What to expect from a digitizer?

[Ellie]

I hope this group isn't dead.

I am new to this -- just got my machine a few days ago. I sent a JPG
to a digitizer and i'm confused about what I got back.

The colors in the file aren't the ones from my JPG. It's not that
they're different shades, which I would expect, it's that they're
completely different colors. Is this how it's usually done? I know
the machine doesn't know what colors I'm using, but there are five
color changes and I can see getting confused at some point after I've
spent awhile doing these. I was also wanting to send a pic of the
digitized design to my friend who wants the shirts to see if it looks
okay to him, but I know his first impression would be, "What is
THAT?!"

The size of the logo is about 1/2-inch less than what I specified,
which I'm thinking is significant for something that's less than 4-
inches wide to begin with? The logo has some plain text underneath
it, and the font size is noticeably smaller than what was in the JPG I
sent.

I've never digitized anything, or had anything digitized, so I don't
know if this is just how things work? The first time I sent it to
him, I realized I didn't give him all the info he needed when I got
the file back, just from the machine, etc., that were in the print-
out. So when I sent it to him a second time, I made sure to be very
thorough and specific. But the printout still shows a different
machine, the threads are different colors, etc.

I haven't been able to stitch the design successfully yet, but I'm
sure that's a matter of my learning curve. The logo is for polo
shirts and I guess I just don't have the hang of embroidering knits,
though I have been able to do several on woven fabrics that look
great. There are a couple of things about the stitching that I don't
like, but I haven't mentioned them to him yet -- I wanted to get to
the point where I could actually stitch the design properly first.

I thought about asking him about all of this, but I've asked him other
questions and though he answers my emails, he doesn't address the
issues I've asked him about. He did let me know how he wanted to be
paid, though. :-D I don't think English is his native language,
which I don't have a problem with, but it has me wondering if he just
doesn't understand what I'm asking in the first place.

I really don't have the time to mess around anymore -- I need to find
someone who can just do these for me. I just don't know if I should
keep trying to use him, or move on.

[Ellie]

On May 10, 3:31 pm, Ellie wrote:
> I hope this group isn't dead.

Okay, I'll lock the door on my way out. :-)

[Joyce in RSA]

Ellie, I don't know what happened to your post, but I've just received
it now, 15th May. I can't help with the digitizing, but I can tell you
that you will get help on this group.

First of all, what machine have you bought? I have an old machine, and
found the digitizing very difficult. The newer software seems much
easier to use. Be specific in the details of your machine and software,
and I'm sure you'll get help very quickly if it's possible.

Joyce in RSA.

[Herb]

Hi Joyce -

I still don't see Ellie's post(s). Based on the reply-reference in yuor
headers, she posts through Google Groups, which has been extremely
unreliable lately. As far as I can tell, you're using Eternal September,
which also has its ups and downs.

- Herb

[Herb]

Your original post isn't appearing here on Easynews/Giganews, so I read
it on Google Groups.

Your basic question is why the digitizing service returned a design to
you that didn't appear in the right colors.

You didn't mention what format the design was in. Some formats, such as
.DST, carry no color information, but only information about when to
change your thread.

Others, such as .HUS and .PES, do have an internal color palette, but if
your digitizing service used any professional format such as DST as an
interim step in their process, the color palette will have been lost.
Depending on what you're viewing the design with, it will provide a
default (and pretty useless) color chart - usually bright colors like
Red, Black, Green, and Yellow.

BEFORE PAYING, demand from your digitizer a color chart, which is a
simple list of color breaks and their associated threads, usually
identified by some major thread manufacturer.

- Herb

[BEI Design]

Ellie wrote:
> On Tue, 15 May 2012 08:15:40 +0200, Joyce in RSA

> That said -- I have a Brother 900D. It had about 230,000
> stitches on it. Is that an "old" machine?

I have two Singer Quantums (XL5000 and 6000), each has over
3,500,000 stitches on them (I had them professionally
serviced at 3 million stitches). I bought the first one new
in 2004 and the second one used a couple of years later, I
do not consider them to be "old". ;-)

I cannot help with your digitizing-thread stop issues,
sorry. I use digitizing software and create my own designs,
so I know where I have made color changes. I have
occasionally purchased designs which went wonky when I
looked at them on my computer. It really helps to have a
color chart from the designer.

> I've done things for two friends now, and they're very
> happy. But now that word's getting out that I can do
> this, I have lots of other
> people wanting things done. Looks like there's going to
> have to be an upgrade in my future pretty soon. :-)

It might be a good idea to become a little more familiar
with your machine before taking on projects for others, you
sure don't want to ruin someone else's garment.

--
Beverly

[BEI Design]

Ellie wrote:
<snip>

> I haven't been able to stitch the design successfully
> yet, but I'm sure that's a matter of my learning curve.
> The logo is for polo shirts and I guess I just don't have
> the hang of embroidering knits, though I have been able
> to do several on woven fabrics that look great.

