Digitizing Studio And Sfumato Stitch For Embird Embroidery Program

Digitizing Studio - Tools & Sfumato

What is Embird Studio 5.0?
For Embird 2008 and above
This is a digitizing program for creation of logos and other embroidery designs.
Digitizing Tools and Sfumato Stitch are the 2 optional parts of Studio.

Studio is an optional plug-in program for Embird. It must be downloaded as a separate file and installed (not just copied) into Embird. Studio 5.0 does not work with previous versions of Embird prior to 2008. Upgrade from Studio 1.0, 2.0 3.0 and 4.0 to Studio 5.0 is free of charge.

How much does Embird Studio 5.0 cost?

The price of Digitizing Tools is $135.00 (USD)

The price of Sfumato 3 is $85.00 (USD)

Can I try Studio?

Yes - download the demo version from our download page.

In the unregistered demo you can try out all the features and tools, you just will not be able to save anything.

If you would like us to mail you the trial version of Embird 2008 and the plug-ins on CD, rather than download them yourself, you can order it from our Purchase Page

Introduction to Studio
Have you ever wanted to create your own embroidery designs but didn't know what you needed to do this or even where to start? Perhaps you have found that a lot of the regular embroidery digitizing programs were just too expensive. Embird Studio is a program you can use to create your own designs without breaking the bank.

Studio is comprised of 2 optional parts - Digitizing Tools, and Sfumato Stitch. You can create your own designs using the many tools included in these programs. Digitizing Tools and Sfumato are optional plug-in programs for Embird, so you need to have Embird installed before installing them.

There are many fancy fills, motifs and outline samples that are packaged with the program and you can also create your own unique fills. The program is very user friendly. Your design is created in Studio by your hand and then, once finished, it is taken through into Embird Editor to be saved in the format of your choice. There are no dongles required to open and use the program like many other programs have these days.

Sfumato Stitch
allows easy and fast creation of multicolored portraits and other designs from photos.

User imports photo into the background of the working area and then draws Sfumato objects on top of the photo. Just like other objects in the Studio, Sfumato objects have vector boundaries that are automatically filled with stitches. Each Sfumato object can have 1-5 shades of its 'basic color'. Sfumato objects can have openings and carvings, just like the fill objects in the Studio. Objects are filled with stitches so that thread forms looser or heavier meanders to create shading effects while fabric shows through stitches.

New Sfumato is integrated into Studio (no separate download needed). Because of its vector-based approach, it is supposed to enable user to create Sfumato portraits and designs several times faster than with the previous version.

Digitizing Tools
allow user to digitize embroidery designs up to 60 x 60 centimeters (23.6 x 23.6") large with up to 250 000 stitches. Design is digitized so that user creates outline (vector) objects either on a blank background or on an image (template). When finished, design is compiled into stitches and put into Embird Editor for final adjustment and save in desired embroidery format.

Designs are created in a vector form using lines and curves. Picture can be imported as a template into background of working area. To store designs, Studio uses its own file format with all objects, parameters, stitches and background image stored in a single file (*.eof). There is a 'compact' version of .eof format available for saving designs for transfer via internet.

Objects such as Fill, Sfumato*, Carving, Column, Column with pattern, Outline, Connection, Appliqué and Manual Stitches are available. Fill and Sfumato objects can have openings. Objects can be moved, rotated, skewed and scaled without loss of quality.

* Sfumato 4.0 is an optional part of Studio 3.0. It must be purchased separately.

Trace tool allows to convert bitmap image (raster image) to vector design without redrawing the image manualy.

Trace tool works in a several steps:
1. selection of consistently coloured area (pixels of raster image) with magic wand.
2. turnig of selected raster areas into vector objects
3. filling vector objects with stitches.

It is possible to create outline, column, fill, sfumato and carving objects. Selection options allow to change the way of how the Trace tool behaves by each selection. It is possible to define whether to make new selection and discard any existing selection or add objects of different color to selection, select non-contiguous areas of the same color at once, subtract object from selection or intersect the object from selection.

Detailed Trace Tool Information Here. How to Use Steps Here

Interactive lettering allows to insert and edit text directly in the work area of Studio. Text can be created with Font Engine (True Type and Open Type fonts) or with pre-digitized Alphabets. Lettering supports multiline text and adjustable text baselines. Predefined baselines include circle, lines and spirals. All baselines can be transformed (moved, scaled, rotated and slanted) and/or as edited node-by-node. Whole text or individual characters can be moved, scaled, rotated and slanted as well. Additional controls allow to adjust spacing of characters, words and lines and overall size of the text.

Detailed Interactive Lettering Information Here

Envelope Tool allows to deform selected object(s) in the work area of Studio with use of adjustable boundary.

