Iconizer

Optional Plug-in for Embird Embroidery Software

Iconizer displays content of embroidery files as icons or thumbnails. This capability is not limited to files displayed in Embird. Once the Iconizer is installed and registered, it can work on background of Windows Explorer or File Explorer and all programs that use standard dialog windows. Whenever Windows needs to draw icon of embroidery file in any program or panel, Iconizer supplies image of design stored in this file. This allows you to see icons of actual designs, not just generic icons as would happen without Iconizer. Iconizer is a useful tool to manage your embroidery designs in Explorer or other programs. More >>

Icons of embroidery designs in Windows Explorer

With Iconizer

Without Iconizer

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About

Iconizer works together with Windows Explorer or File Explorer, as it is called in Windows 8. The principle of Iconizer plug-in is simple: normally, when you run Explorer and you are not using the Iconizer plug-in, each design file is represented by a generic "type" icon. Registered Iconizer shows a small icon of the embroidery design instead. This allows you to browse and sort your designs easily, because you can see the content of embroidery files while using all features of the Explorer and other Windows programs that use Explorer's standard dialog windows.

"Generic" icon of embroidery file

Embroidery file displayed on icon

Iconizer uses Embird's library to read embroidery files. Therefore, it supports the same embroidery formats as Embird software.

Using Iconizer in Explorer

Windows Explorer was renamed to File Explorer in Windows 8. It serves to access and manipulate the files stored on your computer. In case of embroidery files, Iconizer draws pictures of their content and sends them to Explorer to display either as icons or as thumbnails. Iconizer also provides information like stitch count, design size, color number, etc., to display in Explorer's pop-up menu.

The first step is to choose desired size of icons in Iconizer settings. The second step is to choose icon enlargement in Explorer. The medium size in Explorer is equal to basic icon size in Iconizer settings. Select larger icon size in Explorer's View menu for more detailed preview of designs, if needed.

Select lerge icons in Windows Explorer

Icons in above example are too small. Select larger size for better detail.

Iconizer does more than just display a picture of the design. It provides textual information about design like dimensions, stitch count and so on. Also, it provides links to services like printing, editing or conversion of design in Embird software. These links and the textual information are accessible via pop-up menu that appears on right mouse button click on design icon in Explorer. See Iconizer tutorial for more information.

Embird Iconizer running on background of Windows Explorer

Right click on embroidery file icon to invoke the pop-up menu with Embird commands and information about design.

3D Thumbnails and Color List

Besides normal, flat stitch rendering, Iconizer is also capable to draw 3D thumbnails of embroidery designs. This option can be turned ON or OFF in the Embird Manager main menu > Options > Iconizer Settings. It is also possible to show or hide color list of the design. 3D drawing and color list option have no effect to small icons.