Timpuri Noi

EMBIRD - WHAT'S NEW ?

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Version 2003 Build 2

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MANAGER

=======

- A new command "Plug-ins Paths" added to "Options" menu. Use this

command to specify the complete paths to 3rd party plug-ins, i.e.

to Thred (http://www.thredworks.com)

and Machine Cross Stitch (http://www.dpsoftware.co.uk)

- A new command "What's New?" added to "Help" menu. It will display

this file.

- A new command "Internet" added to "Help" menu. It will show a dialog

box with important links to Embird web site http://www.embird.com.

GENERAL

======

- Fixed bug, which appeared after closing Editor where Alphabets or Font Engine

plug-ins were used.

************

Version 2003

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PRICE

=====

If you are registered user of Embird, find the version number in

"Help -> About" menu.

- Upgrade from previous version of Embird PLUS (i.e. version 7.x and 8.x)

to Embird 2003 costs US $15

- Upgrade from previous 16-bit version of Embird (i.e. version 5.x - 6.x)

to Embird 2003 costs US $30

For NEW users, registration fee of Embird 2003 is US $80. Please note, that

this fee does not cover the registration of plug-ins.

If you already are REGISTERED user of Embird Plus, please note, that your

plug-in registration numbers for Iconizer, Alphabets, Digitizing Studio and

Sfumato Stitch will work also in Embird 2003. You only need to pay for upgrade,

but NOT again for plug-ins!

Registration fee for new Font Engine plug-in is US $145.

We accept MasterCard, Visa and American Express at

http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/register.htm

FONT ENGINE PLUG-IN and EMBIRD ALPHABETS

=======================================

- New plug-in "Font Engine" is now available for Embird. This

plug-in allows to create lettering using OpenType and TrueType

fonts installed in your Windows. It is possible to create

lettering with satin (auto-column), plain or motif fills, and

with thin, satin or applique outlines.

There is no special installation file for Font Engine available,

this plug-in is installed at the same time as Embird 2003. However,

you will have to purchase and register Font Engine if you want to

use it, otherwise only several characters are available in every

font. Also, please note that there are no TrueType nor OpenType

fonts included in Font Engine. Font Engine is just engine, which

is capable of converting these fonts into stitches.

Use "Editor -> Insert -> Font Engine Text" command to create

lettering from TrueType/OpenType fonts.

- When you create lettering (either using Embird Alphabet plug-ins,

or Font Engine plug-in), please note that each letter on "Layout"

tab has now color POINTS, which are explained below.

There are several points shown, allowing you the following:

1. Use RED points to move the character along the baseline.

If you depress CTRL key it will move only selected character,

otherwise all characters placed after selected character will move.

2. Use GREEN points to rotate the character.

If you depress CTRL key, the angle will change by 15 degrees.

If you depress ALT key, the angle will be set to 0 degrees.

3. Use TEAL points to resize the character, either horizontally or vertically.

If you depress CTRL key, the size will change in larger steps.

If you depress ALT key, the aspect ratio of width and height will be kept.

4. Use PURPLE points to skew or mirror the character, either horizontally or

vertically.

If you depress CTRL key, the skew will change in larger steps.

If you depress ALT key, the selected letter will be mirrored.

If you depress SHIFT key while moving the point, the operation will be

applied to all characters.

Please note that Undo/Redo/Reset operations are available for changes

in layout - see the following paragraph.

- Undo/Redo/Reset feature for Layout changes was added to "Insert Text"

dialog box on "Layout" tab. You will find the 3 new buttons at the bottom

part of "Layout" page, next to "Zoom" buttons. The Undo/Redo feature

applies to changes of Envelope and red,green,teal & purple points. There

was also "Reset Layout Changes" button added, allowing to set default

settings to envelope and points.

MANAGER

=======

- Embird is now available in different languages:

* Dutch

* French

* German

* Hungarian

* Slovak

Choose language in "Options -> Language" menu in Manager.

- "Main Toolbar" added to Manager part of Embird. This toolbar

is displayed on the top of Middle Panel.

- "History of Viewed Files" added to Manager part of Embird. Use

the "View History" command in "Middle Panel" menu to show/hide

the history list. The history list contain the full path to

recently displayed files. If the "Preview Files" option is ON

in "Right Panel" menu, then also the design icon will be shown

in History List (only for registered users of Iconizer plug-in).

- New command "Auto-Copy to Clipboard" added to "Help" menu in Manager.

Use this command to copy the registration passwords from e-mail

to clipboard and thus to transfer them into Embird.

- The "Print" command in "Help -> Installed Plug-ins" dialog box will

now print the complete list of registration passwords. Use this command

to back-up your passwords in printed form. You also will find new button

"Uninstall Plug-in" in this dialog box, allowing you to delete chosen

plug-in (except Iconizer and Font Engine plug-ins).

- Now you can map/disconnect network drives in Embird - move mouse

cursor to the "Drive:" box at right panel in Manager, and click

right mouse button for popup menu.

- Embird can now display the designs stored in RAR archives. Just

double click on RAR archive in "Files:" box located on Right

panel in Manager.

- Each thread in built-in catalogs has now "Mark" attribute,

which can be set to on/off. This allows you to mark some

threads, for example those you already have in your stock.

There is also new option "Show Marked Threads Only" in

"Color Palette" menu. If you set this option to ON, then

Embird will display only those threads, which are marked -

i.e. only those threads that you really have in your stock.

- New commands were added to "Color Palette" menu in Manager.

