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Please Note: The PDF format of the help information is not included in the above update files. To download the latest, please use the link below. Download Revised Help PDF (2.3MB)
Floss UpdatesA major floss update was included in maintenance release 4.03. Please install the 4.06 release as explained above to receive that update. For a list of revised and added colors, please see the 4.06 release notes. Click here
to download an update to the Finca Mouline palette. This
update includes the newer colors. You must already
have release 4.06. Please save this file to this
folder: Frequently Asked QuestionsContents
Why are one or more rows and/or columns missing at the edges of my printout?This usually occurs when you are using a driver for your printer that was not designed for your printer. Please verify that you are using a driver that was designed for your printer. It is also a good idea to check for a more recent version of the driver by contacting the manufacturer of the printer. Often, printer manufacturers make available driver updates via their web sites and/or bulletin boards. Back to ContentsWhy is there a large gap between the left and top edges of the paper and the design?This usually occurs when the Center Chart on Page(s) option of the Page Setup dialog is selected and the pattern only requires slightly more than one page. To prevent this, either turn-off the centering option or specify the Fit to One Page option of the same dialog box. Back to ContentsWhy does my printer indicate an 'out of memory' error sometimes when I print a fairly large/complex design?This usually occurs on printers which are setup to use HPGL mode instead of raster mode. Please check your printer setup and select the 'raster' mode if it is available. Alternatively, you may be able to add more memory to your printer to solve this problem. Please note that it is generally better to use the HPGL mode when possible since it reduces the time necessary for printing. Back to ContentsWhy are the grid lines hard to read or missing when I print my design?Depending upon the capabilities of your printer, you may need to adjust the grid line options to ensure an easy-to-read grid. The grid style is selected via Grid Options of the Fabric menu. Back to ContentsWhen I print, why does Windows indicate that it cannot print to the spool file?This usually occurs when the available hard disk space is too low. Free up more space and try printing again. Back to ContentsWhy do the grid squares appear rectangular instead of square when I print?This can happen if a printer resolution is chosen which has differing horizontal and vertical resolutions. The printer resolution is selected via the Print Quality list of the Print dialog. Please select one of the other Print Quality options. Back to ContentsWhy is the program hanging-up when I print to my HP Deskjet 932/952/970 printer?If you installed the bonus software that is provided with the HP Deskjet printers, then a bad font file may have been installed on your computer. This bad font causes some applications to have problems when printing. To remove this bad font:
Back to ContentsWhy is the detail in the imported design less than the detail in the original image?The original image detail is maintained with no loss only if the size of the pattern that is created is equal to the size of the image. For example, the detail in a 300x200 pixel image would be perfectly reproduced if a 300x200 stitch pattern were created. Any pattern size that is less than the original image size will result in some loss of detail. The amount of detail loss depends heavily on the image. However, since it is typically impractical (due to size reasons) to create designs where a stitch is used for each pixel of the image, it is necessary to sacrifice some detail. Back to ContentsWhen importing a photograph of a person, why do the facial tones appear blocky or otherwise less accurate?In general, it is fairly difficult to import photographs of people. Be sure to use the Foreground selection tool to mark that portion of the scanned photo that corresponds to the face. Sometimes it can also help to lighten or darken the image. This can shift the colors in the image such that better floss equivalents may be available. Back to ContentsWhat is the best image file format to use for importing?Most of the image formats work equally well. However, you may want to consider using a format such as JPEG, GIF, or PCX which provides image compression so that the file sizes are easier to manage. Back to ContentsWhat is the best image resolution to use for importing?It is not necessary to use very high resolutions when importing your designs. In general, a resolution that is approximately 10 times the desired stitch count is usually sufficient. For example, scan using 100 dpi when importing to create a 10 count design. This saves disk space and processing time while providing good conversion quality. Back to ContentsWhy do I get an error