected object(s)
7.
8.
9.
 5.
6.
7. Copy selected objects to clipboard
8. Paste from clipboard
9. Undo changes
10. Redo changes

1. Edit selected object

2. Access parameters of selected objects
3. Apply pre-defined style to selected object(s)
4. Pick color from background image and apply it to selected object(s)
5. Select color from thread catalogs and apply it to selected object(s)
6. Generate stitches for selected objects
7. Erase stitches in selected objects. It is sometimes useful to erase or 'un-generate' stitches if these
stitches hide objects beneath them, which you need to edit.
8. Display transformations window

1. Set hoop size and color

2. Show / hide jump stitches
3. Show / hide fabric in 3D preview. Background image is displayed if it is imported and fabric is
disabled.
4. Create connection from selected object to previous object to avoid jump (trim)
5. Create backward path (second layer) to outlines
6. Arrange outline parts
7. Arrange outline parts (no Connections)
8. Envelope
9. Auto Outliner
10. Auto-repeat tool
Node-by-Node Vectorization
Embroidery design in Studio consists of objects in a vector form. Studio allows to create vector objects manually
node-by-node, or semi-automatically with Freehand Tool, Trace Tool and import them from a graphic
vector files. This chapter deals with node-by-node manual digitizing (vectorization) of objects.

Object with 1 edge (Fill, Outline, Connection)

The simpliest object in Studio contains just one edge, which is series of straight line or curve elements. Some
object types require "closed" edge, which means that its first point and its last point must have identical position.
To create object with one edge (like Outline, for example), follow these steps:

1. Click on the Outline Tool button in the tool bar at

the left side of the screen. This will switch Studio
into creation/editing mode.
2.

Click on the work area to place the first node of the

object. The first node is marked by a hairline cross.

3.
Click on the other place to create second node.
Note that focused node is displayed with thick
border. Element connecting the 1st and 2nd node
is straight, but is is a curve, because it has middle
node (small circle). Arrow indicates the orientation
of nodes.

4.
Add another two nodes. If you need to edit
position of any node, select it by clicking on it and
drag it to a new position with left mouse button
depressed.
All elements between nodes are straight. Now we
will arch them to create smooth curve.

5.
Click on the middle (circular) node of the first
element to select it. Hold left mouse button
depressed and move node to a new position. This
will make a curve from the straight line.

6.

Select and move rest of the middle nodes until the

whole object is smooth.

7.
7.
Now you can click the right mouse button to invoke
the pop-up menu for finishing object and/or
generating stitches. We have created an Outline
object, which does not need to be closed. Objects
like Fill, Opening or Sfumato must be closed. To
close object, use Close Edges command from the
pop-up menu.

The pop-up menu contains also commands for insertion/deleting of nodes, conversion of elements to straight
lines or curves and several other commands specific for created object. Most of these functions are also
accessible with buttons in the horizontal button bar the top of the screen.

Another functions are accessible via main menu>Nodes. These functions include reversing the nodes order and
options to snap nodes to grid lines, guide lines, other nodes, work area edges and other object edges.

Object with 2 edges (Column, Column with Pattern, Appliqué)

Objects with 2 edges are filled with stitches running from one edge to the other at variable angle. This type of
objects is used for satin stitch and appliqué. To create object with 2 edges, follow these steps:

Click on the Column Tool button in the tool bar at

1. the left side of the screen. This will switch Studio
into creation/editing mode.

Click on the work area to place the first node of the

2.
object. The first node is marked by a hairline cross.

Click on another place to create a base of the

column object. Note that focused node is displayed
with thick border. The base is displayed as a dashed
line. Both edges will start in this base and end in
3. another base at the opposite end of the column.
Basis are always straight lines and they define angle
of stitches at beginning and end of the column.
Angle of stitches in between is interpolated from
these two basis.

Create a new node by clicking on the work area.

4. This is the first element of the edge. Arrow indicates
the orientation of nodes.
5. Create several other nodes of the first edge.

Now select the node at the other side of the base.

This is an important step, because program now
6.
knows that the next nodes will be added to the
second side.

Repeated clicking on the work area will create nodes

7.
belonging to the second edge.

Both edges are composed of the straight lines

8. elements. Middle nodes of curves (which are
straight now) are displayed as a small circles.

Select and move middle nodes to make both edges

smooth. Hold left mouse button depressed and
move node to a new position. This method can be
used for adjustment of any node position, not just
the middle node.
9.
Thread will start filling the column on a place where
the first node (with cross) is located. The sewing will
end at the last node on the second side. If you need
to change sides of the column, use main
menu>Nodes>Swap Edges command.

Click right mouse button anywhere on the work area

to invoke the pop-up menu. Select Generate
Stitches from this menu. This will finish the
10.
creation/editing mode and fill new object with
stitches. If you do not want to fill it with stitches
now, use the Finish Object command instead.
 Finished column object has stitches running in a zig-
zag way from the start base to the end base, which
define range of angles of the stitches. Basis may be
not sufficient to define angle of stitches of a more
complex column. In such a case, use End of
11.
Segment command from the pop-up menu to
define angle inside of column. This command will
connect selected node with a nearest node on the
other side and thus define a stitch angle in this part
of column.

Digitizing of Appliqué object is identical to that of

column object, with only exception that Appliqué
must form a closed figure. Image at the left side
depicts Appliqué before closing edges. There is a
gap between start and end base.

Appliqué object with closed edges. To ensure

precise alignment of start and end base, use pop-up
menu from the step 10. and select Close Edges
command.

Adding New Nodes

Pop-up menu mentioned in above examples can be used to insert (or delete) new nodes on the vector edge. If
you need to add multiple nodes quickly, please use Fast Node Insertion Mode.
Connections
Embroidery design should contain as little thread trims as possible. Trims are time consuming and decrease the
quality of embroidery because of potential thread loosening. Therefore, use connections between objects
whenever possible to reduce the trims number. Connection is series of running stitches whose only purpose is to
draw thread from one spot to another. Otherwise, there would be a trim. Studio has special tool (button on the
left-side picture) for creation of connections. This tool is located in the tool bar at the left side of the Studio
window.

Connections should be used between objects of the same color on places where they are not visible or where
they do not affect too much the overall looking of design. They are often placed beneath other objects or along
the outlines. In case of small lettering (or other small objects laying one near another) the connections are
visible (because there are no objects to hide them), but they are made as short as possible. This type of
connecting objects is called a 'nearest point' connection.

You should always select such sewing order of objects in design that there is a minimum number of trims
required. In this case, we can sew both objects of the blue color first and then the yellow object on top of them.
To avoid trimming between the blue objects, we will connect them with stitches. Connection can be hidden
beneath the yellow object.

Define start and end point of each blue object so that inserted connection does not interrupt continuity of
sewing. The first blue object (the left one) should end on a spot where connection begins. The second blue
object should begin on a spot where connection ends.

There are two ways of how to create connection: 1. use connection tool to digitize connection node-by node. 2.
select second blue object and use right mouse button click to invoke a pop-up menu. Then select 'Create
Connection' from this pop-up menu. This will create a straight-line connection which can be edited node-by-
node. The same command is available from the main menu > Transform.

Please note: to adjust straight-line connection by adding multiple nodes quickly, please use Fast Node
Insertion Mode.

In our example connection has 3 elements - straight line, curve and one more straight line. The curve element
has little circular node in the middle. The start point of connection is marked by cross.
Shape of connection was chosen so that connection runs mostly deep inside of the yellow object which will be
sewn on the top. This helps to prevent showing of connection on the sew-out in case of little displacement of
yellow stitches, which often happens as result of loose hooping of fabric or pull effect of the thread. If upper
object is large enough, place connection at least 2~3 mm inside of the upper object. If it is small, place
connection into the middle.

Connection ensures that the thread path is continuous from beginning of the first object (1) to end of the
second object (4).

Please note that the first object is sewn from bottom up to point (2) and then from top down to point (2). This
type of stitching is caused by location of the start point (1) and the end point (2). It is not possible to fill object
with a single draw while preserving the start and end point and the fill type. However, program automatically
inserts connection stitches inside of this object. User has to create connections only between separate objects,
not within objects themselves where program makes all stitching automatically. This approach allows user to
define overall stitch order without having to care about each individual stitch.

Connections have adjustable Minimum and Maximum Stitch length. Maximum-length stitches are used on
straight-line connection segments. Curved segments are stitched with shorter stitches to form smooth curves.
Minimum Stitch defines the shortest allowed connection stitch.

On places where running stitches between objects are not desired, connection object allows to create
'controlled jump stitch' for easier trimming.
Fast Node Insertion Mode
While working in nodes creation/editing mode, you can only add new nodes after the last node on the edge.
It is possible to use Insert command from pop-up menu, or button with the same function to add nodes
anywhere, but it can be very cumbersome in case of multiple nodes insertion. Adding new node near existing
node may interfere with selection of that node instead of creation of a new one. The fast node insertion mode
allows to bypass these two problems. It is activated by depressing the "a" key on keyboard while clicking the left
mouse button. This mode has two main advantages:

1. Allows to add new nodes after any selected node, not just the last one.
2. Does not check if you click on existing node, so you can put new node on top or near existing node.

Inserting new nodes is especially useful when adjusting automatically created connection between objects or for
creation and editing of special shading effects with manual stitches. If large number of manual stitches is
created, it is also helps to avoid selection of existing node instead of making a new node.

Below example illustrates insertion of new nodes. Polyline ends with point (1). We want to insert some nodes
after the node (2). Select point (2) by clicking it.

Now depress the "a" button on the keyboard and hold it down. Move cursor to places where you want to create
new nodes and click left mouse button. Create new nodes (3),(4),(5) and (6). Then release "a" button. Please
note that these new nodes were inserted into the middle of the nodes sequence, after node 2. Light gray line on
below illustration indicates previous stage of the polyline.

Please note: while "a" key is depressed, you cannot select existing nodes. To do so, release the "a" key (exit
the fast node insertion mode).
Basic Shapes
Basic shapes like rectangle, ellipse. etc. are available from main menu > Shape. Items in this menu are
normally disabled, because shapes are accessible only in the creation/editing mode, when object's nodes are
editable. This mode allows to use shapes for any type of object and to combine several shapes (like ellipses) into
a single object.

Example 1 - Star
Let's start with a simple example - a star shape used as a fill object.

1. Click on the Fill Tool button in the tool bar at the left side of the screen. This
will start the creation/editing mode.
2.

Click on the work area to create the first node. Note that there is a spider leg
control on this node. This control indicates angles of underlay and cover
stitches of the fill.

3.

Use main menu >Shape >Star (5 points) to select the star shape.

4.

Click on the work area and draw shape with dragging cursor on the work area
with left mouse button depressed. Release the button. Shape is not finished
yet. Its size and position is only approximate.

5.
5.

Adjust the shape position and size with use of the red nodes.

6. Click right mouse button anywhere on the work area to open the pop-up
menu. Select to Elements option.

7.

Shape is converted into the series of elements and nodes. The series begins
and end on a spot nearest to the first node created in step 2.

8.

Click right mouse button anywhere on the work area again. Select Generate
Stitches command from the pop-up menu that appears on the screen.
Finished object is plain fill object with shape of a 5 point star.

Example 2 - Satin Stitch Ellipse

In creation/editing mode it is easy to combine several shapes into a single object. The most common case is
drawing of satin stitch ellipse.

1. Click on the Column Tool button in the

tool bar at the left side of the screen. This
will switch Studio into creation/editing
mode.
2.

Click on the work area to place the first

node of the object. The first node is marked
by a hairline cross.

3.
3.
Click on another place to create a base of
the column object. Note that focused node
is displayed with thick border. The base is
displayed as a dashed line. Both edges will
start in this base and end in another base
at the opposite end of the column. Basis
are always straight lines and they define
angle of stitches at beginning and end of
the column. Angle of stitches in between is
interpolated from these two basis.

4.

Use main menu >Shape >Ellipse (16

Elements) to select the ellipse shape.
Lower number of elements is suitable for
small ellipses, because it produces lower
number of nodes and is easier to edit.
Higher number of elements in this case
means smoother shape closer to the ideal
ellipse.

5.

Draw ellipse close to the focused point. Use

red nodes to adjust ellipse size and position
accurately.

6. Click right mouse button anywhere on the

work area and select to Elements
command from the pop-up menu.
7.

The first side of column is finished.

8.
8.

Now click on the first node of the second

side to focus it.

9.

Use main menu >Shape >Ellipse (16

Elements) to select the ellipse shape
again.

10.

Draw second ellipse close to focused point.

11. Click right mouse button and select to

Elements command from the pop-up
menu.
12.

Both sides of ellipse are drawn.

13.
13.

Click right mouse button anywhere on the

work area again. Select Generate
Stitches command from the pop-up menu
that appears on the screen. Finished object
is plain column object with shape of ellipse.

Example 3 - Rounded Rectangle

The principle of rounded rectangle creation is the same as in previous examples. There is only one exception -
this shape uses additional controls for curvature of the corners. These controls are located in the top-right corner
of the screen and they look like this:

Use the first control to adjust the horizontal curvature of the rectangle corners. Second control affects the
vertical curvature. Adjustment of controls of this type is explained in the Parameters chapter.

Rounded rectangles with different amount of curvature.

Object Inspector

The main features of Object Inspector (1) are described in Main Window
chapter.

Right click on selected object or objects in Object Inspector to access a pop-up

menu for operations with selected objects.

For meaning of Group and Ungroup commands please see Main

Menu / Objects chapter.

To select and manipulate joined and grouped objects, use the Part Inspector
window (2) beneath the Object Inspector window. It is not possible to select
these parts directly on the Work Area.

To change sewing order of objects in Object Inspector, select an object with a

right click and drag it to its new position in the list. Then release the right
button and, from the menu that appears, choose whether the selection should
be placed Before or After the item. You can also choose the Set Identical
Parameters to copy parameters from one object to another, or Set Identical
Color to copy color one object to another.

The meaning of other controls associated with object inspector is:

(3) Magnifying window. This window displays enlarged area around mouse cursor. It aids precise placement
of nodes, allowing user to maintain view of design in the Work Area. To hide this window, use View/Zoom
Window; this will enlarge the Parts Inspector window. When cursor moves over Object Inspector, this window
displays enlarged object icon.

(4) Splitter for adjustment of size of the right panel. Useful when you need to enlarge the right panel to see
text labels, for example.

(5) Splitter for adjustment of Object Inspector / Parts Inspector size.

(6) Buttons for browsing in Object Inspector. Buttons with arrow icons serve to skip objects of the same
color or connected by connection. They help to browse the objects list faster when you need to find and select
next or previous group of objects. Check box at the left side allows to use 'refined search' for browsing, which
means that selection moves not only to items containing a jump stitch or change in the object color, but also to
items containing a change in the object type.

The meaning of icons in below table is as follows: 1. Icon for showing/hiding object, 2. Small picture of object, 3.
Indicator of jump stitch and/or color change before object. 4. Type of object, 5. Indicator of jumps and/or color
changes inside of joined. grouped or clustered objects, 6. Number of object, 7. Number of color.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
List item in the Object Inspector window. Double click
3. /2 label on the text label (object and color number) to change
object parameters.

Object is visible. Left click on the icon to hide the object.

Object is invisible. Left click on the icon to show the object.

Double click on object icon to generate stitches. Small red

dots indicate the end (ends) of object parts.
 Red scissors indicate that there is a jump stitch before
object. Color tube indicates that object is of other color
than previous object..

Object is Fill.

Object is Sfumato. Sfumato is an optional part of the

Digitizing Studio.

Object is Carving.

Object is Column.

Object is Column with Pattern. It is similar object like

Column, but its cover stitches are divided according to
some pattern. This allows to use wider columns and to
add texture to the cover stitches.

Object is Connection.

Object is Manual Stitches sequence.

Object is Outline and there exists backward path object to

this object. This means that there are two layers of stitches
on this place.
Object is Outline and there is no backward path created to
it. This icon helps to identify parts of outline that have only
one layer of stitches.
Outline object that is a backward path for some previous
outline object.

Object is Appliqué.

Object is composed of several other objects that are joined

(small black lock), grouped (medium size blue lock) or
clustered (large magenta lock).
Small horizontal scissors indicate that there are jump
stitches inside of joined, grouped or clustered object. Small
horizontal color tube indicates that there are color changes
inside of joined, grouped or clustered object.
Object number. Left click on text label (which includes also
color number) to access the Parameters window. To
3. copy parameters or color into other objects, select item,
depress right mouse button and drag and drop on the
other object.
Color number. Colors are numbered in order of
appearance. This number helps to identify objects with the
/2
same color, which is useful especially in a case of very
similar colors.
Current version displays labels for objects belonging to
lettering created with Alphabets or with Font Engine.
Label contains first line of respective text and 'Alphabets
label
Text' or 'Font Engine Text' attribute. If you want to edit
lettering object, use right mouse click to open pop-up
menu and select Edit Text command.
Display Mode
Studio provides several ways of how to display embroidery design during creation or editing. They help to create
design from raster image in the work area background and view all parts of design in either vector or 3D mode.

Display mode is set with use of the Display mode tabs at the bottom left part of the Studio window.

Single click on the tab switches the display mode.

Double click opens Preferences window and allows to edit parameters of 3D modes (thread width,
background).

In Normal mode, all objects (background image and digitized vector objects) are displayed. In Image mode
only the background image is displayed. In Vector mode only the digitized objects are displayed.

In 3D and 3D Matte modes design is displayed with use of realistic three dimensional simulation. In the 3D
Matte mode a lusterless thread is used as opposed to the 3D mode, in which design is displayed in glittering
thread colors.

In Flat mode design is displayed with plain colors (without shading and glittering), but preserving the thread
width. This mode is useful when working on detailed parts of design where thread shading and glittering may be
confusing. User can create and edit design even in the 3D, 3D Matte and Flat mode, which is not possible in the
1:1 modes.

Another view modes are 1:1 mode, 1:1 Matte mode and 1:1 Flat mode. These modes display design on the
screen in a real size, taking into account screen calibration from the Embird Manager. Design cannot be edited in
these three view modes.

Switching to Sim mode starts a sew simulator in the work area of Studio. Click here to read more about this
function.

The next two display modes help to improve design quality by allowing to check the stitch density, underlay
layout, etc.

D. Map (Density Map) displays design in a false color scale, with colors gradient from blue through green and
yellow to red. Intense red color indicates areas of critical stitch density. This display mode is useful when
converting graphic file (like CMX, EMF or WMF) to embroidery design. Graphic files do often have
number of hidden or overlapped layers, which must be removed when used for embroidery. Density Map allows
to discover places with too many layers (and consequently, high stitch density).
X-Ray mode displays stitches as semi-transparent, allowing to see through the cover stitches and check the
underlay, the tie-up stitches and overlays. This mode helps to check all layers of design at once and to identify
areas of high stitch density.

Fill object in x-ray mode:

1 - tie-up stitches, 2 - connection path, 3 - edge underlay, 4 - overlay of fill sections, 5 - pattern of cover stitches

There are also other options that affect displaying of design. They are accessible via main menu > View.

Zoom levels in Studio

Zooming system in Studio uses basic unit equal to minimal possible movement of the needle, which is 0.1mm for
most embroidery machines.

In zoom 1, 10 screen pixels=1 mm of the needle movement. However, this does not mean that 10 pixels = 1
mm on the computer screen, because screen pixel is usually much larger than 0.1 mm. Therefore, what you see
on the screen with zoom 1, is not a real size of embroidery design. To see design in a real size, Studio provides
special 1:1 viewing mode (1:1, 1:1 matte and 1:1 flat tabs). These viewing modes use screen calibration from
Embird to display designs in a 1:1 real size;

For common 17" screen with 1280x800 pixels resolution, zoom 2 in Studio displays approximately 5 x real size of
design.
How to Digitize a Logo
We will learn how to digitize a company logo in this lesson. It is intended for beginners and all steps are
commented.

Studio fills vector objects drawn by user or imported from vector file with stitches and finished design is
uploaded into Embird Editor for final adjustments and save in desired format. When doing a real digitizing job,
please note that if you do already have logo vectorized in some graphic program and saved in EMF, WMF, CMX
or other format compatible with Studio, you can use the main menu/ design/ Import vector file function to
convert vector graphics into design and avoid manual redrawing of objects. However, we will use manual
digitizing in this lesson to learn how to do it in Studio, because lot of digitizing work must be done manually to
achieve best result.

When digitizing design in Studio, user can import scanned picture or photo into the background of the work area
to use it as a template for digitizing. Digitizing itself is drawing of vector objects on top of the image and filling
them with stitches. To make vector objects more visible on the background, imported image can be brightened,
darkened or otherwise filtered.

The first step in digitizing logo or other design is usually import of the scanned image. Scan is usually rotated,
deformed or otherwise distorted.

