In this section we are assuming you have some digitizing experience. All the new digitizing techniques will be covered in the exercises included with this tutorial. For beginning digitizers, you can also refer to other tutorials by clicking on the "Related Topics" button at the bottom of this page. To edit the elements digitized, please see the editing tutorial.
To complete this part of the tutorial, we will be digitizing elements of the Earthday.bmp graphic to show you how to digitize in EDS IV using wireframe techniques. Wireframe points are shown with straight or curved lines on the screen to give you a visual feedback on the shape based on the points you digitize. To see a completed version of the design, open Earthday.ofm from \Designs folder.
Please load Earthday.bmp, located in the \Designs\Graphics folder to follow along with in the digitizing exercises in this tutorial (see Open a Graphic).
Click on any of the following subjects to go directly to the subject.
How Do I ... |
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Open EDS IV.
Select File->New.
Click on Scan Image.
The Scanner drive software dialog box comes up.
Scan the image.
After the image is scanned, a dialog box is displayed to save the graphic.
Save the graphic or cancel.
Open EDS IV.
Select File-> Open.
The Open/Insert dialog box is displayed.
Click on the Files of Type drop-down menu and choose All Graphics (if the graphic is not in the list, you may have to look in another folder).
Open Earthday.bmp from \Designs\Graphics folder.
Click on Open or double-click on the graphic filename.
Notice the graphic filename is inserted into the Project View list.
After digitizing stitches in a design, the graphic is automatically saved with the project file (.ofm).
Scan or open a graphic in EDS IV.
Right-click on top of the graphic on the screen.
Select Save As from the drop-down menu.
The Save Image As dialog box is displayed.
Type a filename.
Select the directory to save it in.
Click on Save.
Note: Choose *.bmp, *.pcx, *.jpg, or *.tif file types.
1. Open EDS IV.
2. Open Earthday.bmp from \Designs\Graphics folder.
3. Left-click to highlight the graphic name in the Project View.
4. The graphic will now have 8 black handles around it.
5. To scale the graphic proportionally, click on any of the four corner handles.
6. To scale the graphic in the X or Y position only, click on the black handles at the top, bottom, or sides.
OR
Scale numerically
1. Open EDS IV.
2. Open Earthday.bmp from \Designs\Graphics folder.
3. Right-click on the graphic name in the Project View.
4. Select Properties from the drop-down menu.
Note: You can also double click on the graphic to access the Scale Properties dialog box.
5. Click on the Scale tab.
6. Enter a percentage scale or specify the measurement.
7. Click on OK (or Apply).
Open EDS IV.
Open Earthday.bmp from \Designs\Graphics folder.
Click on the Hide graphic tool on the View toolbar.
Click on the Hide graphic tool again to turn it back on.
Note: Even if the graphic is hidden, it will still save with the project.
Open EDS IV.
Open Earthday.bmp from \Designs\Graphics folder.
Click on the Walk normal or Walk bean stitch tool on the Input toolbar with the right mouse button.
The Walk Element Properties box is displayed.
5. Change the stitch length to the desired amount.
6. Click on OK (or Apply).
Note: The stitch length will now be set for every element you digitize forward.
Open Earthday.bmp from \Designs\Graphics folder.
Left -click either the Walk normal or Walk bean stitch tool on the Input toolbar.
Digitize the following run stitch using input reference points to mark the area of where the stitches will be placed (steps 1 through 5). The Status line will give input prompts to follow throughout the process. (See the example below)
The left-click on the mouse is used to insert a straight input point. A triangle represents each straight point.
The right mouse button is used to insert a curved input point. A circle represents each curved point.
Always start with the left-click.
If the shape is curved, in some cases you will need to alternate between left click and right clicks.
Notice the wireframe outlines that form on the screen while digitizing.
If you make a mistake or click too many points, simply press your BACKSPACE key on your keyboard to delete the last input point. Each time the BACKSPACE key is pressed, the input points will be deleted in sequence.
When you are finished digitizing the shape, press the ENTER key on the keyboard.
Notice the stitches on the screen as well as the element created in the Project View.
Note: See Editing Wireframe Data at the end of this section to edit wireframe points.
1. Right-click on the Walk normal (or Walk bean) stitch tool on the Input toolbar.
2. The Walk Elements Properties box is displayed.
3. Check the Retrace button to turn it on.
4. Click on OK (or Apply).
Note: The retrace will start from the last input point and retrace back to the first input point.
Open Earthday.bmp from \Designs\Graphics folder.
