EMBIRD - WHAT'S NEW ? ********************** Version 2006 Build 7.1 ********************** MANAGER ======= - Fixed bug related to unzipping multiple archives at once. EDITOR ====== - When opening .VP3 file which contains multiple objects (e.g design for Pfaff Dream Hoop) in Editor, the design will be automatically split into these objects. - When opening .PHB or .PHC file which contains multiple objects in Editor, the design will be automatically split into these objects. STUDIO ====== - Underlays of column objects are automatically turned-off when using gradient. - Text comes into the working area with the same color that is selected (except outlines). - 4 new fill patterns. - Indication of long stitches in pattern editor (yellow lines). - Fix to Studio freezing when using user-defined pattern in design. - Faster movement of nodes at high zoom. - Faster work area scrolling and at high zoom. - Fix to missing connection in fill objects. - Fix to enabling/disabling split function in editing mode. - Fix to image disappearing. - Pfaff, Janome, Singer and Viking hoops added. - 'Parameters' command added to pop-up menu in Parts Inspector. ******************** Version 2006 Build 7 ******************** GENERAL ======= - New thread charts "Admelody Poly", "Radiant Rayon" and "Royal Polyester" were added, "Admelody Rayon" chart was revised. - Routines for processing ZIP archives were revised. MANAGER ======= - New option "Add Registration Information" added to "Options > Documentation Options" menu, allowing to enable/disable the adding of "This documentation was created in Embird registered to..." string to printed/exported documentation. - New option "Add Color and Position List" added to "Options > Documentation Options" menu, allowing to enable/disable the adding of list of colors and list of positions (in case of several objects) into "Editor > File > Print Template" documentation. - New command "Change Color Everywhere" added to popup menu which appears when you right click the box with color, allowing to change the selected color and all identical colors in the design at once. EDITOR ====== - Routine for printing template on multiple papers was revised. - New options "Add Trimming Code before each Stop" and "Add Trimming Code before each Floating stitch (Jump)" were added to "Insert > Insert/Remove Codes" dialog box. - New command "Change Color Everywhere" added to popup menu which appears when you right click the box with color in Objects Order Bar, allowing to change the selected color and all identical colors in the object at once. - In "Points Editing Mode" you can now use arrow keys on the keyboard to select next or previous stitch point. - The list of recently used custom hoop sizes is now displayed on the last tab in "Options > Hoop Size" dialog box. DIGITIZING STUDIO ================= - Revised stitching algorithms of auto-column in both Studio and Font Engine. Improved stitches layout (especially on lettering with serifs). - Buttons 'User Editors Window' and 'Create Second Edge' added to button bar. - "Edit All Nodes" option (Nodes submenu and check box in button bar in editing mode) added to allow 'lock' nodes to not interfere with newly created nodes. - New shortcuts CTRL+I (Import image) and CTRL+N (new design file). - Studio now remembers zoom and scrollbar positions when switching into 1:1 view mode and back. - Enhanced Motif fill and Plain fill. - Motifs preview added to User Editors window. - Enhanced "Create Column form Fill" function. - Support of some older tablet brands. - "Copy" and "Paste" added to pop-up menu that appears on right mouse click. - Keyboard buttons Page Up/Down for zooming in and out in main window do not affect combo boxes now. - Functions Join, Group and Cluster now work also on incontiguous (in terms of the object inspector list) set of objects. - Context sensitive button bar. - 'ALT' key + cursor move to pan work area withou having to switch tools. - Enhanced object selection in the work area. - Support of EMF and WMF files when importing raster picture for manual digitizing. - Removed limit for max. stitches in design. - Decreased memory requirements. - Fixed problem with focusing Studio window after use of alphabets and Font Engine. - Fixed problem of zooming with Page Up/Down on a wrong place. - Fix to creation of column in mode "B". - Fixes to demo playback. - Fix to editor of user styles. - Fix to jump stitches in motif fill. - Fix to "undo" function after changing parameters and generating stitches from parameters window. - Fixed hints in Styles window. - Fixed generation of multiple nodes on 'E' and 'D' keystroke. - Fix - when changing parameter the bar does not close when clicking on predefined value. - Fix - mirroring of object with sample outlines (blanket stitchm for example) does not mirror the sample, now. - Fix in 3D viewing mode. - Fixed 'Arrange outline parts' function. - Fixed problem with wrong colors when importing some images. - Fixed problem with long column freehand objects. CROSS STITCH ============ - Now it is possible to set the size of cell in "Options > Preferences" box, which appears when Cross Stitch plug-in is launched. Embird automatically selects the largest cell size when importing chart to achieve the best quality of graphics and minimal losses caused by chart alignment. - Routine for printing template on multiple papers was revised. - Fixed bug which appeared when inserting text into existing project with chart displayed in the background. - Several minor bugs fixed. INSERT TEXT AND FONT ENGINE WINDOW ================================== - Font Engine now runs quicker when loading new font. - Font Engine now runs quicker when searching for and sorting "Not-Installed" fonts. - New buttons "Rotate Left", "Rotate Right" and "Free Rotate" allow to rotate characters in selected font. - Enhanced stitching algorithm of auto-columns for Font Engine. - The system of "spider legs" (the nods displayed on the "Layout" area in the "Insert Text" and "Insert Font Engine Text" dialog boxes, allowing to modify some properties of character) was improved: * New nod added, allowing to change the width and height of character at once * New nod added, allowing to raise/drop the character above/below the baseline * The spider leg for some character is displayed dynamically after moving the mouse pointer to the main nod of this character (the one laying on the baseline) - Several minor bugs fixed. NEW HOOPS ========= - New hoops for Pfaff were added: * Pfaff Round Hoop (80 mm) * Pfaff Round Hoop (120 mm) * Pfaff Square Hoop (120 x 120 mm) * Pfaff All Fabric Hoop (130 x 130 mm) * Pfaff Petite Hoop (50 x 80 mm) - Vertical * Pfaff Petite Hoop (80 x 50 mm) - Horizontal * Pfaff Deluxe Hoop (200 x 360 mm) - Vertical * Pfaff Deluxe Hoop (360 x 200 mm) - Horizontal * Pfaff Grand Dream Hoop (overlap, 350 x 360 mm) - Vertical * Pfaff Grand Dream Hoop (overlap, 360 x 350 mm) - Horizontal TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorials are now available at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/tutorial.htm: * Open Pfaff Grand Dream Hoop Design * Save Pfaff Grand Dream Hoop Design ********************** Version 2006 Build 6.3 ********************** GENERAL ======= - This Build was compiled in Delphi 7 instead of Delphi 2007 for Win32, to avoid bugs introduced by new development environment. MANAGER ======= - Support for Janome 350E added to "Right Panel > Input/Output Operations > Output to JEF CompactFlash Card" dialog box. ********************** Version 2006 Build 6.2 ********************** GENERAL ======= - Fixed problem with "Access violation error" which appeared after merging designs in Editor and saving whole design to the disk, and also after conversion from format to format in Manager. - Fixed bug which caused wrong colors when displaying some PES designs. - Fixed bug in Admelody Rayon thread chart. ******************** Version 2006 Build 6 ******************** GENERAL ======= - New thread charts Admelody Rayon, Brildor Polyester, Thread Delight Poly and Madeira Burmilana were added. - Thread charts Madeira Rayon, Madeira Polyneon, FuFu Rayon and FuFu Polyester were revised. - Bug which caused freezing of Embird for a while after window maximizing fixed. - Help is now based on .CHM files for better compatibility with Windows Vista. - Routines for processing ZIP archives were revised, now it is possible to exctract files from password-protected archives, and also it is possible to create new password-protected archives. - Several minor bugs fixed. MANAGER ======= - New type of documentation added to Manager's "Right Panel" menu: "View Custom Thumbnails", "Print Custom Thumbnails", "Export Custom Thumbnails". This new type allows to specify the number of rows and columns of design thumbnails per page. - New command "Print Floating Template" added to Manager's "Right Panel" menu. It allows to print template containing a single design in 1:1 scale with corresponding hoop in the background anywhere on the paper. In case the design is too big to fit a page, it will print on multiple papers. - New menu "Change Animation Color" added to "Color Palette" menu. It allows to change the color used for animation, default is red color. - New option "Show Main Hint" added to "Options" menu. It allows to enable/disable the displaying of big yellow rectangle with hint for Middle Panel. If OFF, and "Show Hints" option is ON, all other hints except big main hint will be displayed after several seconds of user inactivity. INSERT TEXT AND FONT ENGINE WINDOW ================================== - Six new Alphabet plug-ins are available: Alphabet 34 ~ Alphabet 39. See them at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/letter.htm. - The box with list of Alphabets and Envelopes was fixed for compatibility with Windows Vista. - Now it is possible to cancel the process of inserting calendar, clock, and multiline text. DIGITIZING STUDIO ================= - Enhanced import of vector graphics (detection of holes). - Faster drawing of 3D preview. - Freehand tool fix. - Fix in "Change column width" function. - Fix in "Broaden thin parts of columns" function for joined objects. - "Mirror Sides" check box in Parameters window/Outline tab for easier mirroring of sample, border or sketch outlines. - "Apply" button in Parameters window. - Fix in Create backward path function. - Fix in Sort Colors function. - Fix in editing tools. CROSS STITCH ============ - The "File > Design Name" command was replaced with "File > Design Notes" command, which allows to insert multiple lines of comment. ICONIZER ======== - Now it is possible to enable Embird Indexer for Google Desktop in "Options > Iconizer Settings" menu. Embird Indexer for Google Desktop is Embird Iconizer add-on which integrates with Google Desktop application. Google Desktop is free application developed by Google company (http://www.google.com) and it allows to search your computer as easily as you search the web with Google internet search engine. Starting with Embird 2006 Build 6, Embird Indexer is included in Iconizer plug-in. This means that it works in full mode only if you have registered Iconizer plug-in, otherwise it will work only in Demo mode. Embird Indexer allows you to easily search for your embroidery designs on your hard disk, it supplies important information about the designs to Google Desktop, e.g. stitch count, color count, design size, hoop size, design thumbnail, etc. Note: Before you start using Embird Indexer, you must install Google Desktop application on your PC, which is available at http://www.googledesktop.com. - Iconizer now displays also "Hoop Size" in popup menu which appears after right click on the design filename in Windows Explorer. It also diplays the design size in both millimeters and inches. - If you "Enable Viewer for Total Commander" in "Iconizer Settings" menu in Embird Manager, you can use "Ctrl+Q" key for switching ON the "Quick View" of the selected file in Total Commander. Also, it is possible to add custom columns displaying "design width", "design height", "number of stitches", "colors", "thread changes", "hoop width" and "hoop height" via "Show > Custom Column Mode > Configure Custom Columns" command of Total Commander. NEW HOOPS ========= - Janome Gigahoop was revised. - Support for M2 and M3 hoops for Janome MB-4 added (when saving to .JEF+ format). - Support for five Magna-Hoops(tm) for Janome added to "Custom" tab in "Hoop Size" dialog box. - Support for "Super-Giant-L Hoop-It-All™ for Singer Futura CE-200" added. TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorials are now available at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/tutorial.htm: * Decapsulation of Floppy Disk * Display Calibration * Embird Indexer for Google Desktop * Encapsulation of Floppy Disk * Printing Templates of Multiple Designs on Single Sheet * Writing Designs to USB Stick ******************** Version 2006 Build 5 ******************** GENERAL ======= - The "Right Panel > Print Floating Design" command in Manager, and "File > Print Template without Texts" commands in Editor and Cross Stitch plug-in now show also the "print history", i.e. the position which was chosen for printing previous designs. This is very helpful if you insert the same paper (sheet of vellum) into your printer again and want to print another design on the free unused space. - All scroll boxes in Embird now scroll smoothly their contents while dragging the scroll bar. - Embird now supports Juki MCM 212 .M4 format. Embird is also able to read/write 3.5" Juki MCM 212 floppy disks, but only in Windows 98/ME (because it is using the non-standard floppy disk operations). - Embird now supports Garudan .SSP format. - Embird now supports .JEF+ format for Janome MB-4 embroidery machine, it allows to save the design for Hoop M1 240 x 200 mm. - Embird is now capable of displaying icon from (almost) all versions of .ART and .EMB files. It cannot display real stitches, only the preview icon which is contained in these files. - Fixed bug which allowed to save Viking Designer 1 .SHV files in horizontal position of hoop - these files were not recognized by machine. - All links to www.embird.biz were replaced by www.embird.com, because www.embird.biz domain was canceled and is not owned by Embird anymore. MANAGER ======= - The "View Color Layers" command in Manager now allows to select one thread chart and then it displays also the thread number and thread name for each design color. - New option "Enhanced Line Drawing" added to "Options" menu. If ON, stitches are drawn more smoothly in non-3D photorealistic mode. - New type of documentation added to Manager's "Right Panel" menu: "View Very Dense Thumbnails", "Print Very Dense Thumbnails", "Export Very Dense Thumbnails". This new type allows to display/print 104 design per page. - Two new "Quick" buttons (G and H) for switching folders added to Manager, you will find them at the Right panel above the "Folder:" box. - Now it is possible to choose the disk drive which will be used for writing designs to Designer 1 disk. This allows to select e.g. USB drive for newer versions of Designer 1 machine which uses USB stick instead of floppy disks. EDITOR ====== - New command "Extend Floating Stitches" added to "Edit" menu in Editor, allowing to extend floating stitches (jumps) and this way to fix the problem which appears with some designs, (saved usually in .PES or .PEC format). - New options "Normal" and "Enhanced" added to "View" menu, allowing you to change the way of drawing stitches: normal or smooth. - Janome MC11000 .JEF+ designs with Macro hoop setting are now automatically split to sections 1 and 2 when opening these designs in Editor. - Now it is possible to switch off the displaying of warning message which appears when resizing with density adjustment the same object multiple times. - New hoop was added: Brother Cap Hoop (130 x 50 mm) for Brother PR-600 CROSS STITCH ============ - In Embird Cross Stitch plug-in it is now possible to choose the size of work area by clicking "Hoop Size" button in "Options > Preferences" menu, or in the dialog box which appears when Cross Stitch starts. DIGITIZING STUDIO ================= - 3x3 and 5x5 color eyedropper - Faster editing mode at large zoom - Convert "Fill to Sfumato" and "Sfumato to Fill" commands - Fixes NEW HOOPS ========= - Janome M1 Hoop (240 x 200 mm) - Horizontal and Janome M1 Hoop (200 x 240 mm) - Vertical ******************** Version 2006 Build 4 ******************** - The quick button with "*" icon in Manager (above "Filter:" box at the right side of the screen) now allows to select also "All Files" filter (depress SHIFT key while clicking this button), "All Embroidery Files" filter (depress CTRL key) and "All Images" filter (depress ALT key). - New option "Restore Color Palette Automatically" added to "Color Palette" menu in Manager. Set this option to OFF if you do not want Embird to automatically load (restore) the color palette when you are printing and exporting designs. This might be helpful if you have several color palettes prepared for a single design, and you want to manually load (via F3 key) and then print out/export the documentation using these various color palettes. - New command "USB stick" added to "Right Panel -> Input/Output Operations" menu. Use this command to read/write designs to/from universal memory stick. The target file format can be chosen in the dialog box will appear on the screen when you are reading/writing designs from/to the stick. It is possible to use this command also for writing designs to standard floppy disk - its drive letter is included in the list of available drives. - New command "Long Float Stitches" added to "Options" menu in Editor. This command will display a dialog box in which you can specify how the long floating (jump) stitches should be finished when saving file to the disk: with zero-length running stitch, or with non-zero-length running stitch. - Jumbo Hoop .PES Designs for Brother embroidery machine are now automatically split to sections 1,2 & 3 when opening these designs in Editor. - Janome MC11000 .JEF designs with Macro hoop setting are now automatically split to sections 1 and 2 when opening these designs in Editor. - Now you can "nudge" objects in Editor by using "Alt+arrow" or "Shift+arrow" key combination. - New hoop was added: Super-Giant-L Hoop-It-AllÖ for Babylock Ellegante and Brother 4000D - Fixed bug which caused that the disk drive containing the USB stick or card was not offered in "Husqvarna Viking USB Embroidery Stick" dialog box. - Fixed bug in Font Engine plug-in which appeared after re-inserting the same text and different font. ******************** Version 2006 Build 3 ******************** - The gray "+" and "-" keys on the right side of numerical keyboard allow to expand/shrink selection, the gray "*" key allows to invert selection. The "Ctrl and Gray +" key selects all files, the "Ctrl and Gray -" key unselects all files. - New option "Remember Background Color" added to "Color Palette" menu in Manager. Set this option to ON if you want to choose your own default background color and save this setting. This color will be used as default background color when displaying designs which do not have color palette stored in corresponding .EDR, .RGB or .TXT file. - Fixed bug in "export image to .BMP" routine. - Fixed bug in conversion routine to VP3 format. - Fixed bug in Stitch List in Editor. - Added "Pfaff 2140 Grand Hoop" support. ******************** Version 2006 Build 2 ******************** - Compiled with settings which should allow running also with Virtual PC on Mac. - Fixed flickering bug in Editor. - Fixed "missing buttons" bug in "Insert Text" dialog box which appeared when Windows XP themes were activated. ************ Version 2006 ************ Upgrade to Embird 2006 from previous versions of Embird (i.e. from Embird 2004, Embird 2003, Embird Plus and Embird) is not free. The upgrade fee is $30 for registered users of Embird 2003/2004. Please pay the upgrade fee at: http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/register.htm The plug-in registration numbers from previous versions (Embird 2004, Embird 2003, Embird Plus and Embird) are valid also in Embird 2006. You do not need to pay for these plug-ins again. However, if you want to use these plug-ins with Embird 2006, you must upgrade to Embird 2006 to obtain the new main password for Embird. INSTALLATION ============ - Now you can install Embird to any folder on your hard disk, not only to C:\EMBIRD32 folder. For example, you can install it into "C:\Program Files\Embird32" folder. The Embird application folder can be chosen during the installation process. However, if you decide to install to other folder than "C:\EMBIRD32", please do not forget to choose the same folder when installing plug-ins (because their installation programs suggest the "C:\EMBIRD32" folder as the default installation folder). MANAGER ======= - Embird is now capable of writing .SHV files for Viking Designer 1 embroidery machine. - New command "Create Designer 1 Disk" added to "Right Panel -> Input/Output Operations" submenu. Use this command to write selected files to blank formatted floppy disk, which can be used with Designer 1 embroidery machine. It is possible to create different grid size in menu (6, 9, 12, 16, 25 and 36 designs in menu), and to write designs to chosen menu. Before you start using floppy disks written in Embird with Designer 1 machine, make sure that the machine has the latest firmware. If not, download and install the update from http://www.husqvarnaviking.com. See also the new tutorial "Writing Floppy Disk for Viking Designer 1". - Now you can easily edit the existing thread charts, or create new thread charts in Embird! The following new buttons were added to "Color Palette -> Thread Catalogs" dialog box: * New catalog - create brand new thread catalog * Delete catalog - delete the chosen catalog * Add thread - click to add new thread into the chosen catalog * Delete thread - click to delete the selected thread * Edit thread - click to edit the seleced thread - Now you can see the threads in Thread Charts in 3D view mode. New tabs "Normal", "3D" and "3D Matte" were added below the grid containing threads, allowing you to quickly change the view mode. - If you make some changes in color palette of currently displayed design, and then you switch to Editor, or you display some other design, Embird will ask whether you want to save the changes in color palette or not. - The new quick button "Search" was added to Manager above the "Drive:" box, allowing you to search for designs in selected folder and its sub-folders. - The "Search" function now displays also "Search Limits" dialog box before it starts to search, allowing you to specify the design size, stitch count, color count and/or thread changes count limits. - Ten new "Quick" buttons (7,8,9,0,A,B,C,D,E,F) added to Manager, you will find them at the Right panel above the "Folder:" box. - The "Quick" buttons were enlarged to make them more accessible. - The "Show Folder History" button added to the group of "Quick" buttons. Click this button to display the list of recently chosen folders. - Now you can predefine four filters in Manager - those you use frequently, and the new speed buttons allow you to switch among these filters quickly. You will find the new buttons at the Right panel above the "Filter:" box. - New quick buttons "Cut", "Copy" and "Paste" were added and are located above the "Files:" box at the Right Panel of Manager. Use these buttons to cut, copy and paste files to/from clipboard (see also new tutorial "Copying Files"). - New quick button was added: "Total Commander". Click this button to launch Total Commander application. Before you apply to use this button, you should install Total Commander on your PC, and let Embird know about it by setting the path in Embird's "Options -> Plug-in Paths" menu. NOTE: Total Commander is a file manager for Windows similar to Windows Explorer. It is developed by Christian Ghisler, who is not affiliated with Embird. More information, demo, registration and support for Total Commander are available at http://www.ghisler.com - New commmand "Send Image in Attachment of E-mail" added to "Middle Panel" menu in Manager. Use this command to send the image displayed on the preview area as .JPG file attached to e-mail. - New command "Use Image For Desktop Wallpaper" added to "Middle Panel" menu in Manager. Use this command to set the currently displayed image on preview area as desktop wallpaper. - New command "View Tree" added to "Middle Panel" menu in Manager. Use this command to show/hide the tree of files located in selected folder at Right Panel, while taking the Filter setting into consideration. The "Print", "Export" and "Save As Text" buttons located below the tree allow to print, export the tree into .BMP or .JPG image file, or save it into text .TXT file. - New command "Choose Background Fabric" added to "Color Palette" menu. Use this command to choose the new fabric shown in the background in 3D photorealistic view mode. This command is also accessible via double-click on the tabs displayed below the preview area (in Manager, Editor, Cross Stitch and Digitizing Studio). - New command "Send Files in Attachment of E-mail" added to "Internet" submenu in "Right Panel". Use this command if you want to e-mail the selected files from "Files" box at right panel. - Now you can change "File Summary Info" of several selected files at once. Select the files first in "Files:" box at Right Panel, and then click "Right Panel -> File Summary Info" menu. - New command "Print Template" added to "Right Panel" menu. This command will print template of selected designs. In previous version, this command was available only in Editor. Now it is also in Manager, allowing you to print template of multiple selected files at once. - New command "Print Floating Design" added to "Right Panel" menu. This command allows to change the position on paper of design being printed. Use this command and move the design across the paper to the right position if you want to save space - e.g. if you want to print two or more designs using the same sheet of vellum. - To save the printer ink, the "Print Color Layers" and "Print Thread List" commands will not print the design image on the 2nd and following papers. This relates to those designs which contain more than 36 thread changes and are printed to multiple pages. - New command "Export Animated Image" added to "Right Panel" menu. This command will export animated .GIF image of selected design, animating the sewing process of the design. If you select multiple designs, you can create animated image with frames containing previews of the selected designs. Use this command if you want to prepare advertising images for your web site, presenting your designs. See also the new tutorial "Exporting Animated Images". - New command "Export Screen Saver" added to "Right Panel" menu. This command will export Windows screen saver file (.SCR) which displays the simulation of sewing of selected designs when the computer is idle. To switch ON the screen saver, you must copy the .SCR file to Windows folder (usually C:\WINDOWS or C:\WINNT) and select it in "Start -> Setting -> Control Panel -> Display -> Screen Saver" box. You can create new screen saver either from designs, or from images (photos). See also the new tutorial "Exporting Screen Saver". - New option "Show Matt Colors in 3D Drawing" added to "Options" menu in Manager. Set this option to ON if you prefer matt colors in 3D photorealistic view mode. - New button with floppy disk icon (allowing to save the thread list to .TXT file) was added to the dialog box which appears when you select "Right Panel -> View Thread List" command from the main menu. Before you run this command, you must select single or multiple files in the "Files:" box at the right side of the screen. - New options "Add Thread List", "Add Page Title", "Add Price Information" and "Add Design Image" added to "Options -> Documentation Options" sub-menu in Manager. Set these options to OFF if you want to disable the printing of the thread list in detail documentation; disable the printing of the page title; disable the printing of the price information and disable the printing of the design image in Thread List and Layers documentation. - New button "Test Integrity" added to "Help -> About" menu. Click this button to check the integrity of Embird installation. This will check the presence of all necessary files and verify their correct length. - Many new FREE designs added to EMBIRD32\FILES folder: * BIRD.DST, BIRD.ECF (project file for Embird Cross Stitch) * CAMPANUL.DST, CAMPANUL.EOF (project file for Embird Digitizing Studio) * DAFFODIL.DST, DAFFODIL.EOF (project file for Embird Digitizing Studio) * HEDERA1.DST, HEDERA1.EOF (project file for Embird Digitizing Studio) * HEDERA2.DST, HEDERA2.EOF (project file for Embird Digitizing Studio) * HEDERA3.DST, HEDERA3.EOF (project file for Embird Digitizing Studio) * ROSE2.DST, ROSE2.EOF (project file for Embird Digitizing Studio) * ROSE3.DST, ROSE3.EOF (project file for Embird Digitizing Studio) * ROSE4.DST, ROSE4.EOF (project file for Embird Digitizing Studio) * ROSE5.DST, ROSE5.EOF (project file for Embird Digitizing Studio) * ROSE6.DST, ROSE6.EOF (project file for Embird Digitizing Studio) * SNOWDROP.DST, SNOWDROP.EOF (project file for Embird Digitizing Studio) * SQUIRRL2.DST, SQUIRRL2.EOF (project file for Embird Digitizing Studio) * SUNFLWR2.DST, SUNFLWR2.ECF (project file for Embird Cross Stitch) * SWAN.DST, SWAN.EOF (project file for Embird Digitizing Studio) * VIOLA.DST, VIOLA.EOF (project file for Embird Digitizing Studio) - In Windows 98/ME, Embird is capable of "encapsulating" the contents of a non-standard floppy disk (e.g. Barudan FDR, Barudan FMC, ZSK) into an executable self-extracting .EXE file. This file can be sent e.g. via e-mail and run on the target PC to extract, format and write the floppy disk data. The new command allowing this operation is "Encapsulate Floppy Disk" in "Left Panel" menu. Use this command to deliver the contents of non-standard floppy disk to the customer via e-mail. The customer must also have a PC with Windows 98/ME to run the self-extracting .EXE file. - The names of threads in Sulky Rayon thread chart were updated. - The Robison-Anton Rayon and Polyester thread charts were updated. EDITOR ====== - Embird is now capable of automatical