Options like predefined shape, type of horizontal and vertical edges and symmetry options are available from panel at the right side of the screen.

Fills with multiple motifs. Studio allows to use several motifs within a single fill. Setting of desired number of rows and columns defines a grid of motifs that will be used to fill the object.

Multiple motifs can be combined with all options available for single motif like scale, shift, fill angle, wave and gradient.

Integrated Sew Simulator in Studio allows to simulate sewing of whole design or just selection in a normal, 3D or flat view mode. Color bar at top of the screen helps to 'rewind' simulation forward and backward. It is possible to set negative speed for simulation, which means that stitches gradually disapear.

Freehand tool allows to create realistic fur or shading effects as well as sketch drawings with mouse or digitizing tablet within a few minutes. It works like a painting tool. Result, however, is an embroidery design that can include various embroidery styles like fills, columns, sfumato objects, carvings and outlines as well as some new stitch styles like pressure-sensitive columns.

Object Inspector window is available for fast and easy management of objects. User can change the color of object or its order by simple drag-and-drop operation. Objects can be grouped to make manipulations easier. Icons in Object Inspector indicate color changes, trims, object type and visibility.

To make digitized objects and stitches more visible on the background, user can adjust brightness, contrast, gamma correction, colors balance and saturation of the background image. There are also tools for rotation, cropping and resizing of the background image.

Digitizing Tools create not only cover stitches for each object, but also various types of underlay: center walk, edge walk, and zig-zag underlay to stabilize embroidered objects.

Digitizing Tools perform many editing operations automatically. Connection paths are rearranged when user moves objects, sharp corners of columns are automatically split or folded when converted to stitches, fill overlays are adjusted according to size of object.

How to Install Studio Plug-in 5.0 (Digitizing Tools and Sfumato Stitch)

First you must install Embird 2008, see steps at this link.

Then you need to download the Studio file and install on your computer.

Then find out more here on installing your plug-ins.

GO to our Download page and download your trial version of Embird Studio 5.0.
GO to Order Page and register the Digitizing Tools or Sfumato Plug-ins
GO to the Step by Step Guide to Digitizing Tools Tutorial and CD
GO to the Step by Step Guide to Sfumato CD and videos.

Recommendations Tell a friend about this page Customer Comments Keep Me Updated

Reviews

Carolyn, I just bought your tutuorials for studio of embird, I have to say without a doubt it should be the bible of ditigizing. I have learned so much, was looking for a way to make outline stitches for my designs, and bingo it was there, and so so much more. I can't wait to get started on creating my own designs. There was a lot i had already figured out, but believe you me I would recommend this tutorial to anyone who has embird, because it is the BOOM as the young people would say. Again thank you for working on these and getting us the newbies a chance to enter your world if only for a while. Again thank you. Heidi

Your tutorials are very highly recommended on the Janome internet forum. We just purchased a Janome 11,000, and have chosen the Embird software suite. We are about to take an extended camping trip, and my wife got the insane notion that she wanted to take her machine with her. She had hoped to get some kind of hard copy, but given the limited time left, we will just have to download your tutorial from the net. I didn't realize that all this software was sourced offshore. Given the tremendous popularity of your tutorial, I am highly surprised that it is not offered by Amazon.com. It would surely be a "best seller". Kindest regards, Harley L. Mullen

I have had Embird for a couple of years. I knew it was a great value but had used it only for design conversion...with no clue as to what it was capable of doing. Recently I purchased a design which required that I "personalize" it with lettering and the Embird alpha plug ins were recommended.   Naturally, I purchased the alpha and got it installed.   NOW what was I to do with it???? I figured I better get a clue...and a fast clue since this design is something I wanted to stitch out on a baby gift. So I figured I would search out tutorials. As Providence would have it, that day I received the Secrets Of newsletter advertising your new tutorial. Off I went to purchase it. I downloaded and printed it (so I would actually use it as a reference).   I just feel compelled to write. I am at page 36 and have learned a TON from the tutorial already! What a joy....and your documentation is very easy to follow. I am a software engineer by profession. One would think I would just be able to sit down to click and do. I am not patient enough for the trial and error guessing method unless the tool to help you is so circular that it does not help anyway.   Your tutorial is a blessing. I can zoom through it picking up valuable hints/tips and usage that I had not considered as inherent to the tool.   THANK YOU for an extremely well written document. The progression of the instruction is logical and informative....and above all else CLEAR. It was truly money well spent!
Robin Smallen, Independent Longaberger Consultant

I just wanted to tell you I have spent the entire day with "you by my side". I have worked my way through your entire video and it is absolutely delightful and totally educational. What a fun day I have had. There is just so much that Embird can do and to have such excellent lessons - with a rewind button - is wonderful. Congratulations on an outstanding cd. Thank you so very much.
Jean E. Smith

