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This chapter provides a comprehensive guide to the Fill parameters. It details the settings available for three primary fill types: Plain Fill, including options for pattern, spacing of stitches, angle, and underlay; Auto Column, explaining its automatic stitch generation; and Motif Fill, covering motif selection, spacing, grid configuration, and scaling. This chapter also touches upon advanced features like pull compensation, gradients, and various effects that can be applied to fill objects.
These parameters apply only to Fill objects.
A fill object has one outer edge. Point (A) is the starting node of the edge. (B) indicates the end of the fill with underlay direction lines. The symbol in the middle indicates the focus point (C) for special effects, if applicable. Holes in a fill object are created separately using the Opening tool.
The Fill object can be filled with stitches in one of these ways:
Left: plain fill. Right: auto column
Motif fill
Pull Compensation is the prolongation of each stitch on the edge of an object to compensate for thread pull (on elastic fabric) or sinkage (on fleece). Thread pull causes the ends of stitches to be pulled inwards, making the object much smaller (narrower) than intended.
Icon of Pull Compensation control
Pattern defines the texture of the fill's cover stitches. The user can define up to five custom patterns in Main Menu > Gadgets > Fragment Editors > User's Patterns. The pattern effect is created by the layout of needle points within the rows of stitches. Therefore, the length of stitches in the fill is determined by distance of the needle points in the pattern.
Texture of cover stitches of the fill
Pattern effect created with needle points within rows of stitches
Additional lines and curves in patterned fills can be achieved using Carvings objects, which must immediately follow the Fill object and its openings.
Additional texture made with Carvings
Spacing is the distance between rows of stitches or motifs. Larger spacing results in lower stitch density. A spacing of 4.0 indicates that this distance will be 0.2 mm.
Angle of stitches. This control, along with several others, allows you to increment and decrement the value and also access a panel with an edit box and track bar. More details are available in the Parameters chapter.
Stitches angle control
Plain Fill Underlays. Edge and both Zig-Zag underlays can be turned on for all Plain Fill objects. Studio ignores these underlays on small objects, even if they are turned on. Turn these underlays off if the fabric is firm and does not need stabilization.
Edge Walk Underlay helps to create crisp edges for fills. See the Parameters - Whole Design chapter for information about additional global Edge and Zig-Zag underlay offset.
Zig-Zag Underlays parameters define the angles and spacing of these underlays. Zig-Zag underlays stabilize the fabric with a grid of loose stitches before sewing the higher density cover stitches. The angles of underlays can be set here as well as in the editing mode (press I or O key while moving the mouse in editing mode). To change the angle, click on the circular angle indicator or press the mouse button on the angle value.
A: shape of object. B: edge underlay. C: zig-zag underlay.
The controls in this tab allow you to override global (overall) underlay settings that are normally applied to each object when generating stitches. See the Object's Individual Underlay Parameters chapter for more information.
Make Cover Stitches allows the user to switch off cover stitches. Uncheck the box when one large underlay under the whole design is needed for stabilization. The Edge, Zig-Zag 1, and Zig-Zag 2 allow the user to switch off automatic underlays by checking the boxes. Click on the circular angle indicator on the right side to set the cover stitch angle. When the Make Cover Stitches option is unchecked, a small green arrow icon appears next to the check box. This icon warns the user that some settings (like spacing) are not applicable when there are no cover stitches.
Scale parameter determines the size of the pattern and consequently the length of the fill stitches.
Random Shift randomizes the structure of the pattern to make it look more organic and less regular. This allows the user to create a fur-like effect, for example.
Use jumps (if loose density). If checked, connections between blocks of stitches are replaced with jumps (trims). Objects can seldom be sewn in a single draw. Therefore, an object is usually divided into several blocks, and they are connected either with connection stitches or jumps (mostly used on objects with gradient).
Complete row if spacing is more than - defines the spacing under which the last point on each row of stitches is omitted (see the left picture). If the last point is not omitted, the result would be stitches that may be too small on the edge of the fill. The pointed ends of rows are not visible on actual embroidery if default spacing is used. If the distance between rows is higher than this threshold, the last point on the row is not omitted.
Left: last point on each row of stitches is omitted. Right: complete rows
Max. Random Broadening defines the maximum random prolongation of fill stitches to the side. Random Broadening adds a 'ragged edges' effect to objects.
Gradient affects the distance between rows of stitches or motifs within an object. The distance between rows will gradually change from the spacing value to the spacing plus the gradient value. The Gradient Type combo box allows you to choose from various gradation schemes.
Spacing (density) gradient
Effect. Plain Fill may be combined with additional effects like Wave, Contour fill, Radial fill, Square fill, and Rounded fill. The parameters of Wave can be adjusted by clicking on the wave control or by pressing the mouse button on the parameter values. Wave parameters define the curve of the fill rows. Radial, Square, and Rounded fill effects create stitches in a spiral starting from the 'Focus Point' of the object. The user can adjust the Focus Point position in the Editing Mode.
Pattern property is the same as with plain fill.
Use Pattern. If checked, the Auto Column uses the pattern. Otherwise, the column stitches are without a pattern.
Spacing has the same meaning as with plain fill.
Automatic. If checked, the type of underlay for Auto Column objects is selected automatically.
Center. If Center is checked, then columns will have an underlay running along their center. Use this type of underlay for small or thin objects.
Edge underlay runs along the edge of the object. It should be used for medium-sized and large objects.
Zig-Zag underlay should be used in combination with edge underlay for large or thick objects.
Spacing of zig-zag underlay is usually much larger than the spacing of cover stitches.
The controls in this tab allow you to override global (overall) underlay settings that are normally applied to each object when generating stitches. See the Object's Individual Underlay Parameters chapter for more information.
Pull Compensation property is explained at the beginning of this chapter.
Motif is a simple stitch design that can be used to fill an object instead of dense parallel stitches. The user can define up to 5 custom motifs in Main Menu > Gadgets > Fragment Editors > User's Samples.
Animation of motif
Spacing of motif rows is usually a few millimeters.
Angle defines the direction of motif rows.
It is possible to use multiple motifs in a single object. The controls in this tab allow you to define a grid of motifs with up to 3 rows and up to 3 columns.
Rows, Columns define the size of the grid with motifs.
Overall Shift X, Overall Shift Y allow you to move the motif fill in both the X and Y axes.
More details are available in the Fill with Multiple Motifs chapter.
Use jump stitches defines whether a jump (trim) or connection is inserted between distant rows of motifs or stitches.
Row Shift defines the distance by which rows of motifs are scrolled relative to each other.
Motif Width allows you to make the motif wider or narrower. The height of the motif remains unchanged.
Motif Scale enlarges or shrinks the motif in both axes simultaneously. Consequently, it also determines the length of the fill stitches.
Gradient has the same meaning as with plain fill.
Motif Fill can be combined only with the Wave effect.
Wave effect on motif fill