Tom Tricks

Coverting Open Type fonts

2012-01-24T17:03:00.000-06:00

Every so often we stumble across an Open Type font that doesn't play well with Wilcom. It's frustrating as we spend hours scratching our heads as to what may be the issue. It's plain and simple. Some Open Type fonts simply do not work.

One solution is to search for the same font offered as a True Type font. Unfortunately not all Open Type font's are available in TTF format.

Another solution is to use a font converter program or service. One such is Free Online Font Converter. This service will convert a oft to a ttf that Wilcom can work with.

Uninstall without a dongle

2011-05-31T18:26:00.001-05:00

I had an interesting conversation with an IT person who had been tasked with un-installing Wilcom without the availability of a dongle. I had never really thought much about this, but it made me dig around a little for advice. Along with what I found and what the IT person already knew about computers (clearly a lot more than I do) she was able to complete a successful un-install.

Below are the steps she said worked for her.

After going to the Wilcom folder and deleting the folder and all its contents, it was discovered that not all files could be deleted. Her next step was to boot into safe mode and delete the files that way.
Then you need to stop the HASP service which is running in the Services area.
Then she used Revo un-installer to search for and delete the remaining files.

The last bit of advice I learned form this ordeal is, if you are having a rough time with your girlfriend, it is best to have her un-install Wilcom BEFORE she leaves with her dongle.

Fractional Spacing

2011-05-28T10:18:00.001-05:00

Fractional Spacing is a widely misused feature in the Wilcom embroidery Software. The control icon is found on the Stitch Effect tools bar where a left click will toggle the tool either on or off.

A right click will take you to the Object properties docker for this tool which is found under the Smart Corner Tab. I am not exactly sure why it is located on the Smart Corner tab as this because while this tool may be used with Smart Corners, it does not pertain directly or solely to Smart Corners. I feel it's position on the Smart Corner tab is misleading. None the less, this is where it is.

The basic premise of Fraction Spacing is to control how density is applied to a given object. Its application is to reduce the stitch build up often found in sharp turns or angles. This I believe is why it found its way to the Smart Corners tab, however Fractional Spacing existed many versions prior to the creation of Smart Corners.

The assignment of a density value is applied to the outside edge of a given object. How this is applied to the stitches is unnoticeable in a straight object. However, in an object that curves it is clear that the density value is met on the outside edge and the inside edge must alter itself to accommodate this. Depending on how tight of a turn or how heavy of a density setting has been assigned will determine how quickly and noticeable to stitch build up is.

Fractional Spacing's Offset Fraction allows the adjustment of the point in-which density is applied to the object. As already mentioned, the default point where density is applied is the outside edge, or a value of zero. The far extreme side, or setting, would be 1.0, or the whole amount. The Offset Fraction moves the point where density is applied by the fraction value assigned. A value of .25 would move the point where density is achieved one quarter of the objects width. This would lighten the object's stitch density on the inside edge providing some relief.

I have found fractional spacing to be a useful tool for providing small amounts of density relief that can avoid the need to use Stitch Shortening. I have also found that values above .25 will usually be too drastic. Employing Stitch Shortening to the object would have been a better solution at this point.

What is important to note is that Fractional Spacing is not a tool with a variable. The feature is either turned on or off, meaning the adjustment to density is applied to the object whether it has stitch build up or it doesn't. Therefore, not only does Fractional Spacing adjust the density on the inside, but this would also lighten the density on the outside edge any time the tool is turned on. Because the value is applied to any object which the tool is applied to, this means that if the tool is left on at all times, then all objects with any curve to it will have a lighter density. This is similar to driving with your windshield whippers on all the time.

I often find Fractional Spacing turned on by default on many users systems. Ironically, I also find these same users report that a 100% Auto-Spacing value doesn't work for them and they normally need to set their Auto-Spacing at 70-80%. What is happening here is Fractional Spacing is lightening up the density value (in situations where it isn't needed) and then the user is adjusting the density back up through the higher Auto-Spacing value. A better approach would be to leave Fractional Spacing off, set Auto-Spacing to 100%, maybe increasing it to 90% for lettering objects, and employing Fractional Spacing when a tight turn causes a stitch build up. If the use of .25 Fractional Spacing values does not resolve the issue, then also use Stitch Shortening. Only using these two features on this one object that showed a need for it.

