Creative Studio 6 Manual

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Explore  Files .qli is the Quilting Language format that the stitcher recognizes as a pattern file. 
.pat is an encrypted Pattern File.  
.csq is another Quilting Language format used for derivative patterns that you
created (by modifying an existing pattern) and exported, giving it a new name.  .csqx is the encrypted version of a .csq file.  
.dxf is a CAD format used by CAD systems and recognized by the Statler. 
A special file type that the CreativeStudio recognizes is a  project file
 (file
extension is .proj or .projx). Project files contain all the patterns, sizes and other
descriptive information needed to complete a quilt. Projects are described in depth
later.
At some time, additional patterns will be purchased and will need to be moved to the
folder containing your personal files;  C:\My_PersonalPatterns. The new files will
exist on some type of removable media (like a  thumb drive
) and File Explorer can
help copy them to their new folder.
First, insert the  thumb drive
 (removable media generally need a USB port) and
open up  File Explorer .   Search
 the folder structure and find the removable media. 
Tip:  Scan the thumb drive with up-to-date Antivirus software before you move it to
your Statler. It is wise to do this EVERY time you move media between computers.
This protects your investment in your Statler Stitcher. 
In this example, the thumb drive has been given the letter H but each computer
can be different so it might be E, F, G, H, or some other letter. The example shows
the thumb drive has two folders used for copying files to/from the home computer
and the Statler. These folders are named:  FilesFromStatler
 and FilesToStatler
.
Using descriptive names for files and folders make this process much easier. 
Copying Files
We know where the files are (source is H:\FilesToStatler) and where they need to be
placed (destination is C:\My_PersonalPatterns). File  Explorer is used here too.
Show the source files in the pane on the right, and show the destination folder in the
pane on the left. 
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Tip:  Copying or moving can also be done by dragging the group of files to the
destination. If the source and destination are in the same path, the files are moved.
If they are in different paths, they are copied. 
Rename Files
The new files in this example have names that are more like product codes than
pattern file names, so change them to something you can recognize. Again, File
Explorer makes this easy.
Right click the file name, and choose Rename. The filename will be hightlighted so
just type the new name in, and press Enter to save it. 
  Managing Recorded Files
 
One of the outstanding features of CreativeStudio is the ability to use the stitcher to
create an original design by  recording
 the motions for stitching that design and
save them so it can be used repeatedly. CS will automatically name the pattern file
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Explore  Files 
and save it to a folder on your computer. The path is: 
C:\Patterns Recorded\yyyyMondd_hhmmss.qli. 
This looks scary but it is really very logical. The new pattern file needs a name that is
unique, and the current date and time make it unique. A pattern recorded on New Years
Day, shortly after noon might be named 

It can be found in the folder C:\Recorded Patterns.
When a recorded patterns is sure to be used again, it is a good idea to  Export
 the file,
giving it a descriptive name,  putting it in your My Patterns folder and saving it as a .csq
file. The .csq format is preferred because it is saved as arcs, not polylines. That is a techy
reason but it means the file is saved more efficiently.  
Buying Pattern Files
 
Statler Stitcher owners seem to share an appreciation for beauty and perfection.
This is one of the reasons we tend to build a stash of patterns. Finding the perfect
motif for a quilt is fun and stitching it out is very satisfying. So, building a stash of
patterns is bound to happen. Each designer has a style of their own, so try patterns
from multiple designers, and collect all their pattern catalogs too! They are really
inspirational. When ready to place an order, here is what to do: 
1. Log on to their website and view their catalogs. Most catalogs have shopping cart
functions, so you can be adding patterns to your shopping cart as you find them.
When you are done shopping, follow the instructions for checking out and paying for
the patterns. Each designer does this a little differently so follow their directions
carefully. One of the steps is to give your name, address and email address. The
designer will either email the patterns to you or tell you how to download them
yourself. 
2. When you get your patterns save them to your home computer first. (This
assumes that your home computer has internet access, a firewall and virus security
software.) All new files should be received by (and saved on) your home computer
so it can check them for viruses, etc. The Statler Stitcher should never be connected
to a network.
3. Frequently the patterns will arrive in a zipped file folder, which means it has been
compressed so it takes less space and can be sent to you faster. It is easy to unzip
a folder. Just like Windows Explorer, right click the zipped folder and follow the
instructions. There is a wizard that will help explain the process. 
4. Now copy the files to your Statler Stitcher computer. 
Moving Files
 