splitting of designs for multi-section hoops (e.g. Brother Jumbo Hoop, Viking Plus hoop, Giant Hoop-It-All(tm), Janome Macro hoop, etc.). Use "Edit -> Auto-Split" command in Editor, and choose "Split in accordance with hoop boundary" option in the dialog box, which appears on the screen. - Now you can print templates with designs drawn as 3D. It depends on the "Photorealistic 3D Drawing" setting in Manager's "Options" menu how the design will be drawn. - Now you can set the color of hoop, grid lines and boundary individually for screen and for printer. These settings are accessible via "Options -> Hoop Color" menu. - New option "Hoop Grid Density" added to "Options" menu. Use this menu to change the density of hoop grid. - New option "Animate Changes" added to "Options" menu. If ON, the design changes (re-sizing, moving, skewing and rotating) are animated, and the result of operation is visible immediately. - Now it is possible to change the position of design being printed via "File -> Print Template without Texts" command. Use this command and move the design across the paper to the right position if you want to save space - e.g. if you want to print two or more designs using the same sheet of vellum. - New option "Calculate stitch density automatically to obtain prescribed stitch count" added to "Options -> Stitch Density" menu. If ON, Embird will automatically calculate the density of fill and columns stitches for desing being resized to obtain the prescribed number of stitches. When you resize a design and this option is ON, Embird will display a dialog box which allows you to prescribe the number of stitches. - New tabs "Normal", "Image", "Stitches", "3D", "3D Matte", "1:1" and "1:1 Matte" located at the bottom of the work area allow to quickly change the view mode of work area. The double-click on the tabs will display a dialog box with the list of built-in fabrics, allowing you to choose the background fabric for 3D view mode. - Flickering effect in "Points Editing Mode" removed when running Embird in Windows XP, 2000 or NT. - Double click on the item in the "Stitch List" will show/hide the design colors, allowing you to see only the selected item. - Now you can save the files for Janome MC11000 with Macro Hoop setting as .JEF files (not only as .JEF+ files). - New command "Auto Repeat" added to "Edit" menu in Editor. Use this menu to repeat selected objects along circle, line or rectangle. - New command "Smart Reverse Stitches" added to "Edit" menu in Editor. Use this command to reverse the order of stitches in selected Objects while taking into account the layers of stitches to achieve the same visual appearance as in original Objects. - New command "Merge Workspace" added to "File" menu in Editor. Use this menu to merge workspace document into an existing document. - New command "Send in Attachment of E-mail" added to "File" menu in Editor. Use this command to send the active document through electronic mail. - New options added to "Insert -> Aligning Stitches" menu allowing to easily add the aligninig stiches to top, bottom, left or right side of selected object (without need to specify the joining point co-ordinates). - The "Show Fabric in 3D Drawing" button added to the Design Toolbar at the left side of the screen, allowing to switch ON or OFF the displaying of Fabric in 3D view mode. - If you select some continuous area using Freehand Select Mode, the "Initial Stitch" and "Ending Stitch" boxes at the top of the screen will display the first and last stitch number of selection. - If you select a single point in "Points Editing Mode", the "Initial Stitch" and "Ending Stitch" boxes at the top of the screen will display the stitch numbers of this selection. - The popup menu in "Points Editing Mode" now contains new command "Select by Number", allowing you select the point by specifying its number. - New button "Locate Stitch" added to the "Design Toolbar" at the left side of the screen. It allows to specify a stitch number onto which the mouse pointer will be moved. - Now you can test the automatical conversion of WMF, EMF and CMX vector graphic files into stitches in Editor even if you do not have registered Font Engine plug-in. Open the WMF, EMF or CMX file via "File -> Open" menu, Embird will convert it into stitches and open it in Editor, but it will not allow to save this object to the hard disk, unless you register Font Engine plug-in. SEW SIMULATOR ============= - Sew Simulator is now capable of simulating design also in 3D view mode. New tabs "Normal", "1:1 Normal", "3D", "3D Matte", "1:1" and "1:1 Matte" were added to Sew Simulator window, allowing to quickly change the view mode of simulation. The double-click on the tabs will display a dialog box with the list of built-in fabrics, allowing you to choose the background fabric for 3D view mode. - If you pause simulation in Sew Simulator, you can use "N" key for running simulation one stitch forward, and "B" key for rewinding one stitch back. - Now you can click right mouse button while the mouse pointer is over the "color bar", and the dialog box will appear on the screen, allowing you to specify the stitch number. DIGITIZING STUDIO ================= - Freehand mode for real-time drawing of various objects, including outlines, columns, fills, sketch stitches and pressure-sensitive lines. - Adjustable length of tie on/off stitches (Parameters window, 'Whole design' tab). - New 'strips' fill of column objects. - Measuring Tool. - Optional secondary grid (subdivision). - 'Snap Objects to Grid' function (main menu -> Edit). - 'Snap to Grid' function for nodes in editing/creation mode (main menu -> Nodes). - Mouse wheel for changing of zoom in Patterns and Samples editors. Separate zoom for Patterns and Samples. - Enhanced displaying of rulers when using inches. - Shaping functions for fill, sfumato and column objects: Union, Intersection and Difference. - Keys Shift+Page Up/Down for changing order of objects. - 3D and 3D Matte display modes in thread catalog. - 'Number per revolution' option for objects rotation. - CTRL+INSERT shortcut to 'Create Connection' function. - 'Split Applique into Layers' function to convert applique objects into separately editable layers. - Convert Connection to Outline and vice-versa. - ESC key for cancel of parameter adjustment window. - Support of more hoops. - Button for showing on./off canvas in 3D. If canvas is disabled, background image is displayed (if imported). - Buttons for browsing the Object Inspector list. - Styles for sewing on different materials. - Enhanced view mode (anti-aliasing). - Menu Icons. - Convert Connection to Manual Stitches and vice-versa. - Check boxes for snapping of nodes options. - 1:1 3D and 3D matte view mode. - Nodes symetry functions. - Erase stitches function. - Scalable size of parts inspector. - Highlighted selected element in edit mode. - Enhanced drawing of curves. - Option for swithing off/on of parameters displaying during editing. - Enhanced French and German language versions. - Faster editing mode. - Convert fill to opening function. - Many fabric samples to choose from (for 3D preview). - Faster 3D preview. - Parameters of design accessible via main menu -> File -> Parameters. - Support of ECW images. CROSS STITCH ============ - The "Fill contiguous area" tool now takes also the outlines into consideration, i.e. it can fill in the outlined shapes. - New command "Insert -> Insert Cross Outline" allows to insert the cross outline around design boundary, using the currently chosen cross type. - New command "Insert -> French Knot Outline" allows to insert the outline consisting of French knots around the design boundary. - New command "Insert -> Simple Outline Text" will display a dialog box containing ten fonts. Use this command to create simple text consisting of back stitch lines (outlines). - New command "Insert -> Calendar" allows to insert calendar, using either TrueType/OpenType font or Simple Outline Text. - The "Insert -> Font Engine Text" command now allows to insert either text created of crosses, or of back stitch lines. - New command "Send in Attachment of E-mail" added to "File" menu in Cross Stitch. Use this command to send the active document through electronic mail. - New command "File Summary Info" added to "File" menu. This command works only on PCs with Windows 2000 and Windows XP, and only with disks formatted with NTFS file system (i.e. it does not work with FAT system). Use this command if you want to edit the summary information of the design. This allows you to add the "Title", "Subject", "Author", "Category", "Keywords", "Revision Number" and "Comments" to your design. This information will be displayed in the yellow hint when you display the design in Manager and place the mouse pointer on the preview area. This information will also be printed in "Detail Documentation." Also, once you add the summary information to your designs, you can use the "Right Panel -> Folder Operations -> Search" command to search for design with specified "Keyword", etc. NOTE: The "File Summary Info" will be lost if you copy the design from NTFS disk to e.g. FAT disk, because FAT disks do not support the streams required for storing the info. - Now it is possible to change the position of design being printed via "File -> Print Template without Texts" command. Use this command and move the design across the paper to the right position if you want to save space - e.g. if you want to print two or more designs using the same sheet of vellum. - New commands "Print", "Print Preview" and "Print Setup" added to both "Image" and "Chart" menu. Use these commands to print the grid with image or chart drawn in the grid - this might be helpful if you want to use the chart grid for hand cross stitch design. - New command "Autodigitize Crosses from Chart" added to "Chart" menu. Use this command to create cross stitch design automatically from the aligned chart in the background. - The "Auto Repeat" command in "Edit" menu enhanced, now it allows to place selection also along rectangle, circle or fill in the area. - New command "Convert Back Stitch Lines to French Knots" allows to convert all back stitch lines in current selection for French knots. - Now it is possible to specify the raster of grid lines - the new option was added to the dialog box which appears when selecting "Options -> Preferences" menu. - New tabs "Normal", "Image", "Stitches", "3D" and "3D Matte" located at the bottom of the work area allow to quickly change the view mode of work area. The double-click on the tabs will display a dialog box with the list of built-in fabrics, allowing you to choose the background fabric for 3D view mode. - The "Choose Fill Pattern" dialog box (which appears when you click "..." button to choose the new fill pattern) now contains small button which allow to mirror and rotate the selected fill pattern. The preview of the modified pattern is immediately visible at the right side of the screen. - The "Choose Fill Pattern" dialog box (which appears when you click "..." button to choose the new fill pattern) now contains the list of folders, allowing you to choose the folder with your custom patterns. In other words, the pattern can be now stored in any sub-folder, not only in X_FILLS folder. - Now you can use arrows keys on your keyboard for changing the cross type - you don't have to move mouse pointer our of Work Area if you want to change the cross type. ICONIZER ======== - New option "Enable Viewer for Total Commander" added to "Options -> Iconizer Settings" dialog box. Set this option to ON if you want to enable the Embird Quick Viewer for "F3" preview key in the Total Commander application. This new option is available only for registered users of Embird Iconizer plug-in. See also the new tutorial "Embird Quick Viewer". NOTE: Total Commander is a file manager for Windows similar to Windows Explorer. It is developed by Christian Ghisler, who is not affiliated with Embird. More information, demo, registration and support for Total Commander are available at http://www.ghisler.com INSERT TEXT AND FONT ENGINE WINDOW ================================== - Six new Alphabet plug-ins are available: Alphabet 28 ~ Alphabet 33. See them at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/letter.htm. - Font Engine plug-in is now capable of creating lettering with nearest point connection between characters. This new feature is applied only for lettering without outlines. - Now you can create custom baseline. There is no special tool for creating the baselines. You simply create the "path" in Digitizing Studio using the "Connection" tool, and then click the "Design -> Export" command to save the baseline into a .ETB file. This file must be stored in C:\EMBIRD32\PLUGINS folder to be recognized by the "Insert Text" and "Insert Font Engine" tool. See also the new tutorial "Lettering 4 (Custom Baselines)". - New button "Print Font List" on the first page of "Insert Font Engine" dialog box allows to print the list of available fonts including installed fonts, not installed fonts and fonts stored in .ZIP or .RAR archives. - New button "Remove selected font from the list" on the first page of "Insert Font Engine" dialog box allows to remove the selected font from the list of available fonts. This will NOT delete the font from your hard disk, nor uninstall it from Windows, just remove it from the list of fonts available in "Insert Font Engine" dialog box. If you want to cancel the removal, you will have to manually edit the "HIDE_TTF.TXT" text file stored in EMBIRD folder, or to manually delete this text file to cancel the whole list of "removed" fonts. - New check box "Use Kerning" on the first page of "Insert Font Engine" dialog box alllows to switch ON and OFF the use of Kerning pairs for better adjustment of gaps between characters. - New check box "Show smooth edges" on the first page of "Insert Font Engine" dialog box allows to switch ON and OFF the anti-aliasing algorithm for smoothing the edges of objects shown in the grid. This option does not affect the stitches created in Font Engine plug-in, only the displaying of objects. ULTIMATE BOX+ ============= - Jumbo Hoop .PES Designs for Brother embroidery machine are now automatically split to sections 1,2 & 3 when saving these designs to Brother card. NEW HOOPS ========= - Pfaff Creative Endless Hoop (100 x 180 mm) - Vertical and Pfaff Creative Endless Hoop (180 x 100 mm) - Horizontal - Viking Quilters Hoop (150 x 150 mm) - Super Double-Wide Hoop-It-All(tm) for Viking Designer 1, 2 and SE - Super Giant Double-Wide Hoop-It-All(tm) for Babylock Ellegante and Brother 4000D series - Quilter's Square Double-Wide Hoop-It-All(tm) for Babylock Ellegante and Brother 4000D series TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorials are available at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm: * Auto-Split Along Hoop Boundaries * Copying Files * Co-operation with Total Commander * Creating Custom Thread Catalogs (Another Way) * Digitizing Studio - Creating Fill Objects * Digitizing Studio - How to Create Curve Objects * Embird Cross Stitch - Creating Simple Design * Embird Cross Stitch - Set Size of Image * Embird Quick Viewer * Exporting Animated Images * Exporting