Embroidery Digitizing - How to Digitize a Logo - Part 1

In this lesson, we will learn how to digitize a company logo. This tutorial is designed for beginners, and all steps include detailed commentary.

Studio populates vector objects - drawn by the user or imported from a vector file - with embroidery stitches. Once complete, the finished design is uploaded into Embird Modder for final adjustments and saved in the desired format. Once complete, the finished design is uploaded into Embird Editor for final adjustments and saved in the desired format.

For the digitizing process, if you already have a vectorized logo created in a graphics program (saved as SVG), you can utilize the vector graphics conversion feature. Use the Main Menu > Design > Export/Import > Import Vector File function to convert vector graphics directly into your design, avoiding the need to redraw objects manually. However, this lesson focuses on manual digitizing to illustrate the core techniques of Studio, as manual refinement is often necessary to achieve optimal results.

When digitizing in Studio, the user can import a scanned image or photograph onto the Work Area to serve as a template. The process involves drawing vector objects over the image and filling them with stitches. To improve the visibility of these vector objects, the background image can be brightened, darkened, or filtered.

Importing the Image

The first step in digitizing a logo or design is typically importing the source image. Source images are frequently rotated, deformed, or otherwise distorted.

Use the Main Menu > Image > Import command to load the image into the background of the Work Area. During import, Studio will ask whether to resize the image to fit the current Hoop (Work Area). Select No for this exercise, as we will define the image size manually later.

Studio supports image imports up to 5000 pixels in width and height.

Adjustment of the Image

Rotation

The source image often requires rotation to achieve a perfectly horizontal position. Use the Main Menu > Image > Tools > Edit Image Window command to open the adjustment controls. The Rotate Image control is located on the first tab; use it to rotate the image to the desired orientation.

The rotation angle can be adjusted using several methods:

Primary mouse button click on the numerical angle value to increase the angle.
Secondary mouse button click on the numerical angle value to decrease the angle.
Primary mouse button click on the clock face to set the angle directly.
Secondary mouse button click on the clock face to open a slider window for manual angle adjustment.

After adjusting the angle, allow Studio a moment to process the rotation. Continue adjusting until the image reaches the correct position.

Click the Apply button to finalize the rotation.

"Rotate To Horizontal" Tool

An alternative method for alignment is the Main Menu > Image > Tools > Rotate To Horizontal tool.

Position the tool handles along any line in the image that should be horizontal, then click OK. The software will automatically rotate the image so that the selected line is perfectly horizontal.

Fig. 2. Rotation using the Rotate To Horizontal tool.

Fig. 3. Rectified image.

Cropping

To isolate the design area, activate the Crop tool via Main Menu > Image > Tools > Crop.

Drag the crop lines toward the edges of the logo. These lines feature handles for easy adjustment. You may utilize the zoom tools and Work Area sliders to pan and zoom for precise placement of the crop boundaries.

Click OK to crop the image to the defined area.

Fig. 4. Logo bounded by the crop lines.

Image Size

Setting the image size establishes the final dimensions of the embroidery design.

Open the adjustment controls via Main Menu > Image > Tools > Edit Image Window.

Navigate to the second tab to set the required dimensions. The third tab allows you to define a border of empty space to be added after resizing. This margin is beneficial during digitizing, as it prevents the user from having to work too close to the edges of the Work Area.

Click the Apply button. The image will now be rotated, cropped, and resized accordingly.

Note: If the source image is skewed or otherwise deformed, use the Straighten Image tool found in the Main Menu > Image. This step is not required for this specific lesson.

Color Filters

To improve visibility during vectorization, use the brightening filter. This ensures that design details remain clear while providing higher contrast between the background and the digitized vector objects. Navigate to Main Menu > Image > Tools > Background Filters to open the color adjustment window. Use the slider to increase the brightness and click the Apply button.

Fig. 5. Effect of increased brightness on the template image.