when I try to scan directly into Pattern Maker?This error usually occurs when the TWAIN driver for the scanner is not a 32-bit driver. Please check with the manufacturer of the scanner for a 32-bit driver. Back to ContentsHow can I force Pattern Maker to use a certain palette of colors when it imports an image?First, create a new design and setup the palette of the design with the desired set of colors that you want to use when importing. Next, save the palette of this design to a palette file. This is done by selecting Save Palette As of the Palette menu. When you import, select this palette file via the Use the colors in this palette file option of the Image Importing Wizard. Only those colors listed in this palette file will be used for importing. Back to ContentsWhat is the best scanner to use for importing?Most any 24-bit, flatbed scanner with reasonably good software support should work fine with Pattern Maker. Back to ContentsWhat is the best image file format to use for exporting?The TIFF and JPEG formats are good choices since they are popular formats which are supported by most publishing programs. Please contact your publisher/printer for more advice on this option. Back to ContentsWhat is the best image resolution to use for exporting?The image resolution requirement will depend upon how you plan to print the image. For professional printing, please contact your publisher/printer for more advice on this option. If you plan to print on a laser or color printer, a resolution in the 300-600 dpi range is probably sufficient. Back to ContentsWhy are the
grid lines not printing correctly when I use the OLE
capabilities of the program to insert a pattern object into
another program?
You may need to adjust the grid line thickness setting for the pattern before inserting the chart into the other program. To adjust the settings, select Grid Options of the Fabric menu. Why
are the colors behind my symbols appearing dithered (displayed
using a combination of colors) instead of as pure colors when I
export?
You must setup your video card to use
16-bit color or higher. When ‘color behind symbol’ is enabled, why does the symbol background color not always appear as selected in the Palette Properties dialog box?When displaying alternative symbol colors, you must use the 16-bit color setting (or higher) for your graphics adapter. Back to ContentsWhen I select Usage Summary from the Palette Menu, why does it indicate that it cannot calculate the usage summary for this fabric count?The usage calculations of the usage summary are based upon ‘calibration’ values for a particular stitch size (i.e. fabric count). For example, the number of full stitches that can be obtained from one inch of floss must be specified for the stitch size being used. The program includes values for 10, 14, 18, and 22 count. If you use a stitch size other than one of those, you will need to specify appropriate settings for that size. To specify settings for another stitch size, click Skein Information on the Floss Usage Summary dialog box. This will open another dialog. In box labeled Floss Used Per Stitch Type, select one of the columns, enter the stitch count at the top of the column, and then enter the settings for each stitch type. Back to ContentsAfter I export a
design to a machine file, close the design, and then reopen it,
why is the View/Print Exporting Results option no longer
available for the design?
The exporting information is only produced when the user selects the exporting feature. The exporting information no longer corresponds to the design after you make a change to the design (i.e. you add/remove a stitch). To avoid confusion, the program does not save the exporting information in the design file. To re-generate this information, just re-export the design. Be sure to always print-out this information after exporting so you will have the exporting information that corresponds to the machine files. Why do I see the
same palette color listed more than one time in the thread
change list for a design?
The program generates machine stitches using three passes. First, machine stitches are generated for the full, half, and quarter stitches of each color. Next, machine stitches are generated for the back and straight stitches of each color. Finally, stitches are generated for the French Knots. Is there a quicker
way to repeat the exporting of a file without having to step
through each step of the Machine Exporting Wizard?
Yes. The program is configured to initially use the Machine Exporting Wizard when you click the Export to Machine File button of the Machine toolbar. However, you can redefine this button to immediately export using the current settings. To redefine this icon, first select Export Settings from the Machine Embroidery menu. In the dialog that opens, click the Options tab. For the Toolbar Icon options, select Exports using the current settings. Why were so many
jump stitches used for the back stitches when I chose a
thickness of 1 thread (or 3 threads)?