Screen Saver * Lettering 4 (Custom Baselines) * Print Template * Resizing with Density Adjustment (Prescribe Stitch Count) * Save and Open Workspace in Editor * View Tree * Writing Floppy Disk for Viking Designer 1 ****************************************** Version 2004 Build 7 - uploaded 11/11/2005 ****************************************** ULTIMATE BOX+ ============= - Ultimate Box+ now allows to read/write cards for Pfaff 2140 and 2144. - Cards for Pfaff 7560 and 7570 are now written with correct color information. - Cards for Bernina Artista 200 are now written with correct color information. MANAGER ======= - New command "Husqvarna Viking USB Embroidery Stick" added to "Right Panel" menu. Use this command to read/write files to USB stick for Viking Husqvarna embroidery machines. First select the files in "Files:" box at right panel and then run this command. - Support for new formats added: Janome .PTN, Sunstar. DAT - Fixed bug, which caused an error when displaying .EOF files. EDITOR ====== - New command "Selection Color" added to "Options" menu. Use this command to change the color used for drawing of selected stitches. - New commands "Open Workspace" and "Save Workspace As" added to "File" menu. Use "Save Workspace As" command to store the workspace so that it can be restored exactly as displayed, with objects separated, stitches selected, etc. Use "Open Workspace" command to open an existing workspace document. CROSS STITCH ============ - New commands added to "Edit" mode: "Corner" and "Auto-Repeat". Use "Corner" command to place selected objects in each of the 3 other hoop corners. Use "Auto-Repeat" command to automatically repeat the selection in chosen direction. - New button "Fill Properties" added to "Color Palette Bar" at the right side of the screen. Click this button if you want to specify more fill properties, such as "fill filter" and "gradient fill". TEXT AND FONT ENGINE ==================== - Fixed bug, which caused "freezing" of Font Engine on some computers. - New baselines added: Slash and Back Slash. ******************** Version 2004 Build 7 ******************** MANAGER ======= - In Manager you can predefine six folders - those you use frequently, and the new speed buttons allow you to switch among these folders quickly. You will find the new buttons at the Right panel above the "Folder:" box. - New thread chart added: Swist - Support for new format added: Janome MC11000 .JEF+ - The thread numbers are printed in "Detail Documentation". DIGITIZING STUDIO ================= - Delete and Insert command now works also on middle (circular) node of curves. - Tab key function for switching between controls in Parameters window and other window added. - '3D matte' Tab added. - Fixed some tutorial videos glitches. CROSS STITCH ============ - The compilation algorithm in Cross Stitch plug-in was revised, now it runs quicker and creates nicer stitches and less jumps in outlines. - Now you can create crosses with individual setting of "Layers" (strands of thread) parameter for each one. Before you put the regular, mini, horizontal or vertical cross on the work area you can prescribe its "Layer" parameter at the right side of the screen in the corresponding control (regular, mini, horizontal and vertical layers). - New commands added to "Edit" menu for changing the setting of cross layers parameter in selected area: * Set Cross Layers * Set Mini Cross Layers * Set Horizontal Cross Layers * Set Vertical Cross Layers - Now you can create French knots with different settings for each one, both thickness & diameter. Before you put the French knot on the work area you can prescribe its settings at the right side of the screen. - New commands added to "Edit" menu for changing French Knot settings in selected area: * Set French Knot Diameter * Set French Knot Thickness - New "Tools" allows you to change the settings of French knots which are located on work area: * Get French Knot Diameter * Set French Knot Diameter * Get French Knot Thickness * Set French Knot Thickness - New commands added to "File" menu: * Print Template * Print Template without Texts * Print Preview * Print Setup - Now you can give a name to your cross stitch design (or some comment, e.g. the magazine and the issue number which was used for creating the design). Use "Design Name" command in "File" menu. - Now you can insert text from Font Engine plug-in into Cross Stitch work area! You will find the new command "Font Engine Text" in "Insert" menu. - New "Keep Pattern Layers" setting added. This setting determines whether the number of layers is kept or not in the fill pattern. This affects the layer settings of regular, horizontal, vertical and mini crosses, as well as back stitch lines. It has meaning only for patterns with different layer settings. In case the layer settings are kept, the Cross Stitch will ignore the currently selected layer setting, and it will use the layer settings defined in the pattern. In case this setting is off, Cross Stitch will replace all layer settings in pattern with currently selected layer settings. TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorials are available at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm: * Digitizing Studio - Importing Image * Font Engine Plug-in - Parameters of Text * How to Start with Embird * Save Janome Macro Hoop Design NEW HOOPS ========= - Janome MC11000 Square Hoop (200 x 200 mm). - Janome MC11000 Macro Hoop (overlap, 200 x 280 mm) - Vertical and Janome MC11000 Macro Hoop (overlap, 280 x 200 mm) - Horizontal. - Super-Giant-L Hoop-It-All(tm) for Singer XL 5000/6000. - Mini Giant-L Hoop-It-All(tm) for Brother Innovis and Babylock Intrique. - Now you can create Custom single-sided Hoop-It-All(tm). ******************** Version 2004 Build 6 ******************** - New more realistic 3D preview, even with fabrics drawn in the background! You can switch ON/OFF drawing of the fabrics in "Options -> Show Fabrics in 3D Drawing" menu. - New command "Janome JEF CompactFlash Card" added to "Right Panel" menu. Use this command to read/write cards for Janome MC10000/MC10001 and 300E embroidery machines. First select the files in "Files:" box at right panel and then run this command. - New command "Brother Innovis Memory Card" added to "Right Panel" menu. Use this command to read/write cards for Brother Innovis embroidery machines. First select the files in "Files:" box at right panel and then run this command. - New command "Output to Elna EMD Smart Media Card" added to "Right Panel" menu. Use this command to write cards for Elna Xquisite embroidery machines. First select the files in "Files:" box at right panel and then run this command. - New command "Output to Singer EMD Smart Media Card" added to "Right Panel" menu. Use this command to write cards for Singer XL 5000/6000 embroidery machines. First select the files in "Files:" box at right panel and then run this command. - If you long-click the right mouse button on "Files:" box at right panel, the "Explorer's Context Menu" will appear instead of standard Embird right-panel popup menu. This menu will also appear if you depress SHIFT key and then click right mouse button for popup menu. In this menu, you will find e.g. "Send To" commands, which are useful for easy and quick file manipulation. - If you long-click the right mouse button on "Folder:" box at right panel, the "Explorer's Context Menu" will appear instead of standard Embird right-panel popup menu. This menu will also appear if you depress SHIFT key and then click right mouse button for popup menu. In this menu, you will find e.g. "Send To" commands, which are useful for easy and quick manipulation with folder. - Now you can export another type of documentation - documentation stored in Microsoft(R) Word .DOC format - using the "Right Panel -> Export Word Documentation" command. This feature requires Microsoft(R) Word installed on your PC. - The "Right Panel -> Add To Zip" command now allows to create self-extracting .EXE file. A self-extracting archive is an executable file that, when executed, will extract files contained within itself. You can use a self-extracting archive when you need to distribute an archive to someone who doesn't have the tools to extract files from a ZIP-compatible archive. - New command "File Summary Info" added to "Right Panel" menu. This new command works only on PCs with Windows 2000 and Windows XP, and only with disks formatted with NTFS file system (i.e. it does not work with FAT system). Use this command if you want to edit the summary information of the design. This allows you to add the "Title", "Subject", "Author", "Category", "Keywords", "Revision Number" and "Comments" to your design. These information will be displayed in the yellow hint when you display the design in Manager and place the mouse pointer on the preview area. These information will also be printed in "Detail Documentation." Also, once you add the summary information to your designs, you can use the "Right Panel -> Folder Operations -> Search" command to search for design with specified "Keyword", etc. NOTE: The "File Summary Info" will be lost if you copy the design from NTFS disk to e.g. FAT disk, because FAT disks do not support the streams required for storing the info. - New command "File Summary Info" added to "File" menu in Editor (see above). - New command "Send to 3rd Party Application" added to "Right Panel" menu in Manager. This command is intended for 3rd party software developers of plug-ins for Embird. Embird will convert the selected files in "Files:" box to interchangeable format (see its specification below) and then launch the "3rd party application" EXE file specified in "Options -> Plug-in Paths" menu. Embird will pass a full path to a TEXT file on the command line to the 3rd party application. This text file contains full paths to designs stored in interchangeable format. The 3rd party application should process the designs and when it is finished, it should delete the TEXT file to let Embird know about its completion. The structure of interchangeable file format: #0000-#03FF 1024 B - Color Palette (4 bytes per color, each color stored as Delphi's TColor) #0400-#0403 4 B - String 'mbrd' (identifies Interchangeable Format) #0404-#0405 2 B - version of Embird Interchangeable Format (Delphi's word) #0406-#0409 4 B - Hoop Width in tenths of millimeters (Delphi's single) #040A-#040D 4 B - Hoop Height in tenths of millimeters (Delphi's single) #040E-#0411 4 B - Background Color (Delphi's TColor) #0412-#07FF 1006 B - reserved, always 0 #0800-end of file - Stitches (10 bytes per stitch, structure TStitch) The TStitch structure: Code:byte; 1B - stitch code, #00=stop (next color) #80=normal stitch (running stitch) #81=floating stitch (jump stitch) #87=trimming code (cut thread) Flag:byte; 1B - flag, unused X:single; 4B - X-coordinate in tenths of millimeters Y:single; 4B - Y-coordinate in tenths of millimeters Note: Stitch with X=0,Y=0 coordinates is in the hoop center. In fact, Embird will pass TWO paths on the command line to the 3rd party application. The second path specifies the TEXT file, which is empty. The 3rd party application can pass the full paths to designs stored in interchangeable format to Embird using this second TEXT file. Embird will convert these files to format chosen by user, and then it will delete these temporary files. In other words, 3rd party software developers can use this second command line path to output designs from their application and make Embird to convert them into chosen format. ********************************************************************** Example: User selects 3 designs in Embird's "Files:" box and then runs the "Send to 3rd Party Application" command. Embird will launch the application and pass 2 parameters on the command line: Command Line: "3RDPARTY.EXE C:\Embird32\Temp1.tmp C:\Embird32\Temp2.tmp" The first command line file "C:\Embird32\Temp1.tmp" contains 3 lines, e.g.: C:\Embird32\design0.tmp - first design in interchangeable format C:\Embird32\design1.tmp - second design in interchangeable format C:\Embird32\design2.tmp - third design in interchangeable format The second command line file "C:\Embird32\Temp2.tmp" is empty. 3rd party application should process the 3 files from the first file. In case the 3rd party application wants to input some files into Embird, it should write the design paths into the second command line file, i.e. to "C:\Embird32\Temp2.tmp". Finally, the 3rd party application should delete then first command line file, i.e. "C:\Embird32\Temp1.tmp" to let Embird know about its completion. ********************************************************************** - The following commands were moved to "Input\Output Operations" submenu in "Right Panel" menu: * Barudan CF Card * Janome JEF CompactFlash Card * Output to EMD Smart Media Card * Port Connection to Embroidery Machine * Send to 3rd Party Application * Copy Files to Floppy Disk - If you select "Print Design Snapshot", "Print Detail Documentation", "Print Color Layers", "Print Thread List" or "Print Thumbnails" command from Right Panel menu, Embird will allow you to specify the "Price per 1000" stitches setting, which will be used for calculation of the design price. - Support for new formats added: * Ameco .NEW * Brother BAS .SEW (only input, output to this format is not possible) * Gold Thread .GT * Siruba .PLT * Sunstar SWF .SST * Wilcom Pfaff .T09 * ZSK TC .ZXY - Embird now supports Barudan S-FMC and ZSK TC floppy disk formats, but only in Windows 98/ME (because it is using the non-standard floppy disk operations from Left Panel in Manager.) - The DMC and Anchor thread charts added. - Madeira Rayon and Madeira Polyneon thread charts were updated. - Bug with displaying some of .VP3 files fixed. - Bug causing automatical adding of trimming codes in .VP3 format fixed. - Bug causing that some .PES and .PEC files were not recognized on embroidery machine fixed. - Several other minor bugs fixed. EDITOR ====== - New command "Print Template without Texts" added to "File" menu in Editor. Use this command if you want to save space - e.g. if you want to print 2 designs using the same sheet of vellum. - New command "Separate" added to "Edit" menu in Editor. Use this command to separate parts in selected object. - New command "Reduce Colors" added to "Edit" menu in Editor. Use this command to reduce the number of colors in selected objects. - New commands were added to popup menu, which appears when you right click on one of the small color boxes in Editor. These new commands are: * Swap Sewing Order with Next Color * Swap Sewing Order with Previous Color * Set All Colors to This One * View Thread List - New option "Specify border offset" added to "Insert Basting Stitches" menu in Editor. Default value is 0.0, which means, that the basting stitches are inserted along the design rectangle boundary. - The following buttons were added to Sew Simulator window: * Forward * Split * Zoom In * Zoom Out * Zoom 1:1 * Hoop Size - The following switches were added to Sew Simulator window: * Halt on running stitch * Halt on floating stitch (jump) * Halt on stop (color change) * Halt on trimming (thread cut) - Sew Simulator now contains the "color bar" showing the colors