The "Restore Color Palette" command will restore the palette

with colors before changes. The "Animate Color Changes" option

allows to enable/disable animation of currently chosen color.

When this option is "ON", selected color will blink on screen.

Set the "Apply Changes Immediately" option to "ON"

if you want to apply the changes in colors immediately

(i.e. without clicking on "Apply Color Changes" button.)

Set the "Print Background Color" option to "ON"

if you want to print background color (otherwise the white

color is used.)

- "On Startup Launch" command added to "Options" menu in Manager allows

you to choose which part of Embird should be launched on startup.

- New option "Print Stitch Points Only" added to "Options" menu in Manager.

Set this option to ON if you want to save ink/toner on your printer.

- If you are printing SEW designs in Manager, and in "Options" menu

"Show Hoop" is ON,

"Show Begin" is ON and

"Photorealistic 3D Drawing" is OFF,

Embird will print also clothsetter.

- "View Dense Thumbnails" command added to "Right Panel", "Left Panel" and

"Right Panel -> Folder Operations" menu in Manager. This command will

display 35 thumbnails per page.

- If you are displaying thumbnails in Manager, and you double-click on some

design, it will open in a new preview window, leaving Thubmnails untouched

in Manager window. This allows you to look at some design closely, and still

remain in Thumbnails view mode.

- Embird will now add the thread numbers into "Print Color Layers"

and "Export Color Layers" documentation. Choose one thread catalog

in the dialog box, which appears when you run these commands. In

case there is no thread catalog chosen, Embird will print/export

the documentation without thread number.

ICONIZER

========

- New feature was added to Iconizer plug-in. When you right click

on design in Explorer and choose "Properties" item, a dialog box

will be displayed with new tab - "Embird Iconizer". This new

sheet will contain the design image.

EDITOR

======

- New Command "Save Separated As" added to "File" menu in Editor.

This command will save each object into a separate file. It works

similary to "Save Selected As" command, but you do not need to

manually select and then save every object. Use this command

together with "Edit -> Auto-Split" command (which will automatically

split the design into parts) and with "File -> Print Template"

command (which will print the template with crosses, which simplify

the aligning of parts during sewing.)

- New command "Auto-Split" added to "Edit" menu in Editor. Use

this command to split selected objects automatically.

- New command "Auto-Join" added to "Edit" menu in Editor. Use

this command to join selected objects automatically.

- New command "Slice" added to "Edit" menu in Editor. Select the

stitches first using the "Freehand Select Mode" and then use this

command to cut out selected stitches. This command is similar to

"Split" command, however, it will slice the design with smooth

edges, not leaving small stitches as if you use the "Split" command.

- New command "Mask" added to "Edit" menu in Editor. Use this

command to "mask" 2 or more selected objects. The stitches in

the object underneath would automatically be deleted where the

upper object overlaps.

- New command "Smart Color Sort" added to "Edit" menu in Editor.

It will sort colors in selected objects and keep the order

of sewing. If for instance you have a pink flower and later you

have shading in the same pink, it will not put those colors

together, because it knows the second pink color has to sew over

the first pink at some point for a shading effect.

- New command "Tidy Up Small Stitches" added to "Edit" menu in

Editor. This command will delete small stitches in selected

objects.

- New command "Pull Compensation" added to "Edit" menu in Editor.

This command allows to compensate the pull in selected objects.

- Two new commands added to "View" menu in Editor. These are

"Sew Simulator - Selected Only" and "3D Preview - Selected Only".

Use these commands if you want to simulate the sewing or display

the 3D preview for selected objects only.

- You can specify the length for long running stitches in

Editor in "Options -> Long Running Stitches" menu. This is

useful for inserted aligning stitches, and also if you change

some jump stitch to running stitch, and you want to avoid

changing it back to jump when saving the design to hard disk.

- Another new option "Join Same Consecutive Colors" added to

"Options" menu in Editor. If you set this option to on, the

same consecutive colors in object will be joined into one block,

and the color stop code between them will be removed.

- Embird Editor will now add "tie on" and "tie off" stitches to

selected objects automatically. You will find the command in

"Insert -> Tie on/off stitches" menu.

- Now it is possible to specify the stitch length for "Insert ->

Cross Reference Line" and "Insert -> Basting Stitches" commands.

- New commands were added to "Image" menu in Editor. These commands are

"Convert To Stitches (4 colors)" and "Convert To Stitches (1 color)".

To obtain better results, please adjust the contrast of image using

"Adjust" command in "Image" menu.

- New commands were added to popup menu, which appears when you

right click on one of the small color boxes in Editor.

These new commands are "Separate All Colors" and "Delete Color".

- New command "Swap Sewing Order" command added to popup menu which

appears when you drag and drop colors in Editor.

- New commands "Select Next" and "Select Previous" added to popup

menu which appears in "Points Editing Mode" in Editor after right

mouse click. Use these commands to select next/previous point.

You can also use TAB and SHIFT+TAB shortcuts.

- Now you have "measuring tool" in Editor:

Choose "Mode -> Freehand Select Mode", click left button on

Working Area to place the first point, then move the mouse

and watch the "Length:", "dx:", "dy:" and "Angle:" values

at the bottom of the screen (in Status Bar).

NEW HOOPS

=========

- Kenmore (Janome) 19010 hoop #F 126 x 110 mm is now supported in

Editor.

- Bernina Artista Megahoop (overlap, 150 x 400 mm) and Bernina

Artista oval hoop (145 x 255 mm) are now supported

in Editor. However, the design must be saved in .HUS format,

because .ART format is not supported.

