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Embroidery Software 2006

Release Notes
The printed Release Notes provide an overview of new and improved
features in the Wilcom ES product range. Further details are provided
in the Online Release Notes available from the Help menu of your
software. Direct links are provided to the Online Manual which contains
detailed instructions on all product features. Every effort has been
made to ensure the accuracy of these notes but screen illustrations
may vary from screen layouts generated by the software. Some
features are standard across the product range, some are cost options,
others are only available in certain product levels. The Product
Differentiation Table in these notes summarizes new/improved features
in each product level. The Online Manual provides a complete feature
listing for all product levels as of the last major release.

W4 1 1 6

Overview of Wilcom ES 2006 release


Welcome to Wilcom ES 2006. The Wilcom ES products are positioned at the
top of the embroidery design market. Amongst professional embroidery
digitizers, the superiority of Wilcom products is based on the stitch quality
of manufactured designs together with ES Designers ease-of-use.
Usability has been the main theme of ES 2006 development. The new
release contains major improvements in the design and layout of the
Graphical User Interface (GUI) which offer big productivity benefits.
Foremost among these is the complete re-design of the Object Properties
dialog as a modeless dialog. This means that it stays on the design window
as long as you need it, just like the Color-Object List. There are new
toolbars, such as the Arrange toolbar, which make frequently used
functions easily accessible. For more efficient use of screen real estate, a
new Toolbar Park is provided.
In keeping with the ES 2006 focus on usability, ES Designer brings major
improvements in color control with much more accessible tools. Similarly,
pattern selection of Program Splits and Motifs has been improved in the
revised Object Properties dialog with the implementation of new flyout
pattern libraries. ES Designer also now provides more precise selection of
object outlines or fill stitches and much greater control over both shaping
and reshaping operations.
Apart from interface and usability improvements, the single most important
productivity feature of ES 2006 is the all-new Embroidery Clipart module.
This is a powerful productivity tool which makes whole designs and design
fragments easily available for re-use.
Embroidery monogram and lettering specialists will appreciate the ES 2006
lettering improvements and innovations. ES 2006 provides major
improvements in lettering operations including the all-new user-refined
alphabets, automatic letter kerning, as well as the new Team Names Matrix.
An improved Borders function makes the task of adding attractive crests to
entire designs much easier.
The ES 2006 release also provides a number of useful specialty features.
The new Stippling method creates interesting fills of run stitching within a
border. The improved Offset Object tool lets you quickly create multiple
outlines from selected objects. With the popularity of sequin designs
increasing, ES Designer now provides a dedicated set of Sequin tools which
allow you to digitize sequin designs for compatible machines. Improvements
have also been made to the Schiffli option to service increased market
interest in this area of embroidery.
The Wilcom 2006 release also brings important new developments in Design
Workflow, Wilcoms professional embroidery management system. For a

ES 2006

Overview of Wilcom ES 2006 release

full description of new and improved features, refer to the DW 2006 Release
Notes.
Tip When viewing the Release Notes online, click the cross-references to
link directly to your online Online Manual. To return to the Release Notes,
click the Go to Previous View button in Acrobat Reader.

Wilcom ES product models


Wilcom ES 2006 is available in five product levels21L, 21E, 21D,
45 and 65. Each is designed to fulfil the needs of specific embroidery
businesses and to build upon the others to provide for the whole gamut of
stitching and digitizing requirements of professional digitizers.

21LLettering
Monogramming, Lettering
Do you routinely embroider lettering and sports Team Name garments?
Empower your business with the flexibility and reliability of in-house
lettering provided by Wilcom ES level 21L. Take possession of over 130
professionally digitized embroidery alphabets, or utilize the endless variety
of Windows fonts with Wilcoms TrueType Font converter. Team Names and
mass monogramming is a breezeautomatically create hundreds of name
badges and emblems in seconds. Powerful lettering reshape tools let you
handle custom lettering jobs with confidence. Combined with professional
colorway and stitch processing technology, Wilcom ES level 21L provides for
all your lettering and monogramming needs.

21ELettering and Editing


Monogramming, Lettering, Editing
Empower your business with the flexibility and reliability of in-house
lettering and editing provided by Wilcom ES level 21E. Take possession of
over 130 professionally digitized embroidery alphabets, or utilize the
endless variety of Windows fonts with Wilcoms TrueType Font converter. Edit
and reshape your embroidery designs or combine them with existing ones.
Change between Satin, Zigzag and Tatami, as well as adjust stitch density
and underlay settings over the whole or selected parts of a design. With
Wilcom ES level 21E, you are professionally equipped for any embroidery
lettering or editing job that comes your way.

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

21DPowerful Digitizing
Corporate, Sports, Fashion
Wilcom ES level 21D introduces you to professional embroidery digitizing.
Backed with the advanced lettering and editing features of level 21E, 21D
delivers a suite of integrated and powerful digitizing tools plus the flexibility
to create reliable, quality embroidery designs. Using scanned or imported
artwork, create embroidery shapes with turning or parallel stitching plus
advanced stitch types like Program Split or Motif Fill. Ideal for companies
that do corporate, sports and fashion embroidery, level 21D supports all
common embroidery industry formats.

45Creative Digitizing
Creative Flair, High Fashion, Inspiration
Boasting a blend of powerful digitizing tools and creative stitch effects,
Wilcom ES level 45 is Wilcoms most popular embroidery digitizing system.
Import and convert vector files to embroidery using Wilcoms legendary
Point & Stitch technology. Advanced stitch effects such as Florentine
Effect, 3D Warp, Trapunto and Stipple stitch bring your embroidery to life.
Smart Branching sequences your embroidery design, eliminating trims,
while Offset Object automatically create borders around lettering and other
design objects. Wilcom ES level 45 gives you the competitive edge to create
superior embroidery designs faster and more simply than ever before.

65Advanced Digitizing
High Volume Maximum Power
To arm yourself with the full power of Wilcom ES, level 65 is the only choice
for the advanced digitizer. Encompassing Wilcoms complete range of
embroidery lettering, editing and digitizing tools, level 65 contains as
standard superior Chenille embroidery and stunning automated Sequin
design tools. Productivity and efficiency is the main focus of level 65.
Crafted to support high volume embroidery, time-saving tools such as
Mirror-Merge, Fusion Fill and Color Blending complement the easy-to-use
interface to give you maximum power. Take charge of your embroidery
design process with the powerful capabilities of Wilcom ES level 65.
Note For an itemized listing of the new and improved features for each
product level, see Product Differentiation Table. For a complete feature
listing, refer to the Product Differentiation Table in the Online Manual.

ES 2006

Wilcom ES product models

Contents of Wilcom ES 2006


The Wilcom ES 2006 range includes a number of distinct product models
described above. Each product model can be further enhanced by a number
of cost options. This section details the cost options and kit components of
Wilcom ES 2006.

Cost options
Each Wilcom ES product model can be further enhanced with a number of
cost options. These include:
Option

Details

Wilcom Design
Workflow

This option is available for all levels of product.

Wilcom ES Machine
Manager

This is a cost option for 5 or more machines. It is


standard, however, for all levels of product with support
for up to 4 machines.

Wilcom ES Cross Stitch

This option is available for Level 21D and Level 45.

Wilcom ES Chenille

This option is available for all levels of product. Only


limited Chenille support is available, however, in
Level 21E.

Wilcom ES Schiffli

This option is available for all levels of product.

Standard with Level 65

Note Other options are available for different product models. See Product
Differentiation Table for details.

Kit components
The Wilcom ES 2006 kits include some or all of the following components.

Wilcom ES software CD
The Wilcom ES software CD includes software for all products, including ES
Designer, ES Machine Manager, ES Cross Stitch, ES Chenille, and ES Schiffli.

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

Wilcom Design Workflow software CD


The Wilcom Design Workflow software CD includes software for all four
basic installation typesServer, Client, Complete, and Administration. It
also includes the Microsoft MSDE runtime SQL database system as standard.
Note MSDE does not allow more than five (5) concurrent users. If you are
intending to provide access to more concurrent users, you will need to
purchase Microsoft SQL Server 2000 software.

Security device
Wilcom ES is controlled by a security device or dongle attached to the
computer. See System requirements for details.
Warning The software will not work properly if the dongle is unplugged
from the computer while Wilcom ES is open. In the event, the application
may hang or crash and any open files may be corrupted.