in their sewing order and quantity. Below the color bar there is an arrow, showing the actual stitch. You can click on the bar to move the actual stitch pointer across the design. - You can "nudge" selected stitch point in "Points Editing Mode" in "Editor" by simultaneously depressing the Shift key and the arrow (Left, Right, Up, Down, Home, End, PgUp, PgDn) on the keyboard. FONT ENGINE =========== - Embird now supports UNICODE characters (e.g. Chinese, Japanese) in Font Engine plug-in when running on computer with Windows 2000 or Windows XP. You will find the check box for choosing UNICODE characters above the "Fonts" box in "Editor -> Insert -> Font Engine Text" dialog box. CROSS STICH PLUG-IN =================== - New cross types added to Cross Stitch: * French knot (read below for more information) * Upright cross * Double cross * Mini cross * Elongated horizontal cross * Elongated vertical cross * Fill Pattern (read below for more information) - Now you can use the pre-defined fill patterns in Cross Stitch! Choose the fill pattern by clicking on "..." button at the "Color Palette Bar" at the right side of the screen. The "Choose Pattern" dialog box will appear on screen, allowing you to choose the pattern. Then choose the "Fill Contiguous Area" tool in "Tools" menu and fill in the area. You can also choose other tools - e.g. "Pen" or "Brush" to draw with pattern. - You can even create you own new fills in Cross stitch! Simply save the .ECF file with your new fill pattern into the C:\EMBIRD32\X_FILLS folder. Files from this folder are displayed in "Choose Pattern" dialog box in Cross Stitch. If you do not know how to create your brand new fill pattern, try to open some existing pattern from the C:\EMBIRD32\X_FILLS folder, modify it and save it back with different name, but into the same folder: C:\EMBIRD32\X_FILLS. Then try to use your pattern. - Now you can create French Knots in Cross Stitch. New tools allowing this were added to "Tools" menu: * Insert French Knot * Erase French Knot You can specify the diameter and thickness of the French knots at the "Color Palette Bar" at the right side of the screen, or in "Options -> Design Properties" menu. This is global parameter - it is not possible to specify the diameter/thickness individually for particular French knot. - New menu "Chart" added to Cross Stitch window. This menu contains commands for importing charts (hand graphs) into the Cross Stitch work area as the background. After choosing the "Import" command from this menu, a dialog box will appear on the screen, displaying the chosen chart and allowing to calibrate it for use in Cross Stitch. There are three red marks in the top left corner of the chart. Position mark no. 1 to upper left corner of the ten square grid, position mark no. 2 to upper right corner of the ten square grid and position mark no. 3 to bottom right corner of the ten square grid. Then click "Align Grid" button and check the results of alignment. In case the red grid follows the chart grid, click "OK" button to insert the chart into the work area. Otherwise click "Undo Alignment" button to revise the position of red marks. - Cross Stitch will now display a dialog box when is starts, allowing you to specify the size of working area. This way you can limit the working area to the size of your hoop. - New dialog box added to "Autodigitize Crosses from Image" added to "Image" menu in Cross Stitch plug-in. This dialog box allows you to specify the size of design created automatically from image. - New option "Add outline to each color in the design" added to Cross Stitch plug-in. - New commands added to "Edit" menu in Cross Stitch window: * Center - Both Axes * Center Horizontally * Center Vertically * Clear Hidden Back Stitch Lines * Set Back Stitch Layers - Now you can create Back Stitch lines in Cross Stitch! New tools allowing this were added to "Tools" menu: * Back Stitch * Back Stitch Draw * Back Stitch 1/2 * Back Stitch Draw 1/2 * Erase Back Stitch * Back Stitch Color * Get Back Stitch Layers * Set Back Stitch Layers Find more information about these new tools in Embird help file - press F1 in Embird. - The following new tools were added to "Tools" menu: * Regular Polygon * Star * Filled Regular Polygon * Filled Star - New menu "Insert" added to Cross Stitch dialog box. This menu contains the following items: * Insert Outline * Insert Outline - Selected Only * Insert Outline Around Each Color (1 Color) * Insert Outline Around Each Color (1 Color) - Selected Only * Insert Outline Around Each Color (Multi-Color) * Insert Outline Around Each Color (Multi-Color) - Selected Only - New commands "View Crosses as Crosses" and "View Crosses as Squares" added to "View" menu in Cross Stitch window. Use these commands to choose the view mode for crosses on work area. - New commands added to "View" menu in Cross Stitch window: * Sew Simulator * Sew Simulator - Selected Only * 3D Preview * 3D Preview - Selected Only - New command "Back Stitch Lines and French Knots" added to "View" menu. Use this command to enabled/disable displaying of back stitch lines. - New command "Ten Square Grid" added to "View" menu. Use this command to turn on/off the displaying of the ten square grid. - Two new panels added to "Color Palette Bar" in Cross Stitch. These new panels are located at the bottom of the Color Palette Bar. Panels contain the colors used for crosses (first panel) and colors used for back stitch lines and French knots (second panel). When you right click on the color on this panel, a popup menu will appear, containing the following commands: * Select Color * Select Color and its Back Stitch Lines (only for crosses) * Select only Back Stitch Lines around Color (only for crosses) * Select Color and Back Stitch Lines of Same Color (only for crosses) * Set Back Stitch Layers (only for back stitch lines) * Show/Hide Color * Show Both Colors * Hide Both Colors * Show All Colors * Hide All Colors * Show All Colors Except This One * Hide All Colors Except This One * Choose Color from Catalog * Choose Color from Palette * Set to Previous Color * Set to Next Color * Swap with Previous Color * Swap with Next Color * Swap Sewing Order with Previous Color * Swap Sewing Order with Next Color * Insert Outline (Outline Color) (only for crosses) * Insert Outline (This Color) (only for crosses) * Delete Color * Delete All Colors * Delete All Colors Except This One * Find Color in Catalog Use these command to change color, show/hide color, delete color, change the sewing order of colors, etc. If you depress SHIFT key while right-clicking on color for popup menu, the command will be applied to color in both panels - i.e. to both crosses and back stitch lines colors. ICONIZER ======== - Iconizer now allows to display new "columns" in Explorer's "View -> Details" mode when running under Windows 2000 or Windows XP. First enable Iconizer (and Columns) in Embird's "Options -> Iconizer Settings" menu. Then run Windows Explorer, browse to your folder with designs and use "View -> Choose Details" menu to switch ON the displaying of the following columns: * Design Width * Design Height * Design Stitches * Design Thread Changes * Design Colors * Design Information If you enable Iconizer also for "Images" in Embird, you can also switch ON the following columns in Windows Explorer: * Image Width * Image Height * Image Bits * Image Information Use "View -> Details" mode to display the columns. Iconizer will display the design information and image information not only in columns, but also as a text at the right side of icon if you choose "View -> Tiles" mode in Windows Explorer. TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorials are available at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm: * Embird Cross Stitch - Creating New Fill Pattern * Embird Cross Stitch - Importing Chart * File Summary Info * Janome JEF CompactFlash Card - Reading Files * Janome JEF CompactFlash Card - Writing Files * Output to EMD Smart Media Card * Open Pfaff Grand Hoop Design * Save Pfaff Grand Hoop Design * Search Files * Text Arching NEW HOOPS ========= - Support for Viking Husqvarna 130 x 180 mm hoop added. - Support for Super-Giant-L Hoop-It-All(tm) for Singer XL 1000 added. ******************** Version 2004 Build 5 ******************** - Bug causing that some folders from CD drive have not been displayed correctly in "Ultimate Box+" dialog box was fixed. - New option "Enable Selling and Buying Designs on Internet" added to "Options" menu to Manager. - Embird can now save the .PES design as type 2.0 with 180 x 130 mm hoop setting (horizontal hoop) - Fixed reading/writing Pfaff 7570 cards bug in Ultimate Box+ menu. NEW HOOPS ========= - Support for Singer Futura Small (80 x 120 mm) and Singer Futura Large (115 x 170 mm) hoops added. - Support for Super-Giant-L Hoop-It-All(tm) for Singer XL 1000 (130 x 480 mm) added. ******************** Version 2004 Build 4 ******************** - Fixed bug in Cross Stitch appearing when using the Magic Wand tool. - Embird now requires to enter the user name and address during the installation process. This information is later compared with registration password in order to enhance protection against software piracy. NO information about user or any other data is send from Embird software to the internet, except the case of use of the 'Sell designs through internet' function (see more about this function below). ******************** Version 2004 Build 3 ******************** - Bug causing that Embird closed after using "Right Panel -> Image Operations" menu fixed. - Bug causing that the files have not remained selected after conversion in "Right Panel" was fixed. - Now you can convert also CMX vector graphic files into stitches in Embird Editor. However, this feature is enabled only for users with registered Font Engine plug-in. Use "File -> Open" command in Editor to open the CMX, EMF or WMF vector graphic file. A dialog box will appear on screen, allowing you to specify the design size. - Iconizer will now draw also contents of .WMF, .EMF and .CMX vector files. - New option "Add Jump to First Stitch" added to "Options" menu in Editor. If OFF, jump from hoop center to the first stitch of design will be not inserted. This options is intended for preparing designs for continuous hoops. - New command "Rotate or Mirror" added to "Image" menu in Cross Stitch. - The "Autodigitize Crosses from Image" in Cross Stitch now allows to automatically reduce the number of colors. - New command "Set Size" added to "Image" menu in Cross Stitch. - New menu "Optional Plug-ins" added to Manager, Editor, Cross Stitch and Ultimate Box windows. - New languages in Embird: Italian, Japanese (menu only). ******************** Version 2004 Build 2 ******************** - Bug causing that some .VP3 files were reported as corrupt was fixed. - Bug causing that some .9MM and .MAX files were not displayed correctly was fixed. - Bug causing the "Internal Error no.7" was fixed. - Bug causing that Cross Stitch was freezing after importing image and using the "Autodigitize crosses from image" was fixed. - Bug causing that the icons changed their position was fixed. - Mouse wheel button in Cross Stitch changes the zoom factor. - New option "Verify these file associations when starting Embird" added to "Options -> Iconizer Settings" dialog. ************ Version 2004 ************ If you already are REGISTERED user of Embird 2003, please note, that the update to Embird 2004 is FREE. Also, all your plug-in registration numbers for Alphabets, Iconizer, Digitizing Studio and Sfumato Stitch will work also in Embird 2004. You need NOT to pay for update from Embird 2003 to Embird 2004! Embird 2004 introduces new plug-in: Embird Cross Stitch. More details follow. CROSS STICH PLUG-IN =================== - New Cross Stitch Plug-in, developed by Embird development team, is now available! This plug-in allows to create new cross stitch designs, even with outlines. There is no special installation file for Cross Stitch available, this plug-in is installed at the same time as Embird. However, you will have to purchase and register Cross Stitch plug-in if you want to use it, otherwise the plug-in works in demo mode (saving of designs is disabled.) Use "Editor -> Insert -> Cross Stitch Design" command to create cross stitch designs. See also tutorial "Embird Cross Stitch" at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm - New FREE design "SNAIL" was created in Cross Stitch plug-in. You will find it in C:\EMBIRD32\FILES folder. The design is available in Tajima .DST format and also in Embird Cross Stitch .ECF format (use Cross Stitch to open this format). - registration fee for Embird Cross Stitch plug-in is US $75. You can pay at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/register.htm MANAGER ======= - Embird now supports Ultimate Box Plus. (Note: It supports USB version of box only, it does not support the serial port version of Ultimate Box, even if used with USB adapter. If you have serial port version of Ultimate Box, please note that you can update your box to the new Ultimate Box Plus - find more details at http://www.vikant.net) There is a new menu "Ultimate Box+"in "Manager" for accessing this new feature. The Ultimate Box is a read/write device that transfers embroidery designs from the hard drive of your computer to a re-writable blank embroidery card that fits your Brother, Babylock, Bernina Deco, Simplicity, White, and Viking/Husqvarna. The 2-slot Ultimate Box also supports the cards for Pfaff and Bernina Artista embroidery machines. The Ultimate Box writes up to 230.000 stitches to the Amazing/Magic and Brother 512 Kilobyte (4 Megabit) blank cards. The Ultimate Box writes over 450.000 stitches to the Ultimate Card. It reads and saves designs back to the hard drive of your computer from the above cards and most pre-programmed design cards (except licensed design cards). The box connects with a cable to the USB port of your computer. More information about Ultimate Box available at http://www.vikant.net. Find the list of supported embroidery machines at http://www.vikant.de/kompatibel.htm: Babylock: EM-1, EM-2, ESi-1, ESi-2, ESE, ESE2, ESL, EAC, Ellure, Ellageo Bernina: Deco 500, Deco 600, Deco 650 Brother: PE-100, PE-200, PE-150, PE-180D, PE-190D, PE-300S, PE-400D, PC-7000, PC-7500, PC-8200, PC-6500, PC-8500, PR-600, PR-600C, Super Galaxie 2000, Super Galaxie 2100, Super Galaxie 3000, Super Galaxie 3000D, Super ACE+E, ULT2001, ULT2001D, INNOV-IS 500D, INNOV-IS 4000D White: 3300 Simplicity: SE1, SE2, SE3 Husquarna/Viking: 1+, Iris, Rose, Orchidea Privileg: Computer Star Plus The 2-slot Ultimate Box also supports these embroidery machines: Bernina: Artista 200 Pfaff: 7560, 7562, 7570, Creative 2124, Creative 2144, Creative 2140 NOTE: Ultimate Box is developed by Vikant Corporation. Vikant Corporation is not affiliated with any manufacturers mentioned here. All brand names and product names are trademarks and servicemarks of the respective manufacturers. See also new tutorials "Ultimate Box - Reading Designs from Card" and "Ultimate Box - Writing Designs to Card" at our web site at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm - Use Embird to sell you designs through the Internet! No need to have an