Hi Carolyn,    I received your Embird CD in the mail yesterday. I haven't gone through half yet and can't believe how much I didn't know. I thought I was such a smarty pants and was sure I knew...if not everything, then enough! What an idiot! Thank you for doing the video tutorials! Although, I thought I went through your written tutorial well enough, I can see that videos are they way to go.....I learn a lot more with them.    Can't wait to get you Studio video tutorial....and see how much I don't know in that area!! :-)    Thanks a bunch,
Brenda

I need to tell you how helpful and informative your Cd's are, I have both the Embird and PED/Palette. I am learning so much from both of them. You are a very talented lady and make it so easy to follow your lessons. Thanks again and keep up the good work.
Therese Roux

I recently purchased your Step-by-Step Guide to Embird and wanted to write to thank you for such a terrific product. I never imagined that you could do so much in Embird--I downloaded it simply to convert designs. And, it's so easy to use--thanks to your handy-dandy guide. I was able to sit down with your guide and a few hours later I'm feeling pretty confident with the program. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I certainly got my money's worth out of this one!!!
Crystal Zagnoli Littleton, Colorado, USA

Just wanted to thank you for the update on the Embird tutorial. I have downloaded it with no problems as well as ordering and downloading "Splitting and Rejoining Designs with Embird". Since Janome has still held us to a total of 32,000 stitches per design, it is necessary to split some of them. Even for the Gigahoop. Thanks so much for taking the time to do these wonderful tutorials.
Madeline E. Ashby

I just want to take a moment to let you know how much I've enjoyed your Step-by-Step Guide to Embird. You have made it very easy to read and understand!!! Thank you!!!
Diana

I have found the videos on the CD. Fantastic, brilliant, please e-mail me if you have any more. In the UK I would have had to pay ?60 for one day tuition and would not have got a quarter of the information I have got from your Cd plus I can always refer back to something I haven t done for some time were my memory would not do this, thanks so much, I lost my husband to the dreaded Big C end of August and I thought this was the end of my life. Your CD has given me something to get stuck into. Use up many lonely hours and given me the push I need. Now I can make that family quilt that I have been putting off doing and with my very own embroidery. Thank you so much
Rose Swann

I have all of Carolyn's tutorials, even the ones on Embird. They are wonderful. I would love to have the downloads you mentioned. Please let me know how to get them. Thank you.
Kim Sawatzky

I just purchased Carolyn's Step by Step Guide for PEDesign/Pallette. I'm so excited to learn that these new lessons and videos free of charge. I'll look forward to hearing from you. Carolyn is wonderful!
Diana Gates, Port Orchard, WA

Hello Carolyn, first must say I love your Embird tutorial I purchased yesterday! I won a digitizing contest from designstitch.com and it was the prize and have been looking forward to learning how to use it. After looking a several tutorials I chose yours. Linda

Hi Carolyn, I did the Embird class in Townsville with you recently and I loved every bit of it. You are a great teacher and I wish you well with your classes. I also need Embird Studio classes now. LOL . Yvonne

I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed our classes with you in Townsville, you are a wonderful teacher, and I had a great time! Mary

I just made my way through your very enjoyable fur tutorial and wanted to thank you for your clear and concise explanations. I am slowly - with your help! - teaching myself to digitize and having a wonderful time doing so.

Just wanted to know I really liked your first tutorial for Embird 2006. It was really helpful and I felt your voice was very encouraging and pleasant. I am already modifying designs and making gifts. Thanks for your help. Can't wait to try Studio.

I want to tell you what I think -- YOU ARE TOO WONDERFUL!! Thanks very much.

Thanks so much for your tutorials. They really are marvelous.

I received my tutorial Saturday. They are wonderful, thank you.

I want to thank you for the Embird Studio Tutorial I bought from you. Its down to earth and easy to understand!

You are a star, yes it's worked. Always the little things it seems that cause these hiccups. Many thanks.

I have to tell you, you are the best teacher. Keep up the good work. Thank you.

I just wanted to let you know that after purchasing your Redwork tutorial this evening that I sat right down and was able to digitize the Santa with great results. I am so excited. I was determined to learn Redwork and this first lesson when so well and quickly that now I am determined to move forward with my learning. Thanks so much for providing these lessons for us.

Keep up the in depth videos for those of us that are not very good at manuals as we really need them.

Keep up your wonderful teaching cds as the are invaluable to oldies like me trying to learn something new and creative.

Thank you again for your inspiration and encouragement.

I want to take this time to tell you how much I enjoy all of your books that I have gotten from you ? you?re a great teacher!

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