Great use for auto-digitizing

[Oregonian1a]

I finally stumbled upon a very cool use of the auto-digitizing feature in Design Shop Pro+.

A customer asked for some lettering in a particular font that is in my Windows font directory, but is not a True Type font. In my Windows directory there are a BUNCH of fonts that are known as Open Type, which Design Shop can't use, but most Windows apps can.

I opened a project in Corel Draw which can use all the fonts. I typed in the desired lettering using the requested font. I then saved the file as a Corel Drawing V9 (Design Shop Pro+ can only read Corel V9 files or later).

I then opened that file from Design Shop, Which opened each letter as an individual vector graphic. I set complex column properties to short stitches off, primary underlay zigzag, and min. column width to 10.

I then used the "stitch graphic region" button and clicked on each letter one at a time. The software converts it beautifully.

I personally do not like the results when trying to use the auto-digitizing feature on the graphics that are larger that I have tried, but for vectorized text it is a GREAT tool. No font is out of reach now [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Juli in Kona]

That is very good. I just got Corel Draw X4 not very long ago. It is nice to find yet another use for it.

I just got my cutter and the post from Janet @ Fabrications showed how to make a sew file for twill cut on the cutter. Jut following her instructions, I was able to do it. I have yet to actually try it out, but I will today.

Another very cool and very useful use for Corel Draw is the Power Clip. I am still trying to control it - as I said, I am very new to Corel so am struggling with all of it. It can Make a letter and then fill the inside of the letter with a picture, like a flag. Then take that into DS and auto digitize it. Pretty cool! The thing I am having a lot of trouble with right now is the inside of A,a,p,P,R,Q,q,B,b,D,d,g,O,o. Can't figure out how to get the inside to just be blank. But I know there is a way, I just have to find it.

BTW, do you know how to make a vector of the peace sign? I actually had a job where the customer wanted a peace sign with the Hawaiian flag on the inside. I did it all in DS, but it took a long time. I'm sure that if I could have utilized Corel, it would have been much easier.

[Body Cover]

Hi Juli,
I have been using Corel for the last 15 years, day in and day out. So if you have any questions or need help, ask on the list or send a private e-mail and I'd be more than happy to help.
I've worked with a number of people on this list
that can vouch for me. so let me know.
If you haven't figured out the letter power clip thing let me know, it's pretty easy.

Ron

[Juli in Kona]

If you could give me the instructions for doing the Power Clip using a P ariel and a bmp file, I would really appreciate it. If I can see how that is done, then I think I can manage the rest. But I might tell you that since I got my cutter, I think my IQ has gone down about 40 points! I told the tech that the instruction book was horrible and he practically yelled that it was one of the best in the industry. If it is, then we are all in trouble. For someone who knows nothing, and I mean nothing, about cutters, there are all sorts of instructions left out. I presume they expect you to know something. Sorry, I am working with a blank slate! So just keep that in mind - PLEASE. My ego has taken such a beating already!!!

Juli in Kona

[Body Cover]

It's really very easy, just make your letter like you want it, drag the handles on the diagonal edge to size it as you want it. Import and position your bitmap at the size needed over your "P" whne your done hit <Ctrl+ Page Down> to send it to the back of the page (underneath the letter)then click the letter, then on the menu drop down for "Arrange" scroll down to "Convert to curves" or you can use the shortcut <Ctrl + Q>
and now it is no longer an editable letter it is a piece of art in the shape of a "P" then you can click the bitmap, then under the effects menu click the <powerclip> then <place inside container> then click the "P" if it needs to be moved or resized click the power clip again and select the <edit contents> then you can resize, move or whatever to the bitmap until your happy, then click the <Powerclip> again and then <Finish editing this level> and it's done.
Hope I didn't make it too complicated, I can di ti in the time it took me to write the first 2 sentences, so it's pretty simple. Good Luck and ask away if you need any more help.

Ron