What is New

Embird - Modular Embroidery Software

Version 2020 Released

NEW FEATURES

UPGRADE

Upgrade to Embird 2020 from previous versions of Embird (i.e. from Embird 2019 and older) is a paid upgrade.

• How to Upgrade
• Upgrade Fees
• Installation - Tutorial
• Purchase Upgrade

GENERAL

• Increased speed of 3D preview
• PIN registration: It is now possible to quickly insert all purchased passwords into Embird using e-mail address and PIN pair, delivered in e-mail. Run Embird, select "Help > Registration" menu and enter e-mail address and PIN obtained in e-mail. Of course, old way of inserting passwords still works.
• Support for saving PES version 11.0 added.
• Predefined folders are now available for various operations, allowing to easily specify location and switch between folders. For example:
• when converting designs it is possible to select the target folder for saving new files,
• when opening design in Editor it is possible to select the start folder for File Open dialog,
• when saving design in Editor it is possible to select the start folder for File Save dialog,
• etc.
• New option "Insert needle codes" added to "Choose Format" dialog (which is shown before converting and saving designs), allowing to automatically assign Needle codes in the design. These codes are used only in some embroidery formats (e.g. .DSB, .DSZ, .KSM).
• New application "Embird Spider" is now included in installation file of Embird. It allows to prepare simple local web containing preview images and basic information about designs stored on hard disk. See more in tutorial Embird Spider.

MANAGER

• New buttons "Favorite" and "Show Favourites" added to Right panel. Use the first one to add the selected file to the favourites list, and the second one to display the list of Favourites. See more in tutorial Favourite Designs.
• New buttons "Previous" and "Next" added to Right panel. Use them to display the previous/next shown design.
• New type of documentation "Right Panel > Export > Export HTML Documentation" allows to export .ZIP file containing zipped documentation (.jpg thumbnail images and index.htm file with designs information) of selected designs, located either in current folder or for all designs in current folder and its sub-folders.
• New functions "Copy Files" (key F5), "Move Files" (key F6) and "Create Shortcuts" (key F9) added to "Right Panel > Predefined Folders" menu. Use them to quickly copy/move/create shortcuts of selected files to predefined folders.
• New settings allow to set specific folder for Cloud Operations - after click to "Cloud" button in Manager it will show Embird File Commander with Cloud folder focused at the left side of the screen. Use it to quickly copy/move designs to Cloud Storage (i.e. to dedicated local folder).
• "Options > Cloud > Use OneDrive Folder for Cloud Operations"
• "Options > Cloud > Use Google Drive Folder for Cloud Operations"
• "Options > Cloud > Use iCloud Drive Folder for Cloud Operations"
• "Options > Cloud > Use Dropbox Folder for Cloud Operations"
• "Options > Cloud > Use Other Folder for Cloud Operations"
• If some Cloud is selected, and a design from Cloud folder is being processed in Embird (e.g. shown in Manager, or edited in Editor, etc.), the color of window is changed to emphasize the Cloud:
• Blue color in case of OneDrive Cloud
• Yellow color in case of Google Drive Cloud
• Green color in case of iCloud Drive Cloud
• Magenta color in case of Dropbox Cloud
• Pink color in case of Other Cloud
• New button "Open from Cloud" added to main toolbar, allowing to select and view design from Cloud folder (without need to browse to this special folder manually.)
• New button "Print to PDF" added to main toolbar, allowing to print the active document to .PDF file. (It is supposed that virtual .PDF printer is installed.)
• Four new buttons "To Downloads Folder", "To Cloud Folder", "To Desktop Folder" and "To Documents Folder" allow to quickly switch the current folder.
• Two new buttons "To Previous Folder" and "To Next Folder" allow to quickly browse through history of recently used folders.
• New option "Options > Documentation Options > Print Contours Only" added. If ON, only the contours of each color are printed instead of whole area covered by stitches.
• New option "Options > Documentation Options > Add QR Code" added. If ON, the QR code with information about design (name, size, stitch count, color changes), thread list add your address (if specified) is added to printed documentation.
• New option "Options > Automatically > Automatically Add Design Information to File Name" added. If ON, the design information (its size, stitch count, number of colors and thread changes) is automatically added to file name of each newly created file in Manager and in Editor.
• New option "Options > Automatically > Automatically Add Documentation Type to File Name" added. If ON, the documentation type (e.g. single doc, medium doc, etc.) is automatically added to file name of exported .jpg documentation.
• New option "Options > Automatically > Automatically Create Documentation Files (*.jpeg) for Cloud" added, allowing to switch ON the creation of .jpeg documentation file for every design being saved to Cloud folder. This might be helpful when acccessing e.g. OneDrive cloud design from Android device - it allows to see the content of the design file in corresponding .jpeg image file.
• New option "Options > Show > Show Extra Buttons" added. If ON, the extra buttons (Explorer, Doc, Cloud, Commander, Email, Zip, Clipboard and Menu) are shown in dialog box informing about creation of new files - e.g. after converting designs or saving in Editor. Use these buttons to quickly handle the new files.
• After performing some operation in Manager such as converting designs, zipping files, exporting documentation, copy/paste files, etc. it is now possible to quickly select the new files (for next operation) by click on button "Select marked files" (with asterix "*" icon) on the Right panel.
• New setting "Settings > File Open and Save Dialogs with Preview" added, allowing to switch between normal file open/save dialogs (OFF state) and dialogs with Preview (ON state). Use the OFF state to easily access special virtual folders (This Computer, One Drive, Documents, etc.), but without Preview.
• It is now possible to add "job card" to printed or exported documentation. Switch ON the "Options > Documentation Options > Add Job Card" option to add it to the bottom of the printed page.
• It is now possible to add QR code to printed or exported documentation. Find more info about QR codes at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code
• New feature added: Search-as-you-type. It can instantly search for file in current directory (and its sub-directories) and show only those files which contain specified text. (The box for entering text is below the directory box, and is also in "File > Open" dialog box in Editor, and also in "Embird Commander").

