EMBIRD - WHAT'S NEW ? ************************ Version 2022 Build 10.66 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Fixed "Access Violation Error" issue in Manager. ************************ Version 2022 Build 10.65 ************************ EDITOR ====== - New command "Insert > Emoji" added. It allows to insert chosen color emoji as background image, which might be enlarged and converted to stitches with a few clicks as shown in new tutorial "Create Emoji Design". - Menu command "Insert > Simple Outline Text" improved, creating smoother curves for chosen "current" TrueType font. - The "Fill Redwork" feature improved - many new fill patterns added. It is now possible to create "Two Colors" fills, and apply "Chain Diamond", "Chain Triangle" or "Triple Stitch" on the generated paths. - New command "Insert > Aligning Stitches > Small Cross on Start Point" added. These small crosses might be used to align sewn parts with the crosses of the same size transferred from printed template to fabric. - Fixed issue with opening .SVG, .CMX, .EMF, .WMF. CROSS STITCH PLUG-IN ==================== - New command "Insert > Emoji" added. It allows to insert selected color emoji as background image, which might be enlarged and converted to crosses with a few clicks as shown in new tutorial "Create Emoji Design". - New command "Insert > Raster Text" added. Use it to insert short text based on rasterized fonts. TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorials are now available at https://www.embird.net/machine-embroidery-tutorials: * Create Emoji Design - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/emoji/emoji.htm * Simple Outline Text - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/simpletext/simpletext.htm ************************ Version 2022 Build 10.64 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Fixed issue with printing Color Layers and tiny lettering. - Fixed issue with Auto-Split in Editor. - Fixed issue with deleting items in Stitch list in Editor. ************************ Version 2022 Build 10.63 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Fixed issue with launching of Embird Quick Searcher. ************************ Version 2022 Build 10.62 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Fixed minor issue with question about saving to .PES format. - Fixed issue with launching of Studio NEXT plug-in. EDITOR ====== - Fixed issue with "Delete" key shortcut. - New parameter affecting the shape of curves in Celtic Knots fill added. ************************ Version 2022 Build 10.60 ************************ IMPORTANT: Upgrade to Embird 2022 from previous versions of Embird (i.e. from Embird 2021 and older) is not free. The upgrade fee is $49 for registered users of Embird 2021 and more for users of older version. Please pay the upgrade fee at: https://www.embird.net/eshop.htm After successful payment you will receive a new MAIN PASSWORD for Embird 2022. The PLUG-IN REGISTRATION NUMBERS from ANY of previous version (Embird 2021 and older) ARE VALID also in Embird 2022. You do not need to pay for these plug-ins again. However, if you want to use these plug-ins with Embird 2022, you must upgrade to Embird 2022 to obtain the new main password for Embird 2022. GENERAL ======= - Main new feature are various Fills availalble in Editor - find out more below in "Editor" section. - Zoom scales revised. - New format added: .CSV (Comma Separated Values) - Embird is now capable to encode color palette also to formats which do not support real colors. For example, save your design as .DST with true colors, and other users with this latest version of Embird will view the design in correct visual sequence on their PCs. This relates to these formats: .10O (Toyota) .DSB (Tajima) .DST (Tajima) .DSZ (Tajima) .EXP (Melco) .EXY (Barudan) .FXY (Barudan) .INB (Inbro) .KSM (Pfaff) .NEW (Ameco) .SST (Sunstar SWF) .STC (Gunold) .T01 (Wilcom Tajima) .T03 (Wilcom Barudan) .T05 (Wilcom ZSK) .TAP (Happy) .UXY (Barudan) .ZXY (ZSK TC) - New quick predefined folders added: U,V,W,X,Y,Z - Support for cloud services added: * IceDrive * pCloud * MEGA * Sync MANAGER ======= - New option "Options > Documentation Options > Print Preview" added, allowing to switch ON the preview of printed documentation. - New option "Options > Automatically > View Latest Downloaded File" allows to automatically show files recently downloaded to either "Downloads" or current "right panel" folder. - New option "Options > Settings > Keep Parent/Descendant Track". Switch ON this option to keep the track of file edited in Embird. It allows to quickly locate the "Parent" or "Descendant" of chosen file. See also new tutorial mentioned below to find out more. - Two new buttons "<" (Parent) and ">" (Descendant) added to Right panel allow to quickly move from file "Parent" to file "Descendant" and vice-versa. - New button"Link" added to Right panel allows to specify the link to web from which the design was downloaded, or to some other file, or any other piece of information about file origin. See also new tutorial mentioned below to find out more. - New button "Save" added to Right panel allows to copy currently selected file to chosen location. - New button "Copy to Memory Card" added to Right panel allows to quickly access commands for writing selected files to various types of memory cards. - New button "Split" added to launch the design into Editor and automatically split it. - New buttons "<." and ".>" added to either quickly select all the files with the same filename (and different extensions), or to quickly select all the files with the same extension (and different names) as currently selected file. - New buttons with current date (day, month, day name) added to Right panel to allow to quickly create a new folder with name based on date data. - New buttons "^" (to Previous Sibling Folder) and "v" (to Next Sibling Folder) added to Right panel to allow to quickly browse to previous/next folder of same level in folder tree hierarchy. - New button "*" added to Right panel, allowing to scan and show the new files, i. e. the embroidery files which where added to current "right panel" folder and its sub-folders since the last use of this command. - New menu "Help > Welcome Text" added. Use this menu to show randomly chosen text, e.g. your favourite quote or joke. It is possible to specify also "http links" or "paths to local hard disk files", or to specify the folder with images and videos, and the randomly chosen one will be launched. - New menu "Help > Notes" added. Use this menu to quickly write down some notes, e.g. to-do list. It will launch default text editor with notes document. - New button "View File Full Screen" added to top panel with buttons. - New button "Slideshow" added to top panel with buttons. - New button "Sleep" added to top panel with buttons. It will launch screen saver with animation of currently selected design. EDITOR ====== - Double-click in Editor on empty area allows to fill this area, using various NEW filling options: * Quilt filling (Stipple, Scratches Vine, Branching, Nestled, Wanderer, Regular) * Fractal filling * Redwork filling * Celtic Knots filling See also new tutorials mentioned below to find out more about these new fills. - New sub-menu "Open Downloaded" added to "File" menu, allowing to quickly open recently dowhloaded files - e.g. a file from local folder dedicated to Downloads. - New command "Image > Surprise Me!" added. Use it to insert randomly generated image (shapes "Flower 1", "Flower 2", "Snowflake", "Rectangles", "Ellipses", "Floe", "Pavement", "Text", "Pixel text", "Clipart") and then convert this image to stitches using "Image > Convert to Stitches" commmand to quickly create new design. See also new tutorial mentioned below to find out more about. - New command "Image > Expand/Shrink Color Areas" added. Use it to expand (positive values) or shrink (negative values) color areas in background (randomly generated) image. - New command "Image > Redye" added. Use it to redye colors in background (randomly generated) image. - New command "Image > Convert to Stitches" added. Use it to recognize the contours in image and fill them using various fill options. - New command "Image > Mask With Designs" added. Use it to mask the background image with selected designs. Then convert the masked image to stitches to quickly create a new multi-color silhouette design. - Drag & drop colors in background image to change color areas. - Right click background image to choose the color of area from color dialog. - New menu items "Image > Undo" and "Image > Redo" allow to undo the last operation/redo the previously undone operation. - Set of new buttons added to Main Toolbar, allowing to quickly insert randomly generated image, alternate it, redye it, enlarge or decrease the font size (in case of "Text" or "Clipart" shape), and finally convert it either to contours (as Color outlines, or as Red outlines) or to convert whole areas to stitches and fill them using various fill options. See also new tutorial mentioned below to find out more about this new "Surprise Me!" feature. - New option "View > Stitch Number" added, use it to switch ON/OFF displaying of stitch number near middle point of each stitch. - New command "Insert > Simple Outline Text" added, allowing to quickly insert simple outline text. - New command "Insert > Simple Outline Text (Cross Stitch plug-in)" added, allowing to quickly insert simple outline text in Cross Stitch plug-in. - New command "Insert > Fractal" added. Use it to insert fractal design into Editor. See also new tutorial mentioned below to find out more about. - New command "Insert > Celtic Knots Text" added. Use it to insert short text based on Celtic Knots algorithm into Editor. See also new tutorial mentioned below to find out more about. - New options added to "Insert > Effect" dialog box: * Color rectangle * Circle * Color circle * Color plate * Color exterior * Color sleeve These command are similar to "Image > Mask With Designs" command - they mask the selected design with randomly created color background image to create a new multi-color design. - New commmand "Insert > Surprise Me!" added. Use it to quickly create randomly generated design ("Flower 1", "Flower 2", "Snowflake", "Pebble", "Pebbles", "Pavement", "Text", "Pixel text", "Clipart", "Simple Text") and insert it into Editor. See also new tutorial mentioned below to find out more about. SEW SIMULATOR ============= - Double-click on some stitch to see simulation process from this stitch. - Right-click to pause simulation. Right-click again to continue. - While the simulation is paused, depress CTRL key and left click to move forward, right click to rewind, middle click to finish. STUDIO PLUG-IN ============== - This release includes a completely new Studio NEXT Generation program in a testing version. It is accessible via Embird Editor > menu > Insert > Studio NEXT design. New Studio NEXT is faster (it utilizes multi-core CPUs) and has graphical user interface with adaptive rendering for different screens. Studio NEXT is compatible with Studio 2022 and previous versions and it is supposed to supersede them when the testing period is finished. FONT ENGINE PLUG-IN =================== - New switch "Preprocess" added (for "Unicode" mode). Use it to preprocess inserted text - for Arabic fonts, "curly" version of characters in some fonts, etc. - New buttons "Insert as BW Bitmap" and "Insert as Color Bitmap" added. Find them near to OK button. Use them to insert the text as bitmap (image) to Editor, and then process it with commands from "Image" menu. - New buttons "Insert as Celtic Knots text (monotone)" and "Insert as Color Knots text (2 colors)" added. Find them near to OK button. Use them to compile the inserted text with Celtic Knots algorithm. See also new tutorial mentioned below to find out more about. - New option "Circle Negative" is now available. CROSS STITCH PLUG-IN ==================== - It is now possible to compile the design with Celtic Knots algorithm instead of crosses. The dialog with compilation options is shown after selecting "File > Compile and Put into Embird Editor" menu. See also new tutorial mentioned below to find out more about. - New sub-menu "Open Downloaded" added to "File" menu, allowing to quickly open recently dowhloaded files - e.g. a file from local folder dedicated to Downloads. - New feature added to "Insert > Simple Outline Text" menu, allowing to create simple outline alphabet from any TrueType or OpenType font. (Double-click "current" item to change the font.) CHARTS ====== - New thread catalog Smart-Thread Multitalent 40 added. HOOPS ===== - New hoop added: * Bernina Midi Hoop (oval, 165 x 265 mm) - Vertical * Bernina Midi Hoop (oval, 265 x 165 mm) - Horizontal TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorials are now available at https://www.embird.net/machine-embroidery-tutorials: * Fractal Fill - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/fractal/fractal.htm * Quilt Fill - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/quilt/quilt.htm * Redwork Fill - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/redwork/redwork.htm * Celtic Knots Fill - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/celtic/celtic.htm * Monotone Contours - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/monotone/monotone.htm * Insert Fractal - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/insfractal/insfractal.htm * Surprise Me! - Create a new design with a few clicks - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/surprise/surprise.htm * Random Background Image - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/imgsurpr/imgsurpr.htm * Randomly Generated Design - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/inssurpr/inssurpr.htm * Link - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/link/link.htm * Parent/Descendant Track - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/parent/parent.htm * Welcome - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/welcome/welcome.htm ************************ Version 2021 Build 10.51 ************************ EDITOR ====== - Shortcut 'Del' used for deleting selected objects. - Fixed issue with zooming. CROSS STICH PLUG-IN =================== - Fixed rare issue with compiling files. ************************ Version 2021 Build 10.50 ************************ CROSS STICH PLUG-IN =================== - Fixed issue with saving files. ************************ Version 2021 Build 10.49 ************************ ICONIZER ======== - Fixed issue with freezing. ************************ Version 2021 Build 10.48 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Fixed issue with Janome RE36b hoop. - Fixed issue with "Design name:" in printed documentation. - BFC Poly thread catalog update. HOOPS ===== - New hoop for Janome MC550e added: * Janome MC550e ASQ18b (184 x 184 mm) ************************ Version 2021 Build 10.47 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Fixed issue with .QCC format. ICONIZER ======== - Fixed issue with closing File Explorer. ************************ Version 2021 Build 10.46 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Fixed issue with .PES format. - Fixed issue with .VP3 format. - Fixed issue with printing address. - New format "Quilting: Handi Quilter .HQV" added. - Support for Janome MB-7 