Printed and online documentation


With your Wilcom ES installation CD you will have received a set of Release
Notes and Quick Start Guide. Online documentation is provided in two
formatsHTML Online Help and Adobe Acrobat. Components include
Release Notes, Quick Reference, Online Manual, Online Help, as well as
various User Manual Supplements. See the Introduction to the Quick Start
Guide for details.

M&D kit languages


The M&D kits are available in the following languages: English, French,
German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish.

System requirements
Before you install, or if you experience operating problems of any sort, make
sure that your computer meets the system requirements. Check CPU/RAM
as well as hard disk space. See System requirements in the Quick Start
Guide for details.

ES 2006

System requirements

Security device
Wilcom ES is controlled by a security device
or dongle attached to the computer. The
software will not work properly if the dongle
is unplugged from the computer while
Wilcom ES is open. In the event, the
application may hang or crash and any open
files may be corrupted. Each dongle has a
unique serial number and identity code so
your system can be uniquely recognized.
Security codes enable access to features
USB Port Dongle
within the software. You need to be able to
identify your systems access codes, and enter new codes for upgrades.
When updating or upgrading your software, you re-program your dongle by
entering access codes via the software. See the Quick Start Guide for
details.
Warning The dongle is the most important and valuable part of your
system and should be treated with care. Always store it in a safe place when
it is not in use. Wilcom International Pty Ltd guarantees the dongle against
defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service when
properly installed, for a period of 12 months from the date of delivery. If it
is faulty, it may be exchanged. If it is physically damaged, it can be sent to
Wilcom and a replacement purchased for the cost of the dongle alone.
However, in case of loss or theft, you will need to purchase an entire Wilcom
ES replacement system. For this reason, you should consider insuring your
dongle.
All purchases of Wilcom ES 2006, whether new or updates, are shipped with
a USB type dongle. With the release of Wilcom ES 2006, parallel dongles are
no longer provided. When upgrading your software, you may need to do a
brain transplant from a parallel to USB dongle. See the Quick Start Guide
for details.

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

Interface improvements
The ES Designer interface (GUI) has been significantly updated to bring it
into line with Windows XP developments. It contains new-look icons,
new-look modeless dialogs, new rulers and guides, as well as new toolbars
for improved digitizing efficiency. There is also a new toolbar park for
temporary docking of toolbars and modeless dialogs. The screen image
displays an exploded view of all toolbars in the product.
Title and Menu bars
Standard toolbar
Stitch Types toolbar
Show Vertical toolbar
Pointer toolbar
Input toolbar
Travel toolbar
Drawing toolbar

Status bar
Prompt line
Design Window

Color toolbar

General Properties bar

Toolbar parking
The new toolbar parking feature allows you to make better use of available
screen real estate.
Click-and-drag toolbars and
modeless dialogs into
toolbar park

By default, the Toolbar Park area is situated just above the design window.
Simply drag-and-drop any toolbar into the Park to move it out of the way.

ES 2006

Interface improvements

Click the tab and drag it back out when you need it. You can also dock the
Color-Object List and Object Properties dialogs. The Toolbar Park itself can
be docked at the bottom of the screen.
Tip A toolbar parked in the Toolbar Park is automatically removed when
deactivated in the Toolbars dialog.

Modeless Object Properties dialog


Use Object Properties (Standard toolbar) to set properties for selected
objects.
The new Object Properties dialog is now modeless meaning that it stays
on the design window as long as you need it, just like the Color-Object List.
The new dialog considerably improves editing efficiency by eliminating the
need to open the dialog separately for each and every object. Together with
a General Properties toolbar, the Object Properties dialog provides a
versatile alternative to the old one.

Select required
tab
Select in the
dropdown list
Set values in the
normal way

Scroll to view
hidden area of
dialog

Apply settings

Tip The Object Properties dialog can be temporarily parked in the new
Toolbar Park toolbar for easy access. See Toolbar parking for details.

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

Most of the settings and controls have the same behaviors as those of the
original Object Properties dialog, with the exception of the new popup
slider control.

After clicking
swivel button, drag
popup slider to set

Click swivel button


to invoke slider
control

Radio controls are


mutually exclusive
Checkboxes are
optional

At the bottom of the dialog is a toolbar containing the control buttons.


Revert to previous settings
Apply current settings to
selected object/s

Save settings to the


current template

Click to invoke the


effects tabs

Click to invoke
help about a
particular tab

The FX button invokes a separate set of tabs which were associated with the
old Effects dialog. These are now accessible directly from the Object
Properties dialog. The General Properties have now been moved to a
more convenient location at the bottom of the screen where they are
permanently available.

ES 2006

Interface improvements

10

Effects tabs

General properties permanently


available on status bar

Click to apply
or revert

Note See Accessing object properties for details. Click the Go to Previous
View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Improved Status and Prompt bars


 The Status and Prompt bars now include a General Properties panel
for continuous display and routine modification of general object
properties. See Modeless Object Properties dialog for details.

 The Zoom Factor field has been removed from the Status Bar and
moved to a new Zoom toolbar. See Zoom toolbar for details.
Stitch type and
current settings
Status bar
Prompt line
Stitch count
Coordinates of current
needle position

Length and angle of


current stitch

General properties
permanently available

Current color
Current function

Rulers and guides


Click Show Rulers and Guides (Standard toolbar) to show or hide rulers and
guides.

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

11

Drag the Ruler Zero Point to reset a new ruler zero point.
The new Show Rulers and Guides feature improves usability by allowing
you to accurately position stitches and align objects in the design. Rulers are
located to the top and side of the design window. Guides appear as dotted
vertical and horizontal lines. Guides are displayed on top of the grid, if
present, but beneath all images, vector objects and embroidery objects.
See Displaying grids, rulers and guides for details. Click the Go to Previous
View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.
Click-and-drag to
reset ruler zero
point

Click-and-drag to
reposition guides
Click ruler to
create new guide

Drag guide off


ruler to remove

Note Each design has its own set of guides and its own ruler zero point.
When saved, these are saved as well. When saving a template, the state of
the rulers and guides are included. In the factory-shipped Normal template,
rulers are on by default.

Improved Snap to Grid/Guides


Right-click Show Grid (Standard toolbar) to set the Snap to Grid and Snap to
Guides options.
Use the improved Snap to Grid and/or Snap to Guides feature to align
objects in your design with the nearest grid or guide lines. Reference points,
control points or leading edges of objects snap to grid and/or guides during
digitizing, sizing, reshaping, or positioning operations. When any of these
operations is taking place, grid or guide lines change color temporarily to
indicate that snap to is active. For more details, see Displaying the grid and

ES 2006

Interface improvements

12

Setting grid options in the Online Manual. Click the Go to Previous View
button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.
Snap to Grid
in X only

Snap to Grid
in X and Y

Improved Undo/Redo command list


Use Undo icon (Standard toolbar) to undo an action and Undo Arrow to
undo a range of actions.
Use Redo icon (Standard toolbar) to redo an action and Redo Arrow to redo
a range of actions.
ES Designer now supports up to 256 undo and redo command actions. Undo
or redo actions one-by-one in the normal way by clicking the icons, or select
a range of actions at once using the new dropdown lists. These are accessed
by clicking the arrow next to Undo/Redo icons on the Standard toolbar.
See Undoing and redoing commands for details. Click the Go to Previous
View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Redo selected
actions
Undo selected
actions

New toolbars
ES Designer contains a number of new toolbars. The Color Palette toolbar
has also been substantially modified.

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

13

All can be activated via the Toolbars dialog in the normal way. Most can be
docked at the top or bottom of the screen or left to float as convenient.
They can also be temporarily docked in the new Toolbar Park toolbar. Some
toolbarse.g. Arrange, Transform, Zoomprovide access to frequently
used existing commands. See below for descriptions. OthersSequin,
Clipart, and the improved Color Paletterepresent new or significantly
improved features and are described in later sections of the document.

Zoom toolbar
The new Zoom toolbar offers a set of buttons to trigger functions of the
same name otherwise found in the View menu. The tools are available at all
times.
Zoom In 2X
Zoom Box

Zoom 1:1

Zoom Out 2X

Show All

Zoom Factor

The Zoom toolbar buttons activate the following functions:

ES 2006

New toolbars

14

Icon

Tool

Function

Zoom 1:1

Display a design at actual size.

Show All

Display the whole design in the Design Window.

Zoom Box

Zoom in on a section of a design by drawing a bounding


box around it.

Zoom In 2X

Display a design at twice its current size.

Zoom Out 2X

Display a design at half its current size.

