Parameters - Fill

This chapter provides a comprehensive guide to Fill parameters. It details the settings available for three primary fill types: Plain Fill, which includes options for patterns, stitch spacing, angles, and underlays; Auto Column, which explains automatic satin stitch generation; and Motif Fill, which covers motif selection, spacing, grid configuration, and scaling. Additionally, this chapter addresses advanced features such as pull compensation, gradients, and various effects applicable to fill objects.

These parameters apply exclusively to Fill objects.

A fill object consists of one outer edge. Point (A) represents the starting node of the edge. (B) indicates the last stitch of the fill along with underlay direction lines. The central symbol denotes the focus point (C) for special effects, where applicable.

Holes within a fill object are created independently using the Opening tool. Carvings within a fill object are also created independently using the Carving tool.

A Fill object can be processed with stitches using one of the following methods:

Fill Options

Plain Fill - Parallel running stitches utilizing a specific Pattern.
Auto Column - The object is automatically filled with stitches in a manner identical to Column objects.
Motifs - The object is filled with one or more stitch motifs.

Left: plain fill mode. Right: auto column mode

Plain fill and auto column (satin) fill

Motif fill

Pull Compensation refers to the extension of each stitch at the edge of an object to account for thread pull (on elastic fabrics) or sinkage (on fleece). Thread pull causes the ends of stitches to contract inward, resulting in an object that is smaller or narrower than intended.

Control with this icon is used to access and adjust the Pull Compensation settings.

1. Plain Fill Parameters

The Plain Fill (also commonly known as a Tatami fill or Ceed fill) is a technique used to cover large areas with rows of parallel running stitches.

The core technical components of a Plain Fill include:

Rows: The software partitions a large vector area into rows. These rows are positioned according to a specific Spacing (density) value. Tight spacing provides full fabric coverage, while wider spacing creates a light, translucent effect.
Needle Point Patterns: As the machine moves along a row, the needle must penetrate the fabric at regular intervals. The arrangement of these needle points creates a visible texture. Offsetting needle points between rows creates a smooth, uniform surface.
Decorative Textures: By intentionally arranging needle points, users can create geometric patterns - such as bricks or diamonds - without changing thread colors.
Directional Control (Angle): The angle of the fill rows is a critical digitizing choice. It affects both the "sheen" (how light reflects off the thread) and the stability of the design. Typically, fill angles are set perpendicular to the fabric grain or underlay to prevent puckering.

Main Settings

Pattern defines the texture of the fill's cover stitches. Users can define up to five custom patterns via Main Menu > Gadgets > Fragment Editors > User's Patterns. The pattern effect is achieved through the specific arrangement of needle points within the stitch rows; consequently, the distance between these needle points determines the stitch length.

Texture of cover stitches of the fill

Pattern effect created with needle points within rows of stitches

Additional lines and curves can be integrated into patterned fills using Carvings objects, which must directly follow the Fill object and its openings.

Additional texture made with Carvings

Spacing specifies the distance between rows of stitches or motifs. Increased spacing results in lower stitch density. For example, a spacing value of 4.0 indicates a distance of 0.2 mm.

Angle refers to the orientation of the stitches. This control allows for incremental adjustments and provides access to a panel containing an edit box and track bar. Further details are provided in the Parameters chapter.

Underlay

Plain Fill Underlays allow for the activation of Edge and both Zig-Zag underlays for all Plain Fill objects. Studio automatically bypasses these underlays on small objects, even if enabled. Underlays can be disabled if the fabric is sufficiently firm and does not require additional stabilization.

Edge Walk Underlay is used to create sharp, well-defined edges for fills. Consult the Parameters - Whole Design chapter for information regarding global Edge and Zig-Zag underlay offset settings.