EDITOR

• Double-click the cavity (empty area) in design to fill it with stitches of chosen pattern.
• New command "Edit > Set > Set Size (Recognize Contours and Refill Them)" added. It can recognize contours in selected objects, resize and refill them with a new fill pattern.
• New command "Edit > Stitches > Contours" added, allowing to convert selected objects to contours. See more in tutorial Replace Stitches with Contours.
• New command "Edit > Stitches > Silhouette Contours" added, allowing to convert selected objects to silhoutte contours. Use it to prepare .SVG or .FCM file for cutting machine.
• New command "Contours > Recognize Contours" added to popup menu which appears after right click on Object's color. It can recognize contours of selected color and insert as a new object.
• New command "Contours > Change Fill Pattern" added to popup menu which appears after right click on Object's color. It can change fill pattern in area of selected color.
• Named "Undo" and "Redo" operations.
• New button "Save to Cloud" added to main toolbar, allowing to save the active document to Cloud folder (without need to browse to this special folder manually.)
• If the filename of design being saved contains word "cloud", (e.g. select "File > Save As" and choose "rose cloud.dst" as a filename), it will be automatically saved to chosen folder, and also to all available cloud folders (i.e. to OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud Drive, Dropbox and "Other Cloud" folder.)
• New button "Show System Context Menu" added to main toolbar, allowing to perform some action (e.g. Create Desktop Shortcut) on currently edited file.
• New button "Print to PDF" added to main toolbar, allowing to print the active document to .PDF file. (It is supposed that virtual .PDF printer is installed.)
• New button "Favourite" added to main toolbar, allowing to add the currently edited file to the favourites list.
• New sub-menu "Open Favourite" added to "File" menu, allowing to quickly open file which was marked as favorite.
• New sub-menu "Open Cloud" added to "File" menu, allowing to quickly open recently used cloud file - e.g. a file from local folder dedicated to OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud Drive or Dropbox.
• New sub-menu "Open Saved" added to "File" menu, allowing to quickly open recently saved file.
• The sub-menus "File > Open Recent", "File > Open Favourite", "File > Open Cloud", "File > Open Saved" and "Image > Open Recent" are now capable of displaying small preview icon in the menu. (Only when the "Right Panel > Preview Files" option is ON in Manager).
• New command "Print Template without Texts (selected Only)" added allows to print template of selected objects only.
• New button "Sleep" added to main toolbar. Use it to put open document on hard disk and close application, allowing to quickly resume later.
• New command "Insert > Cross Stitch Design (Design as Background Image)" added. Use it create new design in Embird Cross Stitch, starting with background image of selected object. After launching this image into Embird Cross Stitch, use "Image > Autodigtize Crosses from Image" menu.
• New command "Insert > Surprise Me!" added. Use it to insert randomly chosen filled object of random color.
• It is now possible to split design by simple click on "Split" button, without need to manually select some area. It will separate "regions" of design (isolated parts of design connected with Jump stitches). In case there are no regions, it will separate all colors.
• Lasso tool added to "Freehand Select Mode", allowing to select stitches for splitting. Press "ALT" key and then push and hold down the left mouse button while dragging it around stitches which should be selected.
• If you hold down "CTRL" key while double-clicking the Work Area to close the freehand selection polygon (lasso), it will select only complete regions which are inside this selection polygon.
• It is now possible to insert/remove "Borer" codes in Editor - right click some item in the list at the right bottom screen corner and select the command from popup menu. (Borer codes are supported only in ZSK TC .ZXY file format.)
• It is now possible to insert/remove "Clamp Inversion" code in Editor - right click some item in the list at the right bottom screen corner and select the command from popup menu. (Clamp Inversion codes are supported only in Juki .M1, .M2 and .M3 file formats.)
• New option "View > Small Color Chips" added, allowing to change the view mode of color chips on Objects Order Bar.
• The dialog with "Fill and/or Outline" options is shown for:
  • "Insert > Fill and/or Outline Closed Contours" menu
  • "Insert > Effect" menu
  • "Insert > Fabric Flattening Stitches" menu
  • "Edit > Set > Set Size (Recognize Contours and Refill Them)" menu
  • "Edit > Stitches > Contours" menu
  • "Edit > Stitches > Silhoutte Contours" menu
  • "Image > Convert to Contours" menu
  • color popup menu "Contours > Recognize Contours"
  • color popup menu "Contours > Change Fill Pattern"
  • color popup menu "Contours > Fill and/or Outline Closed Contours"
  • Double-click the cavity (empty area) in design
• Command "Insert > Fabric Flattening Stitches" now allows to insert only fill or fill with outline.
• Right click on "Center" or "Set Position" buttons allows to prescribe the position of starting point (e.g. Left top, Bottom middle, etc.)