Zoom Factor

Select a Zoom Factor from the dropdown list to display the


design at a particular scale. Valid zoom factors are those
between 0.1 and 300. Press Esc to cancel.
Note: Because the current zoom factor is displayed in this
modifiable field, it has been removed from the Status Bar.

Note See Zooming and panning designs for details. Click the Go to
Previous View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Arrange toolbar
The new Arrange toolbar offers a set of buttons to trigger functions of the
same name otherwise found in the Arrange menu.

Unlock all
Lock

Group
Ungroup

Align Left
Align Center
Align Right

Align Top
Align Middle

Make Same Width


Make Same Height
Make Same
Width and Height

Space Evenly Down


Space Evenly Across

Align Bottom

The Arrange toolbar buttons activate the following functions:

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

15

Icon

Tool

Function

Group and
Ungroup

These buttons are enabled whenever two or more objects are


selected. Clicking a button causes selected items to be
grouped or ungrouped.

Lock

The Lock button is enabled whenever one or more objects


are selected. Clicking the button causes the selected objects
to become unselected and unselectable in the Design
Window. Note that locked objects can be selected in the
Color-Object List and can be individually unlocked using the
popup menu.

Unlock All

This button is enabled whenever there is a locked object in


the design. Clicking Unlock All unlocks all locked objects in
the design, after which they become selectable in the Design
Window.

Align

The Align tools all become enabled when two or more objects
are selected. Their purpose is self-explanatory.

Space
Evenly

The Space Evenly tools all become enabled when three or


more objects are selected. They cause selected objects to be
distributed evenly across or down the screen.

Make
Same Size

The Make Same Size tools all become enabled when two or
more objects are selected. Their purpose is self-explanatory.

Note See Positioning, aligning and distributing objects for details. Click the
Go to Previous View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Transform toolbar
The new Transform toolbar offers functions available in the General tab of
the original Object Properties dialog together with some new rotation
options. All buttons on the toolbar are enabled when one or more objects
are selected.
Rotate 45 CW
Rotate 45 CCW

Mirror horizontally

Rotate

Mirror vertically

Skew

The Transform toolbar buttons activate the following functions:

ES 2006

New toolbars

16

Icon

Tool

Function

Mirror
Horizontally

Selecting an object and clicking Mirror Horizontally has the


same effect as invoking Mirror > In X from the popup
menu.

Mirror
Vertically

Selecting an object and clicking Mirror Vertically has the


same effect as invoking Mirror > In Y from the popup
menu.

Rotate 45 CW
/ Rotate 45
CCW

The Rotate 45 buttons cause a 45 rotation in clockwise or


counter-clockwise directions respectively.

Rotate

Skew

The Rotate control gives the same result as the Rotate By


field in the General tab of original Object Properties. Enter
the rotation amount (in degrees) and press Enter. Press
Esc to cancel.
The Skew control gives the same result as the Skew By
field in the General tab of original Object Properties. Enter
the skew amount (in degrees) and press Enter. Press Esc
to cancel.

Note See Arranging and Transforming Objects for details. Click the Go to
Previous View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Reshape toolbar
The Reshape Object tool now invokes a Reshape Object toolbar which
allows much greater control over reshaping operations. It allows you to
selectively view Reshape Nodes, Stitch Angles, and Start/End Points.
See Reshaping improvements for details.

Show Reshape
Nodes

Show Start/End
Show Stitch Angles

Sequin toolbar
For some time the European market in particular has seen sales of machines
with new sequin capabilities. In previous releases, digitizers created their
sequin designs using manual stitches. With the popularity of sequin designs
increasing, ES Designer now provides a dedicated set of Sequin tools which
allow you to digitize sequin designs for compatible machines. A new Sequin

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Wilcom ES Release Notes

17

toolbar replaces the limited functionality of the Sequin Mode tool which
used to be located on the Generate toolbar. See Improved sequin digitizing
for details.
Sequin Run Manual
Sequin Run Auto

Vectors to Sequins
Sequin Manual

Select Sequin Shape

Add to Sequin
Palette

The Sequin toolbar buttons activate the following functions:


Use Vectors to Sequins (Sequin toolbar) to create a sequin run from a set of
sequin vector objects selected by intersecting line.
Use Manual Sequin (Sequin toolbar) to drop sequins manually and digitize
holding stitches with Manual input.
Use Sequin Run Auto (Sequin toolbar) to create a string of sequins along a
digitized line according to current settings.
Use Sequin Run Manual (Sequin toolbar) to manually digitize sequin-drops
along a digitized line.
Use Sequin Palette (Sequin toolbar) to select from a
user-defined palette of sequin shapes for the current design.
Use Sequin Palette Editor (Sequin toolbar) to select sequin shapes from a
sequin library.

Clipart toolbar
The new Embroidery Clipart feature is a powerful productivity tool which
makes whole designs and design elements easily available while you work
on new designs. The new Clipart toolbar offers a set of buttons to trigger
functions of the same name found in the new Clipart menu. The tools are
available at all times. See New Embroidery Clipart for details.
Manage Keywords

Show Clipart

Search Web Clipart

Record to Clipart

Schiffli toolbar
Improvements have been made to the Schiffli option to service increased
market interest in this area of embroidery. A new Schiffli toolbar has been

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New toolbars

18

added for easy access to commonly used machine functions. The associated
tools can be used for stitch-by-stitch digitizing and for placing fine-tuning
functions after digitizing. The tools are often more convenient than changing
object properties when editing imported stitches type designs with
unrecognized manual objects.
Begin Jump
End Jump

Show Repeats
Begin Jump
Begin Jump

Slow
Fast

RPM RPM +

Borer In
Fadenleiter Borer Out
Fadenleiter +
Borer Depth

Sequin Drop
Clear Function

Thread Brake +
Thread Brake -

Those functions that change the machine state are grouped in pairs. There
are Begin Jump and End Jump functions, but not a Jump(M) function, as the
closest ES Designer equivalents to the Schiffli Needles In and Needles Out
functions. Stop is not included as it is a function that should occur at the end
of an object, and should be inserted by changing color. Otherwise the Schiffli
Arrangement feature does not work.
Note The Schiffli toolbar should be used in conjunction with the Schiffli
template or Schiffli machine format. If the current machine is not a Schiffli
machine, the toolbar can still be displayed and used. All buttons not relevant
to the current machine type, however, are grayed out.
The Schiffli toolbar buttons activate the following functions:

ES 2006

Show Repeats

Turns on the display of Schiffli repeats on the screen.

Blatt

Inserts a Blatt command which reduces the thread


tension.

Stepp

Inserts a Stepp command which increases the thread


tension.

End Jump

Inserts an End Jump command which causes the needle


to be pushed in.

Begin Jump

Inserts a Begin Jump command which causes the needle


to be pulled out.

Slow

Inserts a Speed Slow command.

Fast

Inserts a Speed Fast command.

Wilcom ES Release Notes

19

Borer In

Inserts a Borer In command which causes the borer


attachment to be lowered so that it penetrates the fabric.

Borer Out

Inserts a Borer Out command which causes the borer


attachment to be raised.

Borer Depth

Sets the depth of the borer attachment which controls


how large a hole the borer makes. Valid Borer Depths are
1 through 13 for Plauen and 0 to 12 for Saurer.

RPM -

Inserts an RPM Minus command which decreases the


turning speed of the machine.

RPM +

Inserts an RPM Plus command which increases the


turning speed of the machine.

Fadenleiter -

Inserts a Fadenleiter Minus command.

Fadenleiter +

Inserts a Fadenleiter Plus command.

Thread Brake -

Inserts a Thread Brake Minus command which decreases


the application of the thread brake.

Thread Brake +

Inserts a Thread Brake Plus command which increases


the application of the thread brake.

Drop Sequin

Inserts a Drop Sequin command which causes a sequin


to be dropped.

Clear Function

Removes all functions at the current stitch position.

Warning There are a number of known limitations in ES Schiffli 2006 in


relation to running Schiffli utilities under Windows XP. See ES Schiffli 2006
limitations for details.

Revised toolbars
In addition to the new toolbars, ES Designer contains a number of significant
revisions to existing toolbars.

Standard toolbar
The Standard toolbar contains the following new and revised functions.

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Revised toolbars

20

Embroidery Disk Open


Embroidery Disk Save As

Show Rulers and Guides


Show Sequins

Undo List
Redo List

Object Properties

Show Vectors

The new/revised Standard toolbar buttons activate the following functions:


Icon

Tool
Embroidery
Disk Open
Embroidery
Disk Save As

ES 2006

Function
These tools provide quick access to the frequently used
File menu commands of the same name. See Storing
designs on embroidery disk for details.