added. - Support for mySewnet cloud added. MANAGER ======= - Fixed issue with zipping files. FONT ENGINE PLUG-IN =================== - Fixed issue with gaps between characters. CROSS STICH PLUG-IN =================== - Fixed issue with Brush and Spray. HOOPS ===== - New hoop added: * Pfaff Creative Grand Quilters Hoop, Viking Mega Quilters Hoop (260 x 260 mm) ************************ Version 2020 Build 10.44 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Fixed issue with .PES format. - Fixed issue with .VP3 format. - Fixed issue with PR-1000 Jumbo Frame. - Fixed issue with Pfaff Grand Dream Hoop and saving to separate .VIP files. - Fixed issue with Czech language. - Fixed issue with PIN activation for e-mail addresses containing periods. - Fixed issue with inserting Clock. - Several other minor issues fixed. ************************ Version 2020 Build 10.43 ************************ EDITOR ====== - fixed issue with "Prescribed Stitch Count" for re-sizing with density adjustment. - fixed issue with saving .PES file with Brother PR-1000 Frame (overlap, 360 x 360 mm) hoop setting. - The command "Insert > Fill And Outline Closed Contours" removed. The dialog with "Fill and/or Outline" options is shown for: * "Insert > Fill and/or Outline Closed Contours" menu * "Insert > Effect" menu * "Insert > Fabric Flattening Stitches" menu * "Edit > Set > Set Size (Recognize Contours and Refill Them)" menu * "Edit > Stitches > Contours" menu * "Edit > Stitches > Silhoutte Contours" menu * "Image > Convert to Contours" menu * color popup menu "Contours > Recognize Contours" * color popup menu "Contours > Change Fill Pattern" * color popup menu "Contours > Fill and/or Outline Closed Contours" * Double-click the cavity (empty area) in design - New sub-menu "Open Saved" added to "File" menu, allowing to quickly open recently saved file. CROSS STICH PLUG-IN =================== - New sub-menu "Open Saved" added to "File" menu, allowing to quickly open recently saved file. ************************ Version 2020 Build 10.42 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Fixed issue with .INF files for .EXP. - New 35 threads added to DMC thread catalog. MANAGER ======= - New feature added: Search-as-you-type It can instantly search for file in current directory (and its sub-directories) and show only those files which contain specified text. (The box for entering text is below the directory box, and is also in "File > Open" dialog box in Editor, and also in "Embird Commander"). EDITOR ====== - New command "Insert > Fill And Outline Closed Contours" allows to fill closed contours and also outline them. - Command "Insert > Fabric Flattening Stitches" now allows to insert only fill or fill with outline. - Right click on "Center" or "Set Position" buttons allows to prescribe the position of starting point (e.g. Left top, Bottom middle, etc.) - Fixed issue with "Insert > Tie On/Off Stitches" command. - Fixed issue with "Edit > Auto Repeat" command. - Fixed issue with "Delete" key shortcut. ICONIZER ======== - Fixed issue with type icons not being shown in Explorer. - The option "Exclude Cloud Files" was removed from "Iconizer Settings" dialog. Embird can recognize cloud files which are on-demand. ************************ Version 2020 Build 10.41 ************************ - Fixed issue with expiring Activation. - Fixed issue with TWAIN scanner in 64-bit version. MANAGER ======= - Fixed issue with arrow buttons (previous/next) for folder history. EDITOR ====== - "Show hoop" and "Show Begin" settings are now always set to ON for printing in Editor. - "Edit > Colors > Sort Colors" menu added (restored). ************************ Version 2020 Build 10.40 ************************ EDITOR ====== - Issue with printing the number and crosshair in the middle of each design fixed. - Issue with backward compatibility of .EEF files fixed. - Larger node handles in Points Editing Mode. LETTERING ========= - Issue with openining FontEngine .LTG file fixed. CROSS STICH PLUG-IN =================== - Issue with drawing in Density Map and XRay view mode fixed. - Printed documentation will contain also Logo and Address, if switched ON in Manager and there is enough space to print it. ************************ Version 2020 Build 10.39 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Issue with saving to .QLI fixed. - Issue with design icons in "Input/Output Operations" dialog boxes fixed. CROSS STICH PLUG-IN =================== - New option "Outside Outermost only" added to dialog box which appears when inserting outlines. HOOPS ===== - New hoops for Janome MC550e added: * Janome MC550e RE36b (200 x 360 mm) - Vertical * Janome MC550e RE36b (360 x 200 mm) - Horizontal CHARTS ====== - New thread catalog coFEE Polyester added. ************************ Version 2020 Build 10.38 ************************ MANAGER ======= - New option "Options > Automatically > Automatically Create Documentation Files (*.jpeg) for Cloud" added, allowing to switch ON the creation of .jpeg documentation file for every design being saved to Cloud folder. This might be helpful when acccessing e.g. OneDrive cloud design from Android device - it allows to see the content of the design file in corresponding .jpeg image file. ************************ Version 2020 Build 10.37 ************************ - Embird Spider 1.1 allows to create also web with relative file paths. - Issue with "Double-click to fill image" and "Fill Closed Contours" in Editor fixed. - Issue with popup menu in "Freehand Select Mode" in Editor fixed. - Issue with "Insert Simple Text" in Cross Stitch plug-in fixed. ************************ Version 2020 Build 10.36 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Increased speed of 3D preview - PIN registration: It is now possible to quickly insert all purchased passwords into Embird using e-mail address and PIN pair, delivered in e-mail. Run Embird, select "Help > Registration" menu and enter e-mail address and PIN obtained in e-mail. Of course, old way of inserting passwords still works. - Support for saving PES version 11.0 added. - Predefined folders are now available for various operations, allowing to easily specify location and switch between folders. For example: * when converting designs it is possible to select the target folder for saving new files, * when opening design in Editor it is possible to select the start folder for File Open dialog, * when saving design in Editor it is possible to select the start folder for File Save dialog, etc. (It is possible to switch OFF this offer - unselect the check box "Show this screen when opening/saving files" in the left bottom corner of the dialog.) - New option "Insert needle codes" added to "Choose Format" dialog (which is shown before converting and saving designs), allowing to automatically assign Needle codes in the design. These codes are used only in some embroidery formats (e.g. .DSB, .DSZ, .KSM). - New application "Embird Spider" is now included in installation file of Embird. It allows to prepare simple local web containing preview images and basic information about designs stored on hard disk. See more in tutorial "Embird Spider". MANAGER ======= - New buttons "Favorite" and "Show Favourites" added to Right panel. Use the first one to add the selected file to the favourites list, and the second one to display the list of Favourites. - New buttons "Previous" and "Next" added to Right panel. Use them to display the previous/next shown design. - New type of documentation "Right Panel > Export > Export HTML Documentation" allows to export .ZIP file containing zipped documentation (.jpg thumbnail images and index.htm file with designs information) of selected designs, located either in current folder or for all designs in current folder and its sub-folders. - New functions "Copy Files" (key F5), "Move Files" (key F6) and "Create Shortcuts" (key F9) added to "Right Panel > Predefined Folders" menu. Use them to quickly copy/move/create shortcuts of selected files to predefined folders. - New settings added: "Options > Cloud > Use OneDrive Folder for Cloud Operations" "Options > Cloud > Use Google Drive Folder for Cloud Operations" "Options > Cloud > Use iCloud Drive Folder for Cloud Operations" "Options > Cloud > Use Dropbox Folder for Cloud Operations" "Options > Cloud > Use Other Folder for Cloud Operations" These settings allow to set specific folder for Cloud Operations - after click to "Cloud" button in Manager it will show Embird File Commander with Cloud folder focused at the left side of the screen. Use it to quickly copy/move designs to Cloud Storage (i.e. to dedicated local folder). - If some Cloud is selected, and a design from Cloud folder is being processed in Embird (e.g. shown in Manager, or edited in Editor, etc.), the color of window is changed to emphasize the Cloud: * Blue color in case of OneDrive Cloud * Yellow color in case of Google Drive Cloud * Green color in case of iCloud Drive Cloud * Magenta color in case of Dropbox Cloud * Pink color in case of Other Cloud - New button "Open from Cloud" added to main toolbar, allowing to select and view design from Cloud folder (without need to browse to this special folder manually.) - New button "Print to PDF" added to main toolbar, allowing to print the active document to .PDF file. (It is supposed that virtual .PDF printer is installed.) - Four new buttons "To Downloads Folder", "To Cloud Folder", "To Desktop Folder" and "To Documents Folder" allow to quickly switch the current folder. - Two new buttons "To Previous Folder" and "To Next Folder" allow to quickly browse through history of recently used folders. - New option "Options > Documentation Options > Print Contours Only" added. If ON, only the contours of each color are printed instead of whole area covered by stitches. - New option "Options > Documentation Options > Add QR Code" added. If ON, the QR code with information about design (name, size, stitch count, color changes), thread list add your address (if specified) is added to printed documentation. - New option "Options > Automatically > Automatically Add Design Information to File Name" added. If ON, the design information (its size, stitch count, number of colors and thread changes) is automatically added to file name of each newly created file in Manager and in Editor. - New option "Options > Automatically > Automatically Add Documentation Type to File Name" added. If ON, the documentation type (e.g. single doc, medium doc, etc.) is automatically added to file name of exported .jpg documentation. - New option "Options > Show > Show Extra Buttons" added. If ON, the extra buttons (Explorer, Doc, Cloud, Commander, Email, Zip, Clipboard and Menu) are shown in dialog box informing about creation of new files - e.g. after converting designs or saving in Editor. Use these buttons to quickly handle the new files. - After performing some operation in Manager such as converting designs, zipping files, exporting documentation, copy/paste files, etc. it is now possible to quickly select the new files (for next operation) by click on button "Select marked files" (with asterix "*" icon) on the Right panel. - New setting "Settings > File Open and Save Dialogs with Preview" added, allowing to switch between normal file open/save dialogs (OFF state) and dialogs with Preview (ON state). Use the OFF state to easily access special virtual folders (This Computer, One Drive, Documents, etc.), but without Preview. - It is now possible to add "job card" to printed or exported documentation. Switch ON the "Options > Documentation Options > Add Job Card" option to add it to the bottom of the printed page. - It is now possible to add QR code to printed or exported documentation. Find more info about QR codes at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code EDITOR ====== - Double-click the cavity (empty area) in design to fill it with stitches of chosen pattern. - New command "Edit > Set > Set Size (Recognize Contours and Refill Them)" added. It can recognize contours in selected objects, resize and refill them with a new fill pattern. - New command "Edit > Stitches > Contours" added, allowing to convert selected objects to contours. - New command "Edit > Stitches > Silhouette Contours" added, allowing to convert selected objects to silhoutte contours. Use it to prepare .SVG or .FCM file for cutting machine. - New command "Contours > Recognize Contours" added to popup menu which appears after right click on Object's color. It can recognize contours of selected color and insert as a new object. - New command "Contours > Change Fill Pattern" added to popup menu which appears after right click on Object's color. It can change fill pattern in area of selected color. - Named "Undo" and "Redo" operations. - New button "Save to Cloud" added to main toolbar, allowing to save the active document to Cloud folder (without need to browse to this special folder manually.) - If the filename of design being saved contains word "cloud", (e.g. select "File > Save As" and choose "rose cloud.dst" as a filename), it will be automatically saved to chosen folder, and also to all available cloud folders (i.e. to OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud Drive, Dropbox and "Other Cloud" folder.) - New button "Show System Context Menu" added to main toolbar, allowing to perform some action (e.g. Create Desktop Shortcut) on currently edited file. - New button "Print to PDF" added to main toolbar, allowing to print the active document to .PDF file. (It is supposed that virtual .PDF printer is installed.) - New button "Favourite" added to main toolbar, allowing to add the currently edited file to the favourites list. - New sub-menu "Open Favourite" added to "File" menu, allowing to quickly open file which was marked as favorite. - New sub-menu "Open Cloud" added to "File" menu, allowing to quickly open recently used cloud file - e.g. a file from local folder dedicated to OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud Drive or Dropbox. - The sub-menus "File > Open Recent", "File > Open Favourite", "File > Open Cloud" and "Image > Open Recent" are now capable of displaying small preview icon in the menu. (Only when the "Right Panel > Preview Files" option is ON in Manager). - New command "Print Template without Texts (selected Only)" added allows to print template of selected objects only. - New button "Sleep" added to main toolbar. Use it to put open document on hard disk and close application, allowing to quickly resume later. - New command "Insert > Cross Stitch Design (Design as Background Image)" added. Use it create new design in Embird Cross Stitch, starting with background image of selected object. After launching this image into Embird Cross Stitch, use "Image > Autodigtize Crosses from Image" menu. - New command "Insert > Surprise Me!" added. Use it to insert randomly chosen filled object of random color. - It is now possible to split design by simple click on "Split" button, without need to manually select some area. It will separate "regions" of design (isolated parts of design connected with Jump stitches). In case there are no regions, it will separate all colors. - Lasso tool added to "Freehand Select Mode", allowing to select stitches for splitting. Press "ALT" key and then push and hold down the left mouse button while dragging it around stitches which should be selected. - If