Custom Outline Samples

Samples are fundamental stitch formations utilized to create decorative "fancy" outlines. These formations are aligned along the path of the outline to establish a continuous sewing pattern.

Samples are engineered to provide a seamless, contiguous connection between each repetition.

Sample aligned continuously along the outline

A sample aligned continuously along a vector outline.

Studio includes a variety of pre-defined stitch samples; however, users can also define up to five custom outline samples that are saved directly with the design. Studio features a built-in Sample Editor designed to facilitate this process.

The Sample Editor

To access the editor, navigate to Main Menu > Gadgets > Fragment Editors and switch to the Sample Editor tab.

The interface controls are defined as follows:

List of Editors: Displays the custom editors available in Studio, including the Sample Editor.

Command Buttons: Reset, Cancel, or Apply changes made to the current sample.

Sample Selection: Use this combo box to select one of the five custom slots for editing.

Work Area: The interactive space where custom samples are digitized.

Sample Parameters: Define the Width, Length, Minimum Length, and the Projection method used to align the sample.

Information Area: Displays cursor coordinates and status messages.

Sample Name: The identifier for the current stitch formation.

Pop-Up Menu Button: Accesses commands such as Open/Save, Undo/Redo, Import Background Image, Clear Sample, Snap to Grid, and Stitch Simulation.

Splitter bar.

Tools Splitter: Contains tools for Undo/Redo, Zoom In/Out, and Insert/Delete Node.

Splitter bar.

Editor Controls

The following controls facilitate specific technical tasks within the editor:

Start Simulation: Accessible via the pop-up menu, this command runs an animated simulation of the stitch sequence.

Save Sample: Saves the current formation to your storage, allowing it to be imported into other embroidery projects.

Open Sample: Loads a previously saved sample file into the editor.

Clear: Resets the custom sample slot to a single, basic stitch.

Import Image: Loads an external image to serve as a tracing template during the drawing process.

Snap to Grid: When enabled, this option aligns nodes precisely to the grid intersections when they are moved.

Digitizing a New Sample

Samples are small formations of stitches. They are constructed from a single stitch by inserting nodes (needle penetration points) between the start and end points and repositioning them within the work area.

To create a new sample, select a custom slot from the combo box (C). Every new custom sample begins as a single stitch.

Maintaining the original position of the start (S) and end (E) points is critical for ensuring a seamless connection when the samples repeat.

Initial state of a new sample is a single stitch.

Custom Sample - A node inserted between the first and last point

Insert a new node by clicking within the work area.

A new node inserted between the start and end points splits initial single stitch into a two new stitches.

Custom Sample - Another node inserted. Sample is finished

Insert an additional node by clicking in the work area. Each new node is added immediately after the currently focused node.

The completed custom sample after final node placement contains 3 stitches.

Once the sample is complete and the editor is closed, it will appear in the selection list within the Outline Parameters Window.

Deleting Nodes: A node can be removed using a long click/tap (approximately 1 second), a right-click, the Delete key, or the Delete Node button. The first and last nodes are permanent, as a sample must contain at least one stitch.

Custom Sample - Continuous formation of samples projected along the line

A continuous sequence of samples projected along a vector path.

Custom samples are saved within the current design file. To use a sample in a different design, use the Save Sample command. It can then be imported into any design project opened in Studio.

Technical Parameters

Samples are projected into virtual cells of constant width and constant or variable length

Studio projects samples into virtual "cells" along an outline or within a fill. The dimensions of these cells are determined by the Min. Length, Length, and Width parameters. Variable cell length allows for a smoother fit along curved outlines.

Length: Represents the standard length of the sample.

Min. Length: Defines the minimum allowable cell length within curves. For a constant sample length throughout the design, set this to match the Length value.

Width: The vertical dimension of the sample.

Projection: When mapping samples to cells, Studio adjusts the sample so that the first and last points align precisely with the cell edges. Users can choose from three adjustment methods:

Stretch: The entire sample is proportionally deformed to fit the cell dimensions.
Add Jump: The sample remains undeformed, and a jump stitch is added at the end to bridge any gap.
Add Stitch: The sample remains undeformed, and a running stitch is added at the end to reach the cell boundary.

Stretch, Add Jump and Add Stitch methods to fit sample into cell

Comparison of the Stretch, Add Jump, and Add Stitch methods.

The Stretch method is standard for most outline samples. Special decorative outlines, such as "Candlewick" styles that require uniform shapes connected by jumps or running stitches, typically utilize the Add Jump or Add Stitch methods.