Undo / Redo

These tools are now accompanied by Undo and Redo


Listsup to 256 commands can be accessed in these lists.
See Improved Undo/Redo command list for details.

Show
Sequins

New icon added next to the Show Functions icon. Clicking


toggles sequin function symbol display on/off, while
right-clicking opens the Options > View Design tab.
Clicking the Show Functions icon now shows or hides all
function symbols except Sequins. See Setting design
element view options for details.

Show Rulers
and Guides

New icon added next to the Show Grid icon. This activates
the new rulers and guides function. See Rulers and guides
for details.

Show Vectors

New icon added next to old Show Drawing icon which, in


turn, has been renamed Show Bitmap. Clicking Show
Vectors toggles vector image display only. Right-clicking
both buttons opens the Options > View Image tab. See
Setting image viewing options for details.

Object
Properties

New icon added next to the Team List icon. Clicking it


toggles the display of the new modeless Object Properties
dialog. See Modeless Object Properties dialog for details.

Group /
Ungroup

These icons have been moved to the new Arrange toolbar.


See Arrange toolbar for details.

Lettering Box

This icon has been removedall functions are now


contained on the Lettering panel of the Object Properties >
Special tab.

Show
Repeats

This icon has moved to the new Schiffli toolbar. See Schiffli
toolbar for details.

Wilcom ES Release Notes

21

Icon

Tool

Function

Overview
Window

Now a toggle command which turns the Overview Window


both on and off.

Stitch List

Now a toggle command which turns the Stitch List both on


and off.

Color-Object
List

Now a toggle command which turns the Color-Object List


both on and off.

Team List

Now a toggle command which turns the Team List both on


and off.

Vertical toolbars
The tools of the vertical toolbars have undergone the following changes:
Icon

Tool

Function

Reshape
Object

Right-clicking this tool now triggers the display of an Options


> Reshape tab. See Improved object selection and reshaping
for details.

Backtrack /
Repeat

This tool is now enabled for Sequin Run objects. See Sequins
and Boring for details.

Team
Names

The Team Names tool has been moved from the Generate
toolbar to the Input toolbar. Its functionality has not changed.
See Team lettering for details.

Manual

The Manual input method will no longer be used to digitize


sequins. See Digitizing individual sequins for details.

Next Color

Removed from Pointer toolbar.

Cancel

Removed from Pointer toolbar.

Generate toolbar
The Generate toolbar contains the following new functions.
Offset Object

Auto Start and End

ES 2006

Stipple Run

Revised toolbars

22

The new/revised Generate toolbar buttons activate the following functions:


Icon

Tool

Function

Auto Start
and End

New icon which toggles the Auto Start and End function
on/off according to the current settings in the Auto Start and
End dialog. Right-clicking opens the Auto Start and End
dialog. See Setting automatic start and end points for
details.

Offset Object

New icon which provides quick access to the Insert > Offset
Object function. See Offset object improvements for
details.

Stipple Fill

New icon which behaves in the same way as the new Insert
> Embroidery Object > Stipple Run menu item. See New
stipple fill for details.

Sequin Mode

This icon has been removed and replaced by a new Sequin


toolbar. See Improved sequin digitizing for details.

Properties

This icon has been removed and replaced by an Object


Properties icon on the Standard toolbar. See Standard
toolbar for details.

Shaping toolbar
The Shaping tools have been improved with the addition of two new
controlsKeep Source Objects and Overlaps. As the name suggests,
Keep Source Objects allows you to preserve source objects of shaping
operations. The Overlaps function allows you to specify an overlap between
objects. See Offset object improvements for details.

Keep Source
Objects

Specify overlap

Color toolbar
The revised Color toolbar now contains all the tools you need to set up
palettes, colorways, and backgrounds quickly and easily. It includes a
colorway control with a dropdown list to toggle between colorways, a BKG
button to allow you to easily change the background color or fabric, as well
as Add Color, Compact Palette, and Split Palette Color buttons. There is
also a new Color Palette Editor which gives you easy access to thread
charts. See Color palette improvements for details.

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

23

Select colors
Edit background

Change colorway
Edit colorways

Edit color palette


Split palette color

Add color to palette


Compact palette

Color palette improvements


ES Designer brings major improvements in color control with much more
accessible tools. The main components to this are the color toolbar, the
multi-colorway dialog and the color palette editor. The new
dockable/floatable Color Palette Editor makes thread color selection easy.

Quickly set up color palettes


Use Add Color To Palette (Color toolbar) to add a new color slot to the
palette. This can be edited by means of the Color Palette Editor.
Use Color Palette Editor (Color toolbar) to assign thread colors to slots in the
Color Palette.
Use Compact Palette (Color toolbar) to remove all unused colors from
palette. Unused slots appear gray.
When you create a new design, the design contains a single colorway called
Colorway 1 with 15 default colors, unassigned to any thread chart. The
Color Palette Editor displays the same colors. Use the Active Thread Charts
dialog to select a suitable thread chart. All color definitions are transferred
to the Color Palette Editor. Add extra color slots as required. Enter precise
thread codes in the Find Code field or match them automatically to colors
imported from bitmaps.
Note The Compact Palette tool is disabled for machine formats that use
needle addressingi.e. that have Color Change set as Needle No in the
Machine Format Values dialog. See Setting color change functions for
details.

ES 2006

Color palette improvements

24

Click to select
thread chart/s

Click Match to
match selected
color
Search color list
manually for
suitable colors

Enter exact color


code if known

Note See Setting up color palettes for details. Click the Go to Previous
View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Create colorways easily


Use Multi-Colorway Box (Color toolbar) to open or close the modeless
Multi-Colorway Box dialog which allows you add and edit colorways.
Creating, editing and deleting colorways is now much easier with a
combination of the revised Color Palette, Color Palette Editor and the new
Multi-Colorway Box. It is often difficult to imagine your designs stitched out
on different fabric colors and textures, using different combinations of
thread colors. ES Designer now makes this process easier by providing
better colorway management. You can define an unlimited number of
colorways for each design.

Click to choose
the colorway

Click to delete
selected colorways

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

25

Note See Working with colorways for details. Click the Go to Previous
View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Split color blocks


Use Multi-Colorway Box (Color toolbar) to open or close the modeless
Multi-Colorway Box dialog which allows you add and edit colorways.
Use Color Palette Editor (Color toolbar) to assign thread colors to slots in the
Color Palette.
Use Split Palette Color (Color toolbar) to create a new color slot with the
same thread specification as the selected slot.
A color block or element corresponds to a color stop in the design. It may
be comprised of a single iteme.g. ropesor moree.g. ropes and birds.
In one colorway you may want to assign the same thread color to both
items, while in another you may want to assign different colors to each. The
Split Palette Color tool makes this easysimply create a new color slot
with the same thread specification as the selected slot. This is added to the
palettes of all colorways. Selected objects are assigned to the new palette
position.

Select objects
to change

New color slot added to all colorways


based on selected color (#2)

Note See Splitting color blocks for details. Click the Go to Previous View
button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

ES 2006

Color palette improvements

26

Locate and name design elements


You can now quickly assign names to color blocks, also known as elements.
Element names appear on the production worksheet. The Usage field in the
Color Palette Editor shows a list of selected color blocks. By default, the
number in the stop sequence is displayed. Each color block can be given a
descriptive name for easy identification. Click the Locate button to quickly
identify selected color blocks.

Select a color
slot

Enter a
descriptive name
for the selected
color

Click to locate the


selected color

Note See Naming design elements via the Color Palette Editor for details.
Click the Go to Previous View button in Acrobat to return to these Release
Notes.

Improved sequin digitizing


For some time the European market in particular has
seen sales of machines with new sequin capabilities. In
previous releases, digitizers created their sequin
designs using manual stitches. With the popularity of
sequin designs increasing, ES Designer now provides a
dedicated set of Sequin tools which allow you to digitize
sequin designs for compatible machines. A new Sequin
toolbar replaces the limited functionality of the Sequin
Mode tool which used to be located on the Generate
toolbar.

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

27

Set up dedicated sequin palettes


Use Sequin Palette (Sequin toolbar) to select from a
user-defined palette of sequin shapes for the current design.
Use Sequin Palette Editor (Sequin toolbar) to select sequin shapes from a
sequin library.
Set up a dedicated sequin palette from a library of pre-defined shapes and
sizes. The new Sequin Palette dialog lets you prepare a palette of sequins
to use in your design. Adjust the color and size of each sequin. You can even
adjust the hole size.