Chapter 1 - Adjustment of the Image

Use the main menu/ Image/ Import command to load image into the background of the work area. Image
'Embird.JPG' used for this lesson can be found in the PATTERNS subfolder of the Studio. When importing
image, Studio asks you whether you want to resize image so that it fits the current size of Hoop (Work Area) or
not. Select No in this case. We will set the image size later.

Studio can import image up to 3000 pixels width and height.

Fig.1. Import of Image.

This image needs to be rotated to a horizontal position. Use the main menu/ Image/ Edit Image Window
command to open window with image adjustment controls. There is a Rotate Image control on the first tab.
Use it to rotate image to desired position. You can adjust angle in a several ways:

Left button click on the angle value (number) to increase the angle.
Right button click on the angle value (number) to decrease the angle.
Left button click on the clock face to set the angle directly.
Right button click on the clock face to open window with slider for angle adjustment.

When adjusting the angle, wait a moment for Studio to rotate the image. Change the angle until image is
rotated to desired position.

Do not click click Apply button yet. We will make more operations before closing this window.
 Fig. 2. Rotated image.

Now we will crop the image and set required size of the image (which means also required size of embroidery
design).

Move the crop lines close to edges of the logo. Crop lines have square handle in the middle to allow user to seize
and move the crop line. You can use Transform and Zoom tools as well as the work area scroll bars to zoom
in or out, and to scroll the work area in order place the crop lines precisely. Area that will be cut off is grayed.

Select the second tab (image size) and set required size of the image. The third tab allows you to set width of
empty area border that will be added to the image after cropping and resizing. This empty border is useful for
digitizing, because user does not have to work too close to work area edges.

Fig. 3. Logo bounded by crop lines.

Click Apply button. Image is rotated, cropped and resized. If you have skewed or otherwise deformed image,
use Straighten Image tool from the main menu/ Image. We will not use it now as it is not needed in this
case.

To make digitizing easier, we will brighten the image. All necessary image details will remain visible, but there
will be higher contrast between digitized vector objects and background image. Use the main menu/ Image/
Background Filters to open the window for change of image brightness and color. Move the Brightness slider
to 44%, approximately. Then click Apply button.
 Fig. 4. Background Filters window and effect of increased brightness on the image.

Chapter 2 - Digitizing of Filled Areas

Now we can start the actual digitizing. We will use the Fill objects for color areas like letters and nuts and we
will add thin black outline (Outline objects) later. Fill objects are filled with long parallel stitches (if basic 'plain
fill' is used ) that are split into shorter stitches to avoid too thread being too loose. Because of these split
stitches and their constant angle, fill objects used for digitizing of large objects. They are not proper for digitizing
of small lettering or narrow objects. If you use fill objects for lettering, it should be at least 1cm (1/2 inch) high
to sew well.

Good embroidery design should have as low number of trims (jump stitches) as necessary, in order to speed-up
the sewing process and to make embroidery nicer.If there are no trims or color changes, design is sewn in a
single 'draft'. Sometimes it is not possible to avoid trim, but digitizer should minimize their number in the design.
To avoid too many trims, it is necessary to place start and end point of areas which are close one to the other so
that they could be connected with Connection objects. There should be minimum distance between end point
of one object and start point of the other, so that connection is as short as possible ('nearest point
connection).

Fig. 5. Nearest point connection between two fill objects.

Note: it is not necessary to use always only the nearest point connections. The gap between connected objects
can be covered by object of another color. In such a case, connection should be hidden beneath this object,
even if it is not a nearest point connection.

Click on the red color in the palette (top right corner of the screen) to select red color for objects that we are
going to create.
Select the Fill tool and place the first node on a place of letter E that is nearest to the letter m. Now the
Studio is in a 'creation/editing' mode. Letter E will have start point and fill end point on the same place, because
it is a first letter in the word. Digitize whole letter by placing nodes around the letter. Rectangular node is end of
the curve. Circular node is middle point of the curve. Move the middle points to the side to adjust the curves.

Fig. 6. Creation of letter E. This is an animated picture. You should view it on the computer screen.

To place the last node on top of the first, you have to create it a little bit aside and then move it on top of the
first node. Otherwise, you will select the first node instead of creating a new node.

When whole object is drawn, click the right mouse button to invoke the pop-up menu. Choose Generate
Stitches to end the digitizing of the letter. Notice other commands in this menu that allows you to convert
curves to straight lines and vice versa, insert or delete elements and also change position of start and end point
of the fill. Program fills the Fill object with thread beginning in the start point and finishing in the end point.
Correct placement of these two points are very important if you want to connect several objects together and
avoid trims.
 Fig. 7. Draw curves along the contour of letter E, starting at the right side.

Then Click right mouse button to invoke the pop-up menu and select Generate Stitches. 3 lines sticking at
various angles from the first node are indicators of zig-zag underlay 1, zig-zag underlay 2 and cover stitches
angles.

Finished letter is filled with stitches all going at the same angle (0º, in this case). Studio automatically generates
also the underlay stitches around the contour of the letter to prevent the cover stitches pull, and zig-zag
underlay stitches to strengthen the fabric before sewing of the cover stitches. The outer red outline is only object
boundary displayed on the screen, it is not stitches. Notice the tiny white dots on the horizontal stitches. They
mark needle points - places where long horizontal stitches are split into smaller stitches. Needle points are
arranged according to pattern. User can choose any of the predefined fill patterns from the parameters
window or define her/his own patterns.

Notice that all finished objects are displayed in the object inspector (picture at right side).

Fig. 8. Finished letter E filled with underlay and cover stitches (left picture). Icon in the Object Inspector list
(right picture).

Please note that character 'E' was digitized with plan fill tool. If you need to create satin stitch lettering, please
read "Manual digitizing of lettering" tutorial.

Digitize all letters in the same way as the first letter E. Please note that start point of letter m is at the left size
(picture below) and fill end point is at the right side. To achieve this, place the nodes around the letter starting
and ending at the left side. Then select node at the right side, click right mouse button and choose Place Fill
End Point Here command. Start and end points are placed this way because we want to create connection
stitches between the letters later.

Fig. 9. Digitized letter m. Start point is at the left side. Though the last point of the object

is also at the left side (as the object is closed), the stitching will end on the right side of the letter, because Fill
End Point has been assigned to the right-most node.
Letters b and d must be created in a little bit different way, because they have opening. Create the outer contour
like on the previous letters (with fill tool) and then create opening with the Opening tool. Notice that
opening is not displayed in the object inspector window. It is displayed in the parts inspector window where the
parts of complex objects are displayed.

Fig. 10. Finished letter b. Opening is displayed in the Parts Inspector list.

Digitize the blue part of one of the nuts with the fill tool. We will create the rest of objects with duplicating and
rotation. Select the object and click the main menu/ Transform/ Transformations Window.

Fig. 11. First object is digitized manually.

Set 120° to angle control on the Rotation Tab. Click two times on Apply to Duplicate button to create 2 new
objects, each of them rotated 120° from the previous object. Click Close button to hide the window. Select new
objects and move them to their position. Then select them all 3 objects by clicking on them while holding the
shift key depressed. Click right mouse button to open a pop-up menu and select Generate Stitches command.

Fig. 12. Rest of the objects are duplicated, rotated and placed to their position.

Now all blue parts of the image are digitized and filled with red thread. We have used red thread because it is
well visible on the background.

We will change color of all red objects to blue. Select all objects with use of any of the following methods:

You can use main menu/ Edit/ Select All command.

Or you can select objects directly in the work area by dragging the marquee box around the object.
Or you can select objects in the Object Inspector list.

Fig. 13. All blue areas on image are filled with red thread.

Depress left mouse button on the blue color cell in the palette and drag cursor to selected items in the Object
Inspector list or to the selection box in the work area. Then release the left button to drop color on selected
objects. Color of selected objects will change to blue.
 Fig. 14. Color was changed from red to blue.

Now we will digitize the yellow parts of nuts. In fact, we should have done this before digitizing of the blue
areas, because the yellow parts would look more natural if they are beneath of the blue areas.

Anyway, we can digitize the yellow areas now and change order of objects so that they will sew first. Select
some color from the palette (orange, for example). Use the Fill tool to digitize yellow area of the first nut. There
must be an overlay between yellow and blue area to prevent the fabric showing through the stitches, because
tension in thread could pull edges of objects away and cause the gap between the objects.

Fig. 15. Yellow area should be digitized with slight overlay into the blue area.

We area going to swap the areas sewing order. The blue area will be on the top.

Generate stitches for the new object and then use the main menu/ Transform/ Transformations Window
to create 2 duplicates of the object, rotated 120° (or -120°) each. Then close the Transformations window and
move new objects to their place.
 Fig. 16. Apply to Duplicate button used to duplicate and rotate objects.

The orange objects are still on top of the blue objects. To change order of objects, use the Object Inspector.
Select the 3 orange objects in the Object Inspector list. Depress the right mouse button on the selection and
drag cursor to the first object in the list (letter E). Then release the right mouse button and choose Insert
Before command from the pop-up menu. The 3 orange objects will be moved to the top of the list, which
means that they will be sewn before the blue objects.

Fig. 17. Use drag-and-drop operation with right mouse button to change sewing order of objects.

Picture at the right side shows the new order of objects.

We will change the angle of stitches in the orange objects, because they have the same angle as the blue
objects. If two adjacent fill objects have same angle of stitches, stitches may interleave and the edge between
the objects may be distorted.

Select the 3 orange objects, click right mouse button on the selection and choose Parameters command from
the pop-up menu. When Parameters window appears, change the fill angle to 90°. Then click OK button to
close the parameters window.
 Fig. 18. Change of fill stitches angle.

As you may have noticed in fig. 17, there is a small red scissors icon displayed in the Object Inspector list next to
each object that we have created so far. This means that object is not connected to the previous object by
thread and the embroidery machine will insert trim on this place (it depends on the type of machine). On many
places, the trims (or jump stitches) are not desirable. As the letters in the Embird logo are close one to the
other, we could connect them with running stitch connections to avoid trims.

Fig. 19. Logo with all fill objects.

Select letters m b i r and d in the Object Inspector window. Do not select letter E, because we do not want to
connect it to previous object. Click right mouse button on the selection and use the Create Connection
command from the pop-up menu. Connection is created from each selected object to its preceding objects.

Fig. 20. Creation of connection for selected objects.

Program creates connection stitches between the objects. Notice tiny connections marked by orange arrows on
the below picture. If you you get long stitches going through the objects, it means that you have not placed the
start and end points of the fill objects correctly.

Connections created automatically by Studio are straight lines. In some cases, you may need to edit shape of
connection by inserting new nodes.
 Fig. 21. Nearest point connections between the letters.

Chapter 3 - Digitizing of Outlines

For overview of outline methods click here.

Now we will add thin running stitch outlines to the logo. We will create outline that has two layers of stitches.
We will draw the first layer and then use Studio functions to create the second layer of stitches automatically.
Studio allows to use many creative types of outlines, but the simple thin running stitch outline is probably the
most useful for the digitizing of company logos, because other types of outline (sample, border, sketch, etc.)
require larger size to sew well.

Another type of outline that is frequently used is satin stitch outline. However, we do not need
it for this logo.

Select the black color from the palette. Use the Outline tool to create first part of the nut outline. We will
draw outline part by part, because we will use main menu/ Transform/ Arrange Outline Parts function to
reorder outlines and add second layer of stitches (backward paths) automatically. This function requires the
outline to be drawn by parts. Each part should have start and/or end point near to the start or end point of other
part, so that program knows which parts to join together and where.

Notice that new outline object is displayed with red arrow icon in the Object Inspector list. This means that the
outline object does not have the backward path (second layer of stitches).

Fig. 22. First part of the nut outline.

When creating the outline parts, we can use the main menu/ Nodes/ Snap to Nodes option. When moving
the newly created nodes, they snap to existing nodes of blue and orange objects beneath. This way we can
easily create outline running exactly around the fill objects.
Create the second outline part as a separate object. Place the start point on top or near the end point of
previous outline object.

Fig. 23. Digitizing of second part of outline. Snap to Nodes option is on to simplify the nodes placement.

Now we have 2 separate outline parts and we will join them together and create the second layer of stitches.
Select the 2 outline objects and use main menu/ Transform/ Arrange Outline Parts command. Notice that
Studio creates object composed of 2 original parts and it adds 2 identical parts with reverse order of nodes (see
the Parts Inspector). They are so called 'backward paths'. Studio automatically reorders all outline parts so
that they are sewn in a single draft. Sewing starts in the start point of the first part and it ends in the same
point. Program automatically creates path along all outline parts and back to the start point.

Arranged parts are joined into single item in the Object Inspector list (see the object no. 18 in fig. 24).

Fig. 24. Complete outline of nut composed of 2 original parts and 2 automatically created parts.

Select the whole nut outline and duplicate and rotate it for the rest of the nuts. Use the main menu/
Transform/ Transformations Window to accomplish this task. Then move rotated outlines to their position.

Fig. 25. Outlines on all 3 nuts.

Now we will create outlines for the lettering. As letters are close one to the other, the easiest way is to draw
outline around whole word and then create backward path for it. The first picture shows outline drawn to the
half of the lettering contour. The second picture shows the whole outline.

Fig. 26. Creation of outline around lettering.

Select the outline and use the main menu/ Transform/ Create Backward Path command to create object
that is identical to the first outline, but it has reverse order of nodes. Notice that new object is displayed in the
Object Inspector list with black arrow in the icon, which means that it is a backward path.

Fig. 27. Second layer of stitches (backward path) on lettering outline.

Note:

While there is only single layer of stitches on all letters in the original outline, there are already two layers on the
short connections between the letters. When we create the backward path, there will be two layers on letters
and four layers on connections. It should not harm the design, but if you want to create outline that has really
only two layers of stitches on all parts, you should use other, little bit more complicated approach: draw the
outline as many separate parts and then Arrange Outline Parts. Below picture illustrates how to draw
separate outline parts in this case. There are gaps between the parts in order to show the separate parts. The
parts should touch each other, in fact.

Fig. 28. Example of how to draw outline parts to use the Arrange Outline Parts
function

It is also possible to create above outlines automatically. Click here to learn how.

Design is almost finished. However, we need to create outlines also for openings in
letters b and d. Draw outline for opening in letter b (objects no. 23 in the Object
Inspector) and then create the backward path for it (object no. 24). Do the same for
letter d. Notice there is are trims between lettering outline and openings outlines,
because there is no way of how to make connections between them so that they would
be not visible.
 Inspector) and then create the backward path for it (object no. 24). Do the same for
letter d. Notice there is are trims between lettering outline and openings outlines,
because there is no way of how to make connections between them so that they would
be not visible.

Fig. 29. Digitized logo with fills and outlines.

Objects will be sewn in the order shown in the picture at the right side. There are 3
colors in this design and 13 trims. We could spare 6 trims if we create connections
between parts of nuts that are of the same color.

Chapter 4 - Additional Improvements

Design will look better if we convert some fill areas to zig-zag areas. This will add design relief and more
interesting look. Select the blue part of the nut, click right mouse button on selection and choose Parameters
from the pop-up menu. Select Auto Column option in the Fill tab of the Parameters window. Then click OK
button to close the window. Generate stitches for selected object anew. Object is now filled with stitches as if it
was digitized as several Column objects connected with connections.

Fig. 30. Change of the plain fill to the Auto Column fill.

The fill of the orange area on the nut has default predefined pattern. You can choose other pattern, define your
own pattern and/or add Carving objects on top of the fill object, which will cause additional needle points in
the pattern and add texture to the fill. Select the orange fill object and use Carving Tool to add curves like
in the below example.

Fig. 31. Adding Carving objects to enhance the texture of the fill.
Manual Digitizing of Lettering
Studio includes lettering tool for quick and easy creation of text labels, but it requires Alphabet or font file
containing the lettering style you want to use. Users who digitize company logos may often encounter situation
when no font matches the logo and lettering must be digitized manually.

This tutorial deals with manual digitizing of small satin stitch lettering. If you need to digitize plain filled lettering
(with outline), please read "How to digitize a logo" tutorial.

The principle of lettering digitizing is explained on a case of simple character "A". Two approaches are
presented here: 1. manual digitizing with columns and connection. 2. digitizing with auto-column. The second
approach is not fully manual, in fact, and can use trace tool to vectorize character. Both approaches assume that
user has graphic template (image) of logo with text to digitize. Text.JPG image used in this tutorial can be
found in folder Embird32>EDStudio>Patterns.

Approach 1 - full control of stitches direction

In this case all objects will be drawn manually node-by-node in a specific order. Digitizing of satin stitch lettering
requires use of two tools: column (satin stitch) tool and connection tool. Each character contains one or more
columns. In case of multiple columns, connection must be used to ensure continuous sewing without jumps or
trims. Connections are often included between respective characters too, for the same reason.

Character "A" cannot be digitized with a single column object. Therefore, we will use several columns and
connections.

Select Column tool or Column with Pattern tool , which is the same as previous, but uses texture on
wide parts. Create first object by placing the first node (blue arrow), second node and then both edges of the
column object. Green arrows mark the center nodes of the curves. Black arrow marks the end point of the
object. Thread will fill the column object from start point to the end point. Please note that column object
overlaps areas at left and right side to avoid gaps in stitching caused be pull effect of the fabric.

Select Generate Stitches command from the pop-up menu that appears on the right mouse button click. After
generation of stitches the column object will look like this:

Note that this object is listed in the Object Inspector list at the right side of the screen. This list helps to
select and manage objects in the design.

Now we need to start a new column at the bottom part of "A", but we need to get thread to this point to avoid
jump. Select connection tool and create connection path to the new start point. Use Generate Stitches
or Finish command from the pop-up menu to finish the object.

Now create second column object. The corner at top part of "A" is too sharp for a single continuous column
object. Therefore, stop column at the top of "A":

We will start a new column here. However, it is necessary to insert connection from the previous column object.
To hide connection under cover stitches of the next column, make connection of the "V" shape as illustrated
below:
Now create the last column. Finished character contains 3 columns and 2 connections. These connections are
marked by blue arrows. The order of objects creation (and also sewing, therefore) was chosen so that
connections are hidden under the cover stitches of columns.

Please note that the end point of last column (and whole character) is in the bottom left corner of the last
column (green arrow), because start point is in the top right corner. Such location of the end point does not
matter when thread between respective characters is trimmed, but it is wrong in case of nearest point
connection between characters. In such a case, start last column on the other side (left). This will place the end
point at the right side.

Object Inspector now contains all 5 objects from which character "A" is composed. Objects are listed in order
of sewing from top to bottom.

It is possible to select them all and join them into a single item in the list, for easier manipulations like moving,
scaling, etc.

Approach 2 - faster, but with less control

In this case we will use automatic generation of stitches order (auto-column), which creates stitches in required
order automatically. This means that character does not need to be digitized as so many small parts in a specific
order and connected each to the other. However, user has less control over the stitches order.

Digitize outer side of letter with a plain fill tool . Start point is marked by small cross (bottom-left side). The
end point is marked by spider legs (bottom-right) side.

Then digitize the hole with the fill opening tool . In case of character with multiple holes (like "B", for
example), use this tool for each hole separately.

If underlying graphic template is clear and sharp enough, you can use trace tool to vectorize character edges
instead of manual digitizing.

Now select "Auto-Column" option in the parameters window and generate the stitches. Program automatically
fills object with column stitches and connections. User cannot affect the order of sewing within character, except
definition of start and end point.
Colors, Color Picker and Thread Catalog
Control of colors in embroidery design is a crucial task not only to make design look good on the screen, but in
the first place to optimize number of thread changes and trims. Number and order of colors affect the quality
and production time of the final embroidery. Therefore, Studio provides tools to display the color layout and to
edit respective colors.

Colors in Object Inspector

List of objects in the Object Inspector contains information about color of

individual objects.

All vector objects in the design have the color property, but for some object
types like carvings and openings (holes) the color property is not
applicable.

Small rectangular box in each row is a color sample from the object. If this
row contains grouped objects, the box displays color of the first object in the group.

The number marked with arrow indicates order number of color. Colors in this list are numbered in
order of appearance. In this example, the list contains 4 different colors. Objects #2,#3 and #4 have
identical color. Sequence of colors allows to optimize thread changes on embroidery machine.

Color Palette

The basic tool for work with colors in Studio is Palette in the top-right
corner of the screen. Newly created objects take their color from the
highlighted cell (yellow, in this example).

Palette also allows the following operations:

Left button click - highlight cell in the palette.

Right button click - invoke color picker menu (see below).
Double click - invoke color mixer window to define a new color.
Drag-and-drop from one cell to another - copy color to the another cell.
Drag-and-drop from cell to object(s) in the work area or Object Inspector list - change color of target
object(s)

Moreover, it is possible to store or load palette with use of main menu > Design >Load and Save Palette
commands.

