 Travel through the design using arrow keys or Travel tools.

As you
travel, stitches are added to the selection.

Travel 10 Stitches
tool used

 Press Q again to toggle off stitch selection.

Related topics...
 Travel through designs

Insert stitches

Use Stitch > Stitch Edit to insert stitches in an object.

You can insert stitches in an object to fill gaps. Inserted stitches are
considered part of the object. They will, however, be lost if the object’s
stitches are regenerated. Where possible, edit object properties rather
than individual stitches. For example, to increase stitch density, reduce
spacing rather than insert stitches.

To insert stitches
1 Click the Stitch Edit icon and zoom into the area you want to edit.
2 Select a needlepoint.

Right-click

3 Move the mouse pointer where you want to insert the new stitch, and
right-click.

Note: Inserting stitches is different from creating stitches using the

Manual input method. With this tool you create a separate object,
with its own properties and connectors.

Related topics...
 Digitizing manual stitches

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Edit stitches

Use Stitch > Stitch Edit to select individual stitches for moving.

Use Docker > Stitch List to toggle Stitch List display on/off. Use it to edit
coordinates of individual stitches.

You can move or delete individual or groups of selected stitches.

To edit stitches
 Click the Stitch Edit icon and zoom into the area you want to edit.
 Select stitches and drag them to a new position.

Shadow
outline

Drag selected stitch

to new position

 Select a stitch or stitches and press Delete.

Select
stitches

Press
Delete

C h a p ter 17 St itch e s & M a ch i n e F u nc ti on s 400

  Open the Stitch List and double-click the stitch coordinate you want
to edit.

Enter new stitch

coordinates as
required

 Enter new coordinates in the X and Y fields and press Enter. The new
coordinates will change the location of the stitch end point.

Caution: If an object’s stitches are regenerated for any reason, all

stitch editing functions are lost. Where possible, reshape the object
rather than move individual stitches.

Related topics...
 Reshaping Objects
 Select stitches with the Stitch List

Splitting objects

Use Travel > Travel by Segment to move stitch cursor to the next/previous
segment. Left/right click.

Use Travel > Travel 1 Stitch to move stitch cursor forwards/backwards 1

stitch at a time. Left/right click.

Use Stitch > Split Object to split object in two at current needle position. Use
with Travel by Stitch functions.

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 Use the Split Object command to split most embroidery objects. Run
objects may also be split but Complex Fill and Complex Turning objects
may not.

To split objects
 Use the Travel by Segment or Travel by Stitch functions to move to the
stitch where you want to split the object. See also Travel through
designs.
 Select Stitch > Split Object.
Split object
deleted

Split object

Tip: You can convert any split manual objects to outline objects with
Process Stitches.

Related topics...
 Adjusting stitch densities
 Travel through designs
 Converting stitches to objects

Editing machine functions

Most machine functions are inserted automatically whenever you select
commands or specify object properties. They are stored with the
embroidery object and updated whenever it is modified. However,
EmbroideryStudio lets you insert machine functions manually. Depending
on the current machine format, different functions are available. The
most common types are described below. See your machine manual for
further details. See also Embroidery machine formats.

Caution: Machine functions which are manually inserted into

non-manual objects – e.g. Column A, Complex Fill, etc – need to be

C h a p ter 17 St itch e s & M a ch i n e F u nc ti on s 402

 maintained manually. If an object’s stitches are regenerated for any
reason, manually inserted machine functions may be moved to another
point in the stitch sequence. For this reason, only insert functions
manually if they cannot be added automatically.

Machine function types

EmbroideryStudio lets you manually insert color changes, thread trims,
jumps, machine stops, needles in and out, and boring functions,
depending on the selected machine format.

Color Change functions

Color Change functions tell the machine to use the next thread color in
the design. They are automatically inserted when you select a new color
from the color palette. See Assign thread colors for details.

Note: You only need to insert manual color change functions if you
cannot recolor using standard methods – for example, when using
multiple colors within a single object.

Trim functions
Trim functions instruct machines with trimmers to cut connecting threads
before moving to the next object. You insert trims automatically by
setting connector values or using the Trim tool. See Automatic trim
settings and Add trims for details.
If you need additional trims, you can insert the functions manually.

Note: If a machine does not have a trimmer, the Trim function is ignored.
Depending on the machine format, the Trim function may be a code or a
sequence of jumps. See Trim functions for details.

Stop functions
If you want the embroidery machine to stop for any reason during
stitching, you need to manually insert a Stop function in the stitching
sequence.

Tip: Because a Stop function may be inserted for various reasons, you
should record the purpose of the stop on the production worksheet to
assist the machine operator.

Jump functions
Jump functions cause frame movements without needle penetrations and
are used to move smoothly from one part of a design to another. There
are various methods for automatically entering Jump functions.

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 403

 Apply Auto Jump to preserve long stitches. See Preserve long stitches
for details.
 Digitize individual jumps by right-clicking the Manual icon. See
Digitizing manual stitches for details.
 Select jumps as connectors. See Use jumps as connectors for details.
 Create jump connectors manually by digitizing with Penetrations
deselected. See Add jumps with penetrations off for details.
If you need additional jumps, you can insert the functions manually.

Begin/End Jump functions

The Begin/End Jump functions (formerly known as Needle Out/In)
instruct the machine whether or not to use needle penetrations. You
insert these functions automatically using the Penetrations tool
(formerly known as Needles In). See Add jumps with penetrations off for
details.
If you need additional Begin/End Jump functions, you can insert them
manually.

Note: Remember to insert a End Jump function to instruct the machine

to resume normal stitching.

Borer In/Out functions

Borer In/Out functions are available for embroidery machines equipped
with a borer. They instruct the machine when to use the boring knife or
tool instead of a needle. You insert these functions automatically using
the Borers tool (formerly known as Borers In). See also Boring.
If you need additional Borer In or Out functions, you can insert them
manually.

Sequin On/Off functions

Sequin On and Sequin Off functions are available for embroidery
machines that are equipped with a sequin dispenser. The Sequin On
function generally instructs the machine to physically lower the sequin
dispenser into position for sequins to be placed (fed and cut). These
functions are automatically inserted when using the Sequin tools. See
Sequin Embroidery for details.
If you need additional Sequin On or Sequin Off functions, you can insert
them manually. See Insert sequin drops for details.
Some machines, notably Schiffli, use only explicit Drop Sequin functions.
These instruct the machine to drop a sequin on the fabric for stitching.
Schiffli machines, for example, do not require Sequin On/Off functions.
See the ES Schiffli User Manual Supplement for details.

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Insert machine functions manually

Use Docker > Stitch List to toggle Stitch List display on/off. Use it to insert
machine functions directly into the stitching sequence.

Click Function > Insert Function to insert machine function at current stitch
cursor position.

You can insert machine functions manually by means of the Insert

Function dialog. Depending on your machine’s requirements, you will
either add the function to the current stitch, or insert it on an empty
stitch or empty jump. For some machines you will also need to add empty
stitches or empty jumps on either side of some functions. See your
machine manual for details.

Caution: When you insert machine functions manually, you must

maintain them manually. For this reason, only insert manual functions if
they cannot be added automatically.

To insert machine functions manually

 Open the Stitch List and locate the position in the stitching sequence
where you want to insert the machine function. Alternatively, use the
travel functions to locate the insertion point. The function name
appears in the Prompt Bar.

Select Insert
Function

 Right-click the stitch and select Insert Function from the popup
menu.

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 405

 Alternatively, click the Insert Function icon or select Function >
Insert Function.

Select from functions

available for selected
machine format

 From the Available Functions list, select the function you want to
insert. Available functions and their options depend on the current
machine format.

Tip: It is faster to digitize individual jumps – Jump(M) – by

right-clicking with the Manual input method selected. If you want the
whole object to consist of jumps, deselect the Penetrations icon.
 If available, choose an insertion method. With some functions you can
choose whether to insert on the current stitch or on an empty stitch.
 To insert additional empty stitches or empty jumps, select one or other
in the Component field.
Depending on your machine, you may need to insert additional empty
stitches or empty jumps before or after the selected function. For
example, before a particular Stop function, you may need to insert a
number of empty jumps. See your machine manual for details.
 Use the buttons to insert additional components before or after the
selected function.
Click Insert Before if you need the empty stitch/jump to precede the
selected function.

C h a p ter 17 St itch e s & M a ch i n e F u nc ti on s 406

  To insert multiple empty stitches or jumps, click Add. The selected
function, together with any additional empty stitches or jumps,
appears in the Sequence panel.

Additional empty
stitches inserted
before and after
selected function

 Click OK to insert. The selected function, together with any additional

empty stitches or jumps, is added at the current needle position. The
name of the inserted function appears in the Prompt Bar.

Additional empty
jumps inserted before
and after selected
function

Related topics...
 Create designs from templates
 Travel through designs
 Select stitches with the Stitch List
 Add jumps with penetrations off

Edit machine functions manually

Use Docker > Stitch List to toggle Stitch List display on/off. Use it to edit
machine function encoding and to clear machine functions.

Click Function > Clear Function to remove machine functions at current

stitch cursor position.

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 Click Function > Edit Function to edit machine function at current stitch
cursor position.

You can edit the encoding of machine functions by changing the number
or sequence of empty stitches or empty jumps that appear around them.
Some machines require a specific number of empty stitches or empty
jumps in combination with a function in order to interpret it correctly. You
may need to edit functions if they were inserted incorrectly or the
machine format has changed.

Note: Both automatic and manually-inserted functions can be removed.

Functions added by EmbroideryStudio are automatically updated if an
object is modified or the machine format changes. Manually inserted
machine functions are not automatically removed or updated. You
generally only need to edit manually inserted machine functions. If a
function is no longer required, it must be manually cleared from the
design.

To edit machine functions manually

 Open the Stitch List and locate the position in the stitching sequence
where you want to insert the machine function. Alternatively, use the
travel functions to locate the insertion point. The function name
appears in the Prompt Bar.

Edit selected
machine function

 To remove the function altogether, select Clear <function> from the

popup menu.

C h a p ter 17 St itch e s & M a ch i n e F u nc ti on s 408

  If a stitch includes more than one machine function – e.g. Trim and
Tie-off – the Clear <function> command will invoke the Clear
Function dialog. Use this to selectively clear functions as desired.

Select functions
to clear

 Right-click the function and select Edit Function from the popup
menu. Alternatively, click the Edit Function icon or select Function
> Edit Function. The Sequence panel shows the current format of
the selected function.

Insert empty stitch/jump

before or after the
machine function

Select empty stitch

or empty jump

 To insert additional empty stitches or empty jumps, select one or other

in the Component field.
 Use the buttons to insert additional components before or after the
selected function. Click Insert Before if you need the empty
stitch/jump to precede the selected function.
 To insert multiple empty stitches or jumps, click Add.
 To delete an empty stitch or empty jump from the sequence, select
and click Remove.

Related topics...
 Travel through designs

Filtering stitches & functions

You can use the Stitch List to help locate stitches and machine functions
for editing. The Stitch List displays stitch number, stitch coordinates,
stitch length, stitch function, stitch color. When you select a stitch in the
list, it is simultaneously selected in your design.