Click to add
sequin types

Click to mix colors of


sequins
Adjust size and
hole size

Note See Setting up custom sequin palettes for details. Click the Go to
Previous View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Quickly create sequin runs


Create sequin runs along digitized lines, either placing sequins manually or
letting the software generate placement positions according to current
settings. You have the choice of exact spacingfor open shapesor even
spacingfor closed shapes. You can preset sequin type or change at any
stage. Similarly, you can preset fixing stitches or change them after
digitizing. There is an option to ensure that the stitch before the Drop Sequin
function is placed opposite the feeding direction, as recommended by
machine manufacturers.

ES 2006

Improved sequin digitizing

28

Note See Creating sequin runs for details. Click the Go to Previous View
button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes. See also Sequin Run
limitation.

Convert sequin artwork to Sequin Run


Use Vectors to Sequins (Sequin toolbar) to create a sequin run from a set of
sequin vector objects selected by intersecting line.
Frequently, artwork for sequin designs is independently created by a
specialist designer and supplied to the embroidery digitizer in vector file
format. The Vectors to Sequins tool is available for just this purpose. A
sequin run is automatically created from a set of vector objects representing
sequins selected by intersecting line. The order the line crosses the sequins
determines the sequin order. Fixing stitches are generated automatically
according to current Sequin Run settings.

Digitize connecting
line passing through
all sequin graphics

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

29

Note See Converting sequin artwork to Sequin Run for details. Click the Go
to Previous View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Digitize individual sequins


Use Manual Sequin (Sequin toolbar) to digitize individual sequins.
The Manual Sequin input method allows you
individual control over sequin placement and fixing
stitches. Create decorative outlines and patterns
manually using sequins from the selection list. To
add a sequin to the stitching sequence, simply
right-click to drop it onto the design, and secure it
with manual stitches. Manual sequin stitching is a
difficult digitizing skill to master and you need to
plan the stitching sequence carefully in order to
minimize unnecessary stitches. Experiment with
your machine and stitch width and spacing settings
to achieve the desired result.
Note See Digitizing individual sequins for details.
Click the Go to Previous View button in Acrobat to
return to these Release Notes.

Scale and reshape sequin runs


Use Select Object (Pointer toolbar) to resize objects using sizing handles.
Use Reshape Object (Pointer toolbar) to reshape selected Sequin Run
objects.
Sequin editing often requires individual control over sequin positions.
Change sequin shapes and fixing stitch patterns at any stage. You have
complete control over scaling and reshaping Sequin Run objects. Scale and
reshape sequin run lines, as well as remove or add individual sequins. You
can also manually fine-tune sequin spacings. You can even edit individual
fixing stitches.

ES 2006

Improved sequin digitizing

30

Click-and-drag
spacing handle

Note See Scaling and reshaping sequin runs for details. Click the Go to
Previous View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

New Embroidery Clipart


The new Embroidery Clipart feature is a powerful productivity tool which
makes whole designs and design fragments easily available. It allows
digitizers to recycle commonly used design elements and greatly speeds up
the process of creating new designs. You use the clipart library to
permanently store useful embroidery elements and assign keywords to
them. Summary information such as width and height, number of stitches
and colors is automatically recorded. See Embroidery Clipart for details.

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

31

Search for names or


keywords

Click to sort by name,


color or stitches

Scroll to browse

The library displays all design elements currently recorded to a personal


database. Behind this functionality is the powerful Microsoft Data Engine or
MSDE. Sort and search functionality is provided to filter your list according
to name, keywords, number of colors, or number of stitches. Once a suitable
design element is located, simply drag-and-drop it as embroidery clipart
into the current project. Automatically find the nearest match between
selected clipart element colors and the current palette.
Note Used in conjunction with Wilcom Design Workflow, the clipart library
allows multiple users to share embroidery clipart. Available as a cost-option,
Design Workflow is an embroidery design centralization and management
solution for businesses that share embroidery files across a network. It can
serve as a central repository for your designs and design elements making
the task of securing, searching for, and managing your assets much more
reliable.

Improved patterns and fills


Pattern selection of Program Splits and Motifs has been improved in the
revised Object Properties dialog. You can now optionally choose patterns
from a dropdown list or from a flyout which provides a pattern library of

ES 2006

Improved patterns and fills

32

TrueView representations for easy visualization. The new Stippling


method creates interesting fills of run stitching within a border.

Improved program split selection


Right-click Program Split (Stitch Types toolbar) to select Program Split
patterns.
You can select a wide variety of Program Split patterns from the improved
Object Properties dialog.

Select the pattern either before or after digitizing. Interactively adjust


pattern size, spacings and offsets. For a complete catalog of samples, see
Program Split Samples in the Online Manual.

pattern preview

Click to expand
pattern list
Select pattern

Click to select pattern


Enter pattern width
and height

Note See Creating textures with program splits for details. Click the Go to
Previous View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

33

Improved motif selection


Right-click Motif Run (Input toolbar) to select motifs to use with Motif Run.
Use Motif Fill (Stitch Types toolbar) to apply Motif Fill to objects using current
settings. Right-click to change settings.
You can select a wide variety of motifs from the improved Object
Properties dialog. Select the motif either before or after digitizing. If you
use the Motif Run tool without first selecting a motif, a default will be used.
This can be changed at any time.

When creating motif fills, mix and match different motifs for forward and
backward rows, or use the same motif for each. For a complete catalog of
samples, see Motif Samples in the Online Manual.

motif preview

Click to expand
motif list
Select motif

Note See Motif Runs and Fills for details. Click the Go to Previous View
button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

ES 2006

Improved patterns and fills

34

New stipple fill


Use Stipple Run (Generate toolbar) for special stippled effects.
Stippling is a method for creating fills of run stitching which forms
interesting patterns within a border. It can be applied to any closed object
with a fixed stitch angle.

When creating Stipple objects, you need to preset the stitch values. You can,
however, adjust stitch settings of the generated Run object via the Object
Properties dialog. You can even change run stitch typee.g. Triple Run,
Stemstitch, Backstitch, etc.

Stipple with Stemstitch

Stipple with Satin

Stipple with Backstitch

Note See Creating textures with stippling for details. Click the Go to
Previous View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Improved object selection and reshaping


ES Designer now provides more precise selection of object outlines or fill
stitches in closed-curve objects. The new Quick Clone feature lets you
quickly duplicate selected objects. The Reshape Object tool now allows
much greater control over reshaping operations.

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

35

Point & click selection


Click Select Object (Pointer toolbar) as necessary, and click the object to
select. (The Select Object tool is generally activated by default.)
The simplest way to select objects is by pointing and clicking with the Select
Object toolthe default. Clicking an object outline now selects the object
regardless of whether another object is on top. Closed unfilled objects, such
as drawing objects with no fill color, can only be selected by clicking outlines.
Where you have a mixture of closed-curve objects, you can select object
outlines or fill stitches. Clicking within an objects extent box but outside its
outline no longer selects it. With low-density stitching and/or at high zooms,
it is actually possible to click between stitches and not select the object. See
Selecting objects with Select Object for details. Click the Go to Previous
View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Clicking fill selects the object


even if it is within the bounds
of a larger object

Clicking fill behind an object


without fill selects the object

Clicking outline of object


selects the object

Note ES Designer now allows a degree of selection tolerance around


stitches and outlines when selecting, as though the lines were thicker.
Selection tolerance does not apply, however, to color or fabric fills.

Object cloning
Use Select Object (Pointer toolbar) to select and clone objects.
The new Quick Clone feature lets you quickly duplicate selected objects by
right-clicking, dragging and releasing at a new position. For more precise
positioning, hold down the Ctrl key while draggingmovement is thereby
constrained to X or Y axes. See Combining objects and designs for details.
Click the Go to Previous View button in Acrobat to return to these Release
Notes.

ES 2006

Improved object selection and reshaping

36

Drag
Right-click object

Object duplicated

Tip Clone objects to another window by the same method. To temporarily


deactivate automatic scrolling, hold down the Shift key while dragging. An
identical copy of the selection is created at the same coordinates as the first
window, no matter where the mouse is released.

