Brother Pe Design 6 Manual

							Advanced OpreationDesign Center
103
Design CenterStage 4 (Sew Setting Stage)
2.Use the Thread Width slider to set how wide 
the thread will appear.
3.Use the Contrast slider to set the contrast.
4.Use the Brightness slider to set how bright 
the display is.
5.Click Apply to display a realistic preview of the 
patterns with the new settings (when the 
realistic preview is displayed).Or, click OK to save the settings for the next 
time that the Realistic Preview function is 
select (when the realistic preview is not 
displayed).
bMemo:
To close the dialog box without applying the 
changes to the settings, click Close or Cancel.
c“Previewing the Sewing Image” on 
page 102
Viewing Patterns in the Reference 
Window
All outlines and patterns in the Design Page are displayed in the Reference Window, giving you an overall view 
of the pattern while you work on a detailed area. The display area frame (red rectangle) indicates the part of 
the pattern displayed in the Design Page.
Zooming
The pattern displayed in the Reference Window can 
be reduced to fit completely within the Reference 
Window or enlarged to display only the pattern.
1.Click .
→The pattern is displayed so that it fills the 
Reference Window.
Moving the display area 
frame
The part of the pattern displayed in the Design Page 
can be selected from the Reference Window.
1.Move the pointer over the display area frame.
→The shape of the pointer changes to  .
2.Drag the display area frame so that it 
surrounds the desired part of the pattern.
→The selected part of the pattern is dis-
played in the Design Page.
Redrawing the display area 
frame
Instead of moving the display area frame, the frame 
can be redrawn to display the desired part of the 
pattern in the Design Page.
1.Drag the pointer over the desired part of the 
pattern in the Reference Window.
→The display area frame is redrawn, and 
the selected part of the pattern is dis-
played in the Design Page.
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							104
Design CenterStage 4 (Sew Setting Stage)
Scaling the display area 
frame
1.Move the pointer over a corner of the display 
area frame.
→The shape of the pointer changes to   
or   , depending on the corner that the 
pointer is over.
bMemo:
 and   are for scaling the height 
and width. 
2.Drag the corner to adjust the display area 
frame to the desired size.
Saving
Overwriting
Once the image or pattern has been saved, 
changes can easily be saved so that the latest 
version can be retrieved later.
Toolbar button:  
1.Click  , or click File, then Save. 
→If the image or pattern has already been 
saved at least once, the file is saved im-
mediately.
→If no file name has been specified or if the 
file cannot be found, the Save As dialog 
box appears.
Saving with a new name
The current file can be saved with a different file 
name in order to keep the original unchanged or to 
keep various versions of the same image or pattern.
Files can be saved as bitmap files (.bmp) in stage 1 
(Original Image stage), .pel files in stage 2 (Line 
Image stage), and .pem files in stage 3 (Figure 
Handle stage) and stage 4 (Sew Setting stage).
1.Click File, then Save As.
→A Save As dialog box similar to the one 
shown below appears.
2.Select the drive and the folder, and then type 
in the file name.
bMemo:
 The correct extension is automatically 
selected.
 Image data from stage 1 (Original Image 
stage) can only be saved as a bitmap file 
(.bmp).
In stage 2 (Line Image stage), image data 
is saved as a .pel file.
In stage 3 (Figure Handle stage) and stage 
4 (Sew Setting stage), pattern data is 
saved as a .pem file.
3.Click Save to save the data.
bMemo:
 To quit the operation, click Cancel.
 If a file already exists with the name 
specified in the 
Save As dialog box, the 
following message appears.
 To overwrite the file, click 
Yes.
 If you do not want to overwrite the 
existing file, click 
No. You can then 
enter a different file name.
aNote:
If you select a file type of a previous software 
version, saved .pem files can be opened 
with that version of the software; however, 
some information may be lost.
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							Advanced OpreationDesign Center
105
Design CenterStage 4 (Sew Setting Stage)
Changing Software Settings
Changing the grid settings
A grid of dotted lines or solid lines can be displayed 
or hidden, and the spacing for the grid can be 
adjusted. (This function is available only in stage 3 
(Figure Handle stage).)
1.Click Display, then Grid Setup.
→The Grid Setting dialog box appears. 
2.To display the grid, select the Show Grid 
check box. 
To hide the grid, clear the Show Grid check 
box.
3.To set the grid spacing, type or select a value 
in the Grid interval box. (The setting range is 
0.1 to 25.4 mm (0.004 to 1.0 inch).)
4.To display the grid as solid lines, select the 
with Axes check box.
To display the grid as dotted lines, clear the 
with Axes check box.