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Filter stitches by function

Use Docker > Stitch List to toggle Stitch List display on/off. Use it to display
stitches associated with specific functions.

You can apply a filter to the Stitch List so that only stitches associated
with specific functions appear in the list.

To filter stitches by function

1 Open the Stitch List.

Show
functions

2 Right-click a stitch and select Show Functions from the popup menu.

Select functions
to show

3 Select the functions you want to show.

Tip: To select multiple functions, use Ctrl or Shift keys as you click.
Click Select All to show all function types.

C h a p ter 17 St itch e s & M a ch i n e F u nc ti on s 410

 4 Click OK. Selected functions are displayed in the list.

Only selected
functions are
displayed

Tip: To display the text in the associated stitch color, select Colored
Text from the popup menu.
5 To show all stitches again, right-click in the Stitch List and select
Show All from the popup menu.

Related topics...
 Select stitches with the Stitch List

Filter stitches by stitch length

Use Docker > Stitch List to toggle Stitch List display on/off. Use it to display
only stitches of a certain length.

You can apply a filter to the Stitch List so that only stitches of a certain
length appear in the list. The main use of this feature is to find stitches
which cause production problems, such as short stitches (e.g. <
1.0 mm).

To filter stitches by stitch length

1 Open the Stitch List.

Show
stitches

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 411

 2 Right-click a stitch and select Show Stitches from the popup menu.
The Show Stitches dialog opens.

Select stitch
range to show

3 Select the range of stitch lengths you want to show:

Option Function
Radial Corresponds to the actual stitch length.
Axial X,Y Corresponds to the horizontal and vertical frame movements.

4 Click OK. Only the selected stitches are displayed in the list.

Only selected
stitches are
displayed

Tip: To display the text in the associated stitch color, select Colored
Text from the popup menu.
5 To show all stitches again, right-click in the Stitch List and select
Show All from the popup menu.

Related topics...
 Select stitches with the Stitch List
 Eliminating small stitches
 Preserve long stitches

Digitizing manual stitches

Use Traditional Digitizing > Manual to digitize individual ‘manual’ stitches.

C h a p ter 17 St itch e s & M a ch i n e F u nc ti on s 412

 Use Traditional Digitizing > Triple Manual to digitize triple ‘manual’ stitches.

Occasionally you may need to digitize individual stitches. Use these

sparingly, for example, to add a few details to a finished design. Digitize
individual stitches with the Manual method. You can enter single manual
stitches, or enter three stitch layers at a time with the Triple Manual
tool. Manual stitches digitized together form a single embroidery object.
The only properties of manual objects are general and connector
properties. They are not well suited to scaling and transforming actions.
Use them sparingly, for example to add a few stitches to a finished
design.

Caution: Manual stitches are not well suited to scaling and transforming
actions as the stitches have no associated properties. Use them
sparingly.

To digitize individual stitches

1 Click the Manual or Triple Manual icon.
2 Click to mark the start of the stitch and again to mark its end.
The end-point becomes the beginning of the next stitch.
3 Continue marking stitch points until the manual stitch object is
complete.

2 6 10
4 8

1 7 11
3 5
Use the left 9
mouse button

Tip: Stitches that are too long will automatically become jump
stitches, but you can also create jumps manually by right-clicking as
you digitize.

Click for manual Right-click for

stitches jumps

Tip: You can also use manual stitching together with machine
functions to create boring holes. If your embroidery machine is

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 413

 equipped with a boring knife or needle, you can use the Borers tool
to turn needle penetrations into boring holes, regardless of selected
stitch type. Holes are cut in the fabric, producing an effect similar to
lace.

Related topics...
 Use jumps as connectors
 Boring

Converting stitches to objects

By default, machine files are converted to outlines and objects upon
opening. If you only want to convert selected parts of a design, you can
open the file without object/outline recognition and process only the
required stitch blocks. If you want to scale a design, edit an outline or
change a stitch type, then the design or selected elements must be first
converted into ‘objects’.

Tip: To ensure object outlines, stitch types, stitch density and colors are
correct, it is always a good idea to check and edit designs after
conversion. To improve the quality of a machine file, it is often better to
edit stitches before conversion. See also Opening machine files.

Recognize object outlines

Use Stitch > Stitch Edit together with Recognize Objects/Outlines to turn
selected stitches into an embroidery object.

New or revised object outlines can be recognized after stitch edits have
been made. This is useful with machine files which have been opened
without Object/Outline recognition. You may do this to preserve the
original stitching in most of the design, while modifying a single section
of it. You may also want to turn edited stitches into an embroidery object
in order to preserve the edits.

C h a p ter 17 St itch e s & M a ch i n e F u nc ti on s 414

 To recognize object outlines
1 Click the Stitch Edit icon and select the individual stitches you want
to process.

Stitches selected

2 Select Stitch > Recognize Objects/Outlines. The selected stitches

are converted to objects.

Objects and
outlines created

Related topics...
 Opening machine files
 Selecting & editing stitches

Process manual stitches

Use Stitch > Process Stitches to adjust stitch density of and/or scale whole
or selected parts.

You can process manual stitches to recognize outlines or adjust size and
stitch density. You can also use the Process Stitches feature to change
stitch count and density for the whole design, or for objects of a particular
stitch type only.

Tip: You can also split larger manual objects into smaller objects, and
process them individually.

To process manual stitches

1 Open a machine file without object/outline recognition.
2 Edit parts of the design as required.

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 415

3 Select the part of the design you want to process. You can select the
whole design or individual manual objects.

Manual object

4 Select Stitch > Process Stitches. The Process Stitches dialog

opens.

Enter target
stitch count

Click to access
advanced
recognition
options

Adjust stitch
densities

Adjust Pull
Compensation

5 In the Stitch Values panel, enter the number of Target Stitches as

either a percentage or absolute value (in millimeters).
6 Adjust the density for each stitch type as required. You can change the
density for selected objects and/or for specific stitch types only.
7 Click Recognition to set advanced recognition options as required.
8 Click OK. Selected objects are processed and converted to Column A
or Run objects with fill or outline stitch properties as well as general
and connector properties. If an object is not recognized, it remains a

C h a p ter 17 St itch e s & M a ch i n e F u nc ti on s 416

 manual object with general and connector properties only. In this
case, the target stitch count may not be reached.

Manual object converted to

Column A and Run
objects, or left as Manual

Note: Process Stitches adds the missing information to the file, but
does not change the stitches.

Related topics...
 Adjusting stitch densities
 Splitting objects
 Advanced recognition settings

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 417

 PART V
STITCH QUALITY
EmbroideryStudio provides many settings to ensure high quality
stitchout on any fabric. For instance, to sew out correctly, an object must
have correct stitch spacing, sufficient pull compensation together with a
suitable underlay for the combination of cover stitch type, object type,
object shape and fabric. Auto Fabric provides a set of customized fabric
settings so the software will take into account the type of fabric you are
stitching on. However, you can override these on an object-by-object
basis as necessary. See also Working with fabrics.

Underlays & pull compensation

This section describes how to set and adjust automatic underlays. It also
deals compensating for fabric stretch with automatic pull compensation.
See Underlay & Pull Compensation for details.

Optimizing stitch quality

This section describes how to adjust stitch density as well as eliminate
small stitches. It also explains controlling corner stitching and reducing
stitch bunching. Optimizing long satin stitches is also covered. See
Optimizing Stitch Quality for details.

Embroidery connectors
This section describes how to add connectors, tie-offs and trims to your
designs. It also describes adjusting settings for automatic connectors,
including the stitch length for travel runs. It also deals with setting
automatic start and end points. See Embroidery Connectors for details.

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 418

Chapter 18
Underlay & Pull Compensation

Embroidery stitches pull fabric inward where needles penetrate. This can
cause fabric to pucker, stitch bunching, and/or unsightly gaps to appear
in the embroidery. EmbroideryStudio includes many techniques for
achieving smooth, even placement of stitches, and the elimination of
gaps in designs.

For an object to sew out correctly, it must have correct stitch spacing,
sufficient pull compensation, together with a suitable underlay for the
particular combination of cover stitch type, object type, object shape,
and fabric.

Note: EmbroideryStudio provides a set of optimized fabric settings that

take into account the type of fabric you are stitching on. These settings
are all object properties, some of which are entirely automated and some
which you have control over. See Object Properties for details.

Stabilizing with automatic underlay

Embroidery appearance and quality depends a lot on underlay which
serves as a foundation for the cover stitching. Without an underlay,
embroidery lies flat on the underlying fabric which can often show
through. New digitizers might be tempted to increase stitch density but
it is much more effective to apply an automatic underlay. Although it
increases the stitch count, underlay helps to stabilize fabrics and reduce
puckering and pulling especially on larger designs. It also provides ‘loft’,
raising cover stitches and preventing them from sinking into soft fabrics.
It can also prepare a napped fabric by flattening it.

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 419

Underlay types
Different underlays suit different shapes and different fabrics. Larger
areas and stretchy fabrics such as knits and pique generally need more
underlay than smaller areas and firm fabrics such as drill or leather.
Smaller objects may use a single layer of underlay. Larger objects may
combine two layers.

Underlay settings are stored with each object the same way as other
object properties. They are regenerated whenever the object is scaled or
transformed. They are stored separately from, and do not affect, cover
stitch settings.

Default underlay values

Default underlay values are derived from three possible sources:
 When Auto Fabric is turned on, a default underlay is applied, based
on current fabric settings.
 When Auto Fabric is turned off and the ‘use preset styles’ option is
turned on, style definitions are used. See Digitizing presets for details.
 When Auto Fabric is turned off and the ‘use preset styles’ option is
turned off, template values are used. See Working with templates for
details.

Related topics...
 Digitizing presets
 Working with fabrics
 Working with object properties
 Setting lettering underlay

Apply automatic underlay

Use Stitch Effects > Auto Underlay to strengthen and stabilize embroidery
designs with automatic underlays. Right-click for settings.

C h a p te r 18 U n de rlay & P u l l C om p e n s a t ion 420

EmbroideryStudio provides a wide selection of underlay types to choose
from. Use a single layer of underlay, or for more support, combine two
underlay types. The underlay you choose is determined by the shape and
size of object, fabric type, and purpose it is to serve. EmbroideryStudio
lets you set values to suit different fabrics, lettering appearance and size.

To apply automatic underlay

 Toggle underlays on/off with the Auto Underlay button.
 Without objects selected, right-click the Auto Underlay icon to
change current settings.
 With objects selected, right-click the Auto Underlay icon to change
settings for those objects.

Select 2nd
underlay
Select 1st Select 2nd
underlay underlay type
Select 1st
underlay type

Adjust 2nd
underlay settings
Adjust 1st
underlay settings

Adjust 2nd
Adjust 1st underlay margins
underlay margins

 For a single underlay, tick the First Underlay checkbox and choose
an underlay type from the droplist.