Reshaping improvements
Use Reshape Object (Pointer toolbar) to reshape selected objects, edit stitch
angles, and adjust start/end points.
Use Show Reshape Nodes (Reshape toolbar) to toggle reshape node
display when using the Reshape Object tool.
Use Show Stitch Angles (Reshape toolbar) to toggle stitch angle display
when using the Reshape Object tool.
Use Show Start/End (Reshape toolbar) to toggle start/end point display
when using the Reshape Object tool.
The Reshape Object tool is an important tool in ES Designer. It now
invokes its own Reshape toolbar which allows you to selectively view
reshape nodes, stitch angles, and entry/exit points. Use the Reshape
Object tool whenever you want to change object shapes by adding,
deleting, or moving reshape nodes on the object outline. Edit stitch angles
as well as entry and exit points in Reshape mode.

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

37

Show Reshape Nodes

Show Stitch Angles

Show Entry/Exit

The Show Reshape Nodes and Show Stitch Angles buttons are selected
by default. When editing an Input A object in Reshape Mode, turning off the
Show Reshape Nodes button also disables the Show Stitch Angles
button. When editing an Input C object or any outline object in Reshape
Mode, the Show Stitch Angles button is always disabled.
Note See Reshaping embroidery objects for details. Click the Go to
Previous View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Reshape next or previous objects


When editing an object in Reshape mode:

 Pressing the Tab key causes all changes to the object to be accepted and
the next object in the stitching sequence to be selected for reshaping.

Shift + Tab

Tab

 Pressing Shift+Tab causes all changes to the object to be accepted and


the previous object in the stitching sequence to be selected for
reshaping.

ES 2006

Improved object selection and reshaping

38

Select a range of reshape nodes


ES Designer now lets you select a range of reshape nodes in open and closed
objects, making reshaping operations quicker and simpler. Select a node.
Holding down the Shift key, click a second reshape node. All nodes in
between are simultaneously selected. With closed objects, right-clicking
causes all nodes in the reverse direction to be selected.

All nodes in
between
selected

Shift + left-click
second node

Shift + right-click
second node

All nodes in
between
selected

Select first reshape


node

Use arrow keys to nudge selected reshape nodes


You can now use the arrow keys to nudge selected reshape nodes into the
required position.

Nudge

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

Nudge

39

Stitch angle tooltip and mouse pointer


The new stitch angle tooltip helps you precisely set or adjust stitch angles
in turning fills.

Reshape Mode

Press Ctrl to add angle

Stitch Angles Mode

The tooltip is displayed:

 whenever you place the mouse pointer on an existing stitch angle point
in the Reshape mode

 whenever you move an existing stitch angle point in the Reshape


modethe stitch angle tooltip updates dynamically

 whenever you enter stitch angle points in Stitch Angles mode.


Note Notice that the mouse pointer changes to a stitch angle mouse
pointer.

Reshaping options
Depending on your computer specification, stitch generation during
reshaping operations can slow down your system. The new Reshape
options let you choose whether stitches are generated immediately or only
after Enter is pressed. See Setting reshape options for details. Click the Go
to Previous View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Select object types


for immediate stitch
generation

ES 2006

Improved object selection and reshaping

40

Improved shaping and offset objects


The Shaping tools have been improved with the addition of two new
controlsKeep Source Objects and Overlaps. The improved Offset
Object tool lets you quickly create multiple outlines from selected objects.

Remove overlaps and keep source objects


Use Overlap (Shaping toolbar) to adjust the overlaps of objects
resulting from Flatten or Divide shaping operations.
Use Keep Source Objects (Shaping toolbar) to keep the source objects after
shaping.
Use Flatten (Shaping toolbar) to trim all overlaps while retaining the original
objects.
Use Divide (Shaping toolbar) to split selected objects into separate adjoining
objects wherever they intersect with other selected objects.
The new Overlap feature allows you to add overlaps to objects resulting
from Flatten or Divide shaping operations. Use the Keep Source Objects
toggle to preserve all source objects of shaping operations. The resultant
objects are inserted after the last source object in the stitching sequence.

Source objects

Flatten: 0.00 mm

Flatten: 2.00 mm

Note See Shaping vector and embroidery objects for details. Click the Go
to Previous View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Offset object improvements


Use Offset Object (Generate toolbar) to create accurate outlines for any filled
embroidery object or any closed vector object.
The improved Offset Object tool lets you quickly create new outlinesup
to eightfrom selected objects. Any closed object can be used, including

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

41

vector objects, runs, or any of the input types. The generated outline is an
independent object that can be reshaped or modified as required.

Source object

Offset Count: 1

Offset Count: 2

Offset Count: 3

Note You can use any filled embroidery object or any closed drawing object
as a source object.
Use the new Spiral option to create one or more spirals, according to the
geometry of the original outline.

Spiral Offset
Object: 2

Spiral Offset
Object: 3

Spiral Offset
Object: 4

Select rounded or squared corners as required:

Squared

ES 2006

Squared
Angle limit: 20

Squared
Angle limit: 30

Improved shaping and offset objects

Rounded

42

Note This option lets you adjust the angle limitfirst select Cut Sharp
Corners and set required angle value.
An Approximation setting controls the smoothness of the generated object
outlinethe larger the value, the smoother the curve.

Approximation: 0mm

Approximation: 0.3mm

Approximation: 0.6mm

An Offset List allows you to specify up to eight offsets with different


spacings.

Offset Object: 2

Offset Object: 3

Offset Object: 4

Note See Creating outlines and filling holes for details. Click the Go to
Previous View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Add borders to designs


Its now possible to quickly apply borders such as rectangles, ovals, and
shields to designs using the new Borders symbol set. When you add a
border, it is automatically sized to fit. Adjust border thickness and size as
with any Input C object.

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

43

Note See Adding borders to designs for details. Click the Go to Previous
View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Lettering improvements
ES Designer provides major improvements in lettering operations including
the all-new user-refined alphabets, automatic letter kerning, as well as the
new Team Names Matrix. There are also improvements to lettering selection
and reshaping operations, as well as improved lettering underlay. Adding
borders to designs is now much easier too.

User-refined alphabets
Sometimes you find that you want to reshape a letter to improve its
appearance, usually to suit a particular lettering height. ES Designer now
lets you save the letter as an alternative version. In fact you can save
multiple versions of the same letter within the same alphabet. Each version
can have a unique height range. When using the letter in a design, the
height setting will automatically determine which version is used. Thereby
you can permanently record fixes to particular lettering problems and
thereafter automatically apply them.

Letter a opened
up for smaller
sizes

ES 2006

Lettering improvements

Default a too narrow


at small size

44

Note See User-refined alphabets for details. Click the Go to Previous View
button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Automatic letter kerning


The new automatic kerning feature allows you to improve lettering
appearance and legibility by fine-tuning spacings between character pairs.
Typically spacing between certain character pairs appears uneven due to the
optical illusion of having straight lines and curves side-by-side. Automatic
kerning is a user-defined option allowing you to customize kerning for each
alphabet.

Note See Automatic letter kerning for details. Click the Go to Previous
View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Team Names Matrix


The new Team Names Matrix feature automatically creates a matrix for all
names in a Team Name object together with their corresponding design. You
can minimize the number of color changes created by the matrix operation
for efficient stitchout. The operation also minimizes the number of jumps. A
Team Name object must be present in the design to activate the feature.

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

45

Note See Creating a matrix of team name designs for details. Click the Go
to Previous View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Multi-selection of letters
In order to adjust spacing of multiple letters, you previously had to select
multiple letters by holding Ctrl or Shift keys as you selected, and then drag
them along the baseline.

Hold down Ctrl and click


diamond control points

Now you simply right-click the diamond control point of the first letter and
drag. All letters to the end of the line move as one.

Note See Adjusting individual letters for details. Click the Go to Previous
View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

ES 2006

Lettering improvements

46

Letter reshaping
Use Reshape Object (Pointer toolbar) to reshape selected objects, edit stitch
angles, and adjust start/end points.
Use Show Reshape Nodes (Reshape toolbar) to toggle reshape node
display when using the Reshape Object tool.
Use Show Stitch Angles (Reshape toolbar) to toggle stitch angle display
when using the Reshape Object tool.
Use Show Start/End (Reshape toolbar) to toggle start/end point display
when using the Reshape Object tool.
The new Reshape Object toolbar provides greater control over individual
letter reshaping. You can select a range of reshape nodes using a bounding
box, or holding down Shift and Ctrl keys and clicking to select.