1. Right-click on the Column 1, Column 2 or any Singleline tool on the Input toolbar.
2. The Column Element Properties box is displayed.
3. Change the Density to the desired amount or turn on Auto-Density.
4. Click on OK (or Apply).
Note: The Density will now be set for every element you digitize from this point forward.
1. Right-click on Column 1, Column 2, or Singleline Center tools on the Input toolbar.
2. The Column Element Properties box is displayed.
3. Click on the down arrow to access Primary Underlay types.
4. Choose Edge Walk, Center Walk or Zigzag as an underlay type.
5. Click on OK (or Apply).
Note: The underlay will now be set for every element digitized from this point forward.
Open Earthday.bmp from \Designs\Graphics folder.
1. Left-click the Column 1 tool on the Input toolbar.
2. The Satin stitch tool will automatically be activated on the Input toolbar.
Note: Columns are usually digitized with satin stitches. However, other stitch types are available: Zigzag, E stitch, or Fill.
3. Digitize the following column using input reference points to mark the area where the stitches will be placed. These input points must placed on alternate sides of the column. The Status Line will give input prompts to follow throughout the process. (Follow steps 1 through 10 in the example below)
The left click on the mouse is used to insert a straight input point. A triangle represents each straight point.
The right mouse button is used to insert a curved input point. A circle represents each curved point.
Always start with the left click. This is similar to digitizing with mark points in that you must have even numbers of points on alternate sides of the column.
If the shape is curved, in some cases you will need to alternate between left click and right clicks.
Notice the wireframe outlines that form on the screen as you digitize. If they cross, they will show an X and you will get a bow tie effect of the stitching.
If you make a mistake or click too many points, simply press the BACKSPACE key on the keyboard to delete the last input point. Each time the BACKSPACE key is pressed, the input points will be deleted in sequence.
4. When you are finished digitizing the column, press the ENTER key on the keyboard.
5. Notice the stitches on the screen as well as the element created in the Project View.
Note: See Editing Wireframe Data at the end of this section to edit wireframe points.
Open Earthday.bmp from \Designs\Graphics folder.
1. Left-click the Column 2 tool on the Input tool bar. An alternative way is to click with your right mouse button anywhere on the View Window (work area).
2. The Satin stitch tool will automatically be activated on the Input toolbar.
Note: Columns are usually digitized with satin stitches. However, other stitch types are available: Zigzag, E stitch, or a Fill.
3. Digitize the following column using input reference points to mark the area of where the stitches will be placed. The Status Line will give input prompts to follow throughout the process. (Follow steps 1 through 9 in the example below)
The left-click on the mouse is used to insert a straight input point. A triangle represents each straight point.
The right mouse button is used to insert a curved input point. A circle represents each curved point.
Always start with the left-click. This is similar to digitizing with mark points in that you digitize one side of the column (steps 1 through 5 in the example below), press the enter key and then starting from the top, digitize the other side (steps 6 through 9 in the example below).
If the shape is curved, in some cases you will need to alternate between left click and right clicks.
Notice the wireframe outlines that form on the screen as you digitize.
If you make a mistake or click too many points, simply press the BACKSPACE key on the keyboard to delete the last input point. Each time the BACKSPACE key is pressed, the input points will be deleted in sequence.
4. When your are finished digitizing the column, press the ENTER key on the keyboard.
5. Notice the stitches on the screen as well as the element created in the Project View.
Note: See Editing Wireframe Data at the end of this section to edit wireframe points.
This Input method is used for columns with a consistent width. It is most often used for digitizing borders and outlines.
Open Earthday.bmp from \Designs\Graphics folder.
1. Left-click any of the Singleline center , left or right tools on the Input toolbar. An alternative way is to click with the right mouse button anywhere on the View Window (work area).
2. The Satin stitch tool will automatically be activated on the Input toolbar.
Note Columns are usually digitized with satin stitches. However, other stitch types are available: Zigzag, E stitch, or a Fill.
3. Digitize the following column using input reference points to mark the area of where the stitches will be placed. This is similar to digitizing with mark points, if you choose Center, you will need to digitizing down the center of the column (steps 1 through 5 in the example below). The Status Line will give input prompts to follow throughout the process.
The left-click on the mouse is used to insert a straight input point. A triangle represents each straight point.
The right mouse button is used to insert a curved input point. A circle represents each curved point.
You must always start with the left click.
If the shape is curved, in some cases you will need to alternate between left click and right clicks.
Notice the wireframe outlines that form on the screen as you digitize.
If you make a mistake or click too many points, simply press the BACKSPACE key on the keyboard to delete the last input point. Each time the BACKSPACE key is pressed, the input points will be deleted in sequence.