- Elna Xquisite Multihoop (250 x 450 mm) and Continuous (50 x 120 mm)

are now supported.

- Support for new Giant-R Hoop-It-All for Pfaff 7570, 7560 and 7562 added.

- Now you can create custom Giant Hoop-It-All(tm) in case your Giant

hoop is not supported by Embird yet. Use "Create" button on

"Hoop-It-All" tab in "Editor -> Options -> Hoop Size" dialog box.

See also tutorial "Creating Custom Giant Hoop-It-All(tm)" at

http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm

TUTORIALS

=========

- New tutorials are available at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm:

Auto-Join

Auto-Split

Convert To Stitches (1 color)

Convert To Stitches (4 colors)

Creating Custom Giant Hoop-It-All(tm)

Downloading Embird and plug-ins

Entering Registration Password Into Embird - Auto-Copy to Clipboard

Font Engine Plug-in

Font Engine Plug-in - Using 'Not Installed' Fonts

Installing Embird

Installing Plug-in

Masking Designs

Objects Order Bar

Passwords Back-up

Splitting - Saving and Sewing of Split Designs

Uninstalling Embird

View History

THREAD CATALOGS

===============

- New thread catalogs added: Vyapar Rayon, Mettler Poly Sheen, Aurifil Lana,

Aurifil Mako, Aurifil Polyester, Aurifil Rayon, Brother Country, Brother

Embroidery, Isalon Polyester, King Star.

- Embird can now support custom thread catalogs. However, you will not find

any tool in Embird for creating custom thread catalogs. It is supposed,

that you prepare the text file with thread chart e.g. in NOTEPAD, or in

any other text editor, and then save this text file (with .TXT or .TCH

extension) to C:\EMBIRD32\CHARTS folder. Each line of this file must have

the following structure:

THREAD_NUMBER,NAME_OF_THREAD_CATALOG,NAME_OF_COLOR,R_VALUE,G_VALUE,B_VALUE

where THREAD_NUMBER is the number of the thread in catalog

NAME_OF_THREAD_CATALOG is the name of the thread catalog

NAME_OF_COLOR is the name of color (can be omitted, see example below)

R_VALUE,G_VALUE,B_VALUE are R,G,B values used to obtain the right color

Here is an example of custom thread catalog, containing four Madeira Rayon

threads. For thread number 1087, the name of color is not specified. These

four lines should be stored in text file, e.g. in MADEIRA.TXT and the file

must be saved to C:\EMBIRD32\CHARTS folder to be accepted by Embird.

**************************** EXAMPLE *************************************

1000,Madeira Rayon,Black,0,0,0

1003,Madeira Rayon,Natural White,240,237,228

1087,Madeira Rayon,,212,206,197

1187,Madeira Rayon,Dark Pink,208,0,87

************************* END OF EXAMPLE *********************************

- New feature for digitizers, who create designs in formats without color

palette (e.g. DST, EXP) and they would like Embird to show the correct

colors when displaying these designs. Now they can create a text file

with color information. This text file must have the same filename as

the corresponding design, but TXT extension. Digitizers can specify either

R,G,B values for each color, "PANTONE Matching System" number or they can

choose the thread number from catalogs supported in Embird:

ARC Polyester

ARC Rayon

Aurifil Lana

Aurifil Mako

Aurifil Polyester

Aurifil Rayon

Brother Country

Brother Embroidery

Coats Alcazar

Coats Alcazar Jazz

Coats Sylko

Coats Sylko USA

FuFu Polyester

FuFu Rayon

Isacord Polyester

Isafil Rayon

Isalon Polyester

Janome

King Star

Madeira Polyneon

Madeira Rayon

Marathon Polyester

Marathon Rayon

Mettler Embroidery

Mettler Poly Sheen

Princess

Robison-Anton Polyester

Robison-Anton Rayon

Royal Viscose Rayon

Sulky Rayon

Vyapar Rayon

Important point is that the TXT file must have specific structure to be

accepted by Embird. Each color must be specified in a single line.

The line must contain at least the following information:

1. The color number

2. The name of thread catalog as specified above. This is not

case-sensitive, so e.g. MADEIRA RAYON will be accepted

3. The number of thread in catalog. In case of PANTONE, no spaces are

accepted - Embird will consider as thread only the first "word" after

catalog name

Here are 3 examples of the file structure accepted in Embird. It is color

palette for design SQUIRREL.DST, therefore this information must be stored

in SQUIRREL.TXT file.

******************************** EXAMPLE 1 *********************************

1,Brown,PANTONE 469C

2,Orange Yellow,PANTONE 1235C

3,Orange,PANTONE 1655C

4,Light Orange,PANTONE 150C

5,Rust,PANTONE 484C

6,Black,PANTONE Black6

**************************** END OF EXAMPLE 1 ******************************

******************************** EXAMPLE 2 *********************************

----------------- RECOMMENDED THREADS FOR SQUIRREL DESIGN ------------------

Design: Squirrel (free)

6 colors, 6 thread changes

Sizes: 2.78" height

Stitches: 7400

1 - Brown MADEIRA RAYON 1058

2 - Orange Yellow MADEIRA RAYON 1137

3 - Orange MADEIRA RAYON 1078

4 - Light Orange MADEIRA RAYON 1155

5 - Rust MADEIRA RAYON 1038

6 - Black MADEIRA RAYON 1000

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

**************************** END OF EXAMPLE 2 ******************************

******************************** EXAMPLE 3 *********************************

1. Brown,RGB(97,52,19)

2. Orange Yellow,RGB(253,180,21)

3. Orange,RGB(250,87,3)

4. Light Orange,RGB(253,173,87)

5. Rust,RGB(155,49,28)

6. Black,RGB(28,39,49)

**************************** END OF EXAMPLE 3 ******************************

Version 8.0 Build 6

- Bug in processing files for Brother Jumbo Hoop (multiposition, overlap)

fixed. This bug was introduced in version 8.0.