Note See Reshaping individual letters on-screen for details. Click the Go to
Previous View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Underlay for lettering


Note The following feature has not made it into the ES 2006 release. It will
be included in a future release.
Lettering appearance and quality depends a lot on underlay which serves as
a foundation for the cover stitching. As well as stabilizing, underlay also
provides loft, raising cover stitches and preventing them from sinking into
soft fabrics. It can also prepare a napped fabric by flattening it. Most
lettering objects are best served with a single Center Run or Edge Run
underlay. Edge Run underlays for lettering and branched objects now
provide a Weld option. When activated, underlay is applied to each
character as a whole, rather than segment-by-segment. This means there
should be no overlaps where segments join.

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

47

Select 1st
underlay
Select Edge Run
(or Center Run)

With Edge Run,


optionally select Weld

Adjust fixed or
variable run length

Note See Adjusting lettering underlay settings for details. Click the Go to
Previous View button in Acrobat to return to these Release Notes.

Support for the Barudan FDR-II machine


The ES 2006 release provides support for the new Barudan FDR-II machine
format which is a backward-compatible extension of the older FDR format.
The FDR-II format supports all machine types that Barudan produce but is
associated with the control panel rather than a particular machine. Currently
the BED* machine series uses the new DR controller which supports the
FDR-II format. The new FDR-II format is required by Lockstitch machines
with sequin attachments, Chenille with programmable needle height, and
Chenille-combination machines. Older machines interpret the additional
information in FDR-II format as Stop codes.

BEDRH modelFDR-II
format is also supported
by BEDSH and BEDYH
machines

In ES Designer, the new Barudan FDR-II Chenille Combination machine


formatavailable with the Chenille Optionsupports Lockstitch, Chenille,
and Sequin stitching in the one design. It switches from Lockstitch to
Chenille whenever it encounters a Chain or Moss command, and from
Chenille back to Lockstitch whenever it encounters a Lockstitch Needle
command. The new format can combine up to 15 Lockstitch needles and 6
Chenille loopers.

ES 2006

Support for the Barudan FDR-II machine

48

Two new machine formats


Two new Barudan FDR-II machine formats are now availableLockstitch
and Chenille Combination. Lockstitch format is available in all product
levels while Chenille Combination is only available with the Chenille
cost-option. See Support for the Barudan FDR-II machine for details.

Two new Barudan


FDR-II formats
available

Supported machine types


The table shows the machine types currently supported by Wilcom ES. Make
sure you first check the recommended connection settings for your
particular machine. If you dont have a record of the connection settings
required to set up your embroidery machine, a list can be found at the
Wilcom Support Center. This provides connection information for all the
machines listed in this table.
Note If not already a member of the WSC, you will need to register as a
licensed user of Wilcom software. See www.wilcom.com.au/support for
details.

ES 2006

Machine Format

Description

Tajima

This format is used for main types of Tajima machines.

Tajima TMCE-100

This format is used for Chenille-enabled Tajima machines.

Tajima TMCE-600

This format is used for Chenille-enabled Tajima machines.

Barudan

This format is used for many Barudan machines. It supports up


to 9 needles. The Barudan format is suitable for paper tape,
FMC disks, and the DSB file format.

Wilcom ES Release Notes

49

ES 2006

Machine Format

Description

Barudan FDR-II
Lockstitch

This format is currently used for BED* series lockstitch


machines and is the standard for all new Barudan lockstitch
machine models. It supports up to 15 needles and optional
sequin attachments.

Barudan FDR-II
Chenille
Combination

This format is used for newer models of Barudan Chenille


machines supporting 6 chenille colors such as the BEDYH and
BEDSH. Using this format, you can digitize pure Chenille or
even a combination of Chenille and Lockstitch in the one
design.

Barudan Chenille

This format is used only for the older BELM - A3C series of
Barudan Chenille Machines with 5 Chenille colors. Newer
models use Barudan FDR-II Chenille Combination.

Barudan Z Series

This format is used for Barudan Z series machines with 10 or


more needles.

SWF

This format is used for main types of SWF machines.

Melco

This format is used for main types of Melco machines.

Melco Chenille

This format is used Melco-enabled Chenille machines.

Pfaff

This format is used for main types of Pfaff machines.

Toyota

This format is used for main types of Toyota machines.

Zangs

This is the format for Zangs and Marco brand machines and
pre-1988 ZSK machines without trimmers.

ZSK 1

This format is for ZSK machines that have 7 or fewer


needlesgenerally those older than 1991.

ZSK 2

This format is for ZSK machines that have more than 7 needles
and those characterized by a single top thread trimmer.

ZSK TC

This format is for ZSK machines that accepts Transport Code


Disks (DOS format disks).

Inbro

This format is used for main types of Inbro machines.

Schiffli

This format is used for Schiffli machines.

Supported machine types

50

Supported embroidery file formats


As of the current release, Wilcom ES
supports all outline and stitch file formats
listed in the tables below.
Note Inbro have released a new machine
with unique auto-treading technology.
Wilcom ES now supports the new Inbro
format. See also Known limitations in
Wilcom ES 2006.

Supported outline file formats


Wilcom ES supports the following outline
file (condensed) formats:
Extension

Format

Read

Write

AMT

artista template

AMT42

Explorations template

ART

V4.0 artista design file

ART42

Explorations project file

CND

Melco condensed file

EMB

Wilcom ES design file (up to ES 2006)

EMC

Clipart Files

EMT

Wilcom ES templates

ESD

Wilcom DOS format

INP

Wilcom condensed format

PCH

Gunold APS

Supported stitch file formats


Wilcom ES supports the following stitch file (expanded) formats:

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

51

Extension

Format

Read

Write

10O

Toyota

ARX

artista cross stitch files

BRO

Bits & Volts

CSD

POEM/Singer/Huskygram

DAT

Hiraoka DAT

Barudan

Tajima

z
z

DSB

DST
DSZ

ZSKTajima machine format

EMX

Wilcom Cross Stitch

ESL

Wilcom ESL

ESS

Wilcom ESS

EXP

Melco

HUS

Husqvarna/Viking

INB

Inbro Files

JEF

Janome/Elna/Kenmore format (V1.0)

KSM

Pfaff

MJD

Time & Space MJD

PCD

Pfaff

PCQ

Pfaff

PCS

Pfaff

PEC

Deco, Brother, Babylock

PES

Deco, Brother, Babylock

PMU

Proel

PUM

Proel DOS

includes needle addressing data Two optionsZSK1 and ZSK2 (see note) Can only be written
by ES Cross Stitch application TAP and MON files are written togetherTAP is the stitch file, MON
the header file. Used with Transport Code Disks (see note)

ES 2006

Supported embroidery file formats

52

Extension

Format

Read

Write

SAS

Saurer SLC

SEW

Janome/Elna/Kenmore

STC

Gunold

STX

Datastitch

Happy

T01

TajimaWilcom DST format

T03

BarudanWilcom DSB format

T04

Zangs

T05

ZSKWilcom DSZ format

T09

PfaffWilcom KSM format

T10

Wilcom Plauen

T15

Wilcom Saurer

Barudan

TAP / MON

U??

VEP

Hiraoka VEP

XXX

Compucon

ZSK TC machine format

Z??

includes needle addressing data Two optionsZSK1 and ZSK2 (see note) Can only be written
by ES Cross Stitch application TAP and MON files are written togetherTAP is the stitch file, MON
the header file. Used with Transport Code Disks (see note)

Note ZSK1 format is used with older ZSK machines, generally those older
than 1991 which have no more than 7 needles. ZSK2 is for newer ZSK
machines, those characterized by a single top thread trimmer. The trim is
the most significant differentiating factor between the two types. If the ZSK
machine accepts Transport Code Disks, then ZSK TC Machine Format must
be used.

Known limitations in Wilcom ES 2006


The following are known limitations in ES 2006.

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

53

Jagged Edge with Fusion Fill


When you regenerate stitches for some Fusion Fill objects with Jagged
Edge applied to one side, the effect may be reversed and applied to the
opposite side. While this is unexpected behavior, it is not technically a
defect. When a Fusion Fill object created in ES 9 is restitched in ES 2006,
it is stitched with a new algorithm that includes improved travel runs. A
consequence of this is that the side that includes the Jagged Edge effect may
swap when converting Complex Fill to Fusion Fill. Note that this problem
does not occur with all Fusion Fill objects.

Sequin Run limitation


You cannot make a motif that includes Sequin Run. This limitation also
applies to lettering objects. The Special > Motif > Make menu item is
disabled if the selection contains a Sequin Run object.

Editing ignored functions


The Edit Function dialog does not allow you to change the value of an
ignored function.