Many people use the terms copy and move interchangeably because they are so
similar. When files are copied from one place (source) to another (destination), the
original files on the source remain. When files are moved from one place (source) to
another (destination) the original files are deleted.
The previous section described how to copy files from a Removable Media to a
folder on the Statler computer. Copying files from the home computer to the Statler
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computer works exactly the same, but it takes two steps.  The first step is to copy or
move files from the home computer to the removable media, and the second is to
copy or move the files from the removable media to the Statler computer. Easy! 
Downloading new versions of the software
. 
The Statler Stitcher is a stand-alone system which means it should NOT be
connected to the internet or have any other graphics software loaded on the
computer. This guarantees that the CS software can run at peak performance and
anti-virus software is not needed. Screen Savers should NOT be used either.
The first time CreativeStudio is installed, it must be done from a CD because it is big
(see the Installation Guide section). After the  initial installation however, you can
download new files from the Gammill / Statler website. Use a different computer
(your home computer) to access the internet when downloading files. All software
upgrades are announced on the Gammill website and on several internet discussion
groups. Access to the Technical Support section of the site  www.Gammill.net
 requires some setup so call the Statler Stitcher Tech Support people first.
If you have no desire to ever download software, Statler (and most pattern
designers) will copy the software to a CD and mail it to you. There will always be a
fee for this extra service, so call first and ask about the process. 
1.2.3 Add New Text Fonts
Adding additional fonts is possible and easy.  Standard Microsoft fonts can be added
by copying them from another computer to a thumb drive (jump stick) and installing
them on the Statler computer. Free fonts can also be found and downloaded from
the internet. It is a good idea to check these (do a virus scan) on a different
computer before installing them on the Statler computer. Also, be sure CS is not
open and running when installing new fonts. 
1.  Find the new fonts
 (probably using the computer you use to connect to the
Internet): 
* Click on Start button, click Settings, Click on Control Panel, Double click Font
folder. 
* Double click any font name to see what it looks like. 
2.  Copy the new fonts
 from the source computer to a thumb drive:
* Highlight the fonts and copy them. 
* Click on Folders button to find the thumb drive. 
*  Navigate to the destination folder
 on the thumbdrive
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Add New Text Fonts
* Click Edit command, Click Paste.
When done, Safely Remove the Hardware (eject the thumbdrive).
Tip:  Scan the thumb drive with up-to-date Antivirus software before you move it to
your Statler. It is wise to do this EVERY time you move media between computers.
This protects your investment in your Statler Stitcher. 
3.  Install the new fonts
 from the thumb drive.  
* Insert the thumb drive into the Statler computer.
* Click Start button, Click Settings, Click Control Panel, Double Click Fonts folder.
* Click on File Command, Choose Install New Font.
4. Navigate to the folder containing the new fonts.
* Select the new fonts to install
* Click OK.
TIP:  
CS can use any standard Windows font for text. Some fonts look
great but sew poorly because they were created with polylines, so test all
fonts before using them.   
						

							Part II 
						

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2 Main Screen Layout
This section is dedicated to understanding the main  CreativeStudio®(CS) screen. It
is important to note that there is more than one way to execute (almost) any
command. Creative Studio ® was written to work on multiple computer platforms and
operating systems, so navigating the main screen and its options depends on the
computer you are using.
Quilting commands are can be initiated with a mouse, stylus, touch, and even the
keypad mounted to the sewing head. The term click can refer to any of these
methods.  Therefore, step-by-step instructions are guidelines, not rigid processes.
The power of this system is in its flexibility.   
For example, there are several ways to create a boundary on the main screen. It can
be defined using the keypad on the sewing head, or using the mouse on the screen,
or using a touchscreen stylus (or your finger) if you have a touchscreen monitor.
Some commands have keyboard shortcuts. Use the tools and methods you prefer.
All quilting processes are initiated from the Main Screen, shown here. 
  