Importing Wilcom Bling to Cam Machines

2011-02-20T13:37:00.002-06:00

If you will be outputting your Wilcom bling designs to be used with a CAM machine there are a few steps that will make will allow for a more successful import into the CAM's GemMaster software.
There is a discrepancy between how Wilcom defines the sizes of stones and how GemMaster describes the stones. This causes a spacing issue when importing the files to Gemmaster. The result is dropped stones. The key is to set up both programs to use the same values for calculating stones size and thus stone spacing.

Prior to designing Bling! you will want to setup your stone pallet in Wilcom. In the case of the popular ss10 set the size to the top of the ss10 range of 2.89mm. For the ss16 we will again use the top of the range using 3.99mm. If you go any higher than this Wilcom will describe the stone as ss11 and ss17 respectfully.

The second step is to set your Bling output format to .ai - Adobe Illustrator in Wilcom's Multi-decoration export.

Click on the Options button just to the right of the Bling! file format drop down list.

This will open the Adobe Illustrator options box. Change the Capability drop down list to Adobe Illustrator 8.0. Click "Ok" taking you back to the Multi-decoration Export dialog box.

Determine where you would like the .ai file export to and click "Export." In this folder you will find a file named YourFileName_BLG.ai. In the example above the file would be named RS-CEL0002_BLG.ai.

In GemMaster you will use File open to begin the import process. Navigate to the folder you had exported the Wilcom file to. Select "Only Illustrator" in the "Files of type" drop down list. Select the file you wish to import and click "Open."

The "AI File Open" dialog box will open. Select;
Stone (Dot)
User Set
Then alter the set size to match the sizes used in Wilcom and click "Ok." The placement of stones will now match what was visible in Wilcom.

While the "AI File Option" box will present itself on each subsequent file import, the setting of the sizes will not have to be repeated. GemMaster will automatically retain this information.

Exporting Bling

2011-02-19T10:49:00.004-06:00

A multi-decoration platform means the designer is able to accomplish all designing from within a single program. It may take some getting used to, but Wilcom e2 moves one step closer to a true multi-decoration platform.

This means the .emb file format isn't considered just an embroidery file, but also the proprietary format of choice for saving design for cad cutting, screenprint, rhinestones and embroidery.

For instance, after creating a rhinestone design in Wilcom, the file would be saved as an .emb file for archiving and future editing. To create a rhinestone transfer you will need to output the design in a file format that can be read by your stone machine. The output format will be determined by whether you will use a cutter or a stone setting machine. This is no different than outputting to a .dst format or .exp (or many others) depending on which file format your embroidery machine accepts.

Wilcom detects which types of objects are in the design and makes those types available for inclusion in the export. Use the check boxes to include or exclude those objects that are available. In this example only rhinestones were present in the design, so there aren't other objects to exclude.

If you will be cutting templates with your vinyl cutter then export to a file format your cutter accepts. This would usually be a .plt file. A separate cutter file will be required for each size stone and each color. Turning on the Multiple Files will automatically create individual files as needed.

The locations where the files are exported to can be preset for consistency, or select a specific location for this particular output.

The multi-decoration export is a major step forward to allowing a designer to work on many different decoration methods from a single platform. It provides the ability to export to the many different file formats needed to drive our decoration machines.

Multi-Decoration Export

2011-02-18T00:08:00.004-06:00

The Multi-Decoration Export feature is able to look at a file and determine what type of objects exist in the file.

This allows users to specify which parts they would like to be exported, which format to place the various parts into, and what folder to place the various files into.

Other than saving the time from several independent exports, what I like most about this feature is the ability to export to plt or cdr directly from my embroidery design software. This is a big deal for me as I may be combining heat applied vinyl or flock with embroidery or rhinestones.