5.Click OK to apply the changes and to close the 
dialog box.
bMemo:
To close the dialog box without applying the 
changes to the grid, click 
Cancel.
Changing the measurement 
units
The measurements for values displayed in the 
application can be in either millimeters or inches.
1.Click Option, then Select System Unit, and 
then select the desired measurement units 
(mm or inch).
aNote: 
When the Show Grid check box is selected 
and the with Axes check box is cleared, 
only the intersecting points of the grid will be 
displayed.
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							106
Layout & Editing
Layout & Editing is used to combine different objects into an embroidery pattern. The most complex objects 
can be digitized in Design Center and imported into the Design Page, or created in Layout & Editing with the 
wizard for automatically converting an image into an embroidery pattern. Furthermore, you can add text and 
monograms, rectangles, circles, broken lines, curves, and manual punching patterns, and define sewing 
attributes (thread color and sew type, including stitch patterns created in Programmable Stitch Creator) to the 
different objects of the embroidery pattern. You can move all of the patterns to obtain the best layout, and cut 
portions of patterns and rearrange them as desired.
Once the embroidery pattern is completed, you can save your work on the computer hard disk, print it, or 
transfer it to an original card (or whatever media your sewing machine uses) so that it can be sewn from your 
machine.
■Inputting Images and Embroidery Patterns
Images from existing files, such as clip art or custom-made portrait drawings, and images from TWAIN devices 
or the Clipboard can be imported into Layout & Editing. These images can be traced or used with the wizard 
to automatically create embroidery patterns. In addition, embroidery patterns created in Design Center or a 
pattern from an embroidery card can be imported into the Layout & Editing Design Page.
■Editing Embroidery Patterns
The embroidery patterns in the Design Page can be edited by adding text and other drawn objects to 
customize the embroidery pattern.
■Checking Embroidery Patterns
After designing the embroidery pattern, you can preview it. In the preview, you can view the stitches. In the 
realistic preview, you can see how the design will look when it is sewn. You can also view the sewing order for 
each object in the design.
■Saving and Printing
When the embroidery pattern is finished, it can be saved on the computer’s hard disk in one of many formats 
(.pes, .dst, .hus, .exp, or, .pcs). In addition, the pattern can be transferred to an original card by using the USB 
card writer, to a floppy disk, or to other types of media used by your sewing machine, such as CompactFlash 
cards and USB media. In addition, the embroidery pattern can be printed.
■Changing Software Settings
Grid settings for the Design Page and measurement units can be adjusted to help create the embroidery 
pattern and place added objects.
■Information for Optional Large-Size Hoop Users
Combined embroidery patterns can be created specifically for multi-position hoops, including the Jumbo Hoop 
or Extra Large Hoop.
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							Advanced OpreationLayout & Editing
107
Layout & Editing
Main Window
1Title bar
2Menu bar
Provides access to the functions.
3Toolbar
Provides shortcuts for the menu commands.
4Sewing Attributes bar
Sets the sewing attributes (color and sew type) 
of lines and regions in the pattern.
5Tool Box
Used to create, select and edit patterns.
6Status bar
Provides helpful information.7Reference Window
Displays all patterns in the work area, giving you 
an overview while you work on a detailed area. 
(For more details, refer to “Viewing Patterns in 
the Reference Window” on page 193.)
8Design Page 
The actual part of the work area that can be 
saved and sewn.
9Work area
0Minimize button
AMaximize button
BClose button
2
8 3
4
5
6A
0
9 1
B
7
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							108
Layout & Editing
Inputting Images and Embroidery Patterns
Creating a Design Page
Creating a new Design Page
Toolbar button: 
1.Click  , or click File, then New.
→If the current Design Page has already 
been saved or has not been edited, a new 
Design Page immediately appears.
→If the current Design Page has not been 
saved, you will be asked whether you 
want to save the changes.
bMemo:
 To save the Design Page, click Yes.
 To abandon the Design Page, click 
No.
 To return to the Design Page, for example, 
to modify it or save it with another file 
name, click 
Cancel.
c“Opening a Layout & Editing file” below 
and “Saving” on page 194
Specifying the Design Page
The color and size of the Design Page in addition to 
the color of the background can be changed. You 
can select a Design Page size according to the size 
of hoop that you will be using with your sewing 
machine. You can also customize the Design Page 
for patterns that will be split into sections.
1.Click Option, then Design Page Property.→The Design Page Property dialog box 
appears.
2.Select the Design Page size. 
To adjust the Design Page size according to 
the hoop size, select Hoop Size, and then 
select the desired hoop size from the selector.