on-line shop or web site. In "Right Panel" menu there is a new submenu "Internet" with 2 commands: "Buy Designs on Internet" and "Sell Designs on Internet". The "Buy Designs on Internet" command will launch your Internet browser and bring you to the Stock design shop. You can sell your own designs through the Internet by selecting the design in Right panel's "Files:" box and choosing the "Sell Designs on Internet" command. This will show a dialog box with form, which you must fill in before your design is uploaded to the Internet. See also new tutorial "Internet - Sell Designs on Internet" at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm - New PREVIEW option added to "Right Panel" menu. This will display a small preview of chosen file under "Files:" box on Right panel. - Embird can now display images. Supported formats are: BMP, JPG, PCX, PNG, PSD, TGA, TIF. To display an image just double click on its filename in "Right Panel" in Manager. The scale is chosen according to settings in Options Menu, in "Image Scale" sub-menu. There are following settings: Actual Size, Auto-Shrink to Fit, Auto-Enlarge to Fit. You can also select a file in "Files:" box at Right Panel and choose "Open in Viewer" command in "Right Panel" menu. Another way is to select multiple files, view them as thumbnails, and double-click on thumbnail to open the VIEWER window. This will show VIEWER window on screen. You can do the following: - Display first image or design (press Home key) - Display last image or design (press End key) - Display next image or design (press Page Down key, or Space) - Display previous image or design (press Page Up key, or Backspace) - Display previously shown image or design (press B key) - Start Slideshow (press S key, each image will be displayed 5 seconds) - Display the image or design using Full Screen mode (press F key) - Print image or design (press P key) - Delete image or design (press Delete key) - Rename image or design (press N key) - Show File List (press L key) - Close VIEWER window and view the last selected file in Manager (press V key) - Close VIEWER window (press ESC key) The following commands in VIEWER window do not work with designs, only with images: - Zoom In (press numpad + key) - Zoom Out (press numpad - key) - Zoom 1:1 (press Enter key) - Actual Size (press numpad /) - Auto-Shrink to Fit (press Ctrl and numpad -, the Actual Size must be off) - Auto-Enlarge to Fit (press Ctrl and numpad +, the Actual Size must be off) - Desktop Wallpaper (press D key) - Rotate and Mirror (press R key) - Set Size (press W or H key) - Convert image to B&W, grayscale, or to 16- and 256-colors (press Insert key) - Crop image (press C key). First select an area to crop by depressing right mouse button and drawing a rectangle. Another way is to hold down the Ctrl key, depress left mouse button and draw a rectangle. Last way is to double-click on image and specify the rectangle size in the dialog box which appears on screen. See also new tutorial "Viewing Images in Embird" at our web site at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm - New submenu "Image Operations" added to "Right Panel" menu. This submenu contains three commands: "Rotate Images", "Resize Images" and "Convert Images". Use these commands to process the selected image files in "Files:" box on right panel. These commands allow batch processing of selected files. - If you are displaying files from Right Panel as "Thumbnails" or as "Dense Thumbnails", there is a check box shown at the left side of each thumbnail (in yellow area). Use this check box to MARK some of the files while browsing through your designs, and then use "Select Marked Files" command in "Right Panel" menu to select the MARKED files in Right Panel. Finally, use e.g. "Delete Files" command from "Right Panel" menu to delete the selected (marked) files from your hard disk, or use any other command applicable for selected files (e.g. "Cut Files to Clipboard" and paste them into some other folder). This new "MARK" feature allows you to sort designs. NOTE: If you depress SHIFT key while clicking on the MARK check box, the ON/OFF status of this check box will be aplied to all check boxes on current thumbnail page. See also new tutorial "Select Marked Files" at our web site at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm - If you are browsing through your designs in VIEWER window (see the paragraph above), the "MARK" check box is displayed in the "Tool Bar" of VIEWER window (at the top of this window). Again, you can MARK some of the files while displaying them in VIEWER window, then close this window, and use the "Right Panel -> Select Marked Files" command to select MARKED files in Right Panel for further processing. - Now you can export icons of your designs using the "Right Panel -> Export Icons" menu. Use this command to create tiny icons of your designs for use e.g. as buttons or indicators for your Internet web site. - If you are displaying files from Right Panel, the SPACE key will display the next file and the BACKSPACE key will display the previous file. - New command "Search" added to "Right Panel -> Folder Operations" submenu. Use this command for searching for files in currently selected folder and its subfolders. Found files will be automatically displayed as thumbnails. - New commands "Cut Folders to Clipboard", "Copy Folders to Clipboard" and "Paste Folders from Clipboard" added to "Right Panel -> Folder Operations" submenu. These commands work similary to copy/cut/paste commands in Windows Explorer. Use them to cut/copy selected folder (including all its subfolders) to clipboard and paste it to new location on your disk. - Embird is now able to process the new Pfaff .VP3 format. It will convert to and also from this format. - Embird is now able to process Pfaff .PCD and .PCQ formats. It will convert to and also from these formats. - Embird is now able to process Pfaff .9MM and .MAX formats. It will convert to and also from these formats. - Embird now supports Juki AMS 210C, 212C .M3, Juki AMS 210A .M2, and Juki AMS 205A, 206A .M1 format. Embird is also able to read/write Juki AMS 210A and Juki AMS 212C floppy disks, but only in Windows 98/ME (because it is using the non-standard floppy disk operations.) You can prepare also EPROM binary files for Juki AMS 205A, 206A - by saving the designs to "virtual" Juki AMS 205A, 206A floppy disk. This will create eprm8192.rm1 file on the floppy disk, the contents of this file should be programmed to 8192B EPROM memory. - Embird now supports Mitsubishi PLK 0804, 109 .MIT format. You can prepare also EPROM binary files for Mitsubishi PLK - by saving the designs to "virtual" Mitsubishi PLK 0804, 109 floppy disk. This will create eprm8192.rom and eprm2048.rom files on the floppy disk, the contents of these files should be programmed to either 8192B or 2048B EPROM memory. - Embird will now keep the setting of Right Panel's "Mask" box - after new start of Embird the last selected mask will be chosen as default. - Several minor bugs fixed. EDITOR ====== - Stitch List added to Editor. You can switch ON/OFF the Stitch List in "View" menu. If it is ON, the stitch list of selected object is displayed on the Objects Order Bar (right side of the screen). Right click on the stitch list will show a popup menu, which contains several commands. Use these commands to delete the selected item, split design before/after the selected item, insert/remove stop code or trimming code, etc. Note: The stitch list is shown only if there is just ONE object selected. It disappears if you select more than 1 object. See also tutorial "Stitch List" at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm - New command "Insert/Remove Codes" added to "Insert" menu. Use this command to add/remove trimming codes, stops and floating stitches (Jumps) into selected objects. - If you open an IMAGE in Editor using the "Image -> Open" command, this image will be displayed also on "Layout" tab in "Insert -> Text" and "Insert -> Font Engine Text" dialog boxes. It is possible to move and resize image on the "Layout" tab. This feature might be helpful in case you need to place some text e.g. on arc, and you want to see the artwork in the background while inserting text to achieve better alignment. - Now you can change the character proportions when inserting text, or Font Engine text. For example, you can enlarge lower case lettering, or numbers, etc. There is new button "Character Proportions" in "Insert Text" and "Insert Font Engine Text" dialog box, you will find it at the right side of "Plugin:" and "Font:" box. See also new tutorial "Changing Character Proportions" at our web site at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm - Now you can create MULTILINE text and also VERTICAL text in Editor, using Alphabets or Font Engine. Run "Embird -> Editor -> Insert -> Text" or "Embird -> Editor -> Insert -> Font Engine Text" and then click on the "Insert Multiline Text or Vertical Text" button located at the right side of the "Text:" edit box. See also tutorial "Insert Multilines Text or Vertical Text" at our web site at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm - Now you can create CALENDAR and CLOCK easily in Editor, using Alphabets or Font Engine. Run "Embird -> Editor -> Insert -> Text" or "Embird -> Editor -> Insert -> Font Engine Text" and then click on the "Insert Calendar" or "Insert Clock" button located at the right side of "Text:" edit box. See also new tutorials "Insert Calendar" and "Insert Clock" at our web site at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm - "Insert All Characters" button added to the right side of "Text:" edit box in "Insert -> Text" and "Insert -> Font Engine Text" dialog box. This button allows to insert complete alphabet into Editor. Then you can save each letter into separate file using "File -> Save Separated As" command and use these characters on your embroidery machine to create words, monograms, etc. - New option "Keep hoop settings, do not adjust hoop size according to settings in design file" added to "Options -> Hoop Size -> Custom" tab. Set this option to ON if you want Embird to keep the same hoop setting, and not to adjust the hoop size after opening/saving designs. - New option "Add Back to Origin Stitch" added to "Options" menu in Editor. If ON, Embird will automatically add the stitch which moves the needle to the start point after finishing the design. Set this option to OFF if you do not want this stitch. - Now you can convert EMF and WMF vector graphic files into stitches in Embird Editor. However, this feature is enabled only for users with registered Font Engine plug-in. Use "File -> Open" command in Editor to open the EMF or WMF vector graphic file. A dialog box will appear on screen, allowing you to specify the design size. ICONIZER ======== - Now you enable/disable different modules of Iconizer in "Embird -> Options -> Iconizer Settings" menu. For example, you can enable images in "popup menu" and in "Properties", but disable the "Large icons". - Iconizer now supports also IMAGE formats: BMP, JPG, PCX, PNG, PSD, TGA, TIF. If you want to DISABLE Iconizer for IMAGE formats, please uncheck these extensions in "Options -> Iconizer Settings" menu. There are 2 new buttons in "Iconizer Settings" dialog box which simplify this task: * Select Image File Types - use this button to enable Iconizer for Images * Remove Image File Types - use this button to disable Iconizer for Images NEW HOOPS ========= - Embird now supports 180 x 300 mm and 300 x 180 mm hoops for Brother Innovis, it will save the design as PES Type 6.0. - Embird now supports 200 x 300 mm and 300 x 200 mm hoops for Brother PR-600, it will save the design as PES Type 5.5. - Support for Viking Round Hoop (100 mm) added. - Support for Giant-R8 Double Wide Hoop-It-Alll™ for Viking #1+, Rose and Iris added. - Support for Pfaff Grand hoop (250 x 225 mm) added. TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorials are available at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm: Changing Character Proportions Embird Cross Stitch Insert Calendar Insert Clock Insert Multiline Text or Vertical Text Internet - Sell Designs on Internet Open Pfaff Multi-Hoop Designs Save Pfaff Multi-Hoop Designs Select Marked Files Stitch List Ultimate Box - Reading Designs from Card Ultimate Box - Writing Designs to Card Viewing Images in Embird - New Manual 3 is available for downloading at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/down.htm It contains the printable version of the tutorials above. ******************** Version 2003 Build 5 ******************** FONT ENGINE =========== - Several bugs fixed. ******************** Version 2003 Build 4 ******************** GENERAL ======= - Several minor bugs fixed. - Embird can display, print, and convert FROM Bernina Artista .ART format v.3, but it cannot work with .ART format v.4 and above. It cannot convert TO Bernina Artista .ART format. - Embird can display, print and convert FROM Wilcom .EMB format v.6, but it cannot work with .EMB format v.7.1, v.8.0 and above. It cannot convert TO Wilcom .EMB format. Note, that there exist other file types with .EMB extension, e.g. Poem .EMB, which Embird cannot support, nor display. - Support for Poem, Singer EU .CSD format added. You can convert to/from Poem, Singer EU .CSD format in Embird. - Support for Brother .PHB format added. You can convert to/from Brother .PHB format in Embird. MANAGER ======= - A new command "Barudan CF Card" added to "Right Panel" menu. Use this command to read/write designs to/from CF Card for Barudan machines. - A new command "Port Connection to Embroidery Machine" added to "Right Panel" menu. This command allows to send/receive designs to/from BARUDAN embroidery machine. EDITOR ====== - Auto-Split/Auto-Join commands now allow to prescribe the max. number of colors and stitches in each part. - A new command "Set Envelope" added to "Edit" menu. Use this menu to change the envelope of selected designs. For example you can change the envelope of lettering, which was not created in Embird. NEW HOOP ======== - Giant-R8 Hoop-It-All™ for Brother PE100, 150, 200 and 180D, Babylock Espree 1, 2 and Accent EAC, Bernina Deco 500, 600 and 650 added. TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorials will be soon available at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm: Barudan CF Card - Reading Files Barudan CF Card - Writing Files Port Connection to Embroidery Machine - Receiving Design Port Connection to Embroidery Machine - Sending Design Set Envelope ******************** Version 2003 Build 3 ******************** GENERAL ======= - Problem with installation of Embird 2003 to Virtual PC for Mac fixed. Embird was developed for PC with Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP. You can install it also on Mac with Virtual PC, however, please note that Embird was not developed nor tested on this platform, therefore no compatibility is guaranteed. - All built-in thread catalogs are now available as text files in C:\EMBIRD32\CHARTS folder. Embird users are allowed to modify these text files in case they consider some of the threads to be inaccurate. However, please note that Embird is protected by copyright laws and