First underlay: Edge Run First underlay: Edge Run First underlay: Edge Run
(Column B object) (Complex Fill object) (Complex Turning object)

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 421

  For a double-underlay, tick the Second Underlay checkbox and
choose a second underlay type.

2nd underlay: Zigzag 2nd underlay: Tatami 2nd underlay: Double Zigzag

Related topics...
 Working with fabrics
 Working with object properties
 Setting lettering underlay

Underlay by segment or by shape

Free shapes generally stitch out in several segments, joined by travel
runs. However, all segments and boundaries are part of the same object.
With the exception of lettering objects, underlay is normally applied
segment-by-segment before any cover stitches are sewn.

Branched Complex
Turning with Edge +
Center Run underlay ‘by
segment’

Stitch count: 1060

Branched Complex
Turning with Edge +
Center Run underlay
‘by shape’

Stitch count: 957

‘By shape’ underlay is applied to lettering objects by default. However, it

can also be applied to objects such as Complex Turning as well as
branched objects. This has the effect of calculating an underlay for the
whole shape rather than each segment. This in turn reduces bunching,

C h a p te r 18 U n de rlay & P u l l C om p e n s a t ion 422

 travel runs, and overall stitch count. Depending on the size of object,
however, registration issues may come into play.

Underlay margins

Right-click Stitch Effects > Auto Underlay to adjust underlay margins.

The underlay margin is the distance between an object outline and the
edge of the underlay. Increase this margin to prevent underlay stitches
from extending outside the cover stitches.

Adjust margins to prevent

underlay stitches from
extending to far

 For Column A, Column B, Column C and Lettering objects, enter

margins in the 1:, 2: and 3: fields, using the diagram as a guide.
 For Complex Fill objects, enter a margin in the 1: field only. Values in
the other fields will be ignored.

Mgn 1: 0.8 mm, Mgn 2: 0.2 mm, All margins: 0.1 mm

Mgn 3: 0.4 mm

 If you are joining two columns, use a negative value at the joining end.
The underlay will extend outside the cover stitching, allowing for
smooth joining of the columns.

Two columns joined

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 423

Run stitch underlay settings

Right-click Stitch Effects > Auto Underlay to adjust Center Run and Edge
Run underlay settings.

Center Run places a row of stitches along the center of a column. It is

used to stabilize narrow columns – e.g. 2-3 mm wide. Edge Run places
stitches around the edge of an object. Use Edge Run together with the
zigzag or tatami underlays when digitizing large shapes.

Center Run and Edge Run

underlays used together

 Enter a stitch length for each underlay type. The samples below show
the difference between fixed and variable run lengths.

Edge Run and Center Run underlay Edge Run and Center Run underlay
with 2.5 mm stitch length with variable run length

 Adjust stitch length to ensure underlay stitches follow curves and are
not visible in the final embroidery.

Option Function
Length Sets the maximum length of each stitch.
Vary run length If enabled, specify minimum stitch length and chord gap
values. The chord gap is the distance between digitized curve
and underlay stitch. This determines how closely stitches
follow digitized lines.

Related topics...
 Adjust column width

C h a p te r 18 U n de rlay & P u l l C om p e n s a t ion 424

Tatami underlay settings

Right-click Stitch Effects > Auto Underlay to adjust tatami underlay settings.

Tatami underlay is used to stabilize large, filled shapes. It resembles an

extremely open tatami fill stitch, where rows of stitches are placed across
the object to create the underlay. Tatami underlay is often used together
with Edge Run, especially for Complex Fill objects under tatami cover
stitching.

Direction of
underlay

Direction of cover
Tatami stitch with Edge stitching
Run & Tatami underlay

 Adjust stitch spacing and length settings for tatami underlay in the
same way as for tatami fill stitches.

Spacing: 3mm

Spacing: 2mm

 Select the backstitch type you require and, for Complex Fill objects,
set the stitch angle of the underlay stitches. Underlay stitch angle
should run counter to cover stitching.

Angle: 45º

Angle: 135º

 For extra support with very soft or elastic fabrics, try using Double
Tatami in combination with Edge Run. Adjust stitch angle so that

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 Double Tatami provides symmetrical slanting in forward and
backward directions. This should result in a ‘cross-hatch’ effect. In
addition, it can give a raised surface similar to ‘puff embroidery’.

Adjust angle for

Tatami stitch with slanted double
Edge Run & Double tatami underlay
Tatami underlay

Tip: Increase the margin as necessary to prevent underlay stitches from

extending outside the cover stitches.

Related topics...
 Tatami density
 Other tatami settings
 Object property apply options
 Underlay margins

Zigzag underlay settings

Right-click Stitch Effects > Auto Underlay to adjust Zigzag and Double
Zigzag underlay settings.

Use Zigzag and Double Zigzag underlay stitching to support wide

columns. You can combine Zigzag or Double Zigzag with Center Run or
Edge Run underlays. These underlays are best used under Satin cover
stitching.

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Adjust the required spacing and length for each underlay type.

Spacing: 3.0 mm Spacing: 4.0 mm

EmbroideryStudio allows you to slant Zigzag underlay to create what is

sometimes called ‘stemstitch underlay’. This can be applied to Column A,
B, C, and lettering objects.

Zigzag underlay

Adjust angle for

slanted zigzag
underlay

Slanted zigzag
underlay

Normal zigzag underlay runs in a similar direction to satin cover stitching

causing it to ‘sink’. Double Zigzag provides symmetrical slanting in
forward and backward directions resulting in a ‘cross-hatch’ effect. This
may provide more support than single zigzag. In addition, it can give a
raised effect similar to ‘puff embroidery’.

Zigzag underlay Zigzag underlay

Angle: 45° Angle: 45°
Spacing: 3mm Spacing: 1mm

Double Zigzag too can be slanted to create even more loft.

Double-zigzag Slanted double-zigzag

underlay underlay

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 Caution: When using very small angles for slanted underlays, they can
extend outside object boundaries.

Related topics...
 Adjust column width
 Underlay margins
 Setting lettering underlay
 Open stitching

Compensating for fabric stretch

Embroidery stitches tend to pull fabric inwards where the needle
penetrates. This can cause fabric to pucker and gaps to appear in the
embroidery. Experienced digitizers can manually compensate for pull by
overlapping objects as they digitize. Automatic pull compensation,
however, counters the pull effect by ‘overstitching’ outlines of filled
shapes on the sides where the needle penetrates.

Digitized outline

Pull Calculated outline

compensation

Adjust overstitching by varying pull compensation in the Object

Properties docker. This is handy if you want to stitch a design on fabrics
with varying degrees of stretch.

Tip: Applying underlay stitching, and using appropriate backing and

topping when stitching out can also reduce the push-pull effect.

Apply automatic pull compensation

Use Stitch Effects > Pull Compensation to automatically compensate for

fabric stretch. Right-click for settings.

Apply automatic pull compensation to objects in your design and adjust

as part of your quality checks prior to stitchout.

To apply automatic pull compensation

 Toggle automatic pull compensation on/off via the Pull
Compensation button.

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  Without objects selected, right-click the Pull Compensation icon to
change current settings.
 With objects selected, right-click the Pull Compensation icon to
change settings for those objects.

Select Pull Compensation

and enter an overstitch
allowance

 Enter an overstitch allowance (in millimeters).

Pull Compensation: 0.0 mm Pull Compensation: 0.6 mm

Appropriate pull compensation settings vary with the type of fabric –

stretchy, pile, etc – hooping method – tight or loosely hooped – and size
of embroidery object – wide or narrow columns. Use the following table
as a guideline.

Fabric Pull compensation (mm)

drills, cotton 0.20
T-shirt 0.35
fleece, jumper 0.40
lettering 0.2 - 0.3

Related topics...
 Working with fabrics
 Working with object properties

Adjust column width

Right-click Stitch Effects > Pull Compensation to adjust column width

setting.

The Column Width setting adjusts the width of columnar shapes,

allowing you to change the column width at every point by a constant

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amount in the direction of stitching. The purpose is to ‘fatten’ or ‘thin’ a
column, for example, in order to create ‘bold’ lettering. See also Format
lettering.

Tip: Reduce column width if you need to allow the underlay to extend
outside the object boundary.

To adjust column width

 Right-click the Pull Compensation icon to access object properties.

Select Column Width and

enter column width
adjustment

 Select the Column Width checkbox and adjust as necessary.

Column width: -1 No adjustment Column width: +1

Related topics...
 Apply automatic pull compensation

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Chapter 19
Optimizing Stitch Quality

When it comes to embroidery production, the current stitch density may

not be perfect for certain fabrics or threads. Or you may want to make
production cheaper by reducing overall stitch count. After scaling
operations, for example, designs may contain small stitches which can
damage fabric and cause thread or needle breakage. Sharp corners may
cause stitch bunching which can create hard spots in the embroidery and
damage fabric or needle.

Embroidery machines have a maximum possible stitch length which is

determined by the physical frame movement. If long satin stitches
exceed this, they are broken into smaller stitches.
EmbroideryStudio helps you resolve all these issues with a number of
specialized techniques for optimizing stitching quality for different design
types and production requirements.

Controlling stitch direction

Sometimes you need to control stitching direction in order to minimize
trims, push-pull effect, improve stitching efficiency, and/or reinforce
outlines. Backtrack and Repeat allow you to reinforce outlines while
specifying stitching direction. The Reverse Curves command allows you
to reverse stitching direction without duplication.

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Reverse stitch direction

Use Edit > Reverse > Reverse Curves to reverse stitch direction in vector or
closed embroidery objects.

Stitching direction can affect embroidery quality because of the push-pull

effect. The Reverse Curves command lets you control the push-pull
effect by reversing stitch direction. It can be applied to open as well as
closed outline objects. To reverse stitch direction, select an object and
apply Edit > Reverse Curves. The command is also available from the
popup (right-click) menu.

Column C object with

Jagged Edge

Reverse Curve
applied

Reverse Curves can be applied to Run, E Stitch, Column C, Motif Run,

and Sequin Run. It can also affect the stitching direction of Jagged Edge,
Contour Stitch, Tatami offsets, and Flexi Split patterns.

Tip: Vector objects too can be reversed. The effect on vector objects is
only visible when they are converted to embroidery.

Reinforce outlines

Use Traditional Digitizing > Backtrack to reinforce an outline, stitching it in

the reverse direction to the original.

Use Traditional Digitizing > Repeat to duplicate an outline in the same

direction – typically used with closed shapes.

Use Backtrack and Repeat to reinforce outlines. Backtrack stitches in

reverse direction to the original. It is typically used to make run stitch
outlines thicker without creating unwanted connecting stitches. Repeat
duplicates the original stitching direction and is typically used with closed
shapes.

To reinforce outlines
1 Select the outline (or outlines) to reinforce.
2 Click the Backtrack or Repeat icon as required:

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  Backtrack for open shapes
 Repeat for closed shapes.
The object is duplicated and placed over the original. It is positioned
after the original in the stitching sequence.