To specify a custom Design Page size, select 
Custom Size, and then type or select the 
desired width and height for the Design Page. 
(The setting range is 100 to 1000 mm (3.9 to 
39.4 inches).)
In order to make adjustments to the fabric with 
the layout adjustment function of your sewing 
machine, select a Design Page size from the 
Section Size (for Hoop Size) selector. These 
Design Page sizes are 10 mm (0.39 in.) 
smaller than regular embroidery hoops. (This 
function is not for multi-position hooping. For 
details on multi-position hoops, refer to 
“Selecting the Design Page size” on 
page 203.)
bMemo:
 The preview area shows the setting 
changes that you make.
 When 
Hoop Size is selected, the sewing 
machine image shows the orientation of 
the Design Page (hoop) in relation to the 
machine.
3.From the Page selector, select the desired 
color for the Design Page.
4.From the Background selector, select the 
desired color for the background.
5.Click OK.
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							Advanced OpreationLayout & Editing
109
Layout & EditingInputting Images and Embroidery Patterns
bMemo:
 To return to the default settings (100 × 100 
mm (4 × 4) of Hoop Size), click Default.
 Before an embroidery pattern created in a 
custom Design Page is saved or 
transferred to an original card, running 
stitches, which cannot be edited, are 
added at the edges of the pattern sections 
so that the pattern sections can easily be 
aligned during sewing. This alignment 
stitching appears in the 
NOT DEFINED 
color. (For more details, refer to 
“Embroidering” on page 65.)
 To close the dialog box without applying 
the changes to the settings, click 
Cancel.
c“Specifying a Design Page size” on 
page 60 and “Changing the measurement 
units” on page 202
Opening a Layout & Editing file
An embroidery pattern that has previously been 
saved as a Layout & Editing file (.pes file) can be 
opened.
Toolbar button: 
1.Click  , or click File, then Open.
→A File Open dialog box similar to the one 
shown below appears.
bMemo:
This dialog box can be resized so that the 
folder contents can be viewed better. The 
size of the dialog box is retained until it is 
changed again.
2.Select the drive and the folder.
bMemo:
 If the Preview check box is selected, the 
contents of the selected file will appear in 
the 
Preview box.
 To quit the operation and close the dialog 
box, click 
Cancel.
3.To view the contents of the .pes files in the 
currently selected folder, click Browse.
aNote:
 The Design Page sizes 130 × 300 mm, 300 × 130 mm, 100 × 172 mm, and 172 × 
100 mm
, indicated by “*”, are used to 
embroider multi-position patterns using a 
special embroidery hoop attached to the 
sewing machine at three installation 
positions. Check that you have the multi-
position embroidery hoop and that these 
multi-position patterns can be 
embroidered using your sewing machine.
 Do not select a hoop size larger than the 
embroidery hoop that can be used with 
your machine.
 Custom Design Page sizes cannot be 
saved for version 5 and earlier.
 Although a custom Design Page size can 
be specified, since processing will take too 
long when trying to create an extremely 
large pattern with the Photo Stitch 
function, the message “Too large image to 
convert” will appear if the size exceeds a 
width or height of 500 mm (19 3/4 in.). 
After the message is closed, the photo is 
automatically selected, and is ready to be 
moved or reduced.
aNote:
 Be sure to select a folder that contains.pes 
files.
 If a .pes file is saved with objects 
extending off the Design Page or with the 
number of stitches or number of colors for 
the objects exceeding the Design Page 
limitations, a preview of the image cannot 
be displayed.
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							110
Layout & EditingInputting Images and Embroidery Patterns
→A Browse dialog box similar to the one 
shown below appears.
bMemo:
 To return to the File Open dialog box, click Cancel.
 To see a more detailed image, select a file, 
and then click 
Preview. A Preview dialog 
box similar to the one shown below 
appears.
 To open the displayed file, click 
Open.
 To return to the 
Browse dialog box, 
click 
Cancel.
4.To open a file, select it, and then click Open, 
or double-click the file’s icon.
→If the current Design Page has already 
been saved or has not been edited, the 
contents of the selected file immediately 
appear in the Design Page.→If the current Design Page has not been 
saved, you will be asked whether you 
want to save the changes.
bMemo:
 To save the Design Page, click Yes.
 To abandon the Design Page, click 
No.
 To return to the Design Page, for example, 
to modify it or save it with another file 
name, click 
Cancel.
c“Saving” on page 194
aNote:
If a .pes file is saved with objects extending 
off the Design Page or with the number of 
stitches or number of colors for the objects 
exceeding the Design Page limitations, a 
preview of the image cannot be displayed.