you hold down "CTRL" key while double-clicking the Work Area to close the freehand selection polygon (lasso), it will select only complete regions which are inside this selection polygon. - It is now possible to insert/remove "Borer" codes in Editor - right click some item in the list at the right bottom screen corner and select the command from popup menu. (Borer codes are supported only in ZSK TC .ZXY file format.) - It is now possible to insert/remove "Clamp Inversion" code in Editor - right click some item in the list at the right bottom screen corner and select the command from popup menu. (Clamp Inversion codes are supported only in Juki .M1, .M2 and .M3 file formats.) - New option "View > Small Color Chips" added, allowing to change the view mode of color chips on Objects Order Bar. SEW SIMULATOR ============= - If you hold down the CTRL key and press keys 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 or 0, it will move the stitch pointer to 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 100%. CROSS STICH PLUG-IN =================== - Named "Undo" and "Redo" operations. - Feature allowing to create new cross stitch design from other design added. - New button "Save to Cloud" added to main toolbar, allowing to save the active document to Cloud folder (without need to browse to this special folder manually.) - New button "Show System Context Menu" added to main toolbar, allowing to perform some action (e.g. Create Desktop Shortcut) on currently edited file. - New button "Print to PDF" added to main toolbar, allowing to print the active document to .PDF file. (It is supposed that virtual .PDF printer is installed.) - New button "Favourite" added to main toolbar, allowing to add the currently edited file to the favourites list. - New menu "Replace with Catalog" added to popup menu which appears after right-click on any color in palette. Use it to replace colors in palette with chosen thread catalog. - New sub-menu "Open Favourite" added to "File" menu, allowing to quickly open file which was marked as favorite. - New sub-menu "Open Cloud" added to "File" menu, allowing to quickly open recently used cloud file - e.g. a file from local folder dedicated to OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud Drive or Dropbox. - The sub-menus "File > Open Recent", "File > Open Favourite", "File > Open Cloud" are now capable of displaying small preview icon in the menu. (Only when the "Right Panel > Preview Files" option is ON in Manager). - New button "Sleep" added to main toolbar. Use it to put open document on hard disk and close application, allowing to quickly resume later. ICONIZER ======== - New option "Exclude Cloud Files" added to "Iconizer Settings" dialog box. Use it to disable Iconizer for cloud files (e.g. files stored in local folders dedicated to OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud Drive or Dropbox). - Print design template from "Quick View" window and also from "Embird Iconizer" property sheet shown in "Properties" dialog box. - Zip design in "Quick View" window and also in "Embird Iconizer" property sheet shown in "Properties" dialog box. - Mark design as Favourite in "Quick View" window and also from "Embird Iconizer" property sheet shown in "Properties" dialog box. - Copy design full path to Clipboard in "Quick View" window and also from "Embird Iconizer" property sheet shown in "Properties" dialog box. - Invoke sending of design in attachment of e-mail from "Quick View" window and also from "Embird Iconizer" property sheet shown in "Properties" dialog box. THREAD CATALOGS =============== - New thread catalog added: Exquisite Poly HOOPS ===== - New hoops were added: * Brother Luminaire XP1 Square Hoop (272 x 272 mm) * Brother Luminaire XP1 Hoop (272 x 408 mm) - Vertical * Brother Luminaire XP1 Hoop (408 x 272 mm) - Horizontal TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorials ares now available at https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.htm: * Change Fill Pattern - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/changefill/changefill.htm * Double-click to Fill Empty Area in Editor - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/dblclicktofill/dblclicktofill.htm * Embird Cross Stitch - Create Cross Stitch Design from Other Design - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/xconvert/xconvert.htm * Embird Spider - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/spider/spider.htm * Favourite Designs - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/favourite/favourite.htm * Predefined Folders - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/predefined/predefined.htm * Quick Registration with PIN in Embird 2020 - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/pin/pin.htm * Replace Stitches with Contours - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/contours/contours.htm ************************ Version 2019 Build 10.35 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Dashed jump stitches in 3D view mode. - Fixed issue with Pfaff .SPX format. - Fixed issue with Property Sheet icon handler. - Fixed issue with transparent .PNG file. ************************ Version 2018 Build 10.34 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Fixed issues with .VP4 format. - Fixed issues with .QLI format. - Fixed issues in "Digitizing Tools" plug-in. EDITOR ====== - New type of effect "Cavity" added to command "Insert > Effect" menu. Use it to create fill cavities in selected object with chosen fill pattern. HOOPS ===== - New hoops were added: * Viking Imperial Hoop (360 x 260 mm) - Horizontal * Viking Imperial Hoop (260 x 360 mm) - Vertical ************************ Version 2018 Build 10.33 ************************ - Fixed issues in "Digitizing Tools" plug-in. ************************ Version 2018 Build 10.32 ************************ - Fixed issue with "Auto-Split" command in Editor. - Fixed issue with "Auto-Join" command in Editor. - Fixed issues in "Digitizing Tools" plug-in. ************************ Version 2018 Build 10.31 ************************ EDITOR ====== - New command "Insert > Fabric Flattening Stitches" allows to insert flattening stitches to avoid thin lettering sinking into the soft fabric. - New type of effect "Rounded Rectangle" added to command "Insert > Effect" menu. Use it to create flattening stitches in the form of rectangle with round corners. TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorials ares now available at https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.htm: * Insert Fabric Flattening Stitches - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/flattening/flattening.htm * How to Use Embird for Windows on Mac (OS X) with Wine - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/wine/wine_embird.htm * Smart Color Sort - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/clrsort/clrsort.htm ************************ Version 2018 Build 10.30 ************************ - Enhanced support for high-DPI displays (4K). - Fixed issue with missing Alphabets plug-ins in Studio plug-in. ************************ Version 2018 Build 10.29 ************************ - Fixed issue with printing of color layers. - Fixed issue with restoring default fill and outline parameters in Font Engine plug-in. ************************ Version 2018 Build 10.28 ************************ IMPORTANT: Upgrade to Embird 2018 from previous versions of Embird (i.e. from Embird 2012-2017 and older) is not free. The upgrade fee is $35 for registered users of Embird 2012-2017 and more for users of older version. Please pay the upgrade fee at: https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/register.htm After successful payment you will receive a new MAIN PASSWORD for Embird 2018. The PLUG-IN REGISTRATION NUMBERS from ANY of previous version (Embird 2012-2017, Embird 2008/2010, Embird 2006, Embird 2003/2004, Embird Plus and Embird) ARE VALID also in Embird 2018. You do not need to pay for these plug-ins again. However, if you want to use these plug-ins with Embird 2018, you must upgrade to Embird 2018 to obtain the new main password for Embird 2018. GENERAL ======= - Basic Embird program now allows to quickly digitize simple designs - just by double-click on the image in background in Editor. Find more details below in "EDITOR" section. - New free designs included with Embird. - New format .ZHS (Zeng Hsing) is now supported in Embird. MANAGER ======= - If you double-click some color of design shown on Middle Panel, the popup menu appears for this color allowing to make operation with this color - change it, choose new from thread catalog, etc. - If you send some design using "Right Panel > Internet > Send Files in Attachment of E-mail", it is now possible to switch ON "Add Thumbnail Image" option. This will attach small preview thumbnail image of design being sent, together with description of its properties - size, stitch count, color count, thread changes, etc. Tip: Send such an e-mail to your own e-mail address, which is accesible via web (e.g to your account at gmail.com) and you will have your design file available on any device which has access to your email account. This way it is possible to build whole archive (and back-up) of your designs in your web e-mail box. - New option added: "Options > Settings > Automatically Send Files in Attachment of E-mail". If ON, the e-mail is automatically composed whenever a new file is being saved in Embird - e.g. after saving in Editor, or converting design in Manager. EDITOR ====== - If you double-click some color of design shown on work area, the popup menu appears for this color allowing to make operation with this color - change it, choose new from thread catalog, delete it, separate, split before or after, etc. - If you import an image to Editor via "Image > Open" menu, and you double-click some area of solid color in this image, the contours of this area would be recognized and it is possible to fill them with stitches. It is possible to create brand new designs in Editor with several double-clicks. No other Embird plug-in registration is required for this operation. Find more details in new tutorial "Double-click to Stitch in Editor". - If you send some design using "File > Send in Attachment of E-mail", it is now possible to switch ON "Add Thumbnail Image" option. This will attach small preview thumbnail image of design being sent, together with description of its properties - size, stitch count, color count, thread changes, etc. - New command "Insert > Effect" added to Editor. See tutorial "Insert Effect" to find more information. - Menu "Insert > Basting Stitches" now allows to insert various types of basting stitches - ellipse, circle, etc. See tutorial "Fill Closed Contours (advanced)". - New command "Image > Convert to Contours" added. - New commands "Edit > Split/Join > Separate All Colors" and "Edit > Split/Join > Separate All Items" added, allowing to separate either all colors in selected design, or all items (split on every jump, trim and color change code). CROSS STICH PLUG-IN =================== - Now it is possible to Insert Outline and Insert Cross Outline only inside, only outside, or to both sides. TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorials ares now available at https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.htm: * Double-click to Stitch in Editor - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/dblclicktostitch/dblclicktostitch.htm * Insert Effect - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/inseffect/effect.htm * Fill Closed Contours (advanced) - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/contour2/contour2.htm * Send Files in Attachment of E-mail (revised) - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/sendmail/sendmail.htm * Double-click to change color in Manager - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/dblclickmanager/dblclickmanager.htm * Double-click to change color in Editor - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/dblclickeditor/dblclickeditor.htm HOOPS ===== - New hoops were added (for .ZHS format): * Zeng Hsing HS10 40 x 40 mm * Zeng Hsing HS20 100 x 100 mm * Zeng Hsing HR30 170 x 110 mm - Horizontal * Zeng Hsing HR30 110 x 170 mm - Vertical * Zeng Hsing HR40 250 x 160 mm - Horizontal * Zeng Hsing HR40 160 x 250 mm - Vertical * Zeng Hsing HR50 305 x 160 mm - Horizontal * Zeng Hsing HR50 160 x 305 mm - Vertical ************************ Version 2017 Build 10.25 ************************ - Printing bug fixed. - Several minor bugs fixed. ************************ Version 2017 Build 10.24 ************************ MANAGER ======= - New option "Options > Documentation Options > Preselect PDF Printer if Installed" added. If switched ON, it automatically selects PDF printer from the list of available printers to create .PDF documenation instead of printing. - New option "Options > Settings > Automatically Print to PDF File (*.pdf)" added. If ON, the selected type of documentation is printed to .PDF file whenever new file is saved in Embird - e.g. after saving in Editor, or converting design Manager. - New option "Options > Settings > View Last File on Startup" added, allowing to automatically view the last file displayed in Embird from the last session. - Commands "Right Panel > Print > Print Thread List" and "Right Panel > Print > Print Color Layers" now print documentation with logo and address information. EDITOR ====== - New option "Options > Add Aligning Stitches Automatically" added, allowing to automatically add aligning stitches after splitting of object. - New command "Insert > Aligning Stitches on Chosen Point" added, allowing to click any point on Work Area to prescribe aligning point for selected objects. - New command "Insert > Small Cross" added, allowing to insert small cross on Work Area, which might be used for aligning, etc. THREAD CATALOGS =============== - New thread catalogs added: Gunold Poly, Gunold Silk, Gunold Sulky, Gunold Filaine, Gunold COTTY, Gunold COTTY-Zusatz. - New thread catalog added: Sulky PolyDeco. - Thread catalog Sulky Rayon revised. ************************ Version 2016 Build 10.23 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Fix to Siruba .PLT format. - Fix to "Insert/Remove Codes" dialog in Editor. EDITOR ====== - New command "Open Closed Contours in Cross Stitch" added. It will launch Cross Stitch plug-in with contours on work area - it is possible to fill the contours and then compile to get back to Editor. - New option "Projection" is now available on "Layout" tab in "Insert > Insert Text", "Insert > Insert Font Engine Text", "Insert > Insert Ready-made Alphabet Text" and "Edit > Set > Set Envelope" dialog boxes. It allows to project the design either to sphere or vertical and horizontal cylinders. Use it to create 3D effect of the fill. ************************ Version 2016 Build 10.22 ************************ GENERAL ======= - PES Version 10.0 is now supported in Embird. - Now it is possible to write PES files (version 4.0 and above) with design information: * Design Name * Category * Author * Keywords * Comments - Fix to PES format versions 8.0 and 9.0. - Fix to Ultimate Box+ dialog box - Pfaff 2140 cards. - Fix to VIP format - showing colors. - Fix to problem with running on PC with Windows XP. - New thread chart added: Fil-Tec Glide HOOPS ===== - New hoops were added: * Brother Clamp