Thread Catalog

Many users want to digitize with real thread colors to get best possible preview of embroidery
and to speed-up creation of color sheet (documentation) in basic Embird program. Studio
provides a Thread Catalog tool that allows to select from pre-defined colors close the thread
colors.
 Thread Catalog tool is accessible from horizontal
button bar or from the pop-up menu at left side
picture. This pop-up menu appears upon right
button click on selected objects in the work area or
in the Object Inspector list.

By default, the Thread Catalog takes color of the

first selected object as a reference color. Threads
that are closest to this color are displayed on top of
the list.

The meaning of controls in the Thread

Catalog window is as follows:

1. Row with thread data: color sample,

thread number, thread name,
selection.
2. Catalog filter - allows to display all
catalogs or only the chosen one.
3. Criteria of thread order - color
match, thread number, name
(alphabetical order)
4. Option to display marked (selected)
threads only. Useful if you want to
use only the threads that you
actually have.
5. Cells to place selection mark if you
want to use previous option.
6. Tabs to change color preview mode:
normal, 3D, 3D matte.
7. Search box that allows to type-in the thread name or number
8. Buttons to find next or previous match. They are used with search box.

Color Picker
Above pop-up menu can be also used to access the color picker to pick color from the underlying raster
picture. Use of the 3x3 pixels or 5x5 pixels average sample may help in case of the noisy picture.
Outlines - Overview
This chapter is an overview of various methods of creation of thin hairline outlines. These methods are described
in more detail in respective tutorials.

Thin outlines like shown on above picture are used very

often for lettering, logos and cartoon-like motives. One
of the key rules in embroidery is to make lowest possible
number of trims. Therefore, the best way of how to
make such outlines is to digitize it as a single, continuous
path of stitches. To avoid trims, some parts have to be
stitched two times: there (forward path) and back
(backward path). In fact, the whole outline, regardless of
it complexity, can be created so that each of its parts
(elements) is stitched two times. The end point of
outline is identical with the start point. Such outline is
called a double-layered outline in Studio.

Complete outline in vector form (no stitches yet).

Stitches (animation). Outline elements in Object Inspector.

Each element has two layers of stitches to get there and back. Backward Paths are marked with arrows.
Backward paths are drawn in red color for clarity. Sewing is continuous, there are no trims.

Double-Layered Outline
There are several ways of how to create double-layered outline in Studio. They differ in amount of automation
used in each approach. Some digitizers prefer one particular way of outlining. The most convenient approach is
to use fully automatic outlines. In some cases, however, it is necessary to use manual or semi-automatic
approach. For example, when you want to combine thin outline with column (an eye with outline), it is necessary
to use manual digitizing.

Method 1

Manual digitizing of all elements, including backward paths in proper order. Proper order is necessary to ensure
continuous sewing. This method is not recommended and is mentioned here only for sake of completeness.

Order of elements 1-4. Purple and red color denote current element.
Purple element is first layer of stitching. Red element is second layer.

Order of elements 5-8.

Please note that end point of element 8 is identical to start point of element 1.

Method 2

Manual digitizing with use of main menu > Transform > Create Backward Path command. Backward path
elements are identical with forward path, they are only sewn in reversed order. Therefore, they can be easily
generated by program. The proper order of elements is still necessary in this approach. Use this method if you
need to create small outlines combined with other objects.

Method 3

Semi-automatic method: manual digitizing of forward elements in any order and their automatic arrangement
with use of main menu > Transform > Arrange Outline Parts command. Elements can intersect one
another. Elements can be digitizing in any order. For best accuracy, pay attention to places where elements
connect one to another. Program splits and sorts elements to achieve proper order and creates all the backward
paths. The start point of the first element remains the start point of the whole outline. As outline is double-
layered, it is also the end point of the outline. If some elements form separate object (like dot on i) or are too far
from other elements, program creates connection to such elements so that complete outline is a single object. If
you want to preserve separate objects, use Arrange Outline Parts (no Connections) command instead.
 Elements 1-4. Order of elements is not significant in this case.
Start and and end point of the outline is identical with first node of the first element (green circle).
It is important to avoid duplicate edges and to align end points of individual edges.

Arranged elements are combined into larger segments to optimize

stitches layout. If you want to preserve original elements for easier
editing, switch off this feature in Parameters window > Whole
Design > Main tab.

When compared to method 1, there is about 50% less elements to

digitize (no backward paths). Order of elements is not significant
and there is no need to remember which part already has second
layer of stitching.

Above illustrations depict the order and layout of outline elements.

The actual elements are created with curves, lines and nodes
like shown on the left side picture.

Use this semi-automatic method for complex outlines when you cannot use automatic method 4.

Method 4

Automatic creation of outlines from fill and column objects. All that user has to do is to select objects to be
outlined and use the main menu > Transform > Auto Outliner command. This approach is recommended to
use whenever possible.

If there are fill or column objects with identical edges (adjoining areas without overlay), the automatic outlining
can fail. This case typically occurs when working with vector objects imported from graphic files (EMF, WMF,
CMX). In such a case, edit adjoining edges (move one edge to create an overlay) or use another method of
outlining.

The most commonly used methods are 3 and 4.

Please note: forward and backward paths are marked with special icons and in the object inspector.
These icons help to identify respective elements for selection and editing. Also, there is a special command in
main menu > Select > Outlines > Backward Paths to select backward paths quickly. Then it is possible to
set satin stitches to these elements or make whatever editing is needed.
Guide Lines

Guide Lines are horizontal, vertical, or slanted lines that can be placed anywhere in the work area
window to aid in object placement and nodes alignment.

To create a new guide line, position cursor on either vertical or horizontal ruler, depress the left mouse button
and drag cursor to the work area.

Guide lines can be used for objects splitting. Place the guide line on the object. Select object and then select
the guide line. Click right mouse button on the guide line to access pop-up menu. Choose Slice Selected
Objects command.

If you need to cut object with curved shape, please read Working with mask in Studio tutorial.

Use main menu > Edit to lock or erase guide lines or to switch on/off snapping of objects to the guide lines.
Use main menu > Nodes to switch on/off snapping of nodes to the guide lines.
Use of the Mask to Split Vector Objects

Mask concept allows to adjust one object with use of another object
that serves as a mask. The mask defines which parts of original
object will remain and which parts will be deleted.
In the current version of Studio, the mask effect can be achieved by
using the 'Shaping' operations Intersection and Difference. We
plan to add lasso splitting tool in the future.

Imagine that we want to create circle with multi-color segments as

illustrated on the left side picture. Instead of digitizing each segment
manually, we will create the whole circle first and then we will split it
with use of another object.

1.
The first step is to create the large circle. We will use fill object with
opening (hole) in this example. Please note: shaping commands do
not work with linear objects like outline, connection or manual
stitches.

2.
The next step is to draw object that will serve as a mask for splitting.
The yellow circle will be sliced on places where mask run on top of
the yellow circle (highlighted with red lines). Therefore, the mask
edges must be drawn carefully on the intersection with yellow circle.
On other places, you can draw it with lower accuracy.

In this example we use fill object as a mask. Mask can be any object
(sfumato, column) except lines (outline, connection, manual stitches).
The mask will have no stitches, it is only temporary object. Therefore,
it does not matter where is its start and end point or how its
parameters are set. Mask can even have one or several openings
(holes).

3.

Select both objects (yellow circle and the blue mask object). Use the
main menu > Transform > Shaping > Difference command to
create new objects that are yellow circle minus blue area.
 4.

Resulting yellow objects are shown on the left-side picture. Now we

are going to create complementary objects to fill the empty areas. We
will use another shaping command to produce these objects.

5.

Before doing so, we need to enlarge mask to make new objects

larger and overlapping the previously created yellow objects. This
step is very important because if there is no overlay between objects,
the pull effect of thread will cause gaps in the actual sew out.

Select the mask object and use the main menu > Transform >
Expand Objects command.

6.
Now select the original circle and new, larger mask. Use the main menu >
Transform > Shaping > Intersection command to create areas common
to both yellow circle and the mask.

You should achieve objects that are complementary to above yellow objects.
Change their color to red by dragging the red color from palette to selected
objects. Now you should erase the original circle and mask objects, because
they are still in the background. They were only temporary objects and we do
not need them anymore.

7.
Complete result looks like shown on the left-side picture. Respective
segments are separate objects and it is useful to connect some objects (not
shown in this example) with connection tool to reduce thread trimming. As
the yellow color is sewn first in this case, connections between yellow objects
can be hidden beneath red objects.
8.
Wire-frame view mode reveals the overlays between the yellow and read
areas.

Please note: objects in Studio can be sliced also with guide lines. However,
this approach produces only straight-line cut.
Measurement Tool
Use the measurement tool to measure distance or angle between objects in design.

Place first point anywhere in the work area. Then place the second point. Points can be selected and moved in
the same way as nodes in the creation/editing mode.

Panel at the right side of the screen displays measured distance and angles. (1) is
distance between the points.

(2) is horizontal part of the distance (distance along the horizontal axis).

(3) is vertical part of the distance (distance along the vertical axis).

(4) is same as (1), (2) and (3), but measurements are in inches instead of
centimeters.

(5) is angle between the line connecting points and horizontal axis.

Measurement tool can use three points (two lines) as well. Place the 3rd
point on the work area in the same way as previous points. Three points are
use ful for measuring angle between objects. In such a case, (6) is this
angle.

Values (1)-(5) refer to the highlighted line. (6) always refers to angle
between the two lines
Integrated Sew Simulator
Sew Simulator in Studio helps to analyze the stitches order of design. Stitch simulation is animation of stitching
process. Use it to analyze small and hardly visible stitches like tie-up stitches, for example. Sew Simulator is
often used to find unnecessary trims between objects.

Sew Simulator in Studio can be accessed via tab 'Sim' at bottom part of the Studio screen. If no objects are
selected, sewing of whole design is simulated. If some objects are selected, only sewing of these objects is
simulated.

Meaning of controls is as follows:

1. Stop Simulation button. Simulation can be also cancelled by pressing

ESC button or switching to other view mode (tabs at bottom part of
the Studio main screen).
2. Buttons for change for view mode.
3. Buttons for change of sewing speed (in stitches per second).
4. Slider for continuous change of sewing speed.
5. Pause/Run button. Stops simulation until you click the same button
again. Use this button also to run simulation when it was paused on
any condition 6~11.
6. Pause on jump stitch between objects.
7. Pause on jump stitch inside object (Sfumato, Appliqué, etc.)
8. Pause on color change.
9. Pause on outline backward path.
10. Pause on connection object.
11. Pause on shade change inside Sfumato object.

Please note that controls 3 and 4 allow to set negative speed, which means
that stitches gradually disappear. Moving the slider 4 up and down allows to
run simulation forward and backward. This control is intended for close look
up on how certain parts of design are sewn.

Buttons 6~11 define conditions to pause simulation. If button is depressed, respective condition is active. For
example, if you want to pause simulation whenever it runs to color change or connection object, depress button
8 and 10. Condition 9 is useful when checking the double-layered outlines. Condition 7 is useful for Appliqué
and Sfumato objects. When simulation stops on pause, you can run it by clicking on button 5.

Some Studio controls like zoom, scroll bars and pan tool can be used during simulation to focus area of interest.

Color bar at top of the screen helps to 'rewind' simulation forward and backward. Colored rectangles depict
respective stitches color and small black ticks mark end of respective objects. Place cursor on the color bar,
depress left mouse button and move the slider to the left (backward) or to the right (forward) to rewind the
simulation. Watch design in the work area to see effect of rewinding. Release mouse button to let simulation run
further.
Transformations

Transformations like re-sizing, moving, rotation and skewing are very common op
can be done interactively (with tool described below), or with numeric controls ac
Transformation Window.

To transform object(s) interactively in the work area, select object(s) and:

To change size proportionally, press left mouse button on any corner squar
To change size non-proportionally, press left button on a middle square and
To rotate, press right button on any corner square and drag to desired posi
Rotation to Fill Stitches option in the main menu > Transform is chec
adjusted when object is rotated.
Object selected for transformation
To skew, press right button on any middle square and drag to desired shap

Proportional Non-proportional
scaling scaling

Skewing

Rotation

There are 2 ways of how to make selection of objects with marquee box:
1. Drag marquee box from left to right to select objects without completely enclosing them with a marquee box

2. Draw marquee box from right to left to select only those objects that lie completely within the marquee box.
Transformations Window

The Transformations window is accessible through main menu under

Transform / Transformations Window.

Controls on the first tab do operations that are available also in an interactive
form in the work area or Object Inspector: movement, rotation, skewing,
resizing and change of objects order. Rotation uses center (reference) point
that can be moved in the work area with mouse cursor.

Please note: if Apply Rotation to Fill Stitches option in the main menu >
Transform is checked, stitches angle is adjusted when object is rotated.

Alignment Tab

The second tab is objects Alignment Tab. Alignment works with two or more selected objects.
 Three vertical controls align selected objects to top, Three horizontal controls align selected objects to left side,
center and bottom of the whole selection. center and right side of the whole selection.

Objects from above example aligned to upper edge.

Distribution Tab

The third tab is Distribution Tab. Distribution works with three or more selected objects.
 Three vertical controls distribute objects in vertical
direction so that tops, centers or bottom Three horizontal controls distribute objects in horizontal
of objects are equally spaced within selection. direction so that left sides, centers or right
sides of objects are equally spaced within selection.

Remaining two controls distribute objects in vertical and horizontal directions so that there are equal spaces
between objects.

Objects from above example equally spaced with respect to the upper edge.

Please note: It is possible to combine various operations while Transformation window is open. For example,
you can scale selected objects, align them according to upper edge and space them equally in the horizontal
direction.
Lasso
Lasso Tool allows to select objects in the work area with polygon. This tools is useful when there is a large
number of objects in the work area, they are close one to another and it is not possible to use simple rectangular
selection.

Click anywhere in the work area to place the first point. Then repeat clicking to create the polygon. It is not
necessary to close the polygon. Connection from last node to the first node is created automatically. You can
adjust the shape of polygon by clicking on existing node and dragging it to a new position. Arrow indicates
orientation of the polygon and it is displayed on line segment after focused (highlighted) node.

It is possible to insert or delete nodes with + and - buttons from the horizontal button bar or with use of
INSERT and DEL keys on the keyboard. Node is inserted on place where arrow is displayed. Deleting node
erases the highlighted node. New nodes are also created by clicking on empty area (i.e. not on existing node).
New node is created after the highlighted node, so that segment with arrow is split in two parts.

All changes to polygon are stored to memory. Therefore, it is possible to use Undo/Redo buttons or
CTRL+Z/CTRL+Y shortcuts.

There are several options how to apply polygonal selection:

1. Select. Clicking on this option selects objects that are entirely or partially inside of polygon. If there was any
previous selection made, it is discarded.

2. Add. Clicking on this option will add objects inside of polygon to existing selection.

3. Subtract. Clicking on this option will deselect objects inside of polygon from existing selection.
Shaping
These commands work on objects selected with the Transform Tool (arrow) or in Objects Inspector.
There is tutorial on how to use shaping commands as mask for splitting objects available here.

The main menu > Transform > Shaping commands allow to modify and combine selected objects with use
of the Boolean operations like Union, Intersection and Difference. They work only with the solid objects of
fill, sfumato and column type. These commands do not work with outlines, manual stitches and connections. To
use these commands, select several objects.

Two selected objects - star and rectangle. Star has an opening.

Union - this command creates an object or objects that contain all selected objects merged together. Vertices
inside of the filled areas are erased. If selected objects do not overlap one another, result of the union are
copies of the original objects.

Note: this command can be used to create underlay (fill without cover stitches) under the whole design, for
example. Select all objects and use the Union command to merge objects. Then open Parameters window
and set underlay parameters. Uncheck the Make Cover Stitches box to eliminate the top stitches and leave
underlay only.

Union of two objects.

Intersection - this command creates an object or several objects that are intersections of the selected objects.
If selected objects do not overlap one another, this function does not produce any new object (as intersection
does not exist).

Intersection of two objects.

Difference - this command subtracts selected objects from the object that is first in order of creation among the
selected objects. It is necessary to arrange order of respective objects in the object inspector list before use
of this function, to assure proper order of objects. Newly created object or objects contain only those areas of
the first object that are not covered by the next objects.

Difference of two objects.

Edit Image Window
The Edit Image Window is accessible through main menu under Image / Edit Image Window. Controls in
this window allow user to rotate and resize image and add border to image for easier digitizing near edges of
image. While Edit Image window is visible, four small rectangles appear in the work area to allow user to crop
the image.

After import of image, go to Edit Image window and make adjustments in

following order:

1. Rotate image
2. Set crop lines by move of small rectangles in the work area. There
should be no space left around image, because it would affect
setting of image/design size. Empty space or border will be added
later.
3. Set new size of image.
4. Set width of border. Border is an empty area around the image.

Rotate image first. Usually, the scanned image is not perfectly horizontal or vertical. Press left or right mouse
button on the red angle parameter or click the rotate icon to adjust the angle.

Second step is setting of crop lines. Press left mouse button

on any of four small rectangles and drag them to a new
position. Area outside of selection will be cropped. Do not
leave empty space around the subject. Set the crop lines
closely to the subject.

Third step is to set desired size of image and at the same

time the size of design.

The fourth step is to set width of border (empty space for easier work
near edges) around the image. You should not need to change this
parameter.

After above four steps, click Apply to perform changes.

Note: use main menu/Image commands Rotate to Vertical and

Rotate to Horizontal for precise rotation of images that contain
straight vertical or horizontal lines.
Background Filters
Background filters affect the way the background (hoop or imported image) is displayed behind the digitized
design. Characteristics such as Brightness, Contrast, Gamma, colors Saturation and balance can be
adjusted, as well as grid spacing, color and subdivisions.

In contrast to graphics programs where the main meaning of filters is to enhance the look of an image, filters in
Studio are intended for dimming, darkening, brightening or other adjustment of image so that its colors do not
interfere with stitches and objects drawn on top of the background image. All these parameters are saved with
design into one file.

Gamma parameter changes brightness mostly of dark colors and it does not affect absolute black and white. It
is useful for too dark or too bright scans and photos.

The Cyan-Red, Magenta-Green and Yellow-Blue controls affect the color balance of the background. Use
them to change an image to a certain shade (blue, for example) to separate image from digitized objects. The
resulting contrast makes it easier to distinguish between the background and digitized objects.
Preferences
Studio allows access to multiple parameters that help user to customize work space and tools. These parameters
can be divided into 3 categories, according to their storage and use.

Settings / Save to Defaults File Design File

1. Work Space Optional Yes

2. Tools Yes Yes

3. Switches Yes

Defaults file stores pre-defined settings that are applied when new design is created. If same parameter is
stored also in design file, it overrides pre-defined parameter during the work session. Studio manages location
and content of Defaults file automatically.

1. Work Space settings that are applicable to multiple designs (projects) and are relatively seldom changed,
therefore. An example of such parameter is color of guidelines and auto-save option. These settings are
saved to defaults file (in Preferences window) and also to each design file. When design is loaded, its
settings override default settings temporarily.
2. Tool settings - like trace tool color 'Tolerance' - are accessible via interface (window or panel) of
respective tool. They are saved to defaults file with each change. They are not saved to design file.
3. Switches - settings that change very often, like snap mode, for example. The frequency of their use
depends on character of design. They are saved to design file, therefore. They are not saved to defaults
file.

Tool Settings and Switches are stored to respective file automatically when they change. User should manage
only the first group of settings - the work space settings, known as Preferences.

Preferences are accessible via main menu under Edit / Preferences. There is also a quick way to open this
windows by double clicking the tabs on the bottom of the Studio window.

Choosing Save to Default means these parameters are stored to Defaults file and will be loaded automatically
for each new design.

Choosing Apply means that these parameters are used with current design only and they are not stored to
Defaults file.

Preferences window contains tabs with groups of controls:

Edit Mode Tab

Edit Mode Colors allow user to define colors of edges, nodes and segment ends used in edit mode.

If Max. Contrast is checked, pixels on edited objects are darkened or brightened according to brightness of
their background. Max. Contrast can make edited objects more visible.

Show Parameters check box turns on/off displaying of panel with object parameters in nodes editing mode.

Grid Tab

User can adjust the grid size, color and subdivisions. Subdivisions define a finer secondary grid, which is visible
only when zoomed in.

Additional Grid allows to add diagonal or radial grid, which is useful when working on designs requiring
symmetry or specific layout of objects.

Save Tab

If Auto Save option is ON, design is automatically saved to disc every 5 minutes.