Backtrack for Repeat for

open shapes closed shapes

3 Check that the object has been duplicated by using one of the
following methods:
 Check the stitch count in the Status Bar.
 Use Stitch Player.
 Travel through the stitches.

Note: If you use Repeat for open shapes, a connecting stitch is

inserted from the end to the start of the next object which will require
trimming.

Related topics...
 Simulate design stitchouts
 Viewing stitching sequence

Removing underlying stitching

Use Appliqué > Remove Overlaps to remove underlying layer of stitching

in overlapping objects using the selected object as a ‘cutter’. Right-click for
settings.

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Use the Remove Overlaps command to remove underlying stitching in
overlapping objects. This helps to reduce stitch count and prevent a
build-up of stitches.

To remove underlying stitching

 Select one or more ‘cutters’.

Select cutters

 Click the Remove Overlaps icon. Underlying stitching is removed

using default settings. Alternatively, select Arrange > Remove
Overlaps to access settings or right-click the tool.

Set ‘cutter’
values

Enter amount of overlap

Enter size of smallest
permissible object

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 In the Cutters panel, adjust minimum object width and maximum
stitch spacing as desired.
These settings are useful if, for example, you choose an entire design
as a cutter and wish to exclude objects, such as borders or details, less
than a certain width. The Maximum Stitch Spacing setting allows
you to exclude background stitches of a certain density.
 Select Accordion Allowed to include Accordion Spacing objects. By
default, the software treats these objects as backgrounds and
excludes them from the cutting operation.
 Enter the amount of overlap required in the Cutting Overlaps field.

Specify cutting
overlap – e.g.
2.0mm

 In the Minimum Fragments field, enter the size of the smallest

object that will be produced after cutting. This eliminates the
generation of small objects and unnecessary color changes.
 Click OK. Underlaying stitching is removed.

Tip: You can use an entire design as a cutter excluding objects, such
as borders or details, less than a certain width.

Related topics...
 Create partial cover appliqué

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Adjusting stitch angles
Stitch angle adjustments depend on object type. With Complex Fill
objects you can set a single stitch angle for the entire object. You can add
multiple stitch angles with the Stitch Angles tool. You can also adjust
stitch angles with the Reshape Object tool.

Add angles in stitch angles mode

Use Graphics Digitizing > Stitch Angles to add stitch angles to selected
objects.

Use Graphics Digitizing > Remove Stitch Angles to remove stitch angles
from closed objects with turning stitches.

Add stitch angles to most embroidery objects interactively using the

Stitch Angles tool. Create embroidery objects by adding stitch angles
directly to vector objects.

Complex Fill object – one

stitch angle

Complex Fill converted

to Complex Turning

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 To add stitch angles in stitch angles mode
1 Select an object and click Stitch Angles.

Complex Fill object Stitch angles added

2 Digitize stitch angles so that they intersect two sides of the object.
3 Press Enter. The object is displayed in Reshape mode.
4 Holding down the Ctrl key, click the outline wherever you want to
place an additional stitch angle.

Column A object Column B object

Note: To remove all except the default stitch angle, select the object
and click Remove Stitch Angles.

Add stitch angles in Reshape mode

Use Reshape > Reshape Object to add stitch angles to selected objects.

Use Reshape Views > Show Stitch Angles to toggle stitch angle display
when using the Reshape Object tool.

Adjust or add stitch angles to embroidery objects interactively using the

Reshape Object tool.

To add stitch angles in Reshape mode

1 Select the object.

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 2 Click the Reshape Object icon and click Show Stitch Angles to view
only these control points.

Column A object Column B object

3 Click-and-drag stitch angle points to adjust.

Column A object Column B object

Tip: Column A objects automatically convert to Column B as soon as

you add or adjust a stitch angle. You cannot add stitch angles to
Complex Fill objects in Reshape mode.
4 Holding down the Ctrl key, click the outline wherever you want to
place an additional stitch angle.
5 Press Enter.

Related topics...
 Converting designs with CorelDRAW Graphics

Adjusting stitch densities

Use Stitch > Process Stitches to adjust stitch density of and/or scale the
whole or selected parts of a design.

You may need to change stitch density in order to stitch on a different

fabric or with a different thread. Or you may want to make production
cheaper by reducing the overall stitch count. The Process Stitches
feature lets you change the density of all stitch types (except manual

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stitch) across the whole or selected parts of a design. It also lets you
adjust the density of selected stitch types. You can even use the feature
to scale a design.

To adjust overall stitch density

 Select the design or objects you want to process.
 Click Process Stitches icon.

Enter target
stitch count
Select auto
spacing

Adjust stitch
densities

Adjust pull
compensation

 In the Stitch Values panel:

 Enter Target Stitches either as a percentage or absolute value.
This automatically adjusts density of each stitch type required to
achieve the target stitch count.
 Optionally, adjust density for each stitch type. You can select
spacing or length as a percentage of the original – from 10% to
1000% – or as an absolute value – e.g. in millimeters. If you do not
want to change the density of a certain stitch type, leave it as
100%.
 Select the checkbox if you want to use Auto Spacing for satin
stitching. If the checkbox is cleared, Auto Spacing will be removed
from all selected satin objects and will change to fixed spacing. If
the checkbox is dimmed, original Auto Spacing values are retained.
 In the Pull Compensation field, enter an amount by which to
overstitch (or understitch) in order to compensate for fabric pull.
 In the Dimensions panel, adjust Width and Height values to scale
selected objects.

Adjust width and

height settings to
scale

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  Click OK to apply. Stitches for Tatami, Satin, Run, Zigzag, and
Program Split objects are regenerated.

Program Split
Tatami stitches

100%: 5195 stitches 20%: 987 stitches Tatami stitch spacing reduced
(density increased)

Note: If a design was originally created in EmbroideryStudio, or was

converted into objects, changes you make through the Process
Stitches dialog will change properties of selected objects. You can
check changes via the Object Properties docker.

Related topics...
 Satin stitching
 Working with fabrics
 Compensating for fabric stretch
 Scale objects numerically

Eliminating small stitches

Small stitches can damage fabric and cause thread or needle breakage.
Before you stitch out, unwanted small stitches can be automatically
removed. The filter can be applied continuously, on output only, or never.

To eliminate small stitches

 Select Design > Remove Small Stitches.

Enter minimum
stitch length to
keep

 Choose your preferred option:

 When set to ‘Always’, the filter will be automatically applied in the
background whenever objects are edited or digitized.

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  When set to ‘On Output’, the filter is only applied when printing or
outputting files.
 Enter the minimum stitch length you want to preserve.
 Click OK to confirm.
 Check the Status Bar for the new stitch count.

Related topics...
 Other general options

Controlling corner stitching

The quality and style of corners is important in borders and appliqué, and
satin column sewing in general. Sharp corners may cause stitch bunching
which can create hard spots in the embroidery and may damage fabric or
needle. The Smart Corners feature helps you control sharp corners in
Column A and Column C objects.

Corner handling methods

The following approaches can apply to both appliqué and standard satin
(Column C) columns.

Method Sample Outline Description

No corner Stitches curve around
corners – standard Column C
corner handling.

Mitre Corners are formed by two

corner segments that join in a sharp
point.

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Method Sample Outline Description
Cap Corner is capped by an extra
corner segment – cap stitching
remains parallel to the
column.

Lap corner Corner broken into two

segments.

Corner rounding
A Round Sharp Corners option is available for Column C objects which
can also be applied to sharp corners. The option is only available in
conjunction with the Smart Corners effect. It is typically used with the
Cap Corner option.

Method Sample Outline Description

Rounded Corner is sewn in one
corner segment, with turning
stitching, forming a round
corner on the outer boundary.

Rounded The corner is sewn in three

cap corner segments forming a round
corner on the outside
boundary.

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Apply Smart Corners

Use Stitch Effects > Mitre Corners to create sharp lines at intersections of
two columns. Right-click to adjust settings.

Use Stitch Effects > Cap Corners with very sharp corners to generate fewer
stitches. Right-click to adjust settings.

Use Stitch Effects > Lap Corners for ‘Tidori’ style stitching. Right-click to
adjust settings.

Use the Smart Corners feature to reduce the number of stitches and
risk of bunched, distorted embroidery in sharp corners. Mitre Corners
creates a sharp line at the intersection of two columns. Use it primarily
for corner angles of 20° to 45°. Cap Corners is suitable for very sharp
corners as it generates fewer stitches. Lap Corners is suitable for ‘Tidori’
style stitching. It can be applied to Column C and appliqué objects.

To apply Smart Corners

 Click a Smart Corners icon with or without objects selected. With no
objects selected, smart corners are automatically generated for all
new objects. Corners are based on current properties.

Lap corners Mitre corners Cap corners

 Click again to turn off the effect.

Note: You can also combine Smart Corners in Column C objects with
sharp corner rounding.

Related topics...
 Adjust smart corner settings
 Round sharp corners
 Appliqué Embroidery

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Adjust smart corner settings

Use Stitch Effects > Mitre Corners to create sharp lines at intersections of
two columns. Right-click to adjust settings.

Use Stitch Effects > Cap Corners with very sharp corners to generate fewer
stitches. Right-click to adjust settings.

Use Stitch Effects > Lap Corners for ‘Tidori’ style stitching. Right-click to
adjust settings.

You can set different angles at which Smart Corners will be applied, and
specify overlap and stitch length allowances. Right-click a Smart
Corners icon to access object properties.

Apply mitre
corner and adjust
settings

Apply cap corner

and adjust
settings

Apply lap corner

and adjust
settings

Cap corners
Cap provides the following settings:
 Cap below: angle below which to apply capped corners – any corners
greater than this are not capped. The default is cap below 20°.

Angle > 30° Angle < 30°

Cap below
30°

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 Tip: If Mitre Corners is also selected, the cap angle is usually smaller
than the mitre angle.
 Overlap: number of overlapping rows to allow where the sections of
the cap join.

Capping Capping
overlap: 1 overlap: 8

Capping overlap

 Max length: maximum length of cap stitches. Cap Corners with

stitches exceeding this length will become Mitre Corners. This
prevents long and short stitches appearing next to each other.

Mitre corners
Mitre provides the following settings:
 Mitre below: angle below which to apply Mitre Corner – any corners
greater than this are not mitred. The default is lap below 45°.

Angle > 40° Angle < 40°

Mitre below
angle: 40°

 Overlap: distance by which stitches are allowed to overlap in the

center of the corner.

Mitre overlap: Mitre overlap:

0.5 mm 1.5 mm

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 Tip: You can use Mitre Corner and Cap Corner options together. For
example, you may want a corner less than 75° to be mitred but less
than 45° to be capped.

Lap corners
The Lap Corners feature provides good technical stitching in tight
corners, as well as creative stitching effects. You have a choice of full
overlap or split overlap methods, object-by-object. The split overlap
method provides a variable amount of overlap at the corner. The Lap
Below setting applies to either method and defines the angle below
which Lap Corner will take effect. Any corners greater than this are not
lapped. The default is lap below 110°.

Lap below: 45° Not lapped

Full overlap, Split overlap, Angle > 45°

Angle < 45° Angle < 45°

With scalloped shapes, lap corners will always be applied since the corner
angle approaches zero.