Frame (45 x 24 mm) - Horizontal * Brother Clamp Frame (24 x 45 mm) - Vertical * Brother 60 x 40 mm - Horizontal * Brother 40 x 60 mm - Vertical * Brother Compact Frame (44 x 38 mm) - Horizontal * Brother Compact Frame (38 x 44 mm) - Vertical * Brother Compact Frame (50 x 50 mm) * Brother Compact Frame (70 x 41 mm) - Horizontal * Brother Compact Frame (41 x 70 mm) - Vertical * Brother Compact Frame (33 x 75 mm) - Vertical * Brother Compact Frame (75 x 33 mm) - Horizontal * Brother Sleve Frame (70 x 200 mm) - Vertical * Brother Sleve Frame (200 x 70 mm) - Horizontal * Brother Round Frame (100 mm) * Brother Round Frame (130 mm) * Brother Round Frame (160 mm) ************************ Version 2016 Build 10.21 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Fixed bug appearing on Embird launch - opening designs from Windows Explorer. - Fixed bug appearing on Vista and Windows 7 - elevating application. EDITOR ====== - Fixed bug in "Fill Closed Contours" command. - Ready-made Alphabets can now be mapped to Unicode characters. ************************ Version 2016 Build 10.20 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Fixed bug in Sew Simulator - slow stitch drawing. - Fixed bug in Fong Engine - slow loading of fonts. ************************ Version 2016 Build 10.19 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Many controls in dialogs box are automatically enlarged in case of large DPI displays. This allows to use many of Embird features on touch screen computers and Windows 10 tablets without mouse and keyboard. MANAGER ======= - New setting "Options > Settings > Use OneDrive Folder for Cloud Operations" allows to set the OneDrive folder for Cloud Operations - after click to "Cloud" button in Manager it will show Embird File Commander with OneDrive folder focused at the left side of the screen. Use it to quickly copy/move designs to Microsoft OneDrive Cloud Storage. - New setting "Options > Settings > Automatically Save Files also to Other Folder" allows to select a folder into which the copy of every newly created/edited file is saved. If OneDrive folder is chosen for this operation, modified file is automatically saved also to OneDrive folder on hard disk. Windows will automatically transfer it to Cloud - thus making it possible to use it on other (mobile) devices accessing the same Microsoft OneDrive Cloud Storage. - If you select some files in "Files" box in Manager, and long press the left mouse button on "Quick folder 0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRST" buttons, or on the "Cloud" button, it will show a popup menu allowing to copy/move selected files to that location or to Microsoft OneDrive Cloud Storage. - If you select some files in "Files" box in Manager, and long press the left mouse button on "Mask" buttons (hus, pes, vip, sew, etc.), it will show a popup menu allowing to convert selected files to that format. EDITOR ====== - New command "Fill Closed Contours" added to color popup menu and also to "Insert" main menu in Editor. It will fill closed contours with stitches. This might be helpfull if you want to flatten the fabric before the selected object (color) is stitched. - New command "Stitch Closed Contour" added to "Insert" main menu in Editor. It will stitch out the contour created in Freehand select mode. Draw the contour which you normally use for splitting but select this command instead of "Split" command. Use the other new command "Fill Closed Contours" to fill it with stitches. ICONIZER PLUG-IN ================ - Preview handler added to Iconizer plug-in, allowing to see the preview of design in any open and save dialog in Windows. ************************ Version 2016 Build 10.18 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Embird is now able to process the new Gunold .STC format. It will convert to and also from this format. ************************ Version 2016 Build 10.17 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Embird is now able to process the new Pfaff .VP4 format. It will convert to and also from this format. - Fixed bug in .FCM format. - Fixed bug in Iconizer for processing .SVG files and .EMB files. - Fixed bug in Alphabet and Font Engine plug-in causing stacking of objects. EDITOR ====== - Support for Janome Cutwork Needles 1-4 and Viking Cutwork Needles 1-4 added to color popup menu in Editor. ************************ Version 2015 Build 10.16 ************************ - Fixed bug with slow closing of previous Build 10.15 ************************ Version 2015 Build 10.15 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Several bugs fixed. - New format added: "Quilting: Shirley Stitcher, Quilt Magician .QCC" - Embird can show stitches saved in (some) Quilting QBOT .4QB files. It cannot write (convert to) .4QB. HOOPS ===== - New hoops were added: * Janome MC500e RE28b Hoop (200 x 280 mm) - Vertical * Janome MC500e RE28b Hoop (280 x 200 mm) - Horizontal * Janome MC500e RE20b Hoop (140 x 200 mm) - Vertical * Janome MC500e RE20b Hoop (200 x 140 mm) - Horizontal * Janome MC500e SQ20b Hoop (200 x 200 mm) * Janome MC500e SQ14b Hoop (140 x 140 mm) * Janome MC500e RE10b Hooop (100 x 40 mm) - Horizontal * Janome MC500e RE10b Hooop (40 x 100 mm) - Vertical ************************ Version 2015 Build 10.14 ************************ EDITOR ======= - Fixed bug in "Creating Applique Cutting File (.FCM or .SVG)" routine related to "inflating". ************************ Version 2015 Build 10.13 ************************ MANAGER ======= - Fixed bug in Export thumbnails routine. TUTORIAL ======== - New tutorial "Creating Applique Cutting File (.FCM or .SVG)" at http://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/saveaplq/saveaplq.htm ************************ Version 2015 Build 10.12 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Added support for Brother .FCM and Scalable Vector Graphics .SVG files intended for cutting fabrics. EDITOR ====== - New commands added to popup menu which appears after right-clicking color box at the right side of the screen. These new commands in "Special Colors" sub-menu allow to select special "applique material", "applique position" and "applique" colors for .PES and .PEC files. - New command "Save Cutting File (*.fcm, *.svg)" added to popup menu which appears after right-clicking color box at the right side of the screen. It allows to export selected color to either .SVG or .FCM file for cutting machine. ************************ Version 2015 Build 10.11 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Fixed bug in Hoop-It-All saving routine in Editor. - Fixed bug in Scan fonts routine in Font Engine plug-in. - Fixed bug in Save dialog box in Cross Stitch plug-in. ************************ Version 2015 Build 10.10 ************************ GENERAL ======= - Fixed problem with running in Windows XP. *********************** Version 2015 Build 10.9 *********************** GENERAL ======= - Fixed bug appearing when closing Embird window. - Fixed bug appearing when switching to Editor window. - Fixed bug in routine for saving .PES files. - Fixed bug in routine for exporting to Designer 1 USB drive. - New thread chart: Emmel *********************** Version 2015 Build 10.8 *********************** ICONIZER ======== - Fixed bug in routine for displaying images and vector files. *********************** Version 2015 Build 10.7 *********************** GENERAL ======= - Fixed bug in .PES color palette. - Fixed bug in .XXX format. EDITOR ====== - More colors are shown when enlarging Object order bar. *********************** Version 2015 Build 10.6 *********************** GENERAL ======= - Fixed bug in routine for saving to Barudan .CF card, and exporting to several formats (.EXY,.UXY,.FXY). *********************** Version 2015 Build 10.5 *********************** GENERAL ======= - Fixed bug in routine for saving .PES files. EDITOR ====== - Number of color boxes shown at the right side of screen increased to 20. HOOPS ===== - New hoops were added: * Bernina Maxi Hoop (210 x 400 mm) - Vertical * Bernina Maxi Hoop (400 x 210 mm) - Horizontal *********************** Version 2015 Build 10.4 *********************** GENERAL ======= - Embird now supports Azure and Amazon cloud storage. New menu "Cloud" was added to main toolbar for accessing the cloud storage. - Embird File Commander was added. It allows to copy, move, delete, zip, split and combine files. Use the icon with floppy disk icon located above the "Files" box at right panel in Manager to launch Embird File Commander. - Fixed bug in routine for saving .PES Type 9 files. - New thread charts: * Madeira Matt, * Simthread Rayon, * Simthread Polyester, * Sigma HOOPS ===== - New hoops were added: * Brother Square Hoop (150 x 150 mm) * Brother Dream Machine (240 x 360 mm) - Vertical * Brother Dream Machine (360 x 240 mm) - Horizontal * Janome AQ (120 x 180 mm) - Vertical * Janome AQ (180 x 120 mm) - Horizontal * Janome ASQ (180 x 180 mm) * Janome ASQ22 (220 x 220 mm) * Janome RE20a (170 x 200 mm) - Vertical * Janome RE20a (200 x 170 mm) - Horizontal * Janome T6 (78 x 168 mm) - Vertical * Janome T6 (168 x 78 mm) - Horizontal * Janome H1 (100 x 90 mm) - Horizontal * Janome H1 (90 x 100 mm) - Vertical * Janome S1 (37 x 59 mm) - Vertical * Janome S1 (59 x 37 mm) - Horizontal * Janome S2 (28 x 50 mm) - Vertical * Janome S2 (50 x 28 mm) - Horizontal * Janome J1 (round, 30 mm) * Janome J2 (24 x 54 mm) - Vertical * Janome J2 (54 x 24 mm) - Horizontal * Janome J3 (64 x 28 mm) - Horizontal * Janome J3 (28 x 64 mm) - Vertical * Janome J4 (42 x 67 mm) - Vertical * Janome J4 (67 x 42 mm) - Horizontal * Janome J5 (46 x 46 mm) * Janome J6 (66 x 66 mm) * Janome J7 (110 x 95 mm) - Horizontal * Janome J7 (95 x 110 mm) - Vertical * Janome J8 (120 x 121 mm) - Vertical * Janome J8 (121 x 120 mm) - Horizontal * Janome MC15000 Essential RE 18 Hoop (140 x 180 mm) - Vertical * Janome MC15000 Essential RE 18 Hoop (180 x 140 mm) - Horizontal *********************** Version 2013 Build 10.3 *********************** GENERAL ======= - Internal system of handling files improved, whole program runs faster now. MANAGER ======= - New command "Uninstall" added to "Help" menu, allowing to uninstall Embird. - New option "Show Suggestions" added to "Options > Show" menu, allowing to switch on/off the displaying of suggestions which appear during design conversion process. - New option "Show Ghost Stitches" added to "Options > Show" menu, allowing to switch on/off the displaying of design in "ghost" color in "Layers" documentation. EDITOR ====== - Lasso tool added to "Points Editing Mode", allowing to select points in edited area. Press ALT key and then click and hold down the left mouse button while dragging it around points which should be selected. *********************** Version 2013 Build 10.0 *********************** MANAGER ======= - New command "Sort Photos" added to "Right Panel > Image Operations" menu. It allows to quickly sort selected folders with digital photos. The sorting algorithm uses "date taken" information stored in digital photo file. - The "Right Panel > Export > Export Convertible File" now exports .exe file which is capable also to write to non-standard floppy disks, to embroidery cards (using Ultimate Box hardware) and USB memory keys. It also capable of sending design via serial link. - New option "Color Palette > Snap Colors to Chosen Catalog" added. If ON, each color in design and newly selected color is converted to nearest color from chosen thread catalog. EDITOR ====== - New command in Editor "Insert > Ready-made Alphabet Text" allows you to load whole 3rd party ready-made alphabet and write words easily while using all other features of alphabet interface - moving along chosen baseline, gap adjustment, individual character moving/rotating/enlarging/skewing/mirroring, envelope, etc. Find more in new tutorial "Lettering 5 (Ready-made Alphabets)". - New menu "Edit > Rotate > Rotate To Fit Selected Hoop" allows you to rotate selected objects to fit selected hoop. ICONIZER PLUG-IN ================ - Iconizer plug-in is now capable of drawing 3D previews of designs. There is a new option "3D Drawing" in "Options > Iconizer Settings menu". - New option "Color List" allows you to switch ON/OFF the drawing of color list. This list contains all design colors and is shown at the left side of large thumbnail. TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorial is now available at http://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.htm: * Installing Embird 2012 in Windows 8 * Lettering 5 (Ready-made Alphabets) * Sorting Photos ********************** Version 2012 Build 9.0 ********************** - Fixed bug introduced in Build 8.0, causing that Font Engine reports error "List index out of bounds." ********************** Version 2012 Build 8.0 ********************** MANAGER ======= - New thread charts was added: Metro - Embird is now capable of uploading designs to Tajima embroidery machine, new option was added to "Right Panel > Input/Output Operations > Port Connection to Embroidery Machine" menu. CROSS STITCH PLUG-IN ==================== - New type added: pixel stitch - available as horizontal or vertical. It will fill the cell in the grid with stitches. Available also as 1/2 pixel and 1/4 pixel. ********************** Version 2012 Build 7.0 ********************** GENERAL ======= - Fixed bug introduced in Build 6.0 which caused slow opening and drawing of designs. ********************** Version 2012 Build 6.0 ********************** GENERAL ======= - Fixed bug "Missing LTFIL15U.DLL" appearing in 64-bit version. - Fixed bug in reading .PES designs. ********************** Version 2012 Build 5.0 ********************** GENERAL ======= - Fixed bug appearing on Windows XP when compiling from Studio into Editor. - TWAIN scanner is now working in 64-bit version. ********************** Version 2012 Build 4.0 ********************** GENERAL ======= - Fixed bugs in Studio. - Fixed bug in Editor appearing when re-sizing design with density adjustment. ********************** Version 2012 Build 3.0 ********************** GENERAL ======= - Fixed bugs introduced in version 2.0 - Added support for reading Janome .JPX files. Writing of .JPX files is not supported. ********************** Version 2012 Build 2.0 ********************** GENERAL ======= - Embird is now available as 32-bit and also as 64-bit application, with true quick 64-bit Iconizer plug-in. - Now it is possible to add comment to each thread in catalog, allowing you to specify e.g. amount of thread you have in your stock, or its location, etc. - Embird now shows Embird Editor Files (.EEF) in Manager and also in Iconizer. These files are created by selecting "Save Workspace As" menu in Editor. - Embird is now capable of saving .PES and .VP3 files with list of threads from chosen thread catalogs. - Embird now allows to choose version of PES format when saving .PES file. - New format "Smarteer Sew Style .SSS" is supported. MANAGER ======= - New tabs for viewing designs were added: "Density Map" and "X-Ray". - Now it is possible to add watermark to designs. See new tutorial "Add Watermark" which explains this topic. - New option "Options > Automatically Create Zip files (*.zip)" was added, allowing to automatically create .zip archive file of every file being displayed and/or created in Embird. - New option "options > Automatically Add Date and Time to File Name" was