Back-up Files control allows to turn on/off automatic creation of back-up copy when saving file. Back-up copy
is stored in the same folder as design file.

Hoop Tab

The color of the Work Area/Hoop can be changed on this tab.

Hoop size can be changed either by adjustment of hoop width and height or by selecting predefined hoop from
the list (use the hoop button to access the list). Check the round hoop check box to change hoop shape from
rectangular to elliptical.

Guide Lines Tab

Adjust colors of selected and un-selected guidelines.

3D Preview Tab

Select background fabric sample and adjust thread width (in pixels) for 3D preview rendering.

Selection Tab

If Highlight Selected Objects is checked, objects that are selected are outlined with chosen color (default is
red). This helps to locate selected objects visually in the work area more easily, especially in case of thin
outlines.
Import of Vector Graphics
The main menu > Import Vector File function opens the vector graphic file and converts it into the
embroidery design automatically. It is intended to avoid redrawing of design (logo or clipart) in Studio if it is
already available in a vector file. This function is available only if user has registered Font Engine plug-in.

There are many graphic programs that produce various vector file formats and most of them can export vector
graphics into WMF or EMF files. EMF is more advanced than WMF and it can store color palette and curve objects
too. It is recommended to convert graphics to EMF format directly from the native vector format of the
respective graphic program (Corel Draw CDR, Adobe Illustrator AI and so on). Conversion to WMF (older format)
and then from WMF to EMF (new format) may cause the degradation of the graphics.

EMF file can contain various objects (raster bitmap, fonts, shapes, curves, polygons, etc.). However, Studio can
import only the curves, all other objects are ignored. To achieve best results, please convert all objects like fonts
and shapes to curves before attempting to import the EMF file into Studio.

If there is a bitmap picture in the file, Studio ignores it. It does not auto digitize the picture. Only the vector
(curves) objects are transformed into embroidery objects.

Note: not all vector files can be converted into good quality embroidery designs. Some vector files may be auto-
traced from scanned pictures and resulting vector file can have thousands of tiny objects instead of low number
of solid fills or smooth lines. Such vector files are not proper for conversion into embroidery designs.

Left-side picture is poor quality vector graphics composed of thousands of small objects auto-traced from
scanned picture.

Right-side picture is good quality vector graphics with low number of large solid areas.

Stitching Parameters

Design imported from vector file usually needs some adjustments of stitching parameters and/or object
layout.
 Design imported from EMF vector files. Stitches are not generated yet.

After importing of design, select all objects and use Generate Stitches command. Studio analyzes the shape
and size of individual objects and fills them appropriate fill type. However, it cannot identify the meaning of
vector objects like human digitizer. For example, program cannot identify objects that belong to the lettering and
it may fill each letter with other style, according to this letter size or width. Thin elongated objects are filled with
auto-column (wider objects have pattern). Large objects use plain fill, either vertical or horizontal, according to
their shape.

Design with generated stitches. All objects are filled with auto-column, but some have also a pattern texture.
The pattern is applied to wider objects (magenta arrow) to split too long stitches.
Green arrow marks the white fill of bird that would look better with plain fill instead of auto-column.

User may need to adjust the fill type parameters. In this case, the length of stitches is near the threshold that
turns on the pattern. This is the reason why some letters have pattern and some do not. We should either turn-
on or turn-off the pattern for all letters. For later option, select the letters E, m and r and open the Parameters
window.

Turning off the pattern option of auto-column fill in Parameters window.

Turning on the plain fill mode instead of auto-column mode for white fill of the bird.
 New parameters applied to stitches. All letters use satin auto-column stitches without pattern.
White fill of bird is now a plain fill, not auto-column.

Overlays in Vector Graphic and Embroidery

It is important to pay attention to layers and overlays of objects imported from vector files. Unlike graphic,
embroidery is very sensitive to use of layers. On places with multiple layers (overlays), the stitches are sewn on
top of the previous stitches and may spoil the embroidery if density becomes to high.

You should visually check the overlapped areas for too many layers. The largest part of design should be single
layer only. Where different objects overlap, try to keep 2 layers overlay on most places, or 3 layers overlay
maximum if it is not possible to avoid it.

Layers in this case mean dense cover stitching, not underlays or connection paths. Underlay is loose stitching
that helps to stabilize the design against thread pull and push effect, but it does not contribute to overall density
very much. Connections are stitch paths (often hidden beneath the other objects) used to avoid trims between
objects. Both underlays and connections can be regarded as layers, but they are usually not significant when
investigating density of cover layers.

Illustration of overlays in imported design.

Left: white fill (highlighted) sticks out under the black, orange and blue objects.
Center: orange and blue objects (highlighted) overlap the white fill.
Right: black objects (highlighted) overlap the white fill and on a very small area also the blue and orange
objects.

Missing or very small overlay is an error just as the too heavy overlay. Pull of the thread causes gaps between
objects on places with insufficient overlay.

If there are too many layers or too large overlays in the design, they should be removed or edited to achieve
good sew-out of design. Studio provides a quick way to check the density of stitches. Use tabs at bottom of the
Studio screen to switch to D-map (density map) or X-ray view mode to analyze the density layout. Stitches
must be generated first, otherwise these view modes do not work.

The X-ray view mode allows to detect areas of critical (too high) density.

Please note: it is also possible to export design from Studio to graphic vector format to avoid redrawing of
design in graphic software. Please use main menu > Design > Export command.
Direction Lines in Auto Column
Auto Column uses advanced algorithms to fill object with satin stitches in a way as close to work of human
digitizer as possible. However, user may still want to change direction of stitches on some places. This can be
achieved by direction lines (marked by red arrow), which are lines drawn from any edge node across the filled
area. If direction line does not cross the filled area, it has no effect on the stitches direction. Below example
illustrates influence of direction line on the auto column stitches.

While in creation/editing mode, select node from which you want to draw direction line. This node will be the
start point of the line. Then click right mouse button on a place where the end of the line should be. Right button
click marks this spot and invokes the pop-up menu at the same time. Select "Place Direction Node Here"
command to finish the direction line.

To delete direction line, simply delete the node at the end of this line.
Styles
Studio provides predefined styles (sets of chosen parameters) for adjustment of designs for sewing on materials
like jeans, satin, silk, towels and other. Style includes values of basic parameters like density, pull compensation
and type of underlay. Table of styles is accessible via main menu >objects >Styles >Edit. User can modify
predefined styles (except their names) and define her/his own new styles.

To use style, select objects to which you want to apply style, and then use main menu> Objects> Styles>
Apply Style command.
Trace Tool
Studio includes Trace Tool for conversion of raster image into vector embroidery design. This chapter describes
the trace tool controls. Another chapter with Trace Tool tutorial is available further.

Main Features

Automatic vectorization from raster image

Works in a similar way as selection tools in graphic programs (selection modes New, Add, Add Similar,
Subtract, Intersect), based on maximum allowed color deviance (Tolerance) between selected and
surrounding pixels
Select object or several objects from raster image with a magic wand, convert them into vector objects
and fill with stitches
Creates outline, column, fill, sfumato and carving objects from raster image
Vector simplicity/fidelity adjustment
'Ignore Openings' option for Fill objects, to create just outer boundary (without holes)
Automatic color of new objects from the picture
Option to select curve or straight line edges of new objects
Undo/redo functions applicable to selection

Trace tool allows to convert bitmap image (raster image) to vector design without redrawing the image
manually.
Trace tool works in a several steps: 1. selection of consistently colored area (pixels of raster image), 2. turning
of selected raster areas into vector objects, 3. filling vector objects with stitches. User specifies the color
"tolerance" for selection of raster pixels and "simplicity" of created vector object. High image resolution and low
gradation of colors are required to create quality design with the trace tool. Result is an embroidery design that
can include various embroidery styles like outlines, fills, columns and sfumato objects.

After conversion, traced objects can be edited as other vector objects in Studio (node by node). When creating
embroidery design, the Trace tool can be combined with any other tool in the Studio.

Example of image suitable for digitizing with the Trace tool.

Like other creation tools in Studio, the Trace tool can be used with various display modes (Normal, Vector,
3D, 3D Matte, Flat) to display imported raster image behind the digitized design as a template for digitizing, or
preview created design in 3D.
Before you start selecting the area with the Trace tool, you should choose embroidery style you want to use.
Click right mouse button the Trace icon (in the Tool Bar). Panel with Trace styles will appear (picture below).
This panel can be invoked also by holding the left mouse button depressed about 1 second on the Trace icon.

Each style is represented by its icon. Hover the cursor over the icon to display the style name. Select desired
Trace style and tool will be activated automatically. Studio will switch to raster selection mode.

Trace styles can be accessed by clicking right mouse button the Trace icon.

1. Outline, 2. Column, 3. Fill, 4. Sfumato, 5. Carving

Click left mouse button the Trace tool icon to start the Trace mode. First step is to select color areas (objects)
from the raster image in the work area of Studio. Cursor with a little black cross and style icon appears in the
work area. Click the left mouse button to select an object. Selection options allow to change the way of how
the Trace tool behaves by each selection. It is possible to define whether to make new selection and discard any
existing selection or add objects of different color to selection, select non-contiguous areas of the same color at
once (add similar option), subtract object from selection or intersect the object from selection.

When selection of raster object(s) is complete and all parameters and options are set, click Apply or Generate
Stitches button from button bar at top side of the Studio screen, or click right mouse button on the work area
to open a pop-up menu with the same options. Raster objects are converted to vector objects and optionally
filled with stitches. Carving objects are created like outlines, but they must follow after the fill or sfumato
object, as they serve to add texture to those objects. Carvings are not a stand-alone objects. The icon of Carving
style (in Trace tool panel) is grayed out if there is no fill or sfumato object in the work area.

Common Options and Parameters

When the Trace tool is active, parameters of respective style are displayed on panel at the right side of the
Studio window. Most of options and parameters like color, tolerance, simplicity, edge type and selection
options are common to all styles.

Auto Color - if the check box "Auto Color" is checked, the color of created
vector object(s) is picked from the raster image automatically. Uncheck this
option and click the color box to choose the color from palette or define your
own color of vector object(s).

Tolerance - defines the color similarity rate used for selection of pixels from
the raster image. The value of tolerance is ranging from 0 to 100. Set a low
value to select only pixels of a very similar color or set a higher value to select
pixels with more different colors.
 Auto Color - if the check box "Auto Color" is checked, the color of created
vector object(s) is picked from the raster image automatically. Uncheck this
option and click the color box to choose the color from palette or define your
own color of vector object(s).

Tolerance - defines the color similarity rate used for selection of pixels from
the raster image. The value of tolerance is ranging from 0 to 100. Set a low
value to select only pixels of a very similar color or set a higher value to select
pixels with more different colors.

Left side: selection made with lower color Tolerance.

Right side: selection made with higher color Tolerance.

Simplicity - defines the complexity/fidelity ratio of object(s) created with the Trace tool. The value of simplicity
is ranging from 0 to 15. Set a lower value to get object with high number of nodes and better accuracy. Such
object, however, is harder to edit. For easier editing, set a higher value to obtain object with a lower accuracy
and low number of nodes. Default value of simplicity is 7.

Left side: object vectorized with Simplicity=3.

Right side: object vectorized with Simplicity=12.

Edge Type - the edges of created vector object(s) can be composed either from lines or curves - depending on
the "Edge Type" setting . Select the "curve" edge type to obtain curve elements, which have also the middle
points allowing you to change their shape in Edit mode.

Ignore Openings - if the check box "Ignore Opening" is checked, openings (holes) are ignored in the created
vector object(s). This option is useful to create overall vector object without holes, assuming that there will be
another objects digitized on top of this one, instead of holes (see below example). Uncheck the option to retain
openings in objects. (Option is available only for Fill, Sfumato and Column style).
 Left side: raster image.
Middle: overall fill object without openings (holes).
Right side: column objects on top of the overall white fill.

Meaning of the Selection options is as follows:

New - make new selection and discard existing selection.

Add - add selected area to existing selection.
Add Similar - select all areas of the same color (including non-contiguous areas) at once.
Subtract - subtract area from selection.
Intersect - select subset of existing selection.

(Only one of above options can be active at once)

Outline Parameters
Besides common parameters and options, outline objects have several specific parameters. They are identical to
parameters accessible via Parameters window, but are duplicated here for easier access

1. Minimum Length of Stitch - measured in millimeters, defines the

shortest stitches generated when compiling Outline object into actual
stitches.
2. Maximum Length of Stitch - measured in millimeters, defines the
longest stitches generated when compiling Outline object into actual
stitches.
3. Width of the Outline Sample - measured in millimeters, is the width
of reference cells along the outline to which the stitches are projected. It
is not necessarily the width of finished outline, because projected stitch
sample can be wider or narrower than reference cells. Negative value of
"Width of the Outline Sample" mirrors the sample. To adjust parameters
1-3, depress the left mouse button on respective value to increase it, or
depress the right mouse button to decrease it. Another way is to click on
respective icon to open window for setting the value with slider or
keyboard.
4. Outline Sample - outline samples are stitch patterns repeated along the outline. It is possible to set
the Single stitch, Triple stitch, Redwork outline or choose from several samples listed in combo box.
User can even create and save with design up to five "User Defined" samples.

Other Parameters
Other parameters of vector objects created with Trace tool, like density, angle of stitches, gradient, etc. can be
accessed only after finishing the Trace mode, using the common Parameters window.
Trace Tool Tutorial
This tutorial demonstrates the use of trace tool to produce embroidery design from a raster image. For good
results, image must be sufficiently clean. Input image can be in any file format supported by Studio. The most
important factor is that edges of color areas are smooth, i.e. not jagged, which may be result of enlarging raster
image.

1. Import image. Do not scale image to fit into the hoop, because if image is enlarged, it becomes more
pixelated and the auto-tracing will not work well. It is recommended to resize the finished vector design, instead.
In contrast to rasters, resizing of vectors does not affect the quality.

2. Let's start to digitize the Smiley design. Large filled areas should be digitized first. Select the Trace tool (the
magic wand icon) from the tool bat at the left side of the screen with right mouse button. Then select the Fill
style.

3. Studio switches to trace mode. We are going to trace the large yellow area. The panel at the right side of the
screen contains trace controls and selection options. As this is fairly simple object, set Simplicity to 10 to
achieve lower number of nodes.

Each filled area with outline or neighboring area of other color should have
some overlay to compensate gaps between the areas of different colors and also
pull effect of the fabric. However, the yellow area of Smiley is somewhat specific
because of the thin black lines on the eyes and mouth. While leaving holes for
main parts of eyes and mouth, we will not leave holes under all thin black lines,
because it would split the yellow circle into too many regions and complicate the
sewing. Moreover, overlay would completely cover the holes under the thin lines
anyway. Therefore, we will leave Overlay=0 for now.

Selection is set to New. As we are going to select just one area now (yellow), it
doesn't matter whether Selection is set to New or Add. Color Tolerance for
selection is default 30.

4. Click anywhere on the yellow area. Selection is indicated by flashing dots.

Click Apply button on the button bar at top of the screen to convert selected
raster object into vector objects. 5 vector objects are created: main fill and 4
holes.

If Ignore Openings option is checked, program would create just the main
fill. This option is useful for creation of overall filled area when small holes are
 Click Apply button on the button bar at top of the screen to convert selected
raster object into vector objects. 5 vector objects are created: main fill and 4
holes.

If Ignore Openings option is checked, program would create just the main
fill. This option is useful for creation of overall filled area when small holes are
not wanted or the fill is used as an overall underlay. Anyway, this is not our
case, so this option is unchecked.

5. Parts Object Inspector (the one beneath the main Object Inspector) contains list of the 5 new vector
objects.

Because of reasons mentioned above, we will eliminate some holes that are
too thin. Select object no. 5 (the hole under the chin) and simply delete it.
The holes under eyes and mouth are more complicated because they
contain both thin and thick parts. We want to preserve thick parts and erase
the thin ones.

6. Select mouth hole in Parts Object Inspector and use right mouse button click on the selected object to
open a pop-up menu. Select Edit from the pop-up menu to switch into editing mode.

It is necessary to use Parts Object Inspector to select mouth objects, because openings (holes) cannot be
selected directly in the work area.

7. Delete nodes on the thin parts of the mouth to simplify the object. Select respective nodes one-by-one and hit
DELETE button on your keyboard for each of them.

You can also select multiple nodes at once by holding SHIFT key depressed and dragging selection box around
the nodes.
Repeat steps 6 and 7 for eyes. When finished, all three holes should contain only the thick parts and all thin
parts should be deleted.

8. Now trace all gray and white areas on the hat. Use the trace tool as in step 2 with few changes: set Overlay
to 0.3 mm (for example) and Selection options to Add. Then select one-by-one all three gray areas and three
white areas on the hat by clicking on them.

It doesn't matter that selected areas are of different colors because Auto Color options is set on. Therefore,
each vector object will get proper color from the underlying raster.

If you happen to select wrong area, use Undo/Redo commands from the main menu > Edit or
CTRL+Z/CTRL+Y shortcuts.

9. Use Apply button or Generate Stitches button to convert selected objects to vector objects.

All 6 new objects are simple objects and do not need any editing unless you
want to change the stitches direction or pattern. In such case, use the
Parameters window to set new parameters to the vector objects.

Notice overlay on all 6 objects that covers part of the black outline. It will
help to embroider design without gaps between respective objects.

10. Next step is to trace the white and red areas on eyes and mouth. We have intentionally omitted white area
on eyes in step 8, because they will look better as columns than fills. Click with right mouse button on the Trace
tool icon. Then select the Column style
11. Select white areas on eyes and mouth. Then select also the red area on the mouth.

Use the Add selection option all the time to add respective areas to selection.
Click Generate Stitches button to create vector objects and to fill them with
stitches.

Notice that new objects are columns and they also have an overlay.

12. Trace all black outlines at once.

Select Add Similar selection option to allow

program select all areas of the same (similar)
color at once. Then click anywhere on the black
outline in the work area. Click Generate
Stitches button to create vector objects. As the
column style was selected in step 10, new objects
are all of the column style. Actually, they are fill
objects with Autocolumn option set on.

Thin outlines expanded with overlay may need

little editing on some places. In this case, few
nodes in the right corner of the mouth were
edited to remove intersecting edges.

13. Design is finished. Notice the difference between the the plain yellow fill and the column-style of eyes and
mouth. Previously made steps allowed us to create objects with an overlay and appropriate openings (holes)
where needed.

One more thing that needs to be checked is sewing order of the objects
to minimize the color changes. When making gray, white and red objects,
it is possible that newly created vector objects are not sorted properly.
Therefore, re-order these objects in the Object Inspector window to
minimize the color changes, while leaving black outlines at the very top
and yellow fill at the very bottom of the design.

As all objects in our design are separate areas, we do not need to insert
connections between the objects. Trims are automatically added between
all objects. In other cases, however, it might be suitable to insert
connections between some objects (letters, for example) to reduce the
trims.
Freehand Tool
Freehand tool allows to create realistic fur or shading effects as well as sketch drawings with mouse or
digitizing tablet within a few minutes. It works like a painting tool.

Result, however, is an embroidery design that can include various embroidery styles like fills, columns, sfumato
objects and outlines as well as some new stitch styles like pressure-sensitive columns.

Unlike the other Studio tools, which are based on the precise manual placement of the
nodes, curves and lines, Freehand tool allows to draw most of the Studio objects with a free
hand. Strokes are automatically converted to chosen embroidery style. After conversion,
strokes can be edited as other vector objects in Studio (node by node). When creating
embroidery design, the Freehand tool can be combined with any other tools in the Studio.

Like other creation tools in Studio, Freehand tool can be used with various display modes
(Normal, Vector, 3D, 3D Matte) to display imported raster image behind the digitized
design as a template for digitizing, or preview created design in 3D.

Animation - not visible on the print

Freehand tool can work with any Microsoft Windows compatible mouse or digitizing tablet*. Its use is not
restricted to any specific brand of tablet.

Before you start actual drawing with the Freehand tool, you should choose embroidery style you want to use.
Click with right mouse button or corresponding tablet pen button depressed on the Freehand icon (in the Tool
Bar). Panel with freehand styles will appear (picture below). This panel can be invoked also by holding the left
mouse button or tablet pen tip depressed about 1 second on the Freehand icon.

Each style is represented by its icon. Hover the cursor over the icon to display the style name. Select desired
freehand style and tool will be activated automatically. Studio will switch to creation/editing mode.

*Tablet pen pressure can be used in Studio only if tablet uses Wintab32.dll driver and this driver must be located
in the Windows\System32 folder.
 Freehand styles can be accessed by clicking with right mouse button depressed on the freehand icon.