Version 8.0 Build 5

- Bug in processing .HUS and .PES files fixed. This bug was introduced

in Build 4 when we improved robustness of Iconizer.

Version 8.0 Build 4

- Iconizer is now more robust to corrupt designs.

- Now it is possible to copy the files to "Standard Floppy Disk"

using the "Right Panel -> Copy Files To Floppy Disk" menu. You

can also format the standard floppy disk using the

"Left Panel -> Format Floppy Disk" command.

Version 8.0 Build 3

- New thread catalogs added - Sylko USA and Alcazar Jazz.

- Bug with VIP format fixed.

Version 8.0 Build 2

- New system for passwords back-up introduced. Now you can back-up

and recover your passwords using the "Help -> Passwords" menu in

Manager.

- Bug with coverting files fixed. This bug caused, that the source

file was deleted when converting with the same source and target

format and choosing "Overwrite" option.

Version 8.0

- Iconizer plug-in was rebuild, so that it works faster now.

New feature of Iconizer is the design icon in popup menu, which

appears when you right click on the file in Windows Explorer.

Users of Windows ME, 2000 and XP can use the "View Thumbnails"

mode in Explorer, this mode is now supported by Iconizer.

See also the "Iconizer plug-in" tutorial at


- Registered uses of Iconizer will now have an option to display the

icons also in Embird in Files box at Right panel. This option can

be activated in "Right Panel -> Preview Files" menu.

- Now it is possible to display the design icon in Explorer by

Iconizer, but keep the previous link for opening the design

after double-clicking on its icon. In other words, now it is

possible to have the icons in Explorer for e.g. HUS designs,

but the design will be still launched into Husqvarna Customizing

Software after double-click. Find more in "Options -> Iconizer

Settings" menu.

- Envelope effect is now available on the 'Layout' tab in

"Insert text" dialog box. This effect allows you to change

the envelope of lettering and thus obtain different shapes.

Find more information in the tutorial at our web site at


- Embird now supports also PHC type 2 files.

- Now you can save the color palette not only to .EDR file,

but also to text file (*.TXT). Embird will store the name

of each color and the R,G,B values into the file.

Use the "Color Palette -> Save As" command and choose the

filename with .TXT extension if you want to save the color

palette into text file instead of .EDR file.

Embird can also process color palettes stored in .TXT files,

however, the structure of these files must be exactly the

same as in text files exported from Embird.

Version 7.22 Beta

- Design preview is now available in "Open File" dialog box

in Editor. It is also useful in Manager, in "Select Files"

dialog box.

- Elna Xquisite .EMD format support added.

- Hoops for Bernina Artista added. However, the .ART format

is not supported. The Giant Hoop-It-All for Bernina Artista

is now supported, but the design must be saved .HUS format,

because .ART format is not supported.

- Marathon Polyester thread catalog revised.

Version 7.21 Beta

- New thread catalogs added: Coats Alcazar (Rayon),

Coats Sylko (Polyester).

- Support for Giant-L Hoop-It-All for Pfaff 7570 and 7560 and

for Giant-L Hoop-It-All for Viking #1+ and Rose added.

Version 7.20

- New "Iconizer" plug-in is now available! This plug-in works

together with shell integration (read below). Normally, there

is the same icon used for all files of the same type in Windows

Explorer. For example, all .HUS files have the same icon. Iconizer

plug-in will display the design in icon instead of type icon, so

you will immediately see what is stored in the file. This allows

you to browse and sort your designs easily. Read the tutorial for

Iconizer plug-in at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm

- Integration with Windows shell added. Setup can configure

your system to make Embird the default application for opening

the embroidery types that is supports. You can select from a

list the file types which you would like Embird to open when

you double-click on them in Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Explorer.

You can also print, convert and edit designs using commands

in Explorer's popup menu. Just move mouse pointer on the design

icon in Explorer, depress right mouse button and choose appropriate

command in the popup menu which appears on the screen.

- Embird can co-operate with Machine Cross Stitch 2000 release 1.32 and

above. Machine Cross Stitch 2000 is developed by DP Software.

More information, demo, registration and support for Machine Cross

Stitch 2000 are available at http://www.dpsoftware.co.uk

Use "Editor -> Insert -> Cross Stitch Design" command to create a new

cross stitch design in Machine Cross Stitch 2000 software. The output

from the Cross stitch software will be launched into Embird Editor,

so that you can edit it, add lettering or just save it to the hard

disk choosing any of formats supported by Embird. Please find more

in tutorial at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm

- Another way of points selection in Editor is now available: Select

the stitches using the polygon in "Freehand Select Mode" and then

switch to "Points Editing Mode". The end points of all red stitches

will be selected.

- Two new commands were added to popup menu which appears when you

depress the right mouse button on the color box in Editor. These

new commands are "Show All Colors Except This One" and

"Hide All Colors Except This One".

- Now you can save your lettering settings and recall them later

when you need to modify the text or create a text with similar

settings. Use two small buttons in "Editor -> Insert Text" dialog

box to "Open Lettering Project" and "Save Lettering Project". You

will find the buttons at the left side of "OK" button at the bottom

of the lettering dialog box.