added, allowing to automatically add current date and time to every new file created in Embird. - New command "Right Panel > Export > Export Convertible File" added, allowing to export an executable file which contains the design stitches and also routines for converting the design into many formats with various hoop settings possible.This might be very useful if you want to send the design to customer via Internet and allow to convert and print this design on the customer computer. The customer does not need to have any embroidery software - he/she will just run the executable file, choose the design format and print the template if required. - New thread charts added: Gunold, Premium Select Soft Antique Poly, Premium Select High Luster Poly Emb Thread EDITOR ====== - New tabs for viewing designs were added: "Density Map" and "X-Ray". - New menu "Insert > Auto-Aligning Stitches" was added, allowing to automatically insert alignment stitches into selected objects. See new tutorial "Inserting Aligning Stitches - Insert Auto-Aligning Stitches". CROSS STICH =========== - New tabs for viewing designs were added: "Density Map" and "X-Ray". - Now it is possible to prin B&W documentation with symbols instead of colors. HOOPS ===== - New hoops were added: * Janome MC12000 SQ23 Hoop (230 x 230 mm) * Janome MC12000 GR Hoop (230 x 300 mm) - Vertical * Janome MC12000 GR Hoop (300 x 230 mm) - Horizontal * Janome MC12000 FA10 Hoop (100 x 40 mm) - Horizontal * Janome MC12000 FA10 Hoop (40 x 100 mm) - Vertical * Pfaff Creative Quilters Hoop (200 x 200 mm) * Pfaff Creative Grand Endless Hoop (150 x 260 mm) - Vertical * Pfaff Creative Grand Endless Hoop (260 x 150 mm) - Horizontal TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorials are now available at http://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.htm: * Add Watermark * Creating ZIP Archive * Export Convertible File * Export Sew Simulator * Export Printable Documentation * Inserting Aligning Stitches - Insert Auto-Aligning Stitches ************************ Version 2010 Build 8.8 D ************************ GENERAL ======= - New application "Embird Quick Searcher" was added into installation file of Embird. This program is automatically installed alongside Embird main program. During the installation, it is possible to set this program to be launched at Windows startup. Embird Quick Searcher allows you to quickly locate design, photo, document, music file or video file on your hard disk. See more information in new tutorial Embird Quick Searcher at https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/searcher/searcher.htm - New application "Embird Clip Image" as added into installation file of Embird. This program is automatically installed alongside Embird main program. Embird Clip Image is simple program which works with Clipboard. It allows you to quickly prepare images with explanatory arrows and numbers. See more information in new tutorial Embird Clip Image at https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/clipimage/clipimage.htm MANAGER ======= - New thread charts were added: Poly-X40, MTB-Embroidex. - If you double-click on box with design colors (located below preview area on Middle Panel) and the CTRL key is depressed, Embird will show the dialog box for choosing color from thread catalog instead of standard dialog box for choosing color. - If available, Embird now displays the following information when viewing JPG or TIF images: * Artist * Copyright * Description * Equipment manufacturer and model * Date taken Information is shown in yellow hint which appears after several seconds of inactivity while the mouse pointer is over the displayed image. Also, it is shown on the panel below the preview area if the "Summary Info Panel" is switched ON. (You can switch it oN via "Options > Show Summary Info Panel".) - New command "Right Panel > Image Operations > Image Information" was added. It allows to write information about Artist, Copyrights and Description into selected JPG or TIF images. - New option "Options > Show > Show Errors and Warnings" was added. If you switch if OFF, Embird will not show any errors or warnings when converting files. - New checkbox "Shut down PC when done" is now displayed right to the "Abort" button in Manager (at the bottom of Preview area). If you switch it ON, Embird will automatically switch down PC after current task is completed. EDITOR ====== - If you double-click on box with design colors (located on Objects Order Bar at the right side of screen) and the CTRL key is depressed, Embird will show the dialog box for choosing color from thread catalog instead of standard dialog box for choosing color. - The recently selected hoops are now underlined in "Options > Hoop Size" dialog box. - The "Insert > Font Engine Text" dialog box now contains the list of recently used fonts. - If you depress right mouse button in Editor, and move mouse pointer while holding the right button down, the work area will scroll. HOOPS ===== - New hoops were added: * Brother PR-1000 Xtra Wide Angle Cap Frame (360 x 60 mm) * Brother PR-1000 Xtra Large (360 x 200 mm) - Horizontal * Brother PR-1000 Xtra Large (200 x 360 mm) - Vertical * Brother PR-1000 Jumbo Frame (overlap, 360 x 360 mm) - Horizontal * Brother PR-1000 Jumbo Frame (overlap, 360 x 360 mm) - Vertical TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorials are now available at https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.htm: * Embird Activation - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/activate/activate.htm * Embird Clip Image - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/clipimage/clipimage.htm * Embird Quick Searcher - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/searcher/searcher.htm * Open Brother PR-1000 Jumbo Frame Design - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/opnbrj1k/opnbrj1k.htm * Save Brother PR-1000 Jumbo Frame Design - https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial/savbrj1k/savbrj1k.htm ************************ Version 2010 Build 8.8 C ************************ - Fixed bug with displaying of grid in Cross Stitch plug-in. - Fixed bug in .VP3 file saving routine. - Fixed bug in processing of Quilting .IQP protected patterns. - Saving multiple objects to .VP3 file is now supported in Editor. ********************** Version 2010 Build 8.8 ********************** GENERAL ======= - New formats are supported: * Inbro .INB * Quilting: CompuQuilter .CMD * Quilting: CompuQuilter .CQP * Quilting: AutoCAD .DXF (only reading, Embird cannot save .DXF files) * Quilting: Handi Quilter .HQF * Quilting: IntelliQuilter .IQP * Quilting: Machine Quilting Robot .MQR * Quilting: .PAT * Quilting: Statler Stitcher, HQ Pro-Stitcher .QLI * Quilting: .SSD * Quilting: PC Quilter .TXT MANAGER ======= - New thread charts "Simthread" and "Gutermann creativ Dekor" were added. - New command "Right Panel > View > View File Fullscreen" was added. - New option "Options > Documentation Options > Add Date" was added.If ON, the current date is included into printed and exported documentation. - New option "Options > Show > Show Stitch Direction" was added. If ON, a small arrow is displayed at the midpoint of each stitch. - New option "Options > Show > Show Quilting File Types" was added. If OFF, Embird does not try to display the content of files with extension .CMD, .CQP, .DXF, .HQF, .IQP, .MQR, .PAT, .QLI, .SSD and .TXT when viewing designs. - New option "Quilting Design Stitch Length" was added to "Options" menu. It allows to specify the stitch length for compiling quilting designs, formats .DXF, .PAT and .QLI. - New option "Insert trimming codes" added to dialog box which allows to choose the format when converting designs in Manager or saving them in Editor. If ON, the codes for thread trimming will be inserted before every JUMP and STOP code. - New option "Shrink to fit hoop" added to dialog box which allows to choose the format when converting designs in Manager or saving them in Editor. If ON, the design will be shrinked (if necessary) to fit the hoop. The settings in Editor's menu "Options > Stitch Density" affect how the design is resized. - New buttons were added to "Viewer" window which appears after selecting "Right Panel > Open in Viewer" menu. These buttons allows to quickly sort designs and/or photos - just click the button and the currently shown design/photo will be moved to (or copied to, or the shortcut to the design/photo will be created in) folder which is predefined for the button. The "Undo" and "Redo" buttons are also available to cancel/repeat the movement of file. See also tutorial "Sorting Designs and Images in Embird". - New command "Export Medium Documentation" added to "Right Panel" and "Left Panel" menu. - New command "Export dBase Documentation" added to "Right Panel" menu. Use this command to create dBase .DBF database file with records containing information about selected designs - File name, Width, Height, Stitches, Colors, Thread changes, Hoop width, Hoop height. Note: Borland Database Engine (BDE) is required. You can download it from http://info.borland.com/devsupport/bde/oldver.html - New command "Export Excel Documentation" added to "Right Panel" menu. Use this command to create Excel .XLS file with information about selected designs - File name, Width, Height, Stitches, Colors, Thread changes, Hoop width, Hoop height. - Now it is possible to choose which type of documentation will be created if the option "Options > Automatically Create Documentation Files (*.jpg)" is ON. When you switch ON this option, a dialog box will appear on the screen, allowing to choose the type of documentation: Simple, Medium, Detail, Snapshot, Image, Animated image, Color Layers or Thread list. - New button "Add to Zip" added, allowing to quickly ZIP selected file in "Files:" box at the Right Panel. You will find this new button above the "Files:" box. - Four new "Quick" buttons (Q,R,S,T) for switching folders added to Manager, you will find them at the Right panel above the "Folder:" box. - Now you can predefine another (seventh) filter in Manager. You will find the new button at the Right panel above the "Filter:" box. - Embird is now capable of displaying icon from Melco .OFM files. It cannot display real stitches, only the preview icon which is contained in these files. - New button "Change font size" was added to main toolbar in Manager, allowing to increase the size of font in "Folder" and "Files" boxes at Right Panel. The new button is located at the left side of button with "red key" icon (which shows the list of installed plug-ins). EDITOR ====== - Now it is possible to choose negative speed in Sew Simulator, this will remove stitches. - Now it is possible to drag guide lines from horizontal and vertical rulers in Editor, and drop them to work area. Once there is a guide line on work area, you can right click it for popup menu allowing to rotate, duplicate, delete or flip the guide line. Also, it is possible to select stitches above/below or leftwards/rightwards. New commands in "Edit" menu under "Guide Lines" sub-menu allow to lock guide lines, erase them or switch ON/OFF the snapping of objects to guide lines when you move some object along work area. - Now it is possible to specify the number of tie on/off stitches when inserting these stitches in Editor via "Insert > Tie On/Off Stitches". - New menu "Full Screen" was added to "View" menu in Editor. It maximizes Editor window to full screen. CROSS STICH =========== - New command "Clock" added to "Insert" menu. - New commands "Load Color Palette" and "Save Color Palette" added to "File" menu. - Now it is possible to Rotate Left or Rotate Right characters when inserting "Insert > Simple Text" menu. This way it is possible to create vertical text. - New command "Insert Font Temporarily" in "Text" menu allows to temporarily install selected TrueType (.ttf) or OpenType (.otf) font. Then you can use this font with Text tool. - Now it is possible to create multi-line text with Text tool. Just press ENTER key to move cursor to the next line. ICONIZER ======== - Iconizer plug-in now shows icons also in 64-bit type of Windows Vista and Windows 7. There is a new switch "64-bit Windows" located below "OK" and "Cancel" buttons in "Options > Iconizer Settings" dialog box. Because the development tool is still not available in 64-bit version, this temporary 64-bit Iconizer uses 32-bit kernel. Therefore this Iconizer is not as quick as the true 64-bit Iconizer which will be developed once the 64-bit version of development tool is available. In case there is problem with frequent Explorer crashes when using this 64-bit temporary Iconizer, please switch OFF the displaying of DETAILS PANE in Windows Explorer via its menu "Organize > Layout > Details Pane". In case the 64-bit Iconizer still does not work and there are blank folders with no images in Windows Explorer, please switch OFF the option "Always show icons, never thumbnails" in menu "Tools > Folder Options, tab View". You will find also "Embird Explorer 32-bit" application in "Start > Programs > Embird 2010" program group, intended for those users for whom Iconizer 64-bit is still causing crashes in Windows Explorer. In such a case you should disable 64-bit Iconizer, and use 32-bit Iconizer instead (setting "64-bit Windows" below "OK" button is OFF). HOOPS ===== - New hoop was added: * Brother Quattro (200 x 300 mm) - Vertical * Brother Quattro (300 x 200 mm) - Horizontal TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorial is now available at https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.htm: * Disable the User Account Control in Windows 7 * Disable the User Account Control in Windows Vista * Iconizer Plug-in in Windows 7 (64-bit) * Iconizer - Troubleshooting * Sorting Designs and Images in Embird ********************** Version 2010 Build 8.7 ********************** MANAGER ======= - Now it is possible to activate Embird offline, in case the Online activation failed. The explanation of how to send e-mail with details for activation is displayed in case the online activation had failed. EDITOR ====== - New command "Invert Selection" added to "Edit > Select" menu. - New command "Zoom to Selected Objects" added to "View > Zoom" menu. STUDIO ====== - Fix to problem with colors in paletter after undo or redo. - Fix to problem with grayed out combo box when changing pattern of several fill objects at once. - Fix to problem with turning shape to elements with space bar. - Fix to shortening of some edges when using the 'Arrange outline parts' function. - Fix to missing first connection stitch. - Fix to missing combo box for A,B,C column modes and other controls in this panel. ********************** Version 2010 Build 8.5 ********************** GENERAL ======= - New language was added: Ukrainian. MANAGER ======= - Now it is possible to convert designs to multiple formats at once. - Now it is possible to sort designs in Right Panel according to Name, Extension, Date and Size (length) of file, either in ascending or descending order. - When sending design as attachment of e-mail (Right Panel > Internet > Send Files as Attachment of E-mail), it is now possible to specify ten preselections of e-mail recipients. Also, Embird can automatically ZIP all selected files into single archive, or convert image files to .JPG format and shrink them to reduce the length of attachment. A new button for sending files in attachment of e-mail was added, it is located above the "Files:" box at the right side of Manager window. - Embird now supports also shortcut files (files with .lnk extension). This means that Embird is capable of displaying designs which are referenced by shortcuts. This way it is possible to sort designs - save the real design into one folder, and create shortcuts to this design in other folders. There is a new command "Paste Shortcuts to Files in Clipboard" in "Right Panel" menu allowing to create shortcut files for files which were copied into Clipboard via "Copy Files to Clipboard". A new button for creating shortcut files was added as well, it is located above the "Files:" box at the right side of Manager window. See also new tutorial "Using Shortcut Files (.LNK) to Sort Designs". - New option "Show/Hide Summary Info Panel" added to "Options" menu. If you switch ON this panel, the boxes allowing to add the "Title", "Subject", "Author", "Category", "Keywords", "Revision Number" and "Comments" will appear below preview area when displaying some design. This command works only on PCs with Windows 2000/XP/Vista, and only with hard disks formatted with NTFS file system (i.e. it does not work with FAT system). 