Importing graphic

[Cindy]

When I import a graphic bitmap image into Design Shop 6, it is too large and cuts off part of the image. I need to keep it the actual size. Do I need to shrink it before I import it, and then emlarge it after I have it loaded in Design Shop? What am I doing wrong?
Thanks!

[Juli in Kona]

I always - well almost always - resize the graphic to the final size I want before bringing it into DS. I use PSP and resize the graphic to 254 Pixels per inch then set the size in inches. When it comes into DS, it will not change size. I believe it is better to resize outside of DS, but I may be wrong about that.

Juli in Kona

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

Cindy,
Are you digitizing something really, really large?
You may need to enlarge the "Project Workspace Area".
On the right hand side of your screen, in the "Project View", double click on the highest level... called the "Project Level".
This will get you into the "Project Properties". Once there, click on the tab entitled "Project". Here you will see fields that allow you to choose the size of your workspace. I believe the default is 10" x 10". (50"x50" in DS ver.9)
Of course, when ever you display a hoop or change the size of the hoop displayed on the screen to something different, the workspace enlarges or reduces itself for you so to be an appropriate size.
Try turning on the "Hoop Button" and choose an appropriate sized hoop and then see if you can see the entire bitmap on the screen.
Reducing the size of a bitmap will retain graphic clarity but if you have to enlarge the bitmap, the quality of the graphic will suffer.
Ed Orantes

[Cindy]

It's 8 inches wide by 10 inches high. Not that big. When I reduced the image after being loaded in DS, it would go to the top left corner, but still cut off the top.

Turning the "hoop button" on helped. I can see the whole image now.

Trying to work a fulltime job and learn this is tough. Without the time and practice, I forget what I have already learned! But this board is a huge help! I learn something from it everyday.

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

Cindy,
I bet I know what's wrong with your graphic.
You say you're working with a bitmap, right??
I would say the graphic probably has a large, white background that doesn't need to be a part of the graphic. You can edit this by opening up your graphic in Window's Paint and click on "Image", and then "Attributes". Then reduce the size of the Width and Height to a point where you can only see what you want and not the extra white background. Then when you save the file, you will only see the graphic when you open it in Design Shop.
Give it a whirl and let us know what happens.
Ed Orantes

[Cindy]

Ed,

Oh, how right you are! It does have the large white background. I will try your suggestion tonight.

What is the best format to bring in? jpeg?

Thanks, again!
Cindy

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

Cindy,
I like JPEG's. They are adequate and are small in size so they transfer across the Internet fast and don't take up too much space on the hard drive.
Vector files (.EPS) are commonly discussed to be the best format but I don't use "Auto Digitizing". And most people I meet don't know what Vector files are. People who work with Screen Printing use Vector art all the time. It's necessary in that profession.

It's really a matter of preference if you have "DS Pro +". If you only have "Design Shop", then you can only open Bitmaps (.BMP).
"Design Shop Pro" will open just about everything but Vector files.

Ed