The top section has all the tools and commands needed;  Title Bar
, Command Bar
, Tool Bar
. The center section is the main  working area
. It is divided into three
distinct areas;  Project information
, Properties Properties (Details)
 and the
Preview area
. At the bottom of the screen is the  Status Bar
 and the Task (or
Start) Bar . Each area will be discussed in more detail later, when they are used to
describe the quilting process.
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2.1 Title Bar
The Title Bar is a standard feature in most software products. It displays the title of
the software program being used and the name of the file currently being used. For
CS, the file is a project.
 Title Bars also contain three important icons.  Minimize  will shrink the screen, making it a button on the task bar. 
Re-size  will change the screen size (Full Screen or Partial Screen) 
Exit  is a fast way to close the software (Also called X-it meaning click on the
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2.2 Command Bar
The Command Bar is the second line of the screen. Click on any of the words, and a
drop-down box appears, showing the choices for that command.
2.2.1 File Command
The File commands are used to organize and save your work. CS uses  ‘Projects’ to
collect, hold, preview and save the patterns and layout you choose for your quilt. 
Projects
 are described in detail later in this text so at this point, consider them to
be a file folder that holds all the details about a quilt. Click on the command “File” to
see the options.
New Project  - is used when starting a new quilt. (Ctrl+N is the keyboard shortcut).
Open Project
 - is used when the project already exists. (Ctrl+O is the keyboard
shortcut).
Save Project
 - saves all of the elements of the project together using the current
project name. Save Often!   (Ctrl+S is the keyboard shortcut).
Save Project As
 - saves all of the elements of the project together AND lets you
give it a different name. 
Import Image
 - allows you to import a picture image - like a quilt block, so you can
audition your block with different quilting patterns. (Ctrl+I is the keyboard shortcut).
Export Image
 - allows you to make a copy of what is shown on the Work Area, and
export that imageinto the StatlerStitcher Images folder, to be shared with others.
(Ctrl+E is the keyboard shortcut). 
Exit CreativeStudio
 - will close the software, just like the Quick Exit icon.
Tip:  The default project name is “My Quilt Project”. Although it is possible to add
patterns to this and save it, it is not advisable. So, always provide your own project
names. Consider using a naming convention that somehow identifies the quilt;
perhaps by customer, date, style, event or some other combination of methods .  
2.2.2 Edit Command
CS provides the ability to undo (or redo) the previous command, so if a command
step is made by mistake, it can be immediately corrected. This does not apply to
numeric measurement changes, just adjustments on the Preview area. CS
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remembers the recent commands (called the stack) performed in the current quilt
group, so if you backup too far, Redo will “Undo the Undo” or go forward again. 
Store Undo  will store the current state (this is for the techie people).  
Undo
 will reverse the previous command.
Redo
 will re-execute the previous command. 
2.2.3 View Command
CS can include (or exclude) certain windows which contain some of the operating
details.  
View Keypad Window  means to display an image of the keypad mounted to your
sewing head. It will appear in the lower right corner of the Preview area.
View Crosshair  means to show the needle position of the sewing head, on the
computer screen in the preview area. Like on a graph, the needle position has X and
Y co-ordinates. To make it easy to find this position on the screen these appear as
horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) translucent blue lines. The intersection of the two lines
is the crosshair which is the needle position.
View Grid  - Choosing to display a grid will change the look of the preview area. It
can look like graph paper with very fine lines and it is helpful when drawing and
planning pattern positioning.
View Grid Size  - Choose the distance between the grid lines that helps you plan the
designs effectively. If precise pattern placement is important, the grid size might be
set to a quarter inch (0.25) but if the pattern is very large scale, the grid size might
be better at one inch or more. 
2.2.4 Draw Command
In addition to the hundreds of patterns in CS, it is also possible to use the mouse to
create boundaries, create new patterns and to modify existing patterns. Complete