international treaties and may only be used in accordance with the license terms. You may not lend, lease, rent, sub-license or otherwise distribute any portion of this Software. FONT ENGINE =========== - Improved stitch algorithm. - New icon "Install selected font into Windows" added to "Insert Text" tab in Font Engine dialog box. - New icon "Display web site containing links to fonts on Internet" added to "Insert Text" tab in Font Engine dialog box. - Font Engine now supports also TrueType and OpenType fonts stored in ZIP and RAR archives. Just save these archives into your folders with not-installed fonts, e.g. C:\EMBIRD32\FONTS and then hit "Scan folders for fonts" button on "Insert Text" tab in Font Engine dialog box. MANAGER ======= - A new option "Remove trimming codes" added to "Right Panel > Change Needle Assignment" dialog box. Use this option if you need to remove the trimmings (thread cut) codes from design. You also will find this command in "Choose Format" dialog box, i.e. in dialog box which appears when you convert the designs, or when you save them in Editor. EDITOR ====== - A new option "Adjust size" added to "Options > Hoop Size" dialog box to "Custom" tab. Use this option if you want to switch ON/OFF the automatical adjusting of hoop size. Auto-adjusting of hoop size works only with formats, which do not store the hoop size in design file, e.g. DST or EXP formats. - Now you can set hoop GRID LINES color when you choose "Options > Hoop Color" ******************** Version 2003 Build 2 ******************** MANAGER ======= - A new command "Plug-ins Paths" added to "Options" menu. Use this command to specify the complete paths to 3rd party plug-ins, i.e. to Thred (http://www.thredworks.com) and Machine Cross Stitch (http://www.dpsoftware.co.uk) - A new command "What's New?" added to "Help" menu. It will display this file. - A new command "Internet" added to "Help" menu. It will show a dialog box with important links to Embird web site http://www.embird.com. GENERAL ====== - Fixed bug, which appeared after closing Editor where Alphabets or Font Engine plug-ins were used. ************ Version 2003 ************ PRICE ===== If you are registered user of Embird, find the version number in "Help -> About" menu. - Upgrade from previous version of Embird PLUS (i.e. version 7.x and 8.x) to Embird 2003 costs US $15 - Upgrade from previous 16-bit version of Embird (i.e. version 5.x - 6.x) to Embird 2003 costs US $30 For NEW users, registration fee of Embird 2003 is US $80. Please note, that this fee does not cover the registration of plug-ins. If you already are REGISTERED user of Embird Plus, please note, that your plug-in registration numbers for Iconizer, Alphabets, Digitizing Studio and Sfumato Stitch will work also in Embird 2003. You only need to pay for upgrade, but NOT again for plug-ins! Registration fee for new Font Engine plug-in is US $145. We accept MasterCard, Visa and American Express at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/register.htm FONT ENGINE PLUG-IN and EMBIRD ALPHABETS ======================================= - New plug-in "Font Engine" is now available for Embird. This plug-in allows to create lettering using OpenType and TrueType fonts installed in your Windows. It is possible to create lettering with satin (auto-column), plain or motif fills, and with thin, satin or applique outlines. There is no special installation file for Font Engine available, this plug-in is installed at the same time as Embird 2003. However, you will have to purchase and register Font Engine if you want to use it, otherwise only several characters are available in every font. Also, please note that there are no TrueType nor OpenType fonts included in Font Engine. Font Engine is just engine, which is capable of converting these fonts into stitches. Use "Editor -> Insert -> Font Engine Text" command to create lettering from TrueType/OpenType fonts. - When you create lettering (either using Embird Alphabet plug-ins, or Font Engine plug-in), please note that each letter on "Layout" tab has now color POINTS, which are explained below. There are several points shown, allowing you the following: 1. Use RED points to move the character along the baseline. If you depress CTRL key it will move only selected character, otherwise all characters placed after selected character will move. 2. Use GREEN points to rotate the character. If you depress CTRL key, the angle will change by 15 degrees. If you depress ALT key, the angle will be set to 0 degrees. 3. Use TEAL points to resize the character, either horizontally or vertically. If you depress CTRL key, the size will change in larger steps. If you depress ALT key, the aspect ratio of width and height will be kept. 4. Use PURPLE points to skew or mirror the character, either horizontally or vertically. If you depress CTRL key, the skew will change in larger steps. If you depress ALT key, the selected letter will be mirrored. If you depress SHIFT key while moving the point, the operation will be applied to all characters. Please note that Undo/Redo/Reset operations are available for changes in layout - see the following paragraph. - Undo/Redo/Reset feature for Layout changes was added to "Insert Text" dialog box on "Layout" tab. You will find the 3 new buttons at the bottom part of "Layout" page, next to "Zoom" buttons. The Undo/Redo feature applies to changes of Envelope and red,green,teal & purple points. There was also "Reset Layout Changes" button added, allowing to set default settings to envelope and points. MANAGER ======= - Embird is now available in different languages: * Dutch * French * German * Hungarian * Slovak Choose language in "Options -> Language" menu in Manager. - "Main Toolbar" added to Manager part of Embird. This toolbar is displayed on the top of Middle Panel. - "History of Viewed Files" added to Manager part of Embird. Use the "View History" command in "Middle Panel" menu to show/hide the history list. The history list contain the full path to recently displayed files. If the "Preview Files" option is ON in "Right Panel" menu, then also the design icon will be shown in History List (only for registered users of Iconizer plug-in). - New command "Auto-Copy to Clipboard" added to "Help" menu in Manager. Use this command to copy the registration passwords from e-mail to clipboard and thus to transfer them into Embird. - The "Print" command in "Help -> Installed Plug-ins" dialog box will now print the complete list of registration passwords. Use this command to back-up your passwords in printed form. You also will find new button "Uninstall Plug-in" in this dialog box, allowing you to delete chosen plug-in (except Iconizer and Font Engine plug-ins). - Now you can map/disconnect network drives in Embird - move mouse cursor to the "Drive:" box at right panel in Manager, and click right mouse button for popup menu. - Embird can now display the designs stored in RAR archives. Just double click on RAR archive in "Files:" box located on Right panel in Manager. - Each thread in built-in catalogs has now "Mark" attribute, which can be set to on/off. This allows you to mark some threads, for example those you already have in your stock. There is also new option "Show Marked Threads Only" in "Color Palette" menu. If you set this option to ON, then Embird will display only those threads, which are marked - i.e. only those threads that you really have in your stock. - New commands were added to "Color Palette" menu in Manager. The "Restore Color Palette" command will restore the palette with colors before changes. The "Animate Color Changes" option allows to enable/disable animation of currently chosen color. When this option is "ON", selected color will blink on screen. Set the "Apply Changes Immediately" option to "ON" if you want to apply the changes in colors immediately (i.e. without clicking on "Apply Color Changes" button.) Set the "Print Background Color" option to "ON" if you want to print background color (otherwise the white color is used.) - "On Startup Launch" command added to "Options" menu in Manager allows you to choose which part of Embird should be launched on startup. - New option "Print Stitch Points Only" added to "Options" menu in Manager. Set this option to ON if you want to save ink/toner on your printer. - If you are printing SEW designs in Manager, and in "Options" menu "Show Hoop" is ON, "Show Begin" is ON and "Photorealistic 3D Drawing" is OFF, Embird will print also clothsetter. - "View Dense Thumbnails" command added to "Right Panel", "Left Panel" and "Right Panel -> Folder Operations" menu in Manager. This command will display 35 thumbnails per page. - If you are displaying thumbnails in Manager, and you double-click on some design, it will open in a new preview window, leaving Thubmnails untouched in Manager window. This allows you to look at some design closely, and still remain in Thumbnails view mode. - Embird will now add the thread numbers into "Print Color Layers" and "Export Color Layers" documentation. Choose one thread catalog in the dialog box, which appears when you run these commands. In case there is no thread catalog chosen, Embird will print/export the documentation without thread number. ICONIZER ======== - New feature was added to Iconizer plug-in. When you right click on design in Explorer and choose "Properties" item, a dialog box will be displayed with new tab - "Embird Iconizer". This new sheet will contain the design image. EDITOR ====== - New Command "Save Separated As" added to "File" menu in Editor. This command will save each object into a separate file. It works similary to "Save Selected As" command, but you do not need to manually select and then save every object. Use this command together with "Edit -> Auto-Split" command (which will automatically split the design into parts) and with "File -> Print Template" command (which will print the template with crosses, which simplify the aligning of parts during sewing.) - New command "Auto-Split" added to "Edit" menu in Editor. Use this command to split selected objects automatically. - New command "Auto-Join" added to "Edit" menu in Editor. Use this command to join selected objects automatically. - New command "Slice" added to "Edit" menu in Editor. Select the stitches first using the "Freehand Select Mode" and then use this command to cut out selected stitches. This command is similar to "Split" command, however, it will slice the design with smooth edges, not leaving small stitches as if you use the "Split" command. - New command "Mask" added to "Edit" menu in Editor. Use this command to "mask" 2 or more selected objects. The stitches in the object underneath would automatically be deleted where the upper object overlaps. - New command "Smart Color Sort" added to "Edit" menu in Editor. It will sort colors in selected objects and keep the order of sewing. If for instance you have a pink flower and later you have shading in the same pink, it will not put those colors together, because it knows the second pink color has to sew over the first pink at some point for a shading effect. - New command "Tidy Up Small Stitches" added to "Edit" menu in Editor. This command will delete small stitches in selected objects. - New command "Pull Compensation" added to "Edit" menu in Editor. This command allows to compensate the pull in selected objects. - Two new commands added to "View" menu in Editor. These are "Sew Simulator - Selected Only" and "3D Preview - Selected Only". Use these commands if you want to simulate the sewing or display the 3D preview for selected objects only. - You can specify the length for long running stitches in Editor in "Options -> Long Running Stitches" menu. This is useful for inserted aligning stitches, and also if you change some jump stitch to running stitch, and you want to avoid changing it back to jump when saving the design to hard disk. - Another new option "Join Same Consecutive Colors" added to "Options" menu in Editor. If you set this option to on, the same consecutive colors in object will be joined into one block, and the color stop code between them will be removed. - Embird Editor will now add "tie on" and "tie off" stitches to selected objects automatically. You will find the command in "Insert -> Tie on/off stitches" menu. - Now it is possible to specify the stitch length for "Insert -> Cross Reference Line" and "Insert -> Basting Stitches" commands. - New commands were added to "Image" menu in Editor. These commands are "Convert To Stitches (4 colors)" and "Convert To Stitches (1 color)". To obtain better results, please adjust the contrast of image using "Adjust" command in "Image" menu. - New commands were added to popup menu, which appears when you right click on one of the small color boxes in Editor. These new commands are "Separate All Colors" and "Delete Color". - New command "Swap Sewing Order" command added to popup menu which appears when you drag and drop colors in Editor. - New commands "Select Next" and "Select Previous" added to popup menu which appears in "Points Editing Mode" in Editor after right mouse click. Use these commands to select next/previous point. You can also use TAB and SHIFT+TAB shortcuts. - Now you have "measuring tool" in Editor: Choose "Mode -> Freehand Select Mode", click left button on Working Area to place the first point, then move the mouse and watch the "Length:", "dx:", "dy:" and "Angle:" values at the bottom of the screen (in Status Bar). NEW HOOPS ========= - Kenmore (Janome) 19010 hoop #F 126 x 110 mm is now supported in Editor. - Bernina Artista Megahoop (overlap, 150 x 400 mm) and Bernina Artista oval hoop (145 x 255 mm) are now supported in Editor. However, the design must be saved in .HUS format, because .ART format is not supported. - Elna Xquisite Multihoop (250 x 450 mm) and Continuous (50 x 120 mm) are now supported. - Support for new Giant-R Hoop-It-All™ for Pfaff 7570, 7560 and 7562 added. - Now you can create custom Giant Hoop-It-All(tm) in case your Giant hoop is not supported by Embird yet. Use "Create" button on "Hoop-It-All" tab in "Editor -> Options -> Hoop Size" dialog box. See also tutorial "Creating Custom Giant Hoop-It-All(tm)" at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorials are available at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm: Auto-Join Auto-Split Convert To Stitches (1 color) Convert To Stitches (4 colors) Creating Custom Giant Hoop-It-All(tm) Downloading Embird and plug-ins Entering Registration Password Into Embird - Auto-Copy to Clipboard Font Engine Plug-in Font Engine Plug-in - Using 'Not Installed' Fonts Installing Embird Installing Plug-in Masking Designs Objects Order Bar Passwords Back-up Splitting - Saving and Sewing of Split Designs Uninstalling Embird View History THREAD CATALOGS =============== - New thread catalogs added: Vyapar Rayon, Mettler Poly Sheen, Aurifil Lana, Aurifil Mako, Aurifil Polyester, Aurifil Rayon, Brother Country, Brother Embroidery, Isalon Polyester, King Star. - Embird can now support custom thread catalogs. However, you will not find any tool in Embird for creating custom thread catalogs. It is supposed, that you prepare the text file with thread chart e.g. in NOTEPAD, or in any other text editor, and then save this