- ZIP ability added to Embird Manager. Now you can create ZIP archives

easily: Select the files you want to zip in Right Panel, then click

on "Right Panel -> Add to Zip" command. You can also zip whole

folders: Select the folder in Right Panel, then click on

"Right Panel -> Folder Operations -> Add to Zip" command.

Please note that if you are adding a file into an existing zip

archive, and a file with the same filename already exists in the zip,

this file will be replaced with the file being added.

- In Editor, selected objects are now indicated by black square

drawn around the object icon on Objects Order Bar.

- The "Print Template" command in Editor will now print on several

papers in case the design does not fit on a single paper in 1:1 scale.

- Support for new Pfaff Creative 2140 .VIP format added. Embird

also supports new Pfaff hoop (140 x 225 mm) in both vertical

and horizontal position.

- Support for Giant-L Hoop-It-All(tm) for Babylock ESE 1,2, Ellure

and Brother PC 8200, 8500 and 6500 added to Editor. It works

the same way as GHIA for Viking or Babylock. Tutorial for GHIA use

is available at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm

- Support for Super-Giant-L Hoop-It-All(tm) for Babylock Ellageo,

Brother ULT 2001 added to Editor. It works the same way as GHIA

for Viking or Babylock. Tutorial for GHIA use is available at


- Support for Janome #2 (85 x 70 mm) and Janome #5 hoop

(11 overlapping positions, 125 x 140 mm) added to Editor.

Embird supports these hoop in both horizontal and vertical

position.

- Vertical position is now supported for 125 x 90 mm

hoop (for Elna, Janome #1 & #3 and New Home).

- Horizontal position is now supported for 140 x 200 mm

Janome MC10000 hoop.

- Embird now supports Viking Designer 1 MidSize hoop (100 x 170 mm)

in both vertical and horizontal position.

- "Insert Basting Stitches" command added to Editor. You will find

it in Insert Menu. Use basting stitches to stabilise the design

when embroidering on fabrics with a pile or on knits and other

unstable fabrics.

- New thread catalogs added: ARC Polyester, ARC Rayon, Royal,

Marathon Polyester, Marathon Rayon.

- Isacord, Isafil, FuFu Polyester, FuFu Rayon, Robison-Anton Rayon,

Robison-Anton Polyester thread catalogs revised.

- Embird can create and convert to Brother .PHC files.

- A new baseline 'WAVE 2' added to Insert Text dialog box.

- A list of installed plug-ins added to HELP menu. Use this

command to find out which Embird plug-ins are already

installed on your computer and whether they are registered.

Version 7.11

- Bug in Janome catalog fixed - Vermilion color.

- Bug in resizing with density adjustment fixed. This bug has

caused that the outlines were resized with long stitch length.

Version 7.10

- Color Sfumato Stitch is now available as a plug-in for Embird Plus.

This software will convert your color photo into a design

automatically!

Several free samples prepared with this technology are included

with Embird Plus. You will find them in C:\EMBIRD32\FILES folder

after installation.

- Two new alphabets are available as plug-ins for Embird Plus.

You can download them from http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/down.htm

and install them into Embird Plus folder (usually C:\EMBIRD32).

Then you can create lettering using Editor --> Insert --> Text command.

- New 'Print & Stitch' feature added to Editor. An image can be

selected as a background to embroidery design. This image can

be resized and printed out (as mirror image) onto Iron-On

transfer paper. This is then ironed onto a piece of material,

cut out and then hooped for embroidery. A coordinating design

is then stitched on top. Embird Editor simplifies this process.

Please find more in Help and the tutorial at


To find more information about this beautiful technology (but

not about its implementation in Embird), please download the

'Chapter 3: Print' from http://www.vikingemnet.com. You will

find it in 'Downloads -> Online Resources -> World Of Ditizing'

section. You will also find some free designs prepared with this

technology in 'Downloads -> Sample Galleries -> Print'.

- New mode added to Editor: Points Editing Mode. This mode allows

you to change the position of a single point, to delete a single

point, to split the design on chosen point, to change the type

of point (e.g. run to jump), and to insert/remove color stop.

You can also add the alignment stitches to split designs.

It is possible to select a single point or even a group of

points and then apply the operation. You can also add several

stitches to design using this mode (e.g. to cover the hole which

might appear in your design after resizing). Find more information

about this new mode in Help file - press F1 while running Embird.

- Embird can resize a design with retaining of the original fill

pattern. You will find this option in "Editor --> Options -->

Stitch Density" dialog box.

- New button added to Sew Simulator: Rewind. This button will

rewind the simulation 3 seconds back in time. It depends on

"Stitches Per Second" setting how many stitches will be

unstitched. You can use this button together with Pause button:

Pause the simulation, click on Rewind button and you will

obtain the situation, which you had 3 seconds ago. It will be

paused, so you can change the Stitches Per Second and then click

on Pause button to continue.

- If you switch from Manager to Editor, Embird will automatically

open the design selected in Files box at Right Panel. If you

switch from Editor back to Manager, Embird will automatically

display edited design.

- "Corner" command added to "Edit" menu in Editor. This command will

place selected objects in each of the three other hoop corners. Place

an object in one of the hoop corners and then run this command to create

a symmetrical design quickly and accurately.

- 3D preview added to Editor. Click on View -> 3D Preview.

- Princess Threads catalog added. It offers you 120 shades.

- Janome Thread catalog revised.

- New type of printed documentation added: Print Dense Thumbnails.

This will print 35 designs per page.