Lap corners
always applied

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Full overlap
Full Overlap provides a Max Extension setting. Technically, this is the
extension of the corner point from the curve as a percentage of width.
When set to zero, this setting achieves a blunting effect.

Extension = 0

Extension > 0

Split overlap
When enabled, Split Overlap provides the following settings:
 Overlap: This setting provides a selectable amount of overlap
between the two parts of a lapped corner. The effect is similar to a
mitre corner but with different stitching.

Lap below: 45°

Overlap: 0.5mm Overlap: 2mm Overlap: 3mm

 Max curve extension: extension of corner point from curve as a

percentage of width. Curve shapes can have flat full or selectable

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 pointed split overlaps. This parameter achieves a blunting effect, with
similar practical application as round sharp corners.

Extension = 0

Extension > 0

Note: The Lap Corners effect is incompatible with mitre or cap

corners. Turning it on will switch off the other two.

Related topics...
 Set corner fractions

Round sharp corners

Right-click Traditional Digitizing > Column C to set sharp corner rounding.

A Round Sharp Corners option is available for Column C objects and

can be applied to sharp corners. The option is only available in
conjunction with the Smart Corners effect. It is typically used with the
Cap Corner option.

To round sharp corners

1 Double-click a Column C object or right-click the tool to access object
properties.

Select Round
Sharp Corners

2 Select the Round Sharp Corners checkbox.

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 3 Press Enter or click Apply.

Sharp corner Rounded corners

Reducing stitch bunching

Standard stitch spacing is calculated at the outside edge of a shape. With
sharp curves, spacing which provides adequate coverage on the outside
edge may cause bunching along the inside edge. This may cause thread
breakage when stitching out. The longer the stitches, the worse the
problem.
With Fractional Spacing, EmbroideryStudio calculates spacing settings
from a specified point called the ‘offset fraction’. Changing it adjusts
stitch spacing at inside and outside edges.

Offset 0.00
fraction: 0.33
Outside
0.66
edge
1.00

Stitch Shortening reduces the length of some stitches in sharp turns so

that needle penetrations are distributed evenly, creating smoother
stitching.

Stitch bunching
reduced on curves

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Apply fractional spacing

Use Stitch Effects > Fractional Spacing to even out stitch density along
outside and inside edges. Right-click to adjust fractional spacing settings.

Apply fractional spacing to curved shapes to even out stitch density along
outside and inside edges. Fractional spacing is particularly useful for
columns of satin stitches with sharp turns. For best results, combine
stitch shortening and fractional spacing effects.

To apply fractional spacing

 Right-click the Fractional Spacing icon with or without objects
selected to access object properties.

Select fractional
spacing and enter an
offset fraction

 Select the Fractional Spacing checkbox.

 In the Offset Fraction field, enter an offset as a fraction of column
width, where the outside edge is 0.00 and inside edge 1.00.

59 stitches 49 stitches 43 stitches

Offset Offset Offset

fraction 0.00 fraction 0.33 fraction 0.66

Tip: An offset fraction of 0.33 generates fewer stitches than standard

spacing, reducing bunching along the inside edge. An offset fraction of
0.66 eliminates bunching on the inside edge, but may produce
insufficient stitches to cover the fabric.

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Apply stitch shortening

Use Stitch Effects > Shortening to reduce stitch bunching in tight curves by
shortening some stitches on the inside edge. Right-click to adjust stitch
shortening settings.

Apply stitch shortening to sharp corners to decrease density on the inside

edge. Default settings suit most designs. Advanced users can override
with custom settings.

To apply stitch shortening

 Right-click the Shortening icon with or without objects selected to
access object properties.

Select shortening

Adjust shortening settings

Access further settings

 In the If spacing < field, enter the minimum spacing permitted

between stitches (as % of nominal spacing) before automatic
shortening takes effect.

If spacing < 90% If spacing < 40%

 Enter the maximum number of consecutive short stitches to allow, up

to a limit of five.

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 A higher number allows smoother distribution of needle penetrations
in tight curves and reduces stitch bunching.

Max no. of short Max no. of short

stitches: 1 stitches: 5

 Click the Settings button. The Stitch Shortening Settings dialog

opens. Here you can define individual lengths of consecutive short
stitches as a percentage of the original.

Define length of short

stitches relative to
original stitch length

Randomize
shortening pattern

 A value of 80% means that stitches are shortened to 80% of the

original length, not by 80%. The smaller the percentage, the
shorter the stitch.

Max no. of short stitches: 1 Max no. of short stitches: 1

Shorten stitch length to: 80% Shorten stitch length to: 50%

 If you allow three short stitches, you need only fill in the first three
rows. If you allow five short stitches, fill in all five rows. If only one
short stitch is generated between normal stitches, the value in Row
1 will apply. If two consecutive short stitches are generated, the

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 values in Row 2 will apply to 1st and 2nd stitch respectively. And so
on up the scale.

Max no. of short stitches: 5 Max no. of short stitches: 5

Shorten stitch length to: 50% Shorten stitch length to: 50%
Row 1: 90 Row 1: 80
Row 2: 70 60 Row 2: 85 70
Row 3: 55 85 55 Row 3: 70 90 70
Row 4: 55 85 75 55 Row 4: 70 90 80 70
Row 5: 55 70 45 70 55 Row 5: 70 85 65 85 70

Tip: For best results use a jagged pattern between consecutive

stitches.
 Select the Randomize checkbox to randomize the shortening
pattern values. This will eliminate unwanted lines appearing in
regular curves.

Randomize ON Randomize OFF

Optimizing long satin stitches

Embroidery machines have a maximum possible stitch length which is
determined by the physical frame movement. If a stitch exceeds this, it
is generally broken into smaller stitches of equal length. The line formed
by needle penetrations can affect the appearance of the embroidery,
especially satin fills. Auto Split breaks long satin stitches into shorter

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 ones. It also distributes needle penetrations in a random pattern so that
they do not form a line down the middle of the shape.

If you want to preserve the satin effect – for example, if only a few
stitches are too long – you can use Auto Jump instead. This preserves
long stitches in an object by turning them into a series of jumps. Auto
Split must be turned off for Auto Jump to take effect. Auto Jump is
applied by default to connectors.

Note: The maximum frame movement is defined in the software by

format values. See Standard machine formats for details.

Split satin stitches

Right-click Fill Stitch Types > Satin to apply Auto Split to new or selected
satin objects.

While Auto Split is used primarily to prevent long stitches in wide

columns, it can also be used as an alternative to tatami fill. Auto Split
looks more satin-like and works well with turning stitches, creating soft
lines and a little more depth. By contrast, tatami is flat and can show
unwanted patterns with tight curves.

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To split satin stitches
1 Click the Satin icon with or without objects selected to access object
properties.

Select Auto Split

Adjust max and min

stitch lengths

2 Select the Auto Split checkbox.

3 Enter a maximum satin stitch length to allow before Auto Split is
applied.
Stitches that exceed this value will be split into smaller stitches. This
value can be smaller than the maximum stitch generally used in the
design.

Length: 5 mm Length: 4 mm Length: 3 mm

Min length: 0.4 mm Min length: 0.4 mm Min length: 0.4 mm

Tip: Use a length of 7.00 mm to preserve the satin effect.

4 In the Min length field, enter the shortest stitch that can be
generated when using Auto Split.

Length: 4 mm Length: 4 mm Length: 4 mm

Min length: 5 mm Min length: 3 mm Min length: 1 mm

5 Press Enter or click Apply.

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 Tip: As an alternative to Auto Split, try a textured tatami fill or
Program Split. Or, use User Defined Split to manage split lines in
satin fills.

With Tatami With Program Split With User Defined Split

Related topics...
 Use jumps as connectors
 Patterned Stitching

Preserve long stitches

Use Stitch Effects > Auto Jump to preserve long stitches in new and
selected objects. Right-click to adjust settings.

Apply Auto Jump to satin objects with stitches that exceed the
maximum stitch length. If the cover stitches are short, extending them
with a jump makes them looser and thus more effectively raised off the
fabric. Auto Jump can be used, for example, with manually digitized
underlays. It can also be used to create quilted effects, for example, by
applying it to satin areas that are over-stitched with Run stitch or Motif
Fill.

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To preserve long stitches
1 Right-click the Auto Jump icon with or without objects selected to
access object properties.

Select Auto Jump

Enter maximum stitch

and jump length settings

Select calculation
method

2 Select the Auto Jump checkbox.

3 In the Max length field, enter the maximum stitch length to allow.
Stitches exceeding this value will have Auto Jump applied.

Note: This value must be smaller than or equal to the maximum stitch
length possible for the selected format.
4 Adjust Jump length as required.
Smaller jumps increase the time required to stitch out, but move the
frame more smoothly across the design.
5 Choose a Length calculation method:

Option Function
Along radius Measures the distance between two consecutive needle
penetrations.
Along axis Measures either the horizontal or vertical movement required
for the stitch.

Y
Measured
Measured
along radius
along axis
Maximum
stitch
Maximum
stitch

Maximum stitch

The option you select depends on the way your machine measures
stitch length. See your machine documentation for details.

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6 Press Enter or click Apply.

NO jump stitches – Jump stitches –

additional needle not trimmed
penetrations

Caution: Many machines trim by jumps. Thus, to prevent the

trimmers being activated, usually only one or two jumps between
needle penetrations may be used.

Related topics...
 Stabilizing with automatic underlay
 Trim functions
 Standard machine formats

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Chapter 20
Embroidery Connectors

Connectors link objects in a

design. They can be run stitches
or jumps. Travel runs are also
used to connect segments within
filled objects.
You can use automatic settings to
generate connectors, trims and
tie-offs, or add them manually.
You can change connector
settings for a whole design or
selected objects. If you prefer to
add tie-offs and trims as you
digitize, you can turn off
automatic connectors altogether.
For Schiffli work, for example, you
are advised to add connectors manually rather than rely on automatic
settings.
EmbroideryStudio also allows you to create ‘branched objects’.
Like-objects are thereby resequenced, connectors minimized,
components grouped, and stitches regenerated. Underlay can be applied
to all.
You can also set first and last stitches of a design. This makes it easy to
position the needle before stitching, and reduces the chance of it hitting
the frame.
This section describes how to add connectors, tie-offs and trims to your
designs. It also describes adjusting settings for automatic connectors,
including the stitch length for travel runs. It also deals with setting
automatic start and end points.

Types of connectors
The type of connector you use depends on whether you want it to be
visible in the final design. The default connector setting in
EmbroideryStudio is for jumps.

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Jumps
Jumps move the frame from one part of the design to another without
needle penetrations. You can use automatic jumps as connectors
between embroidery objects. The connecting thread generally needs to
be tied-off and trimmed. The default connector jump length is the same
as that set for Auto Jump.

Tip: You can also digitize jumps manually using the Penetrations
function or with Manual stitch.