CROSS STICH

• Named "Undo" and "Redo" operations.
• Feature allowing to create new cross stitch design from other design added.
• New button "Save to Cloud" added to main toolbar, allowing to save the active document to Cloud folder (without need to browse to this special folder manually.)
• New button "Show System Context Menu" added to main toolbar, allowing to perform some action (e.g. Create Desktop Shortcut) on currently edited file.
• New button "Print to PDF" added to main toolbar, allowing to print the active document to .PDF file. (It is supposed that virtual .PDF printer is installed.)
• New button "Favourite" added to main toolbar, allowing to add the currently edited file to the favourites list.
• New menu "Replace with Catalog" added to popup menu which appears after right-click on any color in palette. Use it to replace colors in palette with chosen thread catalog.
• New sub-menu "Open Favourite" added to "File" menu, allowing to quickly open file which was marked as favorite.
• New sub-menu "Open Cloud" added to "File" menu, allowing to quickly open recently used cloud file - e.g. a file from local folder dedicated to OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud Drive or Dropbox.
• New sub-menu "Open Saved" added to "File" menu, allowing to quickly open recently saved file.
• The sub-menus "File > Open Recent", "File > Open Favourite", "File > Open Cloud", "File > Open Saved" are now capable of displaying small preview icon in the menu. (Only when the "Right Panel > Preview Files" option is ON in Manager).
• New button "Sleep" added to main toolbar. Use it to put open document on hard disk and close application, allowing to quickly resume later.
• New option "Outside Outermost only" added to dialog box which appears when inserting outlines.

ICONIZER

• Print design template from "Quick View" window and also from "Embird Iconizer" property sheet shown in "Properties" dialog box.
• Zip design in "Quick View" window and also in "Embird Iconizer" property sheet shown in "Properties" dialog box.
• Mark design as Favourite in "Quick View" window and also from "Embird Iconizer" property sheet shown in "Properties" dialog box.
• Copy design full path to Clipboard in "Quick View" window and also from "Embird Iconizer" property sheet shown in "Properties" dialog box.
• Invoke sending of design in attachment of e-mail from "Quick View" window and also from "Embird Iconizer" property sheet shown in "Properties" dialog box.

