Several times I've seen comments about EmbLib designs being too dense. Using Embird, would someone explain how I can reduce density please.

Since I don't have digitizing software, I just increase the size of EmbLib designs in my machine by about 10% and this helps immensely in reducing the density.

2 comments

by cfidl 15 Sep 2011

That is a great idea if you have the image area available. Being a 4 by 4 - probably not! Thanks!

by deeside 16 Sep 2011

tilde01 thanks for your comments - trouble is I don't want to increase (or decrease) the size of the design, just want to make it a bit less bullet-proof!

If you find that your stitch count increases, then the design (If you have already tested it, and found it too dense) can be lowered even more...go to a 5 and see. But the problem is you must test to see whether or not it is where you want it to be. You can't always rely on what your software shows. I have had the software show it to have thin/thick spots, where when it is actually stitched out, it is fine...? TEST.

1 comment

by deeside 16 Sep 2011

Thanks again sewdoctor. My design is 23800 sts, with default 4 it is 27557sts. Change to 5 and it's 24766sts - still more than I started with! Doesn't make sense does it?

Left click on your design in Editor to select the whole design.
Go to Edit, scroll down to and click on set, a menu will come up choose density or pattern.
Make sure the box is checked to keep original fill pattern.
Now go to the density boxes and look at the number. The default is 4. That may fix the density right there.. as EL designs ARE very dense. Look at the right hand bottom, there are numbers there on your original screen. It will tell you the size of the design, the position numbers on the hoop, and how many stitches are in the design. When you click on OK, watch where your numbers go, up or down. If they go down, you may be ok,, I think they will..but if not, Increase the number in the boxes (both density boxes) Bigger number is less stitches. You don't have to increase this number by whole numbers, sometimes even a -.1 or -.2 is enough. By this I mean, you could just go to 4.2. Save your design with save as, so you can add a letter or number after the original name. This way you retain your original file, if your "work" dosn't give you the desired effect.

3 comments

by mops 13 Sep 2011

Nice explanation!
A density of 4 is nice for commercial machines, household machines like a somewhat lower density - I digitise most designs at 4.3.

by justonlyme 13 Sep 2011

Well now, I have learned something today. Thank you for the explanation and mini tutorial.

by deeside 13 Sep 2011

Many thanks sewdoctor. Quick try has resulted in increases in stitch count. Presume this is wrong? Will have to try again later.

I just bought a batch of designs from EmbLibrary. The reason the designs are dense is because they are from a more artistic approach and need lots of colors to maintain that look. Otherwise you can go for the more cartoonish look and it will be fine. I have found the EmbLibrary designs stitch out beautifully if you stabilize well and don't try to stitch on real shear fabrics. In fact, I LOVE the way their designs are digitized. I would buy everything in their library if I could afford it!! If your machine can handle it, then give the designs a try. I think you will find a very beautiful and satisfactory result. The only thing I can suggest is going through the design before you stitch it out and decide which portions are "add on" or shading, and just don't stitch those parts. I found that there is no huge build-up of thread in any one part, and my machine handled their designs with ease. Good luck. I hope you find something that works for you.

1 comment

by deeside 13 Sep 2011

Thank you. I agree that EmbLib designs are very artistic but surely not stitching shading/add on parts is almost removing the artistic element? Like a lot of people I don't have a lot of time to spend with my hobby, so would prefer to take the easy option of reducing density for now.

Hi Dee, I just started with the embird tutorial so I am marking this question. Thanks for asking. christine Live Laugh Download Stitch! so do you have a 4 x 4? are you interested in learning how to split designs to use either in a 5 x 7 frame (I have a Brother) or in the 4 x 4 frame.

2 comments

by deeside 13 Sep 2011

Hi, I've got a Brother 3000 so have up to a 6x10 hoop. Eventually would like to know how to split designs but other things like resizing and density are more important to me at the moment.

by cfidl 15 Sep 2011

With that large image area you don't need to resize unless like tilde01 says to reduce density. I think this is a great idea! LLDS!

Well, I will tell you how it works in my Futura program and maybe it'll help you figure it out.

When I've got a design open in my Futura's program, I do a 'Ctrl A' to select the whole design, and then right-click to get a drop down menu. I chose the 'Change Parameters' to get a pop up window where I have the option of changing the density. I don't know about other programs, but in the Futura program, to reduce the density, the number is increased. I believe '4' is the default setting... so, I usually increase the number to '4.5' to loosen it up some. I have gone as high as '5', but that was on a design that I created.

1 comment

by deeside 13 Sep 2011

Thanks for the information. Not sure how it might relate to Embird, but perhaps someone else with the Futura program will find this useful.

I have found their designs also to be VERY DENSE.

I also would like to know how to reduce density.

Good luck.

I hope we BOTH get answers.

1 comment

by deeside 13 Sep 2011

I hope everyone who comments about EmbLib designs being very dense can get some help on reducing density - whether with Embird or any other software.