Runs
Travel runs are typically used to connect segments of complex shapes.
They can also connect adjacent objects. Because runs are not trimmed,
they may be visible in the final embroidery. If objects are adjacent and
connectors will be hidden, they can be used. You can change the stitch
length of travel runs to ensure they do not protrude from the cover
stitching. You may also adjust the travel run length to reduce the stitch
count.

Note: While you can control the properties of run connectors between
objects, you generally cannot control connectors within objects.
Lettering and motif run objects are the exception.

Tie-ins
Tie-in stitches are inserted at the start of objects to prevent stitches from
unraveling. They are inserted inside the shape on the second stitch. You
generally use them when the previous connector is trimmed.

Tie-offs
Tie-offs are generally placed before trims to prevent stitches from
unraveling. You can adjust connector settings to automatically add
tie-offs under certain conditions, or add them manually. You can also
include trim functions so machines with trimmers cut the thread
automatically.

Trims
If you are using a machine with an automatic trimmer, the trim function
causes the thread to be cut after a tie-off. In the software, trims are
represented by a triangle with a small circle at the point where stitching
starts again. The trimmed connector appears as a dotted line. You can

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 adjust connector settings to automatically add trims, or add them
yourself.
Connector

Stitching starts
Trim

Related topics...
 Add jumps with penetrations off
 Digitizing manual stitches
 Adjusting travel run stitch length

Using automatic connectors

EmbroideryStudio lets you generate automatic connectors based on
settings in the Object Properties > Connectors docker. You can
change connector settings for a whole design or selected objects. If you
prefer to add tie-offs and trims as you digitize, you can turn off automatic
connectors altogether. For Schiffli work, you are advised to add
connectors manually rather than rely on the automatic settings.
Automatic connectors are turned off in the Schiffli template. See Adding
connectors manually for details.

Tip: The Branching feature lets you digitize like-objects – e.g. the
fingers of a hand – without having to think about the most efficient
stitching sequence and joins. See Automatic branching for details.

Use jumps as connectors

Use Docker > Object Properties to toggle the Object Properties docker
on/off. Use it to set jumps as connectors.

You can use automatic jumps as connectors between embroidery objects.

Jumps move the frame from one part of the design to another without
needle penetrations. You generally need to tie-off and trim the
connecting thread.

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To use jumps as connectors
1 Click the Object Properties icon and select the Connectors tab.

Select connector
method

Select ‘Jump’ and

enter distance

Adjust ‘trim
after’ settings

Adjust ‘tie-in’ and

‘tie-off’ settings

2 Select a connector method:

Option Function
After object Adjust connectors immediately following the current object.
Inside object Adjust connectors joining components of lettering objects or
motif runs. This setting also applies to disconnected parts of
branched objects. It does not apply to segments within an
object.

3 Select Jump and enter a distance for each frame movement. Shorter
jump values generally improve stitch quality and reduce wear on the
machine but may increase stitch-out time.
4 Adjust trims and ties as required:

Option Function
Trim after You can choose to turn off automatic trimming, to always trim
connecting stitches, or to trim only when the connecting stitch
is longer than a specified value.
Tie in Tie-in stitches are inserted at the start of objects to prevent
stitches from unraveling. You generally use them when the
previous connector is trimmed.

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 Option Function
Tie off With trims, stitches need to be tied off so the thread can be
trimmed without unraveling. Select between automatic tie-off
methods to set preferred default.

Tip: You can also digitize jumps manually using the Penetrations
function.

Related topics...
 Adjusting travel run stitch length
 Stitch & jump length settings
 Add jumps with penetrations off

Use runs as connectors

Use Docker > Object Properties to toggle the Object Properties docker
on/off. Use it to set runs as connectors.

You can use runs of single stitches to connect objects in a design.

Because runs cannot be trimmed, they are visible on the final
embroidery, unless another object is digitized to cover them.

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 To use runs as connectors
1 Click the Object Properties icon and select the Connectors tab.

Select connector
method

Select Run and

adjust stitch length

Adjust tie-in
settings

2 Select a connector method:

Option Function
After object Allows you to adjust settings of connectors immediately
following the current object.
Inside object Allows you to adjust settings of connectors joining letters
within a lettering object, and motifs within motif runs. This
setting also applies to disconnected parts of branched
objects. It does not apply to segments within an object.

3 Select Run and enter a length for the connecting run stitches.
4 Adjust Tie In settings as required. The Tie Off and Trim After
options are disabled as they do not apply to travel runs.

Related topics...
 Adjusting travel run stitch length

Automatic tie-in settings

Use Docker > Object Properties to toggle the Object Properties docker
on/off.

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 Tie-in stitches are inserted at the start
of objects to prevent stitches from
unraveling. They are inserted inside the Tie-in with
shape on the second stitch. You four stitches
generally use them when the previous
connector is trimmed.

To adjust tie-in settings

1 Click the Object Properties icon.
2 Select the Connectors tab.

Adjust tie-in
settings

3 Select Tie In from the list and select a tie-in option:

Option Function
Off No tie-ins are inserted.
Always tie in Tie-ins are inserted before the object.
After Trim/CC Tie-ins are inserted after trims and color changes.
Previous Tie-ins are inserted when the previous connector exceeds
connector the length you specify.

4 Set tie-in values:

Option Function
Length Determines length of tie-in stitches.
Number Determines number of tie-in stitches to generate.

Automatic tie-off settings

Use Docker > Object Properties to toggle the Object Properties docker
on/off.

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With trims, stitches need to be tied off so the thread can be trimmed
without unraveling. Select between automatic tie-off methods to set
preferred default.

Method 1 with four Method 3 with 2

stitches stitches

Method 2 with four

Method 1 with stitches
two stitches

Method 2 is generally more visually pleasing on smaller objects and satin

columns. With this method, however, stitches sew on top of each other
with the consequent risk of thread breakage. On larger areas, the safer
alternative is Method 1. Method 3 provides an alternative method for
hiding tie-offs along existing stitch lines.

Tip: For narrow shapes or columns – e.g. small lettering – use only one
tie-off stitch. You may also decrease the stitch length.

To adjust tie-off settings

1 Click the Object Properties icon and select the Connectors tab.

Adjust tie-off
settings

Select a tie-off
method

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 2 In the Tie Off panel, select a tie-off option:

Option Function
Off No tie-off is inserted. By selecting this option, you need to
add tie-off functions manually. See Add tie-offs for details.
Always tie off A tie-off is inserted after the object.
Before trim / color A tie-off is inserted before a trim or color change.
change
Always tie off last A tie-off is inserted if the object is the last one in the design.
Next connector A tie-off is inserted if the next connector exceeds the
longer than specified length.

3 Select a default tie-off method. The system will apply this method
where it can but switch where necessary, depending on stitch spacing
and type.

Method Function
1 Adds a specified number of small stitches between the last two
stitching lines. Generally used with dense fills.
2 Adds a specified number of small stitches up and back down the last
stitching line. Generally used with open fills where it is less visible.
3 Splits the second-last stitching line into three equal stitches. Also
adds a specified number of small stitches back up the last stitching
line.

4 Set the tie-off values:

Option Function
Length Determines length of tie-off stitches.
Number Determines number of tie-off stitches to generate.

Automatic trim settings

Use Docker > Object Properties to toggle the Object Properties docker
on/off.

You can choose to turn off automatic trimming, to always trim connecting
stitches, or to trim only when the connecting stitch is longer than a
specified value.

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 467

 To adjust automatic trim settings
1 Click the Object Properties icon and select the Connectors tab.

Adjust ‘trim after’

settings

2 In the Trim After panel, select a trim option:

Option Function
Off No trims are inserted. This feature is useful if trimming
causes your machine to slow down, or the needle to
lose the thread. You can either add trim functions
yourself, or trim the final embroidery by hand.
Always trim Trims are inserted after the object.
Trim if next connector Trims are inserted if the next connector exceeds the
is longer than length you specify.

Tip: Usually, connectors shorter than 3 mm are not visible on the final
embroidery. You may sometimes require a smaller value – e.g. if the
thread color contrasts with the background color.

Adding connectors manually

You can add tie-offs and trims to a design manually using the Tie Off,
Trim and Empty Stitch tools. While generally not recommended and
less efficient than using automatic connectors, this method does give you
more control over the final design. For example, some machine formats
are unable to read functions that appear on a normal stitch. For these
machines, you need to add trim, tie-off and other machine functions to
an Empty Stitch or Empty Jump. You may also need to add one or
more empty stitches or empty jumps to either side of a function for the
machine to read it correctly.

Note: For Schiffli work, you are advised to add connectors manually
rather than rely on the automatic settings. Automatic connectors are
turned off by default in the Schiffli template.

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Add tie-offs

Click Function > Insert Tie-Off to insert a tie-off.

You can add tie-offs in your design using the Tie-Off tool. This provides
a semi-automated technique for adding tie-offs as an alternative to
digitizing them with manual stitches. Tie-offs are usually added before a
trim at the end of an object. Generally you will follow a tie-off with a trim.

To add a tie-off
1 Travel to the object you want to tie-off.
2 Click the Insert Tie-off icon. A Tie-off function is inserted.

Tie-off
function start

Tie-off
function end

The default number of tie-off stitches is two. This means the needle
backtracks twice and returns to the insertion point. Adjust this value
in the Object Properties > Connectors docker.

Tip: You can also insert machine functions manually using the Insert
Machine Function dialog.

Related topics...
 Viewing stitching sequence
 Add trims
 Insert machine functions manually
 Automatic tie-off settings

Add trims

Click Function > Insert Trim to insert a trim.

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 469

 You can add trims in your design using the Trim tool. When you add a
trim in this way, the trim function is added to the current stitch. Some
machines require empty stitches or empty jumps on either side of the
trim. If this is the case for the machine you want to stitch to, you will need
to insert them.

Tip: Make sure that all stitches you trim have been tied in and off,
otherwise stitches will not be secured.

To add a trim
1 Travel to the needle position where you want to trim the thread.
2 Click the Insert Trim icon. A trim function is inserted at the current
needle position.

Tie-in symbol

Trim symbol

Tip: You can also insert machine functions manually using the Insert
Machine Function dialog.

Related topics...
 Travel through designs
 Insert machine functions manually

Add empty stitches & jumps

Click Function > Insert Empty Stitch to insert an empty stitch.

Click Function > Insert Empty Jump to insert an empty jump.

Empty stitch is a tight (zero length) lockstitch used together with, or as

an alternative to, tie-in and tie-off stitches. Use empty stitches instead of
tie-ins or tie-offs for objects filled with light density stitching where
standard tie-ins and tie-offs may be visible. Also, use empty stitches or
empty jumps when required by the selected machine format.

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 To add empty stitches and jumps
1 Travel to the needle position where you want to trim the thread.
2 Click the Insert Empty Stitch icon to insert an empty stitch.
3 Click the Insert Empty Jump icon to insert an empty jump.

Empty functions
added to stitching
sequence

Tip: You can also insert machine functions manually using the Insert
Machine Function dialog.

Related topics...
 Travel through designs
 Insert machine functions manually

Add jumps with penetrations off

Deselect Function > Penetrations to create jumps with needles or borers

out.

