Outlines - Overview

This chapter is an overview of various methods of creation of thin hairline outlines. These methods are described in more detail in respective tutorials.

Complete outline in vector form (no stitches yet).

Continuous hairline outline

Thin outlines, as shown in the image above, are very often used for lettering, logos, and cartoon motifs. One of the key rules in embroidery is to create as few trims as possible. Therefore, the best way to make such outlines is to digitize them as one continuous stitch path. To avoid trims, some parts must be stitched twice: there (forward path) and back (backward path). In fact, an entire outline, regardless of its complexity, can be created by stitching each of its parts (elements) twice. The end point of the outline is identical to the start point. Such an outline is called a two-layer outline in Studio.

Stitches (animation).

Each element has two layers of stitches to get there and back.

Outline objects in Object Inspector

Object Inspector helps to find discontinuities in outlines. If there are any, they are marked with scissors icon. It also helps to identify forward and backward paths of outline.

Outline elements in Object Inspector.

Backward Paths

Backward Paths are reverse paths on the branches of the two-layer outline. They are marked with foot prints icon in the Object Inspector.

If there is a backward path on the two-layer outline, the sewing of the outline is continuous, there are no trims.

Two-layer Outline

There are several ways of how to create two-layer outline in Studio. They differ in amount of automation used in each approach. Some digitizers prefer one particular way. The most convenient approach is to use fully automatic outlines. In some cases, however, it is necessary to use manual or semi-automatic approach. For example, when you want to combine thin outline with column, it is necessary to use manual digitizing.

Method 1

Manual digitizing of all elements, including backward paths in proper order.

Icon of Outline Tool.

A proper order of outline objects is necessary to ensure continuous sewing. This method is not recommended and is mentioned here only for sake of completeness.

Order of elements 1-4. Purple and red color denote current element.

Purple element is first layer of stitching. Red element is second layer.

Order of elements 5-8.

Please note that end point of element 8 is identical to start point of element 1.

Method 2

Manual digitizing with use of main menu > Build > Outlines > Create Backward Path command.

The elements of the backward path are identical to the forward path, only they are sewn in the opposite order. Therefore, they can be easily generated by the program.

The correct order of the elements is still required in this approach. Use this method if you need to create small outlines in combination with other types of objects.

Method 3

Semi-automatic method: manual digitizing of forward elements in any order and their automatic arrangement with use of main menu > Build > Outlines > Arrange Outline Parts command.

Elements can intersect one another. Elements can be digitizing in any order. For best accuracy, pay attention to places where elements connect one to another. Program splits and sorts elements to achieve proper order and creates all the backward paths.

The start point of the first element remains the start point of the whole outline. As outline is two-layer, it is also the end point of the outline.

If some elements form separate object (like dot on i) or are too far from other elements, program creates connection to such elements so that complete outline is a single object. If you want to preserve separate objects, use Arrange Outline Parts (no Connections) command instead.

Arrange Outline Parts (no Connections) tool

Elements 1-4. Order of elements is not significant in this case.

Start and and end point of the outline is identical with first node of the first element (blue circle).

It is important to avoid duplicate edges and to align end points of individual edges.

Above illustrations depict the order and layout of outline elements.

Arranged elements are combined into larger segments to optimize stitches layout. If you want to preserve original elements for easier editing, switch off Combine Arranged Outline Parts feature in Parameters window > Whole Design > Main Settings tab.

When compared to method 1, there is about 50% less elements to digitize (no backward paths). Order of elements is not significant and there is no need to remember which part already has second layer of stitching.

Use this semi-automatic method for complex outlines when you cannot use automatic method 4.

Method 4

Automatic creation of outlines from fill and column objects. All that user has to do is to select objects to be outlined and use the main menu > Build > Auto Outliner command. This approach is recommended to be used whenever possible.

If there are fill or column objects with identical edges (adjoining areas without overlay), the automatic outlining can fail. This case typically occurs when working with vector objects imported from graphic files (SVG). In such a case, edit adjoining edges (move one edge to create an overlay) or use another method of outlining.

The most commonly used methods are 3 and 4.