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Embird NEXT™ User Guide All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise - without the prior written permission of BALARAD, s.r.o.
Trademarks Embird NEXT™ and the Embird NEXT logo are trademarks of BALARAD, s.r.o. All other product names, logos, and brands mentioned in this book are the property of their respective owners. Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement.
Official Documentation This manual is the official documentation for the Embird software suite, authored by the software developers. For the latest software updates, plug-ins, and official support, please visit: www.embird.net
Disclaimer The information in this book is provided on an "as is" basis. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual, the authors and BALARAD, s.r.o. shall have no liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained in this book or by the software described herein.
Published by: BALARAD, s.r.o. Registered in the Business Register of the Slovak Republic, Section: Sro, Insert No: 18078/P-Zbl. ID (IČO): 36 710 083 | VAT ID: SK2022303162 Email: embird@embird.net | Web: www.embird.net
Edition: 1st Edition, 2026. Printed by Kindle Direct Publishing
This is the official User Guide for Embird NEXT™ embroidery software, written and illustrated by the original software developers.
This book is part of a comprehensive three-volume series designed to cover the full spectrum of the Embird ecosystem:
Each volume focuses on a distinct workflow. The content of these books is derived from the electronic help files included within the Embird software modules, adapted and optimized for users who prefer the tactile experience of a traditional, offline manual.
Embird is a premier software application for computerized machine embroidery digitizing, quilting, and design customization. Developed by BALARAD, s.r.o. since 1997, it remains a family-owned, private enterprise dedicated to advancing the craft of digital embroidery through technical excellence.
Ing. Dusan Balara Jr., Ph.D. Developer of the Embird NEXT underlying kernel, Digitizing Tools, Sfumato Stitch, and Font Engine modules. An engineer of power electronics and recipient of the "Werner von Siemens Excellence Award".
Ing. Ladislav Balara, Ph.D. Developer of the Modder, Explorer, Iconizer and Cross Stitch modules. With a background in power electronics engineering and a history as a developer of 8-bit era computer games, he focuses on specialized stitch logic.
Ing. Dusan Balara Sr., CSc. CEO of BALARAD, s.r.o. and associate developer. A former developer of industrial robotics and university lecturer, he is an engineer of power electronics and the holder of multiple industrial patents.
In Embird, embroidery digitizing refers to the process of converting raster or vector images, or other visual elements, into a specialized file format that an embroidery machine can interpret. This process can be compared to translating artwork into a set of precise instructions. The embroidery machine does not interpret images visually; instead, it follows data that defines needle movement, thread color changes, and trimming commands.
Digitizing is primarily performed within the Embird Studio module, using the Digitizing Tools available in the workspace.
Digitizing is rarely a fully automated process. Because fabric is flexible, stitches exert tension that can pull or distort the material. An effective digitizing workflow accounts for these physical factors to prevent issues such as puckering or gaps in the finished embroidery. Embird provides tools to manage these variables, though developing proficiency requires practice.
The chapters in this manual are categorized into three areas:
Concepts explain the functional logic of Embird Studio, including the principles of digitizing and the structural foundation of embroidery designs.
Controls describe the specific tools based on the aforementioned concepts and provide guidance on their locations within the interface.
Guides provide detailed, step-by-step procedures for creating and editing various embroidery designs or components using the established concepts and controls.
The chapter sequence is designed to help you create a simple embroidery design as quickly as possible, subsequently building the knowledge required to master the full suite of Studio features. Chapters are organized into three levels of increasing detail and complexity.
Studio NEXT is a module for Embird embroidery software that enables users to digitize custom designs for machine embroidery.
Studio consists of two parts: Digitizing Tools and Sfumato Stitch.
Digitizing Tools are used to digitize fancy embroidery designs, lettering, and company logos. Designs are digitized by creating contour (vector) objects, either on a blank background or using a raster image as a template. These vector objects are then filled with stitches.
Vector objects can be created manually node-by-node, via freehand digitizing, using the trace tool, or by importing vector graphic files (SVG format). All of these approaches can be used in combination.
Sfumato Stitch allows users to create photo-realistic designs from digital images. It can be combined with Digitizing Tools to add lettering, borders, and other elements. Sfumato utilizes vector objects similar to those in Digitizing Tools, but they are filled with a specialized stitch type. Sfumato stitches form meanders of varying density to replicate the underlying image while allowing the fabric to show through the stitching.
Studio serves as a unified workspace for Digitizing Tools and Sfumato Stitch. To launch Studio, click any of the three icons (Studio, Digitizing Tools, or Sfumato Stitch) in the main Embird Dashboard. Selecting any of these icons will produce the same result.
Upon launch, the main window of Studio will appear. This interface is where the majority of tasks within the Studio module are performed. Digitizing and Sfumato tools are integrated within this single workspace.