1. Manual Stitches, 2. Outline, 3. Column, 4. Fill, 5. Sfumato, 6. Connection, 7. Sketch Outline, 8. Pressure-
sensitive width Column, 9. Opening (hole), 10. Carving

Click left mouse button or tablet pen on the Freehand tool to start drawing. When the Freehand tool is active,
parameters of respective style are displayed on panel at the right side of the Studio window. Some parameters
like color and After Stroke options are common to all styles (picture below). After Stroke options allow to
change the way of how the Freehand tool behaves after each stroke. It is possible to define whether to generate
stitches of each stroke immediately or not, whether to finish freehand mode after single stroke or reactivate the
tool, whether to create connection to the previous stroke or let jumps between the strokes.

Common Options
Meaning of the After Stroke options is as follows:

Finish Object - converts stroke into nodes and finishes creation/editing

immediately
Generate Stitches - same as Finish object, but it also generates
stitches for the stroke object
Edit - converts stroke into nodes and switches to normal nodes editing
mode

- Another stroke - converts stroke into nodes and allows to add another strokes. When finished, single vector
object contains several strokes.

Only one of above options can be active at once. The rest of the After Stroke options include Reactivate tool
and Connect to previous object check boxes.

If Reactivate tool is checked, Studio automatically activates Freehand tool when previous stroke is ended. This
feature works only with Finish object and Generate Stitches options. To end strokes creation, hit ESC or
ENTER (RETURN) key on the keyboard.

If Connect to previous object is checked, Studio automatically creates connection to previous object after the
stroke. This feature works only with Finish object and Generate Stitches options.

Above options allow user to configure the Freehand tool behavior. Probably the most intuitive use of the
Freehand tool can be achieved by combination of Generate Stitches and Reactivate tool options.

Manual Stitches
 Manual Stitches are used to create realistic fur, shading or other texture.
Parameters that are adjustable during the use of the Freehand tool are: Color,
Minimum Length of Stitch and Maximum Length of Stitch.

There are several ways of how to change value of the stitch length controls
(left/right click on the number or on the icon). They are used in the same way
as those in the Parameters window.

Please note: When freehand drawing is finished, strokes are no longer available as a 'freehand objects'. They
are automatically converted into respective vector objects like manual stitches, fill or column and their
parameters are accessible via respective tabs in the Parameters window.

Outlines and Connection

Outline-type styles include : Outline, Sketch Outline and Connection.

Parameters that are adjustable during the use of the Freehand tool are: Color,
Minimum Length of Stitch, Maximum Length of Stitch, Width of the
Outline (not available for Connection) and Outline Sample (not available for
Sketch Outline and Connection).

Columns
Column-type styles include : Column and Pressure-sensitive width column.

Parameters that are adjustable during the use of the Freehand tool are: Color,
Minimum Width of Column, Maximum Width of Column, Tablet
pressure option to switch on/off tablet, and Simulated Width combo box.

If tablet is present, width of the pressure-sensitive column varies from

 Parameters that are adjustable during the use of the Freehand tool are: Color,
Minimum Width of Column, Maximum Width of Column, Tablet
pressure option to switch on/off tablet, and Simulated Width combo box.

If tablet is present, width of the pressure-sensitive column varies from

minimum to maximum column width value, according to the real pen pressure.
Simulated width combo box is disabled.

If tablet is not present (mouse is used for the drawing) or if tablet pen pressure is disabled by un-checking the
Tablet pressure option, Width of the pressure-sensitive column is defined by selected stroke sample from the
Simulated Width combo box (picture below).

Fill and Sfumato

Fill-type styles include : Fill, Sfumato and Opening.

There is also Carving style, which is created like outline, but is serves to add
texture lines to fill or sfumato objects. Both opening and carving objects must
follow after fill or sfumato objects. They are not stand-alone objects.

The only parameter that is adjustable during the use of the Freehand tool is Color.
The rest of parameters can be accessed only after finishing the freehand mode,
using the common Parameters window.
Lettering - Text Tools
Since version 5.0 Studio uses its own, integrated lettering system with interactive text insertion and editing. To

start creation of lettering, use command in main menu > Text submenu or click or button from
horizontal button bar. The first button starts Alphabets lettering and the second starts Font Engine lettering. The
same buttons can be used to select existing text and switch it to editing mode. Selection of existing text for
editing works only with text created in Studio version 6.0, build 8.8 or later. It does not work with files from
older versions of Studio.

Main features

Interactive lettering directly in the Studio work area

Multiple lines text support
Vertical text support
Support of True Type, Open Type and pre-digitized Embird Alphabets
Paragraph alignment
Sewing from center out
Node-by-node adjustment of text baseline
Characters, words and lines spacing
Unicode characters supported
'Place on the other side' function
Possibility to edit previously created text
Support of non-installed fonts and ZIP and RAR archives

Integrated lettering system in Studio allows to insert and edit text directly in the work area of Studio. Text can
be created with Font Engine (True Type and Open Type fonts) or with pre-digitized Alphabets. Alphabets are
manually pre-digitized scalable embroidery fonts. They are optional plug-in modules for Embird software. Most
Embird alphabets are digitized with satin (column) stitches, the rest are in center outline (redwork type) form.
Studio also allows to use Windows True Type and Open Type fonts. These fonts are automatically converted into
vector format of Studio and can be filled with plain fill, motif fill or auto-column stitches and/or outlined with
all types of outlines available in Studio. Support of True Type and Open Type fonts in Studio requires registered
Font Engine, which is an optional plug-in for Embird software.

Left: predefined baselines combo box

Right: radio buttons for switching the editing mode

Lettering system in Studio allows to work on top of the background image (template). Lettering supports
multiline text and adjustable baselines. Predefined text baselines include circle, lines and spirals. All baselines
can be transformed (moved, scaled, rotated and slanted) as well as edited node-by-node. Baseline scaling allows
to create ellipse from circle. Baseline transformations can be done either with 'spider' control on the work area,
or with controls on the panel at the right side of the screen. To switch between baseline and characters editing
modes, use the pop-up menu accessible via right mouse button click or radio buttons (see above picture).
 Mode 1: baseline transformations: Mode 2: baseline nodes editing
move, scale, rotate, slant

Mode 3: characters transformations: Multiline text

move, scale, rotate, slant and baseline offset
of individual characters

Mode 1 - Baseline Transformations

This mode allows to modify (especially move, scale and rotate) whole baseline at once. When moving the
baseline, the text moves as well. Scaling baseline does not scale the text. This operation must be performed
separately either via characters transformations or via controls on the right side panel. Baseline transformations
are performed with spider control similar to the spider controls of individual characters (see Mode 3 below), with
exception of missing slider 2.

Mode 2 - Baseline Node-by-Node Editing

Baseline is composed from straight lines and bezier curves. User can add and delete baseline elements in a
similar way as when digitizing objects in Studio. In case of multiline text, all text lines use the same shape of
baseline which is copied from the top line

Shortcuts available in this mode:

ALT + new node creates a new straight line on a baseline

CTRL + new node creates a new straight line on a baseline, aligned to multiplication of 45 degrees
CTRL + movement of the main node aligns this node to multiplication of 45 degrees with respect to
previous node
Mode 3 - Characters Transformations
Studio allows to transform individual characters or all characters at once (see below shortcuts). Transformations
are accessible via nodes of the spider control. Spider control serves to transform characters in two axes
(horizontal and vertical). As the text is placed on the baseline and baseline can be curved in any direction, below
definitions refer to direction 'along' and 'perpendicular' to the baseline, rather than horizontal and vertical.

Nodes of the spider control are numbered 1-8. Moving of nodes transforms
character in a following way:

1. Select character, move character (adjust spacing)

2. Slider to shift character above (below) baseline (ALT+click=reset position
to baseline)
3. Rotate (with CTRL depressed=change by 15 degrees, ALT+click=reset
angle to 0 degrees)
4. Scale along the baseline (with CTRL depressed=constrained proportions,
ALT+click=reset character width)
5. Scale perpendicularly to the baseline (with CTRL depressed=constrained
proportions, ALT+click=reset character height)
6. Scale in both axis (with CTRL depressed=constrained proportions,
ALT+click=reset character size)
7. Slant along the baseline (CTRL+click=flip character horizontally,
ALT+click=reset slanting)
8. Slant perpendicularly to the baseline (CTRL+click=flip character vertically, ALT+click=reset slanting)

Shortcuts

Following shortcuts can be applied simultaneously with spider nodes movement:

SHIFT + movement of spider leg adjusts the same spider legs on all characters at once
CTRL + scale node (4,5 or 6) changes size of character proportionally
SHIFT+CTRL can be combined

Controls

Combo box in the top-right corner of the screen contains recently created/edited texts for easy return to its
editing. Text sessions are also saved into the main design (eof) file so now it is possible to open design and edit
text without use of .ltg files.

Please note: selection of previous text from the combo box and its editing creates a new text label on top of the
old one. The old lettering must be deleted manually.
Panel at the right side of the screen contains main controls for lettering
adjustment. These controls are organized into 3 groups (tabs):
1. Text controls

2. Size and Transformation controls

3. Optional paths to font folders (not available for alphabets)

Use icons on top (marked by red arrow) to switch between the tabs.

The first tab Text Controls contains following controls (from top to
bottom): font combo box, character table, Additional Spacing controls,
button for selection of next tab.

When you click on font combo box, the list of fonts will drop down. To get
to required font faster, you can press key (on keyboard) representing the
first letter of the font's name. List will scroll to section with font names
beginning with selected letter.

Use double click on the character table to insert character that is difficult
to type with keyboard to the text. Use Additional Spacing controls to adjust
spaces between characters, whole words or lines, respectively.

Second tab Size and Transformations contains Lettering Size controls

and Transformation controls.
Transformations include: rotation, width, height, horizontal slant, vertical
slant and distance from baseline. These controls allow to define
transformation with exact numerical value in contrast to the 'spider' control,
which is used for a freehand transformation.

Transformation controls are applicable only in mode 1 (baseline

transformation) and mode 3 (characters transformation). If mode 1 is
selected, all parameters refer to the baseline transformation. If mode 3 is
selected, all parameters refer to selected characters transformation.

Distance from baseline and "All" option are available only for characters
transformation (mode 3). When "All" option is selected, transformations
are performed on all characters in the text. Below example shows rotation
performed on all characters at once.
 Third tab is available only for TrueType and OpenType fonts (i.e. not for
pre-digitized alphabets). Controls on this tab allow to specify paths to
folders with non-installed fonts.
Font Engine normally scans only fonts installed in Windows. If you have
other fonts stored on the hard drive, specify paths to folders with these
fonts and start font scanning (see below Buttons chapter). Scanning
process will include specified folders.

Use "Search for fonts also in ZIP and RAR archives" option to
include/exclude compressed archives from scanning process.

Buttons

The meaning of controls in the button bar is as follows. Please note that some controls (like "Scan installed
fonts" button and "Unicode" check box) are available only for the Font Engine True Type and Open Type
lettering and not for pre-digitized alphabets.

1. Cancel text mode, 2. Finish text mode and put text in outline form to work area, 3.
Same as 2 and generate stitches.

Erase current text.

Scan Windows for installed fonts. You can also include folders with non-installed fonts
and fonts zipped in archives to the search. Use the tab at the right side of the screen to
specify paths to these folders.

Text alignment in paragraph: 1. Left, 2. Center, 3. Right, 4. Justify. Only one option is
active at the time.

Lettering type and layout: 1. Bold text, 2. Italic text, 3. Put text on the other side of
baseline, 4. Vertical text. Depress any of these buttons to switch on respective option.
When button is up, respective option is disabled.

Sewing order of text: 1. From left to right, 2. From center out, 3. From center out
(without splitting words), 4. From right to left. Only one option is active at the time.
 Lettering compilation: 1. Autocolumn fill (as opposite to plain fill), 2. Autocolumn +
outline, 3 . Plain fill, 4. Plain fill + outline, 4. Center outline (double-layered center
path).

Connection options: 1. Nearest point connections between all objects, 2. Nearest point
connections only inside characters (example: between dot on "i" and main part of "i"),
but not between respective characters, 3. Separate objects (no connection).

1. Help file, 2. Unicode character set

Vertical text. Center outline lettering.

Use option from the horizontal

Use button from the horizontal button bar button bar to select this option.
to switch on the vertical text mode.

Please note: current version of program does not work well if center outline style is used for a very thick font.
We recommend to use it only for thin fonts. Center outline style can be combined with the 'Nearest Points'
option.
Envelope Tool
This tool allows to deform selected object(s) in the work area of Studio with use of adjustable boundary. It is
especially suitable for adjustment of lettering and banners.

Select object(s) and click icon on the button bar (top part of the Studio screen) to switch to the envelope
mode. Options like predefined shape, type of horizontal and vertical edges and symmetry options are displayed
on panel at the right side of the screen. Move respective envelope nodes to deform selected object(s) as
needed.

Please note that straight-line elements of vector objects are not bend when applying the envelope. They remain
straight and only their end nodes are moved. If you want to bend these elements, please enter the
editing/creation mode first and convert straight-line elements to curves.
Auto Outliner
The Auto Outliner commend allows to create double-layered outlines for single object or multiple objects (fig.
1.). Objects may overlap or intersect one another and program creates outlines only for the visible parts. It is
useful for creation of outlines like shown on the right picture (fig. 2.).

Fig. 1. Overlapping objects to be outlined. Fig. 2. Double layered outline.

Select objects you want to outline and click the button, or use main menu > Transform > Auto
Outliner command. This will create a number of small outline elements like shown on below picture (fig. 3.). All
outline elements have color of the first object (orange, in this case). Select new color from palette and draw it to
selection to change color of the outline elements (fig. 4.).

Fig. 3. Number of outline elements created by auto outliner. Fig. 4. Outline elements with new color.

Use button or main menu > Transform > Arrange Outline Parts command to order and combine
elements into continuous double layered outline (fig. 5). Note that this function will connect all elements into
single object by inserting connections where it is necessary (fig. 6.). If you want free standing objects like
outlines of holes to be left unconnected, use main menu > Transform > Arrange Outline Parts (no
Connections) command instead.

Fig. 5. Complete outline created with 'Arrange Outline Parts' command.

 Fig. 6. Outline of hole connected to the main outline. Fig. 7. Hidden parts are not outlined.

On places where one object lays on top of the other, automatic outlines are created only for those parts that are
on top of the others. Program automatically ignores hidden parts (fig. 7. , marked by red arrows)

Please note: auto outliner can fail to work properly on places where edge of one object runs (almost) on top of
edge of other object, i.e. parts of their edges are almost identical. On such places, outliner may generate large
amount of small outlines, because nearly identical edges intersect each other on many places. Common designs
have either separate or overlapped areas and such situation does not occur. In most cases the problem occurs
when vector graphics (EMF, WMF or CMX files) is used, because graphic files are created in a different way (no
overlays, many identical edges).
User's Patterns Tab
Layers are used to create interleaved pattern. If there are 4 layers in the pattern, for example, each layer
applies only to the each 4th line of stitches. Consequently, final pattern looks like if there are all 4 layers
interleaved.

Pattern with 4 layers. Each column of pixels belongs to different layer.

The layer that is currently edited is highlighted.

Pattern with 4 layers applied to rows of stitches. 3D preview of stitches with pattern.
Needle points appear on places where The fill with interleaved pattern is flat.
stitches cross the pattern pixels.
Each layer (column in this case) applies
only to the each 4th line of stitches.

Interleaved pattern produces flat fill. For patterns with more puffy texture use single layer of pixels (no
interleaving).

To examine predefined Studio patterns Open any patterns from PATTERNS folder.

Save. Click this button to save pattern to disc. Patterns are automatically stored with design with which they
were created, so you need to save pattern only if you want to use it in other design.

Open. Click this button to load some previously stored pattern into your design.

Clear. Click this button to reset selected pattern.

Import image into background. Click this button to open an image and use it as the template when drawing
the pattern.
Skew left and Skew right. Click any of these buttons to modify the pattern. Sometimes a nice new pattern can
be created from existing one by just clicking any of these buttons.

Move. Click any of these buttons to scroll pattern in the working area.
User's Samples Tab

Samples are used to create fancy outlines. They are aligned along the outline in a continuous for
Motifs are used in a similar way for fancy fills.

Both samples and motifs should be made so that they allow seamless, continuous connection. Stu
contains built-in editor of outline samples and fill motifs that facilitates this task.

User can create up to five outline samples and up to five fill motifs that are saved with the design

Preview table
with user samples.

Sample aligned along the outline. 2 motifs used as fill.

Samples and motifs are small formations of stitches. They are made from single stitch by inserting nodes (needle
points) between the first and last point and moving them on the work area. Initial form of sample is single stitch.
Preserving of first (left) and last (right) points ensures seamless connection of samples.

New sample - initial stitch. A node inserted between first and last point.
 Continuous formation
of samples projected along the line.

Another node inserted. Sample is finished.

Both samples and motifs are used by Studio so that they are projected into virtual windows along the outline or
inside the fill. The size of these windows is defined by Min. Length, Width and Height parameters.

The width/height ratio of sample in the work area does not have to be identical to Length/Width ratio given by
user. When Studio is projecting sample or motif into virtual window, the length of sample is adjusted to place
the first and last point exactly onto the window beginning and end. User can decide which method will be used
for adjustment:

1. Deform - whole sample/motif is deformed (stretched) to fit into window.

2. Add Jump - sample/motif is not deformed, but jump stitch is added to its end.

3. Add Stitch - sample/motif is not deformed, but running stitch is added to its end.

All fill motifs and most of outline samples use Deform method. Special outlines like "Candlewick" that should be
composed of some not deformed objects connected by jumps or running stitches use Add Jump or Add Stitch
methods.

To examine predefined Studio motifs and samples Open sample or motif from PATTERNS folder.

Adjustable gray area on top and bottom of work area allows user to change the width/height ratio of the work
area. Stitches may stick into gray area. If they do so, it means that sample/motif will stick out of windows along
the outline or inside of fill. Use this approach if you want motifs to overlap each other (picture at right).

Min. Length. applies only to outline samples. It defines the smallest window length in curves.

Shift applies only to fill motifs. If defines the mutual shift of motif rows when projected to a fill.

Length is length of sample or motif.

Width is width of sample or motif.

Simulate. Click this button to run slow simulation of how sample/motif stitches will be sewn.
Save. Click this button to save sample or motif to the disc in order to transfer it to other design.

Open. Click this button to load sample or motif saved previously from other design.

Clear. Click this button to reset selected sample or motif.

Import image into background. Click this button to open an image and use it as the template when drawing
the sample or motif.
How to make and use your own Borders
Border is an outline object composed of pre-digitized objects (border samples). It can have outlines of a
separate color. There are several border samples available in Studio and user can define his/her own border
samples. This tutorial will guide you through process of creation of your own border samples and their use in
your embroidery designs.

Various borders: simple border with 1 column object,

rope border with outline, complex leaf border with columns and connections.

Creation of User Border Samples

Border elements (samples) are small designs, which are like any other designs created in Studio. Therefore, we
will use Studio's main Work Area for creation of border samples and not some editor window as it is in case of fill
pattern or motif creation. Border samples have some limitations, though, and some Studio controls are disabled
during creation of border sample, therefore.

To start creation of a new border sample, click on main menu Design/ Border/ New Border. Special template
for borders will appear in the Work Area and some Studio controls will be disabled. Please note that border
sample can contain only Column, Column with Pattern, Outline and Connection objects. Tools for
creation of other objects are disabled.

Example 1 - Single Column Object

The first border example contains only one column object. Note that object fits into Border Cell window and it
begins on left side and ends on right side of the cell. Parallel direction of stitches on beginning and end of
sample ensures contiguous stitching of border and connections between border samples are not needed.

To set name and default width and height of border sample, select any object in the Work Area and then use
right mouse click to access Parameters Window. Set Comment, Reference Width and Reference Height
parameters on the Whole Design Parameters tab.
When creation of border sample is finished, use main menu Design/ Border/ Save Border As to save border
to disc. Border is saved as a normal EOF file in compact format without image. If you want to edit border, use
main menu Design/ Border/ Open Border. Do not use common Design/ Open command, because there will
be no template for border drawing.

Example 2 - Column Object with Outline

This border sample contains column object and outline of another color. When compiling to stitches, Studio
reorders border objects so that outlines are sewn after all columns and connections. Therefore, it is useful to
draw border sample so that columns sew without a trim and outlines sew without a trim too. Of course, there
will be a trim between columns and outlines, because outlines are of different color.

Column object is drawn so that it exceeds the boundaries of the cell on left and right side. This is because the
elements of rope should overlap to prevent gaps in stitching. Because of the overlap, there must be connection
object before column object to ensure contiguous stitching of columns. Place beginning of connection anywhere,
Studio will align it to previous column when compiling all border samples. End of connection must be connected
to column object.