THREAD CATALOGS

• New thread catalogs added:
• Exquisite Poly
• coFEE Polyester
• 35 threads added to DMC thread catalog

TUTORIALS

• Quick Registration with PIN in Embird 2020
• Change Fill Pattern
• Double-click to Fill Empty Area in Editor
• Embird Cross Stitch - Create Cross Stitch Design from Other Design
• Embird Spider
• Favourite Designs
• Predefined Folders
• Replace Stitches with Contours

HOOPS

• Brother Luminaire XP1 Square Hoop (272 x 272 mm)
• Brother Luminaire XP1 Hoop (272 x 408 mm) - Vertical
• Brother Luminaire XP1 Hoop (408 x 272 mm) - Horizontal
• Janome MC550e RE36b (200 x 360 mm) - Vertical
• Janome MC550e RE36b (360 x 200 mm) - Horizontal

Version 2019

Changes from version 2018

GENERAL

• Fixed issue with Pfaff .SPX format
• Fixed issue with Property Sheet icon handler
• Fixed issue with transparent .PNG file
• Dashed jump stitches in 3D view mode

STUDIO

• Fix to lettering mode (alphabets)
• Enhancement to auto-column tool
• Enhancement to lettering from Font Engine

Version 2018

Changes from version 2017

GENERAL

• Basic Embird program now allows to quickly digitize simple designs - just by double-click on the image in background in Editor. Find more details below in "EDITOR" section.
• New free designs included with Embird.
• New format .ZHS (Zeng Hsing) is now supported in Embird.

MANAGER

• If you double-click some color of design shown on Middle Panel, the popup menu appears for this color allowing to make operation with this color - change it, choose new from thread catalog, etc.
• If you send some design using "Right Panel > Internet > Send Files in Attachment of E-mail", it is now possible to switch ON "Add Thumbnail Image" option. This will attach small preview thumbnail image of design being sent, together with description of its properties - size, stitch count, color count, thread changes, etc. Tip: Send such an e-mail to your own e-mail address, which is accesible via web (e.g to your account at gmail.com) and you will have your design file available on any device which has access to your email account. This way it is possible to build whole archive (and back-up) of your designs in your web e-mail box.
• New option added: "Options > Settings > Automatically Send Files in Attachment of E-mail". If ON, the e-mail is automatically composed whenever a new file is being saved in Embird - e.g. after saving in Editor, or converting design in Manager.

EDITOR

• If you double-click some color of design shown on work area, the popup menu appears for this color allowing to make operation with this color - change it, choose new from thread catalog, delete it, separate, split before or after, etc.
• If you import an image to Editor via "Image > Open" menu, and you double-click some area of solid color in this image, the contours of this area would be recognized and it is possible to fill them with stitches. It is possible to create brand new designs in Editor with several double-clicks. No other Embird plug-in registration is required for this operation. Find more details in new tutorial "Double-click to Stitch in Editor".
• If you send some design using "File > Send in Attachment of E-mail", it is now possible to switch ON "Add Thumbnail Image" option. This will attach small preview thumbnail image of design being sent, together with description of its properties - size, stitch count, color count, thread changes, etc.
• New command "Insert > Effect" added to Editor. See tutorial "Insert Effect" to find more information.
• Menu "Insert > Basting Stitches" now allows to insert various types of basting stitches - ellipse, circle, etc. See tutorial "Fill Closed Contours (advanced)".
• New command "Image > Convert to Contours" added.
• New commands "Edit > Split/Join > Separate All Colors" and "Edit > Split/Join > Separate All Items" added, allowing to separate either all colors in selected design, or all items (split on every jump, trim and color change code).

STUDIO

• Support of SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics Format) in "main menu > Design > Import Vector File" function
• Enhancement to column compilation
• Enhancement to Font Engine objects compilation
• Enhancement to auto-column compilation
• Enhancement to fill compilation
• Faster rendering of font list
• New hoops added
• Enhancement to import of vector graphics

CROSS STICH

• Now it is possible to Insert Outline and Insert Cross Outline only inside, only outside, or to both sides.

TUTORIALS

• Double-click to Stitch in Editor
• Insert Effect
• Fill Closed Contours (advanced)
• Send Files in Attachment of E-mail (revised)
• Double-click to change color in Manager
• Double-click to change color in Editor

HOOPS

• Zeng Hsing HS10 40 x 40 mm
• Zeng Hsing HS20 100 x 100 mm
• Zeng Hsing HR30 170 x 110 mm - Horizontal
• Zeng Hsing HR30 110 x 170 mm - Vertical
• Zeng Hsing HR40 250 x 160 mm - Horizontal
• Zeng Hsing HR40 160 x 250 mm - Vertical
• Zeng Hsing HR50 305 x 160 mm - Horizontal
• Zeng Hsing HR50 160 x 305 mm - Vertical