Shortcut Keys

When pressed, forces new lines and curves to a precise horizontal, vertical, or diagonal direction in edit/create mode. If used with Shapes, creates a precise circle instead of an ellipse and a square instead of a rectangle. The CTRL key has a different meaning in lettering mode and also in the User Pattern Editor.

Used with a click on items in the Object Inspector list to select multiple, non-contiguous items.

Used with a click on items in the Object Inspector list to select multiple, contiguous items.

Zooms to the selected object(s).

Zooms to the selected object(s) and switches to the nodes editing mode.

Selects all objects (in transformations mode).

Deselects all objects (in transformations mode).

Opens the Export Design dialog window.

Creates a backward path for selected outline objects.

Copies selected objects to the clipboard.

Duplicates selected objects.

Edit: Switches the selected object(s) to the nodes editing mode.

Generates stitches for selected objects.

Imports an image.

Merges a file into the current design.

Creates a new file.

Opens a design.

Displays the Parameters window.

Compiles the design and sends it for further processing. Exits Studio.

Saves the current design.

Inserts Text using Embird Alphabets.

Pastes objects from the clipboard.

Launches the Settings window.

Redoes the last undone action.

Undoes the last action.

Creates a connection to the previous object.

Creates a smart connection to the previous object.

Aligns the beginning of the object to the end of the previous object (in editing mode).

Aligns the end of the object to the beginning of the next object (in editing mode).

Aligns the beginning of the outline object to the beginning of the previous outline object (in editing mode).

Displays the Align Objects window.

Displays Background Filters (Image colors).

"Bring to Center": Moves selected objects to the center of the Work Area.

Displays the Distribute Objects window.

Creates a second edge parallel to the first edge (in editing mode).

Displays the Edit Image window.

Converts fill to outline.

Displays the Transformations window.

Opens User Editors.

Toggles the visibility of the fabric in 3D view.

Toggles the visibility of jumps.

Toggles the visibility of the hoop.

If a vector object is selected in the work area, launches the thread catalog window to choose a new color for that object.

Inserts text using the Embird Font Engine. This inserts lettering converted from TrueType fonts into an embroidery design.

Snaps the selected node to the nearest node in creation/editing mode.

Places the beginning of the object at the end of the previous object in creation/editing mode.

Places the second beginning point (for column-type objects) at the end of the previous object in creation/editing mode.

When creating an outline object, pressing this key performs these three operations simultaneously: 1. Finishes the outline object, 2. Creates a backward path for the outline object, 3. Joins the outline object and its backward path into a single object.

Adds a new line segment to the edge in creation/editing mode.

Adds a new line segment to the second edge (for column-type objects) in creation/editing mode.

Adds a new curve segment to the edge in creation/editing mode.

Adds a new curve segment to the second edge (for column-type objects).

Changes the first zigzag underlay angle of a fill object in creation/editing mode.

Changes the second zigzag underlay angle of a fill object in creation/editing mode.

Changes the cover stitch angle of a fill object in creation/editing mode.

Works like the secondary mouse button to invoke pop-up menus in the Work Area, color palette, and Object Inspector list. It is intended for use with a stylus pen.

Finishes object creation/editing, if possible.

Cancels object creation/editing. Dismisses a dialog window.

Confirms a dialog window.

Scrolls the Work Area.

Moves selected objects in transform mode and the selected node in edit/create mode.

Zooms out.

Zooms in.

Zooms out.

Zooms in.

Moves selected objects to the front (changes object order).

Moves selected objects to the back (changes object order).

Deletes selected objects (in transformations mode). Deletes selected elements (in creation/editing mode).

Inserts a new element before the selected node in creation/editing mode.

Inserts a Segment End at the selected node in creation/editing mode. The node cannot be the middle point of the curve.

A description of ALT key usage in lettering mode is available in the Lettering chapter.

Toggles the visibility of object contours.

Snaps the current node to the nearest node (creation/editing mode).

Toggles the visibility of the grid.

Toggles the visibility of fill objects.

Toggles the visibility of guidelines.

Toggles the visibility of columns.

Toggles the visibility of manual stitches.

Toggles the visibility of columns with pattern.

Toggles the visibility of outline objects.

Toggles the visibility of appliqués.

Toggles the visibility of rulers.

Toggles the visibility of stitches.

Toggles the visibility of sfumato objects.

Toggles the visibility of carvings.

Toggles the visibility of one-way outline objects.

Toggles the visibility of connections.

Activates the Transform tool.

Activates the Edit tool.

Activates the Zoom tool.

Opens the help files.

Creates a Fill object.

Creates a Sfumato object.

Creates an Opening object.

Creates Carving objects.

Creates a Column object.

Creates a Column with Pattern object.

Creates an Outline object.

Creates a Manual Stitch object.

Creates a Connection object.

Creates an Appliqué object.

Creates a Hole for an Appliqué object.

Starts the creation of a new object without needing to select a tool. The new object is the same type as the previous object. This shortcut helps create a series of objects of the same type faster.

This action temporarily activates the Pan tool instead of the current working mode. When the button is released, the program returns to the previous mode. This helps scroll the work area quickly, without using controls (like scroll bars).

If an object icon is double-clicked, stitches are generated for that object.

In nodes creation/editing mode: Selects the first node on the edge. Helps locate the first node on a complex edge with many nodes.

In nodes creation/editing mode: Selects the last node on the edge. Helps locate the last node on a complex edge with many nodes.

In nodes creation/editing mode: Selects the previous node.

In nodes creation/editing mode: Selects the next node.

In nodes creation/editing mode: Activates Fast Node Insertion mode to allow the insertion of new nodes after any selected node, not just the last one. Helps speed up node insertion and avoid the undesired selection of existing nodes.