Inbro machine does not stop at a Stop Code


By default, Inbro machines automatically change needles without stopping
on a Stop code. This causes a problem for stops that are not color
changese.g. at the frame-out point of an auto-applique object. The Inbro
format does not support needle addressing; like Tajima, it has a single Stop
code for both stops and color changes. However, unlike the Tajima machine,
Inbro will not stop even if the machine operator has set the stop sequence
to have two consecutive stops using the same needle. On the Inbro
Operating Box, you can set a number of stitching parameterse.g. Jumps
for Trim, Max Speed, etc. One of these parameters is Stop Code ON/OFF. By
default, this is OFF. You must turn it ON for the machine to stop at Stop
codes.

Barudan FDR-II Chenille Combination limitations

 The Compact Palette tool on the Color toolbar is always disabled when
using the Barudan FDR-II Chenille Combination machine format. See
also Color palette improvements.

 Define Stop Sequence is disabled when opening Barudan FDR-II


Chenille Combination designs.

ES 2006

Known limitations in Wilcom ES 2006

54

Size limitation when saving JEF format


Designs with a left/right of center extension greater than 70 mm or
up/down of center extension greater than 100 mm cannot be saved in JEF
format. This is so even when the design is smaller than 140 mm x 200 mm
if the left/right start point is greater than 70 mm or up/down start point
greater than > 100 mm. This is because designs greater than this would not
fit in any of the hoops supported by JEF V1.0. The biggest hoop size is Hoop
B (140x200).
Note You should always auto-center the design before saving to JEF format.

ES Schiffli 2006 limitations


The following are known limitations in ES Schiffli 2006.

Default installation folder


If Wilcom ES is installed in the default C:\Program Files folder, some Schiffli
Disk Converter (SDC) functionality does not worke.g. conversion to RCC.
For optimum use with the Schiffli option, Wilcom ES should be installed in a
folder with a valid DOS 8.3 file pathe.g. C:\Wilcom.

Schiffli Disk Converter security


In ES 2006 the Schiffli Disk Converter (SDC) utility requires the dongle to
be present at all times. Currently, however, the program does not display a
warning message if the dongle is missing or timed out. If the program does
not run for any reason, check the dongle first.

Running 16 bit programs under Windows XP


Some non-Wilcom programs that use a rainbow security device may install
this DLL and leave the registry corrupted. All file conversions performed by
the Schiffli Disk Converter (SDC) utility use 16-bit DOS sub-programs. If
you happen to have this registry problem, a message box will appear for
every file you convert. You must click ignore to run the conversion.
There is a Microsoft support article 16 Bit MS-DOS Subsystem Error
Message which provides a workaround to fix the problem on your PC. Refer
to the Microsoft Support Site http://support.microsoft.com/ for further
information. Note, however, that Windows Registry fixes are not
recommended for novice PC users.

ES 2006

Wilcom ES Release Notes

55

ES 2006

Product Differentiation Table


Capability

Feature

21L

21E

21D

45

65

z
z
z
z

z
z
z
z

z
z
z
z

z
z
z
z

z
z
z
z

z Selecting objects with Select Object

z
z

z
z

z Zooming and panning designs


z Showing and hiding backdrops

Set up color palettes


Multiple colorways
Name design elements

z
z
z

z
z
z

z
z
z

z
z
z

Split color blocks

z Setting up color palettes


z Adding and deleting colorways
z Naming design elements via the Color Palette
Editor
z Splitting color blocks

Basics

Basic Procedures

Toolbar docking and parking


Modeless object properties
Multiple undos/redos
Display grids, rulers and guides
Object Selection

Product Differentiation Table

Design Viewing

Viewing Designs

Zoom and pan designs


Show/hide vector images
Colorways and Thread Charts

Colorways and Thread Charts

Stitch Quality

Improving Stitch Quality


Auto Start &
End

z Setting automatic start and end points

z
z

z
z
z
z

Vector Images
Preserve original objects
Overlap shaped objects
Convert artwork to vector drawing
Convert artwork to embroidery
objects

Digitizing with Vector Images


Shaping
Shaping
Auto Trace
Point & Stitch

Combine and Resequence


Combine objects and
designscopy, paste, clone, etc

Toolbar docking and parking


Accessing object properties
Undoing and redoing commands
Displaying grids, rulers and guides
Working with Design Objects

Select individual objects

Set automatic start and end points

Reference in Online Manual

Preserving original objects


Overlapping shaped objects
Converting bitmaps to outlines with Auto Trace
Digitizing shapes with Point & Stitch
Combining and Resequencing Objects

LG

z Combining objects and designs

z Included as standard Cost option New/improved feature/option L For lettering only LG For lettering and grouped objects only
56

ES 2006

Capability

Feature

21L

21E

21D

45

65

Reference in Online Manual

LG
LG
LG
LG
LG
LG
LG

z
z
z
z
z
z
z

z
z
z
z
z
z
z

z
z
z
z
z
z
z

z
z
z
z
z
z
z

Positioning, aligning and distributing objects


Grouping and locking objects
Scaling objects
Making objects the same size
Rotating objects
Skewing objects
Duplicating and mirroring objects

z Reshaping embroidery objects

z Changing properties of existing objects

z Making selected object properties current

Arrange and Transform

Arranging and Transforming Objects

Position, align and distribute objects


Group and lock objects
Scale objects
Make objects same size
Rotate objects
Skew objects
Mirror objects
Convert and Reshape

Converting and Reshaping Objects

Reshape objects using control points


Wilcom ES Release Notes

Object Properties, Styles and Templates


Change properties of existing
objects
Make selected object properties
current
Modify current property settings
Apply current settings to existing
objects
Change default properties

Object Properties, Styles and Templates

z
z

z
z

z Modifying current property settings


z Applying current settings to existing objects

z Changing default property settings

Specialized Digitizing Techniques


Create offset outlines
Add borders to designs

Specialized Digitizing Techniques


Offset Object
z

z
z

Textured Fills

Textured Fills

Create textures with stippling


Stipple
Create textures with Tatami offsets Tatami Offset
Create textures with program splits Program Split

z
z

z
z
z

Motif Runs and Fills


Create motif runs
Create motif fills

z Creating textures with stippling


z Creating textures with Tatami offsets
z Creating textures with program splits
Motif Runs and Fills

Motif Run
Motif Fill

z
z

Sequins and Boring


Set up custom sequin palette
Create sequin runs

z Creating outlines and filling holes


z Adding borders to designs

z Creating motif runs


z Creating motif fills
Sequins and Boring

Sequin Run

z Setting up custom sequin palettes


z Creating sequin runs

57

z Included as standard Cost option New/improved feature/option L For lettering only LG For lettering and grouped objects only

ES 2006

Capability

Feature

Digitize individual sequins


Convert sequin artwork to Sequin
Run
Scale and reshape sequin runs
Digitize boring holes

Sequin Manual

21L

21E

21D

45

z Digitizing individual sequins


z Converting sequin artwork to Sequin Run

65

z
z

z
z

z
z

z Scaling and reshaping sequin runs


z Digitizing boring holes

Embroidery Lettering

Embroidery Lettering
z
z
z

z
z
z

z
z
z

z
z
z

Convert TTF

Auto Kerning

z
z

z
z

z
z

z
z

Add lettering to embroidery designs


Adjust letter spacing
Create a matrix of team name
Team Names
designs

z Adding lettering to embroidery designs


z Adjusting letter spacing
z Creating a matrix of team name designs

Product Differentiation Table

Custom Alphabets
Convert TrueType fonts to
embroidery alphabets
Automatic letter kerning
User-refined alphabets

Custom Alphabets
z

Converting TrueType fonts to embroidery


alphabets
z Automatic letter kerning
z User-refined alphabets

Embroidery Disks and Paper Tapes


Read designs from embroidery disk
Save designs to embroidery disk

Embroidery Disks and Paper Tapes


z
z

z
z

z
z

z
z

z Reading designs from embroidery disk


z Saving designs to embroidery disk

Embroidery Clipart
View and select embroidery clipart
Search and sort embroidery clipart
Record designs to the clipart library
Assign keywords to clipart
Add, modify and delete keywords
Import and export keywords

Embroidery Clipart

System Settings
Set grid options
Set reshape options

Reference in Online Manual

Viewing and selecting embroidery clipart


Searching and sorting embroidery clipart
Recording designs to the clipart library
Assigning keywords to clipart
Adding, modifying and deleting keywords
Importing and exporting keywords
Changing System Settings

z
z

z
z

z
z

z
z

z Setting grid options


z Setting reshape options

z Included as standard Cost option New/improved feature/option L For lettering only LG For lettering and grouped objects only

58

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