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 you can export "File Summary Info" to text file with .SUM extension. Select some file, click "Right Panel > File Summary Info" and click the new "floppy disk" icon which is located at the left side of OK button in "File Summary Info" dialog box. - New option "Save Palette As Type" added to "Color Palette" menu, allowing you to choose how the color palette should be saved: as Embird .EDR file (recommended), or as Color File .RGB or as Text File .TXT. - New option "Automatically Create Documentation Files (*.jpg)" added to "Options" menu. Switch ON this option if you want to create .JPG documentation for every file which you save in Editor or which you display in Manager. This documentation file is stored in the same folder as the corresponding design and it contains design image, color order, information about design size, stitch count and color count. Use this option together with Google Picasa application to quickly browse through your designs - see also new tutorial "Embird Co-operation with Google Picasa". - New option "Show Commands" added to "Options" menu. Set this option to ON if you want to display the marks on places where there is a code for thread trim, or for thread change (stop). Note: These marks are displayed only in "Normal" view mode, not in 3D view mode. - New option "Show Stitch Points" added to "Options" menu. Set this option to ON if you want to visualize the end point of every stitch. - New driver developed by Simon Owen (http://simonowen.com/) allows to read/write/format non-standard floppy disks (e.g. Barudan FDR, FMC, ZSK, Marco/Zangs, Melco SS, Tajima, Toyota, M-7000 Style, Pfaff KSM, etc.) via "Left Panel" of Manager even in Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista. This driver is automatically installed with Embird, you just need to switch ON the left panel in Embird via "Options > Show Left Panel" menu. - New command "Export Sew Simulator" added to "Right Panel" menu. Use this command to export selected design attached to the sew simulator. This will create a new executable (.EXE) file on hard disk, which may be sent in e-mail to customer who can check the simulation of design sewing. - New command "Export Printable Documentation" added to "Right Panel" menu. Use this command to export selected design attached to the routine, which is capable of printing the design. This will create a new executable (.EXE) file on hard disk, which may be sent in e-mail to customer who can print the design documentation on his/her computer. - Eight new "Quick" buttons (I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P) for switching folders added to Manager, you will find them at the Right panel above the "Folder:" box. - Now you can predefine another (fifth and sixth) filter in Manager. You will find the new buttons at the Right panel above the "Filter:" box. - New button "Reset all settings to their default values and remove passwords" added to "Help > About" menu. Use this button to completely remove all user settings from Embird, including all passwords, and revert all settings to their default "after-installation" values. - Now it is possible to specify the menu names when exporting designs to Designer 1 Floppy disk. - Support for new formats added: * Tajima .TBF * Barudan .PSF (only input, output to this format is not possible) * Proel .PUM (only input, output to this format is not possible) - Embird is now capable of displaying icon from Janome .JAN files. It cannot display real stitches, only the preview icon which is contained in these files. - The "Print Custom Thumbnails" and "Export Custom Thumbnails" commands now create documentation which contains also color chips and names of colors. - New thread chart "Floriani Polyester" was added. - New quick buttons in "Right Panel > Preview Files" window are supported: If you are viewing designs the keys 1 ~ 7 will change the view mode (Normal, 1:1 Normal, Stitches, 3D, 3D Matte, 1:1, 1:1 Matte), and if you are viewing photos the keys 1 ~ 5 will rotate and mirror displayed image (Rotate left, Flip, Rotate right, Mirror Horizontally, Mirror Vertically). EDITOR ====== - Now it is possible to save design to multiple formats at once. - New option "Commands" added to "View" menu. Set this option to ON if you want to display the marks on places where there is a code for thread trim, or for thread change (stop). Note: These marks are displayed only in "Normal" view mode, not in 3D view mode. - New button "Send in attachment of e-mail" added to main toolbar located at the top of Editor window. FONT ENGINE =========== - New option "Show sub-folder name as a part of font name in the list of available fonts" was added to dialog box which allows to specify folders for not-installed fonts. Switch ON this option if you want to have the folder name displayed before the font name. This is great if you have sorted fonts into folders, and want to see them by folders, not only in alphabetical order. CROSS STITCH ============ - When importing image or chart, a dialog box will appear on the screen, allowing to crop the image or chart. - New button "Send in attachment of e-mail" added to main toolbar located at the top of Cross Stitch window. STUDIO ====== - New controls for adjustment of stitches direction in auto-column objects. Please see the help file > Controls > Direction Lines. - New function 'Auto Outliner' to create double layered outlines of complex fill and column objects. - Enhancement to 'Arrange outline parts' function - forward path is always set to single stitch, even when original outline parts are of other outline type (satin or redwork, for example). - Fix to 'Arrange outline parts' function. - New 'Arrangle outline parts (no connections)' function. Same as 'Arrange outline parts' function except it does not connect parts that are too far (like inner circle in 'O', for example). It creates a separate objects from them. - Enhancement to Font Engine and auto-column stitching algorithm. - Enhancement to Font Engine nearest points connection to small objects like dot on "i". Connection to such objects is now hidden beneath main part of letter (if possible). - Support of various combinations of lettering fill (plain fill, auto-column, redword), outline (outline, no outline), and nearest point connection options (everywhere, only inside letters, none). Options that were previously available as buttons are now moved to respective combo boxes. - New control (sizeable corners) to set text baseline size and position more conveniently. Especially suitable for setting circular or elliptical baseline. - Storage of recently created/edited texts (combo box in text mode) for easy return to editing of previously created text. This function also saves stored text sessions into the main design file (eof) so now it is possible to open design and return to text editing without use of .ltg files. - New function for conversion of object (fill, outline, column, ...) selected in the work area into the text baseline. This function is accessible via main menu > Text > Text with Selected Object as Baseline, and via main menu > Text > FontEngine Text with Selected Object as Baseline. The first version works with alphabets and second with Font Engine lettering. - Import of text baseline .etb files is now available in Studio (main menu > Text > Import Baseline). Use 2 commands above this one to put text on imported baseline. - New global parameters to set min. and max. underlay stitch length (center, edge, zig-zag) for columns and fills. It affects also auto-column objects. These parameters are accessible via main menu > File > Paramaters > Length tab. - If size of selected object is displayed in the status bar (bottom of the Studio window), click on the status bar opens the transformations window (object sizing, rotation, .. etc.). - Displaying of nodes direction in editing mode (arrow in the middle of selected element). - Fix to splitting of letters like o and O in alphabet lettering. - Fix to 'Q' in alphabet 22 - triple stitching on the left side instead of single stitching. - Fix to objects shaping > Intersection. - Fix to objects disappearing in 3D mode without fabric when user scrolls work area and selects object. - New commands to save and load color palette (main menu > Design >) - New command in editing mode "Reduce Nodes Number" to simplify edited edge. Intended mainly for editing of lettering with too much distorted edges. - New command in main menu > Transform > "Reduce Nodes Number" to simplify selected objects. Intended mainly for editing of lettering with too much distorted edges. - New function to create redwork object from fill or column (main menu > COnvert > Area to center line) - New option for Font Engine lettering - Redwork. If turned on, lettering is created as center line. - New command 'Set Identical Colors' added to pop-up menu that appears after drag-and-drop opration in the object inspector window. - Highlighting contours of selected objects (to turn it off, use main menu > Edit > Preferences > Selection) - Displaying of Objects without stitches with semi-transparent fill for easier recognition. - Better selection of fancy outlines. Now selection works not only for outline center curve, but also for all stitches, i.e. it is much easier to select fancy outline in the work area. - Adjustment of connection stitches to actual stitches of previous and next object (in a previous versions this was done during transfering finished design to Editor). - Swedish translation by Monica. - Ukrainian translation by Taras. - Completed and revised German translation by Christine. - Fix to freezing of trace tool. - Fix to problem with last stitch in Sfumato object being other color than it should be. - Fix to disappearing image problem. - Added numbering of column stitch samples. - Highlighted selected text options (like bold, italic, other side ...) with yellow glow to indicate which option is selected and which is not. - Displaying of object's color number (in order of apeareance in the design) next to object index in the object inspectro window. This helps to identify objects of same or different color. - "Corner" function in Studio (main menu > Tranform > Corner ...). - Fix to motif shift for fill objects. - Displaying of real size scale in percentage added to zoom info in status bar. - Faster rendering of design at large zoom. - Fix to sew simulator problem with stray stitches. - Fix to several problems caused by unselection of objects after move, opening parameters window, and other operations. - Fix to problem with opening lettering project files (.LTG) - Fix to transfer of hoop info into Editor (if image is larger than selected hoop). - Fix to transfer colors of Sfumato Stitch objects into the Editor. - Fix to checkboxes (like 'Middle point first') accidentaly switched on/off with space bar. - When using 'Split Applique to layers' function, the original applique object is erased. - Fix to displaying image behind stitches when starting sew simulator. - Preserving of user set parameters when installing new version. - Sizing in Transformations Window also in %. - Align commands in Transformation window now use first selected object as a reference, i.e. all align commands are performed relative to object that was selected as first. - Added possibility to mark multiple threads in catalog at once. Hold SHIFT or CTRL depressed to select a range of threads. Left mouse button selects threads and right mouse button deselects threads. - Added "Find" box, "Previous" and "Next" buttons to search threads in catalog by typing thread number of part of the name. - If color in palette is changed, all objects of this color are changed to the new color automaticaly. - Fix to problem with stray stitches in plain fill holes when object has both carvings and holes. - Enhanced displaying of jump stitches in 3D. Tie-up stitches are now displayed (in green color) when jumps are displayed. - New function (main menu > Convert > to Editable Stitches) to convert stitches in selected vector objects to editable manual stitches. Create any object as a start and then use this function to access and edit individual stitches. This function can be used for precise adjustment of motif fill, for example. - New hoops: Brother Cap Hoop 2 (130 x 60 mm), Brother Cylinder Frame (90 x 80 mm), Brother Square Hoop (200 x 200 mm), Janome MC200 (140 x 140 mm) - Fix to 'Not valid Embird file' problem. HOOPS ===== - New hoop was added: * Pfaff Elite Hoop (200 x 260 mm) (find it in Viking hoop section) * Janome MC200 (140 x 140 mm) * Bernina Artista Small (oval, 72 x 50 mm) * Bernina Artista Jumbo Hoop (oval, 260 x 400 mm) * Super Double Wide Hoop-It-All™ for Bernina 730/740/630/640/200/185 added to "Other Hoop-It-All™" list * Super Double Wide Hoop-It-All™ w/bonus bracket for Bernina 730/740/630/640/200/185 to "Other Hoop-It-All™" list TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorial is now available at https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.htm: * Embird Co-operation with Google Picasa * Open Viking Majestic Hoop Design * Save Viking Majestic Hoop Design * Send Files in Attachment of E-mail * Using Shortcut Files (.LNK) to Sort Designs ********************** Version 2008 Build 8.4 ********************** GENERAL ======= - Fixed bug in .SHV format. - Fixed several minor bugs. MANAGER ======= - New command "Change Thumbnail Color" added to "Color Palette" menu, allowing to change the color of bar which shows information about design in thumbnail view mode. (Default is yellow color). EDITOR ====== - The "File > Print Template" command will now print also the number of thread for each design color from chosen thread catalog. - The "Edit > Smart Color Sort" and "Edit > Sort Colors" commands now allow to specify tolerance for difference between R,G,B components of colors. FONT ENGINE =========== - Fixed bug in auto-column algorithm with nearest point option. STUDIO ====== - Optional outlines for Font Engine and Alphabets lettering (nearest point connections not applicable