July 2010 - Posts

• Free Artwork Software and Catalog Xpress, Tip #4, Conversions.

  Drawing and designing is usually limited to those who have talent, I am not included in that group.  However, I did find a method of creating interesting designs that is fun and amusing for me.  I hope you like it too. Livebrush, is a fun way to create some interesting effects.  If you can draw as well, it is even more appealing.   There is a simple demo at the site.     I think either one of these would be striking when embroidered.  If you have a young couple in your life, I think this type of art may well interest them and combined with embroidery, what a breathtaking heirloom this would make.    Here is the next episode of “Tips on Using Catalog Xpress.”  You can look at tips number 1, 2, and 3 by selecting the links. Keep notes on issues (your input) - Notes Search by the usual information AND by Notes Search Resize designs - Resize Convert the format Recolor designs Categorize designs in multiple subjects (place a design of girl in garden watching a butterfly in multiple categories) Allow background colors (view your designs against project color) Arrange designs in multiple methods (Name, Type, Number of Stitches, Colors, Dimensions) Print the entire catalog of designs in 3D (as small or large as I like) Work with Alpha Xpress to create wonderful projects. Converting of formats is a very complex software issue.  Finding a reliable resource is paramount for embroiderers.  Sometimes we cannot find the design we want with the format we need.  Sometimes we might change machines causing formatting nightmares.  There are a couple of things to remember when converting designs. Always keep your old design. You can do a single design or a ‘batch’ of designs. First, we will select the designs to be converted.  We can select one with a simple click or select several, in a row, by clicking on the first design, and pressing and holding the shift key and select the last design. But what if we want to select design number 3 and design number 99?  We can do that by selecting the first design, and pressing and holding the ctrl key, select the second, third or any design.  All will be selected for conversion.   Right click on any of the highlighted designs and you will see a ‘content sensitive’ help menu.  That goes for most software as well.  The selection area shows that there may be some Brother or Babylock machines may require a different version.  I recommend that you select the ‘new directory . . .’ and place the new file in a separate file.  This automatically keeps the original format, and as I noted, I do recommend keeping it for future needs. You can see that I converted two designs, and they are listed, by format, in the first and second position.  It is quick and easy.  Catalog Xpress is a very comprehensive embroidery software. Posted Jul 30 2010, 04:45 PM by TheComputerist with 7 comment(s) Filed under: tips, graphics, catalog xpress, PC Tips and Tricks: tricks, computer tips, program, heirloom, digitize, draw, drawing, conversion, convert, keepsake, the computerist

• Free Taskbar Calendar and Catalog Xpress Tip #3, Resize

  This is absolutely my favorite computer clock and it includes a calendar!!!  I am not happy with a calendar that is on my desktop because it seems like it is always in the way.  In the Taskbar (lower right hand corner of most screens) is perfect because it shows me the day of the week, date and hour and minutes.  Download it here.  I can arrange the information anyway I like.  As a rule, I leave a program at its default settings.  There is a good reason for that – it is because if I make a lot of changes, then for any reason the software does not work, I can get a fresh copy from the Internet and use it immediately as is.  If it does not look right to me, and I have to figure out all the settings that I used 2 years ago, it is a headache for me.  I like to keep it simple – just like Diane Brown always shows us.  Her blog is one of the best I have ever seen for just that reason, she does not make my life complicated, she keeps it simple! A left click gives this month’s calendar, but the right click is even more feature filled. Select “TClockEx Properties…     Then select “Format Elements” for your specific view options.     As promised, here is the next episode of “Tips on Using Catalog Xpress.” You can look at tips number 1 and 2 by selecting the links. 1. Keep notes on issues (your input) - Notes 2. Search by the usual information AND by Notes Search 3. Resize designs 4. Convert the format 5. Recolor designs 6. Categorize designs in multiple subjects (place a design of girl in garden watching a butterfly in multiple categories) 7. Allow background colors (view your designs against project color) 8. Arrange designs in multiple methods (Name, Type, Number of Stitches, Colors, Dimensions) 9. Print the entire catalog of designs in 3D (as small or large as I like) 10. Work with Alpha Xpress to create wonderful projects.   Resizing a design is one of the most often requested information in the Forum.   We find a design but it won’t fit on our specific project.  I will resize a bunny, and I do make note of several issues.   Notice that there are 15,180 stitches; 8 colors; and the size is 2.45 by 3.87.”  I will be making some notes (by selecting “Tools,” and “Design Notes”) about what I am doing, such as change information and the project I was working on for this resizing. Keep the bunny selected, and press the “resize” button.    You can see the options available.  I am going to increase the size to 200% of the current size.  When I keep the “Preserve aspect ratio” button selected, it will make a larger replica of my design.   I select my format, and a specific new name (to help me remember what I did) and I am ready to do a “discovery” sew.    Notice that the new design has 44,243 stitches and the size is proportionate to the original at a 200% rate.  (I will skip the math.) When I have done my ‘discovery’ sew on a similar fabric, I will see if the computer has done a good job of adjusting the stitching. A few cautionary pieces of information: A programmer has written this software to make the change.  They might have an idea of embroidery (or not. . . ) and adjusting the stitching, outlining and other issues of embroidery design can be tricky. Not all resizing software will change the number of stitches.  Some may just adjust the spacing. Never resize a resized design.  No matter who programmed the software, I promise it will go crazy!  (Been there, done that. . .)  For an additional change, start with the original design.  If you find that the 200% is too big, then return to the original to make adjustments. Make sure you trust the software, and AnnTheGran was the original and oldest software for these types of adjustments. If you are considering selling your embroidery, don't forget that I have a spreadsheet that will be your guide for determining how much to charge.  The proceeds go to Autism needs and research. Posted Jul 16 2010, 04:45 PM by TheComputerist with 3 comment(s) Filed under: software, freeware, catalog xpress, notes, designs, Search, screen, Keep It Simple, Diane Brown, calendar, Clock, resize, AnnTheGran, TClockEx, program