You can create jump connectors manually in a design by digitizing with

penetrations off. The Penetrations tool prevents the needle from
penetrating the fabric, forcing the machine to move across the design in
a series of jumps. You can use Penetrations with any input method.

To add a jump with penetrations off

1 Select an input method – e.g. Run.
2 Deselect Penetrations.
3 Digitize the connector in the usual way for the selected input method.

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 471

 The jumps are saved together as an embroidery object.

Penetrations off – jump stitches Satin Jumps Tatami

Adjusting travel run stitch length

Use Docker > Object Properties to toggle the Object Properties docker
on/off. Use it to set the travel run stitch length.

Travel runs are usually used to connect segments within filled objects.
They are usually covered by fill stitches when the object is stitched out.
You can adjust the travel run length to reduce the stitch count.

To adjust travel run stitch length

1 Click the Object Properties icon.
2 Select the Special tab and Travel Run from the list.

Adjust travel
run length

3 Enter a value in the Length field as required.

Travel Run Travel Run

length: 1 mm length: 3 mm

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 Tip: Increase stitch length to reduce the stitch count. Travel Run
automatically varies the stitch length on tight curves.

Keeping or omitting last stitches

Click Reshape > Keep Last Stitch to keep the last stitch in a column.

Click Reshape > Omit Last Stitch to omit the last stitch in a column.

If you are digitizing adjoining columns, you can keep or omit the last
stitch in the first column to achieve a smoother join or shorter connecting
stitches.

Columns
smoothly joined

Columns with
unwanted space

Note: This feature only applies when the exit point is at the end of the
column – i.e. the default exit point. Moving the exit point using the
Reshape Object tool overrides the Keep Last Stitch/Omit Last
Stitch command.

To keep or omit the last stitch

 To keep the last stitch, select the object and click the Keep Last
Stitch icon.
 To omit the last stitch, select the object and right-click the Omit Last
Stitch icon.

Press Enter – last stitch kept Press Spacebar – last stitch omitted

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 473

 Tip: Alternatively press Spacebar to omit the last stitch or Enter
keep it.

Related topics...
 Apply closest join

Minimizing connectors
Designs stitch out more efficiently when the connectors between objects
are short. This also reduces the number of trims in a design.
EmbroideryStudio has a Closest Join method which is set via the Setup
(or Standard toolbar) > Options > General tab. When activated (the
default), entry and exit points of objects are automatically placed when
the user digitizes new objects.

However, closest joins are not automatically maintained when objects

are moved, re-sequenced, or edited. The Apply Closest Join feature
allows you to (re-)apply closest joins to objects after editing.
EmbroideryStudio also allows you to manually change entry and exit
points of individual objects.

Adjust entry/exit points

Use Reshape Object to adjust the entry and exit points of selected objects.

Use Reshape Views > Show Entry/Exit Points to toggle entry/exit point
display when using the Reshape Object tool.

C h a p te r 20 E mb roi de r y C o n n ec tor s 474

EmbroideryStudio allows you to manually change entry and exit points of
individual objects. Entry and exit points should always be checked if you
are re-sequencing objects in a design.

Tip: Closest joins are not automatically maintained when objects are
moved, re-sequenced, or edited. The Apply Closest Join feature allows
you to automatically re-apply closest joins to objects after editing.

To adjust entry/exit points

 Select an object and click Reshape Object.
 Click Show Entry/Exit to view only entry and exit points.
 To view next or previous objects, press Tab or Shift+Tab keys. Any
changes to objects are confirmed.
 Select entry or exit points of adjoining objects and drag into close
proximity.

Entry point Exit point Entry point

Exit point Entry point Exit point

 Press Enter.

Tip: If you are digitizing adjoining columns, optionally keep or omit

the last stitch in the first column to achieve a smoother join or shorter
connecting stitches.

Related topics...
 Sequencing embroidery objects
 Keeping or omitting last stitches
 Other general options

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Apply closest join

Use Arrange > Apply Closest Join to (re-)apply closest join to objects after
editing.

When you are digitizing closed objects, the Closest Join method
automatically calculates the closest join between them, saving you
having to think about entry and exit points. The Apply Closest Join
feature allows you to (re-)apply closest join to objects after editing. The
command may be accessed via:
 Toolbar button on the Arrange toolbar
 Arrange menu
 Design Window popup menu
 Color-Object List popup menu
 Shortcut key (J)

Note: The Apply Closest Join command is only enabled when two or
more embroidery objects are selected.

To apply closest join

 Digitize embroidery objects as required.
If the Closest Join method has been activated via the Setup (or
Standard toolbar) > Options > General docker, entry and exit
points of objects are automatically joined at the closest point.

Objects joined at
closest point

 Move, reshape, and/or resequence objects in the design as required.

C h a p te r 20 E mb roi de r y C o n n ec tor s 476

 Closest join is not recalculated automatically – long connectors may
result.

Long connectors
may result after
resequencing

 Select all objects in the sequence and reapply closest join – click
Apply Closest Join or choose the command from the popup menu.
Selected embroidery objects are regenerated and Closest Join
applied.

Closest joins
recalculated

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 477

 Caution: Any non-sequential embroidery objects in the selection will
cause a message to be displayed:

Tip: Apply Closest Join also to generated offset objects.

Closest joins
recalculated

Related topics...
 Other general options
 Generating outlines & offsets

Closest join limitations

The Apply Closest Join feature is not applicable to all objects in all
circumstances. Note the following limitations.

Stitch regeneration
Closest Join requires the complete stitch regeneration of the objects –
the whole object, not just connectors. Stitch regeneration has its
limitations:

C h a p te r 20 E mb roi de r y C o n n ec tor s 478

  Recognized objects – i.e. opened from machine files – may generate
poor or incorrect embroidery.
 Manual (unrecognized) objects cannot be changed by stitch
regeneration. Thus Closest Join will not work properly for them.
 Manual stitch edits to objects will be lost.
 Inserted and recognized machine functions may be mistakenly
regenerated on the underlay.
 Nested objects are not supported. They will become un-nested and
placed after the object in which they were originally nested. This may
not produce ideal sequence.

Run objects
The Closest Join technique is not as powerful as Branching for run
objects. Closest Join will not produce a nicely-merged double-run, so
connectors are only possible at the ends of the run, not in the middle.
The best it can do is swap the ends of the runs.

Branched run
objects

Closest-join run
objects

Automatic branching
The Branching feature lets you digitize like objects – e.g. the fingers of
a hand, sections of a custom letter – without having to think about the

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 479

most efficient stitching sequence and joins. Apply Branching to join
touching or overlapping objects to form a single ‘branched object’.

Characteristics of branched objects

 Objects are resequenced, connectors minimized, component objects
grouped, and stitches regenerated.
 When dissimilar objects are selected, any which cannot be branched
are omitted.
 All component objects are grouped and selectable as one.
 Branched objects can be reshaped.
 There is a single entry and one exit point but all component objects
have individual reshape points.
 Branched objects preserve their component object properties while
sharing the color of the first object in the sequence.

 Branching works with any combination of the following object types –

Run, Column A, Column B, Column C, Complex Fill and Complex
Turning. Objects with Motif Run and Motif Fill cannot be used.
 Stitch types can be re-assigned via the toolbar.

C h a p te r 20 E mb roi de r y C o n n ec tor s 480

Apply automatic branching

Click Arrange > Branching to automatically sequence and group like

embroidery objects.

Apply Branching to selected objects. These become a single branched

object.

To apply automatic branching

1 Select the objects.

Long connectors
between separate
objects

Note: The function is only available if more than one object of any
suitable type is selected.
2 Click the Branching icon. EmbroideryStudio will prompt you to
digitize entry and exit points.
3 Digitize entry and exit points, or press Enter twice to accept the
defaults.

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 481

 Component objects are grouped and share the color of the first
branched object. Objects are resequenced, connectors minimized, and
stitches regenerated.

Objects resequenced,
connectors minimized

4 Travel through the branched object to check stitching.

Related topics...
 Travel through designs

Branch objects with the Color-Object List

Use Docker > Color-Object List to branch selected objects in a design.

The Color-Object List provides an easy way to select objects in designs

and access their properties. You can use it to branch like objects in a
design.

To apply branching with the Color-Object List

1 Click the Color-Object List icon.
2 Select objects in the Color-Object List.

C h a p te r 20 E mb roi de r y C o n n ec tor s 482

3 Right-click and select Branching from the popup menu.

Long connectors
join objects

Branch selected
objects

Note: The function is only available if more than one object of any
suitable type is selected.
4 Digitize entry and exit points, or press Enter twice to accept the
defaults.
Component objects are grouped and share the color of the first
branched object. Objects are resequenced, connectors minimized, and
stitches regenerated.

Selected objects
grouped into single
Long connectors branched object
eliminated

Tip: Use the Color-Object List also to cut, copy and paste, group and
ungroup, lock and unlock, and show and hide objects, as well as
resequence objects.

Related topics...
 Combining Objects

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 483

Apply automatic underlay to branched objects

Right-click Stitch Effects > Auto Underlay to select an underlay type to

apply to branched objects.

Because Branching combines objects to form a

single branched object, you may be able to apply
a single underlay to the entire object. The
technique works well with Column A or Column B
objects.

To apply automatic underlay to branched

objects
1 Select the branched object and right-click
Auto Underlay.

Select First Underlay

Select underlay type

2 Select the First Underlay checkbox and select an underlay type.

3 Optionally, add a second underlay.
4 Press Enter or click Apply. Underlay stitches are automatically
generated for the branched object.

Entire underlay Cover stitched

stitched first second

Note: If component objects are touching or overlapping, the underlay

is first stitched out for the whole branched object followed by the cover
stitch.

Related topics...
 Viewing stitching sequence

C h a p te r 20 E mb roi de r y C o n n ec tor s 484

 PART VI
DECORATIVE EMBROIDERY
EmbroideryStudio provides many features for the creation of motif runs
and fills, textured and patterned fills, open stitching, and curved fills.

Patterned stitching
This section explains how to create textures with tatami offsets and
program splits. Create your own and add them to a custom library.
Creating stitch patterns with carving stamps is covered as well as adding
details with user-defined splits. See Patterned Stitching for details.

Curved stitching
This section covers contoured fills and flexi-splits. It also covers the
creation of radial fill effects and curved fills. See Curved Stitching for
details.

Specialty stitching
This section describes how to create jagged or fluffy edges as well as
open stitching with trapunto effect. It also describes how to create
stippling and cross stitching, as well as accordion spacing, and color
blending effects. Creating curved fills with ‘Florentine’ and ‘liquid’ effects
is also covered. See Specialty Stitching for details.

Motif stitching
This section describes how to insert motifs into your design, and how to
rotate, mirror and scale them. It explains how to manage motifs,
including how to create your own motifs and motif sets. It also describes
how to create both motif runs and motif fills, as well as how to apply 3D
effects to motif fills. See Motif Stitching for details.