text file (with .TXT or .TCH extension) to C:\EMBIRD32\CHARTS folder. Each line of this file must have the following structure: THREAD_NUMBER,NAME_OF_THREAD_CATALOG,NAME_OF_COLOR,R_VALUE,G_VALUE,B_VALUE where THREAD_NUMBER is the number of the thread in catalog NAME_OF_THREAD_CATALOG is the name of the thread catalog NAME_OF_COLOR is the name of color (can be omitted, see example below) R_VALUE,G_VALUE,B_VALUE are R,G,B values used to obtain the right color Here is an example of custom thread catalog, containing four Madeira Rayon threads. For thread number 1087, the name of color is not specified. These four lines should be stored in text file, e.g. in MADEIRA.TXT and the file must be saved to C:\EMBIRD32\CHARTS folder to be accepted by Embird. **************************** EXAMPLE ************************************* 1000,Madeira Rayon,Black,0,0,0 1003,Madeira Rayon,Natural White,240,237,228 1087,Madeira Rayon,,212,206,197 1187,Madeira Rayon,Dark Pink,208,0,87 ************************* END OF EXAMPLE ********************************* - New feature for digitizers, who create designs in formats without color palette (e.g. DST, EXP) and they would like Embird to show the correct colors when displaying these designs. Now they can create a text file with color information. This text file must have the same filename as the corresponding design, but TXT extension. Digitizers can specify either R,G,B values for each color, "PANTONE Matching System" number or they can choose the thread number from catalogs supported in Embird: ARC Polyester ARC Rayon Aurifil Lana Aurifil Mako Aurifil Polyester Aurifil Rayon Brother Country Brother Embroidery Coats Alcazar Coats Alcazar Jazz Coats Sylko Coats Sylko USA FuFu Polyester FuFu Rayon Isacord Polyester Isafil Rayon Isalon Polyester Janome King Star Madeira Polyneon Madeira Rayon Marathon Polyester Marathon Rayon Mettler Embroidery Mettler Poly Sheen Princess Robison-Anton Polyester Robison-Anton Rayon Royal Viscose Rayon Sulky Rayon Vyapar Rayon Important point is that the TXT file must have specific structure to be accepted by Embird. Each color must be specified in a single line. The line must contain at least the following information: 1. The color number 2. The name of thread catalog as specified above. This is not case-sensitive, so e.g. MADEIRA RAYON will be accepted 3. The number of thread in catalog. In case of PANTONE, no spaces are accepted - Embird will consider as thread only the first "word" after catalog name Here are 3 examples of the file structure accepted in Embird. It is color palette for design SQUIRREL.DST, therefore this information must be stored in SQUIRREL.TXT file. ******************************** EXAMPLE 1 ********************************* 1,Brown,PANTONE 469C 2,Orange Yellow,PANTONE 1235C 3,Orange,PANTONE 1655C 4,Light Orange,PANTONE 150C 5,Rust,PANTONE 484C 6,Black,PANTONE Black6 **************************** END OF EXAMPLE 1 ****************************** ******************************** EXAMPLE 2 ********************************* ----------------- RECOMMENDED THREADS FOR SQUIRREL DESIGN ------------------ Design: Squirrel (free) 6 colors, 6 thread changes Sizes: 2.78" height Stitches: 7400 1 - Brown MADEIRA RAYON 1058 2 - Orange Yellow MADEIRA RAYON 1137 3 - Orange MADEIRA RAYON 1078 4 - Light Orange MADEIRA RAYON 1155 5 - Rust MADEIRA RAYON 1038 6 - Black MADEIRA RAYON 1000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- **************************** END OF EXAMPLE 2 ****************************** ******************************** EXAMPLE 3 ********************************* 1. Brown,RGB(97,52,19) 2. Orange Yellow,RGB(253,180,21) 3. Orange,RGB(250,87,3) 4. Light Orange,RGB(253,173,87) 5. Rust,RGB(155,49,28) 6. Black,RGB(28,39,49) **************************** END OF EXAMPLE 3 ****************************** Version 8.0 Build 6 - Bug in processing files for Brother Jumbo Hoop (multiposition, overlap) fixed. This bug was introduced in version 8.0. Version 8.0 Build 5 - Bug in processing .HUS and .PES files fixed. This bug was introduced in Build 4 when we improved robustness of Iconizer. Version 8.0 Build 4 - Iconizer is now more robust to corrupt designs. - Now it is possible to copy the files to "Standard Floppy Disk" using the "Right Panel -> Copy Files To Floppy Disk" menu. You can also format the standard floppy disk using the "Left Panel -> Format Floppy Disk" command. Version 8.0 Build 3 - New thread catalogs added - Sylko USA and Alcazar Jazz. - Bug with VIP format fixed. Version 8.0 Build 2 - New system for passwords back-up introduced. Now you can back-up and recover your passwords using the "Help -> Passwords" menu in Manager. - Bug with coverting files fixed. This bug caused, that the source file was deleted when converting with the same source and target format and choosing "Overwrite" option. Version 8.0 - Iconizer plug-in was rebuild, so that it works faster now. New feature of Iconizer is the design icon in popup menu, which appears when you right click on the file in Windows Explorer. Users of Windows ME, 2000 and XP can use the "View Thumbnails" mode in Explorer, this mode is now supported by Iconizer. See also the "Iconizer plug-in" tutorial at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm - Registered uses of Iconizer will now have an option to display the icons also in Embird in Files box at Right panel. This option can be activated in "Right Panel -> Preview Files" menu. - Now it is possible to display the design icon in Explorer by Iconizer, but keep the previous link for opening the design after double-clicking on its icon. In other words, now it is possible to have the icons in Explorer for e.g. HUS designs, but the design will be still launched into Husqvarna Customizing Software after double-click. Find more in "Options -> Iconizer Settings" menu. - Envelope effect is now available on the 'Layout' tab in "Insert text" dialog box. This effect allows you to change the envelope of lettering and thus obtain different shapes. Find more information in the tutorial at our web site at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm - Embird now supports also PHC type 2 files. - Now you can save the color palette not only to .EDR file, but also to text file (*.TXT). Embird will store the name of each color and the R,G,B values into the file. Use the "Color Palette -> Save As" command and choose the filename with .TXT extension if you want to save the color palette into text file instead of .EDR file. Embird can also process color palettes stored in .TXT files, however, the structure of these files must be exactly the same as in text files exported from Embird. Version 7.22 Beta - Design preview is now available in "Open File" dialog box in Editor. It is also useful in Manager, in "Select Files" dialog box. - Elna Xquisite .EMD format support added. - Hoops for Bernina Artista added. However, the .ART format is not supported. The Giant Hoop-It-All for Bernina Artista is now supported, but the design must be saved .HUS format, because .ART format is not supported. - Marathon Polyester thread catalog revised. Version 7.21 Beta - New thread catalogs added: Coats Alcazar (Rayon), Coats Sylko (Polyester). - Support for Giant-L Hoop-It-All™ for Pfaff 7570 and 7560 and for Giant-L Hoop-It-All™ for Viking #1+ and Rose added. Version 7.20 - New "Iconizer" plug-in is now available! This plug-in works together with shell integration (read below). Normally, there is the same icon used for all files of the same type in Windows Explorer. For example, all .HUS files have the same icon. Iconizer plug-in will display the design in icon instead of type icon, so you will immediately see what is stored in the file. This allows you to browse and sort your designs easily. Read the tutorial for Iconizer plug-in at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm - Integration with Windows shell added. Setup can configure your system to make Embird the default application for opening the embroidery types that is supports. You can select from a list the file types which you would like Embird to open when you double-click on them in Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Explorer. You can also print, convert and edit designs using commands in Explorer's popup menu. Just move mouse pointer on the design icon in Explorer, depress right mouse button and choose appropriate command in the popup menu which appears on the screen. - Embird can co-operate with Machine Cross Stitch 2000 release 1.32 and above. Machine Cross Stitch 2000 is developed by DP Software. More information, demo, registration and support for Machine Cross Stitch 2000 are available at http://www.dpsoftware.co.uk Use "Editor -> Insert -> Cross Stitch Design" command to create a new cross stitch design in Machine Cross Stitch 2000 software. The output from the Cross stitch software will be launched into Embird Editor, so that you can edit it, add lettering or just save it to the hard disk choosing any of formats supported by Embird. Please find more in tutorial at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm - Another way of points selection in Editor is now available: Select the stitches using the polygon in "Freehand Select Mode" and then switch to "Points Editing Mode". The end points of all red stitches will be selected. - Two new commands were added to popup menu which appears when you depress the right mouse button on the color box in Editor. These new commands are "Show All Colors Except This One" and "Hide All Colors Except This One". - Now you can save your lettering settings and recall them later when you need to modify the text or create a text with similar settings. Use two small buttons in "Editor -> Insert Text" dialog box to "Open Lettering Project" and "Save Lettering Project". You will find the buttons at the left side of "OK" button at the bottom of the lettering dialog box. - ZIP ability added to Embird Manager. Now you can create ZIP archives easily: Select the files you want to zip in Right Panel, then click on "Right Panel -> Add to Zip" command. You can also zip whole folders: Select the folder in Right Panel, then click on "Right Panel -> Folder Operations -> Add to Zip" command. Please note that if you are adding a file into an existing zip archive, and a file with the same filename already exists in the zip, this file will be replaced with the file being added. - In Editor, selected objects are now indicated by black square drawn around the object icon on Objects Order Bar. - The "Print Template" command in Editor will now print on several papers in case the design does not fit on a single paper in 1:1 scale. - Support for new Pfaff Creative 2140 .VIP format added. Embird also supports new Pfaff hoop (140 x 225 mm) in both vertical and horizontal position. - Support for Giant-L Hoop-It-All(tm) for Babylock ESE 1,2, Ellure and Brother PC 8200, 8500 and 6500 added to Editor. It works the same way as GHIA for Viking or Babylock. Tutorial for GHIA use is available at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm - Support for Super-Giant-L Hoop-It-All(tm) for Babylock Ellageo, Brother ULT 2001 added to Editor. It works the same way as GHIA for Viking or Babylock. Tutorial for GHIA use is available at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm - Support for Janome #2 (85 x 70 mm) and Janome #5 hoop (11 overlapping positions, 125 x 140 mm) added to Editor. Embird supports these hoop in both horizontal and vertical position. - Vertical position is now supported for 125 x 90 mm hoop (for Elna, Janome #1 & #3 and New Home). - Horizontal position is now supported for 140 x 200 mm Janome MC10000 hoop. - Embird now supports Viking Designer 1 MidSize hoop (100 x 170 mm) in both vertical and horizontal position. - "Insert Basting Stitches" command added to Editor. You will find it in Insert Menu. Use basting stitches to stabilise the design when embroidering on fabrics with a pile or on knits and other unstable fabrics. - New thread catalogs added: ARC Polyester, ARC Rayon, Royal, Marathon Polyester, Marathon Rayon. - Isacord, Isafil, FuFu Polyester, FuFu Rayon, Robison-Anton Rayon, Robison-Anton Polyester thread catalogs revised. - Embird can create and convert to Brother .PHC files. - A new baseline 'WAVE 2' added to Insert Text dialog box. - A list of installed plug-ins added to HELP menu. Use this command to find out which Embird plug-ins are already installed on your computer and whether they are registered. Version 7.11 - Bug in Janome catalog fixed - Vermilion color. - Bug in resizing with density adjustment fixed. This bug has caused that the outlines were resized with long stitch length. Version 7.10 - Color Sfumato Stitch is now available as a plug-in for Embird Plus. This software will convert your color photo into a design automatically! Several free samples prepared with this technology are included with Embird Plus. You will find them in C:\EMBIRD32\FILES folder after installation. - Two new alphabets are available as plug-ins for Embird Plus. You can download them from http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/down.htm and install them into Embird Plus folder (usually C:\EMBIRD32). Then you can create lettering using Editor --> Insert --> Text command. - New 'Print & Stitch' feature added to Editor. An image can be selected as a background to embroidery design. This image can be resized and printed out (as mirror image) onto Iron-On transfer paper. This is then ironed onto a piece of material, cut out and then hooped for embroidery. A coordinating design is then stitched on top. Embird Editor simplifies this process. Please find more in Help and the tutorial at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm To find more information about this beautiful technology (but not about its implementation in Embird), please download the 'Chapter 3: Print' from http://www.vikingemnet.com. You will find it in 'Downloads -> Online Resources -> World Of Ditizing' section. You will also find some free designs prepared with this technology in 'Downloads -> Sample Galleries -> Print'. - New mode added to Editor: Points Editing Mode. This mode allows you to change the position of a single point, to delete a single point, to split the design on chosen point, to change the type of point (e.g. run to jump), and to insert/remove color stop. You can also add the alignment stitches to split designs. It is possible to select a single point or even a group of points and then apply the operation. You can also add several stitches to design using this mode (e.g. to cover the hole which might appear in your design after resizing). Find more information about this new mode in Help file - press F1 while running Embird. - Embird can resize a design with retaining of the original fill pattern. You will find this option in "Editor --> Options --> Stitch Density" dialog box. - New button added to Sew Simulator: Rewind. This button will rewind the simulation 3 seconds back in time. It depends on "Stitches Per Second" setting how many stitches will be unstitched. You can use this button together with Pause button: Pause the simulation, click on Rewind button and you will obtain the situation, which you had 3 seconds ago. It will be paused, so you can chan