What stabilizer are you using for the knits? I discovered,
after ruining my granddaughters favorite pink T-Shirt, that
thin tear-away stabilizer was NOT the one to use for knits.
:-}

--
Beverly

[Joyce in RSA]

On 2012/05/15 07:04 PM, Ellie wrote:
> On Tue, 15 May 2012 08:15:40 +0200, Joyce in RSA

> Hi, Joyce!
>
snip.

>
> That said -- I have a Brother 900D. It had about 230,000 stitches on

> it. Is that an "old" machine? I've been Googling like a mad woman
> since this all started, and I'm finding it difficult to find much
> information about these -- including when they started selling them,
> or how much the other models cost. :-D
>
> The machine people told me it wasn't abused -- but they're also the
> ones who did the service on it and put a defective bobbin case in it.
> :-D
>
Snip
>
> It's always something! LOL!

>
> I've done things for two friends now, and they're very happy. But now
> that word's getting out that I can do this, I have lots of other
> people wanting things done. Looks like there's going to have to be an
> upgrade in my future pretty soon. :-)

I thought your use of "digitizer" was software, not a person! I tried
the software many years ago, and found it very difficult. The only time
I had a design made was expensive, but very good. When I have needed
help with anything I have always found it on this group, thanks to Herb
and others. Since I live in South Africa I've mostly been far from any
technical help, so almost all my learning has been via the internet.

My machine is a Husqvarna Rose, which I bought about 1996, so yours
seems to be very new to me! I have no idea how many stitches mine has
done, but it must be well into the millions.

When I embroider on knits I use a tearaway stabiliser underneath, and a
soluble one on top. That does away with the stretch problem that may
arise. I prefer tearaway to cutaway as I'm always worried about a slip
of the scissors!

Good luck to you in your new enterprise.

Joyce in RSA.

[BEI Design]

Ellie wrote:
<snip>

Another thought: you might want to download the trial
version of Embird:
http://www.embird.net/sw/embird/newdown.htm

You can use it for a month for free. Use it to do a
"virtual" stitch-out, which may be just what you need, to
see where your digitizer put in color stops.

I use PSW 2.0a for digitizing, but I also have a registered
copy of Embird, and Embird Font Engine (as well as several
of their alphabets). Embird is very useful for taking a
look at purchased designs which my software sometimes screws
up. You can also open and "save as" several different
formats.

I also have the free version of Wilcom TrueSizer. One can
never have too may software apps. ;-)

NAYY,

Beverly

[BEI Design]

Ellie wrote:

> "BEI Design" wrote:
>
> > Ellie wrote:
> > <snip>
> >
> > Another thought: you might want to download the trial
> > version of Embird:
> > http://www.embird.net/sw/embird/newdown.htm

[..]
> Thank you! I'll try that. :-)

You're welcome, good luck.

If you are serious about doing custom embroidery for others,
I strongly recommend you investigate a digitizing software
package. The learning curve on PSW was steeeep, and the
manual is horrible, but by trial and error I have worked
most of it out. I used to have some pics up on a web site,
but lost it when the host closed down. :-(

> > I also have the free version of Wilcom TrueSizer.
>

> Maybe you can tell me what I've done to mine?

Herb is the Wilcom expert here, I rarely use it. I just
loaded it, and it comes up by default with the normal
"File-Edit-View-EMBroidery-Help" options across the top and
some icons below the text.

> I have
> the free Wilcom TrueSizer e2.0, but I've lost the menus
> and toolbars -- and they were there before! All I have
> is what looks like a full-screen view of the file I've
> opened. I've played with the F1-F12 keys, but that
> doesn't seem to do anything. The Help gives some limited
> keyboard commands, and talks about the menus and toolbars
> -- but doesn't mention how to get them back if they
> aren't there. :-)
>
> I'm about ready to uninstall/re-install it, but thought
> I'd ask you first. :-)

I looked in the help file, but the only thing there that
seems appropriate is "Reverting to factory setting" under
troubleshooting.

Here is a copy-paste of the text (graphics omitted this is a
non-binary newsgroup):

*****************************************************
Reverting to factory settings
If you have made changes to the default settings in your
software and you want to revert back to the factory
settings, use the Revert utility.
To revert to factory settings
1 Exit TrueSizer.

2 On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button
and select Programs > Wilcom TrueSizer e1.5 > Wilcom Tools >
Revert.

The Revert to Factory Settings dialog opens.

3 Select the items you want restored to factory
defaults.

Reverting to the original settings removes any changes you
have made to styles, templates and hardware settings. New
styles, templates and hardware settings are unaffected as
they are saved separately.
4 Click OK.


The selected items are restored to factory settings.
There is no confirmation message.
*********************************************************

I hope Herb will jump in here. As a last resort,
reinstalling is probably the way to go.

