Once you have obtained the desired color settings, try adjusting stitch settings in combination with Preview. These allow you to achieve a balance between overall stitch count, trim count, and optimum coverage. You are always seeking to obtain a good result with the fewest possible stitches and trims.
1There is no particular workflow associated with these fields. The table below summarizes the function of each. It’s a matter of testing values in conjunction with Preview to arrive at a satisfactory result.
|
Field |
Function |
|
Length / Min length |
Color PhotoStitch color blocks are comprised of run stitching. The minimum and maximum stitch lengths allowable in a design determine the outside limits as measured between needle penetration points. Generally speaking, the shorter the length, the smoother the curves, at the expense, however, of increased stitch count. |
|
Spacing |
The smaller the value, the greater the stitch density. For more open stitching, use larger values. |
|
Coverage |
This setting affects overall stitch density. Lower percentages result in less dense coverage. |
|
Color blending |
This setting affects overlapping areas of color. Increasing this value will generally result in greater color block separation. |
|
Definition |
This setting affects the sharpness of image details. Reducing this value will generally result in greater image definition. |
|
Trim if next... |
Trims are inserted if the next connector exceeds the length you specify. |
|
Trims |
This setting affects the number of trims and tie-offs in the design. Reduce trim count by increasing trim length and decreasing the trim percentage setting, at the expense, however, of more connecting runs. |
2For instance, use the Color blending setting to increase or decrease overlapping colors. Reducing this value will generally result in greater color block separation.
3Use Coverage to adjust overall stitch density. Lower percentages result in less dense coverage. This may be desirable in order to reduce stitch count depending on background color.
Note: Coverage can be further adjusted for each thread by double-clicking a field in the Coverage column. Differential values can be used to enhance foreground details or diminish background colors.
4Adjust Length settings for greater or lesser precision. Shorter length will result in greater detail at the cost of a higher stitch count.
5Adjust Spacing settings for greater or lesser density. Again, closer spacing will result in greater detail at the cost of a higher stitch count.
Tip: You can reduce stitch count by increasing stitch length and stitch spacing, reducing overall and individual coverage % settings.
6Adjust trim settings for more or fewer trims. The higher the value, the more connectors but fewer trims.
7Keep experimenting until you achieve the desired result. Click OK to confirm.
Note: Both stitch and trim counts can only be checked after the Color PhotoStitch dialog is closed. While you remain in the same design window, current settings are retained except for thread coverage. This returns to the default 100%. Note these settings if you want to return to the Color PhotoStitch dialog.