Outline is drawn so that its beginning is aligned to end of previous border sample outline, if you imagine several
border samples lined up one after another. See below picture how the the outline is drawn to make two or three
layers of stitches and to position beginning and end properly.
Example 3 - Column Objects with Connections

In this example the border sample contains columns and connections. The most important is placement of first
and last connection, because they allow contiguous stitching of border. First connection begins on left side of the
cell and last connection ends on the opposite side of the cell. The rest of connections serve only for normal
connection of column objects within the sample.

Use of Border Samples

To make user defined border samples available in Parameters window when digitizing design, you have to
assign your border samples to empty items in the Border samples list. First 5 items in the Border samples list in
Parameters window are reserved for user defined samples.

If Studio is still in creation of border sample mode, save border to disc and start a normal new design with use of
main menu Design/ New or open any of your existing designs.

Use main menu Objects/ User Editors command and then switch to Assign User Borders tab. Double click
on any of 5 user defined border samples and load your own sample from the disc. Click OK when finished.

Now your border samples are linked to design file and they are available in borders list of Outline Parameters
window. You can use them for Outline objects in your design.
Short-cut Keys
The most frequently used functions can be accessed with short-cut keys. Below list contains all short-cuts
available in Studio.

When depressed, forces new lines and curves to precise horizontal, vertical or diagonal
direction in edit/create mode. If used with Shapes, creates precise circle instead of
CTRL ellipse and square instead of rectangle.
CTRL key has other meaning in lettering mode.

CTRL+1 Zoom to selected object(s)

CTRL+2 Zoom to selected object(s) and switch to the nodes editing mode.

CTRL+A Select all objects (in transformations mode)

CTRL+Shift+A Deselect (in transformations mode)

CTRL+B Create backward path to selected outline objects.

CTRL+C Copy selected objects into clipboard

CTRL+D Duplicates selected objects

CTRL+E Edit. Switch selected object(s) to the nodes editing mode.

CTRL+F Compile design and send it to the Embird Editor for further processing.

CTRL+G Generate stitches for selected objects.

CTRL+I Import image

CTRL+M Merge File

CTRL+N New file

CTRL+P Display parameters window

CTRL+S Save design

CTRL+U Text (Embird Alphabets)

CTRL+V Paste objects from clipboard

CTRL+Y Redo

CTRL+Z Undo

CTRL+INSERT Create connection to previous object

CTRL+F1 Align beginning of object to end of previous object (in editing mode)

CTRL+F2 Align end of object to beginning of next object (in editing mode)

Align beginning of outline object to beginning of previous outline object (in editing
CTRL+F3
mode)

CTRL+ALT+B Background Filters (Image colors)

CTRL+ALT+C "Bring to Center". Moves selected objects to center of the Work Area.

CTRL+ALT+E Delete second edge parallel to first edge (in editing mode)

CTRL+ALT+I Display Edit Image window

CTRL+ALT+O Convert fill to outline

CTRL+ALT+T Display Transformations window

CTRL+ALT+U User Editors

Insert text from Embird Font Engine. Inserts lettering converted from TrueType fonts to
CTRL+Shift+U
embroidery design.

2 Snap selected node to nearest node

3 Place beginning of object to end of previous object

4 Place second beginning point (for columns-type objects) to end of previous object

When creating outline object, pressing this key performs these three operations at once: 1.
b outline object is finished, 2. backward path is created to the outline object, 3. outline object
and its backward path are joined into single object.

e Add new line part to edge

r Add new line part to second edge (for columns- type objects)

d Add new curve part to edge

f Add new curve part to second edge (for columns- type objects)

i Changes first zigzag underlay angle of fill object in the edit/create mode.

o Changes second zigzag underlay angle of fill object in the edit/create mode.

p Changes cover stitches angle of fill object in the edit/create mode.

x Works like right mouse button. It is intended for use with tablet.

space Finish object creation/editing, if possible

esc Cancel object creation/editing

arrow keys Scrolls Working Area

arrow keys
Moves selected objects in transform mode and selected node in edit/create mode.
+ALT

- Zoom out

+ Zoom in

Page Up Zoom out

Page Down Zoom in

SHIFT+
To Front (order of objects)
Page Up

SHIFT+
To Back (order of objects)
Page Down

Deletes selected objects (in transformations mode). Deletes an element that ends with
Delete
selected square (in edit/create mode).
INSERT Inserts a new element before selected square node in edit/create mode.

END Inserts a Segment End at selected square node in edit/create mode.

ALT Description of ALT key use in lettering mode is available in Interactive Lettering chapter.

ALT+1 Normal View

ALT+2 Enhanced View

ALT + mouse Pan work area without having to switch tools. Cursor must move near edges of the work
cursor move area.

ALT+B Hide / Show boundaries of objects

ALT+C Snap node to nearest node (editing mode)

ALT+D Hide / Show grid

ALT+F Hide / Show fill objects

ALT+G Hide / Show guide lines

ALT+J Hide / Show jumps

ALT+L Hide / Show columns

ALT+M Hide / Show manual stitches

ALT+N Hide / Show columns with pattern

ALT+O Hide / Show outline objects

ALT+Q Hide / Show appliqués

ALT+R Hide / Show rulers

ALT+S Hide / Show stitches

ALT+T Hide / Show button bar

ALT+U Hide / Show sfumato objects

ALT+V Hide / Show carvings

ALT+W Hide / Show one-way outline objects

ALT+X Hide / Show connections

ALT+Z Hide / Show zoom window

ALT+F1 Activate Transform tool

ALT+F2 Activate Edit tool

ALT+F3 Activate Zoom tool

ALT+F4 Activate Pan tool

F1 Opens help files

F2 Create Fill object

F3 Create Sfumato object

F4 Create Opening object

F5 Create Carving objects

F6 Create Column object

F7 Create Column with Pattern object

F8 Create Outline object

F9 Create Manual Stitch object

F10 Create Connection object

F11 Create Appliqué object

F12 Create Appliqué Opening object

Double click Starts creation of new object without need to select any tool. The new object is of the same
on Working type as the previous object. This short-cut helps to create series of object of the same type
Area faster.

Right mouse
button
This action temporarily switches on the pan tool instead of actual working mode. When
depressed +
button is released, program returns to previous mode. This helps to scroll the work area
dragging
quickly, without using any control (scroll bars) or tool (Pan Tool button)
cursor over
Work Area

Double click
on Object
If double clicked on object icon, stitches are generated for this object
Inspector
window

In nodes creation/editing mode - selects first node on the edge. Helps to locate first node
HOME
on complex edge with many nodes.

In nodes creation/editing mode - selects last node on the edge. Helps to locate last node on
END
complex edge with many nodes.

In nodes creation/editing mode - activates Fast Node Insertion mode to allow insertion
a + left
of new nodes after any selected node, not just the last one. Helps to speed-up nodes
mouse click
insertion and helps to avoid undesired selection of existing nodes.

When creating new object, TAB key can be used to quick adjustment of the curve
elements. Create new curve element with TAB key instead of left mouse button. Then move
TAB the mouse with TAB key depressed to adjust the curve. Then release the TAB key. Please
note: to use the TAB key for curves adjustment, the edge mode must be set to 'curve'.
Main Menu
Design
Edit
Image
Text
Nodes
Shape
Objects
Transform
Convert
Select
View
Help
Main Menu - Design
The first command, Compile and Put into Embird Editor, compiles a design digitized in Studio and places it
into Editor so the design can be saved in desired embroidery format.

The next 6 commands are New, Open, Open Recent, Save, Save As, Merge. In all cases, the format is EOF.
EOF is native file format of the Embird Studio. It stores all design objects, lettering and background image in a
single file.

Merge adds selected design to the one already opened in Studio.

Export command allows to convert vector design from Studio to other file formats. Current version supports
Scalable Vector Graphics *.SVG format and Embird Text Baseline *.ETB format. Use export to SVG format if you
need to transfer design from Studio to graphic programs like Corel Draw.

Save in Compact Format (for internet) stores design in a scalable outline file without image and stitches to
achieve small file size. It is intended for internet delivery of embroidery files. Receiver of such design can open it
with Embird 2003 or later and resize it without loss of quality. Compact file has an EOF extension just as normal
design file, but it is much smaller in size. Digitizer should save her/his design also in normal EOF format (Save,
Save As) for further editing, if any. Compact format does not include background image, guide lines and other
data that are unnecessary for end user.

Save Selected As works like Save As, but only the selected objects are stored into the file.

The Import Vector File function opens the vector graphic file and converts it into the embroidery design.
Read more about this function here.

Border opens sub-menu with commands for creation and editing of user defined Border Samples.

Parameters command opens the window with design and objects properties.

The last command is Exit, which follows the usual Windows convention prompting user to name the design and
choose a location.

Load Color Palette and Save Color Palette allow to copy customized color palette from one design file to
another. Colors are loaded to palette in the top-right corner of the Studio window. They serve to select color for
vector objects in design.
Main Menu - Edit
There are following commands in the Edit menu: Undo and Redo; Copy and Paste; Select All and Deselect;
Delete and Duplicate; Snap to Guide Lines, Lock Guide Lines, Erase Guide Lines and Preferences. Use
the Preferences command to set the size and color of the Hoop/Work Area. The guide lines color, grid’s size
and line color can also be changed under Preferences.

Snap Objects to Grid snaps selected objects to nearest grid line when user moves objects in the
Transformation mode. Objects are snapped only if they are near to the grid line. This function allows user to
align objects with use of the grid lines. It works with whole objects (not just edited nodes as snap options under
main menu > Nodes).

Snap Objects to Guide Lines snaps selected objects to nearest guide line when user moves objects in the
Transformation mode. Objects are snapped only if they are near to the guide line. This function allows user to
align objects with use of the guide lines. It works with whole objects (not just edited nodes as snap options
under main menu > Nodes).

Lock Guide Lines disables editing of guide lines and adding of new guide lines. Locking of guide lines prevents
unwanted seizure of guide lines when working with digitized objects in the Work Area.

Erase Guide Lines deletes all guide lines in the Work Area.

Clipboard operations Copy and Paste can be used for moving objects between separate designs.
Main Menu - Image
Import is used to bring an image into the background as a template for digitizing; Studio can import an image
in JPG, GIF, BMP, PNG and TIFF formats.

Studio ignores the DPI, resolution, or size set by the graphics program which generated the imported image,
instead using this scheme: 100 pixels = 1 cm of design size; 254 pixels = 1 inch. User may also select 'Scale
image to fit current hoop' option to scale image to hoop size while importing image.

Studio can import images up to 3000 x 3000 pixels.

Click on Background Filters or Edit Image Window to find out more about these command.

Rotate to Vertical and Rotate to Horizontal are tools for rotation of image. They are intended for precise
rotation of images that contain either vertical or horizontal objects or lines. Place rotation marks on the object
(line) in the image and then click right mouse button on 'arrows' symbol near the rotation mark. Select 'Rotate
Image' from the pop-up menu. Image will be rotated so that marked object is vertical or horizontal, respectively.
Please note: use Edit Image Window for rotation of image with angle parameter.

Crop is tool for precise placement of crop marks and cropping of the image. Place crop marks on the image and
then click right mouse button on the 'scissors' symbol near the crop mark. Please note: Edit Image Window
can be used for cropping of image too.

Straighten is tool for compensation of the scanned image distortion. If deformed image has edges that are
supposed to be orthogonal, set the red marks on these deformed lines. Then click the right mouse button on the
work area and select Straighten Image command from the pop-up menu. Image will be transformed so that
selected shape becomes a rectangle.

Acquire (Scan) ... command launches the image scanning software. This command work with scanners that
support TWAIN. Scanned image is transferred into background of the work area as if it was loaded with Import
command.

Delete Image command removes background raster image from the project. This command allows to shrink
the file size of design in eof file format for e-mail transfer, for example.

Please note: it is also possible to transfer image to Studio with use of Copy (CTRL+C) and Paste (CTRL+V)
commands. Use CTRL+C in any graphic program to store raster image into clipboard. Then open Studio and use
CTRL+V to load image from the clipboard.
Main Menu - Text
Following 4 commands switch Studio to the lettering mode. There are two ways of how to create lettering in
Studio: 1. pre-digitized Alphabets, 2. Font Engine text. Both methods use very similar user interface, but they
work with different source of lettering.

Text inserts lettering from Embird Alphabets. Alphabets are pre-digitized Embird fonts that must be
purchased separately. Click anywhere on the work area to define the start point of text. If you click on existing
text, it will switch into editing mode. Otherwise, a new text creation begins. Program opens window for alphabet
selection and parameters and layout settings. Finished lettering is placed into Work Area of Studio. Unlike
lettering in Embird Editor, which is in plain stitches, lettering placed directly into Studio is in outlines and it is
resizable, therefore.

Please note: Selection of existing text for editing works only with text created in Studio version 6.0, build 8.8 or
later. It does not work with files from older versions of Studio.

Font Engine Text inserts text from Embird Font Engine. Font Engine converts TrueType and OpenType fonts
into embroidery designs automatically. Click anywhere on the work area to define the start point of text. If you
click on existing text, it will switch into editing mode. Otherwise, a new text creation begins. Finished lettering is
placed into Work Area in outlines and it is resizable, therefore. Font Engine can be run also from Embird Editor,
but result is lettering in stitches. Font Engine is included in Embird 2003 or later, but its registration password
must be purchased separately.

The difference between Font Engine and Alphabets is that Alphabets are pre-digitized fonts and Font Engine
converts any True Type or Open Type font automatically. Although Font Engine uses advanced techniques when
filling letters with satin stitches (auto column), result may be different to human digitizer approach, sometimes.

Above commands allow to create multi-line lettering by typing in the characters and automatic conversion to
outlines and stitches. If you digitize logo and there is no similar Alphabet or font available, you may need to
digitize lettering manually with use of columns and connections. In such case, please read this tutorial on how
to do lettering manually.

Text with Selected Object as Baseline - same as Text command, but uses selected object in work area as a
custom baseline. This allows to use existing object (fill, column or outline, for example) as a baseline for
lettering. This command is useful when you want to draw baseline with freehand tool, or if you want to place
text parallel to edge of existing object.

Font Engine Text with Selected Object as Baseline - same as Font Engine Text, but uses selected object
in work area as a custom baseline.

Edit Text - access to editing of existing text. Select any part of existing text (letter or object) in work area or
object inspector and use this command. It will switch Studio to lettering mode and open respective text for
editing. When editing is finished, original text is replaced by the new one. If you have previously made some
editing of text objects on node-by-node level, these changes are lost.

Convert Text to Normal Objects - objects like fills, columns and connections belonging to some text label are
linked to this text label and marked by 'text label' Alphabets Text or 'text label' Font Engine Text in the object
inspector window. If you do not want to edit text on lettering level anymore, you can convert it to normal
objects with this command. Link to text is removed and it is possible to edit objects on node-by-node level.

Import Baseline command allows to import baseline in Embird Text Baseline *.etb file format. This command
is intended for use with old baseline files created in Studio. New lettering system allows to store lettering
sessions (including baseline) in the main design file, in a separate lettering file and to transfer lettering between
designs with copy and paste commands. Therefore, this command is provided only for backward compatibility.
Main Menu - Nodes
The Nodes Menu is accessible only in creation/editing mode. The first command, Align Beginning to Previous
Object, moves the beginning of an edited object to the end of previous object. Use this command to assure
there will be no jump stitch between the two objects.

The next command, Align End to Next Object, causes the end of the object being edited to the beginning of
the object to be created next.

Align Outline Beginning to beginning of Previous. When doing a complex outline, some outline parts start
not on end of previous part, but on its beginning, instead. Use this function to place beginning of the new part
exactly on beginning of previous part. Although 'Arrange Outline Parts' function allows some deviation in parts
placement, the use of this function may help to reduce 'Parts are not close enough' problems.

Swap Edges is the next command; it is intended for columns and other objects that have two sides. Swap
Edges is used to change the sides in in order to end stitching of that object on other side.

Reverse Nodes Order comes next; it changes the order of nodes. This is another method to change which
stitch will be last.

Use Delete Whole Edge command to erase whole edge and start its creation anew.

Create Second Edge command works on columns and objects with two sides. Create one edge and the first
point of the second edge, then use this command. The second edge will be parallel to the first and the segment
end will be placed after each element of edges.

Snap nodes to Work Area Edges, Snap to Guide Lines, Snap to Nodes, Snap to Grid, Snap to Object
Edges are options for alignment of nodes during editing or creation of object. Nodes are snapped only if they
are near to the Work Area edges, guide lines, other nodes, grid lines or edges of other objects, respectively.

Please note: there are also other snap option under the main menu > Edit. However, these options serve to
snap whole objects (not just edited nodes).

Snap to Nearest Node command moves selected node on top of nearest node which belongs to other object.
It means that it does not snap selected node to nodes of actually edited object, only to nodes of other objects.
This command helps to align nodes precisely.

Select First Node, Select Last Node commands select respective node on the vector edge. These commands
help to locate first and last node on complex edges with large number of nodes.

Duplicate and Mirror command help to create symmetrical objects. Draw first part of the object and then use
Duplicate and Mirror command to create second part of the object, which is symmetrical to the first part about
the axis passing through the first and last node.
Duplicate and Mirror Horizontally and Duplicate and Mirror Vertically work in a similar way, but the axis
of the symmetry is vertical and horizontal straight line passing through the first node.

Creation of object symmetrical about both horizontal and vertical axes is explained on the following example:

1. Create one quarter of the object.

2. Use Duplicate and Mirror Vertically command.
3. Use Duplicate and Mirror Horizontally command.

Edit All Nodes enables/disables possibility to select and move nodes in editing mode. When disabled, user can
edit only last 2 nodes on each edge. This option is useful when nodes are near one to another and cursor selects
existing node instead of creating a new one. This option allows to 'lock' most of the nodes so that they do not
interfere with new nodes.
Main Menu - Shape
There are two types of shapes available from this menu. The first type are basic shapes like ellipse, rectangle,
etc. These shapes can be used only in the node editing mode.

To use any of these shapes, place at least one node in the Work Area, then select one of the shapes and draw it
in the Work Area. Right mouse click and select To Elements from the small pop-up menu. Studio will move the
last node to the nearest point on the shape just created and the shape will be started from that point. This
means the shape can be started from any point.

Basic shape - star. Red nodes define the size of the star.
Black nodes defines chosen start point of the shape.

There are 3 types of ellipse available in the Shape menu: ellipse with 4, 8 and 16 elements. Ellipses with low
number of elements are not perfectly elliptical and they should be used only for a small objects. For a large
object, use the 16 elements ellipse.

Detailed description of how to work with these shapes can be found in "Basic Shapes" chapter.

Second type of shapes are pre-digitized objects like banners, scrolls, etc. These shapes are accessible in a
normal working mode, i.e. not in the node editing mode.

From Library command allows user to merge pre-digitized shapes to design. Pre-digitized shapes are stored in
Library folder. Any design saved in compact format may be stored in the Library folder and used as a shape.

Shape from library - 2 color design.

Main Menu - Objects
Edit switches selected object to editing mode.

Generate Stitches computes stitches for selected objects. The same effect can be achieved with double click
on object icon in Object Inspector window.

Parameters displays window with parameters tab for selected objects. The user defined patterns and stitch
samples can be created in this window.

User Editors displays window for creation of fill patterns, motifs and outline samples and for assignment
of user defined border samples.

Styles contains submenu with Apply Style and Edit commands. Apply Style sets parameters of selected
objects like density, pull compensation and underlay according to chosen style. Edit displays table of predefined
and user defined styles, and allows user to edit existing styles and create her/his own styles.

Editor of Styles.

Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 are functions for combining several objects into one for easier manipulations.
They allow user to create hierarchically organized combined objects. This hierarchy simplifies the editing of
combined parts.

When digitizing some lettering, for example, the basic parts of letters (columns and connections) may be joined
with Group 1 command, so that each letters is composed of parts grouped together. Letters may be joined into
words with Group 2 command and words may be joined into sentence with Group 3 command. The numbers
1,2 and 3 indicate the level of the group. Many programs have just one group level. Several levels allow to
ungroup and manage objects on some level, while leaving other levels untouched. For example, you can
ungroup parts of letter for editing, while preserving words and whole sentence grouped.
Basic parts of letter 'A' are selected. Use Group 1 to combine them into a single object.

There is a small black lock icon at right side of A indicating that this object is composed of parts grouped on level
1.

Select the letters in a word ABN now a use Group 2 to combine then into single object. Letters in the second
word AMRO are already grouped (indicated by medium size blue lock icon).

Select all words and use Group 3 to combine them into single object.

The fact that this object is composed of objects grouped on level 3 is indicated by a large magenta lock icon.