4. When your are finished digitizing the column, press the ENTER key on the keyboard.
5. Enter the first width point of the column using the left mouse button (step 6 in the example below).
6. Enter the second width point of the column using the left mouse button again to give it the width (step 7 in the example below). Digitize the column width points anywhere on your screen.
7. Notice the stitches on the screen as well as the element it created in the Project View.
Note: See Editing Wireframe Data at the end of this section to edit wireframe points.
To specify the exact width for any Singleline column:
Right-click on any of the Singleline tools on the Input toolbar.
The Element Properties box is displayed.
3. Click on the Singleline tab.
4. Define the exact column width in the space provided.
5. Click on OK (or Apply).
6. Digitize the Singleline column.
7. When the status line prompts you to enter the column width, press the ENTER key.
At any point while digitizing click on the Color Change tool on the toolbar, or to insert a trim click on the Trim tool .
Notice the Color change element or Trim element added to the Project View list.
1. Right-click on the Complex fill tool on the Input toolbar.
2. The Fill Element Properties box is displayed.
3. Click on Load Partition Fill to get a drop-down menu of the available fills.
4. Select the desired Fill type.
5. Click on OK (or Apply).
Note: The Fill type will now be set for every element you digitize from this point forward.
Open Earthday.bmp from \Designs folder.
1. Left-click the Complex fill tool on the Input toolbar.
2. The Fill stitch will automatically be activated.
3. Digitize the following fill using input reference points to mark the area where the stitches will be placed (steps 1 through 6 in the example below). The Status Line will give input prompts to follow throughout the process.
The left-click mouse button is used to insert a straight input point. A triangle represents each straight point.
The right mouse button is used to insert a curved input point. A circle represents each curved point.
Always start with the left-click. This is similar to digitizing with mark points.
If the shape is curved, in some cases you will need to alternate between left click and right clicks.
Notice the wireframe outlines that form on the screen as you digitize.
If you make a mistake or click too many points, simply press the BACKSPACE key on the keyboard to delete the last input point. Each time the BACKSPACE key is pressed, the input points will be deleted in sequence.
4. Press the ENTER key on the keyboard when finished with the first outline.
Note: After you press ENTER, the status line will prompt you through the next steps to complete the Complex fill.
5. Digitize the second outline (hole) using left or right clicks (steps 7 through 13 in the example below).
6. Press ENTER .
7. Digitize the third outline (hole) using left or right clicks (steps 14 through 21 in the example below).
8. Press ENTER .
9. When all the outlines are complete, press ENTER .
10. Digitize the Complex fill entry point using the left click (step 22 in the example below).
11. Digitize the Complex fill exit point using the left click (step 23 in the example below).
12. Digitize two points for the stitch direction using the left click (step 24 & 25 in the example below).
13. Notice the stitches on the screen as well as the element it created in the Project View.
Note: See Editing Wireframe Data at the end of this section to edit wireframe points.
Selecting Wireframe Input points
Please complete this entire exercise to learn how to select, change, add, move, or delete wireframe points.
Open EDS IV.
Open the Earthday.ofm design from the \Designs\Graphics folder.
Zoom in on the Sun in the design using one of the zoom methods.
Click on the Edit mode tool on the Input toolbar.
Select the sun on the design by clicking on it with the left mouse button (there will be an eight handled box around the shape).
Note: Notice the Project View will highlight this element in the design list.
6. When your cursor is over the input point on the wireframe of the sun:
The mouse pointer will show a triangle when placed over a digitized straight input point.
The mouse pointer will show a circle when placed over a digitized curve input point.
The mouse pointer will show a line when placed over any wireframe line.
7. Click on the input point to select it. The input point will be highlighted and will be displayed as a solid triangle or solid circle.
Changing Wireframe Input Points
8. Double-click on the wireframe point with your left mouse button.
9. The Wireframe Point dialog box is displayed.
10. Change to straight or curved.
11. Click on OK (or Apply).
Note: An alternative way to change the wireframe point from straight to curved or curved to straight is to hold down the shift key and left click on the point.
Adding Wireframe Input Points
12. Left-click anywhere on the wireframe line.
13. Left-clicking will add a straight and right-clicking will add a curved input point.
Moving Wireframe Input Points
14. Left-click on the wireframe point.
15. Click, hold and drag the input point with the mouse button.
Note: Notice the change immediately on the screen.
Deleting Wireframe Input Points
16. Left-click on the wireframe point.
17. Press the DELETE key on the keyboard.
Note: Notice the change immediately on the screen.