When an even number of threads are specified for the thickness of a back (or straight) stitch, the program generates machine stitches which result in a back stitch getting stitched from one end to the other end, and then back to the starting end. While stitching a particular back stitch, if another back stitch is reached which branches off of the current stitch, the program generates stitches for that branching back stitch. The stitches generated for the branching stitch will complete back at the original stitch which will then be continued. In the case of an odd number of threads per machine stitch, the needle does not end where it starts for a particular back stitch. Therefore, it is not possible to handle back stitches that branch off of a back stitch without using jump stitches. It is recommend that odd values only be used in special cases where you need the full range of thicknesses. When I created my
design I specified the finished size for the design.
After exporting to a machine file, I notice that the
resulting size is smaller than what I originally specified.
When exporting to a machine file, the design size will correspond to that portion of the fabric actually containing stitches. Any extra fabric around the design will be ignored in the size calculation. When I created a
multi-hoop design, I found that one of the sections did not
contain any stitches except for alignment stitches.
Should this section be stitched?
The program will generate alignment stitches for all sections of a multi-hoop design. In some cases these stitches are not needed, but in other cases these alignment stitches should be stitched so that subsequent sections can be aligned. For example, if 3 sections across by 3 sections down are required to represent a design, and if the middle section contains no stitches except for alignment stitches, it is still important to stitch the alignment stitches of that section since they will be needed to position the section to the right and below it. How can I make Pattern Maker open each time with a new pattern that has an empty palette?First, create a new design and remove all colors from the palette. Next, save the palette of this design to a palette file called default.pal in the Pattern Maker Patterns subdirectory. This is done by selecting Save Palette As of the Palette menu. Next, make sure that the Create a New Pattern on Startup option of the Preferences dialog box is checked. Close and then restart Pattern Maker for the palette change to take effect. Back to ContentsI have a sketch upon which I want to base a design. How can Pattern Maker help me with this task?First, scan your drawing. Next, import the scan into Pattern Maker using the Include image as an underlay for tracing option of the Image Importing Wizard. This will create a new pattern with your drawing included as an image behind the grid. You can then trace your drawing using the various stitch types. Back to ContentsWhen I double-click a pattern file, Pattern Maker no longer opens automatically to display the pattern. How can I restore that behavior?Download and install the latest maintenance release (v3.10/3.5.3 or later). When you run this release it will check to determine if Pattern Maker is associated with pattern (PAT) files. If not, you will be prompted to confirm that you want pattern files to be re-associated with Pattern Maker. Answer YES to this prompt. This will then restore double-click functionality. Back to ContentsThe installation hangs or causes a GPF. What should I do?The following are possible reasons for the error and suggestions for eliminating the problem.
Back to ContentsWhen I run Pattern
Maker, the Licensing
Wizard appears.
What should I do?
The Licensing Wizard is part of the license management of Pattern Maker. Some levels of Pattern Maker require that the program be authorized before use. This is an easy process that is as simple as entering the provided serial number, and then allowing Pattern Maker to contact the HobbyWare license server. Once the program is authorized, the program will work without the need to re-enter the serial number. Back to ContentsI was using Pattern
Maker in the trial mode. However,
now the program shows the Licensing
Wizard when I open it.
After the trial period has expired, you can no longer select the trial option. Please see the question above for more information. Back to ContentsI was using Pattern
Maker in the trial mode, but it appears to have ended the trial
mode too early.
In some cases the trial mode will be terminated if the date on the computer is changed too much. Also, certain disk optimization software can cause conflicts (see below). Back to ContentsI used the Licensing
Wizard to successfully authorize my copy of the program a
while back. However,
I now find that the Licensing
Wizard is appearing again.
In some cases an installed license can be lost if certain disk optimization/defragmentation software is used. For that type of software, please configure it to exclude files having the following extensions: ‘ent’, ‘key’, and ‘rst’. If this problem occurs, please re-use your serial number to re-authorize the program via the Licensing Wizard. Back to Contents
  
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