I need to get started on very basic digitizing for a pro embroidery machine. I've paged through the 15# CorelDraw manual and Wilcom Deco Studio manual for digitizing , watched some of the videos, and they are overwhelming and don't address a simple start with room to grow in knowledge and capability.
What I am looking for is what I have created for everything from my own T-shirt stores; a deli; and a whale watching company with two vessels, crew procedures, engine room procedures; to a full water ops manual for a tugboat company, so I am not a dimwit, even though I feel like one now stumbling through too much to glean the barest of bones to get started. I already plan to use pro digitizers for complex designs, but know I can grasp the basics for simple designs quickly once I figure out the steps.
Does anyone know of or maybe created a sheet that reads something like this with detail as needed?
1. Import image to CorelDraw (I am working on a tif)
2. Use pick tool to select item
3. Go to Arrange>Convert to Curves
This is where I hit a roadblock. Convert to Curves isn't highlighted so I am missing something on how to select item. I tried select all but it didn't work either. I know this is ground zero basic, but I'm missing it. Any help appreciated.
Hi Heidi
Go to www.macromonster.com look for Jeff Harrison's how to draw in corel It is a video tutorial on using the Bezier tool to create tracing paths.
I got it for my wife who wanted to do quilts and petite point . I watched it first and though I've used CorelDraw since version on still picked up a couple of good tips. There is no way I have the patience level to teach that in a hands on way. Now she wants his stained glass tutorials it looks so simple she says.
If you want professional level software WWW.wilcom.com is fully integrated design and production software that works with corel draw.
Youtube has some videos as well
Ross Blair
I replied to everyone who gave me tips and will post that below. Had to laugh at your wife and how easy the stained glass design looks. It is all easy, eventually, maybe. Best tool for stained glass is a grinder, although one of my brother's feels the true artist doesn't use them. I'm all for tools that help you make what you see in your head.
Thanks a bunch! I sucked it up and dove back into the semi-literate tutorials (which I discovered mostly cover v9, not 4!) to delve deeper into bitmaps to vectors. I am seeing the many steps missed with wishful thinking. I'll get there.
What's ironic is I have designed for years for entire lines of clothing and gear, and in the case of embroidered items, badgered my embroiderers relentlessly to achieve my vision. I knew what I was asking of them, and over the years their digitizing abilities ran the gamut. The most recent embroiderers retired and I was too tempted to have total control, so I bought their favorite machine and now I am swimming in it, sometimes above water.
It is a real trip to see the hard work result in a beautiful stitched product, but the learning curve is substantial. The closest I can compare it to is sitting for my Coast Guard Master's license. Overwhelming doesn't begin to touch it, and yet years later, as senior captain of our business and running a big double deck power catamaran in everything the wild Pacific had to throw at us, it was all instinctive. I do have to keep reminding myself of this! Thanks again for pointers. heidi
BTW: I do have Wilcom, which is next bridge to jump off. Did I mention we own and run several vacation cabins on a river and do almost all maintenance ourselves? Oh yes, and it's tax prep time. Otherwise, this would be easier if not easy.