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 485

Chapter 21
Patterned Stitching

EmbroideryStudio provides tools for

creating patterns with needle
penetrations. Apply offset fractions
or partition lines to tatami fills for a
variety of split-line effects.
Alternatively, use Program Split or
Flexi Split to create decorative fills
from predefined patterns. Select
from the library or create your own.
The Carving Stamp feature allows
you to define patterns using a
‘carving stamp’ as a template. Use
it also to create your own split lines
when you want to add detail to filled
objects.
This section explains how to create
textures with tatami offsets and program splits. Create your own and add
them to a custom library. Creating stitch patterns with carving stamps is
covered as well as adding details with user-defined splits.

Creating textures with tatami offsets

With tatami fills you can create patterns of needle penetrations. With only
two offsets available, the number of patterns is limited, but even with
small offsets, visible lines are produced. Partition lines, with up to eight
offsets, can create more patterns. Using a random factor you can
distribute needle penetrations randomly.

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 486

 Tip: Auto Split can be used to create special textures in satin stitches as
an alternative to tatami fill. See Split satin stitches for details.

Create offset patterns

Use Fill Stitch Types > Tatami to create fills for larger irregular shapes.
Right-click for settings.

The tatami offset default settings are designed to create a uniformly flat
and smooth surface. The texture is like a woven tatami mat without
obvious split lines. By manipulating offset fractions, you can create stitch
penetrations which are more clearly visible.

Tip: By adjusting offsets, you can also improve the quality of turning
tatami where the pattern may be disturbed by non-parallel stitches.
Changing the offsets can reduce this interference.

To create offset patterns...

1 Right-click the Tatami icon to access object properties.

Specify offset
fractions for alternate
rows

2 Select the Offset Fraction option. To control needle penetrations you

set offset fractions for both forward and backward rows.

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 487

3 In A and B fields, experiment with offset fraction values. Offsets are
defined as fractions of stitch length – e.g. 0.3 = 30%.

A=0.00, B=0.00 A=0.50, B=0.50 A=0.25, B=0.25

A=0.50, B=0.25 A=0.30, B=0.60 A=0.40, B=0.00

 Even stitching: set both fields to 0.25.

 Strong horizontal lines: set both fields to 0.00 or 1.00. The
distance between each line of needle penetrations is the stitch
length.
 Light horizontal lines: set both fields to 0.5. Lines are produced
at half stitch-length intervals.

Offset: A=0.3, B=0.6 Offset: A=0.3, B=0.6 Offset: A=0.3, B=0.6

Stitch length: 4 mm Stitch length: 3 mm Stitch length: 2 mm

 Diagonal lines: set both fields to any value other than 0.00,
0.50 and 1.00. Diagonal lines are less noticeable than horizontal
or vertical lines. Vary both values to change the angle of the lines
and the distance between them.
 Other: set one field to 0.00, and experiment with the other values
to place the needle penetrations on the forward and backward rows
close to each other, but with different effects.

C h a p te r 2 1 Pa t te r n e d S t i tc h i n g 488
 Note: If A-B offsets add up to 1.0, lines will be horizontal. If the sum
is less than 1.0, lines will slope down, more and they slope up. The
mirror image of ‘A=0.3 and B=0.6’ is ‘A=0.7 and B=0.4’.

A=0.30, B=0.60 A=0.50, B=0.50 A=0.70, B=0.40

Tip: Tatami patterns can be combined with curved fills for interesting
effects.

Related topics...
 Curved fills

Create partition line patterns

Use Fill Stitch Types > Tatami to create fills for larger irregular shapes.
Right-click for settings.

The Partition Line feature provides an alternative method for offsetting

needle penetrations in tatami fills. The Object Properties > Fills >
Tatami docker allows you to set partition lines. Two parameters can be
set – Sequence and Angle.

Select Partition Line

Enter partition sequence

and grid angle

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 489

Sequence
Partition Line allows you to specify up to eight tatami offsets. In any
pattern, number of rows is determined by number of digits in the
sequence.

Sequence: 11 Sequence: 012 Sequence: 01

Each stitch length is split into ‘knots’ numbered anywhere from 0 to 7. A

partition sequence number of ‘20163’ would translate to the following
pattern:

Stitch length

Knot 2
Row 1
Knot 0
Row 2
Knot 1
Row 3
Knot 6
Row 4
Knot 3
Row 5

Angle
You can skew the grid formed by the partition knots to further vary the
needle penetrations. In the Angle field, specify a grid angle.

Sequence: 11 Sequence: 11 Sequence: 11

Angle: 0 Angle: 45 Angle: 90

Tip: Tatami patterns can be combined with curved fills for interesting
effects.

Related topics...
 Curved fills

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Create random patterns

Use Fill Stitch Types > Tatami to create fills for larger irregular shapes.
Right-click for settings.

Using a random factor you can eliminate the split line patterns formed by
regular needle penetrations and distribute the stitches randomly inside
the shape. This can create interesting mottled effects.

To create random patterns...

 Right-click the Tatami icon to access object properties.

Enter a
random factor

 In the Random field, specify a random factor between 0% and 100%.

Random factor: 10% Random factor: 50% Random factor: 100%

Offset fraction A: 0.25, B: 0.25 Offset fraction A: 0.25, B: 0.25 Offset fraction A: 0.25, B: 0.25

Tip: A value of around 50% generally gives good results.

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 491

Creating textures with program splits
Program Split is a decorative fill stitch where needle penetrations form
a tiled pattern. Select a predefined pattern or create your own.

Apply program splits

Use Fill Stitch Types > Program Split to create decorative fill stitches where
needle penetrations form a tiled pattern. Right-click for settings.

Use Outline Stitch Types > Program Split to create borders or columns of
even width for decorative needle penetration patterns. Right-click for
settings.

You can apply Program Split to a wide variety of objects. You can adjust
these either before or after applying the effect. Choose from a library of
split patterns.

C h a p te r 2 1 Pa t te r n e d S t i tc h i n g 492
Note: Digitize the stitch angle carefully when creating objects with
program splits. If rows are parallel with pattern lines, they will rarely
intersect and the pattern may not be visible. A 45° stitch angle is suitable
for most patterns.

To apply program splits...

 Click the Program Split icon. Program Split stitching is applied to
new or selected objects, based on current settings.
 Right-click the Program Split icon to access object properties.
 Select a pattern from the droplist. Alternatively, click the arrow button
to access the pattern library.

Pattern preview

Select a pattern

Choose from
the pattern
library

Enter pattern width

and height

 Adjust pattern size via Size X/Y fields. The scaling lock maintains
aspect ratio. Use the Angle setting to orientate the pattern within the
shape.

Default values Size X and Size Y Angle adjusted

increased

Tip: Tatami patterns can be combined with curved fills for interesting
effects.

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 493

 Related topics...
 Curved fills

Apply combination splits

Use Fill Stitch Types > Program Split to create decorative fill stitches where
needle penetrations form a tiled pattern.

Use Outline Stitch Types > Program Split to create borders or columns of
even width for decorative needle penetration patterns. Right-click for
settings.

Standard program split consists of a satin foreground and background –

i.e. Satin-in-Satin. If patterns do not overlap you may get jump stitches
or gaps occurring in the background. In this case, you can select from
different combinations of satin and tatami stitches.

To apply combination splits...

1 Right-click the Program Split icon to access object properties.

Satin-in-Satin Tatami-in-Tatami

Satin-in-Tatami

2 In the Combination Split panel, click the desired option:

Satin-in-Satin Satin-in-Tatami Tatami-in-Tatami

C h a p te r 2 1 Pa t te r n e d S t i tc h i n g 494
 Options include:

Option Function
Satin-in-Satin This is the standard program split stitch type, which
produces the smallest number of stitches.
Satin-in-Tatami Use this option to avoid long stitches when the patterns
are small but column and row spacings are wide.
Tatami-in-Tatami Both foreground and background use tatami. Select this
option for large objects and patterns to avoid long
stitches.

Program split settings

Use Fill Stitch Types > Program Split to create decorative fill stitches where
needle penetrations form a tiled pattern.

Use Outline Stitch Types > Program Split to create borders or columns of
even width for decorative needle penetration patterns. Right-click for
settings.

You can adjust program splits both interactively on screen and via object
properties.

Column & row spacing

Column and row spacing settings determine distance between grid lines.
Patterns are placed at intersection points – the center of each pattern
coincides with an intersection.

Default spacing values Column spacing increased Row spacing decreased

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 495

The initial settings define a simple grid, where the spacing equals the
dimensions of the pattern. The row offset is set to 0.00 mm so columns
and rows are perpendicular.

Set column spacing

and offset values

Set row spacing

and offset values

Column & row offsets

With all three program split combinations – Satin-in-Satin,
Satin-in-Tatami and Tatami-in-Tatami – you can vary the pattern by
applying offset settings to rows and/or columns. You can also provide
background texture with tatami stitch offsets.

If both offsets are set to ‘0’, grid lines are perfectly vertical and
horizontal. As a rule, it only makes sense to use values between 0 and
half the pattern size. For example, if the pattern is 8 mm, select row and
column offsets between 0 mm and 4 mm.

Column offset: 0.00 Column offset: 1.00 Column offset: 2.50

Row offset: 0.00 Row offset: 1.00 Row offset: 2.50

Stitch settings
Specify stitch length, minimum stitch length and spacing settings for
program split objects, in the same way as for other fill stitch types. You

C h a p te r 2 1 Pa t te r n e d S t i tc h i n g 496
can eliminate unwanted patterns and distribute stitches evenly within a
shape using a random factor.

Adjust stitch spacing,

length and minimum
length

Enter random
factor

In the Stitch Spacing field, enter the required spacing. For tatami this
is the distance between two forward rows of stitches, for satin, the
distance between each forward stitch.

Default spacing values Stitch spacing increased Stitch spacing decreased

Enter a value in the Random field – specify a factor between 0% and

100%. The random factor does not affect the deliberate needle
penetrations that form the pattern. Values of around 50% generally give
good results.

Random factor: 0% Random factor: 25% Random factor: 90%

Tatami stitch offsets

When using Satin-in-Tatami or Tatami-in-Tatami, you can also control
tatami stitch offsets.

E mb ro i d e r y Stu d io e 4 Re fere n ce M a n u a l 497

 Tatami is mainly used to avoid long stitches, so it should not have a
distinct appearance which may obscure the program split pattern.
Therefore, typical offsets are in the range 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm.

Enter stitch
offset

Enter a stitch offset in the Stitch > Offset A field. This offset controls
where the needle penetrations line up for each row of stitching.

Offset A: 0.00 Offset A: 0.25 Offset A: 0.50

Related topics...
 Creating textures with tatami offsets

Lay out program splits on-screen

Use Fill Stitch Types > Program Split to create decorative fill stitches where
needle penetrations form a tiled pattern.

Use Outline Stitch Types > Program Split to create borders or columns of
even width for decorative needle penetration patterns. Right-click for
settings.

You lay out program splits on-screen in a similar way to Motif Fills by
using ‘guide patterns’ to scale, space, transform and offset the entire
pattern fill.

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