• Great Photography and Catalog Xpress Tip #2, Search

  If you enjoy good photography as much as I do, you will love this freebie.  National Geographic is one of the most outstanding photographic presenters of the world and I believe it will remain so for eternity.  Others may come and go, but some things are enduring.  Check this link:    You will want to read over the information about the collections available, and what you specifically would like to have for your desktop wallpaper. There are also specific instructions for Windows XP and Windows 7, so you should have no problems with the download.  It takes a very short time to do it. Now for my next Catalog Xpress Tip.  I see it in the Forum with some frequency, people don't always understand Catalog Xpress.  I want you to know your software if you already have it, and to understand the value that it represents if you are considering it.  What Catalog Xpress Does Not Do: 1. Retain/Keep/Hold Data (Designs). They reside on your hard drive or whatever medium you use such as a Thumb Drive. 2. Digitize   What Catalog Xpress Does Do:   1. Keep notes on issues (your input) - Instructions 2. Search by the usual information AND by Notes 3. Resize designs 4. Convert the format 5. Recolor designs 6. Categorize designs in multiple subjects (place a design of girl in garden watching a butterfly in multiple categories) 7. Allow background colors (view your designs against project color) 8. Arrange designs in multiple methods (Name, Type, Number of Stitches, Colors, Dimensions) 9. Print the entire catalog of designs in 3D (as small or large as I like) 10. Work with Alpha Xpress to create wonderful projects.   My second tip is for the Search information.  This search is by far the best I have seen, and if you are making notes in your designs, you will see why. Last time, (see link in item #1) I showed you how to put information in the notes for a design.  One issue with the design in question was that it is a little dense for light fabric, which is something that I sell on my site (see my profile if you want to look at my site).  My pashminas are light and lightly woven, making them difficult to embroider.  I have to nail it down with a nail gun, () and stabilize to get a good sew out.  Remembering that has always been a problem for me.  Which of the monograms are too dense?  Which work best?  Which would I steer my client away from because of density? Let me offer some advice that I was given when I was the instructor of software - (teaching IS learning!) - when you are planning to have information for future use, consider using specific words for conformity.  For instance, I am adding the word "dense" for designs that have high density.  If a design has 'correct' density, I will say nothing.  If it is too light in density, I would use the word "sparse" to describe it.  Therefore, if I Search for Dense, I only get 'too dense' and not light ones.  Stabilizer, thread color changes, gift giving information are important items to keep track of and notes is your easy method for accomplishing it.  The same goes for specialty items.  An example is "boys" because you probably know that designs for boys are more difficult to find than for girls.  So, in my notes, I would make a design that is suitable for 'boys' with that word.  Perhaps I have a garden design that just might work for a boy, but it will be in the garden section.  I want to have the best use of my designs and this will help.  I could also put a copy of the design in the "boys" category as well.  Well, let's use the Search to find the word "Dense" which I have placed in two different notes.  Select/Hit "All," I call this task "the Missouri mule" because before your computer can help you, you gotta get its attention!!!  Use your mouse to select the Search Icon.            In the "Notes" box, type 'dense.'        See results.         Obviously, I have more than one design that is very dense, but only one which is a Monogram. As you can see from the "Search" box, there are many ways to search.  I just think that the "Notes" search is an excellent way to keep all the information you have to keep track of during your embroidery.  To release the search feature, select "Clear" in the box and press OK.  Thanks Catalog Xpress for making my embroidery more clear for me.  When I learn something new, I will put it with the designs that apply to it and have that info at my fingertips.   Posted Jul 01 2010, 04:30 PM by TheComputerist with 7 comment(s) Filed under: catalog xpress, monogram, notes, Search, screen, National Geographic, monograms, computer tips, annthegran stabilizer, color changes, computers, colors, rotate, Keep It Simple, Alpha Xpress, organizing designs, thread tension, Pashmina, density, garden