Zig-Zag Underlays parameters determine the angles and spacing for these stabilization layers. Zig-Zag underlays secure the fabric with a grid of loose stitches before the high-density cover stitches are applied. These angles can be adjusted here or within the editing mode (by pressing the I or O keys while moving the mouse). To modify the angle, click the circular angle indicator or the numerical value.

A: Shape of object. B: Edge underlay. C: Zig-zag underlay.

Underlay-Advanced

The controls within this tab allow you to override the global underlay settings that are typically applied to all objects during stitch generation. For further details, refer to the Object's Individual Underlay Parameters chapter.

Cover Layer

Make Cover Stitches enables or disables the cover stitches. This box should be unchecked when a large, design-wide underlay is required for stabilization.

The Scale parameter determines the size of the pattern and the resulting length of the fill stitches.

Random Shift randomizes the pattern structure to create a more organic, irregular appearance, which is useful for creating effects such as fur.

Use jumps (if loose density) ensures that connections between stitch blocks are replaced with jump stitches (trims). Because objects are rarely sewn in a single continuous pass, they are divided into blocks connected by either connection stitches or jumps; the latter is primarily used for gradient objects with low stitch density.

Sides

Complete row if spacing is more than defines the spacing threshold below which the final point of each stitch row is omitted. This prevents the formation of stitches that are too small at the fill edge. While these omitted points are generally not visible at default spacing, they are retained if the distance between rows exceeds this specified threshold.

Left: The last point on each row of stitches is omitted. Right: Complete rows are maintained.

Max. Random Broadening specifies the maximum random extension of fill stitches to the side. This setting adds a "ragged edges" effect to the object.

Gradient

The Gradient parameter manages the transition of stitch density (spacing) across an object. Instead of a uniform texture, the gradient creates a visual fade by varying the distance between stitch rows or motifs. This enables more artistic results compared to standard flat fills.

Gradients are vital for achieving 3D-style shading and color blending through overlapping fills. When utilizing loose gradients, it is recommended to enable Use Jumps for clean transitions between stitch blocks.

Example Case: Spacing (density) gradient. If the base Spacing is set to 0.4 and the Gradient is set to 10.0, the software progressively increases the row distance until the bottom spacing reaches 10.4. This results in a dense upper section that fades into a loose, open structure.

Functionality: Row distance changes dynamically from the base Spacing value to the Spacing + Gradient value.
- Mathematical Range: The Gradient value can be negative (e.g., -10). In these instances, the base Spacing must be large enough (e.g., 11) to ensure the final sum remains greater than zero.
- Stitch Density: A positive gradient value increases spacing (reducing density), while a negative value decreases spacing (increasing density) relative to the starting point.
Gradient Types: Users can select from several schemes:
- Linear: A consistent increase or decrease in density from one side of the object to the other.
- Central: Density is concentrated (or reduced) in the center of the object, transitioning toward the edges.

Effect

Effect settings allow Plain Fill to be combined with options such as Wave, Contour fill, Radial fill, Square fill, and Rounded fill. Wave parameters, which define the curvature of fill rows, can be adjusted via the wave control or by modifying the parameter values. Radial, Square, and Rounded effects generate stitches in a spiral originating from the Focus Point. This Focus Point can be repositioned within the Node-Editing Mode.

Tie-Up Stitches

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The parameters on this tab facilitate an object-level control, overriding global tie-up settings. This capability allows for the individual adjustment of securing tie-up stitches for the specific object.

This tab expands functionality beyond simple global defaults by providing:

Asymmetric Control: Independent settings for both the tie-in (start) and tie-off (end) stitches.
Enhanced Thread Locking: Options to utilize advanced tie-in stitch patterns (e.g., self-crossing structures) to achieve stronger anchoring in situations where the basic linear knot is inadequate.

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2. Auto Column Parameters

Auto-Column Fill is a specialized stitch generation mode that fills a large, often complex shape as if it were composed of multiple connected Satin (Zig-Zag) columns.