to outlines, in the current version. Planned for future). - Optional plain fill instead of column (satin) stitches for Alphabets lettering (nearest point connections not applicable to plain fill, in the current version. Planned for future). - Support of lettering project (*.LTG) files for saving and loading lettering with all settings. Studio uses enhanced ltg file format, which supports adjustable baseline and multiline text. Warning: LTG files from Embird lettering window (old Font Engine and Alphabets) are only partially supported. - 'Erase Stitches' button added to horizontal button bar. - Added controls for overall adjustment of edge and zigzag underlay (parameters window > 'Whole Design' tab > Underlay tab). - Added controls for moving motif fill in up-down and left-right direction inside the fill object. - Enhanced internal storage of image to avoid color distortion (for tracing). - Max. design size (hoop size) increased 75 cm x 75 cm. - Displaying of lettering spacing in inches. - New "Select" item in main menu, with commands to select objects according to their type (like 'backward paths' or 'fill with motif') and to scroll and zoom to selected object(s). - New command "Zoom to Selected Objects" in the main menu> Select and in the pop-up menu. Short-cut CTRL+1. - New command "Zoom and Edit Selected Objects" in the main menu > Select and in the pop-up menu.. Short-cut CTRL+2. - Enhanced "Simplicity" control of the trace tool. Better approximation of raster object and lower (about 50%) number of nodes. - Fix to problem with nearest point connections on Alphabets. - Fix to problem with nearest point connections on Font Engine lettering. - Fix to problem with stray stitches on some Font Engine lettering. - Fix to problem with creating fill/shape after connection. - Fix to short-cuts CTRL+N and ALT+C confict. - Fix to "Delete Backward Paths" function. - Fix to dragging and dropping of color from palette to object. - Fix to nodes alignment when CTRL key is depressed. - Fix to import of vector files with outlines. - Fixed sticky node movement around original position of node (columns). - Fixed remembering of the sample size in User editor window. - Fix to switching off zoom and pan tool when starting lettering tool. - Fix to storage of lettering settings. - Fix to shaping functions (union, intersection, difference). - Fix to displaying of fills and holes in parts object inspector. - Fix to loading and saving of design without image. - Fix to drawing of whole design icon when saving only selected objects HOOPS ===== - New hoops were added: * Brother Cap Hoop 2 (130 x 60 mm) * Brother Cylinder Frame (90 x 80 mm) * Brother Square Hoop (200 x 200 mm) * Singer (large, 240 x 130 mm) - Horizontal * Singer (large 2, 240 x 140 mm) - Horizontal * Singer Continuous Hoop (150 x 50 mm) - Horizontal * Quilter's Square Double-Wide Hoop-It-All™ for Janome MC11000 ********************** Version 2008 Build 8.3 ********************** GENERAL ======= - New thread chart "Sulky Polyester" was added. - Fixed bug in .EXP format. - Fixed bug in .SHV format. - Fixed bug in .SPX format. - Fixed bug in .STX format. - Fixed several minor bugs. MANAGER ======= - New option "Show Contents of Zipped Files" added to "Options" menu in Manager. If ON, the contents of ZIP and RAR archives will be displayed after selecting these archives and choosing e.g. "View Thumbnails" command. This allows to preview or print designs stored in ZIP or RAR archives without need to unzip them first. EDITOR ====== - The "Change Color Everywhere" command in popup menu which appears after right-clicking the color box at Objects Order Bar will now replace selected color with new color in all selected objects. CROSS STITCH ============ - Now it is possible to choose between two algorithms when converting chart into crosses. The first algorithm uses the cell mid-point color as a color for a cross, the second algorithm uses the average cell color as a color for a cross. ********************** Version 2008 Build 8.2 ********************** GENERAL ======= - New thread chart "Outback Embroidery Rayon" was added. - Fixed several minor bugs. ********************** Version 2008 Build 8.1 ********************** GENERAL ======= - Fixed several minor bugs. HOOPS ===== - New hoops were added: * Viking Splendid Square Hoop (120 x 120 mm) (find it in Pfaff hoop section) * Viking Crown Hoop (200 x 260 mm) * Viking Royal Hoop (200 x 360 mm) (find it in Pfaff hoop section) * Viking Majestic Hoop (overlap, 350 x 360 mm) (find it in Pfaff hoop section) ********************** Version 2008 Build 8.0 ********************** GENERAL ======= - New languages added: Danish, Russian. - New thread charts "Brildor AC", "Brildor CO", "Brildor MF", "Brildor NY" and "Hemingworth" were added. - Support for new format was added: Pfaff .SPX - Fixed bug in processing Pfaff .MAX, .9MM, .PCD and .PCQ files. - Fixed bug with "default start-up folder" in Ultimate Explorer+ window. MANAGER ======= - New sub-menu "Bernina Artista Medium" added to "Right Panel > Input/Output Operations" menu, allowing to read/write files from/to media card for Bernina Artista 200/730, Bernina Artista 630/640 and Deco 330/340. - New sub-menu "Create Designer 1 USB Medium" added to "Right Panel > Input/Output Operations" menu, allowing to read/write .SHV files from/to USB media for Viking Designer 1. Before you start using USB media 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/us/3190_6597.htm. - When converting to .EXP format, Embird will now create also the .INF file containing the color information. The .INF and .EXP together form .EXP+ format. - New option "Options > Documentation Options > Draw Color Layers Using Black Color" added to Manager, allowing you to choose between viewing/exporting/printing color layers in black color or in the layer's color. - New command "Change Color Everywhere using Catalog" 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, using the color chosen from built-in thread catalogs. EDITOR ====== - When saving the Pfaff Grand Dream Hoop design into .VP3 format in Editor, it will create single .VP3 file containing both design parts. - When saving the Pfaff 2140 Grand Hoop design into .VIP format in Editor, it will create also .ESQ file for embroidery machine. - New command "Move" added to "Edit" menu in Editor. Use this command after selecting stitches in "Freehand Select Mode", or after selecting stitches via "Initial Stitch" and "Ending Stitch" boxes in "Select Mode". This menu will switch the mode to "Points Editing Mode" and automatically select points according to your stitch selection, so that you can move them across the Work Area. - New command "Acquire (Scan)" added to "Image" menu, allowing to scan image for background. - The rulers were added into Editor, it is possible to switch them off in "View > Rulers" menu. CROSS STITCH ============ - New command "Acquire (Scan)" added to "Image" menu, allowing to scan image for background. - New command "Acquire (Scan)" added to "Chart" menu, allowing to scan chart for background. - New option "Divide outline/back stitch line" allows to prescribe whether the outline or back stitch line will be divided along the cross stitch grid, or not. If OFF, the back stitch line or outline is not divided - use it for animal whiskers, etc. STUDIO ====== - Integrated lettering system. - Trace Tool (auto-digitizing). - Integrated Sew Simulator. - Envelope Tool. - "Flat" Display Mode (tab at bottom part of the screen). - Multiple Motifs in a Single Fill. - New shortcuts F2 - F12 for activation of object creation tools (Fill, Column ...) instead for clicking on the tool bar. - New shortcuts Alt+F1 - Alt+F4 for activation of Transform, Edit, Zoom and Pan tools instead of clicking on the tool bar. - Buttons 'Select Previous' and 'Select Next' in Parameters window to select another object(s) from inspector window without need to close the Parameters window. - "Arrange Outline Parts" function modified to have less restriction: 1. parts may connect at any place (not just ending nodes, so there is no need to split outline to small parts), 2. parts may intersect each other, 3. if parts are too far one from the other, program automatically inserts connection. - Function to launch scanning software (main menu > Image > Acquire (Scan)...). - Enhanced shaping (union, insersection, difference) functions. - Enhanced stitching algorithms of auto-column and Font Engine. - New Motif and Outline samples (thanks Francesca). - New Column stitch sample (random stitch points in wide parts of column) for wide columns with satin look. - New 'Snap to Object Edges' option to snap edited nodes to edges of other objects. - 'Save Selected As' function to save selected objects only. - Preview in Border creation mode. Preview is displayed directly on the work area. - Enhanced stitches layout of freehand objects. - Enhancement to stitching italic fonts with autocolumn (also in Font Engine). - Fix to SHIFT+arrow keys and ALT+arrow keys functionality. - Fix to sliding out the second column node from first column node. - Fix to opening older .EPT (pattern) files. - Fix to scaling of very small objects. - Fix to scrolling of background image. - Fix to saving Reference Width and Height with user-defined borders. - Fix to displaying of connection parameters instead of outline parameters when splitting applique into layers. - Fix to issue with 'Sort Colors' function when sorting grouped objects. - Fix to rotation of large images. - Fix to editing of saved files with user-defined outline samples. - Fix to motif fills. - Fix to underlay stitches of 'closed figure' column. Center and edge underlay of such column now also forms a 'closed figure'. NEW HOOPS ========= - New hoops were added: * Brother Innovis Endless Hoop (100 x 180 mm) - Vertical * Brother Innovis Endless Hoop (180 x 100 mm) - Horizontal * Brother PR-600 Fast Frames Jumbo Hoop (overlap, 300 x 378 mm) - Vertical * Brother PR-600 Fast Frames Jumbo Hoop (overlap, 378 x 300 mm) - Horizontal * Singer XL 6000 Hoop (250 x 450 mm) - Vertical * Singer XL 6000 Hoop (450 x 250 mm) - Horizontal * Super Double-Wide Hoop-It-All™ for Brother ULT 2000, 2500D, 1500D and Babylock Ellageo, Essante 3 Series * Quilter's Square Double-Wide Hoop-It-All™ for Babylock Ellure, ESE and Brother 8200, 8500, 6500 * Super Giant Double-Wide Hoop-It-All™ for Babylock Ellure, ESE and Brother 8200, 8500, 6500 TUTORIAL ======== - New tutorial is now available at https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.htm: * Trace Tool (Studio) * Writing USB Memory Stick for Viking Designer 1 ********************** Version 2006 Build 7.2 ********************** - This version number was intentionally skipped to avoid the problems with confusion with Embird 2004 Build 7.2. ********************** 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 https://www.embird.net/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 https://www.embird.net/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 https://www.embird.net/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.net, 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: https://www.embird.net/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 https://www.embird.net/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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/download.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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net. 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 https://www.embird.net/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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.htm TUTORIALS ========= - New tutorials are available at https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 https://www.embird.net/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 https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.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 change the Stitches Per Second and then click on Pause button to continue. - If you switch from Manager to Editor, Embird will automatically open the design selected in Files box at Right Panel. If you switch from Editor back to Manager, Embird will automatically display edited design. - "Corner" command added to "Edit" menu in Editor. This command will place selected objects in each of the three other hoop corners. Place an object in one of the hoop corners and then run this command to create a symmetrical design quickly and accurately. - 3D preview added to Editor. Click on View -> 3D Preview. - Princess Threads catalog added. It offers you 120 shades. - Janome Thread catalog revised. - New type of printed documentation added: Print Dense Thumbnails. This will print 35 designs per page. - Embird now supports 254 color changes in a design (instead of 36 colors supported in previous versions). - Support for Stitch .STX formats added. Embird can convert to and from this format now. - Ability to read (display, print, convert from) Brother .PHC files added. However, Embird is not able to write or convert to .PHC format. - Support for Janome MC10000 GigaHoop added. There are also new tutorials regarding usage of this hoop available at our web site. - Giant Hoop-It-All support for Pfaff 7570 and 7560 added. It works the same way as the GHIA for Viking and Babylock. Tutorial is available at https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.htm. Positions are defined in the following way: Attach the bracket to the sewing machine and then attach the sliding rail to the bottom of the bracket. Use the bottom of the bracket as a reference point. Position A: Slide the hoop into the bracket until the bottom of the bracket just covers the second screw hole from the top. Position B: The hoop is pushed half way between screw holes #2 and #3. (This is 33 mm from bottom edge of upper screw hole.) Position C: The hoop is pushed up until the bottom of the bracket just covers the third screw hole. Position D: The hoop is pushed half way between screw holes #3 and #4. (This is 33 mm from bottom edge of upper screw hole.) Position E: The hoop is pushed up until the bottom of the bracket just covers the fourth screw hole. - Giant Hoop-It-All support for Janome MC 5000, MC 5700, MC 9000, Elna CE 20, Envision 8006 & 8007 and Kenmore 19000 & 19001 added. It works the same way as the GHIA for Viking and Babylock. Tutorial is available at https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.htm. Positions are defined in the following way: Attach the bracket to the sewing machine and then attach the sliding rail to the bottom of the bracket. Use the bottom of the bracket as a reference point. Position A: Slide the hoop into the bracket until the bottom of the bracket intersects the second screw hole from the top. Position B: The hoop is pushed up until the bottom of the bracket is directly over the red horizontal line. Position C: The hoop is pushed up until the bottom of the bracket intersects the third screw hole. Position D: The hoop is pushed half way between screw holes #3 and #4. (The half way point between screw holes is 34mm.) Position E: The hoop is pushed up until the bottom of the bracket intersects the fourth screw hole. - You can create the cross reference line in Editor now - just click on "Insert --> Cross Reference Line" command. This line might be helpful when splitting