StitchArtist is a program to create machine embroidery designs from scratch. You start using existing artwork or by ‘drawing with stitches.’ You control the shapes, set the stitch type and properties, and StitchArtist generates stitches for you. When you want to create stitches, that’s what it does.

StitchArtist embroidery digitizing software was a journey many years in the making, and has been designed for ease-of-use for embroiderers and to promote embroidery digitizing education. The process of embroidery design creation, commonly called ‘embroidery digitizing’, requires a skilled person using a specialized tool. StitchArtist is that tool, but it is designed to take the difficulty out of the software, leaving the user to concentrate on their designs and creativity.

In a radical departure from the typical embroidery digitizing interface, StitchArtist uses a single mode to draw, set stitches, size, edit, rotate, sequence and set properties of design objects. It is easy and intuitive once you know the very basics, which are described in detail in the user guide.

StitchArtist comes in levels which suit different skill levels:

Level 1 is designed for a hobby embroiderer who needs simple digitizing software able to create stitches without going into debt or spending much computer time. Level 1 offers a limited set of stitch types and, more importantly, properties for those stitches, so that the user can simply ‘create’ without needing to learn many steps. Typical projects for Level 1 are applique designs, running stitch designs and simple filled shapes, backgrounds or unifying elements for design compositions etc.

Level 2 includes Level 1 and is designed for production and skills training for those who would like to create more sophisticated embroidery designs (logos), as well as a more complete set of digitizing tools. It will allow the user to learn a wide cross-section of embroidery stitch types and properties, and have enough freedom to create virtually any design. If you are looking to use satin stitches to their fullest extent, this is where you need to look. This level allows you to import .SVG vector art and some cutting file formats (.FCM and .studio) for cross-purpose use as objects. Included is Our World’s-First automatic 3D Foam column underlay type, which automates the process of converting any suitable satin-stitch elements into 3D Foam embroidery with the click of a button!

Level 3 includes Level 1 and Level 2 and is designed for someone who either loves to create designs or for a digitizer working commercially in the machine embroidery field. This level includes advanced items such as Styles, QuickStyles, an Eyelet tool, Carving lines, graphical operators such as Cut, AND, Union, Flatten, Inflate/Deflate, Re-construct and Break. It also allows for the content within the product to be expanded by publishing Motifs and Embossed effects. Additional controls are available to work how you like. The properties for each stitch type are fully revealed, and operations for vector support, including export, are added; now you can draw .svg and cutting machine designs directly. It offers Branching of all object types including sub-branches that don’t need to touch. There’s even a tool to automatically outline existing design stitches.

Tell me more…

StitchArtist is not a photo-to-stitch tool, nor is it an autodigitizing program. The results of those are very subjective, and there are plenty of tools to do those in the market. When we find a process that is good enough for us, we’ll produce it. Meantime, straightforward design creation is the focus of this product. If you want to make designs for hobby, cottage industry or professional use, this is for you. If you really want to learn to digitize, this program has been designed for simplicity and instruction from the ground-up.

It is not a customizing tool (used to manipulate existing designs.) It does not contain Essentials or Enthusiast, although it does run within the Embrilliance Platform so the user interface is consistent. You can purchase StitchArtist by itself if desired; it does not rely on any other purchased product, nor is it an upgrade of any other product.

Most users will begin by importing a background image – some artwork that they want to embroider. Then you create ‘objects,’ which are shapes that will be stitched, over the artwork. You decide the shapes, their order and their stitch properties. Those who are familiar with any modern drawing tool will feel comfortable with StitchArtist as it uses a Bezier model of shaping.

When assigning stitches to shapes, you have freedom to change your mind at any time; any shape can be made into any type of stitch as easily as clicking a button.

Editing outlines is a frequent task when creating designs. StitchArtist is very helpful in this task:

1. Stitch generation is instant and automatic.
2. There are no mode changes for selection, editing, coloring, moving, sizing, rotating or adjusting properties.
3. You can work in any number of display options. No need for a specific one to be used during any process.
4. Users unfamiliar with Bezier can use a simulated spline system which is easier to teach, and can be helpful in the early instruction process.

If you have missed it, we do have an FAQ on StitchArtist:

http://embrilliance.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=1082&p=3445#p3445

There are a large number of stitch types available:

Methods / Properties:

To give you a sample of the comprehensive nature of the properties you can use with stitch objects, here are some examples, all Level 1 unless noted:

• Single
• Double
• Bean (up to 9 passes)
• Chain
• Backstitch (up to 5 passes)
• Stemstitch (adjustable width, angle)
• Sashiko

• Density
• Pattern (18)

Length, Edge Pad, Reverse pattern

• Fringe

Will hold on without topstitching

• Contour

Two styles: constant density, fixed line count

• Split Stitches

Number of splits (1-5), Max stitch length, Reverse stitch control

• Feathering

Inside and Outside, Left and Right independent control

• Pull Compensation

Minimum, Percent, Maximum

• Gradient

Four styles with density adjust

• Underlay

Edge Run, Parallel, Zig-zag. With control of length, inset and density.

3D Foam automatically adds cutting stitches to ends with caps and joins.

• Freestanding (Level 2+) for Richlieu bars, etc.

• Pattern
• Split
• Feather
• Applique
• Line styles

Applique and our included exclusive: Appliqadabra

• E-Stitch, Blanket stitch, Satin
• Full control over use of Position and Material
• Simulated Fabric fill
• Appliqadabra  – lets you use a photo fill, with cropped printing for mixed media
• Color styles including PES traditional, User-defined and Keep Color for multi-needle machines.
• Cut-file saving for Silhouette, Scan ‘n Cut, SVG

• Four styles with adjustable spacing and stitch length
• Can be converted to a Run, and then a Motif Run for virtually unlimited possibilities.

• Combine motifs in a sequence for your own pattern
• Full control over each motif size, rotation, mirror
• Satin motifs included
• Candlewick motifs included
• Scale on line (level 2) for a dramatic decorative effect

• Can be used to make lace designs
• Can be used under other objects for freestanding support
• Single-run style for creating even grids for a quilted look on linings, etc.

• Open and closed paths supported
• Fixed grid so adjacent objects can align

• Three styles: Echo outline inward, Echo interior clipped, Echo outline outward
• Offset and gradient control

Branching (level 3)

• Connect any object types
• Can create subpaths: Objects do not have to touch.

Also Included:

• Over 200 outlines added to the library which can be used in your design.
• Over 150 Motifs for run and fill
• Over 50 Emboss patterns
• Over 15 Fill Patterns

Read the manual

There is a PDF and online help of the manual for the Embrilliance Platform, which includes a lengthy StitchArtist volume. You can find the links at:

http://embrilliance.com/downloads

 

Level 2 shown: