From File opens artwork graphics only. It can open graphic files with any one of the following file extensions: CMX, AI, SVG, EPS, BMP, JPEGS, WMF, etc.)

From Embroidery opens finished embroidery designs that you have saved as stitch files as well as other embroidery design files that you own and have saved on your computer.

This a vector file created in CorelDRAW® software that can be transformed directly to stitches.

This is embroidery stitching on top of a layer that is already stitched and it may not be desirable. You can use the Remove Overlaps feature in the Objects Toolbar on the right-hand side of the screen to control how and when Creative DRAWings removes overlaps by selecting Auto, Always, or Never.

This is the file format for Creative DRAWings®. To use the completed design on your sewing machine embroidery unit, you must save the .draw file to the appropriate format. See the next question for the how-tos.

This is the generic name used for any item you create or place in your design. Objects may be lines, shapes, symbols, and text. They are the areas that are filled with stitches or defined with only an outline by Creative DRAWings.

Graphic is the term used for artwork made of color, lines or text (usually drawn). Graphics are used to create advertising and other printed materials. Graphics are also used by artists and sewing and crafts enthusiasts.

Vector: Artwork that is created with a drawing program such as CorelDRAW®, Creative DRAWings®, or Adobe Illustrator®, among others. The graphic, or image is drawn with a series of nodes (dots), connected by lines or curves and the objects that are created can be lines or closed shapes. Each object in a graphic saves its own information such as color, shape, outline, and size. This means that they can be made larger or smaller without losing the quality of the object or changing other objects in the graphic. Creative DRAWings® can take the math formula saved in a vector file and convert that information to stitches. When you use the Freehand, Bezier shapes and Bezier outline tools to draw your own design you are drawing vectored art.

To see a Vector graphic: Open a design on your workspace, go to View, and uncheck Stitches and 3D view. What you will see is the vector graphic you have been working with when changing colors, adding or removing outlines, or editing the design using the Node Editing tool.

You can recognize vector art by the file extensions of the programs in which they were created. A few examples include:

• CDR (CorelDRAW- it can also hold Bitmap images)
• CMX* (Corel Presentation Exchange from CorelDRAW it can also hold Bitmap images)
• SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
• AI (Adobe Illustrator)
• EPS (Encapsulated Postscript).

* There are 204 vector files with this extension that are downloaded to your computer when you install Creative DRAWings®.

Bitmap: These images, also known as raster or paint images, are created when you scan artwork or use a paint program such as Corel Photo-Paint®, Adobe Photoshop®, or the Paint® program included with Windows® operating system. These images are made up of a collection of dots called pixels. Each pixel is a color square and the image is made up of a set number of pixels called dpi (dots per inch). This means that when you enlarge a bitmap, no additional pixels are created, but they stretch instead, causing "jagged edges" that you can see up close on the outline.

If you reduce the size of a bitmap you also lose quality because pixels are removed as the image becomes smaller. A bitmap is a collection of pixels so individual parts of the image cannot be edited separately as you can with objects in a vector image. Bitmaps are not directly converted to stitches in Creative DRAWings®. When you use a bitmap image to create a new design, you have a choice:

• Use the image as a Backdrop to trace over with the built-in drawing tools in Creative DRAWings®
• Use the Trace function to convert a bitmap to a vector file
• Change into a Cross-Stitch design.

Some common raster files are:

• BMP (Windows Bitmap)
• JPEG (Joint Photographics Expert Group)
• PNG (Portable Network Graphic)
• TIFF (Tag Interleave Format)
• GIF (Graphics Interchange Format).

Style Stitches: These are designs that are sewn out in one continuous line. They are also known as Motif stitches. When used as a Fill Stitch they will make an open, lacy fill. Used as an outline, they will run along the outside edge of an object.

Pattern Stitch: These designs will make solid patterns in your Fill Stitch. You can also apply a Pattern to a Satin Serial outline stitch if you make it wide enough (Outline thickness).

Note: By selecting both a Style and Pattern together for a Fill Stitch, you can make a combination fill. Experiment as not all Styles and Patterns will work together. To change the look of a Style or Pattern stitch, change the direction of the stitches using the Direction tool (fourth icon down on the left toolbar that looks like a red and blue compass point).

You can export your completed designs to one of the following four destinations.

• Plug-ins: Select this to send designs directly from your computer to a commercial embroidery machine.
• To Editor: Select this to send the current design to Wing’s basic module for editing or to watch the design stitch out on the sewing simulator.
• To Image: Select this to save your designs to a JPEG, Bitmap, PNG or TIFF file.
• To SVG:  Select this to save your designs to SVG file (Scalable Vector Graphics).

This is the Align bar. These eleven icons are for aligning two or more objects that are selected. They will turn black when you have two or more objects selected. For a complete description how to use these tools, go to Start>Programs>Creative DRAWings®>Creative DRAWings® manual. This section begins on page 143 and continues to the top of page 149.

This tool allows you to select all the nodes of a single curve or line in your design. Right click on a node, and then Select Polyline. All the nodes of that curve or line will be selected and you can move or delete it, as needed, all in one piece.

When you have an outline around an object, the object and outline are combined. The outline can be filled with Running or Satin serial stitches. You cannot change the shape of either the object or the outline separately. Select the object, and go to Edit>Convert outline to object. You can now fill the outline with Step, Satin, or Piping stitches or convert it to an Appliqué. The outline and object can now be shaped and changed separately.

The Divide tool works only with an object that is filled with satin stitches. You can divide the satin stitches so they run in different directions. Miter corners, make a leaf look 3-dimensional, and use to make letters sew out better. Go to the Direction tool (the icon that looks like a blue and red compass needle) and click on the black triangle. Select the Divide tool (the icon that looks like a craft knife). Click on one side of the object with the satin stitches, hold down the left mouse button, and drag to the other side where you want the stitches to be "divided." You can now use the stitch Direction tool to change each side of the divided stitches.

For a step-by-step guide to using the Divide tool, click on the Show Help icon and click on the Divide tool. You can also use the PDF file by going to Start>Programs>Creative DRAWings®>Creative DRAWings® manual on page 222 and 223.

Vector graphic outlines are made with lines (segments) between editing points (nodes). When you select the Edit shape nodes tool and click on a design, you will see the lines and nodes. If you click on a node, handles will appear that look like lines with arrows on them. By changing the direction of the arrows you change the shape of the design.

If you right click on a node, a menu will appear that will let you add or delete nodes; change a curve to a line between nodes; or change the node types themselves, plus other editing choices. For step-by-step instructions how to work with the different nodes, see pages 184-196 of the PDF manual included with Creative DRAWings®. The easiest way to access the manual is go to Start>Programs>Creative DRAWings®>Creative DRAWings® manual. From the Creative DRAWings® workspace you can also click on the Show Help icon (the top toolbar that looks like a cursor with a question mark) and then click on the Edit Shape Nodes tool (the second icon down on the left-hand toolbar). This takes you to the built-in manual and the section on Editing Nodes.

These are the three built-in drawing tools. Only one can be active on the toolbar at a time. To view all of the available drawing tools, click on the small black arrow at the bottom right corner and select the tool you want to use. The selected drawing tool will become the current one and you can use it to create the shape you want. Following is a brief description of each tool. For complete directions see page 106 – 113 of the PDF manual included with Creative DRAWings®. The easiest way to open the manual is go to Start>Programs>Creative DRAWings®>Creative DRAWings® manual. From Creative DRAWings® workspace, you can also click on the Show Help icon (the top toolbar that looks like a cursor with a question mark) and then click on each drawing tool. You will be taken directly to the built-in manual and the section on the drawing tools.

Create Freehand Shapes: With this tool you can draw simple lines or closed shapes. Pick your starting point, hold down the left mouse button, and draw or trace as you would with a pencil or crayon (or you can use a graphic pen instead if you have one). As you start to draw, you will see a white square. To make a closed object, complete the drawing by ending it where you started—where you see the white square appear. When you close the design at the white square, the object will fill with color. To change to stitches, click on the Rectangle selection tool or use the shortcut by pressing the keyboard spacebar.

Using the Bezier tools (Create Bezier shapes and Create outline shapes) gives you more control and more precise lines when you are drawing your lines and objects. Both tools work basically the same way. The middle tool, Create Bezier shapes, is, by default, a straight line that can make curves. The third tool, Create outline shapes, makes curved lines by default. The manual will give you step-by-step instructions on how to use each tool.

The Show help function is a useful tool any time you need quick help without searching through the built-in Creative DRAWings® manual. Click on the icon that it looks like an arrow with a question mark. When it is active, a question mark appears next to the mouse pointer. You can click anywhere in the Creative DRAWings® window and instantly retrieve help for the icon you clicked. You can also click on File, Edit, View, Tools and click on any of the sub-menus listed.

Use the Thickness View tool to make sure the design you sew out is professional looking. Go to View>Thickness view to use. When this tool is enabled, your embroidery design changes to layers so you can see if the threads are overlapping. The stacking of layers is called Thickness. With this viewing tool, you can visualize and prevent Thickness (layers of colored threads) in your design and make any necessary changes. For example, let's say you have three objects and one will be embroidered over the other with the first to be embroidered green, the second yellow, and the third red.

To use Thickness view: 

1. Click on Edit>Select all (or Ctrl A) to capture your design. Click on View>Thickness view.
2. If you want to remove layers, on the Object Toolbar to the right, go to the bottom of the drop-down menu where you see Remove overlaps; select Always. If the design is all green, there are no overlapping of stitches. It’s OK if sometimes tiny slips of yellow or red show in the green. It won’t cause any problems in sew-outs. To return to your design, go to View>Thickness view and uncheck.

Note: Whenever you activate the Thickness view option, all the other viewing options (3D preview, Stitches etc.) are disabled automatically. To use them again, you must uncheck Thickness view option from the View menu. If the Thickness view option is not visible under your View menu, you can enable it from the Tools>Options>3D properties tab by checking Enable thickness view. The next time that you open Creative DRAWings®, this option will be available.

These are tools for controlling how the stitches are applied to overlapping objects.

Weld: Two or more objects can be combined to make one shape.

1. Make two or more objects by drawing or by using the pre-made shapes or objects of a design. All objects should be touching or overlapped.
2. Select all the objects you want to weld by holding down Shift on your keyboard while you click on each object.
3. Go to Edit>Weld or use the shortcut on the top toolbar. You will have a completely new object shape that you can color, fill or edit with the Node Edittool.
4. You can continue to add more shapes to those you have already welded together. Place the new shape on the welded shape, select both shapes while holding down the Shift key, and then use the Weld tool again.

Trim: This tool will remove the stitches under an object. It removes overlapping stitches like the Remove Overlap function in the Objects Toolbar, but with a different end result.

1. To learn how this tool works, make a circle and square using the draw tools on the left-hand toolbar. Select the circle and move it so it laps over half of the square. Select both objects while holding down the Shift key and then go to Edit>Trim or use the shortcut on the top toolbar.
2. Next select only the circle and move it away from the square. You will see the shape of the circle has been permanently removed from the square where it overlapped. When you use the Trim function it removes only the overlapping stitches and it changes the vector artwork as well by removing the overlapped section.
3. Make another circle and square and place the circle half way over the square. Select both objects while holding down the Shift key and go to the Objects Toolbar on the right and then to Remove Overlap and select Always.
4. Select the circle, hold down the left mouse button, and pull the circle away from the square but don’t let go of the mouse button. You will see where the stitches of the circle have been removed where they were under the square.
5. Let go of the mouse button and you will see the stitches that were cut away from the circle have been replaced. The Remove Overlap tool removes stitches on top of each other but does not change the vector artwork.

Intersect: Two objects can be made into three where they overlap.

1. Draw two objects of the same or different shapes.
2. Choose one of the objects and place it over the other. For example, make a circle and a star. Select the star and place it over the circle so that one or two of the points are inside the circle.
3. With the star still selected (with a blue box around it), hold down the Shift key and click on the circle so both are selected.
4. Go to Edit>Intersect or use the shortcut on the top toolbar. There will be a separate object created where the star and circle overlap. You can change colors, fills, outlines and edit with the Node Edit tool.
5. Make another shape and place it anywhere on the circle or star. With all shapes selected, go to Edit>Intersect again. You should have five objects from the three you made. You can keep creating and adding objects until you have the design you want.

Tip: For even more fun, try this. Use the Weld tool to make the shape you want. Make another shape and put it on the welded object. Be sure both are selected (inside the same blue box) and then use Edit>Intersect tool. You’ll have the original welded object plus the new shape you made and then a third object where the two are overlapped.

Note: The toolbar shortcuts for Weld, Trim, and Intersect will be grayed out until you have selected two or more objects; then it lights up and is ready to use. Remember that you cannot use Weld, Trim, or Intersect until you have selected at least two objects.

A Satin stitch is series of flat stitches that are used to completely cover a section of the background fabric. Narrow rows of satin stitch can be used on a standard sewing machine using the zigzag stitch with a stitch length very close together and a width setting of generally 2.5 to 3mm. The satin stitch is often used for appliqué. It is usually used in an embroidery segment as an outline of an area, or in a smaller area as “detail” as in the pole section of a flagpole, or a smaller stem section on a flower or plant.

Also known as a Fill type stitch, this stitch has multiple needle punctures to create the fill pattern, thus resulting in less shine and reflection as that of the satin stitch. It is also more durable than a satin stitch as it has less ability to become snagged during wear or washing. It is generally used in larger areas than the satin stitch. By changing the “puncture” patterns of the needles, additional patterned stitches are created for different effects in your embroidery design.

A dongle is your software security device. It “unlocks” the software allowing it to be used on your computer. Your software will not run without your dongle, also known as USB key or Security Device, plugged into the USB port on your computer.

Digitizing is the conversion of a logo or artwork into a data format that embroidery machines understand and then can be sewn out onto fabric in the form of embroidery.

Underlay is the foundation of your design. it is what sews first, before the embroidery, to give the embroidered design stabilization, prevent puckering and distortion, and keep the design from sinking into the fabric. This is one of the most important steps in the digitizing process and Creative DRAWings® lays this foundation for you! You simply choose the fabric type for your design and the underlay is chosen. It just doesn't get any easier.

Density can be considered the "stitch weight" of the design. Too dense of a design will result in a "bullet proof" embroidery and puckers on the fabric. When you are creating your design in Creative DRAWings® you will be asked to select the fabric that you will be using. Creative DRAWings® will select the proper stitch settings for you, including underlay and density settings!

Your Creative DRAWings® retailer may be offering classes in your area, be sure to check their class schedules often or contact us

They are located on the CD in the "Designs" folder.

Yes, it is very easy to bring business logos into the program that way. We enjoy scanning in coloring books. Let your imagination be your guide.

No, you're not really re-digitizing, just re-assigning the fabrics. Simply click on the “Select Fabric” icon when you have your design in the program to reassign the new fabric type and the new underlay will automatically be generated for you! How simple is that? You will notice the stitch count number changes at the bottom of your screen.

As with any software program, the dongle, USB key or security device, is what enables the program to run on your computer, if you lose it, you will lose the ability to run the program. You will need to purchase another Creative DRAWings® program as the software will not operate without the dongle.

Embroidery designs created with Creative DRAWings® can be stitched out on an embroidery machine that uses any of the following formats.

• Pfaff (.ksm, .pcs, .pcm)
• Brother/Baby Lock/Bernina (.pec, .pes)
• Husqvarna (.hus)
• Husqvarna Viking (.vip)
• Viking Designer 1 (.shv)
• Janome (.jef, .sew)
• Tajima (.dst)

In addition, you can import a design in any of the standard formats listed above into Bernina software and then save as an .art file to use on Bernina machines.

Use the Create tab to create and/or edit artwork that will be converted to embroidery designs filled with stitches. You will use this tab the most. The Stitch tab shows your artwork converted to stitches and you can make the final color adjustments. The colors that you are viewing in the Stitch tab are the actual colors.

Any TrueType font installed on your computer can be converted to embroidery files. (Postscript files cannot be converted.)

Creative DRAWings® automatically calculates the stitch parameters—stitch length, pull compensation, density and stitch underlays—for you when you select a fabric from the list, so, the resulting design will have the correct coverage for your fabric. Always stitch out the completed embroidery design on a piece of the same type of fabric and the stabilizer choice for your fabric before stitching it on the actual project. If the stitchout indicates that you need less dense thread coverage for your design on the chosen fabric, choose a fabric from the list that isn’t as heavy as your initial choice and do another stitchout to check it. For a more stitch coverage, choose a somewhat heavier fabric than the initial choice and test again.

No! The only way to change stitch length is by applying a Style or a Pattern on the design.

Stitch length, pull compensation, density, and stitch underlays are automatically calculated for you when you select the fabric type most like your project fabric from the available list of fabrics. Each fabric type has a Standard stitch setting. To make adjustments, simply select a different fabric during the initial steps of creating embroidery in Creative DRAWings®. Always stitch out the completed embroidery design on a piece of the same type of fabric and the stabilizer choice for your fabric before stitching it on the actual project. If the stitchout indicates that you need less dense thread coverage for your design on the chosen fabric, choose a fabric from the list that isn’t as heavy as your initial choice and do another stitchout to check it. For a more stitch coverage, choose a somewhat heavier fabric than the initial choice and test again.

Yes, you can use a graphic pen to draw in the Creative DRAWings® program.

Yes. You will need to save the embroidery design to the appropriate file type for your machine

• Tajima (.dst, .dsz, .dsb)
• SWF (.sst)
• Happy (.tap)
• Melco Expanded (.exp)
• Juki (.M3), Toyota (.10O)
• Mitshubishi HD
• Barudan FDR
• KSM (.KSM)

Create New will take you to the second Artwork Source page where you can choose either a graphic file or an embroidery file or you can scan a design or draw your own using the drawing tools in Creative DRAWings® by clicking on New Graphic.

Open Existing opens designs you have saved in the Creative DRAWings® .draw file format. The most recently used files beneath Open Existing. If the .draw file you want is not in the list, click on Browse on the first line. When the Open screen appears, choose the folder where your .draw files were saved. Choose the desired design and click on Open. The design will appear on the workspace so you can continue to work on it as desired.

Note: If you want to make changes to the design, but keep the original file, be sure to File>Save As and give the file you are working on another name. For example, if you open a file named CATS, save the new design as CATS2 to differentiate the two files.

You can select just one color to work with or all the areas in your design that are the same color. In the Design Color row—the second row of colors at the bottom of your workspace—right click on the color you want to select, and then left click on Select by. Choose from:

• Fill color: Select the color where it is a fill.
• Pen (outline) color: Select the color where it is an outline.
• Any color:  Select all areas of the design that have that color

Go to Tools>Options>Printing tab and make changes. Click on OK and then click on. File>Print. Click on OK at the top right of the page to print.

• You can add or delete what you want printed on the right side of the page under the Print section.
• Click on Setup to change printer settings as desired.
• You can also print out the design on transparency film and cut to the size of your hoop to use as a placement guide.

CAUTION: Use the right transparency film for your printer. If you use inkjet transparency film in a laser it will melt inside the printer.

You can use the Undo command to go back up to 100 times. To set your preference for Undo, go to Tools>Options>Undo Levels and adjust as desired.

Your colors have been reduced, but you must click on the Stitch tab to see the final colors. You can click on the Edit palette on the top toolbar (color wheel icon) to change colors if needed while you are in the Stitch tab.

1. Left double click on any of the colors on the right that show the name/and or color number of the thread you have chosen. The full color menu will pop up.
2. Scroll down the colors until you find the one you want and double click on it. The color you selected will replace the original one in the color palette.
3. Click OK to save or Cancel to go back to the original color. If you’re not sure where the color is, hold your mouse cursor over one of the color boxes and the color will light up on the design.

No. First, select the text and click on the font icon A. Go to the Font name line on the toolbar above the workspace and choose another font. Your text will be changed to the new font automatically Click on the select tool to apply stitches.

Go to View> and make sure the toolbars are checked.

If you have six objects but only want to select five, it is faster to use Invert Selection than clicking on the five objects to select them. Select the one object you don’t want to include, then go to Edit>Invert selection. The other five objects will be selected.

It is a simple as adding fonts to your computer for any of your publishing or word programs.

1. Click on ‘Start”, then “Settings”., then “Control Panel”
2. Click on the “Fonts” icon (or “Appearance & Themes”, then “Fonts”)
3. Click “File”, then, ”Install New Font”
4. Use the folder directory box of where your new font is located, perhaps you saved it on your desktop, that would make this procedure simple.
5. Select your fonts, click “OK” to install.

It is as simple as adding fonts to your computer for any of your publishing or word programs.

1. Click on "Start", then "Settings", then "Control Panel".

2. Click on the "Fonts" icon (or "Appearance & Themes", then "Fonts").

3. Click "File", then "Install New Font".

4. Use the folder directory box of where your new font is located. To simplify this procedure save it to your desktop.

5. Select your fonts, click "OK" to install.

There are many websites available for downloading free fonts (i.e., http://www.webpagepublicity.com/free-fonts-e3.html, http://www.aenigmafonts.com/,  http://1001fonts.com, etc.). Another way to obtain fonts is to purchase font packages either on the internet or through your local software or office supply store.

No, fonts with serifs and intricate design detail may cause issues with the auto-digitizing approach. However, please remember that you may always bring a font in as a backdrop and digitize it as you would any other artwork.

Your friend simply has more fonts installed on their computer. Simply install more fonts and you are good to go!

If you want to apply a curve or arc to your text you will use the "text to path" feature found in Creative DRAWings®. Some programs will only allow you to follow a pre-set path, but Creative DRAWings® will allow you to create your own.

Simply draw the shape of the path by using any of the drawing tools such as the freehand or outline tools. Insert your text, combine the two, delete the path, and the text will follow the now "invisible" path that you have deleted. Complete detailed instructions are located on pages 83-85 of your instruction manual on the CD.

No, all you need to do is to edit the shape of the path. Creative DRAWings® makes things so very simple for you!

After fitting the text to the path, click on a blank area of the workspace to deselect both. Click on one of the letters to select the text only, then click Edit Nodes [can you insert a JPG of the button here?] in the toolbar to the left of the workspace. You can now edit the text and its path dynamically by clicking on a node within the text, then dragging the node or its handles. You can also add or delete nodes to alter the path at different places along the line of text.

Once the text is positioned as desired, use the selection tool to select and delete the path only. It's no longer needed, and probably not intended to stitch out as part of your embroidery design.

If you do want to start again, you can remove the text from the path easily by using the "Clear Path" option from the right-click menu and then drawing a new path.

In our "Definitions" Group of FAQ's you will see a description of the Satin Stitch and the Step Stitch. Depending on the size of the font, if you select the Satin Stitch, your font will reflect more light and be shiny. This is a great choice for smaller fonts with threads that would not catch on buttons and zippers in the wearing and laundering process. With larger fonts, the Step or Fill Stitch is preferred to prevent such snagging. If you allow Creative DRAWings® to "auto" select the stitch for you, the proper stitch for the size of the font will be selected.

Yes, it is an autodigitizing program! Creative DRAWings® can be as easy or as involved as you need it to be. It is great for the beginner and can still challenge the advanced user. Easily create letters and logos in minutes. The revolutionary and professional DRAWstitch® technology has been incorporated into Creative DRAWings® to work almost as fast as the blink of an eye to create embroidery designs from images. It does much more than traditional static digitizing software. Creative DRAWings® is an interactive product with artificial intelligence that almost “thinks” for you and helps release your creativity.

It depends on the software installed on your computer. Some software programs include a Thumbnail or Icon Viewer that shows a picture, not just a list or icons. If you do not have a Thumbnail Viewer, you will still see a picture of the file you select in the Preview window at the lower left below the list of designs in the file.

With Creative DRAWings®, you can create original embroidery designs, use existing artwork (clipart) to create embroidery designs, or edit existing embroidery designs. You do not need to use the Wings’ modular® Basic for these functions, but you can use Wings’ modular® in tandem with the designs you create or edit in Creative DRAWings®.

Wings’ modular® Basic is part of the commercial Wings’ modular® software designed for embroidery professionals and is included free with Creative DRAWings® as a basic editing program. It can be used with or without Creative DRAWings®.

Just a few of the things you can do with this software include:

• Watch your design stitch out (virtual)
• Change the sewing order using a filmstrip viewer
• Split designs
• Modify stitches (move, add, delete)

Yes. They are at the end of the Help Menu under "Appendix" and then "DRAWings Tips". The first menu is Standard Toolbar, which lists all the toolbar icons and what they are. See pages 163 and 164 of the manual. The second menu is the "Quick Reference Card" with icons and shortcuts listed. See pages 164 to 166.

The sewing simulator is in the Wings’ basic module included with your Creative DRAWings® installation.

1. With a design on your workspace in Creative DRAWings®, go to File>Export>To Editor, or use the shortcut Ctrl+E
2. When Wings opens, look for a blue circle with an I in it on the far right-hand side of the top tool bar (Design Info icon). Go to the icon that looks like a blue piece of paper (one icon to the left). This is the Show Filled Outlines icon. Click to uncheck.
3. Move one icon to the left, which is the Show up to Cursor icon, and click on it. (It looks like zigzag stitches with a small cross at the top). The circle with a red dot in it is the first stitch of the design and the icon that looks like a street barrier sign is the last stitch point.
4. To remove the remaining images, press and hold the Alt key on your keyboard, and then press the number one (1).
5. On the top toolbar you will see green arrows pointing right, and brown arrows pointing left. . (They look like the controls on your VHS or DVD player.) The green arrows move you forward while the brown arrows move backward through the design.
6. Using the mouse, place the cursor on one of the toolbar arrows and hold down the left button.
7. You can also use your keyboard arrows to move forward (right arrow) or backward (left arrow). Use the up arrow to move forward by objects in the design or the down arrow to move backward.

Absolutely! It is the easiest and smartest program available for any level user. Get a hands on demonstration from your local Creative DRAWings® retailer.

You are spending far too much time digitizing with the software that you currently own. Creative Drawings® will cut your digitizing time in half at least, giving you more time for other tasks! Creative DRAWings® gives you quick results with less decisions that you are expected to make with the other software programs.

Contact us at our website with your email address and zip code and we will get back to you.

Notices will be posted at the website. Remember to always keep in contact with your Creative DRAWings® retailer.

As many as you like. When you purchase the program you will receive one USB key (dongle/ security device). This key will allow you to run the program on only one computer at a time, therefore, you will not be in any violation of any type of software agreement by installing the program on multiple computers since you will only be able to run the program on one computer at any one time.

Insert the installation CD first; do not insert the USB Key (dongle). You will be directed to insert it at the appropriate time during the installation process.

No you will need to upgrade your operating system to O/S: Windows XP / 2000 / Media Center / Tablet PC.

CPU: Pentium lll / Athlon 1.5 GHz
RAM: 512 MB
HARD DISK: 800 MB of free, uncompressed space
CD-ROM: 4x
GRAPHICS CARD: 3D AGP accelerator with DirectX 9.0c compatible drivers and least 64MB of RAM
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1024 x 768 32bpp
O/S: Windows XP / 2000 / Media Center / Tablet PC
PORTS: 1 free USB port

CPU: Pentium 4 / Athlon XP 2.8 GHz
RAM: 1 GB
HARD DISK: 800 MB of free uncompressed space
CD-ROM: 32X
GRAPHICS CARD: PCI Express 3D accelerator with DirectX 9.0c compatible drivers and at least 128MB of RAM. (GeForce4 / Radeon 9600 or newer)
MONITOR: 1280 x 1024 32bpp
O/S: Windows XP / 2000 / Media Center / Tablet PC / Vista
PORTS: 1 free USB port
PRINTER: Windows-compatible Laser/Ink-jet printer

Yes, if you are using an Intel-based Mac with Windows installed as a dual boot to your Mac OS.

Creative DRAWings® is a demanding software on a 3D graphics card. If the PC onto which you have installed the software does not meet the minimum system requirements, the software may not work properly.

One of the problems may be with your video card.

Verifying Video Card Memory

To verify the amount of RAM on the video card, do the following:

1. Right-click on the Desktop and select Properties.

2. Click the Settings tab.

3. Click the Advanced button.

4. Click the Adapter tab. Memory Size should read at least 32MB. If it is less than 32MB, you will need to upgrade the video card to meet or exceed the Creative DRAWings system requirements.

Please refer to the Troubleshooting section beginning on page 277 of the PDF Embroidery Software Manual located in your Programs Folder under Creative DRAWings® for additional information on this and other more technical guides.

"CBU Failure" means you did not insert the USB Key (dongle) before you tried to open the program. Close the error message, insert the Key and then open Creative DRAWings?.

This happens for one of two reasons:

1. You have not installed Direct X during the installation process. It’s the third part of the installation process, following the installation of Creative DRAWings? and Wings’ modular?

OR

2. Your graphics card does not have at least 64 MB of memory and you will need to upgrade the card. This is possible only on desktop PCs.

Before upgrading the graphics card try to update the drivers first, from the manufacturer’s website.

The Object Toolbar will always be blank until you select an object (area) or outline of that you wish to change.

If the pen tab will not open, there is no outline around your design or the selected object (area). You can only open the pen tab when one of more objects or the entire design has outline stitching.

Always click on the 100% icon on the top toolbar before you begin to create a design in Creative DRAWings?. This will keep your design ratio 1:1 on the workspace. Once you do this, you can then zoom in close to work on details. To calibrate your monitor, Click on Tools>Options and then the Monitor tab and follow the directions.

Creative DRAWings? has an extra security feature that handles exceptions that might occur while working with complex designs. This feature allows you to undo your last change in the design, which made the system unstable, and then continue from that point. Whenever an Unhandled Exception has occurred, you will see a pop-up box with the Unhandled Exception message. In order to continue working in Creative DRAWings?, you must click on the "Yes" button so the system becomes stable again. If an Exception happens, it is best to save the changes using the "Save As" function and then continue working with the design. If you click the "No" button the System will crash!

Go to View> and make sure the toolbars are checked.

A. During installation temporary files may become corrupted. NOTE: Error messages 1305 & 1309 are similar but  Error 1305 has an extra step in the repair process.

Clean up all temp folders. In your browsers' (i.e., Explorer, FireFox, etc.) address bar enter %temp% and press enter.

Delete all files that are allowed to be deleted. Go to C:\windows\temp Delete all files.

B. Un-install the software (if any part of it was installed).

C. Delete the folder <<C:\Program Files\DRAWstitch\Creative DRAWings>>

Delete the folder C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\10 from the machine.

Unzip the attached file to hard drive and double click IsScript.msi

Complete the installation.

This must complete with success in order to execute the next step (D).

D. In Hard Disk C: create a new folder and name it as DRAWings. Copy all the files of the CD in this folder. If the CD is corrupted it should show error message during copying the files in c:\DRAWings folder. If this is the case you will need a new CD, the Program CD is corrupt.

If there is no error message during copying, then make the installation from c:\DRAWings folder by double clicking Setup.exe file.

A. During installation temporary files may become corrupted. NOTE: Error messages 1305 & 1309 are similar but  Error 1309 has one less step in the repair process.

Clean up all temp folders. In your browsers' (i.e., Explorer, FireFox, etc.) address bar enter %temp% and press enter.

Delete all files that are allowed to be deleted. Go to C:\windows\temp Delete all files.

B. Un-install the software (if any part of it was installed).

C. Delete the folder <<C:\Program Files\DRAWstitch\Creative DRAWings>>

D. In Hard Disk C: create a new folder and name it DRAWings. Copy all the files of the CD in this folder. If the CD is corrupted it should show error message during copying the files in c:\DRAWings folder. If this is the case the Program CD is corrupt and you will need a new CD.

If there is no error message during copying, then make the installation from c:\DRAWings folder by double clicking the Setup.exe file.

The error 1402 means that the installation cannot access one or more registry keys.  There are several reasons why this may happen:

1. The customer does not have administrative rights. In this case make sure that at least the installation will be done with administrative rights.

2. The customer has another software running that does not let him access the registry.  In some cases “Outlook” may cause this problem. Also, shut down any antivirus software during installation.

3. Customer should delete the following keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WINGSSYSTEMS

And

HKEY_CURRENT_USERS\SOFTWARE\WINGSSYSTEMS

Then re-start the computer and re-install the software.

Using the correct needle is essential when sewing and embroidering. There are different types of needles to use with different types of fabric. For example, if you are embroidering (or sewing) on a stretchy t-shirt, you will want to use a stretch needle. This will prevent skipped stitches, leaving you with a flawless embroidery.

The embroidery stitch files that are included with Creative DRAWings® are located on your installation disk. Because of the amount of space they require, they were not installed on your computer. To access the embroidery designs and use them in Creative DRAWings®:

1. Place the installation disc in your computer CD player. When the installation notice appears, click on Cancel, leave the CD in the drive and follow the directions.
2. Open Creative DRAWings®, and select Open Existing. Click Next at the bottom of the page. On the next page, select From embroidery on the Artwork source page.
3. Click on the browser button to the right, and go to the Look in line at the top of the page. Click to access the dropdown menu and locate the drive containing the Creative DRAWings® CD; click to open it.
4. When the list of files appears on your computer screen, click on Designs. A list of embroidery design categories will appear. Click on the desired category to access the available embroidery designs. At the bottom of the screen you will see a Preview window showing the design that is highlighted in the list. As you move down the list, the Preview will show the currently selected file. Open the desired file as you would any other graphic to bring it into Creative DRAWing&.

Note: These files are Wings Systems’ files, as designated with the .ngs extension at the end of the file name. They include the fill and outline stitches so it is not necessary to use the Convert to curves command that is necessary when converting embroidery files to Artwork.

Yes, this is one of the great features of Creative DRAWings®. Here’s how it works:

1. Open Creative DRAWings® and click on Create New and Next at the bottom of the page.
2. On the Artwork source page (the second wizard page), choose From embroidery, and then click on the browser button (3 dots at the right end of the line).A page will open with embroidery stitch files that were included with your installation. If you want to open one of your own stitch files, use the dropdown arrow in the top line that says Look in to find the folder where you saved your embroidery designs. Click on the one you want and open it.

With the file open you can adjust it for as many of the following possible changes to create a new embroidery design:

• Change colors
• Add lettering using the Fonts installed on your computer
• Duplicate the design to create a new one with two or more of the same image
• Skew the design to change its shape
• Rotate the design
• Combine the design with other designs
• Edit with the Node edit tool or use fill stitches, only after using the Convert to curves function. Convert to curves changes the stitch file to a vector graphic, enabling you to change the design in any way you want.

To use Convert to Curves:

1. Click on the Rectangle Selection tool at the top of the left toolbar and then choose one of the following 3 commands depending on how much or how little of the design you wish to change.
   
   a. To convert the entire design to curves, click on Ctrl+A.
   b. To convert only one object (area) of the design to curves, click on the area to select it.
   c. To convert two or more areas to curves, select one area and while holding down the Shift key,select the other desired areas of the stitch file.
   
   
2. After selecting the area(s) Right click to access the dropdown menu and then Left click on Convert to curves.
3. Be sure to do a file Save As with a new name so you don’t lose your original stitch file.

Note: Converting may take only a few seconds or much longer, depending on the complexity of the stitch file is. Wait until the Circle Timer (the small moving circle of dots) in the upper right corner of the workspace has stopped before you continue working. For example, if your original file is Cats, save the new file as Cats2 or other name of your choice followed by the date if you wish (Cats2_10.09.97). Use a name that will work for you and your filing system.

WARNING: Once you change an embroidery design with the Convert to curves command, all of the original stitch information will be gone and you cannot retrieve it, but you can completely change the stitches at this point and resave as a new design. However, it’s important to remember that if you are working with embroidery designs that you have purchased, the original copyright for that design still applies.

Yes you can.

1. Open Creative DRAWings and click on Create New and then Next at the bottom of the page.
2. Click on Get Image from Scanner. A built-in scanning wizard will guide you through the process.

Note: If you want to use your own scanning software instead of what’s built into Creative DRAWings, click on Advanced Scan in the lower right-hand corner. To access the step-by-step guide in the built-in help files under Quick Start, click on Help on the top tool bar. Click Help Topics or use the F1 key. Under the Content tab, right click on Creative DRAWings. Left click on Open All.  You will see the chapter on Quick Start under Welcome to Creative DRAWings.

Yes! Here’s how:

1. Open Creative DRAWings
2. Select Create New>Next.
3. On the Artwork Source page, select New Graphic>Next.
4. Select the type of fabric you will be using and click on Finish.
5. Select one of the drawing tools (Freehand and two Bezier tools) or the Polygon (pre-made shapes such as circle and star in the fly-out menu on the polygon icon) on the left toolbar to create original shapes and/or copy and paste other graphics on the workspace to create your own designs. Here’s where your creativity comes in. You can add text, combine just parts of other designs, change colors, size and shape, all with the powerful tools in Creative DRAWings.

Yes, it’s easy to change the size of any embroidery design and when you do this Creative DRAWings automatically recalculates all of the stitch parameters (stitch length, pull compensation, density and stitch underlays).

1. Select the entire design using Ctrl+A.  
2. Hold down the Ctrl key on the keyboard and use the Rectangle Selection Tool (first icon on the left tool bar) to move the arrow over a corner of the design until it changes to a Double Arrow. Use the double arrow to pull the box corner down on a diagonal to enlarge it or move it slowly up on a diagonal to make the design smaller. Wait until the Circle Timer in the upper right-hand corner of the workspace stops before you make any additional adjustments. Holding down the Control key keeps the design in the same size ratio (length and width) as it was when you started.

Note: To change only one dimension—length or width—locate the double arrow in the center of the line at the top or bottom of the design to lengthen or shorten it. Use the double arrows on one of the sides of the design to narrow or widen it.

If you watch the bottom information bar below the color bars at the bottom of the workspace, you can watch the stitch count increase or decrease

Note: If you select only one object (area) of the design to adjust, only the stitch count for that one object will show in the information bar as you adjust the size.

1. Select the Create tab at the upper left corner of the workspace.
2. Select the object you want to change and then choose the desired color from the Color Strip—the first row of colors at the bottom of the workspace. There may be additional colors in the palette that was selected and you can find them by clicking on the left and right arrows that appear at the opposite ends of the color strip.

Note: The colors in the color strip are the colors available in the thread palette that was active when you chose your fabric during the Creative DRAWings process—unless you opted to change palette using the pulldown list on that page.

Click on the Color Wheel on the top tool bar. On the next page, titled "Select how many colors your design will have," click on the dropdown arrow under Palette and then click on the thread brand you want to use. Click on OK. If you change your mind, click Cancel.

Select View from the top menu bar to access the dropdown menu and click on Object Properties, or use the keyboard shortcut, Alt+Enter.

Yes you can.

1. You can convert the digital photo to a perfect cross-stitch design automatically
2. You can Trace the digital photo that will automatically be filled with normal stitches (Runnings, steps, Satins etc.)

Creative DRAWings was not intended to be used as photo stitch program. However, you may be able to create a design with a photo, but it depends on the complexity of the photo. The best way to see if it will work with your photo is:

1. Reduce the number of colors and enlarge the photo with an image editing software on your computer.
2. Use Creative DRAWings to change the adjusted photo to -type program. If you do produce a design, you may have to edit and change stitch types such as Satin and Fill. Experiment. If the photo is too complex, CreativeDRAWings may freeze or you may see a “Not Responding” message when you use Task Manager.

Yes. Locate it by clicking on Help on the top tool bar, then choose Help Topics or use the F1 key. Under the Content tab, right click on Creative DRAWings. Left click on Open All to see the contents of the manual.

Note: You can also click on the Index tab and type in the word that describes the help subject you want to locate. This will bring the subject you have chosen in the list into view.

For quick help on a specific tool on the toolbar, click on the question mark with arrow icon on the top toolbar. Your cursor will change to look like the icon. Move the cursor with question mark to the tool for which you want more information and a help screen will appear in the upper right corner. For example, if you need help with Fonts, click on the Text icon (A) at the bottom of the left toolbar and the manual will open automatically to show you how to use Fonts. You can use this Help technique on all of the toolbar icons. If you have the Help icon selected, you can also click on File, Edit, View, Tools and Help at the top of the screen and dropdown menus will appear. Then click on the topic with which you need help. This is a quick way to get help while you’re working.

Yes. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If it is not installed on your computer, go to http://adobe.reader-download.org/ to download the software. Then follow these steps:

1. Go to Start>Programs on your computer.
2. Locate and click on Creative DRAWings in the list. A menu will open alongside it.
3. Click on PDF file Creative DRAWings manual on the menu which will open the PDF file on your computer
4. Click on File>Print after making sure your printer is loaded with paper.

Yes, right click on the animated cartoon in the lower right corner of the screen and then click on Hide.

Combining a Text object with the direction or shape of a line called a Path is fun and easy to do. It’s a great way to create a logo or a personalized design. Follow these easy steps:

1. Open Creative DRAWings and select New Design>Next. On the Artwork source page, select New graphic>Next. Select the fabric and color on the next page and click on Finish.
2. Draw a line with your choice of one of the drawing tools from the left toolbar.
3. Choose the Text tool (A) and type the desired text; adjust it as desired for the size, font and style (bold or italics) using the text tools at the top of the screen.
4. Use the Rectangle icon at the top of the left toolbar to Select and highlight the Text you’ve typed. With the text still selected, hold down the Shift key and click on the line you drew so they are both selected. Release the Shift key, right click within the selected area, and then click on Apply Path from the pop-out menu that appears.

Note: The Text object will now follow the line or shape, but it may not be positioned exactly where and how you want it on the Path. For complete instructions on how to use the Text Tool and adjust the position on the Path click on the Help Icon (arrow with question mark) on the top toolbar, and then click on the Text icon (A on the left toolbar).

Wingdings or Webdings are symbols (interesting shapes) that were made as True-Type Fonts. That means you can insert them on the workspace and transform them into interesting embroidery designs. You can use any Wingding font that is in the Fonts folder on your computer. To use Insert Symbol:

1. Open Creative DRAWings and select New design>Next. On the Arwork source page, choose New Graphic>Next and then choose the fabric and colors and Finish.
2. Go to Tools>Insert Symbol (or use short-cut of Ctrl+F11). A pop-out menu will appear. Select Insert Symbol.
3. Click on the down arrow on the Font line to see the list of those Wingdings that are in your Fonts folder. Each computer will be different depending on the programs and fonts that have been installed. Wingdings can be added to your Fonts folder just like you add any other Font files to your computer (see your user’s manual).
4. Use the scroll bar on the right side of the Insert Symbol menu to see the symbols included with the Wingding font you have selected. Click on the Wingding Font you want to use, then click on Insert at the bottom left of the Wingding menu.
5. The menu will temporarily disappear and your cursor will change to a cross. To insert the selected symbol in the workspace area click and drag with the mouse until it is the size you want. You can change the size of the design at any time. Release the mouse and the symbol will appear on the workspace with a default fill stitch and outline colors and the Insert Symbol dialog will be turned on again. Continue to add as many more symbols as you wish following the same steps.
6. To close the Insert Symbol menu click on the Close icon (X) at the upper right of the Insert Symbol menu. You can also minimize it by clicking on the Hide icon (between the X and ? at the upper right of the menu). This will make the menu disappear, leaving the title bar floating on the workspace in case you want to access it again.

These are the available colors for fabric backgrounds. Choose the one that approximates the color of your project fabric so you can tell how your embroidery design will look when it is stitched out. Simply click on one to select the desired fabric color and it will appear on the workspace. You can change the fabric color any time while working on the design. Simply click on the Fabric icon (grid like icon to the left of the Color icon) on the top toolbar to access the colors.

Yes. Follow these steps:

1. After accessing the page with the color choices, Double click on any one of the color squares and a color palette will pop up.
2. Position the cursor on the black cross in the colors, click on it and hold down the left mouse key. Drag the mouse around the color palette until you locate the color you want. Once you have located the color, use the arrow on the right to move up or down to adjust the shade as desired. Watch the color and shade change in the box below the color palette.
3. When you are happy with your choice, click OK and the selected color will be added to your color background. Click OK to exit.]

Working with the hoop on your workspace ensures that your finished design will fit when you are ready to stitch it out. To place the hoop on your workspace:

1. Open Creative DRAWings and select Create new or Open existing>Next.
2. On the Artwork Source page, locate the Hoop section and click on the drop-down arrow to see the hoop sizes available.
3. Select and click on the desired hoop in the dropdown menu. It will appear on the workspace.

1. Click on Tools>Change Hoop (or Ctrl+H).
2. Click on Center design in hoop, and then OK.

1. Click on Tools>Change Hoop (or Ctrl+H).
2. Click on Rotate by 90°, and then click OK.

First click on Tools>Change Hoop (or Ctrl+H) and then click on Add new. Then you will have several decisions to make.

Hoop Name-Description
Type the Hoop Name – Description. This will appear in the Select Hoop dropdown menu. If you forget to fill in this field, you will be asked to do so by the software.

Type
From the Type dropdown menu, select the shape of the hoop you want to add—Rectangle or Oval. You check how the hoop will look in the Preview area at the bottom of the screen. Even if you select the Rectangle option, the Corner curviness option will become editable, allowing you to round the corners of the hoop shape if you wish.

Corner curviness
Many hoops have the shape of a rectangle with rounded corners and that’s why the Corner curviness option exists. Corner curviness can only be changed if you have selected the Rectangle option from the Type dropdown menu. This option works with a track-bar and value field. By dragging the track-bar to the right, the corners of the rectangle shown in the Preview area start to become rounded and their roundness increases as long as you continue to drag the bar. The value field shows the percentage of roundness. The 0 value means that the rectangle has normal corners and the 90 value means that it has rounded corners to their full extent. By moving the track-bar you can create the rounded hoop you want.

Width
In the Width value field you can insert the width of the hoop you want to use. The default value is 100 mm or the respective value in inches. Change the value of the Width field by deleting the current value and inserting a new one. Any width value change is automatically visible in the Preview area. Check the manufacturer’s dimensions to be sure that you are entering the correct ones. The Width value sets the width of the sewing area that it is shown with a dashed line inside the hoop.

Height
In the Height value field you can insert the height of the hoop you want to use. The default value is 100 mm or the respective value in inches. Change the value of the Height field by deleting the current value and inserting a new one. Any Height value change is automatically visible in the Preview area at the bottom of the screen. Check the manufacturer’s dimensions to be sure that you are entering the correct ones. The Height value sets the height of the sewing area that is indicated with a dashed line inside the hoop.

Unit
From the Unit dropdown menu you can select the measuring unit you want to use--millimeters (mm) or inches (inch). The selected Unit is automatically applied on the Width and Height values.

Hoop Bracing arms
 At the Hoop bracing arms (brackets) area, you can set where the bracing arms are located on the hoop you are adding. To do that, check the boxes (Left, Right, Up, Down), where the bracing arms are located. For example, if the Hoop has one bracing arm at the Right and one at the Left, the Right and Left checkboxes must be checked. You can see the hoop with bracing units you’ve selected in the Preview area at the bottom of the screen.

After adjusting the hoop options, Save the hoop by pressing the Add button. This adds the new hoop to the Select hoop dropdown menu. After pressing the Add button a confirmation dialog will appear that will inform you that your hoop was saved successfully. Click OK to continue. Hoops that you add will always be listed at the bottom of the Select Hoop list.

When you are happy with your completed embroidery design and want to stitch it out:

1. Select File>Save As and choose the folder where you want to save your designs.
2. Name the design in the File name line at the bottom of the screen, replacing "Untitled".
3. Click on the down arrow on the next line -- Save as type. The first file in the list is .draw—the file format for Creative DRAWings. It’s very important to save your design as a .draw file first so that you will be able to open it later to work on the design again. To open it again as a .draw file, click on Open Existing on the first wizard page in Creative DRAWings. If you don’t see the .draw file you want listed in the box below, click on Browse… and then go to the file where your .draw files were saved. By saving a design first as a .draw file, you will be able to open it and make changes without starting over.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 but this time, select the file format for your machine and save the design in the desired folder with ready-to-stitch embroidery designs.
5. 5. Load the saved design to your embroidery machine the way you usually do and do a test stitchout on a piece of fabric like the fabric you will use in your project

When you make an appliqué, Creative DRAWings® will automatically calculate the placement, tack-down, and final stitch runs for you. You can also add embroidery stitches on top of your completed appliqué for extra embellishment.

1. Click to select the object (area of the design) that you want to make into an appliqué.
2. With the object highlighted, go to the Objects Properties Toolbar on the right-hand side of the workspace and click on the Fill Bucket icon tab. Next click on the Appliqué icon on the top row and the "stitches" will change to look like fabric. To change the color of the fabric, select it from the first row of colors at the bottom of the workspace
3. To select the type of stitch for the final stitch line that will outline the appliqué, click on the Outline Tab (pen icon) next to the Fill Bucket. If the tab won’t open, there is no outline yet. To add an outline:
   a. Select the object to which you want to add an outline.
   b. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard while you click on the appliqué fabric color or change to a different color.
4. The Outline Tab will now open. Select Running, and choose any Style stitch in the menu below that works with the size of your appliqué. The traditional appliqué or buttonhole stitch is the fourth one to the right of “None” on the top row.
5. To make the stitch wider, select the appliqué. A toolbar will appear at the top of your workspace. If you don’t see it, click on View>Tool Options. At the Outline Thickness line, change the size of the stitch and then hit Enter on your keyboard.
6. If you want a satin stitch around your appliqué, click on Satin Serial. To make the satin stitch wider, follow step 5 above.
7. When you change the outline to the Satin Serial stitch, a menu of Patterns appears, instead of Styles. If you make the outline wide enough and then select a pattern, your outline will be a patterned stitch rather than a satin stitch. Play with options to discover the possibilities.

To change a design into Redwork, each object in the design must have an outline. To determine if they do, select the entire design using the command, Edit>Select All or Ctrl+A. With the entire design selected, check the lowest row of colors at the bottom of the workspace to see if there is a Bucket (fill) and Pen (outline) in each color of the design. If not, follow these steps to add outlines as needed:

1. With the entire design still selected, hold down the Shift key and click in every color that doesn’t have a Pen in it. An outline will be added, and you will see the pen and bucket in the color box. If there are several areas with the same color, be sure to wait until the Circle Timer (upper right-hand corner of your workspace) stops. The timer is telling you that Creative DRAWings® is working and recalculating. Sending it another command while it is still completing one is not recommended.
2. Once each object in the design is outline and with the design still selected, click on the X box to the left of your design colors in the bottom row of colors on the workspace to remove the fill stitches and leave only outlines.
3. If you want to edit or change the shapes of any of the outlines, click on the Node Editing tool (second icon down on left-hand toolbar).
4. To change outline colors, select the outline, hold down the Shift key, and then click on a different color.

Note: For a Redwork design with a few fill areas, select the areas you want filled, one by one and click on a color.

Yes, using your designs can also be used to make stationery, invitations, envelopes, jar labels, and more. Let your imagination go and have fun! If you want your design to look like embroidery, make sure the View> Stitches and 3D are checked. If you uncheck both, your design will look like a graphic (artwork without stitches.)

1. Create your design in Creative DRAWings® and when you are finished, go to File>Export>To Image and select the folder where you want to save your design.
2. Name your design and at the Save as Type line, choose the file format you want to save it in. If you’re not sure which one to use, test each file type with your printer to see what looks best.
3. Choose the dpi (dots per inch) for your printed design. A higher dpi (200-300) will usually give a printout of better quality. Each printer is different, so test the dpi if you’re not sure.
4. If you want the background color you used to show when you print the design, click on Include Fabric; leave it unchecked if you don’t want the background color to print.
5. For smoother design edges, check Multisample.
6. Click on Save.

Note: You can open the jpeg file from any program, including the paint program that comes in Windows. If you want to make stickers, print on peel-and-stick paper.

1. Save your completed design as a .cmx file (Corel Presentation Graphic).
2. Open Creative DRAWings® and on the Artwork Source page, select From File and click on the browser button to the right. Select your design from the folder it was saved to and click on Open.
3. Select your fabric and thread and click on Finish.
4. Your design will appear on the workspace ready for editing to change the color(s) and/or stitch patterns. Click on 100% on the top toolbar to make your workspace area 1:1 ratio.

OR

Use the shortcut commands.

1. After drawing your design, select it with the shortcut command, Ctrl+A or use Edit>Select all. Go to Edit>Copy or use Ctrl+C.
2. Open Creative DRAWings® and select New Graphic on the Artwork source page.
   
3. Choose your fabric and click on Finish and click on 100% on the top toolbar to make your workspace area 1:1 ratio.
4. Go to Edit>Paste or Ctrl+V to paste your design into Creative DRAWings® already converted to stitches. Change or edit the design as desired.

Note: You can continue to work back and forth between CorelDRAW and Creative DRAWings® in this manner.

You can do this in either of the following two ways:

• Select the object (area) where you want to add the outline. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and then click on any color.
• Select the object (area) where you want to add the outline. Tool options toolbar will appear above your workspace. Increase the outline size at Outline thickness and then hit Enter on your keyboard.

You can remove an outline with any one of the following three actions.

• Select the object from which you wish to remove the outline. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click on the X box at the left of the bottom row colors on the workspace—the colors that currently exist in the design. 
• Select the object, click on the Pen tab on the right-hand toolbar and click on None.
• Change the Outline thickness to 0.00 and hit Enter on your keyboard.

1. Select the outline you wish to change.
2. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click on any color.

Note:  You can only change colors if you are in the Create tab.

1. Select the outline you wish to change.
2. Click on the Pen tab on the right-hand toolbar.
3. If you have chosen the Running stitch, click on any Style stitch in the menu below. You may need to experiment with this as the size of your embroidery design will determine how well the Style you choose fits on the outline.
4. If you have chosen Satin Serial: First make the stitch wider using the Outline thickness that appears above the workspace and then apply one of the Pattern stitches. You may need to experiment with the stitch width for optimum results.

You can make a cross-stitch design using bitmap (raster) type files.

1. After opening Creative DRAWings® select the bitmap you want to use on the Artwork Source page From file and click the browser button on the right. Go to the desired bitmap image (or jpeg) and click on Open.
2. Click Next on the Artwork Source page.
3. Click on Open as Cross Stitch.

1. Go to Tools>Optimizer options.
2. Go down to the Minimize color changes slider bar.
3. Click on the slider tab, hold down the mouse button and move it all the way to the left.
4. Click on Save as Defaults and then on OK. You can change this setting at any time during the design process.

Yes. If you want your design to look like embroidery, make sure the View> Stitches and 3D are checked. If you uncheck both, your design will look like a graphic instead of stitches.

1. After completing the design, go to File>Export>To Image.
2. Select the folder where you want to save your design and name your design.
3. At the Save as Type line, choose the file format you want. If you’re not sure which one to use, test each file with your printer to see what looks best.
4. Choose the dpi (dots per inch) for your printed design. A higher dpi (200-300) will usually give a better printout. Each printer is different so test if you’re not sure.
5. If you want the background color you used to show when you print out the design, click on Include Fabric; leave it unchecked if you don’t.
6. For smoother outer edges, check Multisample.
7. Click on Save.

To print:

1. Put T-shirt transfer paper in your printer following the manufacturer’s directions. (Some print with the paper face down, some face up.)
2. Check the Print Preferences for your printer. Depending on your printer, there will be a setting for T-shirt transfer paper, or it will have a setting called “Mirror Image” where the portrait and landscape settings are. This is an important setting if you have used lettering with your design. If you don’t Mirror Image, the font will be printed out so that when you apply the transfer paper on your T-shirt, the lettering will come out backwards. Lettering must be printed in the reverse on the transfer paper to come out right reading on the T-shirt. If you don’t have settings on your printer to do this for you, just turn the lettering backwards on your design after you have typed it in.

1. Select your bitmap or jpeg From File on the second Artwork Source page.
2. On the Artwork Image page, select Open as Backdrop.
3. Select your fabric and background color and click Finish.
4. If your workspace is blank, go to View>Backdrop>and click on:
   1. Below Embroidery or Alt+2 to place the image under the design you draw.
   2. Washed-out or Alt+3 for a lighter image.
   3. Above Embroidery or Alt+4 to place the image on top of the design. This option is good to use when you want to add details to your traced design.
   4. Hide or Alt+1 to hide the image so you can check on the design in progress or when it is finished.
   5. Properties menu (Backdrop Properties menu) allows you to straighten, rotate or resize the image using the following procedures.

• To straighten or rotate: Click on the arrow under Rotate, hold down the mouse button, and move the design into the desired position. 
• To make the image smaller or larger: Click on the slider tab under Scale, hold down the mouse button and move left or right to change increase or decrease the size as desired.
• To create your design you can: Use the three drawing tools (Freehand, Bezier shape and Bezier outline tools available at the sixth icon down on the left-hand toolbar. You can also use the pre-made shapes available at the seventh icon down.

Note: If you use a basic pre-made shape but want to make changes to it, such as pull in the side of a circle to make a smile, you must first select the shape and then right click on it, followed by a left click to Convert to Curves. Use the Node Edit tool (second icon on the left-hand toolbar) to make the changes you want. You can also import other designs or parts of designs to add to what you are drawing.

1. Select the area you want to change, click on the Node Edit tool (the second one down on the left-hand toolbar). You will see circles and squares surrounding the area you want to change.
2. Click and hold down the mouse button on selected nodes to move and change shapes. If you right click on a node, a pop-out menu will give you more choices for changing your design.
3. If you don’t remember how to use each node, click on the icon that looks like an arrow with a question mark on the top toolbar. Next click on Node Edit tool and a Help menu will pop-up to explain how to use it.

Note: If you cannot change an object, right click on it, and then left click to Convert to Curves.

Yes, you can change the direction of the stitches. Note: Moving the direction stitches sew out will completely change the look of whatever fill pattern you are using.

1. Select the Direction icon on the left-hand toolbar—the red and blue compass pointer, which is the fourth icon down. 
2. Click on the area you want to change the stitch direction. You will see a little red dot at the tip of the cursor arrow.
3. Click and hold down the mouse button with the dot positioned on the edge of the design and pull it to the opposite side in the desired direction. You can change the direction again by moving the red dots around while holding down the mouse button. You can add as many direction lines as you need until your stitches are the way you want them to look.

To remove the red direction line, click on the red X in the center of the line, or use the Undo icon on the top toolbar.

Choose from one of the following two options:

1. Select the area to duplicate, or hold down the Shift key and select several objects to duplicate.
2. Go to Edit>Copy, and then Edit>Paste or use the keyboard shortcuts, Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V.
3. Put the cursor (arrow) on the copied design, click and hold down the mouse button and move the copy away from the original design to a different area of the workspace.

OR

Use the shortcut method, which takes a little practice but is actually faster when you’re working on a design.

1. Select the area to duplicate, or hold down the Shift key and select several objects to duplicate.
2. Put the cursor anywhere in the selected areas, and then hold down the left mouse button and drag the mouse to move the copy where you want it on the workspace, but don’t release the mouse button yet.
3. While you’re still holding down the left mouse button, click the right mouse button with your middle finger. Release both mouse buttons.

Note: In Creative DRAWings®, Ctrl+D is the shortcut for the Direction tool and will not duplicate.

Go to Tools>Options. On the first General Tab change to the system you want to use under Measurement System.

You can use any version of Adobe Illustrator, but your design must be saved to Version 5 or lower.

1. Create your graphic and save to a folder in Version 5 (or lower).
2. Open Creative DRAWings®. > From the second Artwork Source wizard page, select From File.
3. Go to the folder where you have saved your Illustrator design and continue through the remaining wizard pages until your design is in the main workspace.

The design can now be edited and changed as needed.

Follow these three easy steps:

1. Click on the ruler with the Rectangle Selection tool.
2. Click on an edge of the object you want to measure, hold down the left mouse button, and move the tape measure that appears to the edge or part of the design that you want to measure.
3. Make sure you have set the 1:1 ratio by going to Tools>Options>Monitor and click on the preset monitor size. Click OK to save.

First, make sure the design you want to make is small enough so that when you make it into a wreath it will fit in your hoop. Then continue as follows:

1. Go to the Zoom 100% on the top toolbar, click on the down arrow, and choose 50 or 75%. This will give you more space to see the complete design as you work on it. You may have to adjust the percentage up or down depending on your design.
2. Select the design. You will see a small + in the middle of the design; this is the center pivot point on which the design rotates.
3. Put the mouse cursor on the pivot point; it will turn to a dot with 4 arrows around it. Hold down the mouse button and move the pivot point straight down below the design. You can use the middle point of the blue box as a guide. Depending on the design you will be rotating, you may need to move the point up or down.
4. With the design still selected, Edit>Copyand then Edit>Paste, or use Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V. This will put a copy of the design on top of the original design.
5. Move the mouse cursor to the upper right-hand corner of the blue box until it changes to an arrow that is in a circular shape. This is the rotate tool. Hold the left mouse button down and pull down to the right until the design is where you want it.
6. With the design still selected, use Ctrl+R until the wreath is complete. (Ctrl+R repeats the last change you made.)

Combine draw files, embroidery designs, or parts of other files and designs as you need to create a new design by following these steps:

1. Open an embroidery design or draw file.
2. To add another draw file, go to File>Open and go to the folder where your draw files are saved. You can also use the shortcut icon on the top toolbar, the second from left (the icon with the folder with an arrow). You can open a draw file with the Open command only.
3. There will now be two workspace windows open. Select all or part of the draw file and Edit>Copy or Ctrl+C.
4. At the bottom of the screen, click on the first workspace you opened. Go to Edit>Paste or Ctrl+V. The design from the second window will be copied to the first in the same place on the screen as it was in the screen where you copied it but you may need to zoom out to find the pasted object.
5. To add another graphic or embroidery stitch file to the one you already have open, go to File>New Frame or use Ctrl+Shift+N. This will take you back to the Artwork Source screen.
6. Choose a graphic From File or an embroidery stitch file using From Embroidery. Go through each Wizard screen until you are at a new workspace (this will be the second workspace open).
7. If you selected a new graphic file, copy it as you did the draw file. Click on the first window to open it and paste. 8. If you brought in an embroidery file (pes, hus, sew, jef, etc.) you must first convert it to curves by selecting it, then right clicking and selecting Convert to curves before you can copy and then paste it in the first window. Continue using the second window to add to the design until you have finished your design.

First, make a circle, and then select the font you want to use and type your text. Then follow these steps:

1. Select both the circle and your text. Right click and select Apply Path.
2. If the text is inside the circle and you want to change it, make sure the text is still selected and click on the Font icon (A) again. Another toolbar will appear right above your workspace with your text-editing choices. (If the toolbar is not there, go to View> and make sure Tool Options is checked.)
3. To put the text on the outside of the circle, click Reverse direction and then select Baseline or Bottom in the Text placement line. If you don’t use Reverse direction, then use Top or Ascent.
4. To move text on the inside or outside edge, use the Offset line. This measurement is in mm, not inches even if you have inches checked as the default measurement. To move text to the right use positive numbers, to move to the left, put a minus (-) in front of the number. For example, type in 200 and hit enter and the text moves to the right. To move the text to the left, type in -300 and hit enter. You can also use the up and down arrows, but you still need to hit the enter button to apply the change.
5. The Text alignment line is used to move text on a line. You can also move, change path, edit, and break apart your text. For step-by-step instructions in the built-in manual, click on the Show Help icon on the top toolbar (the icon that looks like an arrow with a question mark), and then click on the Font icon A. You can also use the PDF manual at Start>Programs>Creative DRAWings®>Creative DRAWings® manual.

Choosing the correct stabilizer is important too! Use a cut-away for stretchy fabric and use a tear- away for anything that isn’t stretchy. Stabilizers come in many different types, designed to help make your embroidery experience fun and easy. DRAWings will recommend the correct stabiliser to use in the job template.

Your machine uses a specific bobbin. Make sure that you are using the correct bobbin for your Brand and Model. (Refer to your owner's manual if you are unsure) If you use the wrong bobbin in your machine, you could damage the machine which may lead to a costly repair. If you’re still unsure of which one to get, visit your local dealer. Some bobbins look alike but they are actually different, so don’t be fooled!

Embroidery machines use a special bobbin thread while in embroidery mode. When embroidering, you will use “embroidery” bobbin thread in the bobbin. This typically comes in white (black is available too for use with black or darker garments), and is a finer weight thread than your normal embroidery thread. It is important to use the correct embroidery bobbin thread (refer to your manual for your brand’s preference) to achieve optimal results. You do not need to wind a bobbin of the same colour you are using on top because: 1. It’s more expensive than bobbin thread 2. You usually don’t see the back anyway.

Sticky stabilizer can sometimes “gum” up your needle and make your thread break. Titanium needles prevent sticky build-up. Also, you can clean any sticky residue off with a cotton ball or swab and rubbing alcohol.

You shouldn’t use spray adhesives near your machine. When using any type of sticky spray, use it on the other side of the room, away from your machine.

You should get your machine cleaned once a year. Doing this is good preventative maintenance against costly repairs later on. Meanwhile, keep your bobbin case/area clean. Use a lint brush or a can of compressed air (available from electronics stores) to keep it clean.

Use a quality thread. Make sure to NEVER use hand quilting thread in a machine. Hand quilting thread has a coating on it that will get sticky stuff on the insides of your machine and cause threads to break.