Buzz-2-Stitches 4 Tutorial

Working with Raster Graphics

In the Selecting Graphics for Auto-Digitizing tutorial, we briefly discussed what to consider when selecting a graphic for embroidery auto-digitizing. In this tutorial, we'll take a deeper look at raster (or bitmap) graphics and steps you can take to test and improve their use.

How can I tell if my graphic has too low a resolution?

In general, if you see a fuzzy garbled image, you’ll get the same junk (or worse) out. In the example below, the graphic is very fuzzy and pixelated because Buzz-2-Stitches had to enlarge it too much for it to fill the design area.

This fuzzy bitmap image doesn't produce good results because
the auto-digitizing software can't make out any clean details.

TIP: When analyzing a graphic for auto-digitizing, it helps to know that the stitches of an embroidery design need to be at least 1 to 2 millimeters in length. Any smaller than that could end up with bundle of thread nests at the machine. Buzz-2-Stitches closely examines your graphic at the 2 millimeter level as it decides where to place stitches and color breaks.

If you would like to examine the graphic more closely, try this tip.

1. In an empty workspace, use the Background Graphic button and navigate to your graphic. Before you click OK, check the size of the graphic and the placement in the hoop. It should match the embroidery design you wish to auto-digitize. If you have to enlarge from the default size of the graphic to fill the embroidery area, this is your first clue that your graphic may have too low of a resolution.
2. Now use the View > Preferences command and:
   • Set the unit to MM.
   • Set the grid to 2.0
   • Change the grid color if needed for contrast
3. Now using the Zoom button on the left toolbar, zoom in on an area of the graphic and take a close look. Any distinct boxes of color within the grid are the pixels that were enlarged with the design.

When Possible, Use Vector Graphics

So how does this graphic information apply to auto digitizing? Well, in general vector images can produce better embroidery designs because they are object based and have sharp, distinct regions to turn into stitches. So when possible,starting from a true vector will give you the cleanest graphic. In fact, we only use vector graphics for auto-digitizing designs for the free designs on the Buzz Tools Free Embroidery Design sharing pages.

If you only have a raster graphic of the artwork available, consider running it through a program that will trace the image and produce a vector graphic. This way you can inspect and modify your graphic before it becomes stitches (which is often easier to do). One such program, Vector Magic was used to demonstrate this amazing transformation. Vector Magic is just one program that will produce a vector from a raster graphic but we did find this program pretty easy to use for the novice and they allow for a few free image conversions on their web based trial. Just remember to save your vector as an EMF format for easy use in Buzz-2-Stitches.

Remember the butterfly graphic above? Well, here is what that same graphic looks like after running it through Vector Magic and then Buzz-2-Stitches.

As you can see from this example, the graphics type can make a major difference in the results you obtain from an auto-digitizing program such as Buzz-2-Stitches.