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							Advanced OpreationLayout & Editing
111
Layout & EditingInputting Images and Embroidery Patterns
Importing Image Data
Importing image data
Image data from an existing file can be imported into 
a Design Page and used as a guide for creating an 
embroidery pattern. The file name extension must 
be one of the following: Windows bitmap (.bmp), 
Exif (.tif, .jpg), ZSoftPCX (.pcx), Windows Meta File 
(.wmf), Portable Network Graphics (.png), 
Encapsulated PostScript (.eps), Kodak PhotoCD 
(.pcd), FlashPix (.fpx), JPEG2000 (.j2k).
1.Click Image, then Input, then from File.
→An Open an image file dialog box similar 
to the one shown below appears.
2.Select the drive, the folder and the desired file.
bMemo:
If the Preview check box is selected, the 
contents of the selected file will appear in the 
Preview box.
3.Click Open to open the file.
→The image appears in the work area.
bMemo:
 Double-clicking the file name also opens 
the file and closes the dialog box.
 To quit the operation, click 
Cancel.
 If the image was saved at a specific 
resolution, it is displayed at that resolution.
 If the image currently displayed in the 
Design Page has not yet been saved, you 
will be asked whether you want to save it.
 To display, hide, or display a faded copy of 
the image that remains in the work area, 
click 
Image, then Display Image, and 
then click the desired display setting.
 To display the original image, click 
On.
 To display a faded copy of the image, 
click 
Faded.
 To hide the original image, click 
Off.
Importing image data from a TWAIN 
device, such as a scanner
Images can be imported into the current Design Page 
from a scanner or other TWAIN device and used as a 
template for creating an embroidery pattern.
bMemo:
TWAIN is an application interface (API) 
standardization for software that controls 
scanners and other devices.
1.Check that the scanner or other TWAIN 
device is correctly connected to your 
computer.
2.Click Image, then Select TWAIN device.
→A Select Source dialog box similar to the 
one shown below appears. 
3.From the Sources list, click the desired device 
to select it.
aNote:
 With .pcd and .fpx files containing many 
pages, only the first page can be opened. 
Tiff files with LZW compression cannot be 
opened.
 You can change the size and position of 
an imported image, and then save that 
information with the .pes file. The next 
time that you import the same image into 
the saved .pes file, a message appears, 
asking whether to input the image at its 
previously saved position and size or at its 
original position (the center of the Design 
Page).
 Only one image can be added to the work 
area. If you try to display a different image, 
it will replace the previous one.
aNote:
If no TWAIN device is installed, there will be 
no names displayed in the 
Sources list. 
First, install the driver software for the 
TWAIN device that you want to use.
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							112
Layout & EditingInputting Images and Embroidery Patterns
4.Click Select to choose the selected device 
and to close the dialog box.
bMemo:
To quit the operation and close the dialog 
box, click 
Cancel.
5.Click Image, then Input, then from TWAIN 
device.
→The driver interface for the device select-
ed in the Select Source dialog box ap-
pears. 
6.Specify the necessary settings for importing 
an image, and then import the image.
→When the image transfer between the 
scanner (or other device) and the driver is 
completed, the imported image will be 
pasted into the Design Page at its original 
size. 
bMemo:
 If the image currently displayed in the 
Design Page has not yet been saved, you 
will be asked whether you want to save it.
 To display, hide, or display a faded copy of 
the image that remains in the work area, 
click 
Image, then Display Image, and 
then click the desired display setting.
 To display the original image, click 
On.
 To display a faded copy of the image, 
click 
Faded.
 To hide the original image, click 
Off.
Creating a portrait image
Combine images of facial features provided with the 
application to create an original portrait image.
1.Click Image, then Input, then from Portrait.→The Portrait Properties dialog box ap-
pears.
2.From the Facial Feature selector, select the 
overall contour (appearance) of the portrait 
(for example, narrow, wide, or child-like)
bMemo:
The preview area shows the setting changes 
that you make.
3.From the Part selector, select the part of the 
portrait to be changed.
bMemo:
The part of the portrait to be changed can 
also be selected by clicking it in the preview 
area.
4.Move the Part Variation slider to select the 
desired part variation.
bMemo:
 To change both sides of a part together, 
such as the eyes or ears, select the 
Change Both Left and Right check box.
 The selected part variation is shown in the 
sample image.
 To display all variations of the selected 
part, click  .
aNote:
For information on using the driver interface, 
refer to the help manual for that interface, or 
contact the manufacturer of the interface.
aNote:
Only one image can be added to the work 
area. If you try to display a different image, it 
will replace the previous one.
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