The core features of Auto-Column Fill include:

Contour-Following Stitches: Unlike the fixed angle of a Plain Fill, Auto-Column stitches change their orientation to remain roughly perpendicular to the edges of the shape. This is ideal for curved objects like flower petals or letters.
Variable Stitch Length: Because the stitches span the width of the "column" segments created by the software, the stitch length varies according to the thickness of the shape at any given point.
Satin-Style Underlay: Auto-Column objects use column-specific underlays (like Center, Edge, or Zig-Zag) rather than the grid-based underlays used for standard fills.

Main Settings

The Pattern property functions identically to its application in plain fill.

Use Pattern enables the selected pattern within the Auto Column. If unchecked, the column stitches will be generated without a pattern.

Spacing maintains the same meaning and function as in plain fill.

Underlay

Automatic selects the appropriate underlay type for Auto Column objects automatically.

Center applies an underlay running along the center of the columns. This is suitable for small or narrow objects.

Edge walk underlay follows the perimeter of the object and is recommended for medium to large objects.

Zig-Zag underlay should be paired with edge underlay for large or thick objects.

The Spacing of zig-zag underlay is typically set much wider than the spacing used for cover stitches.

Underlay-Advanced

These controls allow you to override global underlay settings for specific objects. For more information, please see the Object's Individual Underlay Parameters chapter.

Sides

The Pull Compensation property is detailed at the beginning of this chapter.

3. Motif Parameters

Motif Fill is a decorative technique where an area is filled with repeated patterns or small embroidery designs (motifs) instead of solid rows of stitches. It functions similarly to a wallpaper pattern, tiling the selected motif across the vector shape.

The core technical components of a Motif Fill include:

Motif: Instead of simple needle penetrations, the software uses a "sample" or "fragment." called motif.
The Grid System: Motifs are arranged on a mathematical grid. You can control the Spacing between these motifs both horizontally and vertically, allowing for either a dense, lace-like texture or a loose, scattered appearance.
Row Shifting: To avoid a rigid "column" look, you can use the Row Shift parameter. This offsets every row of motifs, creating a staggered layout.

Key technical features and advantages:

Reduced Stitch Count: Because Motif Fills often contain empty space between the decorative elements, they typically use far fewer stitches than a solid Plain Fill. This makes the embroidery softer and more flexible, which is ideal for lightweight fabrics.
Multi-Motif Grids: Advanced settings allow you to define a grid (up to 3x3) containing different motifs. The software then cycles through these motifs across the object, creating complex, mosaic-like effects.
Scalability: The Motif Scale parameter allows you to resize the entire pattern. Unlike scaling a finished design, scaling a Motif Fill within embroidery software automatically recalculates the number of repetitions to fit the area perfectly.

Main Settings

A Motif is a simple stitch design used to fill an object in place of parallel stitches. Users can define up to 5 custom motifs in Main Menu > Gadgets > Fragment Editors > User's Samples.

Animation of motif

The Spacing for motif rows is typically measured in several millimeters.

The Angle defines the orientation of the motif rows.

Grid

Multiple motifs can be utilized within a single object. This tab allows for the configuration of a motif grid consisting of up to 3 rows and 3 columns.

Rows and Columns define the dimensions of the motif grid.

Overall Shift X and Overall Shift Y allow the motif fill to be repositioned along the X and Y axes.

Refer to the Fill with Multiple Motifs chapter for further details.

Cover Layer

Use jump stitches determines whether a jump (trim) or a connection stitch is used between distant rows of motifs or stitches.

Row Shift specifies the offset distance between adjacent rows of motifs.

Motif Width adjusts the horizontal scale of the motif while keeping the height constant.

Motif Scale adjusts the motif size across both axes simultaneously and influences the resulting stitch length of the fill.

Gradient

The Gradient functionality remains consistent with its application in plain fill.

Effect

Motif Fill is compatible exclusively with the Wave effect. Other effects are not applicable to the Motif fill.