- Embird now supports 254 color changes in a design (instead of

36 colors supported in previous versions).

- Support for Stitch .STX formats added. Embird can convert

to and from this format now.

- Ability to read (display, print, convert from) Brother .PHC

files added. However, Embird is not able to write or convert

to .PHC format.

- Support for Janome MC10000 GigaHoop added. There are also new

tutorials regarding usage of this hoop available at our web

site.

- Giant Hoop-It-All support for Pfaff 7570 and 7560 added.

It works the same way as the GHIA for Viking and Babylock. Tutorial

is available at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm.

Positions are defined in the following way:

Attach the bracket to the sewing machine and then attach the

sliding rail to the bottom of the bracket. Use the bottom of

the bracket as a reference point.

Position A: Slide the hoop into the bracket until the bottom of the

bracket just covers the second screw hole from the top.

Position B: The hoop is pushed half way between screw holes #2 and #3.

(This is 33 mm from bottom edge of upper screw hole.)

Position C: The hoop is pushed up until the bottom of the bracket

just covers the third screw hole.

Position D: The hoop is pushed half way between screw holes #3 and #4.

(This is 33 mm from bottom edge of upper screw hole.)

Position E: The hoop is pushed up until the bottom of the bracket

just covers the fourth screw hole.

- Giant Hoop-It-All support for Janome MC 5000, MC 5700, MC 9000,

Elna CE 20, Envision 8006 & 8007 and Kenmore 19000 & 19001 added.

It works the same way as the GHIA for Viking and Babylock. Tutorial

is available at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm.

Positions are defined in the following way:

Attach the bracket to the sewing machine and then attach the sliding

rail to the bottom of the bracket. Use the bottom of the bracket as

a reference point.

Position A: Slide the hoop into the bracket until the bottom of the

bracket intersects the second screw hole from the top.

Position B: The hoop is pushed up until the bottom of the bracket is

directly over the red horizontal line.

Position C: The hoop is pushed up until the bottom of the bracket

intersects the third screw hole.

Position D: The hoop is pushed half way between screw holes #3 and #4.

(The half way point between screw holes is 34mm.)

Position E: The hoop is pushed up until the bottom of the bracket

intersects the fourth screw hole.

- You can create the cross reference line in Editor now - just

click on "Insert --> Cross Reference Line" command. This line

might be helpful when splitting designs.

- Pfaff Multi-Hoop added. It works the same way as the other

multi-position hoops in Embird, so read the tutorial for

Viking Plus hoop to find out how to use it.

- Singer Small, Medium, Large and Multi-Hoop added. There is

also a new tutorial regarding splitting designs for Singer

Multi-Hoop available at http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm.

- Viking Mega Hoop problem fixed. This hoop consists of three

overlapping areas, and its use is very similar to the use

of Viking Plus Hoop. Find more about using Plus hoop at our

web site with tutorials.

- Problem with Help files fixed. On some computers the help didn't

work, reporting that the language of the help is not compatible

with the operating system.

Version 7.00

- Embird Plus is 32-bit application, supporting long filenames.

The registration of Embird Plus costs US $65, the upgrade from any

older version of Embird costs US $15.

- Embird Plus can resize designs with density adjustment. You can

enable/disable this feature in Editor --> Options --> Stitch Density.

You can also specify the density of column and fill stitches in this

dialog box.

- Two new alphabets are available as plug-ins for Embird. You can

download these alphabets from http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/down.htm

and install them into Embird Plus folder (usually C:\EMBIRD32).

Then you can create lettering using Editor --> Insert --> Text command.

- Balarad Sfumato Stitch technology is available as a plug-in for Embird.

You can download it from http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/down.htm.

Use this plug-in to create new designs from your photos. Please find

more information and step-by-step guide in Sfumato Stitch help - just

run this application using Editor --> Insert --> Sfumato Stitch Design

and press F1 key for help.

- Embird can co-operate with Thred version 1.029 and above. Thred is a

versatile and affordable digitizing program, developed by Thredworks.

It can be used with Embird, or as a standalone application. More

information, demo, registration and support for Thred are available at

http://www.thredworks.com.

If you want to create a new design in Thred and insert in into Embird

Editor use Editor --> Insert --> Thred Design command.

If you want to edit existing design in Thred, just open it in Embird

Editor, select it (so that there is a rectangle around it) and use

Edit --> Edit in Thred command.

- Now you can change the color of hoop in Editor, using Options --> Hoop

Color command.

Version 6.04

- It is the last 16-bit version of Embird released. We will not support

16-bit Embird in the future. This last version has the same feature

as Embird Plus 7.00, but it doesn't support long filenames as well

as the resizing with density adjustment.

Version 6.03 Beta

- Janome JEF format bug fixed. This bug caused that there was no

stitch icon displayed and also the 'Hoop B' was not set correctly.

- Embird will now process also PES 4.0 files correctly. It supports

the new 160 x 260 mm and 260 x 160 mm hoop.

- Sew Simulator added to View menu in Editor. You can simulate sewing of

design at chosen speed, max. 1000 stitches per second.

- "Sort Colors" function added to Edit menu in Editor. Use this command to

join areas with the same colors and thus to reduce the number of color

changes.

- "Reverse Stitches" function added to Edit menu in Editor. Use this

command to reverse the order of stitches, so that the last stitch

becomes first, the last-but-one becomes second, etc.

- "Stitch Type" function added to Edit menu in Editor. You can change

the stitch type now, e.g. from JUMP stitch to NORMAL stitch this way.