designs. - Pfaff Multi-Hoop added. It works the same way as the other multi-position hoops in Embird, so read the tutorial for Viking Plus hoop to find out how to use it. - Singer Small, Medium, Large and Multi-Hoop added. There is also a new tutorial regarding splitting designs for Singer Multi-Hoop available at https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.htm. - Viking Mega Hoop problem fixed. This hoop consists of three overlapping areas, and its use is very similar to the use of Viking Plus Hoop. Find more about using Plus hoop at our web site with tutorials. - Problem with Help files fixed. On some computers the help didn't work, reporting that the language of the help is not compatible with the operating system. Version 7.00 - Embird Plus is 32-bit application, supporting long filenames. The registration of Embird Plus costs US $65, the upgrade from any older version of Embird costs US $15. - Embird Plus can resize designs with density adjustment. You can enable/disable this feature in Editor --> Options --> Stitch Density. You can also specify the density of column and fill stitches in this dialog box. - Two new alphabets are available as plug-ins for Embird. You can download these alphabets from https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/down.htm and install them into Embird Plus folder (usually C:\EMBIRD32). Then you can create lettering using Editor --> Insert --> Text command. - Balarad Sfumato Stitch technology is available as a plug-in for Embird. You can download it from https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/down.htm. Use this plug-in to create new designs from your photos. Please find more information and step-by-step guide in Sfumato Stitch help - just run this application using Editor --> Insert --> Sfumato Stitch Design and press F1 key for help. - Embird can co-operate with Thred version 1.029 and above. Thred is a versatile and affordable digitizing program, developed by Thredworks. It can be used with Embird, or as a standalone application. More information, demo, registration and support for Thred are available at http://www.thredworks.com. If you want to create a new design in Thred and insert in into Embird Editor use Editor --> Insert --> Thred Design command. If you want to edit existing design in Thred, just open it in Embird Editor, select it (so that there is a rectangle around it) and use Edit --> Edit in Thred command. - Now you can change the color of hoop in Editor, using Options --> Hoop Color command. Version 6.04 - It is the last 16-bit version of Embird released. We will not support 16-bit Embird in the future. This last version has the same feature as Embird Plus 7.00, but it doesn't support long filenames as well as the resizing with density adjustment. Version 6.03 Beta - Janome JEF format bug fixed. This bug caused that there was no stitch icon displayed and also the 'Hoop B' was not set correctly. - Embird will now process also PES 4.0 files correctly. It supports the new 160 x 260 mm and 260 x 160 mm hoop. - Sew Simulator added to View menu in Editor. You can simulate sewing of design at chosen speed, max. 1000 stitches per second. - "Sort Colors" function added to Edit menu in Editor. Use this command to join areas with the same colors and thus to reduce the number of color changes. - "Reverse Stitches" function added to Edit menu in Editor. Use this command to reverse the order of stitches, so that the last stitch becomes first, the last-but-one becomes second, etc. - "Stitch Type" function added to Edit menu in Editor. You can change the stitch type now, e.g. from JUMP stitch to NORMAL stitch this way. Just select a single stitch using 'Freehand Select Mode'. You can select a particular stitch by selecting its middle point. - "Design Name" function added to File menu in Editor. Use this command to change the design name (where available - e.g. in HUS, DST files) Version 6.02 Beta - Support for Janome .JEF format added. Embird can both convert to and from the new Janome MC10000 format. - Support for Giant Hoop-It-All(tm) for Babylock Espree 1,2 & Accent, Bernina Deco 500 & 600 and Brother PE 100, 150 & 200 added. The usage is the same as for Giant Hoop-It-All(tm) for Viking. Version 6.01 Beta - Jumbo Hoop Large and Jumbo Hoop Small now work also in horizontal position. - Bug causing that the design name was lost while editing in Editor was fixed. - New BALARAD Free Designs 'TIGER.DST' and 'DACHSHUND.DST' added. Version 6.00 - Now you can do lettering in Embird! You can insert any text in Embird Editor - just click on "Insert" menu and choose "Text..." command. Please look in Help to find out more about lettering in Embird. - Support for Giant Hoop-It-All(tm) for Viking #1+ & Rose added. You can prepare design for this hoop easily. Embird will do all the rotations and positioning for you. Please find tutorial at our web site https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.htm We are looking for people who would like to help us to support GHIA also for Janome, Pfaff and Babylock embroidery machines, which use different sliding brackets. - Ability to read (display, print, convert from) Husqvarna Viking Designer 1 .SHV files added. - Now you process whole folders of designs by a single click. You can convert, view thumbnails, print or export .BMP and .JPG documentation this way. Just click right mouse button on "Folders" box (located at the "Right Panel" in Manager) and choose appropriate command. Commands are also accessible via "Right Panel" menu, in "Folder Operations". These commands will be applied to selected folder and all its sub-folders. - Now you can extract multiple ZIP archives at once. Select ZIP archives which you want to extract at "Right Panel" and then choose "Extract Zipped Files to..." command in "Right Panel" menu. A dialog box appears. Specify folder into which selected ZIP archives will be extracted. Please note, that all ZIP archives which you want to extract at once must be stored in the same folder, so that you can select them at "Right Panel". - Support for PES 3.0 files added. Embird can now READ (display, print, convert from) designs in this format. However, it cannot WRITE (convert to) files in PES 3.0, only in PES 2.5. - Color palette for Janome .SEW files extended to 78 colors. - "Print" and "Print Preview" commands added to FILE menu in Editor. - "Show Design Source" and "Show Design Name" commands added to OPTIONS menu in Editor. Set these options to OFF if you do not want this information to be added to your printed/exported documentation. - New BALARAD Free Designs 'VERONIKA.DST', 'MISO.DST', 'MOOSE.DST', and 'ROSE.DST' added to Embird. You will find this design in C:\EMBIRD\FILES folder after installation. - Spanish version of Help added. Just click on Spanish flag on the main Help page (Contents). Version 5.31 Beta - Installation bug fixed. This bug caused that Embird could not run on some computers - it installed without problems, but failed on the first run. - .BRO format bug fixed. This bug caused that some designs could not be displayed. - System resources handling bug fixed. This bug caused that error message "Out of system resources" appeared very frequently. Version 5.30 Beta - Embird now supports Babylock/Brother/Bernina JUMBO hoop (both small and large), Viking Husqvarna PLUS hoop and Viking Designer 1 hoop. Some tutorial videos about using this hoops are available for downloading at https://www.embird.net/sw/embird/tutorial.htm Important: If you want to save some large design for Jumbo or Plus hoop, you must first split it in Editor into several pieces, so that each piece can be stored in one of those three overlapping hoops. These three hoops are drawn in red, blue and green color around the hoop. - "Hoop Size" and "Show Hoop" commands added to "Options" menu in Manager. Hoop is drawn only if photorealistic 3D view is turned off. If "Show Hoop" is ON, the hoop will be drawn behind the design also in printed documentation. This is useful when you split design into parts in Editor and later you want to position these parts correctly during embroidering - just let Embird to print hoop behind each part. - "Import Image" command added to Middle Panel Menu. Use this command in conjunction with "Pick Color" command in Color Palette Popup menu. Please look in Help to find out more. This command is useful when you want to set the colors in your design and you have got an image with proper colors - all you have to do is to "pick" color from this image into the proper color box. - Bits and Volts *.BRO files are supported now. - "Open File in External Application" command added to "Right Panel" menu. Now you can associate external applications with particular extensions, so that e.g. your .HUS files can be open in Husqvarna Customizing Software by a single click. Click in OPTIONS menu in Editor and choose Associate Extensions command. Then click on "Search for other embroidery software" button. - "Extract Zipped Files to..." command added to "Right Panel" menu. Use this command to extract selected ZIP file. This command is also accesible via SHIFT+E shortcut. - Marco/Zangs floppy disk bug fixed. Version 5.20 - MAIN NEW FEATURE: You can split designs by freehand- defined polygon. This is very interactive and user-friendly. Please look in Help to find out more. - ZIP support added. Click on ZIP archive in Right Panel to open it. Files contained in archive will be temporarily unzipped to EMBIRD\TEMP_ZIP folder (and bellow if ZIP archive contains folder structure). You may browse through this folder and process files as if they were unzipped, but remember, once you close ZIP archive all changes will be lost. Copy files out of EMBIRD\TEMP_ZIP folder if you want to remember changes. (Use "Copy Files to Clipboard" and "Paste Files from Clipboard" in "Right Panel" menu to copy files.) If you want to close ZIP archive, click on "Up One Level" button (near Folder list box at the top of Right Panel). You will return to folder with ZIP archive (where you were before entering ZIP). - In Manager, "Cut Files to Clipboard", "Copy Files to Clipboard" and "Paste Files form Clipboard" commands were added to "Right Panel" menu and also to popup menu. You these commands to copy files (as in Windows Explorer.) - In Manager, "Delete Folder" command was added. Use this command very carefully, because no "UNDO" is possible. (Recycle Bin is not supported.) - When you are overwriting some file, this file is backed-up (it is renamed to .BAK). Previous .BAK file is deleted (if any). - Now you may process standard floppy disk files on Right Panel (not just hard disk, CD-ROM and network files). - In Editor, "Save Selected As" command was added to File menu. It allows you to save selected objects only, not a whole document (all objects). Use this command if you split the design and you want to save some part to a file. - Skew function added to Editor. When you select object, arrows appear around selection frame. Click on these arrows and drag mouse with left mouse button being depressed to skew object. - "Show Stitch Direction" command added to View menu in Editor. Direction is indicated by a small arrow, which is drawn at midpoint of every stitch. - When you drop Object Icon at Object Order Bar, popup menu appears, offering you following possibilities: * Swap Objects * Insert Before Object * Insert After Object - You can select several objects at Object Order Bar, by clicking with left mouse button on Object Icon and holding CTRL or SHIFT key down simultaneously. - Embird is now able to process Marco/Zangs floppy disks. - .HUS bug fixed. This bug has caused, that .HUS design in Customizing System program had not been displayed with four corner handles around it (which resize design). - .XXX bug fixed. This bug has caused, that colors were not processed correctly on some designs. - .HUS, .PES and .SEW hoop size restriction released. - Pfaff .PCS and .PCM bug fixed. This bug caused that Embird locked up when displaying Pfaff design exported from Uli's cross stitch software. - "Show End" command added to Options menu. Use this command to enable/disable displaying of cross lines, which show ending point of design. Version 5.10 - Viking Husqvarna .HUS format added. - New types of documentation added: "Color Layers" and "Images". Now you may create documentation containing "Color Layers" of the design, and you may also export "Images" of selected designs - great for creating pictures for your WWW sites. The easiest way to find out more about these new types of documentation is to try them out. - Preview added. If you export documentation, there would be "Preview" button in save dialog. Click on this button if you want to see the documentation before saving it to your hard disk. - "Hide All Colors" command added to EMBIRD EDITOR. - Embird is now able to save color palettes to * Pfaff .PCS, * Pfaff. PCM, * Bernina, Brother, Babylock .PEC, * Bernina, Brother, Babylock .PES, * Janome/Elna/New Home .SEW and * Compucon .XXX * Viking Husqvarna .HUS files. - "Rotate Left" and "Rotate Right" buttons added to EMBIRD EDITOR. - "View Thread List" command added. - Compucon .XXX format added. - Help improved: "FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions" and "Tasks - How can I..." topics were added. - FuFu Polyester, Madeira Polyneon, Robison-Anton Polyester and Robison-Anton Rayon thread catalogs added. - File history added to EMBIRD EDITOR. - Melco SS bug fixed. - Embird will now run also under Windows NT, but floppy disk operation do not work. Version 5.04 - Pfaff PCS bug fixed. Now the designs are displayed in right colors. Also, some stitches were not displayed in previous version. Version 5.03 - Color Popup menu added. Click on color displayed on the Objects Order Bar in Embird Editor to display this popup menu. Version 5.02 - Embird Editor bug fixed. Version 5.01 - Embird Editor added. Embird Editor allows the following operations: * Resize designs * Mirror designs * Center designs * Rotate designs * Join several designs * Erase part of the design * Add and remove colors * Change the position of the design in the hoop - Embird is now able to convert files to Janome. SEW, Babylock, Bernina and Brother .PEC and .PES (Type 1) formats. - FuFu, Isacord Polyester, Isafil Rayon and Janome catalogs added. - Melco SS disk operation bug fixed. - Floppy disk operation bug fixed. Embird could not format, write and read the disks on some PCs (depending on BIOS). Version 4.00 What's new in version 4.00 ? - Madeira, Mettler and Sulky threads catalog support added. Now, you may search for the color in catalog and EMBIRD will display the name and number of the color. The thread list may be exported to .BMP or .JPG file or printed. - Hint with information about the design is displayed for every design in thumbnails mode, just move the mouse pointer over the design. - Left, Right and Process Panels may by hidden to enlarge the preview area. - EMBIRD now supports Balarad's .BLK condensed files, these files may be compiled (expanded) to the size of your choice. - EMBIRD is able to display also Bernina, Brother, Babylock .PES Type 2 files. - You may change needle assignment in the chosen design. - Added possibility of design resampling. The designs may be resized, rotated, mirrored and centered. - Free design 'SQUIRREL' added. - Fixed floppy disk operation bug.