Use Ungroup 1, Ungroup 1 and Ungroup 3 commands to divide groups on respective levels (in this example,
use Ungroup 3 to split sentence into words, Ungroup 2 to split words into letters and Ungroup 3 to split letters
into basic objects).

Erase Stitches function removes stitches from selected objects, which allows a clear view of their vector
boundaries. This function is usefull when you need go back and revise part of design.

Sort Colors function changes order of selected objects so that objects of the same color are in the successive
order. This function helps to eliminate the color changes.

Sort Types function changes order of selected objects so that objects of the same type are in the successive
order.
Sort Sizes function is very important for editing of objects imported from vector graphics files like EMF, WMF
and CMX. Such files often contain large number of a very small objects (often smaller than 1 millimeter) that are
not possible to sew out and they spoil embroidery design. Use Sort Sizes command to re-order imported
objects according to their size. Then select too small objects and delete them.

Order submenu contains functions for change of the selected object(s) order.

Tune Colors allows to adjust colors of all selected objects, or even whole design at once. Tune Colors command
opens window with Brightness, Contrast, Gamma, Saturation and color balance controls (Cyan-Red,
Magenta-Green, Yellow-Blue). These controls work with color of vector objects and stitches (thread), not
with the image colors.

Original colors before tunning. Brightness increased for all objects at once.
Main Menu - Convert
These commands work on objects selected with the Transform Tool (arrow) or in Objects Inspector. They
allow to change the way of how the vector objects are filled with stitches by conversion of objects from one
type to another.

Create Outlines from Fill creates outline object from selected fill object. If fill object has openings, Studio will
create also outlines of openings as a separate objects. Start point of each outline is identical to start point of the
corresponding fill or opening. It is often desirable to place start of outline on the place where fill ends. Switch
outline to editing mode and use 'Place Start Point here' command from pop-up menu to change the outline
start point.

Create Columns from Fill creates complex object composed of columns and connections from selected fill
object. It is intended mainly for cases when user uses Auto Column option for fill object and more parameters
than provided by Auto Column are needed.

Create Column from Outlines creates column object from selected outline.
Split Border into Elements creates complex object composed of columns and/or outlines and/or connections
from selected outline object. It is intended for cases when the user needs to edit the parts of the predefined
border outline (like rope border, for example).

Create Fill from Opening creates a new fill object from selected opening in existing fill. Opening must be
selected in the Parts Inspector window. This command is intended for situation when user needs to create cover
stitches of other color for a hole (opening) in the fill. User should adjust the newly created fill object so that it
overlaps the opening underneath, in order to create overlay to avoid gaps in stitching.

Create Fill from Outline creates a new fill object from selected outline objects. If outline is not closed, Studio
automatically closes the newly created fill object.

Split Appliqué into Layers creates separately editable layers from selected appliqué objects. These layers
include following objects: 1.marking stitches - outline object(s), 2.tack-down stitches - column object(s), 3.cover
stitches - column object(s). Layers on below illustration are pulled aside to show objects underneath.

It is important to note that all above commands will duplicate an object and then convert the new object as
selected. For example, if the Create Columns from Outlines command is selected, Studio will duplicate the
object, leaving the first one an Outline object, and converting the second one to a Column object.

Next commands are:

Appliqué to Column

Column to Appliqué

Column with Pattern to Column

Column to Column with Pattern

Column to Outline

Column to Fill

Connection to Manual Stitches

Connection to Outline

Manual Stitches to Connection

Fill to Opening

Outline to Connection

Fill to Opening

Fill to Sfumato
Sfumato to Fill
Each of them converts objects from one type to other. They do not duplicate objects. Column to Appliqué
joins beginning and end of object, because Appliqué object must form a closed loop. Functions Column to
Outline and Column to Fill convert also Columns with Pattern and Appliqués to Outlines and Fills.

Special command Areas to Centerline allows to create redwork object(s) from fill or column object(s). Result is
a set of outline elements, which have to be combined into single outline object with use of main menu >
Transform > Arrange Outline Parts function. This function is mainly intended for creation of redwork
lettering.

Command to Editable Stitches converts stitches in selected vector objects to editable manual stitches. Create
any object as a start and then use this function to access and edit individual stitches. This function can be used
for precise adjustment of motif fill, for example.
Main Menu - Transform
These commands work on objects selected with the Transform Tool (arrow) in work area or in Objects Inspector
list.

Use the first command, Snap to Previous Object, to eliminate a jump caused when an object is moved
accidentally.

The second command, Create Connection to Previous Object, is designed for designs where the selected
object does not touch the previous object; invoking this command will place a Connection object between
noncontiguous objects to eliminate jump stitches.

Use Flip Vertically to flip selected objects along the horizontal axis.

Use Flip Horizontally to flip selected objects along the vertical axis.

Use Rotate Left to rotate selected objects 90 degrees anti-clockwise.

Use Rotate Right to rotate selected objects 90 degrees clockwise.

Important !: Apply Rotation to Fill Stitches option. If this option is checked, angles of cover stitches and
zig-zag underlay of Fill objects are adjusted whenever the object is rotated or mirrored. There are several
function that use this setting: common rotation, flipping, corner function, auto-repeat function. If this option is
not checked, stitch angles remain the same regardless of object rotation and mirroring.

Transformation window allows user to make transformations like objects movement, rotation, skewing,
resizing and change of order. These operations are all available in an interactive form directly in the Work Area
or in Object Inspector window. Moreover, Transformations window allows user to align and distribute selected
objects within selection.

The next command, Bring to Center, is to help when an object is moved accidentally off the Work Area. Select
the object in the Object Inspector window and click Center to bring the object back to the Work Area.

Center Vertically and Center Horizontally commands center selected objects according to respective axis.

Outline Transformations

This is a group of commands specially designed for work with outlines. Description of different
approaches to create outlines is available in "Outlines - Overview" chapter.

Arrange Outline Parts is intended for making complex thin outlines with double stitching. Any
running stitch outline regardless on its complexity can be done in this way. User has to draw separate
outline objects in any order. Parts must approximately touch each other. This function works so that it
combines separate outlines, splits them if necessary, sorts them in a proper order and creates a
backward path (second layer of stitching) to them.

Result is a new object - grouped series of outlines with double stitching in a right order. The order of
outline parts is adjusted automatically by Studio. Only the first outline part remains on its place. As
there is double stitching on the outline, the end of outline is identical to its beginning. Therefore, place
the first outline part on a place where you want whole outline to begin and end.
 Drawing of outline parts for the "Arrange Outline Parts" function. Design contains 3 outlines.

"Arrange Outline Parts" function automatically splits original outlines on a proper places (red dots),

reorders them and creates the backward path (second layer of stitching).

Arranged elements are combined into larger segments to optimize stitches layout. If you want to
preserve original elements for easier editing instead, switch off this feature in Parameters window >
Whole Design > Main tab. Arrange Outline Parts command does not work if there is already some
backward path among selected objects.

Other related topic is Automatic Outline.

If there are separate outline parts that do not touch the rest of outline (like hole outline, for example),
This function creates connection to this separate object(s). if you do not want such connection, please
use next command.

Arrange Outline Parts (no Connections) works exactly like above command, but it does not
connect separate objects to the main outline. For example, if you outline letter "i", it will leave outline
of dot a separate object.

The Create Backward Path command can be used on series of Outline, Manual Stitches or
Connection objects to duplicate and reverse these objects. Doing this will result in two paths: one path,
from beginning to end, created by user and the other path, from end to beginning, created by Studio.
Create Backward Path command does not work if there is already some backward path among selected
objects.

Delete Backward Paths command is meant for situation when complex outline created with Arrange
Outline Parts must be edited. Use this command to delete all backward paths in selected objects and
thus to achieve original outline parts without second layer of stitching (backward paths). Make editing
of parts and then use Arrange Outline Parts again to rebuild the complex outline.

Combine Outlines makes single outline object from series of outlines.

Change Column Width allows user to make selected column objects wider or narrower.

Broaden Thin Parts of Column is intended for making thin columns parts like serifs on lettering wider for
better sewing. Only those section of column object that are narrower than given width are broaden. The rest of
column remain unchanged.
Expand Objects enlarges selected objects by offsetting the object contours. It is
intended for creation of overlay of constant width between adjacent objects. Expand
Objects command does not provide the same result as normal enlargement.

Shrink Objects reduces size of selected objects by offsetting the object contours. Shrink Objects command
does not provide the same result as normal size reduction. You can use it for fill opening to make it smaller, in
order to create overlay between opening and another object that covers the opening.

Reduce Nodes Number removes nodes from selected objects according to chosen "Simplicity" parameter. This
function is intended mainly to smooth lettering with distorted edges and large number of nodes, which is hard to
edit node-by-node.

Shaping submenu contains command for so called Boolean operations on filled areas, like union, intersection
and difference.

Envelope function allows to deform selected object(s) with envelope curves. It is very useful for creating special
layout effects with lettering.

Auto Outliner function creates double-layered thin outline around selected

object(s).

Corner ... command opens window with options to copy selected objects
symmetrically into the hoop corners. Corner options are: 1. Place - copy objects
as they are, 2. Mirror - each corner is mirrored, 3. Rotate CW - each corner is
rotated clockwise with respect to the previous corner. 4. Rotate CCW - each
corner is rotated counter-clockwise with respect to the previous corner. Please
note: if Apply Rotation to Fill Stitches option in the main menu > Transform
is checked, stitches angle is adjusted when object is rotated.

Auto Repeat ... command opens window with options to duplicate selected objects along line, around the circle
or rectangle, or to fill rectangular area. It is possible to set distance (gap) between the objects.
 In this example the triangle at top was auto-repeated 8 times around the circle.

Please note: if Apply Rotation to Fill Stitches option in the main menu > Transform is checked, stitches
angle is adjusted when object is rotated or mirrored.
Main Menu - Select
Commands in this menu allow to select vector objects with use of various criteria, or modify selection.

The first command is Zoom to Selected Objects. This command scrolls selected object(s) to center of the
screen and zooms in or out to fit selection to the screen. It helps to localize object(s) selected in the Inspector
window in the work area.

Next command Zoom and Edit Selected Objects works in the same way as above command, but it also starts
nodes editing mode.

Select All command selects all vector objects in the design.

Deselect command cancels any selection.

Invert Selection command unselects currently selected object(s) and selects the rest of objects. It can be used
when you want to apply some changes to most (but not all) objects. Select the those that should remain
untouched and use Invert Selection command to switch selection.

New Selection, Add to Selection and Select Subset options allow to define the way of how vector objects
are selected with rest of commands in this menu. These options work like radio buttons. Only one of them can
be turned on. You can define whether you want to make a new selection (and disregard existing selection, if
there is any), or add objects to existing selection, or select only certain objects from existing selection.

Example 1 - selection of all fills and outlines

1. Check the "Select>New Selection" option.

2. Use "Select>Fills>All Fills" command.
3. Check the "Select>Add to Selection" option.
4. Use "Select>Outline>All Outlines" command. All fills and all outlines in design are selected now.

Example 2 - restricted selection

1. Select part of design in the work area or in the object inspector.

2. Check the "Select>Select Subset" option.
3. Use "Select>Outline>Backward Paths" command. Selection now contains only backward paths in
the previously selected part of design. It means that NOT all backward paths in design are selected,
but only those that are inside of previously selected part.

Rest of the commands in this menu allows to select multiple objects of the same type (like Manual Stitches,
Backward Paths or Fills with Motif) at once. They work with either whole design or just selection, according
to selection mode defined by above options.

Commands for selection of text work only until you remove link from objects to respective text label with use of
main menu > Text > Convert Text to Normal Objects. When link is removed, object are no longer
associated with text label and cannot be selected with Select > Text commands.
Main Menu - View
Use this menu configure view mode and to hide/show controls, vector objects, boundaries or stitches. These
changes do not affect the design itself or how it is sewed, only the way how it is displayed on the screen. They
allow more comfortable work by hiding controls and design objects standing in the way.

Objects boundaries are lines and curves visible only on the screen. They are not actual stitches.

Normal and Enhanced view modes affect the way of how stitches and boundaries are displayed. Enhanced
mode uses extra pixels to smooth rasterized lines and curves. This technique is called anti-aliasing. It is slightly
slower than the normal view mode.

Normal view mode (left side) and enhanced view mode (right side).

Guide Lines are lines that help with precise placement and alignment of objects. You may need to hide and
show them alternately during the work.

Jumps displays jumps stitches between objects or inside of objects that may contain jumps (Sfumato objects,
for example). Jumps between objects are also always indicated in the Object Inspector window by small red
scissors icon next to the object icon.

Thicken One-Way Outlines displays those outline objects that have no backward paths as a thick lines or
curves. This helps user to identify which parts of outline need second layer of stitches, i.e. backward path.

Unlike the Eye icon in the Object Inspector window which hides/shows only particular objects, commands in the
Show/Hide Objects submenu affect all objects that fit user-specified criteria. Showing and hiding of design
parts is useful for creation of complex design, when you need to hide some parts of design to see others.

Hiding the Button Bar and/or Rulers may be useful when you work on a small screen. All functions accessible
via Button Bar are also available through main menu.

Grid is not visible in some display modes (D. Map, X-Ray, 3D with fabric background). This option allows to
hide grid in the rest of display modes.

Zoom Window shows/hides zoom window in the bottom right corner of the screen. Hiding this window is useful
in case of low screen resolution (800x600, for example) in order to enlarge Object Inspector window.

Display modes like 3D, 1:1, Sew Simulator and other are accessible via Display mode tabs
Parameters
Studio works with vector objects which are filled with chosen type of stitches. The way of how stitches are
generated is defined by parameters. For example, the most common parameter is density of stitches. All
objects created in Studio have adjustable parameters that can be used for creation of special effects and for
accommodation of design for sewing on specific type of fabric.

Most parameters have numerical value. They are displayed in the following
form (name or icon, value, unit):

To change any of these parameters, press the left mouse

button on the parameter value to increase it, or press the right
mouse button on the parameter value to decrease it. You can
also click on the parameter's name or icon to access panel
with track bar for easier change of the parameter.

To change parameters of several objects at once, select objects, click right mouse button and select 'Parameters'
command from the pop-up menu. Parameters are organized in several tabs, according to type of objects.

There are also common parameters that apply to all objects in design, regardless of if they are selected or not.
These parameters are located in Whole Design tab.

Whole Design Tab

All Selected Tab Column with Pattern Tab Connection Tab

Fill Tab Outline Tab Appliqué Tab

Column Tab Manual Stitches Tab Sfumato Tab

Use the Parameters button (1) in the top left corner of the
parameters window to store your set of parameters as default, to set
parameters to default values or to reset the default values of
parameters.

Show More Parameters option allows user to access additional

parameters, especially in the Fill and Sfumato Tabs.

If Hold Parameters for New Objects is checked, current set of

parameters will be used also for new objects. It is similar to making
set of parameters 'default', but this option is valid only during the
current session in Studio or until this option is unchecked. After
restart of Studio the default parameters are used for new objects.

Buttons (2) serve to select previous or next object from the inspector window and access its parameters
without need to close and reopen the Parameters window. Index of selected object is displayed next to the
buttons (3).
Parameters - Whole Design
These parameters are organized into several tabs:

Main Tab
Minimum Stitch Length: This is a global parameter (unlike maximum length of stitches, which can be
adjusted separately for each object).

Columns Start/End Gap: This number defines the size of the small gap at beginning and end of
column-like objects. The stitches seen on screen are just the axis of real stitches that are wider, in fact. This gap
prevents the thread bulging at ends of columns, and columns with pattern.

Fills Start/End Gap: This gap prevents the thread bulging at ends of fill. It is especially important if
there is a thin running stitch outline around the fill object.

Additional Density: This parameter allows user to adjust whole design at once for sewing with a different
types of thread. If the whole design seems to be too loose or too dense because of the threads used, adjust the
density with this parameter.

Additional Pull Compensation: This parameter allows user to adjust whole design at once for sewing
on a different types of fabric. If the fabric is too elastic or if the design sinks into the fabric, use this parameter
to add more pull compensation to the whole design at once.

Comment, Reference Width, Reference Height. These parameters are used for user defined Border
Samples.

Combine Arranged Outline Parts - if turned on, outline elements are combined into larger segments when
Arrange Outline Parts function is used, to optimize stitches layout. If turned off, outline elements are
preserved for easier editing.

Tie-Up Stitches Tab

Fill Tie-Up Stitches: These are small stitches that Studio automatically adds before and after jump stitches to
anchor the thread on Fill and Sfumato objects.

Outline Tie-Up Stitches: These are small stitches that Studio automatically adds before and after jump
stitches to anchor the thread on Outline, Connection and Manual Stitch objects.

Column Tie-Up Stitches: These are small stitches that Studio automatically adds before and after jump
stitches to anchor the thread on Column, Column with Pattern and Appliqué objects (The only exceptions are
jump stitches inside a column that is wider than about 1.2 cm).

Tie-Up Stitches Length: maximum length of all above types of the tie-up stitches.

Offset Tab
This global offset setting affects distance of edge and zig-zag underlay of all objects in the design. There are two
ways of how to use global underlay offset:

1. Optimized and scaled offset (in %)

2. Absolute offset (in millimeters)
 2.

These options are available from the combo box on this tab.

When you select option #1, underlay offset of individual objects is automatically optimized according to size of
respective object. Moreover, you can apply overall % scale to these offsets to adjust design for sewing on
various fabrics. Use scale larger than 100% if you are sewing on elastic material or on the fleece.

Option #2 allows to set all underlay offsets to constant distance in millimeters.

Controls described below use % or mm units according to chosen offset mode.

Offset of Edge Underlay: this global parameter affects distance of edge underlay of all objects in the design.
There is a separate offset parameter available for fills, columns and appliqués.

Offset of Zig-Zag Underlay: this global parameter affects distance of zig-zag underlay of all objects in the
design. There is a separate offset parameter available for fills, columns and appliqués.

Length Tab
Minimum and maximum length of fill and column underlay.
Parameters - All Selected
There is only one local parameter common for all types of objects, currently. This parameter is Color of objects.
It can be changed either here or in Object Inspector window by dragging the color from palette and dropping it
onto selected object (objects).
Parameters - Fill
These parameters apply only to Fill objects.

The Fill object can be filled with stitches in one of three ways:

1. Plain Fill - parallel running stitches with Pattern.

2. Motifs

3. Auto Column - object is automatically filled with stitches in the same way as Column objects.

Plain Fill mode, Auto Column mode, Motif fills mode

Density is distance between rows of stitches or motifs. Density 4.0 indicates that this distance will be 0.2 mm.
Default value of density is derived from the Default Thread Weight in Preferences.

Pull Compensation is extension of each stitch on edge of object in order to compensate for thread pull
(on elastic fabric) or sinkage (on fleece). The thread pull causes the ends of stitches are pulled inwards and
object is smaller (narrower) than intended.

1. Plain Fill Parameters

Pattern defines the texture of cover stitches of the fill. User can
define up to five own patterns in main menu/Objects/User Editors/
User's Patterns Tab. Pattern effect is created with layout of
needle points within rows of stitches. Therefore, length of stitches
in fill is given by needle points distance in pattern. Additional lines
and curves in patterned fill can be achieved with use of Carvings
objects, which must follow immediately after Fill object and its
openings.

Random Shift randomizes pattern to allow user to create fur-like

effects, for example.

Scale parameter determines the size of the pattern and

consequently the length of fill stitches.

Complete row if density above defines the density under which the last point on each row of stitches is
omitted (see the left picture). If the last point is not omitted, the result would be stitches that may be too small
on the edge of fill. The pointed ends of rows are not visible on actual embroidery if default density is used. If
distance between rows is higher than this threshold, last point on row is not omitted. This parameter is visible
only if Show More Parameters box is checked.
 Max. Random Broadening defines maximum random prolongation of fill stitches to side. Random
Broadening adds 'ragged edges' effect to objects.

Use jumps (if loose density). If checked, connections between blocks of stitches are replaced with jumps
(trims). Objects can be seldom sewn in a single draw. Therefore, object is usually divided into several blocks and
they are connected either with connection stitches or jumps (mostly used on objects with gradient). This
parameter is visible only if Show More Parameters box is checked.

Plain Fill Underlays. Edge and both Zig-Zag underlays can be usually turned on on all Plain Fill objects because
Studio ignores these underlays on small objects. Turn them off if the fabric is firm and does not need the
stabilization.

Edge Walk Underlay helps to make crisp edges of fill. Click here
to find out more about Edge and Zig-Zag underlay offset.

Zig-Zag Underlays parameters define the angles and densities of

these underlays. Zig-Zag underlays stabilize the fabric with a grid
of loose stitches before sewing the higher density cover stitches.
The angles of underlays can be set here as well as in the editing
mode (press I or O key while moving the mouse in editing mode).
To change the angle click on circular angle indicator or press
Edge and Zig-Zag underlay. mouse button on the angle value. Show More Parameters box
Red circle indicates the edge of object. must be checked to allow user to adjust angles and densities of
zig-zag underlays.

If Show More Parameters box is not checked the angles of zig-zag underlay are adjusted automatically
according to angle of cover stitches.

2. Motif Parameters
Motif is a simple stitch design that can be used to fill object instead of dense parallel stitches. User can define
up to 5 own motifs in main menu/Objects/User Editors/ User's Samples Tab.

Shift defines movement of motifs in each row with respect to previous row.

Scale parameter determines the size of the motif and consequently the length of fill stitches.

Use jump stitches defines whether the jump (trim) or connection is inserted between distant rows of motifs or
stitches. This parameter is visible only if Show More Parameters box is checked.

It is possible to use multiple motifs in a single object. Click here to find out more.

Common Plain and Motif Fill Parameters

Make Cover Stitches allows user to switch off cover stitches. Uncheck the box when one large underlay under
the whole design is needed to provide stabilization. Edge, Zig-Zag 1 and Zig-Zag 2 allows user to switch off
automatic underlays by checking the boxes. Click on the circular angle indicator at right side to set the cover
stitches angle. When the Make Cover Stitches option is un-checked, a small green arrow icon appears next to the
check box. This icon warns user that some settings (like density) are not applicable when there are no cover
stitches.
 Gradient affects the distance between rows of stitches or motifs within object. If
density is 4.0 and gradient is 30.0, for example, the distance of rows will gradate
from 0.2 mm to 15 mm according to set Gradient Type (Gradient Type combo
box).

Effect. Plain Fill and Motifs Fill* may be combined with additional effects like Wave, Contour fill, Radial fill,
Square fill and Rounded fill. Parameters of Wave can be adjusted by clicking on the wave control or by pressing
mouse button on parameters values. Wave parameters define the curve of fill rows.Radial, Square and Rounded
fill effects create stitches in a spiral starting from the 'Focus Point' of the object. User can adjust the Focus Point
position in the Editing Mode.

* Motif Fill can be combined only with the Wave effect.

3. Auto Column Parameters

Use Pattern. If checked, the Auto Column uses pattern set in Plain Fill pattern combo box. Otherwise the
column stitches are without pattern.

Following 5 Auto Column parameters are visible only if Show More Parameters box is checked:

Auto Select Column Underlay. If checked, the type of underlay for Auto Column objects is selected
automatically.

Center. If Center is checked then columns will have underlay running along their center. Use this type of
underlay for small or thin objects.

Edge underlay runs along edge of the object. It should be used for medium size and large objects.

Zig-Zag underlay should be used in combination with edge underlay for large or thick objects

Density parameter indicates the density of the zig-zag underlay.

If more control is needed, convert the Fill object to Column object with more parameters available.

Direction of stitches in auto column fill can be controlled to some degree with direction lines. Click here to
find out more.
Fill with Multiple Motifs
Studio allows to use several motifs within a single fill. See below examples of object filled with use of several
motifs at the same time. To use this feature, create common fill object first, then access its parameters and
select Motif option (1). Then click on the tab (2).

Multiple motifs can be combined with all options available for single motif
like scale, shift, fill angle, wave and gradient. However, respective
motifs must be all of the same size. User does not have to care about it,
because respective motifs are automatically resized to size of the 'master'
motif, which is the motif marked with (1). Master motif is displayed also
in below grid in a top left cell.

The tab with grid of multiple motifs is visible only when Motif option
(1) is checked.

Use Rows and Columns controls to set number of motifs. It is possible to define up to 3x3 motifs.

Setting of desired number of rows and columns defines a grid of motifs that will be used to fill the object. Select
predefined or user-defined motifs to respective cells of the grid. Then click Apply, Generate Stitches or OK
button to store new settings for object.

With a grid of properly digitized user motifs (left side) it is possible to achieve homogenous random-like fill.
Parameters - Column
These parameters apply only to selected objects that are Column objects. Column objects can be filled with
stitches in two different ways:

1. Sample fill using the various zig-zag samples

2. Strips fill using the lines stitched along contours of the column

1. Sample Fill
Sample is the zig-zag stitch pattern that fills the Column object. Stitch samples differ in number of stitches and
their layout.

Density parameter defines the maximum distance between stitch samples. If the Column object forms a bend,
the distance on the inner curve is lower.

Pull Compensation is extension of each stitch on edge of object in order to compensate for thread
pull (on elastic fabric) or sinkage (on fleece). The thread pull causes the ends of stitches are pulled inwards and
object is smaller (narrower) than intended.

Envelope shortens some column stitches to create special effects. When using Envelope, turn off all underlays.

Auto Corners. Studio automatically splits or folds too sharp corners on Column objects. Use this check box to
turn off this function.

Normal corner (left) and automatically adjusted corners.

Make Cover Stitches allows user to switch off cover stitches. Turn off the cover stitches if you need to add
only the underlay to design digitized in other software.

Auto Shortening is function that shortens some stitches on inner side of bend object to prevent too high
density (see below picture).

Perpendicular Stitches function automatically divides long columns with line (not curve) edges to two or three
parts to make middle part of column perpendicular to its virtual axis (see the upper picture).

Max. Random Broadening defines maximum random prolongation of column stitches to side. #1
parameter applies to first edge of column and #2 to second. Random Broadening adds 'ragged edges' effect to
objects.

Gradient affects the distance between stitches within object. If density is 4.0 and gradient is 30.0, for example,
the distance of stitches will gradate from 0.2 mm to 15 mm according to set Gradient Type (Gradient Type
combo box).

Auto Select Underlay check box allows user to switch off the automatic program decision on what type of
underlay will be used for the object.

Center, Edge and Zig-Zag check boxes allow user to choose which underlays will be used for the
object.

Density parameter indicates the density of the zig-zag underlay.

2. Strips Fill
Strips fill the column object from one side to the other, with stitches running along the column edges.

Number parameter defines number of strips.

Min. Length and Max. Length define minimum and maximum length of stitches. Length of stitches is adjusted
automatically to ensure smooth approximation of curved parts of the strips.
Parameters - Column with Pattern
These parameters apply only to selected objects that are moreover the Column with Pattern objects.

All parameters are the same as on Column object except the following:

1. Pattern - the texture of cover stitches (same meaning as on Fill object).

2. Random Shift (same meaning as on Fill object).
3. Scale (same meaning as on Fill object).
4. Column with Pattern does not have the Make Cover Stitches option.
5. Column with Pattern does not have the Strips fill option.
Parameters - Outline
These parameters apply only to selected objects that are moreover the Outline objects.

The Fill object can be filled with stitches in one of these ways:

1. Sketch

Sketch resembles a very flat satin stitches. It can be used for outlines that are thicker
than running stitch outline and thinner than narrowest possible satin stitch outline.

2. Samples

Samples are stitch patterns repeated along the outline.

3.Satin Stitches

Satin stitches can be used to create zig-zag object of constant width similar to column
objects.

4. Appliqué

Appliqué contains tack-down stitches of separate color to stitch appliqué fabric to the
underlying fabric.

5. Border

Border is composed of pre-digitized objects. It can have outlines of separate color.

Satin Stitches, Appliqué and Border modes share the same parameters except the Outlines Color and Border
sample length that is only used with Border.

Width parameter is common to all five modes. Width is the width of reference cells along the outline to which
the stitches are projected. It is not necessarily the width of finished outline, because projected stitch sample can
be wider or narrower than reference cells.
 Outline object with stitch sample (left) and with satin stitches (right).

Mirror Sides option is common to Sketch, Samples and Border modes. Use this option to mirror stitch
pattern for respective outline mode.

Sketch and Samples Outline Parameters

Sketch is a special outline that resembles a very flat satin stitches. It can be used for outlines that are thicker
than running stitch outline and thinner than narrowest possible satin stitch outline.

Sample is a series of stitches that are repeated along the outline. When you change the sample, program
automatically sets the Width, Minimum Length and Maximum Length parameters to values default for this
sample. However, you can change these parameters if you wish. User can define up to 5 own stitch samples in
main menu/Objects/User Editor/ User's Samples Tab.

In curves, program automatically decreases the length of samples for better approximation of curve. If you want
to have all samples of the same length even in the curves, set the Minimum Length equal to Maximum Length.

Satin Stitches, Appliqué and Border Parameters

Density parameter defines the maximum distance between stitch samples. If the Outline object forms a bend,
the distance on the inner side is lower.

Pull Compensation is extension of each stitch on edge of object in order to compensate for thread pull
(on elastic fabric) or sinkage (on fleece). The thread pull causes the ends of stitches are pulled inwards and
object is smaller (narrower) than intended.

Auto Select Underlay check box allows user to switch off the automatic program decision on what type of
underlay will be used for the object.

Center, Edge and Zig-Zag check boxes allow user to choose which underlays will be used for the object.

Density parameter indicates the density of the zig-zag underlay.

If more control is needed, convert the Outline object to Column object with more parameters available.

Outlines Color defines the color of running stitch outlines if border sample contains outlines.

Border sample length defines the size of samples along the outline.
Parameters - Connection
These parameters apply only to selected objects that are Connection objects.

Maximum and Minimum Length have same meaning as on Manual Stitches object.

Connections are automatically adjusted when objects are moved or otherwise transformed

to prevent insertion of jump (trim).

Jumps option allows user to create controlled jump stitches between objects. If objects are too close one to the
other, it may be hard to scissor the tiny jump stitch between objects (left picture). User can create connection
with jumps option between objects to achieve controlled jumps that are longer and easier to scissor.
Parameters - Manual Stitches
This parameter applies only to selected objects that are Manual Stitches objects.

The Maximum Length defines the longest stitches generated when compiling Manual Stitches object into
actual stitches. Each Manual Stitch longer than Maximum Length + Minimum Length is divided into one or more
stitches of maximum length one (or none) shorter stitch, but not shorter than Minimum length.
Parameters - Appliqué
These parameters apply only to selected objects that are Appliqué objects.

Appliqué parameters are subset of the Column object parameters.

Parameters - Sfumato
These parameters apply only to selected objects that are Sfumato objects. Sfumato objects are used for creation
of photo-like embroidery designs. It is often used to create portraits. Sfumato object is drawn exactly like the
Fill object, but the stitches inside of object are generated in other way. Thread creates meanders of various
size to approximate the picture (photo) under the object.

Meanders are replaced with plain fill of given angle on the highest density places. Sfumato does not cover
whole area of the object with stitches, but it leaves fabric show through stitches on loose places. Therefore, it is
important to choose Background Color of Sfumato objects properly, because density of stitches is adjusted
according to Background Color and thread colors.

Sfumato object is filled with 1-5 shades of thread. Shades are generated automatically from Basic Color of the
Sfumato object. User can switch on and off respective shades and thus control number of colors within single
object. Each color (thread shade) has adjustable parameters like Blend Range, Additional Density and Shade
Threshold.

Sfumato object can have openings like the Fill object. Use the opening tool to add openings to Sfumato object.
Also, Sfumato object can have carvings. Unlike the Fill object, carvings on Sfumato are formed by additional
stitches and not by needle points pattern. User can adjust width and color of carvings. Carving objects must
follow immediately after Sfumato object and its openings.

Parameters denoted with * are visible only if Show More Parameters is checked.

Thread Parameters

Thread Shades. Actual colors of threads that fill the Sfumato Stitches are generated automatically from
the Basic Color. User can control number of used thread shades (click on any color box to enable/disable color)
and following 3 parameters of each color:

Additional Density. Sfumato automatically adjusts density of all parts of the objects. However, user may
want to increase or decrease density of particular color within object.

Shade Threshold *. Sfumato automatically splits whole range of color tones within object into 5 thread
shades. User can adjust the shade thresholds with this parameters.

Color Mask Parameters

Some photos may contain many small areas of various colors (flowers on the meadow, for example) and it is
hard to trace each of them as a separate Sfumato object. In such case, use Color Mask to fill only part of
object with stitches:

1.
2.
 1. Make one large Sfumato object.
2. Select number of mask colors.
3. Pick respective mask colors from image in the Work Area with use of the Pick Tool .
4. Adjust balance of the masks. Use button to display layout of masks.
5. Activate any mask (green meadow, for example) and adjust rest of Sfumato parameters.
6. Close parameters window and generate stitches for the sfumato object.
7. Copy and paste this Sfumato object and change active mask and color selection so that the rest of the
object is stitched (red flowers, for example).

Whole Object Parameters

Angle defines the angle of plain fills in heavy density areas.

Highest Density - measured in tenths of millimeter (1/10 mm). Set this value according to weight of your
thread in order to achieve fully covering on most dense places. Fabric should not show through on the most
dense places where plain fill is used. Usual values are 3.5 - 4.5. defines the angle of plain fills in heavy density
areas.

Basic Color. This color is used as a base for threads generation. It is also used for displaying of Sfumato object
in Object Inspector and in the work area.

Background is the fabric color. This color is supposed to show through stitches. Density of each thread shade is
derived from the Background color.

Carvings are lines or curves that are drawn after the Sfumato object. They can be used to emphasize some
hardly visible edges in the Sfumato object. User can adjust two carving parameters:

Carvings Color *. Carvings may be only of one of the thread shades color. Even if thread shade is disabled,
carvings may be of this color.

Carvings width *. Use this parameters to make carvings bolder. Carvings wider than 1 are composed of
short lines going at the same angle as plain fill in Sfumato object. Carving width is length of these short lines
(2=0.4mm).

Contrast affects the colors of automatically generated threads. When doing portrait, use lower contrast on
child or woman face to achieve softer thread shades.

Quality parameter affects the stitch count and fidelity of Sfumato object. Higher Quality means higher stitch
count and better fidelity. To reduce stitch count and speed-up the sewing process, use lower quality (0-4) on
objects like background, cloths, sky etc.. Higher quality (7-8) is recommended for faces and other areas where
fidelity is more important than stitch count.

Density Parameters

Overall density of Loose Areas *. This track box allows user to make loose areas of design even looser
or heavier. There are 2 other controls that affect the loose density areas:

Style of loose density areas - defines the stitch style or layout of loose stitches. Use it to give object desired
texture.

Max. Stitch * is a maximum running stitch in loose density areas measured in tenths of millimeter (1/10mm).
Longer stitches are replaced with jumps. Long running stitches may not look good, if they cross eyes, mouths or
other parts of design. However, too many jumps complicate the sewing process.
 Overall density of Heavy Areas *. This track box allows user to make heavy areas of design looser or
even heavier. There are 2 other controls that affect the heavy density areas:

Display Modes

There are several display modes for Sfumato object in the Parameters window:

Stitches Preview shows approximate look of the object. It allows user to see the influence of various
parameters on the Sfumato object. However, effect of some parameters like Quality, Fills, Carvings and Max.
Stitch is not visible on the preview.

Thread Shades Layout helps user to adjust color thresholds and color masks balance accurately.

Pick Tool allows user to pick Background, Basic or Selection colors from the Work Area.
How to Create Portrait with Sfumato Stitch 3.0
Sfumato generates stitches from picture (photo) imported into background of the work area. User draws
boundaries of areas that will be turned into stitches and assigns proper parameters to each area (object).

Resolution of the raster picture determines size of the finished design. The ratio between picture units (pixels)
and design size is 10 pixels/ 1 millimeter. This means that design with 10 centimeters (3.94 inches) height
should have 1000 pixels. Each time the sfumato stitches are generated, the underlying picture is used.
Therefore, sfumato object cannot be resized without resizing also the underlying raster picture.

1. Use the Sfumato Tool to draw the area you want to fill with stitches. Each area can have up to 5 shades
of the 'basic color'. In this example, draw the face area as a first object. Make the face object so that there is an
overlay into hair. Face will be filled with shades of 'skin color'.

We want to make mouth in other color. Therefore, use the Opening Tool to cut off the mouth area.

Please note: besides Openings, Sfumato objects can also have Carvings. Carvings are lines or curves
that are drawn immediately after the Sfumato object. They can be used to emphasize some hardly visible edges
in the Sfumato object.

2. Select the face and click right mouse button on it. Choose 'Parameters' command from the pop-up menu. Use
the eye dropper tool to pick 'skin' color from the photo as so called 'basic color' of the object. Program
automatically generates 5 shades of this color. Decrease the contrast of shades with use of the Contrast control.

Please note: use the preview buttons to see the influence of adjusted parameters on the Sfumato object

Stitches Preview shows approximate look of the object.

Thread Shades Layout helps user to adjust color thresholds and color masks balance accurately.
3. Select the mouth opening in the Parts Inspector window and use the main menu 'Convert>Create Fill from
Opening' command to create filled Mouth object. Adjust parameters of the mouth object. Because it is a very
small object, it is not necessary to use 5 color shades for it. Disable 3 or 4 shades by clicking on respective color
boxes.
4. Create the last area, hair, in the same way as face and pick appropriate color for its fill with use of the
Parameters window. Disable two shades, because 3 shades are enough for this object. Click on Parameters
button in the top left corner and check 'Show More Parameters' to access advanced controls. Adjust 'Shades
Threshold' (value -41) to give the hair better shades balance.

5. Generate stitches for all three objects. The portrait is finished. Save design into Studio *.EOF file. Use the
main menu 'Design > Compile and Put into Embird Editor' function to place design into Editor for saving in
desired embroidery format. If you are not registered user of Sfumato Stitch, this command is disabled.
How to Use Color Mask in Sfumato Stitch 3.0
Use the color mask with Sfumato object if you want to fill only the part of object with stitches. This approach is
useful if there are too many different color areas in the photo and it would be hard to draw them all separately.

1. Use the Sfumato Tool to draw the area you want to fill with stitches. Each area can have up to 5
shades of the 'basic color'.

2. Select object and click right mouse button on it to access pop-up menu. Click on 'Parameters' item.

There is green background and pink flower on the photo, therefore we will need 2 masks. Set 'Mask Colors' to 2.
Use the eye dropper tool to pick green color from the photo as a 'Mask Color 1'. Then pick pink color from photo
as a 'Mask Color 2'.

Click on first (green) mask box to enable mask 1, because we will generate the green stitches first. Adjust
balance between both masks (values 13 and 20).

It is not necessary to use too many shades for the green background. Therefore, disable shades 1 and 2. Also,
set decrease Quality (to 1) to reduce the stitch count.

Please note: use the preview buttons to see the influence of adjusted parameters on the Sfumato object

Stitches Preview shows approximate look of the object.

Thread Shades Layout helps user to adjust color thresholds and color masks balance accurately.
3. Click OK to close Parameters window and generate stitches. Of course, only the green part of object is filled
with stitches. Select the object and Copy and Paste it to create a duplicate that lies just on top of the first
object. Notice that there are two identical objects in the Inspector window.

4. To switch stitching from green to pink part of the second object, bring up the Parameters window. Click on
pink mask box to enable the second mask. Disable some shades to prevent too many thread colors. Click OK.
5. Generate stitches for all three objects. The design is finished. Save design into Studio *.EOF file. Use the
main menu Design > Compile and Put into Embird Editor function to place design into Editor for saving in
desired embroidery format. If you are not registered user of Sfumato Stitch, this command is disabled.
 How to Make Fine Detail Design with Sfumato Stitch
3.0
1. Let's digitize below image in Sfumato Stitch. Image contains fine lines and small lettering, mostly in black and
gray shades. The background is white. We want the design to be stitched in a single color (black).

2. Import image into Studio. Adjust its size to fit the hoop or resize it to a proper size. For a good detail, size of
design should about 15-20 cm. Then create Sfumato object with Sfumato tool. In the example shown below,
Sfumato object is of polygonal shape. It includes large background area. Select basic color for the object
(black). If we use default parameters setting, generated stitches cover whole area of the Sfumato object
(including background) and there are 5 shades of gray thread used in this object.

3. We need to eliminate the background with use of the Color Mask. However, program cannot distinguish white
color from the scale of gray tones used in the image. Color Mask in Sfumato is based on the chromatic
component of the color. The brightness component is ignored. Therefore, black and white are regarded as just a
different shades of gray and they cannot be separated with use of the Color Mask. We will use the image
Background Filters to change white to some other color and thus allow Color Mask to separate black details
from the colored background. Please notice the below parameters. Brightness, Contrast and Gamma were
adjusted to make all lettering and thin lines darker. Yellow-Blue balance was adjusted so that background is
yellow now.

4. Now we can easily separate black detail from the yellow background with use of the Color Mask. Set number
of masks to 2. Pick black for the mask 1 and yellow for the mask 2. Adjust mask ranges so that lettering is as
much legible as possible. Then select the first mask (black). As we want only single color design, disable brighter
tones (1-4) and use only the darkest tone 5. for stitching. Click OK.
5. Generate stitches. Finished design has only one color and background is eliminated.