Just select a single stitch using 'Freehand Select Mode'. You can select

a particular stitch by selecting its middle point.

- "Design Name" function added to File menu in Editor. Use this command

to change the design name (where available - e.g. in HUS, DST files)

Version 6.02 Beta

- Support for Janome .JEF format added. Embird can both convert to and

from the new Janome MC10000 format.

- Support for Giant Hoop-It-All(tm) for Babylock Espree 1,2 & Accent,

Bernina Deco 500 & 600 and Brother PE 100, 150 & 200 added. The usage

is the same as for Giant Hoop-It-All(tm) for Viking.

Version 6.01 Beta

- Jumbo Hoop Large and Jumbo Hoop Small now work also in

horizontal position.

- Bug causing that the design name was lost while editing

in Editor was fixed.

- New BALARAD Free Designs 'TIGER.DST' and 'DACHSHUND.DST'

added.

Version 6.00

- Now you can do lettering in Embird! You can insert any

text in Embird Editor - just click on "Insert" menu and choose

"Text..." command. Please look in Help to find out more

about lettering in Embird.

- Support for Giant Hoop-It-All(tm) for Viking #1+ & Rose added.

You can prepare design for this hoop easily. Embird will

do all the rotations and positioning for you. Please find

tutorial at our web site http://www.embird.com/sw/embird/videos.htm

We are looking for people who would like to help us to support

GHIA also for Janome, Pfaff and Babylock embroidery machines,

which use different sliding brackets.

- Ability to read (display, print, convert from) Husqvarna Viking

Designer 1 .SHV files added.

- Now you process whole folders of designs by a single click.

You can convert, view thumbnails, print or export .BMP and .JPG

documentation this way. Just click right mouse button on

"Folders" box (located at the "Right Panel" in Manager) and

choose appropriate command. Commands are also accessible via

"Right Panel" menu, in "Folder Operations". These commands

will be applied to selected folder and all its sub-folders.

- Now you can extract multiple ZIP archives at once. Select

ZIP archives which you want to extract at "Right Panel" and

then choose "Extract Zipped Files to..." command in "Right

Panel" menu. A dialog box appears. Specify folder into

which selected ZIP archives will be extracted. Please note,

that all ZIP archives which you want to extract at once must

be stored in the same folder, so that you can select them

at "Right Panel".

- Support for PES 3.0 files added. Embird can now READ (display,

print, convert from) designs in this format. However, it cannot

WRITE (convert to) files in PES 3.0, only in PES 2.5.

- Color palette for Janome .SEW files extended to 78 colors.

- "Print" and "Print Preview" commands added to FILE menu in Editor.

- "Show Design Source" and "Show Design Name" commands added to

OPTIONS menu in Editor. Set these options to OFF if you do not

want this information to be added to your printed/exported

documentation.

- New BALARAD Free Designs 'VERONIKA.DST', 'MISO.DST', 'MOOSE.DST',

and 'ROSE.DST' added to Embird. You will find this design in

C:\EMBIRD\FILES folder after installation.

- Spanish version of Help added. Just click on Spanish flag on

the main Help page (Contents).

Version 5.31 Beta

- Installation bug fixed. This bug caused that Embird could

not run on some computers - it installed without problems,

but failed on the first run.

- .BRO format bug fixed. This bug caused that some designs could

not be displayed.

- System resources handling bug fixed. This bug caused that error

message "Out of system resources" appeared very frequently.

Version 5.30 Beta

- Embird now supports Babylock/Brother/Bernina JUMBO hoop (both

small and large), Viking Husqvarna PLUS hoop and Viking

Designer 1 hoop. Some tutorial videos about using this

hoops are available for downloading at


Important: If you want to save some large design for Jumbo

or Plus hoop, you must first split it in Editor into several

pieces, so that each piece can be stored in one of those

three overlapping hoops. These three hoops are drawn in

red, blue and green color around the hoop.

- "Hoop Size" and "Show Hoop" commands added to "Options" menu

in Manager. Hoop is drawn only if photorealistic 3D view is

turned off. If "Show Hoop" is ON, the hoop will be drawn

behind the design also in printed documentation. This is

useful when you split design into parts in Editor and

later you want to position these parts correctly during

embroidering - just let Embird to print hoop behind each part.

- "Import Image" command added to Middle Panel Menu. Use this

command in conjunction with "Pick Color" command in Color

Palette Popup menu. Please look in Help to find out more.

This command is useful when you want to set the colors

in your design and you have got an image with proper colors -

all you have to do is to "pick" color from this image into

the proper color box.

- Bits and Volts *.BRO files are supported now.

- "Open File in External Application" command added to "Right

Panel" menu. Now you can associate external applications

with particular extensions, so that e.g. your .HUS files

can be open in Husqvarna Customizing Software by a single

click. Click in OPTIONS menu in Editor and choose Associate

Extensions command. Then click on "Search for other embroidery

software" button.

- "Extract Zipped Files to..." command added to "Right Panel"

menu. Use this command to extract selected ZIP file. This

command is also accesible via SHIFT+E shortcut.

- Marco/Zangs floppy disk bug fixed.

Version 5.20

- MAIN NEW FEATURE: You can split designs by freehand-

defined polygon. This is very interactive and

user-friendly. Please look in Help to find out more.