I can now design all media from a single programs and export to various formats with a single action,

Uninstalling CorelDRAW

2011-02-14T09:30:00.002-06:00

Unlike other programs that boast "CorelDRAW integration", Wilcom is the only apparel design software that actually has true integration. What this means is when you install your Wilcom software you are also installing CorelDRAW Graphic Suite. CorelDRAW isn't purchased separate, it isn't installed separate and doesn't come on it's own discs.

There are several benefits to this;

The two programs are one and you don't have to worry about them not functioning correctly.
The price of Wilcom didn't go up when CorelDRAW was integrated, in fact it actually went down a few dollars. This is true of the update prices as well.
There isn't any finger pointing when calling technical support as to why things are not functioning as there is with most second party arrangements.
The ability to create and modify artwork is now done on the fly. There isn't a reason to open a second program to draw in, then export from and then import to Wilcom. Simple changes can be made on the fly and the results are instant.
Artwork is now brought into Wilcom using CorelDRAWs import filters which are superior to Wilcom's and the Windows Paste Board.

However, there are some who do not share this excitement and may prefer not to use or even have CorelDRAW on their computer. In these cases you may wish to un-install CorelDRAW using the un-install utility. Once CorelDRAW is un-installed the "Graphics Mode" button will be permanently greyed out and CorelDRAW will no longer be on your hard drive or accessible.

A few key points to think about;

If CorelDRAW is removed you can still make vector drawing objects from within Wilcom using the Drawing Tools if your Wilcom level includes Drawing Tools.
After a normal Wilcom installation (Corel is present) you can start CorelDRAW independent of Wilcom through the start menu or link on the desktop. This may be accomplished without the need of the Key (dongle).

Adding custom hoop size

2011-01-28T21:16:00.002-06:00

Wilcom e2 added a feature called HoopIt!

This feature comes with preset hoop sizes saving you the time of setting up the most basic hoops for use with this new feature. It's easy to select hoops from the supplied library and add them to your My Hoop list for regular use.

If you have hoops that are not included in the supplied list, you can add them to the system.

You have the option to select from various shapes. Depending on the shape selected you may then define the hoop's dimensions. The custom defined hoops will be saved for future use.

Monitor Calibration

2005-03-28T23:34:00.000-06:00

Calibrating your monitor is important in order for your designs to be displayed in the correct proportions. If this simple step is not taken, when you set your display to actual size (1), the design will not truly be actual size.

To calibrate your monitor, go to;

Special
Hardware Setup

Change the drop down menu to say;

Display monitor
Values

Then measure the dimensions of the dialog box and enter the measurements in the blanks provided. Then click;

This takes about 30 seconds and does not have to accomplished again until you change the monitor or video card.

Reshape Tool

2005-03-23T21:30:00.001-06:00

To efficiently digitize the operator should keep one hand on the mouse and the other on the keyboard. In this prone position either hand can effectively complete an input. When you combine this posture with the knowledge of the hot keys, many tasks are accomplished with little effort.

To select the Reshape tool, press “H” and notice the Reshape button is now selected without having to move your mouse.

Auto Centering On

2005-03-22T09:12:00.001-06:00

If you would like Wilcom to automatically auto-center your designs by default, you can accomplish this by turning on the Auto Start and End feature. Right click on the "Use Auto start and end icon found on the Generate stitches toolbar.

Check on the "Use Auto Start and End" and then click "OK." You may also turn on the "Maintain Automatically" feature if you wish for Wilcom to recalculate the center after each object is created.

Your desired settings maybe saved to the Normal Template file by clicking on the "Save" button in the lower right. This will ensure each new design window will have your desired settings preselected.

Changing input methods

2005-03-18T12:46:00.000-06:00

To toggle between the last two input methods used, click the "spacebar". Notice in the toolbar how the previous input method is not selected.

Welcome

2005-03-17T19:59:00.000-06:00

The name Tom Trick came from my partner Rhonda Baker who when I was writing the book "Digitizing 101" began to refer to a few of my digitizing remedies as "Tom Tricks". It has been a term that stuck ever since and many students ask me from time to time if I have any new Tom Tricks.

It seemed appropriate to title this section “Tom Tricks” and to credit Rhonda with coming up with the name more than five years ago. I hope readers learn from these tricks as they are truly techniques we use and find beneficial to our daily work.