> > One can never have too may software apps. ;-)
>

> I like the way you think. :-D

You should see my thread and stabilizer collection...

;-}

Beverly

[Herb]

Beverly's suggestions are right on, except that they refer to version
1.5 rather than the 2.0 that you have - It should be similar.
Re-installing is easy and can't hurt.

- Herb

[Herb]

On 5/20/2012 1:16 PM, Ellie wrote:
> On Wed, 16 May 2012 23:09:30 -0500, Ellie<el...@invalid.invalid>
> wrote:

>
>> On Wed, 16 May 2012 17:16:33 -0700, Herb<He...@the.herb.garden> wrote:
>>
>>> Beverly's suggestions are right on, except that they refer to version
>>> 1.5 rather than the 2.0 that you have - It should be similar.
>>> Re-installing is easy and can't hurt.
>>>
>>> - Herb
>>

>> I tried the revert, but that just put the grid lines back.
>> Re-installing took care of it. I see now there's an "x" to close the
>> toolbars and menus, so I must have done that at some point. :-)
>>
>> Thanks, Herb and Beverly.
>
> I re-installed, used it a couple of times, and now when I start it up,
> the menus and toolbars are missing again -- and I was very careful not
> to click the little "x" that dismisses these. I can't find anything
> in the help on how to restore them.
>
> I'm really not wanting to re-install the program every few days.
>
> Is there another free, small program I can use to view the files and
> print the info reports? I'm not looking to edit at this point -- just
> print the reports.
>
> Thanks!

I'm not sure what it is that you're seeing and not seeing, or what you
mean by printing a report; it doesn't make a lot of sense - the x should
close the current file, but nothing else; reducing the menu bar to just
the File and Help options; when you open another file (or drag one into
the window) all the menu items re-appear.

If you're not seeing the menu bar AT ALL, try to bring up the menu items
with the alt-key. Alt-F for the File menu, Alt-H for the Help menu, and
if there's a design open, alt-V for view.

Please describe the screen as you see it. For instance - does it have a
title bar? Is it in full-screen mode (two overlapping boxes next to the
upper-right-hand X) or resizeable (one box there)? Do yo see your design
or a windows that's completely gray (or other color), etc.

- Herb

[Herb]

OK, I've upgraded from e1.5 to e2.0B.

The first thing that popped up was this little message:

"TOOLBAR MENU TIP

Right-click keeps the Toolbar Menu open for multiple toolbox
selection. Click away from the menu to close it.

Left-click closes the Toolbar Menu after a single click."

If you find that confusing, don't feel bad. It also doesn't make sense.
Moreover, I can't get a right or left click to do anything like that!

In the help file, though, I found some keystroke shortcuts that might
work when the menu bar isn't visible:

Function Shortcut
Open Ctrl+O
Save Ctrl+S
Print Ctrl+P
Exit Alt+F4
Select All Ctrl+A
Deselect All X or Esc
Nudge Arrow keys
Show All 0 (zero) or F2
Show Needle Points · (period)
TrueView T
Show Stitches S
Show Outlines L
Pan P
Zoom 1:1 1
Zoom In 2X Z or F9
Zoom Out 2X Shft+Z
Zoom Box B or F8
Zoom Factor F
Redraw R or F4
Slow Redraw Shft+R

Maybe some of this will help, or maybe YOU can figure out what that
left-click/right-click Toolbar comment is trying to say!

I WAS able to drag the menu bar and the other toolbars to different
poaitions, attached to the bottom or sides of the window and even
outside of the window.


- Herb







On 5/20/2012 4:40 PM, Ellie wrote:

> Hi, Herb --
>
> I agree it doesn't make any sense. :-D
>
> One of the options on the toolbar is "Print Preview" that will print a
> report of the colors, what size it is, how many stitches, the stitch
> order, etc.. I can't access this report -- or whatever it's called --
> without the toolbar. The ALT keys don't access all of the
> functionality from the toolbar.
>
> Here's a screenshot:
>
> http://cousin-collector.com/photos/wilcom.jpg
>
> The area that I've bordered in red isn't there at all after the
> program has been started two or three times. I get the title bar and
> the grid -- no menu bar or toolbar. Revert doesn't restore them. Only
> uninstalling and re-installing makes them re-appear.
>
> I've sent an email to Wilcom asking them about it, but haven't heard
> back from them yet.
>
> Thanks!

[John P. Bengi]

If the digitizer gave you the pattern in a professional format they do not
specify colours but rather needles and each needle is specified by a
particular colour, any colour. Usually the basic ones, like red, blue, green
etc.. The pattern would be supplied to each machine with a needle to colour
chart. It is up to you to put the thread colour you want for each needle
change.

What is the file format they returned your pattern in? Also, it could have
been converted to your desired format after digitizing and the same logic
would apply.

--------
"Ellie" wrote in message
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