- ZIP support added. Click on ZIP archive in Right Panel to

open it. Files contained in archive will be temporarily

unzipped to EMBIRD\TEMP_ZIP folder (and bellow if ZIP archive

contains folder structure). You may browse through this

folder and process files as if they were unzipped, but

remember, once you close ZIP archive all changes will

be lost. Copy files out of EMBIRD\TEMP_ZIP folder if

you want to remember changes. (Use "Copy Files to Clipboard"

and "Paste Files from Clipboard" in "Right Panel" menu to

copy files.) If you want to close ZIP archive,

click on "Up One Level" button (near Folder list box at the

top of Right Panel). You will return to folder with ZIP

archive (where you were before entering ZIP).

- In Manager, "Cut Files to Clipboard", "Copy Files to Clipboard"

and "Paste Files form Clipboard" commands were added to

"Right Panel" menu and also to popup menu. You these commands

to copy files (as in Windows Explorer.)

- In Manager, "Delete Folder" command was added. Use this command

very carefully, because no "UNDO" is possible. (Recycle Bin is

not supported.)

- When you are overwriting some file, this file is backed-up

(it is renamed to .BAK). Previous .BAK file is deleted (if any).

- Now you may process standard floppy disk files on Right Panel

(not just hard disk, CD-ROM and network files).

- In Editor, "Save Selected As" command was added to

File menu. It allows you to save selected objects

only, not a whole document (all objects). Use this

command if you split the design and you want to

save some part to a file.

- Skew function added to Editor. When you select

object, arrows appear around selection frame. Click

on these arrows and drag mouse with left mouse button

being depressed to skew object.

- "Show Stitch Direction" command added to View menu

in Editor. Direction is indicated by a small arrow,

which is drawn at midpoint of every stitch.

- When you drop Object Icon at Object Order Bar, popup

menu appears, offering you following possibilities:

* Swap Objects

* Insert Before Object

* Insert After Object

- You can select several objects at Object Order Bar,

by clicking with left mouse button on Object Icon and

holding CTRL or SHIFT key down simultaneously.

- Embird is now able to process Marco/Zangs floppy disks.

- .HUS bug fixed. This bug has caused, that .HUS design in

Customizing System program had not been displayed with

four corner handles around it (which resize design).

- .XXX bug fixed. This bug has caused, that colors

were not processed correctly on some designs.

- .HUS, .PES and .SEW hoop size restriction released.

- Pfaff .PCS and .PCM bug fixed. This bug caused that

Embird locked up when displaying Pfaff design exported

from Uli's cross stitch software.

- "Show End" command added to Options menu. Use this

command to enable/disable displaying of cross lines,

which show ending point of design.

Version 5.10

- Viking Husqvarna .HUS format added.

- New types of documentation added: "Color Layers" and

"Images". Now you may create documentation containing

"Color Layers" of the design, and you may also export

"Images" of selected designs - great for creating

pictures for your WWW sites. The easiest way to find

out more about these new types of documentation is

to try them out.

- Preview added. If you export documentation, there

would be "Preview" button in save dialog. Click on this

button if you want to see the documentation before

saving it to your hard disk.

- "Hide All Colors" command added to EMBIRD EDITOR.

- Embird is now able to save color palettes to

* Pfaff .PCS,

* Pfaff. PCM,

* Bernina, Brother, Babylock .PEC,

* Bernina, Brother, Babylock .PES,

* Janome/Elna/New Home .SEW and

* Compucon .XXX

* Viking Husqvarna .HUS

files.

- "Rotate Left" and "Rotate Right" buttons added to EMBIRD

EDITOR.

- "View Thread List" command added.

- Compucon .XXX format added.

- Help improved: "FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions" and

"Tasks - How can I..." topics were added.

- FuFu Polyester, Madeira Polyneon, Robison-Anton Polyester and

Robison-Anton Rayon thread catalogs added.

- File history added to EMBIRD EDITOR.

- Melco SS bug fixed.

- Embird will now run also under Windows NT, but floppy disk

operation do not work.

Version 5.04

- Pfaff PCS bug fixed. Now the designs are displayed in right

colors. Also, some stitches were not displayed in previous

version.

Version 5.03

- Color Popup menu added. Click on color displayed on the

Objects Order Bar in Embird Editor to display this popup

menu.

Version 5.02

- Embird Editor bug fixed.

Version 5.01

- Embird Editor added.

Embird Editor allows the following operations:

* Resize designs

* Mirror designs

* Center designs

* Rotate designs

* Join several designs

* Erase part of the design

* Add and remove colors

* Change the position of the design in the hoop

- Embird is now able to convert files to Janome. SEW,

Babylock, Bernina and Brother .PEC and .PES (Type 1)

formats.

- FuFu, Isacord Polyester, Isafil Rayon and Janome catalogs

added.

- Melco SS disk operation bug fixed.

- Floppy disk operation bug fixed. Embird could not format,

write and read the disks on some PCs (depending on BIOS).

Version 4.00

What's new in version 4.00 ?

- Madeira, Mettler and Sulky threads catalog support added.

Now, you may search for the color in catalog and EMBIRD

will display the name and number of the color. The thread

list may be exported to .BMP or .JPG file or printed.

- Hint with information about the design is displayed for

every design in thumbnails mode, just move the mouse

pointer over the design.

- Left, Right and Process Panels may by hidden to enlarge

the preview area.

- EMBIRD now supports Balarad's .BLK condensed files, these

files may be compiled (expanded) to the size of your

choice.

- EMBIRD is able to display also Bernina, Brother, Babylock

.PES Type 2 files.

- You may change needle assignment in the chosen design.

- Added possibility of design resampling. The designs may be

resized, rotated, mirrored and centered.

- Free design 'SQUIRREL' added.

- Fixed floppy disk operation bug.

Documents

Timpuri Noi