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Why Not Embroidery?

Make it easy — use Corel DRAWings X3.

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You’re already computer-designing graphics for signs, so why not take it up a level? Embroidery service can be a natural and inexpensive profit center for your sign business.

Even if you don’t know crackers about embroidery, Corel Corp. DRAWings’ X3 software is an extremely visual package that steps you through the processes. The program “understands” that you may not have a handle on embroidery. So, keep reading; we’ll show you it’s easy to create a beautiful, embroidered graphic image.

Corel DRAWings’ X3 software combines CorelDRAW’s powerful graphics package with an “easy-stitch” parcel that works well with most of today’s embroidery machines. All the necessary tools are at your fingertips — you design the graphic, then stitch, with a single menu click.

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Vector-based software

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DRAWings is a vector-based, design- to-stitch software. Thus, if the graphic is a raster (bitmap) format, you’ll need to convert it to vector art. With a few simple steps, Corel’s PowerTRACE feature will convert a low-resolution bitmap into an acceptable embroidery file. This is a must for proper sewing.

You’re one step closer to the final “sewable” file if you begin with vector artwork. In any case, save the vector – or converted file – into one of Corel’s supported file formats, and you’re ready to launch the DRAWings program.

A few mouse clicks and you’re in. As we said, amazingly, you needn’t know anything about embroidery. This program does the thinking for you, but it does require answers to certain questions. (In embroidery, you’ll soon learn that all materials you’ll be embroidering aren’t created equally. Stitching an image on a towel, for example, requires different stitching than sewing on stretch microfiber material.) Initial questions the software asks include the type of fiber you’ll be using

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Once you’ve imported the graphic into DRAWings, you can immediately “stitch” (image) it on the screen, with one mouse click. This menu-top command (Stitch) sets up the sewing pattern and also renders the screen image to match the finished image.

From here, you’ll allow the program to stitch in Auto mode, where it makes its own sewing choices. Or, if you’re feeling frisky, override each letter or design element by clicking on the stitch-type name to the right.

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Automation reigns

Stitching conditions, or parameters, can get a little complicated. These include underlay, compensation, branching, thread trimming and stabi¬lizer requirements. Fortunately, they’re automatically implemented, with real-time updates, that pass between your artwork and the stitch results.

The coolest thing is, whatever changes you make are dynamically done — no matter how many times you change the artwork and stitch it on screen.

We’ve seen software programs that require saving the different entities, without the option to return to the original. Not so with DRAWings. You can create, edit and change designs without revisiting the previous steps.

One of DRAWings X3’s new features is its enhanced, interactive Fit-Text-to-Path command. Wow! Simply create the text you want to fit (in this case, “Mountain Bikers”), then touch the path (the mountain tops), and, as you pass over the graphic, you can see the final result’s image. The positioning changes when you reposition your mouse.

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Perhaps you’ve tried text-to-path in other programs and didn’t always get the expected results. Here you have choices. Touch on the place that gives your desired positioning, and, voilà, it’s done.

Like cutting vinyl

In embroidery, the sewing sequence is important. Like cutting vinyl, you optimize the sequence – how the graphic will be sewn – starting, for example, from left to right, top to bottom or small to large. Also, mini¬mize color changes, which require changing machine settings.

You’ll want to eliminate thread trims inside the combined objects (they won’t be noticeable). To save sewing time, the software removes all thread trims between combined objects, including text. To do this, use the software’s Modular portion. To automatically switch over, click on File and then Export To Editor.

Change the sequencing and get a design summary. This includes material type, thread, stabilizer, size, etc., and other editing capabilities.

When the graphic is complete, save (standard file formats are DST, SWF, PES, HUS, EXP, VIP and many more) the embroidered version. You’ll also find new, compatible file formats for compact-flash memory cards and an Export-to-Image feature that allows you to create a final-results bitmap. You can print this image on garments or postcards, or e-mail it to your customer for approval. They’ll see the actual stitch representation, as it would look on the final material.

Signmakers will find Corel’s DRAWings X3 software is an easy-to-implement profit center that doesn’t require much space. To get started, you need a digital-embroi¬dery machine, miscellaneous supplies and DRAWings X3.

Learn from our mistakes. We own an embroidery machine and the manufacturer’s suggested soft¬ware. Believe us, DRAWings X3 is way ahead of everyone else.

Corel Corp., 1600 Carling Ave. Ottawa, ON K1Z8R7 Canada ;(613) 728-0826; www.corel.com

Company Background: Founded in 1985, Corel Corp., headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, produces such full- featured graphics and office-productivity software as CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite, Corel® Paint Shop® Pro Photo, Corel Painter™ , Corel DESIGNER®. Corel® DRAWings, WordPerfect® Offi ce, WinZip® and iGrafx®

Contact: Eduardo Serje, Corel DRAWings project mgr., eduardo.serje@corel.com.

Price: Corel® DRAWings® X3: $1,299.00, Corel® DRAWings® X3 Upgrade from DRAWings® 2: $170.00, Corel® DRAWings® X3 PRO Upgrade: $999.00

Minimum System Requirements: Pentium III /Athlon 1.0GHz; 256MB RAM Hard disk: 800MB of free, uncompressed space,4x CD-ROM, 3D AFP accelerator with DirectX 9c-compatible drivers, Minimum 32MB RAM, 1,024 x 768 monitor resolution with 32-bit color depth, O/S: Windows XP, 2000, or Windows Tablet PC Edition

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